Making a video invitation can be a fun and creative way to invite guests to your special event or celebration. Whether it’s a birthday party, wedding, baby shower or other milestone, a video invite allows you to add a personal touch and get guests excited about your upcoming occasion. With the right planning and preparation, creating a video invitation is easy and can be done in just a few steps.
Why Make a Video Invitation?
Here are some of the key benefits of sending a video invite:
- It’s more engaging and memorable than a paper invite.
- Lets your personality shine through.
- You can get creative with visuals and effects.
- Allows you to share details through song, speech or demonstration.
- Sets your event apart from one with standard invites.
- Can be easily shared online to reach more guests.
- Gives guests an exciting sneak preview of your event.
Overall, a video invite helps generate enthusiasm and excitement for your upcoming celebration in a way that words on a paper invite simply cannot. Your guests will appreciate the extra thought and personalization.
Planning Your Video
The first step is to brainstorm and come up with your vision for the video. Here are some key aspects to consider:
Occasion
What is the event or celebration for? Tailor the style and tone of the video to fit the occasion. For example, a birthday invite video might be lively and fun while a more formal wedding invite could be romantic and elegant.
Visuals
Decide what visuals will be included – this could be photos, video clips, animations or text overlays. Visuals help convey key info like the date, time, location etc. and set the overall look and feel.
Audio
Will you use background music, voiceovers, sound effects or a combination? Music helps set the tone while spoken elements allow you to share event details and your enthusiasm.
Style
Consider the overall style – funny, heartfelt, casual, formal etc. This depends on the event type and your personality. Make it sincere and represent you.
Length
Video invites tend to range from 1-3 minutes long. You want enough time to include key details but not so long guests lose interest. Outline the key sections to keep it concise.
Platform
How will you share the video – email, YouTube, social media, website? This may determine file formats to export to.
Creating Your Video
Once you’ve completed the planning phase, it’s time to start creating your video invitation. Here are some tips for putting it all together:
Script
Write out a script detailing exactly what visuals, text, audio and other elements will appear and when. Having a script ensures you include all important event details and provides direction during filming/editing.
Tools
Select tools you’ll use to create the video. This could include a camera phone or video camera to film, a microphone for better audio, editing software like iMovie or Premiere and/or apps like Animoto or Biteable for easy video creation.
Visuals
Collect any photos, video clips or other visuals you plan to incorporate per your script. If filming yourself or others, pick a location with good lighting. Ensure visuals are high quality.
Record Audio
Record any voiceovers, music or other audio elements. Use a mic for best sound quality if recording voices. Pick uncopyrighted music or ask the composer for permission.
Editing
Import everything into your editing software and start piecing together your video invitation per your script. Trim clips as needed and use transitions between scenes. Add text overlays for key info.
Finishing Touches
Watch the full video and polish as needed. Fine tune audio levels, color correct visuals and add any last embellishments. Render the final video in formats for your sharing method.
Sharing Your Video Invite
You did it – your custom video invitation is complete! Now it’s time to share it with guests. Here are some tips:
Send as an email attachment if file size permits. Link to a streaming version on YouTube or Vimeo if too large for email.
Social Media
Post on sites like Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. This allows even out of town guests to view it easily.
SMS Text
Send a link to your mobile video in an SMS text message so guests can simply click and view on their phones.
Website
Embed the video on your wedding or event website if you have one. This keeps all the info in one place.
Preview Party
Host a viewing party and invite guests to watch the video together on a big screen! This is a fun way to deliver the invites in person.
However you choose to share it, your custom video invite is sure to impress guests and get them excited to attend your special event. Have fun celebrating once the big day arrives!
Video Invitation Ideas and Examples
To help spark ideas for your own video invite, here are some examples and themes to consider:
Save the Date Teaser Trailer
Create a short “preview” invite styled like a movie trailer with dramatic narration and footage of you sending out invites. Finish with the event date.
Music Video Parody
Re-write lyrics to a popular song and film yourselves performing it with details about your party or event.
Pop Culture Parody
Recreate and parody a scene from a TV show, movie or viral video with your own event specifics mentioned throughout.
Photo Slideshow
Set key details to music over a nostalgic slideshow of childhood or old photos leading up to present day.
Fairytale Theme
Act out a fairytale story starring you and your partner with wedding or party details worked into the story script.
Cooking or Craft How-To
Film a tutorial showing how to make appetizers for the event or DIY decorations while discussing party details.
period Period Costume
Shoot your invite in black and white with vintage costumes and props for a retro, formal vibe.
Talk Show Format
Role play a talk show interview format with one of you as host and the other as guest discussing event plans.
Interactive Choose Your Own Adventure
Let viewers click on different options throughout the video to determine how the story ends and where they are invited.
Animated Cartoon
Hire an animator on Fiverr to create a custom cartoon invite with your voices and characters.
The options are endless! Choose a concept that aligns with your event theme and personality as the guests of honor. Get creative and have fun with it.
Video Making Tips and Tricks
Here are some additional tips for making your video invitation stand out:
- Use props, signs and other DIY additions to make it more engaging.
- Inject humor whenever possible – funny invitations are very memorable.
- Incorporate your pets for some bonus cuteness.
- Change up locations for visual interest.
- Play with different camera angles – close ups, wide shots, pans, tilts.
- Add b-roll footage and overlays to spice up a basic speech.
- Use captions or subtitles so viewers don’t miss any key details.
- Time music cues and edits to beat drops or swelling moments in the song.
- Incorporate green screen effects to transport you to various locations.
- Spruce up your background with balloons, streamers or other decor.
Keeping these tips in mind as you write, film and edit can elevate your video invite from basic to sensational!
Common Video Invite Mistakes to Avoid
While making your own video invite can be really fun, there are also some pitfalls to look out for:
Forgetting Key Details
Your video needs to communicate all the vital event information like date, time, location, attire, RSVP details, etc. Script it to ensure you cover everything.
Poor Audio Quality
Muffled or echoey audio is distracting. Use lavalier mics or record voiceovers separately from video footage.
Overly Long Runtime
Under 5 minutes is best. Rambly invites try viewers’ patience. Edit down to the most essential footage.
Too Many Special Effects
While some effects can enhance, overusing flashy transitions, animations, etc. can feel excessive. Use sparingly and purposefully.
Forgetting the Purpose
A video invite’s main role is sharing event details. Don’t get so caught up in theatrics that you forget why you’re making it.
Inside Jokes
Obscure references or jokes may go over viewers’ heads, especially for big events like weddings. Keep it broadly appealing.
Poor Lighting
Grainy or dim footage can look unprofessional. Use adequate lighting and tweak brightness/contrast in editing.
Oversharing
While personal touches are nice, don’t get too candid with private jokes or TMI. Remember many will see this.
Avoiding these pitfalls will ensure your video invite impresses guests and gets them excited to attend!
Conclusion
Creating DIY video invitations allows you to add personal flair and fun to any party or event. With the right preparation, scripting, visuals and editing tricks, you can produce an engaging invite video your guests will love. Pick an occasion-appropriate theme, add your personal touch, nail the details and avoid common mistakes. Get creative and set your event apart with a custom video your guests won’t soon forget! The extra effort is sure to generate hype and joy when you gather to celebrate.