All Posts Tagged Tag: ‘DIY invitations’

Emma + Bobby’s Elegant Winter Wedding

Now that spring is in full bloom in the North East, I do the happy dance every morning when deciding which swing sets my two year old and I will go visit. But when I saw this wedding form Emily Clack Photography, I did a little winter jig for my favorite frenemy season. I might have a love/hate relationship with winter, but winter weddings I simply love! Emma and Bobby’s wintery wedding is so full of just the right amounts of cool DIY and hot Gatsby-ish style that it will give you chills and warm your heart at the same time!

I am fascinated by all the pretty paper work in this wedding. It’s almost too hard for even me to believe that these steal worthy laser cut, dip-dyed, and embossed invites are handmade. The beautiful book-page blooms complimented Emma’s beyond dazzling dress while setting the tone for the cool grey color palette of the day complete with cozy fur stoles. Oh! And the place cards! Pack my bags and call me Sally, these just made me giggle with giddiness!

Before I go on and on about everything I love form Emma and Bobby’s elegant affair, just two more words: Krispy Kreme. I would highly recommend snuggling up to all of these amazing images from Emily Clack Photography. She, Emma, and Bobby have created a gallery of DIY wedding loveliness that will send you off to a wonderland of vintage travel inspired dreams. Thank you for sharing this wedding with us. Congratulations Emma and Bobby!

Vendor Information:

Photographer: Emily Clack Photography, LLC

Makeup Artist – Missy Downs, Kiss and Makeup

Venue: Whittemore House

Catering: Spilled Milk Caterering

Event Management: The Event Company

Embossed Invitations With A Die Cutting Machine

When it comes to invitations, almost anyone with a computer, word processing program, and a printer can create simple-but-lovely invitations on the cheap. Honestly, if you’ve worked with MS Word – even for just a few days – you’ve already got basic invitation-making skills. But what do you do when you want to take a basic home-printed invitation and turn it into something more refined?

What often separates DIY invitations from what professional stationers create usually comes down to two things:

1. Quality of materials

2. Attention to detail

Today, I’m going to show you how using high quality card card stock from our friends at CutCardStock.com, a manual die-cutting machine, and an embossing folder can turn an invitation from simple to gorgeous with just a little bit of effort. The addition of the embossed layers adds depth, texture, and a beautiful design that are sure “wow” your invitees.

If you’ve never used a die-cutting machine before, oh, you’re in for some fun! Die-cutting machines are used in crafting (especially scrapbooking and card-making) to cut words, letters, and shapes out of different materials like paper, cork, soft metals, cardboard, and fabric. They do this by squeezing the material and a die (a sharp metal sheet with a design on it) together through the machine. The machines usually have a platform of some sort along with various thicknesses of heavy-duty plastic plates that form a sandwich around the dies and materials so that the maximum amount of pressure is placed on the die as it moves through the machine. These things help give clean and even cuts.

What’s really cool about die cutting machines is that many companies are offering embossing folders. Instead of cutting paper, embossing folders press a design into heavy papers and card stocks. It’s kind of like letterpress and, yes, you can create letterpress-like projects in a manual die-cutting machine. (We’ll do that another day. I promise!)

The Supply List

1 piece of 5″ x 7″ card stock in Curious Metallic INK (navy) from CutCardStock.com

1 piece of 4″ x 6″ Esse Pearlized card stock in Latte from CutCardStock.com

1 piece of 1″ x 11 1/2″ card stock in Curious Metallic Olive from CutCardStock.com (not shown above), scored at 3 1/2″ from either end

Big Shot Die Cutting Machine by Sizzix

Cricut Cuttlebug Embossing Folder “Acanthus” Pattern with both the 5″x 7″ folder and the 1″ x 7″ folder

Glue dots

1/4″ wide grosgain ribbon, blue color

Instructions

1. The first part of this project is the easiest: create your invitation. In Microsoft Word, create a 4″ x 6″ invitation and print it onto Esse Pearlized card stock. Set the invitation wording pages aside.

