DIY Invitations

Calling all brides (or anyone) who wants to make their own invitations! Let me introduce you to Paper Presentations - a company based out of New York but, they ship anywhere. I found everything you need to create your own party invitations here - all at reasonable prices.

INVITATIONS

These Pocket Fold invitations come in 9 sizes, 30 pattern colors and 60 solid colors! Prices start at $14.50 for a pack of 10

A little modern twist to the standard pocket folds. This design comes in 5 sizes and prices start at $15.90 for a set of 10. Remember, this is just for the outer envelope! All other pieces are sold separately.

A very simple invitation holder that makes a bold impression - this is called the Pochette. It is available in 4 sizes. The 5x7 size starts at $12.90 for plain colored paper and $16.90 for pattern paper (in sets of 10)

  I love the layered invitation look. It's elegant and easy. These are perfect for invitations or you can use multiple sizes of paper to tie up for your wedding programs as well. They come in the 2 sizes shown and you can embellish with your own ribbon (suggested ribbon size is 3/8"). 

This company has too many goodies to list! You will find favor boxes, ribbons, envelopes, belly bands and so many other products to make invitations yourself. You can also download their entire catalog in PDF format (which makes looking at everything easier) and on their website you will find templates to download as well!

Things I think about....

Lately, I have been going back and forth about my giveaways. I host a pretty major (at least I think it's major) giveaway once a month on my blog. I usually choose 1 or 2 items that I am having fits over because I didn't see it or it wasn't around during my own wedding planning. Oh. They call that jealousy, too. Because you will get it and I will not...but, I am giving it...so, it makes up for the jealousy!! ha. But, all of this wasn't even what I have been thinking about. It's SO hard to find a site that does Just Giveaways for Weddings. I can find sites that are "Just Giveaways" but, my thing is, the need to have the "for Weddings" part. I want a place where a bride can go look and then enter to her hearts content. Hmmmm. So, I guess question is - what do YOU think? Should this be something I move toward bringing to life? I think I might. I have the design and the concept in my head. 

I. COULD. DO. THIS. 

I. AM. GONNA. DO. THIS.

It doesn't change anything....at least for me. My giveaways will remain here but, be listed over there. I just love, love, love the fact that so many women have such great opportunities to win amazing, cool things for their weddings - and some of these things could save them a GREAT DEAL! Having extra money to move around when you are on a tight budget is nerve wracking! 


Any bride on a budget should be entering giveaways! From the win a $100,000 Dream Wedding from Crate and Barrel to the wedding gown of your choice from Bonny Bridal to even just a pair of earrings from an Etsy shop....every little bit helps! 


Awesome. Time to get to work. :)

Wedding Gown Keepsake Sketch

There are certain little things you will keep as special mementos from your big day. Your huge photo album will be put aside somewhere and your wedding DVD will sit on a shelf but, small things...a bouquet brooch, a photograph or two, your garter or bridal hankie...those are the things you will keep around you as reminders. Today, I wanted to share something else that you can keep as a beautiful reminder - a hand drawn sketch of your dress. You know, the dress that you dreamed your entire life about? The dress that made you and your mom cry? The dress you only got to spend an evening wearing? Now, you can keep a version of it forever! Meet Megan Hamilton. She draws beautiful replicas of your wedding gown!

She can do your dress and veil

She can do both your dress and your new hubby's tux

 

She can put her design on a tote bag - she HANDMAKES the bag too!

Add extra little details...like your shoes and bridal bouquet - at no extra charge

Win a Wedding Gown from Bonny Bridal

I am finding quite a few amazing giveaways to share with everyone! It's pretty exciting! Having a wedding costs A LOT of money! Saving here and there by entering and winning giveaways and contests allows you to put money in other areas - like a few extra honeymoon days!!! So, today I posted about the Etsy Wedding Diva $1000 Giveaway and now here is another amazing contest: the wedding gown of your choice from the Fall 2011 Collection by Bonny Bridal!

