In our ultimate guide, we break down every relevant Cricut machine meant for the everyday couple — Joy family, Explore family, and Maker family — with pros, cons, pricing, and wedding-specific uses. We’ll also cover refurbished, secondhand, and public library options for couples who want to test the waters without fully committing just yet.
By the end, you’ll know exactly which Cricut fits your wedding needs, budget, and skill level. (And for any other details, the new Cricut Weddings book covers the rest!)
EDITOR'S NOTE: We intentionally have left out Cricut Venture from this guide as this machine was designed for professional creators or small businesses looking to do things on a much larger, bulk scale. In most cases, we don't recommended it for the average bride, groom, or soonlywed as it's an entirely different setup to the tabletop machines you'll see below. But it exists, so it bears mentioning here!
Cricut Machine Breakdown: Wedding Edition
At first glance, most Cricut machines seem pretty similar, but when you’re in the middle of wedding DIYs, those differences really start to matter. Some are perfect for quick labels and invitations, while others can handle full signage, batch making, and custom materials. Here's how each machine stacks up when it comes to real wedding projects being done by real couples with limited time, mindful budgets, or a long list of other wedding planning things to do.Cricut Joy Family (Original, Joy 2, & Joy Xtra)
Best for: Small projects like favor tags, thank you cards, and attire embellishmentsPrice: ~$79–$179 USD / ~£99–£199 GBP
Note: As the secondhand machine market is substantial, we are including original Joy even if not available new in-store anymore. The original Joy and Joy 2 are also significantly different in design and functionality, so we've highlighted them both accordingly below.
CRICUT JOY (ORIGINAL)
Examples of Wedding Uses:• Favor labels
• Personalized wedding party t-shirt details
• Champagne glass tags
• Table numbers
• Wedding hanger decals
What to Know Before You Buy
✔ Ultra-portable for smaller homes or travel
✔ Low cost
✖ Cutting width only 4.5 inches (11.4cm)
✖ Limited to basic materials
✖ Not ideal for large signage or batch making
CRICUT JOY 2
Examples of Wedding Uses:• Everything Original can do and...
• Printable wedding tattoos
• Scoring projects (like folded paper place cards)
What to Know Before You Buy
✔ Ultra-portable for smaller homes or travel
✔ Low cost
✔ Auto-material load feature (a tiny time saver!)
✖ Cutting width only 4.5 inches (11.4cm)
✖ Limited to basic materials
✖ Not ideal for large signage or batch making
CRICUT JOY XTRA
Examples of Wedding Uses:• Cake toppers
• Wedding shoe decals
• Envelope addressing
• Signature drink tags
What to Know Before You Buy
✔ Compact and desk-friendly
✔ Print Then Cut capabilities
✔ Standard size with U.S. Letter/A4 cutting width
✖ Limited to basic materials
✖ Not ideal for large signage or batch making
Cricut Explore Family (up to Explore 5)
Note: As the previous models of Explore and Explore 5 are significantly different in design, we've noted them accordingly below. In functionality, cutting speed generally is the primary difference between the various generations. Machines older than Explore 3 also don't support Smart Materials as is (they would need to be cut on a mat).
Best for: Most all standard wedding projects
Price: ~$249-$329 USD / ~£199–£269 GBP
ALL EXPLORE MODELS
Examples of Wedding Uses:• Invitations
• Wedding signage
• Personalized t-shirts
What to Know Before You Buy
✔ Cuts 100+ materials (including leather and wood veneer)
✔ Full-size 12-inch cutting width
✔ Print Then Cut capable
✖ Cannot engrave or cut thick wood
EXPLORE 5 ONLY
What to Know Before You Buy✔ Lighter in weight, more accessible
✖ Can only use new Cricut 'universal' pens, previous Cricut pens won't work
Cricut Maker Family (up to Maker 4)
Note: In functionality, cutting speed generally is the primary difference between the various generations. Machines older than Maker 3 also don't support Smart Materials as is (they would need to be cut on a mat).
