Invitation FAQs

Since revealing my invitations, I've received a number of questions via comments, emails, and messages on WeddingBee.  I'm going to try to address them all here.

1.)  How did you make your map insert?

It was time consuming, but really very simple.  I've already addressed this in previous blog posts.  You can see them here, here, here, and here.  I figured out how to do it from using this tutorial.  I don't think I have a whole lot to add to what she already said.  Except, I used Google Maps instead of Mapquest!  

2.)  What did you include in your invitation inserts?

I think the better question is what didn't I include on the inserts!  I tried to be as thorough as possible.  I did a map insert, a directions insert, an information insert, and a reception insert.  The map insert was just a map.  The directions insert included directions to the ceremony and from the ceremony to the reception.  The information and reception inserts included a bunch of information that I thought the guests could use like:

• Accommodation suggestions
• Our wedding website (and my email)
• Appropriate attire
• Information about the event (outdoor ceremony with tent reception)
• Cocktail hour and dinner times (and listed that it would be buffet)
• Non-smoking ceremony/reception (we both have smokers in our families and we didn't want there to be any surprise that they weren't allowed to smoke at the ceremony or near the tent!)

I would suggest that you include anything that will help your guests get through the day.  If you're having an outdoor wedding in Florida in August, make sure your guests know that!  If you're going to have your guests sitting on straw bales for the ceremony, that might be something the ladies (dresses!) might want to know (straw is not comfortable on bare legs!).  If children are not allowed, make it very clear.  If you are having a formal wedding, make sure you tell your guests exactly what they need to wear.  If you're not going to have a full dinner (simple hors d'oeurves reception), make sure your guests know (hungry guests will not be happy guests).  

Guests do not want surprises (unless they're good ones!).  Make sure you inform your guests so that there are no issues and your day goes smoothly!

3.)  How did you make your pocketfold?  What were the measurements?

I addressed this over several blog posts.  First I cut out the paper, then I folded them in the appropriate places, then I glued the pockets down.  You can see all of my pocketfold posts by clicking here.  For quick reference, I will repost the measurements I used for the pocketfold.

If you're buying the 20"x26" paper from Paper Source like I did, you can simply cut the paper into 5 strips of 5"x20", like this:

You'll have a one inch strip leftover on the one end, but it's not that much waste.  

4.)  How did you get the inserts to fit so nicely?

The pocketfold was 5 inches across so I made the inserts 4 inches across to make sure that they would fit once the sides were glued down (I thought an inch would be plenty of room and I was correct).  The height of the pocket was 6 inches, so I made the first insert (the map) 5.75" (to leave a little room above the inserts).  I made each of the other inserts 1/2" less than the previous (so the map was 5.75", the directions were 5.25", the information was 4.75", and the reception insert was 4.25").  Then I put the title in a font that would not exceed half an inch (so that each title would be able to be seen above the next, like so:

Each insert has a title that can be easily seen without being overlapped by the other inserts.  It has a clean look that I like.  :)  I didn't want to ruin the feng shui I had going on so I put the RSVPs on the outside of the pocketfold (in between the belly band and the pocketfold).  I think it looked much better that way!

5.)  How did you make your belly bands?

I cut out a piece of cardboard that was 7" across (the same as the pocketfold).  Then I tied the ribbon around it and made a simple double knot (I didn't want anything complex).  Once I had them all done, I could simply slide the belly band over the completed pocketfold and RSVP.  

I think that's all for now.  I've received requests for the template, but I've given you all the information you need.  If I gave out the template, I'd have to go back in and delete all of the personal information and it's just not something I've got time for right now.  Besides, you'd just end up with blank documents in the right size!  I have faith that all of you can come up with those on your own!  ;)  If you've got other questions, please let me know and I'll try to answer them as best as I can.  

The Big Reveal...

I think that most of the people invited to the wedding who read this blog should have received their invitations by today.  So, here is the big reveal!  

First, the outer envelopes:

They are Stardream Sapphire A9 envelopes.  They have the gold, embossed stamp on the envelope flap and a gold, monogrammed sticker/seal on the bottom of the flap (I picked them up from Michael's a few months back.  They were 42 for $1.00).

I simply printed the addresses onto the envelopes using my laser printer.  The font is Edwardian Script.  And, of course, you will recognize Miss Oveta Culp Hobby in the upper right hand corner.   

Next up, the inner envelope:

I used a gold calligraphy pen to write the names of the guests on the envelope.  My handwriting isn't beautiful, but it's one of the only places people had to see it. 

Then I sealed the back with a wax seal.  These suckers were complicated, but they were the only things that Philip requested for the invitations, so I had to do them.  I'll have to dedicate an entire post to them.  Unfortunately, I can't get a good picture of them.  The seal actually has a script 'B' stamped onto them. 

Now, let's open this beauty up!

 

That is the navy blue pocketfold with the RSVP envelope layered on top of it.  And, layered on top of the RSVP envelope is the RSVP itself.  And, it's all wrapped together with a simple ivory ribbon (like a beautiful gift!). 

