Giving a wedding card is a tradition that never goes out of style, but if you want to take your well wishes to the next level, a handmade wedding card is a heartfelt, personal way to give your congratulations. Whether you're attending a backyard ceremony or a black-tie affair, a DIY card adds a personal touch the couple will cherish, especially when it's crafted just for them.

The best part? You don’t need fancy tools or artistic skills to make something meaningful. Whether you’re using a Cricut machine or just some paper, scissors, and glue, there’s a perfect DIY card idea for every style and level of craftiness.

Easy DIY Wedding Card Ideas (No Cricut Needed)

If you don’t have a digital cutting machine, don't worry! These no-tech card ideas use simple materials you likely already have on hand or can easily find at your local arts and crafts store.

1. Hand-lettered Design
Use a brush pen or marker to handwrite a meaningful note or quote on the front and inside of your card. For best results, lightly sketch your words in pencil first — just like professional calligraphers do — so you can plan your layout before committing with ink. Choose a thick, high-quality cardstock or watercolor paper to give your card a more elegant feel. And don’t stress about perfect handwriting! Your time and thoughtfulness will shine through more than flawless lettering ever could.



2. Watercolor Hearts or Florals
Create a soft, romantic design with watercolor paint, then once dry, write your message over it in black ink or white gel pen if you wish. Lightly sketch out your design in pencil first, especially if painting within a heart or another shape. It's all about the paper so find one you love and can handle watercolors well, especially if you do the wet-on-wet technique that will need paper resistant to deteriorating with water. We recommend a cold pressed watercolor paper.

3. Paper Collage Cards
Channel that vision board energy! Cut shapes or abstract patterns from scrapbook paper or wedding magazines like hearts, leaves, or wedding bells. With a strong-hold adhesive tape roller, arrange them into a wedding-perfect design on the front of a blank card. Make it more personal by choosing the couple's wedding colors for your collage pieces.



4. Pressed Flower Cards
Want a more natural look? Use dried flowers or leaves to add a beautiful organic element to your handmade card. Use decorative metallic tape, washi tape, or our DIY dried flower wax seals to attach your florals to the card. If making your own pressed flowers, some blossoms can take up to 4 weeks to completely dry out, so this method may or may not be suitable depending on your timeline. If flowers aren't in season when you're making or you need something quickly, you can find lovely pre-dried flowers online.

5. Printable Designs
We believe anyone can be creative, so if you still want to make something thoughtful and need a little digital boost, find a printable wedding card design online or in Canva. Print it on the best cardstock you can find (and that your home printer can handle as thicknesses vary), and add your own personal note by hand. You can fancy it up with embellishments like pearl beads, ribbon, wax seals, or even confetti.

Cricut DIY Wedding Card Ideas for Guests

For the digital crafters or even the Cricut curious out there, you can easily take your card-making game up a notch with these thoughtful wedding-themed designs. Whether you are tech savvy making your own SVG files or prefer to just make as is, there are options for everyone and every skill level. If you're a Cricut Access subscriber or prefer paying à la carte, you'll also find a variety of ideas on Design Space (DS). And if you use a different digital cutting machine, you can also find designs on Etsy.

Since Cricut is our jam, we've shared some of our Design Space (DS) favorites below and have noted them with their associated #M file identity number. If you'd like to check them out, you can quickly find these by typing in the #M number into your DS search bar.

1. Layered Paper Cut Designs
Like the paper collage idea above, this one has a Cricut spin on it. Make it as simple or maximalist as you'd like by layering cut paper shapes or full designs. Use wedding-themed shapes like hearts, doves, two wedding rings, the couple's silhouettes, or other symbols that are meaningful to the couple to create a dimensional front cover to your card. Consider going mixed media as well by cutting out different textures like cardstock, mulberry tree paper, foil poster board, shimmer or glitter paper, and more. Keep the couple's own style in mind as you blend in your own.

2. Foiled Sentiments
Everyone loves a bit of timeless shine! Use Cricut's Foil Transfer Kit (for Joy family machines or Explore and Maker family machines) to add gold, silver, or rose gold messages like "Congratulations," "Best Wishes," or "Happily Ever After" for a luxe finish.

Our foil-friendly design favorites on DS are:
• #M31366868 (Floral Congratulations in English) or find my ready-made card on Design Space
• #M890926C (Happily Ever After)

3. Pop-Up Cards
Surprise the couple with a pop-up element inside your card — a pair of rings, a wedding cake, or a floral bouquet.

