I just received my 13 month email from The Knot! How exciting!
According to The Knot, on my checklist this month should be the bridal party and the guest list! With the bridal party almost complete (Matt has just a couple more phone calls to make!), I am focusing on the guest list this month. And actually, that is almost finished too! I have one more address to get for my guests, Matt has a few for his, and then our parents will hopefully send along their lists in the next couple of weeks!
I've been practicing my calligraphy skills for the addressing of the Save the Dates (my order of those are being processed as we speak!) and trying to get things ready in general for that. They are quite the DIY project and require A LOT of stamping skills (as well as handwriting). I find myself at Michael's weekly picking up more stamping kits and cardstock! Thank goodness for those 50% coupons!!
I hope to have them completely finished by mid-October, and in the mail by the end of that month. It feels like a lot of time, but I know how quickly weeks can sneak by! I am starting to feel like this is not quite as realistic of a goal as I thought it was...
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Do You Feel It?
I am in love with a font. This deliciously delectable morsel came across my screen this afternoon as I was sifting through page upon page of calligraphy fonts for Save the Date addresses. It is called "Feel Script". Doesn't it just make you feel like you're in small-town America, back in the early 1900's? It has a very vintage feel to it, while still remaining classic and stylish. It is my goal this month to become a pro at writing in this style.
I bought the envelopes for the Saves this past weekend, and am just about to begin addressing them. I tried one today using our address as a trial run, and boy is calligraphy ever hard! Whoever thought of using it for weddings was a nut! But I will prevail! I will write my own addresses out! I will not be outdone by a font!
Friday, September 3, 2010
Which Save to Date?
I never would have imagined there to be so many Save the Date options out there! Assuming I do not want to take the time to make this a full-on DIY project, and I do not want to spend $200-$800 on them from boutique websites such as The Green Kangaroo, Invitations by Dawn, or Weddingpaperdivas (although I had fun drooling over their designs, and if price were no option I would definitely order from them, the quality looks amazing), this still leaves four good and complicated options.
(1) magnetstreet.com
The average price for 100 Saves from this site is $169 (with free shipping). They have over 500 fully editable options for magnets, making them the option to go to if you have less popular color options (such as mine, as I'm finding out).
However, even Emily Post claims that Save the Dates are the bride's time to have fun with the wedding, and to play around with other colors. She claims that there will be plenty of time to see your wedding colors later on. However, I would at least like to stay in the same color family.
But I digress. Magnetstreet offers users the capability to create just the right shade of pink (or whatever your color may be) for all aspects of the Save (including the background and other decorations). I love this option, as I can make the Save completely ours. Users can also purchase coordinating mailing labels for an extra $20.
But is all this worth the extra cost?
(2) Vistaprint
An ever-popular option for the budget bride, vistaprint offers 100 magnets for $50. However, they do not include envelopes, or labels, users cannot edit the colors (with the exception of the font colors, which is not helpful if they do not coordinate with the background), and the place for the photo only accepts vertical photos, meaning we would need to choose a different photo, or face looking squished.
Vistaprint is out for our Saves, but it seems like a good option for the photoshare business cards. They are fully editable (even allowing users to upload their own design) and many coupons can be found online for 100 free business cards from this site! A definite save!
(3) savethedatemagnet.com
From the title alone, this seems like the obvious choice. For 100 magnets, the cost is $99. The site offers free shipping, the addition of backing cards for only $10, and free envelopes. Another feature which I love is that for an additional $39 they will print your return address on each envelope. Or, if you really want, for an additional $99 they will print all your outgoing addresses as well. However, I just purchased a calligraphy pen and am quite looking forward to writing these out myself.
The downside: these are smaller (business-card sized) and may be difficult for older guests to read. Also, users must use the design they see (no color editing here, folks), and the designs are not editable online, so in order to see your completed design requires a weeks wait for the proof to come.
But I really do love their designs.
(4) 123print.com
These are $95 for 100 magnets (I've seen a 10% off coupon online, bringing the price down to only $86). I was put off by these at first, since all the Saves did not include the phrase "Save the Date". However, just in the past hour, I discovered users can add their own text, in different fonts, colors, and sizes. So, problem solved.
Shipping is $18 (the highest I've seen), and the magnets do not include backing cards or envelopes. However, I discovered that Office Depot offers a set of 100 ivory greeting card envelopes for only $5. Problem #2 solved, and the backing card problem was solved in the previous post.
The only issue I have with this company is that they do not offer users the capability to customize the background colors. However, problem solved again as they have many options in our color family.
