They're Done!

On Saturday I went to the post office with my mom to mail out our save the dates. I didn't do anything too fancy with the packaging the actual photocard, I didn't feel the need to spend any extra money on this aspect. I'll definitely be putting more effort into the invitations though.

As you saw in my semi-reveal, we decided to go with a photo save the date. And I really liked the way they turned out. We also received plain white envelopes but I felt like I needed a little something to dress them up a bit. Plus I don't think my handwriting is that great to be able to address all the envelopes in a legible manner. So we went with wrap around labels. Our planners created the design and I added the addresses to each using powepoint. I printed them out on full sheet labels and then proceeded to spend about 30 minutes cutting each one out. Suffice it to say that I could have really benefited from a paper cutter (my next wedding related purchase). Here they are before being cut out:

And here's the finished product. I didn't think I would care that much about the look of postage, but for some reason as soon as I stepped in line to buy the stamps I was hopeful that they had something that would coordinate well with the wrap around labels. And that woman at the post office made my day when she pulled out the perfect stamp, it even has the word love on it. I never thought I would care about this small detail but sometimes bride brain takes over and this was one of those moments.

The stack ready to be mailed out

Front

Back

The cost breakdown:

• 100 Photo postcards from Vistaprint - $12 (I only paid for shipping and didn't use all the postcards)
• Avery Full Sheet Labels - $12
• Postage - $22

The final cost for my save the dates are $46.00. I think that was pretty good for my first semi-diy project.

Save the Dates - The Semi-Reveal

I've taken waaayyy too long getting these things together and out of my house. As of right now, they're still sitting in the box they came in waiting to be stuffed in an envelope sealed and mailed out. But for all of you out there in bloggerland, here is the semi-reveal of our save the date design.

 

I know the image and text is a little small just click to enlarge.

I finally bought a new printer and finally got that all setup and installed so my top priority this week is to get these things out of my house and mailed to guests.

Save the Dates: A Prelude

I'm so excited to announce that our save the dates are designed and printed. We initially wanted to go with magnets but quickly realized that we didn't want to pay for them. Plus as a couple of my bridesmaids so wisely stated...people can use their own magnets to stick it to the fridge if they wanna.

So instead, we ordered postcards from Vistaprint, despite my apprehension in terms of overall quality. And luckily they turned out great. Plus, there was a major perk...they were absolutely free and all I had to do was pay for shipping. And to top it off they came with simple white envelopes all for free that we'll use to mail them out. I don't think we could've gotten a better deal than that.

I've written about my penny-pinching drama with wondering why I hired a planner but each day they are proving their overall value more and more. They created the design for the postcard and designed some wonderful wrap-around labels to spice up the plain white envelope. I couldn't be happier. Here's the pic we decided to go with...

I will reveal the final design and cost breakdown next week. But I'm so happy with how they turned out and we're on schedule with sending them out to everyone. Now I just have to track down a couple addresses...

What kind of save the date did you decide to send your guests.

Inspiration Files: Save the Dates

Were coming up on the 7 month mark and we would really like to get our stds out to our guests. My FI really wants magnet style stds because he wants something that will be little keepsake leading up to our wedding. So I think that's what we'll be going with. But in terms of the look of the design here are some of the examples that we're swooning over right now.

*All photos from weddingpaperdivas.com

Stay posted, were taking some engagement pics next weekend and then it's time to start designing!

OMG Where has all the Time Gone!

Source

I felt like it was just yesterday when I started blogging my bridal adventures...ok soo it basically was yesterday. But at any rate I have been a little delinquent lately. Work has been super crazy and I actually haven't found too much time to do much else. So wedding planning has been pushed to the back burner for the time being.

Here's a small recap as to what I've been up to in wedding la-la land over the past 2 weeks or so:

• I was able to have a  super productive "first official" meeting with my wedding planning duo (they're proving to be more and more awesome as the time passes). We were able to get everything on the table as far as additional vendors that we would need AND I was able to see some reception decor designs and stationary ideas. I'm so excited because this thing is really starting to slowly take shape.
• I've narrowed down the bridesmaid dress choices within the confines of 3 vendors - David's Bridal, Alfred Angelo, Lela Rose for Dessy. My next step is to send them out to the girls to let them take a peek.
• I've been frantically trying to devise some ideas for our STD's (save-the-dates for those not always plugged into wedding craziness). We have ranged from simple modern postcard style to magnets. But I know we need to get crackin on them soon because we want to send them out early into the new year.

There is much more that I can't wait to share with everyone so keep following along.