Everything Paper & Everything DIY!
What we've done: The Jamaica Wedding Invitations, Save the Date Cards, STD Magnets, Donation in lieu of favors cards, Photo Share Cards, At Home Reception Invitations, & lined the invite envelopes, made DW travel puzzles for guests, made tags for all the OOT items (*cute*).
What got ditched: Table Name Cards, Escort Cards (no longer assigning seats).
We're trying to GO GREEN, but weddings seem to require a lot of paper! We're trying to at least stick with recyclable products!!!
Jamaica Wedding Invites
Since we invited a small number of people to join us in Jamaica, the traditional-type of invite did not seem personal enough for what we wanted to say. So we opted to write each guest a letter and printed them in a beautiful font on thick cream-colored faux parchment paper.
Also included with the invite was a packet of information regarding Sandals Negril Beach Resort & Spa as prepared and provided to us by our Travel Agent (we are using Beach Bum Vacation).
Save the Date Cards w/ Magnet
When it came to mailing our Save the Date magnets, we went against everything we read about "etiquette"! And we did indeed send the magnets inside our Christmas cards.
I wrote this poem about our wedding, sticking with a bit of Christmas theme:
‘Twas the year before our big day and we’re beginning to comprehend
It won’t be long now before our single days will come to an end.
We’ll be married in a tropical far-away land
Where we’ll bask in the sun and we’ll play in the sand.
So, this winter as we’re tucked away all snug in our beds
Visions of palm trees will sway through our heads.
See, we are all set to start our new life
Can you believe that next Christmas we’ll be husband and wife?
Though it is still months away, it will be here in a flash
And when we return, we’ll have a big bash!
And with this little token you won’t be able to forget…
Next October we’ll forever be a loving duet!
STD Costs:
Festive Christmas cards (supposed to be used as party invites...very sparkly, very cute!) from Flower Factory: ($1 per 10 pk) - 4 packs used: Total $4
I took the invite inserts from the cards to Kinkos and had my poem printed professionally: 40 insert cards: Total $3.40
Little round sticky-mounts for depth and "cuteness" to attach my poem & the STD magnets inside each card: Total $2
TOTAL COST (including postage stamps & shipping from Vista Print for magnets): $37
Save The Date Magnet in the card
We utilized Vista Print for our Save the Date magnets. WE LOVE THEM! Upon debate, we ended up sending them *only* to the guests invited to join us in Jamaica. We did not want to confuse those who will only be attending the at-home-reception.
Like I said, we also went against the "etiquette" and did mail them in our Christmas cards! (Oh yes we did!) And, everyone loved them!
(The little note above the magnets reads: "This little magnet we did design. Now our date won’t slip your mind!")
At Home Reception Invites
The design was inspired by DesignsByLenila.com
* Bottom layer - A7 Flat Note (Yours Truly) from Archiver's (my splurge on this project)
* The beautiful sunset picture - taken by my uncles on their trip to Negril in May 2008. It has all of the colors that we love, taken by people that we love, and taken at the location where we will vow our love to each other! - formatted to 4.75 x 6.75
* Vellum with chocolate colored font - formatted to 4.5 x 6.5
* Raffia knot for extra tropical flair (knots also symbolize commitment...and keep the vellum attached)!
The total cost (not including postage) will amount to approximately $100 for 100 invitations!
A7 Yours Truly Flat Note from Archiver's * $4.99 ~ 10/ pk (I used coupons) = $50 (before coupons)/ $30 (after coupons)
8.5 x 11 vellum * 100 sheets = $9.95 (can get 2 - 4.5x6.5 cut-outs/ sht) ~ EnvelopeMall.com
8.5 x 11 Matte finish paper (for the sunset photo - glossy picture paper isn't the look we want) * 50 sheets (found at Flower Factory) ~ $7
A7 Envelopes (not pictured) * 100 count = $13.95 ~ EnvelopeMall.com
Raffia (found in bulk at Flower Factory) ~ $2
Office Depot printed the sunsets for $35 AND they cut them ALL to size for $3.75 (best $3.75 I ever spent!!!)