I have multiple designs chosen at this point, from each of these websites. Hopefully hubby can help me narrow them down!
(1) magnetstreet.com
The average price for 100 Saves from this site is $169 (with free shipping). They have over 500 fully editable options for magnets, making them the option to go to if you have less popular color options (such as mine, as I'm finding out).
However, even Emily Post claims that Save the Dates are the bride's time to have fun with the wedding, and to play around with other colors. She claims that there will be plenty of time to see your wedding colors later on. However, I would at least like to stay in the same color family.
But I digress. Magnetstreet offers users the capability to create just the right shade of pink (or whatever your color may be) for all aspects of the Save (including the background and other decorations). I love this option, as I can make the Save completely ours. Users can also purchase coordinating mailing labels for an extra $20.
But is all this worth the extra cost?
(2) Vistaprint
An ever-popular option for the budget bride, vistaprint offers 100 magnets for $50. However, they do not include envelopes, or labels, users cannot edit the colors (with the exception of the font colors, which is not helpful if they do not coordinate with the background), and the place for the photo only accepts vertical photos, meaning we would need to choose a different photo, or face looking squished.
Vistaprint is out for our Saves, but it seems like a good option for the photoshare business cards. They are fully editable (even allowing users to upload their own design) and many coupons can be found online for 100 free business cards from this site! A definite save!
(3) savethedatemagnet.com
From the title alone, this seems like the obvious choice. For 100 magnets, the cost is $99. The site offers free shipping, the addition of backing cards for only $10, and free envelopes. Another feature which I love is that for an additional $39 they will print your return address on each envelope. Or, if you really want, for an additional $99 they will print all your outgoing addresses as well. However, I just purchased a calligraphy pen and am quite looking forward to writing these out myself.
The downside: these are smaller (business-card sized) and may be difficult for older guests to read. Also, users must use the design they see (no color editing here, folks), and the designs are not editable online, so in order to see your completed design requires a weeks wait for the proof to come.
But I really do love their designs.
(4) 123print.com
These are $95 for 100 magnets (I've seen a 10% off coupon online, bringing the price down to only $86). I was put off by these at first, since all the Saves did not include the phrase "Save the Date". However, just in the past hour, I discovered users can add their own text, in different fonts, colors, and sizes. So, problem solved.
Shipping is $18 (the highest I've seen), and the magnets do not include backing cards or envelopes. However, I discovered that Office Depot offers a set of 100 ivory greeting card envelopes for only $5. Problem #2 solved, and the backing card problem was solved in the previous post.
The only issue I have with this company is that they do not offer users the capability to customize the background colors. However, problem solved again as they have many options in our color family.
I have multiple designs chosen at this point, from each of these websites. Hopefully hubby can help me narrow them down!
Packaging Ideas for Saving the Date
I've just spent an entire hour on google searching for ideas for packaging our save the dates (mind you I have yet to pick a style of save the date I like...I'm always two steps ahead of myself!) I am becoming quite discouraged that the only "helpful" websites I can find offer advice such as: remember to place the magnets in an envelops and take them to the post office. Really? Who doesn't know how to do that?
What I am looking for, are ideas on for backing the Saves prior to putting them in envelopes. I found one girl who had created pocket folders for her Saves so that she could include an insert with all her pertinent wedding information. I got excited. Then I realized that that defeated the purpose of using a magnet as the Save, as most people will throw away or lose the insert and there goes all your carefully placed information.
The only thing I have been able to find is the following:
I actually really like the idea. It's cute, vintage-looking, and relatively inexpensive. I have plenty of time to find a nice type-writer looking font to write the sentiment we choose on the front, and then figure out how to put it through the printer.
Another idea is to glue a liner inside the envelopes to make them prettier. I did this for the bridesmaid "get to know you" packets, and it was relatively simple to do. However, it was time-consuming and probably not worth the additional cost for the Saves. They would look something like this:
This idea is going to require a LOT of additional research! I never would have thought something as simple as this would require so much extra work!
What I am looking for, are ideas on for backing the Saves prior to putting them in envelopes. I found one girl who had created pocket folders for her Saves so that she could include an insert with all her pertinent wedding information. I got excited. Then I realized that that defeated the purpose of using a magnet as the Save, as most people will throw away or lose the insert and there goes all your carefully placed information.
The only thing I have been able to find is the following:
I actually really like the idea. It's cute, vintage-looking, and relatively inexpensive. I have plenty of time to find a nice type-writer looking font to write the sentiment we choose on the front, and then figure out how to put it through the printer.