Some of our pop-up design favorites on DS are:
• #M10675B (Pop-Up Wedding Cake)
• #M106793 (Pop-Up Floral Bouquet)

4. Intricate Lace Cutouts
Design or cut a pre-designed card with an elegant overlay or front flap using lace-inspired patterns.

Our two intricate lace wedding favorites on DS is:
• #M10AC449E (Lace Love Card)
• #M1869DC (Playful Just Married Card with Envelope)

5. Personalized Details
Go ultra-personal and consider a design where you can customize within it! Think lace where every detail is connected to create a larger design, including wording. Customizable cut files in this style are a lot like papel picado paper flags, but with the couple's initials or wedding date included for a truly personal creation.

Our favorite on DS is:
• #M4B208006 (Customizable Wedding Card by Cat Madeira)

CUT TO THE GOOD STUFF: You can make Cat Madeira's customizable papercut wedding card (as seen below) from her Design Space that includes a coordinating envelope and how-to-assemble video or you can purchase the SVG file directly from her website to upload into your digital design software for cutting.

Top Questions Guests Ask About Making a DIY Wedding Card

Whether you're new to crafting or just want to make sure your handmade card hits the right note, these are the most common questions we've heard that guests and craft beginners have before getting creative.

Do I need to be artistic to make a handmade card?

Not at all! The thought and effort behind the card matter most. Simple designs can still be incredibly meaningful.

What should I write in a DIY wedding card?

Keep it heartfelt. Express your congratulations, share a personal memory, or offer words of encouragement for their journey together. It’s okay to keep it short and sweet if you're not a wordsmith.

What size should my handmade wedding card be?

Standard A6 (4.5” x 6.25”) or A7 (5” x 7”) cards work well, especially if you plan to use a store-bought envelope. If you're making your own envelope (as they are easy to do with online templates), then sky's the limit!

Can I bring a DIY card without a gift?

Absolutely. Cards are meaningful gifts on their own, especially when they’re handmade and heartfelt. When your budget is limited, also consider including a personal invite to have the happy couple around for dinner or drinks at your place once they get back from their honeymoon and have settled into their new routines. Not at all gifts have to be from their wedding registry!

What kind of paper should I use?

Thicker cardstock at least 65lb (175 gsm) is ideal for durability and gives a special occasion vibe. If you're adding watercolor or material layers, you'll definitely want to consider something even heavier like 80lb (216gsm).

Tips for a Thoughtful Handmade Card

• Keep it simple: A minimalist, elegant design can be just as beautiful as something intricate. Keep the couple's personal style in mind when creating.

• Add a personal detail: Mention a memory, joke, or shared moment you've had with the couple.

• Leave room to write: Even if you decorate the outside and the inside, make sure there's space for your message.

• Package it nicely: Slip your card into a pretty envelope, tie it with baker's twine, or seal it with a wax stamp for extra flair to give it a professional look. Do what makes sense for you!

Lastly: Craft from the Heart

A handmade card is a small gesture that can leave a lasting impression. Whether you’re attending your best friend's wedding or your cousin's big day, a DIY card can show your creative thoughtfulness in a way that no store-bought version ever could. So grab your pencils or power up your Cricut! Your perfect card is waiting to be made.

WRITTEN BY

Chelsea Barton

Founder & Wedding DIY Expert

A former wedding photographer and the founder of Tidewater and Tulle, Chelsea Barton has been helping couples bring their dream weddings to life through creative, approachable ideas since 2009. Her insight and work have been featured in Martha Stewart Weddings, Southern Living, and other top publications around the world. She combines editorial expertise and real-world insight to inspire meaningful celebrations.

PHOTO CREDITS
[in order] Silvia Rossana, Sixteen Miles Out, Evie S., Chelsea Barton, Cat Madeira, and Micheile Henderson

Editor's Note: Specially curated by us, the above product links are partner-connected and purchasing through these links means we get a small commission from those brands that helps support this website. You can find our full affiliate disclosure policy here on Tidewater and Tulle.

Anna and Joel's timeless wedding day was everything a summer celebration should be — radiant, romantic, and full of joy. Held at the beautiful The Inn at Vint Hill in Warrenton, Virginia, their big day embraced classic elegance with a modern, playful twist. From the bride's bouquet to the table linens to the bridesmaid dresses, the soft hues of baby blue and white decorated the day creating a soft aesthetic.

Photographed by Bethany Aubre Photography and planned by Remembered Events, the venue's lush grounds provided the perfect backdrop for a summer wedding and inspired the couple's invitation suite with rolling hill illustrations. And we can't get enough of the adorable nearby outbuilding with 'LOVE' spelled out in greenery and yellow flowers! It was the perfect photo opportunity for guests!







