Our invitations are a work in progress right now, our main envelopes are off at the calligrapher, response envelopes at the printer, and the final inserts are being proofed and printed! While we’ve had our actual invitations and response cards for over a month now, I’ve done not a thing with them until this week. With the intention of sending out our invites by the first week of November, I have a lot of work to do here with lining and banding the invitations together.
I have been obsessed with the idea of lace detailing for the invitation suite for ages. I pinned this picture 48 weeks ago (that probably was days after getting engaged…possibly even before.):
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| Photo by Martha Stewart Weddings via Intimate Weddings |
And I crazy-love the look of lace belly bands, like this gorgeous one by Hive member jp0829:
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| DIY Lace Wedding Invitations |
Or, something incredibly elegant like this lace wrapped beauty:
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| SHANNON Lace Tied Wedding Invitation by Lavender Paperie |
Or something as simple as lace over cardstock, giving the band a bit of heft:
Lace Detailed Wedding Invitation via Paper and Thread
I’ve been playing around a bit with some ideas and I think I might have just found a combination I love.
I first tried a plain lace band, but I felt it was too flimsy to be a band by itself, unless we wanted to attach it to something else. I loved the simple elegance of it, but it just wasn’t enough.
I backed the lace with a pewter grosgrain ribbon, to give it a bit more heft, and I found I really loved the look. Everything about our invitation is very classic, and I felt that this band really matched the elegance we are striving to achieve. The best part is they are super easy to make! I made 18 tonight before I ran out of ribbon in just an hour or less. I think it’s worth the effort.
And taking a page from Mrs. Elk’s book, I’ll give you guys just a hint of what’s to come!
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| (a sneak peek at the inverse of our invitations) |
I have yet to decide if I want to line the envelopes or not. I’m leaning more towards not, but we’ll see if the inspiration strikes me in the time between getting our envelopes back from the calligrapher and sending them out.
What are your thoughts on belly bands & lined envelopes? Worth the effort or a waste of time?
I love lace! They look beautiful. Can’t wait to see the finished product.
Lace is so romantic, and i like both belly bands & lined envelopes.
Love the lace! Your teaser pic is just ridiculous–show me more!! Hahaha! 
I like the belly bands. I wanted to do lined envelopes, but when I really thought about the cost and effort for something that would probably be torn in half and would almost certainly be thrown again, I just couldn’t justify it!
Oooh, I love the lace + ribbon combo! Can’t wait to see the final product!
Belly bands were a practical decision for us. We needed something to hold all of the elements together. While I think envelope liners are pretty, I thought they were a waste of time/effort — mostly because I tear envelopes open instead of gingerly opening at the flap.
Loving the lace!
ooh the lace is really pretty. I also really love the doily envelope. *sigh* my original plan was to just tie everything together with baker’s twine, but I must say, I am doubting myself now with all these pretty lace options
I love the idea of incorporating lace! The lace paired with ribbon really looks great…soft and elegant but enough of a presence.
Lace is so timeless and romantic! I love all of the options you showed…. can’t wait to see what you decide to do!
I would suggest NOT with the lining of the envelopes! Putting your invites all together takes enough stress without adding envelope liners! Ours took a lot of stress (we made them all ourselves including printing) and any extra stress would have tipped me over the edge! I love your inspiration and I adore what you have come up with! They are gonna be BEAUTIFUL!
I bought these and they were the perfect lace touch to my invitations: https://www.etsy.com/listing/112125898/lined-lace-5-x-7-envelope-liner?
Mrs. Lyre, Philadelphia Age and Occupation: 31, Librarian Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Government Employee Engagement Date: November 11, 2011 Wedding Date: January 2013 Venue: Atrium at the Curtis Center About Me: I’m a book loving, photography obsessed, artsy/crafty bride to be, who was dating all the wrong men, until I met the right one, and where one story ended - our new life together began. He’s a video game loving, quirky t-shirt wearing, movie quoting geek who stole my heart, and welcomed me into his. Together we are a happily co-habitating couple, who live in South Jersey, and are planning a wedding in Philadelphia in January 2013. We love to cook, share a bottle of wine, and watch way too much TV; we laugh all the time, don’t sleep nearly enough, and cannot wait to begin our lives as husband and wife!
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