Gold has been a very popular accent in wedding stationery for some time now (and we couldn’t be happier about it!). In today’s DIY tutorial, we created a high end wedding invitation suite that incorporates mixed metallics and a gilding technique that you can absolutely do yourself! When you use multiple metallic shades, you are able to get a wonderful textural dimension that using only one tone just cannot give. We hope these copper and gold gilded wedding invitations inspire you to incorporate some shine into your own invitations! –Bailey and Emma of Antiquaria

Materials

Modern Type Invitation Stamp

Modern Type Reply Card Stamp

Art Deco Return Address Stamp

Seal Initial Monogram Stamp

A9 Cards (we used Papaya)

6×9 String tie envelopes (we used Milkweed)

4bar Cards (we used Old Lace)

4bar envelopes (we used Paper Bag)

Small Paper Tags (we found ours locally – but these kraft paper tags are similar)

Embossing Stamp Pad

Embossing Heat Tool

Embossing Powder in Gold

Glue Stick or PVA glue

Copper Sheets

Soft brush for gilding

Finetec metallic watercolor set

Fine pointed brush

Step One: First, you’ll want to rubber stamp and emboss all of your cards. We used our Modern Type Invitation Stamp and Modern Type Reply Card Stamp for this design. On the cute little tag, we embossed our Seal Monogram Stamp. All of the pieces were embossed with our favorite gold embossing powder which gives lovely, fine results. Simply stamp your designs on each card (either in matching ink or with Versamark glue ink, as pictured), dust the powder over it, tap off the excess, and heat set the print. For more information about how to emboss using stamps, please watch this instructional video.

Step Two: Now for the fun part…gilding! We used copper (yes COPPER!) sheets to gild the top of our invitation design to lend an organic, worn, metallic look. With a glue stick smear the adhesive at the top of the invitation and quickly, very quickly put the copper sheet face down on top of the adhesive. Rub the paper backing on the copper sheet with your fingers to make sure that it sticks. Peel off the backing and rub the foil gently with your fingers to smooth any edges.

Step Three: Lightly brush off excess with your soft brush. Repeat steps 2 and 3 with more adhesive if needed.

Step Four: Emboss your return address using the same technique as used in step one. We used our Art Deco Return Address Stamp for this design on both our reply envelope and outer envelope.

Step Five: Address your invitations! We used a beautiful finetec metallic paint palette with a pointed brush for this design. Experiment with styles until something feels natural to you! There’s a bit of a learning curve when lettering with a brush, just be patient with yourself and remember to have a light touch.

Step Six: Now all that’s left is to put the suite together! We tied ours together with golden thread (wrapped around 4-5 times) and tied it with our tag. Add your postage and send your metallic creations to your lovely guests!

Photography by Antiquaria for Oh So Beautiful Paper