Save the dates

Wedding Etiquette: Don’t Save the Date?!

I recently heard about a new “trend” in weddings that made my Emily Post-reading, charm-school graduate (yes, it’s a real thing) self literally say the words “Well, I never!”

Apparently, some brides are finding it necessary to send a “Don’t Save the Date” to people they plan NOT to invite to the wedding. Ladies, let’s have a chat.

It goes without saying this is beyond tacky—andyet, with social media connecting us to people we haven’t personally interacted with in years, we readily admit that pulling off a small “family-only” wedding is tough! People can feel like they have the right to celebrate your day with you. If you’re already in the midst of planning, you’ve probably begun tough process of…

DIY Flag Save the Date from Chelsea at Frolic

Oh, how we love Frolic! Chelsea’s daily inspiration blog is always chock-full of pretty ideas that feel effortless and chic. So, we’re so happy that she’ll be posting DIY projects that easy to do while packing a big punch.Set the tone for a fun, lighthearted wedding with a flag Save The Date! These cute little flags are pretty simple to make and your guests will love receiving them in the mail! Total cost: $1.50

Supplies:
Computer and a program like Word or Illustrator
Card stock
Skewer Sticks (found at a grocery store)
1 yard of Ribbon (ours is from Michael’s Crafts)
Scissors
X-acto knife
Cutting mat
Straight edge or ruler
…

DIY Bridesmaid Invitations from Chelsea at Frolic

This is a simple and sweet way to ask your best friends to be maids at your wedding! Dig up old photos with funny stories or memories to make it extra special! Total Cost: Around $3

Supplies:
White pen
Postcards with envelopes in bright colors
Old Photos
Stick-on photo corners
Scissors

Steps:
1. Find an old photo and cut to size if needed.

2. Attach photo corner and place on postcard.

3. Write a note in white pen and add a caption for your photo.

Tips:
You might want to practice your lettering a few times before writing out your note. Stick on photo corners can easily be moved around so play around with different layouts.

No time? Buy it:

We recommend Bird and Banner for charming invitations like this.

Anne Discusses Easy DIY Projects

These days, I’m all about DIY. From decorating my home to trying to convince you lovely people that DIY is the best, most satisfying (and possibly one of the more tried-and-true) ways to pull together a wedding, lately the details seem just that much better when they involve a little bit of handmade love.

However, I think we can all agree that some things are easier to DIY than others. While I can cut and tie pieces of twine around pretty much anything, I’m going to go ahead and admit that arranging flowers (or sewing anything on anything) is a little more outside of my skill-set. Fortunately there is one realm in the area of wedding planning that is incredibly DIY-friendly:…

Benign Objects

be-nign, adj. – 1.Of a kind and gentle disposition. And, how! I mean, what could be more genteel than these uniquely lovely wedding invitation handerchiefs by Rachel Wiles of Benign Objects? (Who also just got married this past October! Congratulations, Rachel!)

These custom screenprinted, vintage-style handkerchiefs can serve as wedding invitations (as seen above) or Save the Dates, or for a “Be My Bridesmaid” request, or any other occasion for that matter. In any case, they’ll have people crying tears of joy when they receive them. And, hey, at least they’ll be prepared when that moment strikes.

You can also purchase reply cards and decorative ‘belly bands’ to accompany the handkerchiefs.

What bridesmaid-to-be would say no to this kind of request?

And, what would help carry out the design theme better than custom personalized muslin bags? Great for favors, flower petals, confetti, and more.

Courtney Khail Handmade Stationery

With all of the creative elements that go into planning a wedding, it’s no surprise the number of wedding-related businesses that are born from brides themselves. Courtney Khail is one of those former brides who, when planning her own wedding in 2008, couldn’t find stationery that had that handmade, fine art feeling. So, being an artist herself, she put ink (and watercolor) to paper designing her own wedding stationery and Courtney Khail Stationery & Design was born!

Whether choosing a style from her gallery or having Courtney create a custom design, each piece is hand cut and hand painted onto 100% rag cotton paper and comes with a matching recycled paper envelope. There are a multitude of gorgeous design offerings inspired by her love…

Modern yet Whimsical Letterpressed Wedding Invitations

Picking out your wedding invitations is a big deal. With only a few small pieces of paper you’re meant to convey a ton of information, heed etiquette guidelines while somehow conveying the overall tone of your wedding through creative means. No pressure at all, right?!?

Which is why I love Chewing the Cud’s line of letterpress invitations. Their designs are charming yet cleanly designed so they’re easy-to-read and never feel overwhelming. And it really is all about the details with these invites. The place where guests can circle the “correct answer” on the version that looks like a school note; the letterpress diamond detailing on the silhouette of kids riding their bike together; the RSVP that looks like a stamp on…

Remember to Stamp Your Invitations! Awesome USPS Stamps from Offbeat Bride

Did you know that the US Postal Service is going to be releasing Pixar stamps in August? I just found out about it and I’m pretty excited. Don’t they just make you go “awwwww”? How great would these cute Pixar buddy stamps be on your wedding invitations? But if you’re not a fan of Pixar, no worries, the Postal Service also has a lot of new stamp designs that would perfectly complement your theme.

These evergreen holiday stamps could bring more than just holiday cheer — they could also be the perfect complementary stamp for your outdoor wedding in a forest, or state park.

Having an “old Hollywood” style wedding? These…

Tiny Invites That Make a Big Impression from Offbeat Bride

For those of you that want wedding invitations or Save the Dates that will REALLY make an impression, check out the World’s Smallest Post Service!

Pictured above are some of the custom wedding invitations that they’ve already created. My favorite are the Airmail wedding invitations.

From their site:
“These tiny blue and red striped airmail envelopes are just one inch wide! Inside, the wedding invitees found a tiny invitation with a hand-drawn typewriter on the front and a miniature folded map of the wedding location!”

Pictured below the Airmail invites are their Heart Stamp and California Poppy invitations. Both equally adorable!

The World’s Smallest Postal Service also does tiny packages as…