2. It’s embossing time! For me, this is the fun part. I love embossing because it’s easy and it provides impatient me with instant gratification. To get started, place a piece of 5″ x 7″ Curious Metallic INK card stock in the center of the embossing folder. The Cuttlebug embossing folders are hinged, so you just flip up the top, drop your paper in, and flip down the top.

3. Note: Each embossing machine manufacturer (and model) is different so the directions might be slightly different for the one you’re using. All die machines manufacturers will have a recommended “sandwich” of plates that should be used with their machine and an embossing folder. For the Big Shot, I used Platform Tab 1, a plate, the closed embossing folder, then another plate.

4. Using the handle, roll the sandwich through the die machine. If you’ve got the right sandwich combination, you should feel some resistance as you turn the handle. It’ll feel tight and that’s good. A tight fit will mean a strong impression.

Half-way through the machine!

5. You might want to sit down now because you are going to swoon over the beautiful card stock you just made. Look at the detail here: the design is evenly pressed into the paper. There are no buckles or missed spots. This is a keeper for sure.

6. Since the 11 1/2″ long by 1″ wide piece is too long for both the machine and 1″ x 7″ embossing folder, we’ll just emboss the two front flaps of the belly band. You’ll need to do each side individually by placing one side of the belly band into the embossing folder, just to the first fold. Close the folder; the un-embossed section will stick out of the folder and the machine as it goes through. Send the sandwich through the machine. Repeat for the other side.

Lining up the belly band, just until the first 3 1/2″ fold

7. Final assembly! Using glue dots, adhere the invitation wording sheet to the front of the INK (blue) embossed card stock, centering it left-to-right and top-to-bottom. Add the belly band, securing it on the back of the INK (blue) card stock layer and folder it around the front of the card. Secure one side of the belly band flap over the the other with a glue dot. Wrap a length of 1/4″ wide grosgrain ribbon around the belly band and tie it in a bow.

Glue dots are used to keep the belly band in place on the back of the invitation

Close-up of the embossed details

8. And it all comes together:

COST BREAKDOWN:

Blue card stock (1/2 sheet) 0.25

Latte card stock (1/2 sheet) 0.10

Green card stock (1/8 sheet) 0.10

Ribbon (1 ft.) 0.20

Glue dots 0.02

————-

$0.67 for consumables plus…

Embossing folder 9.00

Die cutting machine 60.00

Glitter Chevron Invitation Suite

The wonderful thing about running a DIY wedding blog is that I get to see the coolest, sweetest trends develop and spread throughout the weddingsphere. Like many of you, I watched and then fell in love with chevron a few seasons ago and, though it’s popularity is beginning to wane in the design world, I’m not ready to let it go. When our friends at CutCardStock.com offered us a sample pack of their papers and card stock, the perfect opportunity to give chevron a bit of different spin appeared. Using beautiful Stardream metallic card stocks, a rubber stamp, a glue pad, and glitter, I crafted this modern and slightly blinged out invitation suite: layered invitation, self-mailer RSVP, seating card, and favor box.

The Supply List

Invitation:

1 piece of 4″ x 9″ Stardream Metallic card stock in silver from CutCardStock.com

1 piece of 3 9/16″ x 8 3/4″ Stardream Metallic card stock in violette from CutCardStock.com

1 piece of 3 5/16″ x 8 1/2″ card stock in white from CutCardStock.com

Chevron rubber stamp by Recollections

The Essential Glue Pad by Tsukineko

Martha Stewart Crafts glitter in sterling

Glue dots

#10 Envelope in silver

Small paint brush (like for watercolors)

Invitation Template

RSVP:

1 piece 4″ x 9″ Stardream Metallic card stock in silver from CutCardStock.com

1 piece of 4″ x 4″ Stardream Metallic card stock in violette from CutCardStock.com