Invite Reads:
"Jenni and Shane"
will forever join their hearts & dreams
on the fourth of October
in Negril, Jamaica
Please join us for a celebration
of love, friendship, & laughter
on Saturday, the seventeeth of October
Two thousand and nine
at six o'clock in the evening
(The "RSVP to this Evening for Adults" info is listed at the bottom of the invite...we are using a Virgin Mobile prepaid cell phone to record our RSVPs & also utilizing our wedding website...no RSVP cards...another way we're *trying* to go GREEN!)
The messy process!
First, when creating the invite verbiage in Microsoft Publisher, I made sure to measure where I wanted the holes punched in the vellum for the raffia knot. Then I placed a little * in that spot. This made finding "just the right place" to punch the hole a cinch because the little *s were printed right onto each copy of the vellum! Then we lined up the vellum and the sunset picture and punched! The raffia was knotted to keep them attached together. Then the carpet tape was placed ALL AROUND the edge of the invitations. The chocolate cardstock was adhered & hid the back of the knot. Then onto stuffing the envelopes!
Things I learned:
1) Family is *awesome*! (Okay I already knew that, but on this night...they were super-duper-awesome!)
2) Screw those expensive permanent tape dispensers! We would have spent a fortune! (1 dispenser + the refill got us through only 15 invites!) FI went to the hardware store and bought a roll of carpet tape for $9!!! Got us through 100+ invites! It took some extra time, but saved a ton of cash! *CARPET TAPE ROCKS! IT'S SUPER-DUPER STICKY (much stickier than the permanent expensive tape), IT'S DOUBLE-SIDED & SUPER-DUPER CHEAP!!!*
3) Colored raffia stains the crap out of your fingers!
4) Perfect knots are a talent!
5) WINE IS YOUR FRIEND!!! It makes everything so much easier!!!
6) Did I already say *CARPET TAPE ROCKS*???
Lining the envelopes
I lined our AHR invitation envelopes with thick wrapping paper that matches the colors in the sunset used for actual invites.
Other Knotties have their little template and little pics in their profiles that are all nice and neat that show how to do this step-by-step...that was not me! The wrapping paper wanted to stay rolled up and forget the stupid template (I used the template to get the invites into the envelopes without messing up the raffia.)
* I cut the paper from the roll (gave-up being neat about it) & then used my paper cutter to get a straight edge
* Using the 1 straight edge, I would cut the other 3 sides
* Fit the liner into the envelope
* Line up the straight edge with the gummy part of the envelope (being careful NOT to cover the gummy part!)
* Fold the envelope closed to "score" each sheet
* Remove sheet
* Cut angles to be sure that the liner doesn't stick out of the envelope (from the scored fold to the top)
* Add glue to the inside of the envelope (the pocket part...in case people use a letter-opener when they get their invite...didn't want all of my hard work to be for nothing).
* Add glue to the liner (the part on the actual flap...being sure to get the edges...I'm picky!
* And *BAM* DONE!
I spent under $4 on this project for 120 envelopes...used a coupon on the wrapping paper found at Michaels and 99 cents on the glue sticks.
My fiance asked what the point of this project is...with a quick/ unfriendly glance from me...he then offered to help! HA! And now we both love how it all looks together!
Raffia + Envelopes = Frenemies
We quickly realized that our cute knots were NOT going to go into the envelopes without a fight! Soooo...I cut a file folder to the size of the invite, placed the template over the invite (being sure that the raffia wasn't all jacked-up), and then slid the invite into each envelope...and *VOILA*!!! Just slide the template out of the envelope and repeat!
Pictured: My uncle (who took the sunset picture) demonstrating the proper way to stuff an envelope (with his wine nice and handy)!
Invitation Envelope Wrap Labels
Yup, ditched "etiquette" and went for super-cool wrap labels!
