A trifold wedding invitation is fun and even a little exciting to receive, as it reveals more and more with each unfolding. Besides having many panels to announce your love and invite your loved ones, you can play with colors, photos, design, typography and wording, all to express the joy of the big day. If you are not a computer expert, you may want to go with a local or online invitation house, leaving you to do the basic design.
Get two pieces of paper and fold them in the two different folds -- a “Z” or a “U.” The "Z" trifold is like the standard business letter, where the creases go in opposite directions. When stood on end, it would look like a "Z." The creases go the same direction for a "U" trifold, which allows for an introductory panel, then a second panel, before opening to the spread of three panels. If you hold the “Z” with the crease on the right, the introductory panel is part of the three-panel spread. If, however, you hold it with the crease on the left, you have an introductory panel that then opens, revealing the three-panels.
Consider where on the two folds -- and three options -- you want to put the words and pictures. Using the "U" with two panels, you could tease the recipient with photos or lines such as “Guess what?” then “Keep Guessing….” Or, “Your two favorite people will soon be…” and “Your favorite couple!” Then put the invitation on the three-panel spread.
If you have other information, such as a map, or RSVP information, put them on the "back" panel, or just leave it blank.
Choose the photographs and colors you want to use. If you have a theme to your wedding, or you just want to play off of the time of year – June, Christmas, August – use colors and type fonts, or even little illustrations, that reflect it.
Get clever with the invitation. Use the trifold to hold a surprise, such as a white rose petal, or have an extra invitation card inside the trifold. Some invitation companies feature a trifold with a pocket, for your return card and anything else you want to put there. Or have a photo of a church on the first panel, with "This is the church. This is the Steeple." On the second panel, have a picture of the church door with, "Open the Door and...." Then, across the tri-panel spread, have a big, "Come to Our Wedding!"