1 piece of 3 3/4″ x 3 3/4″ white card stock CutCardStock.com

Chevron rubber stamp by Recollections

The Essential Glue Pad by Tsukineko

Martha Stewart Crafts glitter in sterling

Small paint brush (like for watercolors)

RSVP template

1/8″ wide red line double-sided tape (not shown)

Seating Card:

1 Cougar White place card from CutCardStock.com

1 piece of 1/2” x 5” Stardream card stock in violette

Chevron rubber stamp by Recollections

The Essential Glue Pad by Tsukineko

Martha Stewart Crafts glitter in sterling

Small paint brush (like for watercolors)

Glue Dots

White ink pen

Favor Box:

1 piece of 8 1/2″ x 11″ Stardream Metallic card stock in silver

1/2″ x 6 1/4″ piece of Stardream Metallic card stock in violette

Big Shot or similar manual die cutting machine

Sizzix Bigz XL Matchbox Bigz XL die

Chevron rubber stamp by Recollections

The Essential Glue Pad by Tsukineko

Martha Stewart Crafts glitter in sterling

Small paint brush (like for watercolors)

The Instructions

Invitation:

1. Using our invitation template as a guide, print out your invitation wording on the piece of 3 5/16″ x 8 1/2″ white card stock.

2. The next step is to apply glue to the chevron stamp. Gently tap the glue pad on the surface of the rubber stamp until the stamp is evenly covered in glue.

3. Position the stamp at the top of the invitation, ending just before the text of the invitation begins. Press the stamp firmly and evenly to the invitation. Lift the stamp up and set it aside.

4. While the glue is still damp, sprinkle a generous amount of glitter over the stamped area on the invitation. It’s best to do this over a scrap piece of paper so that you can catch the excess glitter and reuse it. And, heads up, friends: no matter how careful you are, glitter will get EVERYWHERE. Shake off excess glitter into a bowl so it’s somewhat contained.

5. Set the invitation aside to dry, usually 10 – 15 minutes is sufficient for the glue to set. PRO TIP: Use a small paint brush to brush away excess glitter that doesn’t shake off.

6. Now, you’re on to the easiest step: assembling the layers. Using glue dots, adhere the printed invitation to the front of your piece of violette card stock, centering it top to bottom and left to right. Add this layered piece to the silver piece of card stock and, voila!, you’re done.

RSVP:
1. Using our invitation template as a guide, print out your invitation wording on the piece of 4″ by 4″ white card stock.
2. The next step is to stamp the RSVP. Apply glue to the chevron stamp by gently tapping the glue pad on the surface of the rubber stamp until the stamp is evenly covered in glue.
3. Position the stamp at the top of the RSVP, ending just before the text of the RSVP begins. Press the stamp firmly and evenly to the RSVP. Lift the stamp up and set it aside.
4. While the glue is still damp, sprinkle a generous amount of glitter over the stamped area on the RSVP. Shake off excess glitter. Use a small paint brush to whisk away excess glitter that’s sticking to the non-stamped areas of the card stock.
5. Set the RSVP aside to dry, usually 10 – 15 minutes is sufficient for the glue to set.
6. Using a bone folder or stylus, score the 4″ x 9″ piece of silver cardstock 4 1/8″ down from the top (short side) of the card stock. Score again at 8 1/8″ from the top. When you fold the flaps up, you’ll have created an envelope that can be printed, sealed, and sent through the mail. Just address the outside, attach a stamp for return postage and your guest will just drop it in the mail when she’s ready to send in her RSVP.
7. Now, layer the printed RSVP on top of the piece of violette card stock, adhering it with red line double-sided tape. This is an ultra-strong tape that will help ensure that your RSVP pieces don’t slip out during it’s postal journey. Attach the purple and white layer to the 4″ x 4″ space in the silver mailer piece you made in step 6.
8. The last step is to attach a line of red line tape to the bottom edge of the inner flap of the mailer. Do not remove the red liner! Leave that intact. The person who sends the RVSP back will remove the liner to seal the mailer.

