Let’s Talk Weddings!
I recently received an email from a reader asking about my wedding invitations. I realized that this is something that I’ve never had the chance to discuss here on the blog, since this was well before I even started blogging. So I jumped on the chance (or excuse) to talk about another aspect of the best day of my life!
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So when Jay and I first started looking for invitations, it was a bit of a struggle.
He couldn’t have cared less, I’m a bit indecisive…
It wasn’t until after we finally committed to, and purchased, our invitations, that I came across some amazing sites that sell a plethora of beautiful invitations. Now, when a friend asks, I always recommend the wedding invitations from David’s Bridal. Yup! Believe it or not, they have a huge selection of not only invitations, but everything else from place cards, to programs, to menus.
Too bad I hadn’t known about them before I paid a pretty penny!
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Nonetheless, I was actually still able to save a good amount of money by committing to taking care of some of the work myself.
Yes, I was about to jump into the world of DIY and it was a big commitment. It was a bit scary at first, but I have some great friends who were more than willing to help out!
My big DIY task was to take my plain (but pretty) invitations and jazz them up a bit with some rub-on snowflakes to match our snowflake-themed décor.
Once I saw what the price difference would be between a more plain invitation and one with embossed pictures, etc., I figured it would be silly for me to spend the extra moola when it was something I could easily do myself.
After a little searching, I was able to find these glitter rub-on snowflakes at A.C. Moore and actually wiped their stock out completely.
Hey, when ya have 200+ invitations to decorate, you need lots of snowflakes.
So the first step you have to do with these is cut out the image the way you want to use it. I suggest having a small bowl/basket on hand so you don’t accidentally knock them all over the floor…more than once.
Next, simply place your rub-on wherever you’d like it to go on the invitation and hold it in place (either by hand or with low tack tape).
Use a popsicle stick (they should be provided in the package) and firmly rub the entire surface of the on the image onto the surface.
When taking off the backing, make sure to do it slowly! There were a few times where I tried taking it off too quickly, only to realize it wasn’t totally transferred and ended up ripping.
That’s actually what happened with this leftover invitation that I still have…a little quick with the rippage. Woops!
TA-DA! You’ve got yourself a jazzed up invitation!
Not only was it nice to be able to save a few extra dollars, but I actually really enjoyed being able to say that I helped design my own invitations.
Now, had I been stuck doing all 200+ invitations on my own…well, we might have had another story here. But like I said, I have some awesome friends who were more than willing to help out!
If you’ve got the time, it’s definitely a fun project. Hey, who knows, maybe I’m a closet DIY’er after all?
Question for the Day:
Do you like to DIY? What kind of projects do you (or did you) like to take on??
Amanda says
Awesome post! Thanks for sharing. I think the invitations are definitely going to be something that I make on my own. I have a crafty Grandmother and a few creative aunts that probably wouldn’t let me do it any other way!
Chaaron says
I was also surprised at how expensive the stationary was for my wedding! The DIY project I was most proud of for my wedding was our programs. My hubby and I had a lot of fun putting them together and we laughed as we wrote bios for everyone in our wedding party. I think it made them more unique and a fun read for our guests.
Whitney says
I just mailed out my wedding invitations yesterday! I have to admit I don’t like anything about DIY projects. I just don’t have the patience for them, and sometimes I like to think my sanity is worth the extra money, haha Kudos for people who are creative! :)
Courtney says
Ooooooo, how FUN!! :-D
Brittney says
We actually used a DIY kit from Michaels and even printed our invites ourselves. My computer-savy hubby figured out how to color match the sage green design on them and print our names in the same colored ink and then used the fonts I chose and all of that. We also made pocket folds out of construction paper, which we affixed the invitations to and printed inserts stacked on the side since we have a semi-destination wedding and the inserts included directions and other info. I loved them :)
Kimberley says
I have days that i crave breakfasts like that too, however I almost end up regretting my choice because I never stay full with muffins and I end up snacking for the entire morning and it usually ruins my meals for the rest of the day ! One of my favourite “guilty pleasures” is the Morning Glory muffin from Starbucks :)
Holly says
You know what? I just looked at the stats for that muffin & it’s really not that bad. I was pretty impressed @ DD ;) I will have to remember that whenever we are on the road & need a quick breakfast. I’m just not a big fan of their egg white flat bread sandwich- just kind of blah.
