RSVP

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 I sent my wedding invitations out last Friday and have been receiving the reply cards in the mail ever since. As exciting as it is, it makes the wedding that much more real.

Surprisingly, I’m not nervous about the actual wedding I’m more stressed about what happens after the wedding.  For the past two years I have been a bride-to-be, planning and gushing in the limelight of wedded bliss.  My time has been taken up by appointments, fittings and answering questions about color combinations, dinner options and music selections.  My stress has been the result of choosing wedding cakes, bridesmaid dresses and staying on budget.

So, what happens after the wedding? Do you disappear and become the old married couple. Do questions switch from “When are you getting married?” to “When are you having kids?”  I’m not prepared! I’m not sure I can handle it….

But then again…Is it really even that big of a deal or am I just over reacting…..

Happy planning! xoxo

 

Invites, Programs and Thank You Cards…Oh My!

Planning a wedding is filled with stressful tasks and ordering wedding invitations was probably the icing on the cake.  Not only did I want everything to be classic and timeless, I also didn’t want to spend a fortune on something people would probably just toss right after the wedding reception.  Luckily, there are sites like Minted.com that offer brides a one-stop shop for all things wedding paper related.

Minted.com has a great selection of save the dates, unique invites, programs and menu cards that are comparable to the high-end stationary boutiques at only a fraction of the cost -You can order 100 invitations for under $250.  A great alternative if you are a bride on a budget.  Another great thing about this site is the ability to customize your colors, wording and if you’re feeling daring, you can even purchase envelope liners to add a little flair to your mail. Something I plan on doing!

Another thing to consider is the fact that you don’t have to order everything from one store or designer. A lesson I am currently in the process of learning.  Minted.com has some classic styles that blend well with a lot of different designs. In fact, I am ordering my wedding programs and place cards from the site in the next few weeks. Not only will I get match my colors with my custom invites, I can play around with different fonts and…order last minute! Well, I’ll have to pay a little extra for next day shipping but I am the queen of procrastination, so that is a big plus that I am super excited about.

Here are a few of my picks from the site!  Enjoy!

Invitations::

Programs::

Menu Cards::

Sealed With A Kiss: Wedding Invitations

I must confess I sometimes wait until last-minute to do things because I feel like I have tons of time to get them done. Case in point – my wedding invitations. I have yet to order them and my wedding is in less than three months.  So what’s a bride-to-be to do?

Panic, freak out and blame my mother.

It’s not that I have put off looking for the perfect invitations.  It’s just that I have been spending all my time looking for the perfect invitations.

Typically, you should order your invites at least six months before the wedding and send them out between eight to twelve weeks before the big day.  If you are planning a destination wedding, the times will differ.  Be courtesy to your guests and give them ample time to book a flight and hotel.

For the past day I have been scrambling to get everything put together to a designer I found by way of Etsy and anxiously waiting by my computer to approve proofs.  I am about three weeks behind schedule. But luckily I’m having a small wedding and I sent out Save the Dates.

Etsy has been a life saver during the wedding planning process and I have found some really interesting items that will add some personality and a DIY feel to the reception.(Check here for some of my finds.)

The main thing I was striving for when looking for invitations was clean and modern with a splash of whimsical glamour.  Way harder to find that it sounds.  I was lucky to come across Ink and Ivory and I am pleased with the results so far.

The text for the invite was probably the easiest part of the ordeal. I searched a few high-end websites and added my own twist on the wording.  For invitation wording ideas click here and here. If you’re looking for non-traditional kitschy wording click here.

{Etsy Shop}

Here are a few things I learned during my ordering process.

1) Order six months ahead of time to avoid unnecessary headaches and panic attacks

2) Stick to a theme and color scheme.  It will make choosing a style easier.

3) Don’t be afraid to experiment with wording. You can still create a formal invitation without the formal wording.

4) When in doubt ask for a sample, proof or additional revisions.  Don’t settle.  If something doesn’t look right, speak up.  Your designer can’t always read your mind. Oh, and pictures help a lot!

5) Don’t stress out. You can always ask for a rush delivery and to help make mailing a little easier you can always pay for pre-printed addresses on the envelopes and invitations pre-assembled and stuffed.

PS. I will post my invites soon!

Happy Planning! enjoy xoxo