Seating Card:
1. The first step is to stamp the seating card with the chevron stamp and glue pad. Gently tap the glue pad on the surface of the rubber stamp until the stamp is evenly covered in glue.
2. Position the stamp at the top of the invitation and press the stamp firmly and evenly to the seating card. Lift the stamp up and set it aside.
3. While the glue is still damp, sprinkle a generous amount of glitter over the stamped area on the seating card. Shake off excess glitter. Set the seating card aside and let it dry.

4. Once the glitter has set, you may write the table number or seating assignment of the person to whom the card will go to.
5. Now it’s time to wrap the strip of violette card stock around the seating card to create a belly band. The ends will overlap a bit; secure them in place with a glue dot.
6. With a white ink pen write the name of the person to whom the card will go to on the front of the belly band. Done!

Favor Box:
1. Place silver Stardream card stock on matchbox portions of the die.
2. Per die cutting machine’s instructions, place die between die machine plates.
3. Run the die through the machine.
4. Fold the matchbox bottom along the scored lines.
5. Using the chevron stamp and the glue pad, apply glue to the top of the matchbox cover. Use a piece of scrap paper to mask portion of matchbox that you don’t want to stamp.
6. Add glitter, let it dry.
7. Once the glitter is set, fold the matchbox cover and secure it with tape.
8. Slide the cover over the bottom.
9. Insert your favors. Close the box. Add strip of 1/2″ x 6″ card stock around the box and secure it with tape on the back.
10. Attach tag. Easy-peasy!

The finished suite. Sweet!

NOTES:

1. If absolute perfect stamp placement is a must for you, do consider investing in a stamp positioner. It’s a nifty little gadget that’ll help you line up a stamp perfectly every time. They run about $10.00 online. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

2. The suite takes about 45 minutes of stamping, layout, and assembly time. If you’re doing 100 of these beauties, that’s 75 hours of work.

3. Always print your pieces before you stamp them!

4. Make peace with glitter. It’s going to be around your house, in your hair, and on your food for MONTHS.

5. There are fixative sprays that you can use over your glittered projects – and they do work in keeping your projects from bleeding sparkles. The problem is that they often dull the glittery part of your glitter. Where’s the fun in that? Fixative sprays can be found at craft and art stores, usually near the paints/chalks/pastels.

6. Cut and print extra pieces. It’s inevitable that a stamped image won’t turn out well or the printer will jam. A general rule: 10% more than what you think you’ll need.

7. All the pieces – except the favor box - fit in a #10 envelope (not shown).

8. Glitter, glorious glitter, comes in a wide variety of colors and levels of chunkiness from ultra-fine to confetti-like. My favorite brand: Martha Stewart Crafts.

9. The Stardream card stocks printed remarkably well in my 3-year old Canon All-In-One inkjet printer. No smudges, streaks, or paper jams.

TEMPLATE DOWNLOAD

Of course, this post would not be possible without the generous sample pack of card stock and envelopes from our friends at CutCardStock.com.

Meet Jessica: Fine Arts Student Goes Pro as an Invitation Designer

Today we have a short and sweet interview with an invitation designer who loves working with DIY brides, just like all of you. Jessica’s story is an example of how you can still get a degree in Fine Arts and end up an entrepreneur in the wedding/craft industry. We love Jessica’s creativity, and we hope you will enjoy “meeting” her on the blog today. Her work is on display throughout this post!

What do you love most about your work?

I wake up with a smile on my face knowing that I get to spend every day doing what I love – designing for life’s special events. I’m so lucky to take part in my clients’ big day, and I am honored that they chose me to bring their ideas and personalities to life on paper!

What did you do before this?

I graduated from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and an emphasis in Graphic Design. I was hired on at Kohls Corporate one month after graduating to work as a production designer.

Do you have a blog and social media pages?

Yes!

Blog: http://clarkcreativewi.com/blog (<– this is a great looking blog, btw!)
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/clarkcreativewi
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ClarkCreativeWI
Facebook: facebook.com/clarkcreativewisconsin

Did you start your business from scratch? Tell us how you got started.

