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?!

Updates

I've finished tracing and cutting out the invitations.  Now I'm on to folding.  It's not as bad as I had originally thought it would be, but it is definitely going to take a good bit of time.  I'm hoping to finish it up this week.  

Then I'll start working on the actual invitation part of the pocketfolds.  I already have an idea of what the invitations will be.  I just need to confirm the details of the wedding day (i.e. what time are we starting?!) and then get those printed up.  Then I'll have to do the inserts for the pockets.  I will be having a map and directions insert, a reception insert, accommodations, and the R.S.V.P card.  I'll probably also have an invitation to the reception in Indiana for the friends and family who cannot make it to Pennsylvania for the actual wedding day.  So, that should keep me busy for a while.

On Friday, I'm going to be ordering the photos and the magnets to get started on the Save-the-Dates.  That will hopefully get done in about a week.  So, depending on when the photos and the magnets arrive, I should be ready to send out the STDs by February 14th.  And, that is fantastic.  I'll be ahead of schedule.  

Last night, when I got tired of folding invitations, I started working on our wedding website.  I did some updating and just tried to spruce things up a bit.  I'm fairly pleased with how things look so far.  I still need to find a picture of our flower girl so that I can add her to our wedding party page, and I think I might shrink the font a bit, but other than that, I think I'm done for now... until we have some final decisions so that I can update!  :)

Pocketfold update!

While I was in Indiana, I picked up some goldish-brown paper for the pocketfold invitations.  I tested it out to see how I liked it when I got home.  I really like it.  Just that little border really sets off the invitation.  

So, last night, I started back on the pocketfolds.  If you remember, I bought 20"x26" inch sheets of navy blue cardstock.  Last night, I cut out the 5"x20" sheets that I will need for the pocketfolds.  I did 90 of them.  It took quite a while, but it was really easy with my enormous, handy-dandy paper cutter.  

[This is what a stack of 90 future invitations looks like.]

Then I got started on the tracing.  In the background of that photo, you can see my orange cutouts.  I line them up on the edges of the paper and trace (using a dark blue pen so that the lines won't be very visible when I finish) the outline.  

Last night I did the tracing for all 90 invitations.  Tonight, I'll be getting started with the cutting.  You can see that I already did the cutting for one of the invitations just to make sure it still looked right.  If the cutting doesn't take the whole night, I will get started on the folding as well.  The folding is what is going to take a long time.  I'll have to measure each of the invitations to figure out where to fold... very time consuming.  Luckily, I still have a ton of time left to get these done!  

However, Jippy is already exhausted thinking about it:

He's such a cutie.  :)   [P.S. You can see the gold paper I found for the invites right beside/under Jippy's nose!]

DIY Project List

I've managed to finish a few projects but I've still got a list of DIY stuff I'd like to accomplish before the wedding.  First of all (obviously) are the Save-the-Dates.  I'm going to be having our Save-the-Dates printed and then I'm going to be attaching them to adhesive magnets.  I'm thinking that this will be the simplest (but probably very time consuming) project on my list.

Next up is the photo frame card box.  I originally got the idea from the Road to the Aisle blog.  I've since seen a TON of other brides who have also done this project... so, I have complete faith in my ability to make this happen!  

Next is the sand ceremony shadow box.  I originally got the idea from the Genevieve's Wedding blog.  I have looked all over and found a few different tutorials on how to make it.  I'm a little nervous about this project.  I think it will be the most complicated.  I'm most worried about getting the seal right after the sand ceremony is over.  I think if I can find the right shadow box, it will be okay.  **Fingers Crossed**

The most time consuming project on my list?  The pocketfold invitations.  These are going to be magnificent, I'm sure.  I can't wait to see them when I'm completely finished.  I'm trying to find the right background paper in gold or metallic brown.  So far, not much luck.  Once I do find it, I will be able to really get going on them.  I may get started on the pocketfolds before I find the gold paper because I know the pockets are going to take a while.  I can do the cutting and folding and gluing of the pockets themselves ahead of time.  The rest of the process should be pretty simple.  It's just going to take a LONG time. 

I'm also trying to put together a more personal guest book than the typical guest book.  I'm still not really sure what I'm going to be doing with it.  I've been doing some experimenting with designs.  I'll be sure to post when I finalize everything and get started on making it!

That's all I can think of right now.  I'm sure I've got a dozen other ideas for projects rolling around in my head somewhere, but for now, these are what is high on my priority list.  Hopefully I'll be able to post some updates soon of how I finished some of these projects in record time!  :)

Chaos

Lately I've been working on a dozen different DIY projects at a time. I start working on one and then I think of another idea or come across an idea that I absolutely adore online... so then I start working on that idea. I really do love working on all of the projects.

However, I've discovered today that I haven't managed to finish very much. I'm in the middle of each of these projects. Some of them, it's not entirely my fault. For instance, with the pocketfold invitations, I haven't been able to find the metallic gold paper/cardstock that I need for the background (in between the dark blue cardstock pocketfold and the ivory paper invitation). It's just too plain the way it is. I want the gold to go between to give it a little oomph. :)

Here is what they look like so far:

[My pocket-fold mock-up]

This one is just my mock-up of what I want the pocketfolds to look like. I like them so far. Again, I just want that extra "oomph" for the actual pocketfolds. If I can't find the metallic gold that I want, I will probably just end up choosing another color... I'm pretty sure I want it to be metallic though. The rest of the paper I have used is matte, so I think I nice shiny paper will give it that extra kick.

