Choosing the perfect wedding invitation can be a daunting task, especially when the designs you've seen don't align with your vision for your big day. You may have initially imagined a traditional bride and groom-centered union, but life has shifted your priorities and introduced special individuals that you want to now also include. The more you think about your union, the more you are certain that it is essential to recognize that including your family is a fundamental aspect of making your special day complete.
Reflecting this family element on your wedding day starts with the invitation and unfortunately, the pickings for family themed invites are slim! We all know that families come in all shapes and sizes, with the two most common being blended families (where one or both parents bring children from previous relationships) and traditional families (where mom and dad bring their own mini-me's into the world). Regardless of your family composition, you may know in your heart of hearts that it is essential to make children feel valued and included on your wedding day. With this in mind, I found it necessary to create designs that prioritize family.
FAMILY WEDDING TEMPLATES
My first wedding template looks at the traditional family setup. In designing this invitation, I wanted to highlight the family photo as the primary design element. The goal was to convey the strong bond between family members by utilizing stacked type poses that showcased their affection and closeness. The tight squeezes, happy smiles and of course that cheek to cheek magic, is all you need to make your family wedding invitation melt hearts. It's also worth noting that while the parent's names are the most prominent of all the text, the children are still mentioned by first name to add to that sense of inclusivity.
https://hotoildesigns.com/products/family-wedding-invitation-editable-templates
Invitations that reflect your family's playful spirit and unique personality will definitely have your guests grinning from ear to ear. In my second family wedding template, this fun vibe is captured perfectly by featuring an adorable snap shot of the kids and the cute wording, "We Do Too!" Down below, I added a picturesque photo of the parents which could easily be replaced by a goofy photo to match that of their kiddos.
When talking about pulling in family elements to make your wedding invitation design special and inclusive, we cannot forget about the ancient art of crests or monograms. While traditionally ornate, my template example showcases a simplistic style that includes the full family name, as well as the first name initial of each parent at the top. You can also jazz up your wedding by adding the crest to favours, embossed on napkins or even blowing it up and featuring it on the dance floor. The options are literally endless! This is truly a beautiful and classic way to pay homage to your family and honour your family name. If you don't have one, you might consider designing your own crest and passing it down to future generations.
BLENDED FAMILY TEMPLATES
Incorporating blended family members into a wedding can be a challenge. However, one way to achieve this is by using photos of each parent and their child or children to show them, and your guests, that they have always been at the forefront of this life altering decision. This personal touch is not only visually appealing, but it also provides a helpful way for guests to identify who is connected to whom.
https://hotoildesigns.com/products/blended-family-wedding-invitation-editable-templates
Creating the ultimate family wedding invitation is more than just picking pretty colors and fonts. It's about capturing the essence of two families uniting as one. The secret ingredient? Language, baby! By using words like "we" and "our," you can convey the love and togetherness of this special day. Using a meaningful catchphrase and making it the focal point of your invitation can be impactful if you're not keen on using personal photos. In my next example, I used the phrase, "From Everlasting To Everlasting", a saying that exudes endless possibilities and screams infinity and forever, perfect for sending the message that your new union is the start to a happily ever after! And don't forget to give a shout-out to the kids by using their full names like I did in this template. That way they will know they're a big part of the celebration.
PET FRIENDLY FAMILY TEMPLATES
Now let’s talk about the ultimate household member - your furry best friend! For many of us, our pets are family, and it just wouldn't feel right to tie the knot without them by our side. So, grab your camera and start snapping away until the perfect picture with your fur bundle, and of course your fiancé, is achieved. Insert it easily into a fun invitation template like the one I designed below. This design incorporates everyone’s name including your pets and a dog print to boot!
If you don't fancy including your pet in your formal invitation, consider referencing them in your save-the-date announcement instead. Take a look at this example I designed which features a cute play on the word "Paws". The message cuts right to the point from the POV (point of view) of our canine friend with a heartwarming picture that compliments the wording perfectly.
FAMILY WELCOME/PROGRAM WEDDING TEMPLATES
There are other ways to sprinkle family love and add zest and personal touches in your family wedding day. Check out these two fun welcome/program templates below that go above and beyond to welcome your guests and to give them all the important deets for the day. Taking a closer look at the blended family theme template: it showcases individual photos of each child with their parents, accompanied by the bonding words, "Two Families Become One". The template also includes a warm welcome message from the family, the order of service, a tribute to missed loved ones, a QR code for photo sharing, and a wedding day timeline. This template doubles as a guide for the day, as well as a great keepsake for you and your guests. The second program is as informative as the first one, but with an adorable twist - it's written from your kids' point of view! Both templates are fully editable, so it's no problem to add or remove any information you wish.
Here are the links to check these templates out:
https://hotoildesigns.com/products/blended-family-wedding-program-template-double-sided
https://hotoildesigns.com/products/fun-wedding-program-family-wedding-program-editable-template
Whether you're a couple that wants to be the center of their wedding day or one that is adamant about sharing the moment with their kids or beloved pet, just know that either way is perfectly perfect! At the end of the day, follow your hearts and do what makes you feel happy.
I hope you found this post to be informative and enjoyable. Perhaps it has even motivated you to start planning your own family wedding celebration!
Leave a comment below, I’d love to know what you think and if there’s a family invitation idea you’d like me to design.