Best for: Creative, niche wedding projects
Price: ~$399–$459 USD / ~£349–£499 GBP
ALL MAKER MODELS
Examples of Wedding Uses:• Fabric projects (e.g., veil embellishments, patchwork table runners)
• Engraved cake slice servers
• Chair signs
What to Know Before You Buy
✔ Cuts 300+ materials (including basswood, thick leather, and fabric)
✔ Engraving tip, rotary blade, and knife blade capabilities
✖ Highest price point for a Cricut machine
Should You Buy a Cricut for Your Wedding?
If you’re considering a Cricut, it’s absolutely expected that you think through whether it’s worth the investment for your wedding. We do believe there's a Cricut out there for everyone regardless of budget though! And the extra good news is there are plenty of ways to enjoy all the benefits of a Cricut without buying brand new, too.Currently only in the U.S., refurbished machines are often available on the Cricut.com website; these include mostly older generation machines. These can be a great way to grab a savvy deal, get a brand-backed warranty on a pre-loved machine, and support the circular economy.
Secondhand machines can also be found on Facebook Marketplace, eBay, or local online craft groups. Be sure your machine of interest hasn't been deactivated by Cricut (due to owner's machine replacement) and ask for a video of machine turned on (ideally, live cutting) with a piece of paper with the calendar date in the shot.
Many public libraries and makerspaces even offer Cricut machines that are free or low-cost to use (just bring your own materials!). This makes it easy to test out projects before making a long-term commitment or if you just don't have the space at home to store or make.
It’s also important to be aware of additional costs. Beyond the machine itself, you may need a few extra tools to get started, like weeding kits, cutting mats, replacement blades, and Cricut Design Space if not sourcing your own images and fonts. Materials such as vinyl, cardstock, and transfer tape can also add up, and there’s often a learning curve with Cricut Design Space that takes some practice which means having extra materials might be needed. Just budget accordingly. Most new machines come with bundles of materials to help you learn, practice, and use, so cost savings could be found there.
Finally, consider the time vs. money trade-off. While DIY and Cricut wedding projects can sometimes save you money, they also require time and patience. Test runs are essential to avoid mistakes, and even small errors can delay your wedding timeline. Planning ahead, building in practice time, and starting simple projects first will help ensure your wedding DIYs are a success — without the stress.
Machine
Specialty
Budget
Skill Level
Joy
Small projects
$
Beginner
Joy Xtra
Quick DIY
$
Beginner
Explore
All-rounder
$$
Beginner
Maker
Niche projects
$$$
Beginner-Intermediate
A Note on Cricut Wedding Projects from the Editor
Breaking the third wall for this article, after years of publishing DIY weddings (and making Cricut projects myself), I literally wrote the book on it! Cricut Weddings is a Cricut education guide through a wedding lens with 22 step-by-step project ideas that was designed specifically for couples who want beautiful results without the overwhelm. It's available worldwide wherever books are sold in-store and online.The book features:
• Realistic timelines
• Complete overview of all Cricut machines
• Beginner-friendly techniques
• Wedding details made with joy and intention
If you're considering a Cricut for your wedding, Cricut Weddings is meant to help you decide what's worth making and what's better left off your plate. Purchase your copy today to help you get set up for Cricut wedding success!
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Both offers end July 21, 2026.
✦ For our UK friends, you can buy Cricut Weddings from Gifts to Me for only £13.50 (+ shipping)! Visit giftstome.co.uk and use promo code: R6108
✦ For our U.S. friends, you can purchase Cricut Weddings from Indie Pubs for only $21.50 (+ shipping)! Visit IndiePubs.com and use promo code: IPA4040
Both offers end July 21, 2026.
Disclaimer: Cricut Weddings is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Cricut™. The book is written by a Cricut expert, occasional partner, and lover of weddings!
All photography above by Chelsea Barton from the Cricut Weddings book.
Editor's Note: Specially curated by us, the above product links may be partner-connected and purchasing through these links means we get a small commission from those brands that helps support this website. You can find our full affiliate disclosure policy here on Tidewater and Tulle.
