Today's tutorial sees the invitation take the back seat and moves the envelope into the spotlight. Don't underestimate the power of a quality envelope. As you are saving a ton by DIYing your invitations, spend a little extra on quality envelopes in a coordinating color, then add a custom envelope liner. Envelope liners are very quick and simple to make, and transform your invitation package to something luxurious. Plus they really give you the chance to show your personality on your invitations when you don't have the budget for a full custom suite, as the sky's the limit when it comes to liners.
Envelope liners can be made from scrapbooking paper, not the cheapest option but there are some gorgeous paper choices out there. Wrapping paper is another good choice and very inexpensive. I have some left over wallpaper here that I've used to wrap packages and it would also make a good envelope liner. Book pages and maps can be used, anything printed that you don't mind cutting up! If you are a theater enthusiast, old programs or pages from plays would mean something to you and your guests.
Don't stop with pre-printed paper though, get creative and create your own design. An engagement picture looks adorable as an envelope liner. A meaningful quote can be typeset to create a gorgeous liner. A picture of the city you met in or are getting married in would be chic for a modern wedding. Or create original artwork. If you are thinking you are not an artist making stylish pictures is far easier than you think. Pinterest provides a ton of inspiration. I'm no artist but I love the ombre watercolor effect I put on our nautical invitation after reading a tutorial on Pinterest. For live music lovers, make a collage from tickets to shows the two of you have seen, transform it to a digital file and use this as your liner. No matter what is unique to you and your betrothed, I'd like to bet an envelope liner can be themed around it.
My office floor is covered with colorful envelopes and fun liners that I've cut out from paper and scraps I had lying around, and this just makes me smile. Hands on projects have always been my favorite. My envelope preference for invitations is an A7 Euro flap envelope, which holds a 5 x 7" invitation. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to get the free template for a liner to match this type of envelope.
To make the liner it's as simple as cut out the template, trace onto your liner paper, cut out, and insert into the envelope. Eyeball the top edge so that the liner is evenly spaced from the top flap on the envelope. Fold the envelope flap over to create the crease in the liner. Secure the liner to the envelope with double sided tape.
Now for the envelope eye candy. My biggest problem is deciding which one I like best!
