Wedding Blog
I discovered this unique menu card idea from Philly Knottie Just_JRM’s wedding. The menu cards were designed by Robin K Designs and she was my inspiration for my pocketfold invites and other reception ideas. I had several ideas for creating our circular menu cards, but nothing seemed to work well. I first thought about adding a gold doily and then I thought about stamping/embossing a design. The ideas just didn’t work and now with our wedding day coming soon, I had to create something…FAST!
Circular Menu Cards
Materials:
Sofware I used:
I primarily used Adobe Illustrator for designing the menu card. I first typed out the menu and played around with different fonts to see what worked best. To create the dotted and solid circular design, I used Microsoft Word and used their Draw tool to create a circle with about a 5 point dotted outline. I also created a solid circular with a 1.5 point thickness. I copied and pasted each circle into Illustrator using the Arrange function. I pasted both towards the back so that the menu could be visible. I then scaled each to match the size of the menu. For the solid circle I wanted it to sit inside of the dotted circle, so I scaled it down 3% smaller than the dotted. I arranged both circles so that the menu was centered. For a final touch, I added a flourish watermark design in the center.
Image of my attempt arranging the circles around the menu.
Final draft of my menu using Adobe Illustrator.
**
Here’s the final product!
Close-up shot of Menu Card #1:
I printed this design on pearlescent paper using my laser printer.
Menu Card #2:
I thought the black and white was kind of dull, so I added a little color to this menu card. I added some purple to the dotted circle border and the heart between our names, the watermark has a mint green hue which is not very visible in the photo. I also went kind of crazy with the scalloped scissors so excuse me for any uneven bumps you might see. 
So which menu card looks better? #1 or #2?
I think I like the 2nd menu card more because of the lavender and the mint green colors. I like using the pearlescent paper but it tends to bleed when I print with my inkjet. Laser printers work best with pearlescent paper from my experience, and I wish I had a color laser so that I could add more color and work less to be creative with black & white.
Let’s continue to back to the instructions again:
I printed each menu on champagne pearlescent paper and trimmed each using scalloped scissors. I initially wanted to use this circular cutter device but it was just too difficult to control and I didn’t like seeing the menu slightly off center.. This was so frustrating and I hate wasting paper! I have to admit that I’m kind of a control freak so trimming the circles with scalloped scissors worked best for me. I love these scissors, they are so easy to work with and they add a lovely scalloped trim!
Next week I will check with my caterer if these menu cards will fit our dinner place settings. As you can see in the Robin K Design, the menu doesn’t have to exactly fit the dinner plate. As long as it is smaller in circumference, it should look okay!
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I like it with the color, too. Very nicely made, and very simple too. Good job Miss BP!
*sigh* I love them…I wish I could do menu cards but the fiance said they were an “unnecessary expense” especially because we’re doing a buffet…oh well i could always look
I love those! GREAT JOB!!! 
I wish we had some sort of gold charger plate, but alas… not in the budget.
Both are beautiful but I prefer #2.
Miss Bellpepper, all your French-inspired projects and ideas are making me want to sing Charles Aznavour and Yves Montand songs…A Paris!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwII-czAy_I
I like the splash of color more too (#2) but you’re right, I also like the pearlescent paper. However, I didn’t even notice that #2 wasn’t printed on pearlescent paper so it should be fine to do without.
You’re crazy though…you cut ALL your menu cards with a scissor. I admire your perseverance!
Thanks everyone for your opinions. I think I’ll go with the #2 because I like the colors. I just hope that they fit well in our dinner plates!
Keny, why not do one REALLY nice, big one for the buffet table? People still need to know what they’re eating, even if it’s not being brought to them by penguin-tuxed men carrying silver platters. We are having a buffet, but I still plan on working something in about it, as well as one for the cake table and one for the candy buffet.
i love them - especially with the color added.
Could I bug you for your template? I’ve been trying to make a dot circle and can’t figure out how to…
my email should be above…
Thanks!
Just as an FYI for the future…Creative Memories Circle makers are hands down the best circle creating option on the market. No joke. For anyone out there who doesn’t want the scalloped effect.
These look great. Where will the napkins go?
Thanks! The napkins can pretty much go anywhere. I might consider doing something similar to Just_JRM’s wedding.
[...] and the museum event coordinator yesterday about the ceremony/reception details. I presented the circular menu cards and everyone seemed to like the idea, it’s simple to arrange and it looks very elegant in the [...]
