Semi-DIY Invitations: It's What's Inside That Counts!

I've already shown you the "basic" invitation we sent to our guests. However, for a few special people, "deluxe" invitations were found in mailboxes.

The full "suite": stamped and "fauxligraphy" addressed envelopes, front and back of the wedding invitation, wedding map, liner, rehearsal dinner and bridesmaids' brunch invitations.

I held off sending invitations to anyone in our wedding party or family that would be attending the rehearsal dinner and/or bridesmaids' brunch to save on postage (I also hand-delivered invitations to people I see on a regular basis to do the same).

For the rehearsal dinner and bridesmaids' brunch (a tea party!) invitations, I really wanted to give my guests a sneak peek into what was in store for the events. So I found "templates" (aka, I may have gotten a little creative using some Google images...) online for both and printed them using Zazzle.com.

Rehearsal Dinner:

Bridesmaids' Brunch:

Now that you've seen all of the invitations, it's time to find out how much they cost. To be completely honest, this is the first time I've added all of it up. I was getting down to the invitation deadline wire and that meant being less picky about prices and just wanting to get them done and out the door.

Labrador Invitation Cost Breakdown:

Wedding Invitation Design: $18 (includes iStockPhoto image credits)
Map Design: $0
90 Wedding Invitations & Maps printed by Vista Print: $89.52 (includes envelopes I didn't use)
Rehearsal Dinner & Bridesmaids' Brunch Invitation Design: $0
20 Rehearsal Dinner & 10 Bridesmaids' Brunch Invitations printed by Zazzle: $36.95
100 Shimmer Chocolate Envelopes from Paper Source: $54 (10% discount for ordering 10 packs)
10 Taupe Brocade Liners from PS: $25 (1/2 off sale + 10% discount for ordering 10 sheets)
Liner template from PS: $9.50
USPS "Vintage" Stamps (20 Silver Coffeepot, 100 Tiffany Lamp, 20 American Toleware, 20 Chippendale Chair, 80 Green Wedding Hearts) : $38
Metallic Gold Pen: $4

Grand Total: $274.97
Cost Per Invitation (90): $3.06

These numbers are really skewed because I overestimated supplies so much. For instance, I only ended up sending about 65 invitations because many were addressed to couples or households. I have left over liners because I was able to squeeze so many onto each sheet. I also have leftover stuff I can use for future projects like my liner template, stamps, and envelopes. So I'm guessing the real cost is more like $2.50 or less per invitation. Nonetheless, I'm still out $274.97, but I think that's a more than reasonable price to pay for my "babies", don't cha think? Plus, I'd rather have leftovers than not enough! ;)

No Longer Standing "Stationery"

Invitations etiquette? 2 months out. Me? 1 month out. That's how I roll. I make my own rules and I do what I want!

Either that or I'm just a lazy, procrastinating, bad bad bride. I'll let you pick. ;)

So yeah, because I somehow managed to break my camera, Mr. Lab's camera, and don't have the cable connector to Mama Lab's camera I've been borrowing, this invitation post will be a series. I'll start with what I have now because I can no longer wait to share my "labor of love" (NOW I get why all the other invite DIYers call it that!). I should really call them my "labor of stifling many curse words".

After my initial dilemma regarding invitation design, a very gracious reader reached out and offered to help me create my vision. Nada (Aka nada122, a fellow Georgia gal and sports reporter!) worked with (read: tolerated) my perfectionism so well that I thought she might have been my long lost clone from an alternate universe. Together, we came up with this digital beauty that I would print on my own.

Front:

The coloring is "off" because of Vista Print's template Nada had to use. The printed invitations are blush pink, not purple. You'll see the true colors of the invites in the next post!

Back:


Peony and Chandelier Images from iStockphoto

I chose not to do response cards because 1. I didn't want another hassle 2. I wanted to avoid extra envelopes/postage and 3. from what I hear, many people don't even bother to send them back. Internet and phones are way more convenient! Not to mention that because the invites went out so late, doing RSVPs this way is much quicker than waiting on a card back in the mail.

I also included our purdy DIY maps!

I went with the "My Last Name-His Last Name" Wedding + wedding date combo the hive suggested! I also added a quick note on attractions and accommodations on the back side of the map.

Sneak peek of the completed "basic" invitation:

No political statement. Just an "easy out" so I don't have to blur my hard work!

Stay tuned! More to come on envelopes, liners, stamps, "fauxligraphy" and fonts, actual photos of the invitations, and costs. Plus, the "deluxe" invitations that feature the bridesmaids' brunch and rehearsal dinner invites!