I cropped out a portion of the sunset photo that is also used for our invites and created the labels in Microsoft Publisher.
For an A7 envelope: the label measures 9" long x 2" wide. (6" is wrapped around the front, and 3" on the back.) Our return address is located on the back.
I used Freebooter Script for the guest name and Goudy Old Style for their address.
I was able to print 4 labels per page. I also added crop marks when creating them so I could align them on the cutter with ease...and VOILA! Great-looking, super-duper-cool invitation labels!!!
I spent $13.03 on 115 - 8 1/2" x 11" full-sheet labels from ebay seller "lowprice*labels" (but only used about 30 sheets).
Click "View Website" to download the template. It will open in Microsoft Publisher. You can add your own picture/ design & font(s). I downloaded Freebooter for the guest name, so that font may not download unless you have it on your computer too. I also added crop mark to help with the slicing and dicing ;)
The finished product
And here is everything all done...I did want to print my own stamps (using the sunset photo, of course!), but I refuse to pay that much for something that will more than likely end up in the trash! Too bad it costs about double to do that...but, we LOVE them anyways!!!
Andddddd...they cost normal shipping cost to mail! Yup, 44 cents! (...well, that's how much postage cost in August of 2009...)
Photo Share Cards
Our Photo Share Cards were created through Vista Print using the same template as our Save the Date magnets. We received these last night...we *love* them! I think that Vista Print might be my new BFF! (Front & back of card pictured)
We are utilizing Photobucket.com for our guests to upload photos. Photobucket allows video uploads too! Guests can also buy prints and pickup their pictures at either CVS or Target locations close to their home *or* they can opt to have them delivered to their door.
This cost us next to nothing...paid shipping only for the Photo Share Cards (business card size) & the version of Photobucket that we're utilizing is free too.
Poem actually reads:
If you snapped photos we’d love to see them too!
And with this website it's so simple to do.
Instructions on the back are as easy as 1, 2, 3.
And forever grateful the two of us will be!
Table Name & Donation Info
The table names are all places in/ around Negril & Ocho Rios. The little note cards include a tidbit of info about each one.
We opting to donate in lieu of giving out favors at the AHR. And for this Vista Print strikes again! I designed the feet and paw prints in Publisher (wanted to utilize the colors of Jamaica) and downloaded it into Vista Print's template.
The table names and donation cards will placed in little pockets that I created.
The business cards were free, but I did have to pay for using my own template and for shipping. Not too shabby!
Escort Card Pockets
I found this idea in Knottie buttaflai's bio.
I LOVE her bio so much that I attached a link to it above! She has so many great ideas!
This saved me a ton of money! Those little envelopes can be pricey!
Scrap Pack + Rubber Cement = Under $6
Escort pockets ~ Almost finished
Guests names will be added to the front of each little pocket. The table name card will be sticking out a bit (hence the decorative side-border) to reveal their seating arrangement.
This way, if someone cancels or decides to come last minute, their seating arrangement can easily be adjusted.
In real life: We totally scrapped the idea of assigning seats!!! Too many people didn't want with so-and-so and this-person isn't talking to that-person...so we decided SIT WHERE YOU WANT! And thank goodness! One less thing for me to worry about doing! Now I have a bunch of these cool little pockets to sell...
Brochures ~ Outside
I created these brochures with Vista Print. They will be sent to guests traveling to Jamaica a few weeks prior to departure. Info included:
*A bit about Negril
*What to expect upon arrival at MoBay airport ~ shuttle, taxi, air info
*Sandals Q&A
*Activities planned
*Things to do/ places to eat
Click "View Website" above to view the PDF Proof from Vista Print
Brochures ~ Inside
These should have been free, but I didn't notice until it was too late that I was charged for uploading my own photos...dang it! So what should have cost me $7.49 for shipping, ended up costing me $27...did I already say "DANG IT"???
