Invitation Design Process

I may have told you that I am planning to make my own invitations for the wedding...as well as RSVP cards and programs and other misc. other signage as needed.

To begin this rather intimidating task, I have been looking around at various paper suppliers and the kinds and colors of paper they offer. So many choices! I don't even know the exact color combination I want to use...perhaps varying shades of green or orange with an ivory color?

I have gone ahead and requested numerous samples so I can try a few color combinations together. I would ideally like to create a mock-up of our wedding invitation prior to placing an order of hundreds of sheets of paper.

The template I am using is something I came across online from the Budget Savvy Bride...it will create a pretty basic invitation (see below):

Once the paper comes in, I will take it all to Kinko's for them to cut it to the dimensions I need. And then the assembly process begins! (Print...layer...assemble..done!)

At this point, I am not sure how decorative I will get with these invitations (aka what kind of design will adorn the top of each). I have not come across a design or pattern yet that I particularly like...at least enough to put on our wedding invitations. Maybe I will end up creating something myself? Maybe something like our monogram...or J and K...like below:

We will see how these ideas pan out...

Once I get a little further along in this project, I will definitely share my progress!

Take a seat

Are wedding reception seat markers for the bride and groom a have or a have not? I am kind of torn with this DIY project idea...this isn't something I have seen a lot of in weddings I have attended, and the photos I have seen on the Web leave quite a bit to be desired. The ones I have come across are typically labeled with the usual "Bride" and "Groom" or "Mr." and "Mrs." like the ones below:

These are not bad ideas at all; they just do not reflect us as a couple.

I realize we will spend very little (if any) time sitting at our table...thus making seat markers not a super important decor project. But it could be a cute touch (and would reserve our seats for when we do try to sneak a bite to eat!).

If this is something we end up wanting, I will certainly make it a DIY project and will go with "K" and "J" letters...painted in a shade of burnt orange or emerald green and tied to the chairs with a ribbon in a corresponding color. This "theme" would go with another piece of decor I have been DIYing for the wedding...you will see in September!

Time flies when you're having fun

One year ago today, Jacob asked me to marry him! So hard to believe it has been that long already. Time really does fly, eh? Only 5 months and 15 days until our Big Day...

This photo was taken on April 6, 2009 at the Melting Pot...three days after we got engaged.