We did DIY invitations- saved SO much money..and I thought it was fun :)
Shanna, Like Banana says
These turned out lovely Courtney! And for those that aren’t DIY people, invitation sites have popped up all over that allow for a ton of customization at a very reasonable cost. That’s the route I went because I knew I wouldn’t have the “hard labor” to do a lot of DIY (no family lives within 2000 miles of me :( )
Courtney says
Oh my gosh, really????
Melissa says
I LOVE when brides make their own invites and address them, too! It feels so personal. Yours were beautiful! :)
Cute~Ella says
Oh I’m a do it yourselfer through and through. I didn’t even bother my landlord to re-caulk the shower/tub and once helped a very pregnant friend put up sheetrock in the babies room and then tape and paint it.
Things I’ve done? Made a pretty party dress, created craft table/cabinets from the Habitat Restore, invites galore to bridal showers, baby showers, birthday parties, etc, Usually, I try to think of a way to do it myself using stuff I already have rather than go spend money on something new. I like a challenge and like the money being in my account!
Courtney says
You’re like a DIY guru! ;)
Lisa @ Healthy Diaries says
Your wedding invites we’re really cute. I didn’t do my invites myself, but I did put together the favors for my wedding shower and I made this humongous cupcake stand as well!
Courtney says
Cupcakes?!? YUM! :-P
Khushboo says
That’s so awesome you jazzed up your wedding invites. I’m the least creative person on the planet so no DIY projects for me. That muffin surely must have been a great start to your day- sometimes when a craving hits, u gotta do what you gotta do!
Colleen @ The Lunchbox Diaries says
I just got my wedding invitations in the mail yesterday! We went back and forth on DIY, but I’m not crafty and I was like “pleaseee can we just BUY them?!” So, we did. Yours turned out beautifully!
Chelsea says
Great post…and great idea! I love the snowflakes. For my wedding I handmade 300 programs, 300 favors, center pieces, table runners etc. On the big day I also set up while my bridesmaids spent the morning doing their makeup and hair. I was running around like crazy! I did get my invitations printed though because I was right in the middle of mountain bike racing season and I was hardly ever home. I love what you did with your invites! So cute. Now that I have a Cricut my crafting world rocks and I make cards, banners artwork. I think everyone needs a Cricut!!!
Courtney says
Oh my gosh girl, you were BUSY!!!
miranda @working mom works out says
Totally okay to eat what your craving sometimes. I think so anyways.
Those invites are so cute too!
Megan (Braise The Roof) says
Cute invites! I had no idea that David’s Bridal did invitations and such- go figure. I had one of those mornings, too. I got a bagel with cream cheese and it was worth every bite. :)
Jamie aka "Sometimes Healthy" Girl says
You will not believe this coincidence: I LOVE THOSE MUFFINS TOO! It is like my number one craving at Dunkin Donuts. I’ve had the regular muffins and I actually think the reduced is even better :-) I am the biggest Dunkin Donuts fan alive – have you tried the blueberry coffee? DEF give it a try.
PS – Your wedding invites are gorgeous!
Courtney says
I usually get either their hazelnut or raspberry coffee…but I’ll have to try the blueberry now! ;)
Claire @ Live and Love to Eat says
Ahhh I’m debating about the DIY route myself… but I am the opposite of artsy-fartsy, for sure.
Emily @ Relishments says
We DIY’d our invites too! We ordered cards and pockets from http://www.cardsandpockets.com/ and then cut 3 pocket inserts for each card and printed the info on the pocket inserts and invitations. I knew what I wanted the inserts and invite to say and was too much of a control freak to let anyone else do it. I’m really glad I did it that way. Their selection is great!
Heather T says
Target sells blank invitations that you can print yourself. I just wrote up what I wanted the invitation to say and with the help of my dad, printed them out at home. This saved a TON of money :)
Kate says
Your wedding invitations look beautiful! The rub on stickers were so clever! I’m a big fan of DIY. I bought a house a little over 6 months ago and I have been doing all sorts of projects to spruce it up and make it mine. My favorite project was making a shower curtain for one of the bathrooms. I love that it not only looks amazing in the room but I get the extra satisfaction knowing I did it.
Jenny (Fit Girl Foodie) says
What cute wedding invitations! My sister in law got some from Michael’s that were printable and they turned out cute. My other sister in law made hers and they came out nice. I’m not very creative or crafty when it comes to these things lol
Yummy blueberry muffin! :D
Jardan says
great idea! so pretty
Sarah says
Im engaged now and haven’t even THOUGHT about the invitations yet! Yours are really cute! I want to do a lot of DIY things for our wedding because i’m very crafty! Invitations will almost definitely fall under the DIY category, should be fun!