Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Picking your papers for your wedding invitations!

Not many couples realize upon meeting us how extensive we really get with papers and the overall design process. We have a huge passion dedicated towards finding the most unique papers and fun cardstocks for EVERY ONE'S palate. So sit back and relax while we take you for a stroll down Paper Lane.





SMOOTH CARDSTOCK
Cardstocks come in various colors, textures and weights. Let's start with smooth cardstocks - there are millions!!! It's the perfect paper to print on, in most cases, and we have a spectrum of colors to choose from, no really - we do!




TEXTURED CARDSTOCK
Then, we have the textured family of cardstock. These cardstocks have, well, texture:) We have linen cardstocks, laid cardstocks, weave cardstocks, column cardstocks, felt cardstock and much more. Depending upon which paper you choose, the textures shown will be lines, or some sort of a grid pattern pressed into the paper. When adding a cardstock with a texture to your wedding invitations, or an other special event invitation, it adds a bit of class, dimension and overall intrigue to the design.
  
                                                                                                                      


EMBOSSED PAPER
"Embossed" paper has a raised feature created by pressing or hammering a design onto its back. These papers may have a specific pattern like flowers, shells, circles, waves, etc.




VELLUM
Next we will move on to the translucents, or vellum paper. These papers are thin and for the most part clear, rendering it perfect as an overlay for your wedding invitation wording. Some couples choose to have the vellum paper lay atop their invitation with a small verse, or poem, or even their monogram printed. Like our other cardstocks and papers, vellums too come in various colors and levels of transparency. Some vellums also have specks, inclusions, columns and cloudy effects, which in turn could very well entice you to have your invitation printed right onto the vellum!

 













SHIMMER CARDSTOCK
Our most popular cardstocks would have to be the shimmer line. The range and production of colors that are now manufactured in the shimmer cardstock line is constantly growing. And shimmer papers aren't just for you fancy folks anymore! Just like that hot pair of Citizen's jeans you can rock out with stilettos or chillax with some flip flops - these beautiful, rich, shimmery, metallic-like papers can compliment just about any wedding theme or style.






                               
          



RECYCLED CARDSTOCK
Another up and coming cardstock are those that are recycled. Nowadays, more and more brides are becoming earth friendly and earth conscious, but earth chique - WHO KNEW? Yes friends, it can be done. While the color options are still growing, there are plenty to choose from. Many recycled cardstocks have alluring specks and inclusions that add to the overall beauty of this paper. All varieties of earth friendly cardstocks are labeled by the amount recycled or reused, and our recycled wedding invitations have endless possibilities when it comes to design.



                            

HANDMADE PAPER
Moving on....we have handmade papers - need we say more?! Okay, we have to say more, 'cause there's soooo much to say. There are mulberry papers, saa papers, silk papers, papyrus, loktas, lace papers and the list goes on. Some handmade papers come filled with bark, sea grass, silk threads, bamboo, tissues and, once again - the list goes on!!!! Handmade papers, too, have come such a long way when it comes to wedding invitation designs. We have found unique ways to include handmade paper into customizing wedding invitations from adding a small hand torn piece, to using it as a canvas to build an invitation on and even to being a multi-purpose card holder and pocket fold.





TEXTURED FLORAL HANDMADE PAPER
Add some texture to your invitation with these raised velvet floral prints. This paper is a cotton based handmade paper with a raised velvet-like textured floral print. 
Perfect for a splash of character or used as a wrap. 


As you can see WE DON'T MESS AROUND...when it comes to paper:) Please contact us to set up your free consultation where together, we can create an invitation like no other!!!





Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Fun in the Sun



Stephanie wanted to go bright and bold with her Summer beachside wedding and her colors were just that - hot pink and fire orange. We loved the color combo, but alongside elements of the beach including waves and sand...what's a girl to do???!!! Haha, EVERYTHING...this invitations has it all when it comes to handmade beach wedding invitations.



Here is what this HOT Summer beach wedding invitation set included:

The invite is printed on a bright white card stock and bordered with two colors; a layer of fire shimmer orange paper and bottomed with a shimmer hot pink card stock. Applied to the side of the invitation is a wave of sand; beach sand on invitations is our specialty!!!!



To continue with the earthy elements we used a bright white mulberry hand made paper as a cover wrap for this vivacious wedding invitation. Keeping with our color combination of hot pink and fire orange, we opted for two thinner ribbons to be wrapped around the cover.



 We designed beach waves and printed them in pink on a personalized tag which showcased the bride and grooms names. We used the same beach wave image on the reply post card and direction card.



