As a paper product enthusiast, I craved unique invitations for our Italian wedding celebration. I wanted a design that would set the tone for our three day celebration and something that didn’t look like everyone else’s. While I fell in love with Shhmydarling’s bespoke designs, the cost wasn’t feasible. So, I pivoted to searching for custom watercolor venue illustrations on Etsy.
After extensive browsing, I discovered Splendid Swan, whose art resonated with me and was more budget-friendly. Remember, most Etsy prices reflect design, not printing. Be mindful of artists who hand-paint each invite (rare & expensive) versus those who digitize their artwork for printing (like my invitations). My final cost per invite (including printing) was around $12.80. I also opted for custom envelope printing and wax seals (additional costs on top of the $12.80/invite).
I want to warn that doing custom invitations is a splurge. I’m writing a guide to finding a more “budget-friendly” artist Etsy, but they are still expensive regardless (vs going with a site like Minted).
I searched for hours to find the right artist, and I’m sharing some of my tips below for Etsy wedding invitations.
Use Keywords to search Etsy
Start your Etsy search with keywords like “custom watercolor wedding invitations,” “hand painted wedding invites,” “custom venue design wedding invites” or “floral wedding invites.” If you have a specific design in mind, like a trifold format, include that keyword as well.
What to Look for in an Etsy Seller’s Profile
Don’t just stop at the product photos! Here’s what to pay attention to on their page:
- Shop Reviews: Read reviews to gauge the artist’s communication, flexibility, and ability to transform visions into reality.
- Artist Portfolio: Explore the shop’s full portfolio to see if their style aligns with your vision. Don’t be afraid to contact the artist with questions about customization.
- Communication: Does the artist respond promptly and professionally to your inquiries? This bodes well for smooth sailing throughout the process.
Contact the Etsy seller with:
- High-quality photos: Share clear photos of your venue from various angles. The more detail, the better the artist can capture its unique charm.
- Your design vision: Do you envision a realistic portrayal or a more whimsical interpretation? Communicate your preferences and desired level of detail. I also sent quite a few example invites over that I loved.
Tips: Printing, Envelopes, Wax Seals, and Design Ownership on Etsy
Printing: Most sellers design, not print, invitations. Keep this in mind when you’re looking at the price, and make sure you read all the fine-print and description on the page. They’ll likely recommend a printer and offer a discount.
Envelopes: Double-check if envelopes are included in the price.
Wax Seals: Some sellers offer wax seals as an add-on.
Design Ownership: In most cases, the seller owns the invitation design and can resell it. This may not be an issue for everyone, but it’s something to consider. I didn’t personally mind, and you can see our invites with fake couples names/different dates on our Seller’s page now.
You can read my wedding recap post to learn about other details from our destination wedding in Italy!