I did start my business from scratch. I was constantly designing on the side for friends and family. When it was time to design my very own wedding invitation suite, I fell in love with the process and knew that this was ultimately what I wanted my full time career to be. After two and a half years at my corporate job, I said a bittersweet goodbye and decided to take a leap of faith to pursue Clark Creative full time. My husband joined me to pursue his photography dream at this time as well, so it’s great to be partners in this together.

How do you customize your products/services for brides?

Some couples want to be as hands-on as possible (and are quite crafty), so I break down the cost of everything individually in case they wish to do some (or all) of the work on their own. If the couple needs me to design and print the invitations for them, but they want to do all of the assembly, they can do so. Or if a couple has already designed their entire wedding suite themselves and needs me to order paper for them and print everything, I can do that as well. I try to accommodate everyone’s needs because every couple is unique!

What’s new for 2013?

For the new year, my husband and I are working on a more personal project. We have decided to reach out to local creatives and interview them for our blog. We are interested in hearing about other areas people are being creative – other than photography and design. We are hoping to gain inspiration after learning more about their craft and hopefully inspire our readers as well as we share what we have learned.

It was a pleasure meeting Jessica and we’re so happy she could share her story with us, and showcase some of her work. Thanks, Jess!

Disclosure: DIY Bride does NOT have a financial relationship with Clark Creative, meaning this is NOT a sponsored post. If you would like to be considered for a “Meet the Makers” story, please submit your story here: http://www.diybride.com/submit-an-article/.

Amy + Jeremy’s Rustic Schoolhouse Wedding

Today’s wedding is a fun one – taking place on the grounds of a school! This school looks SUPER different from the one I went to as a kid. This couple put a lot of effort into really make this wedding their own – the groom, a graphic designer, designed all the stationery and signage, the bride put together all the centerpieces, and family members pitched in to create the bouquets and make the desserts for the dessert table. They also embraced a subtle “cherry” theme, since that is their last name! Cherries in their logo, cherries on the cake , cherry red shoes – they even served cherry cola.

The bride wore her mother’s veil, and carried the same penny (sixpence) in her shoe that her grandma carried on her wedding day.

All the bouquets were arranged by the bride’s mother.

The bride spent months collecting vintage china and vases for the reception tables.

Congrats Amy and Jeremy!

DETAILS:

Photography: Seth Binsted and Frank Ameka (both friends of the couple)

Venue: Adams International School, Maidens, Virginia

Stationery: Designed by the groom

Florals: DIY/Trader Joe’s

{Guest Post} Invitation Etiquette for the DIY Bride

Addressing envelopes for your guests

This can be tricky if you are having a formal wedding and want the invites to convey the sense of occasion. Getting this right is important as it sets the scene for the day itself. Here is a quick ‘how to’ for every type of circumstance.

Same sex couples:

The general practice is to put the names in alphabetical order by the last name

Outer envelope (Men):

Either, Mr. Derek Jones and Mr. Anthony Smith, or on separate lines:
Mr. Derek Jones
Mr. Anthony Smith

Outer envelope (Women):

Either, Ms. Jane Roberts and Ms. Felicity Collins, or on separate lines:
Ms. Jane Roberts
Ms. Felicity Collins

Inner envelope (Men):

Mr. Jones and Mr. Smith, or on separate lines:
Mr. Jones
Mr. Smith

Inner envelope (Women):

Ms. Roberts and Ms. Collins, or on separate lines:
Ms. Roberts
Ms. Collins

Doctors:

Outer envelope (Single):

Doctor John Stoddard

Outer envelope (Married):

Doctor and Mrs. John Stoddard

Inner envelope (Single):

Doctor Stoddard

Inner envelope (Married):

Doctor and Mrs. Stoddard

Outer envelope (Married couples, both doctors):

Doctors John and Haley Stoddard

Inner envelope (Married couples, both doctors):

The Doctors Stoddard

Unmarried families:

Unmarried families living together should be addressed alphabetically by the last name. Names of children under 18 should not be written on the envelope, but on the card, after the couples’ name, starting with the oldest child. Children 18 and over who are invited should be sent separate invitations.