This orange and pink beach wedding invitation set with sand can
be purchased in our Etsy Shop below:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/196931640/sand-wedding-invitation-set-pink-orange?ref=shop_home_active_9

Do you need some ideas for your beach wedding and don't know where to start?
Check out our blog on summer wedding ideas:

http://invitationsbythisandthat.blogspot.com/2012/06/summer-wedding-ideas.html

For more on reply post cards see our previous blog:

http://invitationsbythisandthat.blogspot.com/2012/05/reply-postcards-whats-hype.html

For more information please contact us at:
invitationsbythisandthat@live.com






Saturday, July 21, 2012

The Firefly



What do you think of when you think of summer? How about your childhood past time of catching fireflies? Do you remember running through the yard after dusk with a mason jar and capturing the most fireflies possible? Our soon to be bride and groom wanted to capture just that with their summer outdoor wedding. We incorporate their subtle beach wedding colors with a simple image to help create this rustic, yet stylish square invite.
Oh... and we almost forgot the best part... it's earth friendly invitation too ;)


Here's what this earth friendly firefly invitation included:

The invitation is layered with three layers of recycled paper. The bottom layer is a kraft brown, fiber filled card stock followed by a thin layer of brown bag paper and topped with a slightly off white fiber card stock. All three papers are 100% recycled. We used the backing kraft brown card stock to print the reply post card. The couple's wedding colors are khaki and coral. We used a couple techniques to include the coral color into this wedding invitation. First, we added coral ribbon to two opposing corners of their square invitation and we matched the same coral color to print their names in. 

The BEST detail of it all... the fireflies buzzing up the side of this invite. We used the same image on the reply post card and on the brown bag envelope. What a great set!!!!
 
This beautiful invitation set can be purchase in our Etsy Shop below:
 
 
Check out matching accessories in our Etsy Shop:
What's the difference between a reply post card and reply card you ask? Check out our previous blog on everything you need to know on the reply post card.


Don't forget we print on envelopes too!!!! And now we print IMAGES on envelopes...more
pictures to come!


For more details on our Firefly invitation set or envelope printing please email us at:




Sunday, July 15, 2012

Miami at Twilight



When Victoria contacted us she explained how she loved Shannon & Matt Albright's large pocket fold cream shimmer invitation but her colors were different. "NO PROBLEM at all" we said. Along with a few other changes to suit this couples own wedding, we were able to transform an inspiration into their own unique customized wedding invitation. 


Here is what this Miami Beach wedding invitation included:

The invitation and enclosure cards are all printed in a bright white shimmer card stock. The invite is backed with a deep purple weave card stock and a silver shimmer paper and then adhered to a black shimmer pocket fold. Sealing this beauty shut is a shimmer white monogram tag which is layered with the silver and eggplant deep purple card to match the invitation. The "P" from the monogram tag was carried over to the invite as well as the enclosure cards. Everything was then placed in a silver shimmer triangle flap envelope. Their wedding invitation colors of black, silver and eggplant purple blended beautifully ultimately creating their one of a kind wedding invitation!


To see the inspiration behind this pocket fold invitation see our previous blog on
Shannon and Matt Albright:
http://invitationsbythisandthat.blogspot.com/2011/04/matt-shannon-albright-41010.html




This gorgeous silver, purple, white and black invitation set is for sale in our Etsy Shop below:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/217246844/miami-at-twillight-pocketfold-wedding?ref=shop_home_active_2

See our blog on matching Miami stamps for this invitation on our previous blog:
http://invitationsbythisandthat.blogspot.com/2012/06/coordinating-wedding-stamps-usps.html

Please email us with any questions or for pricing information on our Miami at Twilight invitation:
invitationsbythisandthat@live.com


Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Coordinating Wedding Stamps USPS



Your invitations are finished, envelopes are addressed, now it's time for adding the postage (btw - don't forget we print on envelopes:). With many of our couples making a valiant effort towards keeping everything matching, our suggestion is to keep the theme going by using stamps that follow suit with their invitations.





Your first step is to see how much your invitations will cost to ship. If you have a reply card with an envelope your postage will be $0.45 (until the Post Office decides to raise it, again). If you have reply post card your shipping will be $0.32 - same thoughts, respectively. *Note to self: if you are trying to stay within a budget a reply post card is a good way to save some cha-ching. Once you've taken your invitation to the post office to be weighed you will probably be looking at $0.45, $0.65 or $0.85 for shipping cost. Now here comes the fun part...deciding on which stamps to showcase on your envelopes. Every year the post office has a "Wedding" stamp, usually one for the $0.45 stamp and another for the $0.65 stamp.




Currently the $0.45 stamp is white "wedding roses" and the $0.65 stamp is the "wedding cake". There is also a "love" $0.45 stamp that is another common postage option.


Or, you can always do what we love to do and think outside the box!!! Take this for example, say you're have a beach wedding (one of our specialties while living at the beach and all) or you might be having something of the nautical persuasion, there's the $0.45 Edward Hopper stamp, a sailboat sailing the seas.