Another idea is to glue a liner inside the envelopes to make them prettier. I did this for the bridesmaid "get to know you" packets, and it was relatively simple to do. However, it was time-consuming and probably not worth the additional cost for the Saves. They would look something like this:
This idea is going to require a LOT of additional research! I never would have thought something as simple as this would require so much extra work!
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Vintage Leaf Holders
Today I did a test-run of my DIY leaf cones for the ceremony recessional toss. It is quite the ordeal! I think prior to doing any of these for real, I should contact the wedding coordinator at the Otesaga and be sure that the leaf toss is even a possibility. After all, someone is going to have to clean all this up!
Anyway, here is how I did it:
I placed a doily on a cookie sheet, and made a pot of tea. Taking the tea bag, I ran it back and forth over the doily, coating it in tea. Here is how it looked:
I then let the doily dry. It came out looking like this:
I'm quite happy with the outcome. They look very vintage, and the tea-color coordinates with the rich fall leaves much better than the stark white. While this is a very time-consuming project (especially for someone in a one-bedroom apartment who can only make 2 doilies at a time), I think in the end the look will make it well worth the effort.
One important thing to remember for fellow DIY-er brides out there wanting to take this project on: stick with the 10" doilies! The 8" ones are too snug and hold onto the leaves quite well, making it impossible for them to fall out when they are tossed.
Anyway, here is how I did it:
I placed a doily on a cookie sheet, and made a pot of tea. Taking the tea bag, I ran it back and forth over the doily, coating it in tea. Here is how it looked:
I then let the doily dry. It came out looking like this:
I'm quite happy with the outcome. They look very vintage, and the tea-color coordinates with the rich fall leaves much better than the stark white. While this is a very time-consuming project (especially for someone in a one-bedroom apartment who can only make 2 doilies at a time), I think in the end the look will make it well worth the effort.
One important thing to remember for fellow DIY-er brides out there wanting to take this project on: stick with the 10" doilies! The 8" ones are too snug and hold onto the leaves quite well, making it impossible for them to fall out when they are tossed.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Some Assembly Required: Part 2
I spent this morning putting all my DIY projects through the flowchart test. Here is my list (thus far) of projects to be completed in the next 402 days. (The ones with an asterick next to them I have completed already)
STATIONARY ITEMS:
Save the Date envelopes (calligraphy)
Invites
Invite envelope calligraphy
Programs
Menus
Escort Cards
Timeline for bridal party
Bookmark favors
Signs for reception (bathroom basket, escort cards, guest book, etc)
*Bridesmaid packets
Maps
Scavenger Hunt cards for disposable cameras
Out of Town gift bag cards
Photoshare Cards
Vendor Tipping Envelopes
RECEPTION DECOR:
Table Names
Lace Surrounding Votive Candles for Centerpieces
Vintage Frames for Centerpieces
Cakestands for Centerpieces
Bride and Groom Chair Sashes
Cupcake wrappers
Guest book
Bathroom Baskets
Wooden Initials (for getting ready doors)
CEREMONY:
Leaf Cones
EXTRAS:
Out of Town gift bags
**YIKES!!** This list seems really long right now!! Good thing I still have 13 months to get it all done!
STATIONARY ITEMS:
Save the Date envelopes (calligraphy)
Invites
Invite envelope calligraphy
Programs
Menus
Escort Cards
Timeline for bridal party
Bookmark favors
Signs for reception (bathroom basket, escort cards, guest book, etc)
*Bridesmaid packets
Maps
Scavenger Hunt cards for disposable cameras
Out of Town gift bag cards
Photoshare Cards
Vendor Tipping Envelopes
RECEPTION DECOR:
Table Names
Lace Surrounding Votive Candles for Centerpieces
Vintage Frames for Centerpieces
Cakestands for Centerpieces
Bride and Groom Chair Sashes
Cupcake wrappers
Guest book
Bathroom Baskets
Wooden Initials (for getting ready doors)
CEREMONY:
Leaf Cones
EXTRAS:
Out of Town gift bags
**YIKES!!** This list seems really long right now!! Good thing I still have 13 months to get it all done!
Vintage Findings
I found these coasters at an antique shop this past weekend. I spent an hour in the store debating whether to buy them. I love them. I love how they look. But how could I use them?
I want them as some sort of decoration at the reception. They fit so well with our vintage-meets-modern theme. Plus, they have the postcard theme going for them as well. How could I just leave them there? And so, they found their way to our apartment.
If anyone has any ideas of how I could use these, please feel free to leave me a comment! I'm at a total loss, but am determined to use them!
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