How to create free wedding invitations online: a step-by-step guide

Why the right tool matters for wedding invitations

If you’ve ever searched for free wedding invitations online, you’ve probably run into the same frustrations: generic templates that look like everyone else’s, design tools that are powerful but overwhelming, or platforms that promise “free” and then lock every decent option behind a paywall.

The good news is that creating a beautiful wedding invitation in 2026 doesn’t require a graphic designer or a big budget. It does require choosing the right tool for what you actually need.

What to prepare before you start

Before opening any tool, gather this basic information. It will save you from going back and forth:

• Date and time confirmed for the ceremony and reception.
• Full address of the venue (or venues, if ceremony and celebration are in different locations).
• Guest list at least in draft form, to know how many invitations you need and whether some guests speak other languages.
• Visual style you’re after: romantic, minimalist, rustic, modern. You don’t need a full mood board — just a general direction.
• Couple photo or image you’d like to include (optional but recommended).

If the date or venue aren’t 100% confirmed yet, you can start designing anyway and update the details later without losing your work.

Tools to create wedding invitations for free (or almost)

Before the step-by-step guide, it’s worth comparing what’s available and how each option differs.

Canva: free-form graphic design

Canva is probably the most popular tool for designing wedding invitations for free. Its free plan includes hundreds of wedding templates, fonts and decorative elements you can mix and match.

• Pros: completely free for basic designs, intuitive drag-and-drop interface, export as PNG, JPG or PDF to share as an image or print.
• Cons: no wedding-specific features like RSVP, interactive maps or event website. You’ll need to manage confirmations yourself (WhatsApp messages, phone calls, spreadsheets). Some elements and templates are premium-only.

Canva is ideal if you only need the invitation image to send via WhatsApp or print on paper.

Google Slides

An option many people overlook. Google Slides is genuinely free and lets you create an invitation design from scratch or start from a template, export as an image or PDF and share it.

• Pros: 100% free, no watermarks, real-time collaboration with your partner.
• Cons: no wedding-specific templates (you’ll need to find inspiration elsewhere), no event features at all, and more manual design work.

Invitatis: invitation + wedding website in one

Invitatis works differently from a graphic editor. It’s a platform built for weddings where the invitation is part of a complete website with RSVP, map, agenda, accommodation info and more.

• Pros: available in multiple languages, professionally designed templates, built-in RSVP, a single link that holds all the event information. You can try and customise designs at no cost.
• Cons: publishing the invitation and sharing it with guests requires a one-off payment. The free preview lets you explore designs and see the final result before committing.

Invitatis is worth it if you want a complete solution beyond an image: confirmations, logistics and all your event info in a single link.

Which one should you choose?

If your budget is zero, Canva or Google Slides will handle the design. If you also want to manage RSVPs and logistics from the same place, a specialised platform like Invitatis saves a lot of work (in exchange for a small investment).

Step by step: create your wedding invitation

1. Pick the tool that fits your needs

Now that you know the options, choose based on what you need:

• Just the invitation image → Canva or Google Slides.
• Invitation + RSVP + event website → Invitatis or another wedding platform.

Whatever you choose, make sure it supports your language. A platform that works natively in your language means default text, buttons and instructions make sense straight away.

2. Choose a design that matches your wedding

Not every design suits every wedding, and that’s fine. Think about the tone you want to set:

• Classic and elegant: serif fonts, cream and gold palettes, subtle floral details.
• Modern and minimalist: lots of white space, clean sans-serif, a single accent colour.
• Rustic and natural: paper textures, botanical illustrations, earthy greens and terracotta.
• Romantic and colourful: watercolour effects, warm palettes with dusty pink or peach.

If in doubt, go simple. A clean design always communicates better than a cluttered one.

3. Personalise the text with your voice

This is where your invitation stops being a template and becomes something uniquely yours:

• Names: make sure they appear exactly as you want to be addressed.
• Invitation text: match the tone to your personality. Formal? “We request the pleasure of your company…” Casual? “We’re getting married and we want you there!”
• Practical details: date, time, venue and any important info (parking, shuttle, dress code).
• Personal message: a brief line that captures your story or excitement. Not required, but it adds warmth.

4. Add the key sections

A good digital invitation goes beyond date and venue. These sections ensure your guests have everything they need:

• Interactive map: a direct link to the venue so nobody gets lost.
• RSVP form: a simple form where guests can confirm attendance, indicate plus-ones and dietary requirements.
• Accommodation info: nearby hotels with booking links or special rates.
• Dress code: one clear line that removes uncertainty (“Black tie”, “Smart casual”, “No dress code”).
• Gifts: your preference — registry, contribution, or a message saying their presence is the best gift.

5. Review, share and relax

Before sending, do a quick check:

• Spelling and details: a wrong date is a problem; a misspelt name is worse.
• Test on mobile: most of your guests will open it on their phone.
• Test link: send it to someone you trust and ask them to review with fresh eyes.

Once it’s ready, share the link via WhatsApp, email or however you prefer. The invitation loads instantly — no download or extra app needed.

Common mistakes you can avoid

After seeing hundreds of invitations, these are the most frequent missteps:

• Too much information: the invitation isn’t the wedding website. Focus on essentials and link to the rest.
• Forgetting mobile: if it doesn’t look good on a 6-inch screen, it loses half its impact.
• Sending without reviewing: a single error in the address or time triggers dozens of “is this right?” messages.
• Skipping RSVP: if you don’t give guests an easy way to confirm, you’ll end up chasing replies by phone.
• Sharing publicly: if the invitation includes the venue address and schedule, send it only to guests via private channels.

Two paths, one goal

Imagine your wedding is in September at a countryside estate. Here’s how it could work:

Option A — Canva (free)

1. Open Canva and search for “wedding invitation”.
2. Pick a botanical template and update names, date (20 September 2026) and venue.
3. Download the image as PNG or PDF.
4. Send it via WhatsApp to each guest or your family group.
5. Track confirmations via messages or a spreadsheet.

Option B — Invitatis (free preview, paid to publish)

1. Sign up and choose a botanical template.
2. Update names, date and venue address.
3. Enable RSVP and add dietary requirement options.
4. Write the dress code: “Smart casual. Comfortable shoes recommended for the garden.”
5. Publish (requires a paid plan), copy the link and share via WhatsApp.

Both paths work. The difference is how much work you want to save afterwards: if you’re happy managing confirmations yourself, the free option does the job. If you’d rather the tool handle it for you, the investment in a dedicated platform pays off.

Know someone planning a wedding? Share this guide and save them hours of searching.