Weddingbee Blog

I’ve been debating for a while now what types of invitations to fashion for our wedding. I say “fashion” because I am indeed going to be designing and crafting them myself. Our invitation budget is meager at best, and while there are amazing stationers out there, letterpress for us will only be a dream. (And, surprisingly, I’m okay with that!)

I have folders upon folders of inspiration images and wording samples that I love, but I haven’t been able to commit to one design just yet. You see, I want something that is a bit off-beat, but not too kitschy. I want something beautiful and interesting to look at, yet something easy to produce (remember, I’m DIYing here). I do not have access to the following: a letterpress, a Gocco, a Yudu or a Cricut. I do have access to: a computer, a color printer, and… that’s about it. I’m going to be using a 40% off coupon at Michaels in the near future for a paper-cutter. Oh, and of course, I have Weddingbee at my disposal.

Right now, I’m thinking that I’m going to shamelessly steal borrow the genius idea that Mrs. Green Tea had to fit her maid of honor’s invites on a single sheet of paper. (She’s obviously a goddess at wedding planning and shower planning. Gah, if only I was that talented.) So, a single sheet of paper, and that includes our invite, reply card, and directions card. I think we can do it! Also, I love the string and name circles that she attached to her MOH’s invites. Too cute!

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We’ll be using this as a jumping off point. (Thanks to Mrs. Green Tea in advance! Let me know if you’d like royalties!) Also, while running errands this weekend, I picked up a copy of the DIY weddings Bible, Martha Stewart Weddings. I paged through the current edition, when I stumbled upon the stationery feature. I jumped for joy (internally!) and read through the article.

While at first I liked the bold, modern take featured here:

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… I decided it wasn’t really “us.” MSW categorized it as “Graphic, chic, and swanky — with a dash of moxie.” While we definitely have moxie, we’re not really swanky (unless you categorize “swanky” as comfy sweatpants and a movie on a Saturday night).

But then! I turned the page and promptly fell in love. MSW categorized it as “playful, if you want [something] fun and fresh.” Perfect! It was modern, fun, and totally us.

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I love so many things about it — but mostly that it’s so simple and yet not at all boring at the same time. We won’t be doing citrus-y colors (it would clash with our theme) but I love the simplicity of all of the text, and the RSVP card is adorable. That envelope liner! And the hearts in the “0″s? They make me melt just a bit.

So, most likely we will be doing a hybrid between Mrs. Green Tea’s invites and the MSW invites – sort of like if they got married and had little invitation babies. They won’t look entirely like either — but will have aspects of both that I adore. Prototypes are currently in production, and I hope to have a draft together to share soon!

Did you DIY your invitations? Where did you find your inspiration?