You cut them yourself with scalloped scissors and they came out that perfect? I am in awe of you, Mrs. Bell Pepper.
Your DIY work is awesome.
There’s a really funny story about the scalloped scissors. I asked my mom to help me cut out some double happiness signs using the scissors. I figured it would be easy for her since she’s much more crafty than I am, so I let her cut them out without explaining anything. I took a look at all of her work and the scalloped edges were so uneven and all over the place. I was so puzzled and I realized that the scissors were only made for right-handed people. She’s a lefty and it was so hard for her to control the scissors.
There was a time I asked my MIL to use the same scissors and she had the same problem. I think you need to have a lot of practice with them and then you’ll get a hang of using them.
Where did you download the flourish watermark? I love that and I’m having a hard time finding one. Please let me know, you did a great job on your menu cards!
Your cards are beautiful! Would you mind sharing your template and flourished watermark?
@sassygirl: @AKline: lemme see if i can dig up the template..
Yes, if you find it - please post/send a long. Wedding’s almost near!
Yes, if you find it - please post/send a long the template. Wedding’s almost near!
The menu cards are beautiful. Would you mind sending me the template?
Hi, you did a terrific job on your wedding. Would you mind sending me the template as well? jlucknd@gmail.com
Hello there - I lve this idea - if you could, may I request the template too … thank you in advance
Shirley
@Shirley: Hi Shriley if you send me your email address I can send you what I’ve got…my address is jlucknd@gmail.com in case you don’t want to post yours
[...] It’s always fun to have a creative new spin on things, don’t you think? Check out Mrs. Bellpepper’s post on how to design something similar using Microsoft Word and Adobe [...]
Mrs. Bell Pepper,
Can you email me this file? - it’s soo gorgeous….. it would take me forever to create this …..pretty please.
Could you please send me the template as well- I tried to click on the location to download, but it will not work- I have been searching everywhere for something like this!
my theme is circles and i love this idea! can i please have the template as well?
thank you very much!
What a beautiful menu card. This idea seems to be picking up everywhere and it’s a nice compliment to the table setting. For brides that are on a budget, i find it to be just the right accent to make the guests talk about how “different” they are.
Please e-mail me the template (if it’s not too late) and btw - Happy New Year and much love and happiness — mr and mrs (bell pepper).
@DecorLady: hi Decorlady, if you send me your email address, I can forward you the template…Happy New Year!
This is so beautiful! I love this idea and want to do something very similar as I want to have a circle theme. Can someone be kind enough to send me the template? That will be so helpful. I thank you in advance for your help!
caramel_131@hotmail.com
Please also send me the template- we are having a circular theme as well!! I did post awhile ago- but didn’t hear anything- please pass it on if you have it! thanks ever so much!
sarah_ballagh@hotmail.com
Hi just like the rest of you i would love to get the template. please email me. kellylaff22@gmail.com. thanks
I love love love this menu card! Can you please send me the template! I hope it turns out as beautiful as yours. Can I get the template as well, Illdy116@aol.com
Hi! Can you send me the menu template as well? I love it!
Do you still have the template for this menu card? I’ve looked everywhere for something that was just…perfect…and yours fit the bill!!
Thank you so much!
@Tina: @Tina: Hi Tina, do you still have the template for these menu cards? If so, could you kindly forward it to me?
Thanks,
deannapisoni@gmail.com
@Penny: Hi Penny,
Did you ever receive the template for the circular menu cards? If so, could you kindly forward it to me?
Thanks,
deannapisoni@gmail.com
Could someone please send me the template for these menu cards. I am helping a bride with her wedding and think she might love these. Please, any help would be great.
Hi Tonya,
What is your email address, I can send you the template.
Hi,
Thanks for the response. My e-mail is
tk2allen@yahoo.com.
Thanks again for the template.
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Mrs. Bell Pepper, Philadelphia
Age and Occupation: 28, Resident Physician
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 30, Resident Physician
Engagement Date: May 30, 2006
Wedding Date: June 2007
Venue: Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts
About Me: I love whimsical details and design, everything that *sparkles*, sipping on hazelnut lattes, pugs, shopping for antiques and second-hand goods, scenic photography, delicate flowers, and checking out new restaurants in the city with my fianc??. We are planning our wedding at a unique city venue for about 75 close family members and friends. I have a lot of DIY ideas and I like to blog about ways to save money on your wedding.
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