This contest is pretty easy to enter too! Just "like" Bonny Bridal on Facebook and then share your love story (must be 300 words). Anyone can enter this too - not just the bride! So, if you have a best friend or sister getting married you could SURPRISE her with the dress of her choice! Entry is through the month of April and then a live voting round will choose the ultimate winner. 

I am loving all these giveaways....and stay tuned because it's a new month - which means it's a new giveaway here on my blog too! I will be announcing it soon!!!

$1000 Handmade Wedding Giveaway

Project Wedding and Etsy Wedding Divas have teamed up to offer an amazing prize package to a lucky bride! I am a huge Etsy fan so, I couldn't be happier to share this giveaway with everyone! Adding handmade items to your wedding is a fabulous way to personalize your wedding and have it tailored to fit you both!

This giveaway is easy to enter - "like" Etsy Wedding Divas on Facebook and the leave a post on the Project Wedding contest entry page saying you have done that and what your wedding colors are! Simple. A random winner will be selected on April 11, 2011. Your wedding must be after May 16, 2011 to enable time for your goodies to be delivered! Good luck!

What if it rains on my wedding day?

We all know the saying "April showers bring May flowers" and a question that has been asked over and over "Is it lucky to have rain on my wedding day?" 

In most cultures, the answer is yes! Maybe, it's just because people are looking for the silver lining! If rain is expected on your big day, you can be prepared and get some pretty cool props for fantastic wedding photos!


Hunter Boot Ltd has been making their specialty boots since the 1800's! Better know as "wellies" these boots are made in various colors. You have the Original - which comes in a standard or high gloss finish with multiple color choices like these below:

Also available is the Huntress. The height of this boot is shorter than the Original to prevent the rear of the knee pinching. The calf is also cut more generous. The Huntress is also available in multiple colors but, not as many choices as the Original. If you do not prefer tall boots, Hunter has you covered! The also make their outstanding boots in a Short version!

It wasn't too long before someone came out with specialty wellies. Weddington Boots gives you the option to ad your name in rhinestones or add a pretty ribbon to make these pearl colored boots your wedding shoe:

But, if you are just looking for some funky wellies in amazing print patterns for a little fun under your dress look no further than Wellies By Evercreature! They have the best selection of fun, whimsical patterns!

And if the weather even calls for a chance of showers you must have a wedding umbrella on hand! Even if there isn't a chance of rain an umbrella makes a nice wedding photo prop:

This beautiful photo is by Michele M Waite of Bellingham, WA

I told you about Bella Umbrella last year in this post and since then, the company has grown by leaps and bounds! They have created a niche for themselves as the go-to rental umbrella company and with good reason. Their umbrellas are some of the most beautiful, and now, most photographed for weddings! Umbrella rentals start at $10 for the most basic and go up to $30 for their fancy, decorated umbrellas!

Engagement and Wedding Photo Props

Every wedding is individual. Which is why you may see something that has been done before by someone else that you love. Does that mean you shouldn't use it for your own wedding? NO! There are loads of sites with all kinds of wedding inspiration and sure, all of these things have been done before but, NOT BY YOU! I stick by the saying, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" so, if you are inspired by something someone else has done in their wedding, and you love it, by all means...make it yours!! The following items have been done before...over and over. That just means it must be a good idea! When you look back at your engagement and wedding photos, years down the road, I bet you will still love that you used some of these ideas!

Mr and Mrs photo prop signs - these have a dual use because on the back, it also has Thank and You! Sold by pertyfultings on Etsy

This photo was taken by Abigail Seymour - her work is amazing (seriously I looked at every page on her website!) She is based out of Greensboro, NC. You can just tell by her images that she has a gift. Love her work! Check it out...you will be inspired, trust me!

This photograph was also taken by Abigail Seymour from the wedding of Jen and Craig. The table signs (I just loved the saying so much I had to share!) and the Mr and Mrs photo props were made by Pertyfultings

Pertyfultings has some really great things in her shop! Prices are great and options are endless! Love that! This "Just Hitched" photo prop is also double sided (for twice the use!) with a Thanks Y'all on the back! $9.50 

What do you think? Would you love to win your choice of sign from Pertyfultings? Let me know....