Let's get a close up of those RSVPs and return envelopes:

It's pretty simple.  They are printed on ivory paper and then mounted on coppery brown cardstock.   Here is a better idea of what they look like (direct from the Publisher File that I created them from):

I tried to keep them simple but elegant.  I think I succeeded.  I used Edwardian Script and Copperplate Gothic.  The swirls actually came from our Monogram.  I used Microsoft Paint to break it down into its smaller elements so I could use them in other places.  

And, here is the RSVP envelope:

I used the same stamp from embossing the outer envelope flap to stamp the RSVP envelopes.  Except, for these, I used navy blue ink.  I almost wish I would have used the embossing ink and powder for these as well.  It's just fun to work with!  I used just plain stamps for the RSVP envelopes.  Most of them had the statue of liberty or the American flag on them.  

Next, the part I'm sure you've all been waiting for, the pocketfolds themselves:

The pocketfolds are navy blue (actually, they are Night from Paper Source).  The invitation part is navy font printed on ivory paper which is then mounted on coppery brown cardstock.  The inserts are navy font printed on ivory paper.  

The inserts are the Map, the Directions, the Information/Accommodations, and the Reception.  I included any information I could think of!  And, our wedding website is included in that as well for any other questions the guests may have.  

Well, there you have it.  These puppies have a whole lot of my blood, sweat, and tears in them.  Not to mention all of the time and effort spent on them!  They aren't exactly what I had pictured in the beginning, but I am more than happy with them.  

So, what do you think?!

Invitation Progress: Snip, Snip!

I wasn't as productive as I had hoped to be tonight.  I spent a few hours hanging out with my neighbor for "girls night."  So, I did a bit of work before going over to her house and a bit of work after I got home.  

It doesn't look like I've gotten that much done, but the cutting everything out took several hours of work.  It's not difficult, but it sure is time consuming!

I'm glad to have it all cut out.  The next steps should be pretty simple... and hopefully will go by much more quickly!  ** Fingers Crossed **

SIX!

Six months to go until our wedding day!  Holy cow!  Where does the time go??

I have a few more projects in the works.  I did a Dollar Tree run on Tuesday night after work.  I found some cool things and came up with some new project ideas.  I'll be blogging about them a little later.  :)  

I'm most excited about a basket I found at Dollar Tree.  It's so adorable.  I'm going to make a few changes and turn it into the flower girl basket (photos later!).  

We are thisclose to ordering the bridesmaid dresses.  As I said before, it's down to 2 dresses.  Once the decision is made, then we'll just have to get the measurements of the girls and put in the order.  I just wish the decision would get made!  

We got the tent reserved this week (along with the tables and chairs).  I think that was the last major vendor we had left to find.  We decided to go with Hess Tent Rental.  

My mom, my FMIL, Philip's aunt (our on-site lady!), and I have been emailing back and forth to nail down all the details to make sure we're not forgetting anything.  It's been very helpful.  

I think I may have changed my mind about the centerpieces.  I'm going to do a mock-up tonight and see what I like.  

The invitations are coming along.  I've got a few of the inserts completed.  I need to get some photos so that I can show you all.  :)

Anyway, with six months to go, I'm feeling really good about where we're at in the planning.  I'll blog about some of the projects I've got completed a little later today when I can get photos done!  

Finished Map Insert (Seriously this time!)

So, I did a little more tweaking on the map insert for the pocketfold invitations.  I increased the font size (so people don't have to bring a magnifying glass with them to read the map!).  And, here is the finished product:

Of course, the blog shrinks it a little bit to fit the entry window.  I think if you click the picture of the map, it should blow the photo up so you can see how big it will actually be (4.5"x5.75").  It will be the biggest of the inserts.  I want to make sure the map is clear!  Well, what do you think?

Map Insert: Finished!

I put the finishing touches on the map insert when I got home from work today.  This is what I've got:

 

I might have to do a little more tweaking to make the font a little larger.  I don't want people to go blind trying to read the map!  What do you think?

Map Update!

After a bit more work, this is what I've got:

 

I've still got some more work to do (magnifying the ceremony location and the reception location), but I'm very happy with what I've got so far!  Phew!  I'm glad that part is over!  

My Homemade Map: A Royal Pain

This is what I started with.

I have spent the past several hours working on a map.  I need a map to go along with the directions for my pocketfold inserts.  I could just print off a map from Google maps, but I'm too much of a perfectionist for that.  I want my map to be pretty.  

Stupid pretty map.  It's a simple idea, but it's incredibly tedious.  I'm basically doing this.  Like I said, I've been working on this for several hours now.  I'm almost finished (and by almost, I mean maybe another hour) with it.  

I'm putting names on the streets and I'll still have some more tidying up to do.  And then I'll have to do the magnification of the destination (the little circle with the destination streets blown up larger).  

I can't wait for it to be finished.  It already looks fantastic!  I'll be sure to post pictures tomorrow when I actually get this thing finished.  Wish me luck!