Invitation Mock-Up

I didn't want to DIY my invitations. Seriously. I didn't. I didn't even know where to start. But after looking at what seemed like a million invitations, I couldn't find anything I liked for the price I wanted to pay. Classic conundrum.

{FYI: My budget is $3.00 per invitation suite.}

I saw a bunch of girls posting about Cards and Pockets on TK, so I thought I would check them out. While browsing photos on their facebook page I came across this invitation suite.

I loved the paisley patterned paper!

I decided to order some samples from them to see if I liked everything. I ordered the Signature PocketFold Mock-Up Kit {$10.50}, Panel Card Mock-Up Kit {$5.00}, One Custom Pattern Sample in Candy Pink Paisley Floral {$3.99}, and One Custom Pattern Sample in Candy Pink Swirl {$3.99}. They have free shipping on samples.

I ordered 2 different types of green paper-- matte {medina green} and metallic {fairway} and only one type of pink paper-- matte {candy pink}. I decided to go with the metallic green pocket folder.

I decided that a pocket folder would be best since 95% of our guests will be traveling from out-of-town. I thought that a pocket folder would help them keep all of the information together.

I designed everything in Photoshop Illustrator and Photoshop.

The script font is "Feel Script" and the sans serif font is "Print Clearly".

So how much are these bad boys going to cost?

Well, I broke down the costs and looked into other paper suppliers. I discovered that 100 metallic fairway pocket folders at Cards and Pockets costs $110. However, they cost only $83.98 at Paper and More. So I plan on getting the pocket folders at Paper and More. Everything else will come from Cards and Pockets.

According to my calculations, each invitation {not including postage} will cost around $2.00.

Woohoo, under budget!

I'm trying to get the invitation and inserts fit onto one 8.5" x 11" page. Then, I'll have them printed at FedEx Office on the card stock that I purchase. They charge $.09 per black and white print. They charge $1.49 per cut, but they can cut up to 100 pages at a time. {FYI: They charge $.63 per color print, which is what I'll be doing for our table name cards.}

Now, the fun/interesting/stressful part will be assembling all of these!

Any volunteers?

:)

Who needs table numbers when you can have table names?

I decided a long time ago to name our tables instead of numbering them.

I've seen people name their tables according to years {1999} and then have a photo of the bride and groom from that year at that table. I thought this was a cute idea until I thought more deeply about it. You see, I was a very heavy child/teenager and ultimately lost 85 pounds in high school. I'd rather not have to talk about my "hefty years" at my wedding. Hmm, I could do this and just leave out 1992-2002. Haha!

Ready for a flashback?

{That's me in 2000.}

OK, back on track now...

I've also seen people name their tables "love", but in different languages.

Different types of wines.

National parks.

The possibilities are endless!

I decided to name our tables after places that Brad and I visited together. We've been on 2 cruises together {Alaska and Caribbean} so that knocks out a good amount of places. Right?

Well, we're hoping for 120-125 wedding guests. That's 15-16 tables, thus 15-16 table name cards.

Right now, I only have 11 places. Well, I only have 11 photos of us in 11 places. We've visited more places than those 11, but there are no photos. Make sense?

Would it be weird if we had a table named after the city that we currently live in but we did something really cool together in the city {toured the new NFL stadium before it opened}?

Or if we named a table after the city where we attended college and where the wedding and reception will take place? We did LOTS of stuff together there! :) It is where we met...

I told Brad that perhaps we should look into taking some day trips...

Anyway, I'm crafting these puppies in Photoshop, and I'll have them printed and cut at FedEx Office. I got 18 chrome plated table number holders from another bride that I found on Craigslist. I'll design, print, and attach the menu on the backside.

Table Name Cards

I didn't want to be plain and boring and just number the tables, so our tables are going to be named after places we've traveled to together. We've been on two cruises together so that helped give us enough names for all the tables.

I designed each card in Photoshop with the location name, a photo of us at that location, and our monogram. I'll print them on cardstock or 5x7 photo paper. Then I'll print our menu on another piece of cardstock (or 5x7 photo paper) and put it behind the table name card.

I'm using chrome plated table number holders to place them on the tables. I found a bride on Craigslist who was selling 18 for $15. Score.

Monogram

I made it using Photoshop. The fonts I used were Brock Script (the "N" and "June 25, 2011") and Book Antiqua ("Chelsea and Brad").

I downloaded Brock Script from www.dafont.com. I can't remember where I downloaded Book Antiqua from, but if you google it you can find a site where you can download it for free.

I used the following tutorial to create my monogram: http://weddingmonograms.blogspot.com/2008/03/letter-behind-monogram-tutorial.html.

The blogger, Brianna Nichole, has some great tutorials. I also love her font bio: http://danandbrianna.com/bio_bio/font%20bio.html.

Random tidbit: Once I got the colors I wanted for the monogram I wrote down the color codes. This has helped me maintain the exact colors for other projects when possible.

Happy monogram making! :)