Classic Invitations and Sizes

Just as a bride’s gown proclaims her sense of style and individuality, her choice of wedding stationery sets the mood and tone of her special day. Making beautiful invitations might seem a little daunting at first, but when you realise how simple it can be by learning a few artist secrets and tools of the trade, you will find that paper styling can become a much-loved hobby. It all starts with choosing papers and cards from the myriad of styles, colours and patterns.

The most popular invitations sizes, applicable to most items in the wedding stationery suite, are designed to fit perfectly inside a standard envelope size without folding or distorting the design. To ensure your wedding stationery fits comfortably inside a matching envelope, you’ll first need to be familiar with some very basic dimensions

A4: 210 x 297mm

A4 is the most widely available paper size. Perfect for designs of any shape and size, an A4 sheet of paper is the starting point for almost every item in the wedding stationery suite. The paper size chart on the below illustrates where to fold or trim to create each of the classic sizes.

Without folding or trimming it in some way, an A4 sheet is too large for a traditional invitation. However, you may wish to create a wedding menu, cocktail list, seating chart or sign at this size. An A4 sheet is also perfect for rolling into paper petal cones or antique scrolls.

A5: 148 x 210mm

Fold an A4 sheet in half to create this classic size, perfect for menus, thank you letters or large format invitations. Fold several sheets of A4 paper, nestle together, and tie with ribbon to create a beautiful A5 ceremony program or booklet.

Square: 140 x 140mm

Measure and trim 70mm from the side, and 17mm from the top of an A4 sheet to create two square sized pieces. This perfectly symmetrical format is a classic size for wedding invitations, acceptance cards and menus and fits perfectly into a standard square envelope.

DL: 99 x 210mm

Fold an A4 sheet into equal thirds, as you would a formal letter or bill, to create three DL-sized pieces. Either tall or thin, depending on its orientation, this format is a classic size for wedding invitations and acceptance cards and fits perfectly into a standard DL envelope.

A6: 105 x 148mm

Fold an A4 sheet in half once and then in half again, to create four A6-sized pieces. This neat, compact format is a classic size for wedding invitations, save-the-date-cards and menus. This size fits neatly into a standard C6 envelope. A6 is the most economical size, as only 25 sheets of A4 paper are required to create 100 A6 invitations.

All images by Cristina Re Designs

Ms Gingham says: Pretty handy information. Essential if you’re making you’re own invitations. See more of Cristina Re Design’s posts here.

Cristina Re‘s stylish boutique Where a Girl Goes offers a variety of papercraft workshops. The Brilliant Bride workshop provides expert tuition for participants to be inspired and create the wedding  of their dreams. All participants receive an exquisite cupcake and coffee or tea from the in-store coffee bar and an exclusive Workshop Discount giving access to 15% off purchases in-store!