Their reception was held under a magnificent sailcloth tent, which gave the evening a dreamy elegant ambiance as the sunlight filtered through the canvas. Among the many thoughtful details, one of the highlights was the charming and unique "Take a Mug, Come Over for Coffee Sometime" wedding favor station, where guests could grab a thrifted mug to remember the occasion and enjoy a warm open invite to continue their connection with Anna and Joel beyond the big day.













The illustrated ribbon bow wedding welcome sign and painted candlesticks were other beautiful touches, guiding guests into the reception space with its whimsical, classic design. Instead of a traditional wedding cake, Anna and Joel opted for a mixed dessert bar, offering a delicious selection of sweet treats that allowed guests to indulge in something a little different.

However, for the cake cutting tradition, the couple kept it special with a simple homemade cake lovingly made by their bridesmaids and groomsmen the night before the wedding. This personal touch added a meaningful and heartfelt layer to their celebration, highlighting the community of friends and family that supported them throughout their journey.











At its core, Anna and Joel's wedding was not just about a beautiful celebration. It was a reflection of their love for each other, their faith, and their deep connection to their family and friends. Every detail, from the heartfelt vows to the cheerful decor, was infused with meaning, creating a day that honored the people who have shaped their lives.

FROM THE GROOM:
By December 2023, it was not a question of if we'd be married but when. Early Summer 2024 was most appealing to both of us for a wedding, but the clock was ticking, and I realized I would need to make a move quickly for this timeline to work. Anna knew a proposal had to be coming soon, so she was on high alert as we traveled back to my hometown in Colorado to spend Christmas with my family. It was going to be hard to pull a fast one on her. Somehow I was able to throw her off the scent, telling her it wasn't happening over Christmas and that we'd want to be back in DC with all our friends when I actually did propose.

I was convinced that she believed me, so I decided to go ahead with my plan to propose in Colorado. I told Anna the morning of the proposal that we had reservations that evening at a restaurant in a neighboring town, but that she should wear boots with her outfit because we were going to stop along the way and hike to an overlook of a frozen lake surrounded by snow-capped peaks. Somehow this didn't send off alarm bells, and Anna agreed to the plan without suspicion. She did have some inklings of what was happening that afternoon when my whole family gathered to stare at us as we left the house though. She also was intrigued when I couldn't stop sweating or bouncing my knee in the car as we drove to dinner.

We stopped for the "casual hike" to the lake. We were getting close to the top of the overlook when I stopped halfway up the hill (where the photographer I had hiding in the woods nearby told me to stop for the best background).

"What are you doing?" Anna asked.
"Let's stop and take it all in," I said.

I then dropped to my knee and began an incoherent speech that I have no memory, all of which ended in popping the question. Anna fortunately answered with an enthusiastic "yes!" At that point, we walked up to the top of the overlook to finally, truly take it all in.

We called our parents to share the news, and my siblings met us with celebratory flowers and hot chocolate. We returned to my hometown for a very happy hour at a restaurant on the Arkansas River with the rest of my family. Afterwards, needing some time to ourselves and still not having had dinner yet, we drove 30 minutes to the nearest Sonic to cap off the evening with hotdogs and tater tots!

FROM THE COUPLE:
We wanted our wedding to be focused on how God worked in both our lives to bring us together. We also wanted the wedding to be a huge party where we could unite all of our friends and family. We were very blessed to feel that our vision more than came together thanks to so many people (especially Bethany Aubre and her team). We both walked away from our wedding feeling celebrated, united, and that there could not have been a more perfect day!

VENDOR CREDITS
Photography: Bethany Aubre Photography | Venue, Catering, and Rentals: The Inn at Vint Hill | Event Planning: Remembered Events | Florals: Bazarr Blossoms | Desserts: Signature Sweets by Amanda | Wedding Cake: DIY by Wedding Party | Hair and Makeup: Veux Beauty | DJ: Upchurch Entertainment | Stationery: Minted | Table Numbers: Shine Wedding Invitations | Signage: Papier | Bride's Gown and Veil: Jenny Yoo | Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Groom's Attire: Suit Supply Washington D.C. | Wedding Rings: VRAI

Looking for Other Wedding Style Ideas? Shop These Inspiring Looks!

Editor's Note: Specially curated by us, the above product links are partner-connected and purchasing through these links means we get a small commission from those brands that helps support this website. You can find our full affiliate disclosure policy here on Tidewater and Tulle.