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?!

FINALLY!

The invitations are officially done.  This incredibly long, stressful process is finally over.  Sort of.  I will take them to the post office tomorrow and have them hand cancelled.  And, then we will play the waiting game for the RSVPs to be returned.  

I am going to wait until next week to do the big reveal.  I want to make sure that everyone gets their invitations in the mail before I show them off here.  I don't want to ruin the surprise!  :)

I am so glad that these things are done!  I'm really happy with how they turned out and I am most excited about them leaving my house for good!  And, I will be sending them out a day ahead of schedule (I had originally said that they should be mailed by July 30th).  Phew!  Now for a good nights rest (without worries about invitations!).  I'll just keep my fingers crossed that they actually arrive at their destinations (unlike poor Miss Macarons!). 

Meet Oveta Culp Hobby

Yesterday, I was determined to finish the invitations.  So, after work, I stopped by the post office.  I had a full invitation with me to weigh.  If the price would have just been determined by weight, the invitations would have only cost 64¢ to ship.  However, because my invitations are so thick, (ribbon + wax seal = expensive thickness) they will cost 84¢ to ship.  Yuck!  

But, I sucked it up and just bought the stamps I would need to mail these suckers.  Almost $60! I was upset that it's so stinkin' expensive, but I was excited to be one step closer to getting the invitations out of my house.  The lady at the post office was really sympathetic -- apologizing for the cost and assuring me that when I finished, she would hand cancel the invitations herself to make sure that they don't get torn up in mailing.  

My only option for the stamp is this beauty:

(Source)

That, my friends, is Oveta Culp Hobby.  She was the first secretary of the US Department of Health, Education, and Welfare as well as the first commanding officer of the Women's Army Corps.  However, most importantly, the colors on her stamp match really well with our invitations (gotta have priorities here!)!  And that's fantastic news since she's my only option -- unless I went the more expensive route and had stamps custom made.  I might have done that but I don't have the patience to wait for custom stamps at this point.  I'm just ready to get them out of my house!

Unfortunately, I still was unable to finish the invitations last night.  I would have, but I ran out of stamps for the RSVPs.  You see, in my bride brain haze, I forgot to pick up 44¢ stamps for the RSVPs when I picked up the invitation stamps.  I think I was just in shock at the expense of the 84¢ stamps.  I did have some stamps leftover from the STDs and a few other random stamps in my house, so I was able to finish most of the invitations.  However, about ten of our RSVPs have holiday stamps on them -- HA!  They just have pine cones and snow on them so it's not like they scream "Merry Christmas!"  I figure that people probably won't notice.  So, oh well.  

Anyway, I've still got about 15 RSVPs to stamp before I can put the wax seals on the envelopes.  Then I'll just stuff them into the outer envelopes, seal them up, and they'll be on their way to their new homes.  :)  It should be another hour of work, tops.  

Since I don't get home from work until 4:00 and the post office closes at 5:00, I'm not sure if I'll get them in the mail tonight (since they have to be hand cancelled).  I'm hoping so, but I will be okay if I have to wait until tomorrow to get them mailed.  I'm just so excited to be so close to finished!  

And they're off!

It's official.  My Save-the-Dates are gone.  Philip forgot about picking up the stamps for me today, but I got off work early, so I went and picked them up myself.  By the time I finished sealing them and putting on the stamps (only a single 44 cent stamp for each!), it was after 5:00, so they won't get officially mailed until tomorrow.  But, they are out of my house (and out of my hair!).  

The people here in Colorado should be getting theirs by Monday.  The Arizona people will probably get theirs by Tuesday.  And the rest should be arriving on the East coast by Wednesday.  It's so exciting!

Bon Voyage, Save-the-Dates!  May you find your destinations in one piece!

Save-the-Dates: Envelope Liners Complete!

I finished the envelope liners last night.  I was ready to give up with about 20 to go.  I was tired and they were taking longer than expected.  And, my back hurt from sitting in the same position leaning over the table for too long.  And, on top of that, my adhesive dispenser was being difficult.  Grrr...

Anyway, I did get them finished and stuffed.  They look great!  I didn't take any pictures last night because I was tired and cranky and my camera battery was dead.  So, I'll definitely take some pictures tonight when I get home.  Philip is going to pick up the stamps from the post office today.  When I get home, I'll be stamping those suckers and sticking them in the mailbox.  :)  

And, I will eventually post a "how-to" on the envelope liners.  They were actually really simple... just a little time consuming.  I'm just relieved that it's all finished.  

SEVEN!

Well, we're down to seven months to go.  That seems ridiculously close.  It doesn't seem like it was that long ago that we were over a year away!  Where does the time go?

I am so excited!  The wedding plans are coming along swimmingly.   We have our major vendors set (the baker, caterer, photographer).  I contacted a TON of rental places today to see about getting quotes for the things we will need to rent (chairs, tables, and possibly a tent).   

And, I will be finishing up the save-the-dates tonight.  I would have finished them last night but I was just too exhausted.  I even stopped by the post office tonight after work and had one of the finished STDs weighed.  Even with the card, magnet, and envelope liner, the envelope still weighs little enough to use only a standard 44 cent stamp.  :D  

That is fantastic news!  I thought I would have to spend extra on stamps to get those puppies mailed!  Now I'm off to finish them up so I can get them mailed out tomorrow.  :)