I'm also working on some reserved signs for the special people in the wedding. By that, I mean the MOB, FOB, FMIL, FFIL, the grandparents, etc. The people who will be sitting in the first rows. I really like my mock-up of those, but I am having some glue difficulties. I will hopefully be able to get them together tonight (or maybe tomorrow)... it just depends if I find a glue that wants to cooperate.

I also have a basket full of bubbles that are complete and a basket full of bubbles that are incomplete. The ones that are not finished are just waiting on labels. Philip liked the white labels better than the clear labels and I only had one sheet of white labels left... and I keep forgetting to pick up white labels for the bubbles. So, here they are:

[The basket of completed bubbles]

[A completed bottle of bubbles]

[The basket of incomplete bubbles]

I also have my aisle runner in limbo. I have almost completed the tracing (pencil outline). I am really dreading the painting... I think that's why I have been more focused on the other DIY projects for the time being. It's really going to be a pain. There are lots of very thin lines in the logo... it's going to be a headache and a half.

And, I'm trying to get our Halloween costumes together... Halloween is on Sunday! I really love Halloween. I've been counting down the days. However, now that it's only a few days away, I realize how much I still have to do before the big day! Ahhh! But, it will be finished soon. :)

I am hoping that since I have blogged about some of these unfinished projects, it will light a fire under my bum and get me into gear! So, hopefully in the next week or so, I will have some new blog posts about my completed DIY projects. :) Wish me luck!

Engagement Photos

We officially have an appointment for our engagement photos. I have put it off until now because I didn't want to spend a few hundred dollars on just e-pics. Well, thanks to Facebook, I found a photographer to do them for $50!

The photographer is Lucas McDonough. The engagement package is normally $100.00, but I saw an ad on Facebook for him with a 50% off deal... so, I contacted him immediately. He confirmed the deal and we set up an appointment for this Saturday at 3pm.

We're doing the shots in Downtown Denver. I let Philip decide. We could have done them anywhere within 25 miles of Denver, but our photographer recommended Red Rocks or Downtown. Philip said since our wedding pictures will be outside in a park, we should get something a little different for our e-pics. I think he has a valid point. Hell, I'm just thrilled whenever he gives input!

To be fair, Philip has been doing an excellent job lately. He has given input whenever I have asked, and he has even helped on a few projects! I am an incredibly lucky bride! :) In fact, I should have a post up later this week of a project he was helping me with... I'll get the post up as soon as the project is finished.

Oh! And, the paper for the invitations came in on Friday! It's darker than I thought it was going to be, so I am very happy with it! I used Craigslist to find a 24"x24" paper cutter for $30 (GREAT deal!) and I'm going to pick it up tomorrow after work... then I will get to begin creating my pocketfolds! I am so excited! :D

Invitations

I realize that I still have about 10 months until the invitations need to be mailed, but I just can't help myself... I've been working on them. However, I may end up needing a lot of that time to get them finished!

That is because I have decided to do my own pocketfold invitations. Phew! I am exhausted just thinking about it! For those of you who do not know what I'm talking about, I mean this:

Mine will be similar to this because I will be doing the vertical pockets. I do really like the look of the horizontal pockets like this:

...but I feel like that pocket is just going to be a lot of work. It looks like more hassle than it's worth. So, vertical pocketfolds it is!

Our wedding colors are navy and ivory. So, I wanted to do a navy

colored pocketfold with ivory invitations and inserts. I had a heck of a time finding navy colored cardstock in a large size. And, when I did, it was outrageously expensive.

Eventually, I did find some dark blue cardstock that I thought would work. I found it at Paper-Source. The exact paper I used is here. I thought text paper would be fine... it's 80# paper, so it should be sturdy enough to hold up, but not so hard that I have difficulty folding it into the pocketfold. I used the color Night. It's not exactly what I had in mind, but it's pretty close.

The paper is 20x26... so, enormous. I will cut it down into the sizes that I need (I'm excited because I finally get to get the cutter I've wanted for a while -- I'm a scrapbooker!). The paper is $0.60 per sheet. It's pretty reasonable as it is, but if you buy 10 sheets, you get 10% off; if you buy 25 sheets, you get 20% off; and, if you buy 50 sheets, you get 30% off. I didn't really need all 25 sheets, but I bought them anyway. I figured I could use the extra for programs. I also signed up for email from Paper-Source and I got a 10% off coupon. So, I ended up paying about $0.43 per sheet. Including shipping, my total was $17.80. I don't think that's unreasonable. Especially since pocketfolds can be as much as several dollars a piece!

The paper shipped out last night, so I should have it in a few days and I can see exactly what I'm working with.

In the meantime, I have been working up some mock-ups of how I want to do the pocketfolds. I had to glue two sheets of paper together since I didn't have any paper long enough at home, but I think I've got the idea.

This is what I've come up with:

The original that I made is to scale, but I shrunk this one so that it wouldn't be enormous for the blog page. So, I have a 20x26 inch piece of cardstock. Since the measurements of my pocketfold are 5x20, I can make 5 pocketfolds out of 1 piece of cardstock! I'll have to cut 1" off the edge of the paper, but then I can just cut the paper into 5 strips and, voila!

Then I will be ready to measure, cut, score, and fold! It's going to be an absolute pain, but I hope that it will be worth it when I see the finished result. They are going to be beautiful! :)