Pictures I substituted:
* The sunset picture that is used for our AHR invites & table names (that my uncles took on their trip to Negril)
* The lapping waves on Negril beach
* Sandals resort from afar
* Sandals wedding gazebo on the beach
And I highly doubt that anyone but me will even notice!
Luggage Tags for DW Guests
Prior to leaving for *Jamaica*, we're going to send personalized luggage tags along with the brochure & a puzzle book to each guest.
So, I decided to take the opportunity to be as crafty as possible! And with the help of finding "WhiMSy love's" blogspot, FI and I created these ultra-cute, ultra-cool (& ultra-inexpensive!) tags!!!
Time consuming? You betcha! But we love them...and we're sure our guests will too!
These went over so well & I have requests from people to purchase them...soooo...I now offer them in my Etsy store. (link above ~ "View Website")
How we made 'em ~ Steps 1 & 2
Step 1: Cut out the cute shapes using felt (1 small, 1 big) ~ I liked using the extra stiff felt for this part (we made stars & moons for the guys and hearts, flowers, & butterflies for the girls)
Step 2: Stitch the shapes together using colorful embroidery threads
Luggage Tags ~ Step 3
Step 3: Attach shape to some cool fabric (you can use the Ultra-bond adhesive, but I just quickly hand-stitched them on)
Luggage Tags ~ Step 4
Step 4: Iron on the Ultra-bond permanent adhesive to the back of the "cool" fabric (follow the instructions on the package) ~ set this part aside & let cool.
Luggage Tags ~ Steps 5, 6, & 7
Step 5: NOW FOR THE OTHER SIDE! Cut felt to about the same size as your "cool" fabric
Step 6: Cut light colored fabric for the name & address ~ I used Muslin found in the scrap bin at Joann Fabrics for $1
Step 7: Attach the light colored fabric (Muslin) to the felt (we used bright thread & FI sewed with sewing machine)
Luggage Tags ~ Steps 8 & 9
Step 8: Peel off the Iron-on Adhesive's backing from the "cool fabric" & iron the felt & "cool fabric" together (again...follow instructions on the package)
Step 9: Cut to desired size (we used pinking shears)
Luggage Tags ~ Steps 10, 11 & 12
Step 10: Add grommets
Step 11: Add name & address to the light colored fabric (you can use a permanent marker - we're going to print the names on inkjet transfer paper & iron them on)
Step 12: Add plastic cording to loop the tag onto the luggage (we're adding *cool * ribbon instead)
VOILA! Cool luggage tags!
Packets for DW Guests
The packets include:
* Our brochure full of info
* Jamaican Jumbles ~ A Little Something For Your Travels. (I created the puzzle books which include a Bob Marley songs jumble, who's going to Jamaica word search, around Negril crossword, etc.) The little tag attached to each reads: "To occupy your time while you fly the friendly skies"
* Ink pen(s) (Tag reads: "Not just for your puzzles...but for customs too!")
* Personalized luggage tag (Tag reads: "We made this tag just for you! Now finding your luggage will be easy to do! Just put the tag through the loop, and your bag will stand out from the group!")
* And for my uncles, we created a "Must Take Pics" brochure with a request that they help us remember to strike a few familiar and popular poses
(And thank goodness we did this! We didn't forget any of our must-takes and they had a blast being such a huge part of our day!)
Link to Jumble book above w/ cut marks (click "View Website").
Created puzzles using: puzzlemaker.discoveryeducation.com
Wrapped neatly
Each packet was wrapped in tissue and closed with stars, suns, & moons stickers...then put into our mailers (complete with cool font, cool logo, and our ultra cool monogram).
Card I made for Shane ~ given to him on our day!
The inside of the card reads:
...that you're marrying our Mommy today!
(Don't they look just elated??? ~HA!)
Our Thank You Cards
I created these in Microsoft Publisher and had them printed via Vista Print (surprise! surprise!). We chose to have them printed on the over-sized postcards (free promo) and paid for envelopes ($5).
We love them and our guests just rant and rave about them!