Outer envelope:

Mr. Derek Jones and Ms. Carol Patterson, or on separate lines:
Mr. Derek Jones
Ms. Carol Patterson

Inner envelope:

Mr. Jones and Ms. Patterson, or on separate lines:
Mr. Jones
Ms. Patterson

Guests without dates:

If possible, find out the name of the guest and write it on the envelope after the name of the invitee, but if you do not know the name of the guest, only write the name of the invitee on the envelope, and on the card itself, write ‘and guest’ next to the name of the invitee.

Guests with dates:

If inviting a guest who is known to be dating someone, each person should be sent a separate invitation.

Inviting Children

Inviting children (or not) can be a tricky subject to cross and is usually conveyed in the invitation. You may find that this can often result on some guests not coming (if adult only) because they cannot find a babysitter. But do not be dismayed, if this is your choice, guests will understand.

If you wish to invite children, include their names on the parents’ invitation card (not the envelope), starting with the name of the eldest child. If children’s names are not included, parents should assume that they have not been invited. Children 18 or older should receive their separate invitations.

If you do not wish to invite children, it may be a good idea to include a short note with the card, stating that due to constraints such as space or cost, you are sorry not to be able to accommodate children. If children have been invited, let parents know if there are special arrangements for them, e.g. childcare.

Specifying the dress code (casual, black tie, etc.)

According to Debretts, wedding etiquette requires that a dress code should be included on a wedding invitation only when guests are required to adhere to an uncustomary dress code such as black tie. Any unusual dress code should be explained in the extra information accompanying the invitation. However, with weddings becoming ever more diverse in their style and degree of formality, we are seeing an increase in invitations which include dress codes. Some of these codes include smart casual, lounge suit, cocktail, morning suit, black tie, and white tie. If you want, you can make the dress code voluntary by writing ‘black tie optional’ or simply by using the words ‘formal’, ‘semi-formal,’ or ‘informal,’ which will give your guests a broader choice when selecting their outfits.

How to dis-invite a guest

There is no rule of etiquette for dis-inviting a wedding guest. Once an invitation has been accepted by the guest, there is no polite way to dis-invite them. If an RSVP arrives after the due date, you may technically have the right to dis-invite the guest; however, the cause of the delay may have been with the mail delivery service. Even if the RSVP was sent late, taking the step of dis-inviting the guest may cause upset and put the relationship in jeopardy.

Using email or a wedding website for RSVPs and extra details versus enclosure cards

There are no hard and fast rules regarding either emails or a website for RSVPs versus enclosed cards. It is a matter of personal preference; however, there are several pros and cons to consider.

Pros of emails and website:

Easy to organize and input information in spreadsheets, etc.
Quicker than mail
Easy to set up a reminder email before the RSVP due date

Cons:

Setting up a website for the RSVP and additional information may time consuming
Older or technologically challenged guests may make mistakes in sending an email, so you may not receive their email
Your email could end up in their junk folder
Not all guests may have an email address

Pros of enclosed cards:

Look classy and add a personal touch
Uniformity of look and theme of the wedding invitation

Cons:

Added cost of postage
Risk of delayed or lost mail
People may forget to post the cards
Some people choose to have a website for RSVPs and additional information and also give the guests the choice of doing RSVP by phone if they wish

About the Author, Vaishali Shah at Ananya: ‘International culture’ is the narrative that runs through everything Ananya does. Whether their designs depict the domed windows of the Taj Mahal, the calligraphy in the Alhambra’s walls, a Bollywood narrative or a Swarovski-laced New York skyline, Ananya is inspired by the melting pot of cultures and the fusion of rich cosmopolitan experiences and an international flavour.

Here are some unique designs from Ananya, including their new ombre invitations!