I just saw a Fast Co. article about a new benchmark in 3D printing. A company called Pirate 3D has raised funds for the production of a 3D printer that will cost less than $400. This price (and some fine features) represent a giant leap forward in accessibility of in-home 3D printing. And, while there’s some doubt as to whether 3D printing will truly become ubiquitous, I do think it is an important part of the future of weddings.

If you’ve heard anything about 3D printing for weddings, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of 3D printed cake toppers.

3D Printing in Weddings

My first introduction to the possibilities came from Catherine Iskiw, a jeweler whose work I adore. She employs both traditional methods and 3D printing to create stunning wedding rings as well as more casual pieces. It was some of my conversations with her that really got me thinking about the potential for 3D printing in the studios of most wedding professionals. There seems to be a growing number of jewelers either crafting 3D printed jewelry or employing it in the production process.

While most of the commercially available models print in some form of plastic, material options range from metal to human tissue to edibles. Beautiful sugar sculptures could easily become a staple of caterers’ and bakers’ kitchens, along with digitally-crafted chocolate and other edibles.

Shapeways, one of the pioneers of the 3D printing community, recently held a contest for wedding-related 3D-printed creations. Notable creations included bridal wearables, napkin rings, and (you guessed it) cake toppers.

And at the luxury wedding summit, Engage, Carley Roney brought in a 3D printed heart to bring home the point that tech is moving fast and transforming the wedding experience.

3D Printed Invitations

Of course, I see huge opportunity for amazing 3D printed wedding invitations. I’ve been working on a couple concepts and designs that I’ll be showing in the space in the months to come. From paper-thin (well, maybe really thick paper) designs to custom objects – totems for your wedding, the possibilities are wide open.

If you’re interested in being one of the first couples to send your guests a 3D printed wedding invitation, I would love to help you bring that to life. Send me a note and we can discuss your inviting experience today.