Or if you are going with an eco-friendly wedding theme there's the "Go Green" $0.45 stamp.


While there are many options for $0.45 stamps, your options are a bit limited for the $0.65 and $0.85 stamps. Besides the $0.65 "Wedding Cake" stamp there is the "Baltimore Checkerspot" butterfly stamp or if you're interesting in including your furry family member in the wedding there's the "Dogs at Work" stamp. The $0.85 stamps are also very limited. There is the "Glacier National Park" or the "Birds of Prey" - WOW with so many options, which one should you go with? BARF!

Do not let having to choose a single stamp restrict you. If there is a certain stamp you like, but it doesn't come in the right amount you can easily pair up a few stamps and only spend a little extra money to get a stamp, and look, you like. For example, if your invitation requires a $0.85 stamp and you don't like either of the two options the post office has to offer, consider spending a couple more cents to have everything match. Use two $0.45 stamps, spending $0.05 more per invite, leaving you to spend only $2.50-$5.00 for 50-100 invites.




Our Ticket to Broadway invitation with Love stamps


If you really want something a bit more personal you can get stamps made at zazzle.com. Create your own personal stamp, or browse their numerous categories, for stamps that you can coordinate with your invitations. They have 137,000+ stamps under the wedding category alone. There is an up charge for zazzle stamps. Stamps come in sets of 20 and can cost $0.95+ per stamp (for a $0.45 stamp) so plan and budget accordingly.




Our Miami at Twilight invitation with Miami Skyline stamps by Zazzle.


If you are shipping outside the United States you will need to pay air mail prices which are currently $1.05, there is one stamp available for that price, the Lancaster County, Pennsylvania stamp. Do you need to put postage on the reply card for other countries you ask? No. The postage rates are not exchangeable. Simply leave the stamp off the reply card envelope or reply post card and your guest will have to pay for the postage in their county. 

For more information and pricing for envelope printing, please contact us at:

For more stamp options visit the following websites.

Zazzle website: www.zazzle.com

USPS website: https://www.usps.com/


Friday, June 22, 2012

Ticket to Broadway


We LOVE LOVE LOVE themes and were super excited to work with Tanya and Eric on their Broadway theme wedding invitations. With Tanya being a drama teacher, it was only natural for her to want a theatrical influenced theme (Eric was quickly on board:). It was our duty to create something unique to make their guests feel as if they were being invited to the biggest show of the year! Each guest name was printed on the outer tag of their invitation - what a great way to get your own personalized show ticket to this Broadway wedding event!!!


Here's what this Broadway event invitation included:

The invite is printed on a cream shimmer card stock and backed with a deep red shimmer paper (the red curtain, if you will:) The same cream shimmer card stock is used for the information card, reply card and outer tag. Since this Broadway theme was so unique, we wanted to not only add the physical details necessary to convey a ticket,  the formatting and wording had to be perfect to sell these tickets. Notice the wording on the invitation: "A Wedding Starring", "One Night Only", "curtain at" and "enjoy the show". Did you check out the comedy and tragedy masks on the reply card? All of these quaint details that are carried throughout their Broadway themed wedding invitations truly convey a show ticket to their guests. With help from our bride and her knowledge on theater we were able to personalize this extremely unique, super fun and one of a kind wedding invitation. The ivory, red and black colors of this invitation and overall style of can easily be transformed into a Hollywood Movie Star Wedding, an Old Hollywood Glamour Wedding, Roaring 20's Theme Wedding, 1930's Vintage Wedding, 1940's Theme Wedding or just about anything glamorous you can dream up!

This Roaring 20's Movie theme invitation set can be purchase in our Etsy Shop below:
 
 
 
For more information and pricing on a Ticket to Broadway please contact us at: 
 
 



Stay seated - more matching items coming soon!!!

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Summer Weddings

Having a summer wedding seems virtually ideal for most. The weather is practically predictable and most family members and friends have plenty of vacation time readily available to request off for your special day. Although the weather is a GREAT reason to plan your wedding during this season, there are sooooo many things to take advantage of that will heighten the loveliness of your wedding day.

LOCATION - LOCATION - LOCATION

Beach

If you're having a beach wedding, implement natural colors into your scheme by using blues, greens, tans and creams for dresses, decor and accent colors. Having a sand ceremony, instead of using a unity candle, is a beautiful and unique way to use the elements around you while symbolically demonstrating the two of you becoming one. You can display sand filled vases with candles for radiant, and easy, centerpieces.



Garden

If you have a property with ample space and land to comfortably fit your guest list a garden theme wedding might be perfect for you. Garden weddings can be far more whimsical and romantic than any high dollar venue (if done right:) Think: lanterns, birdcages, vines, branches, mason jars, old coffee cans, trellis, clay pots and ALWAYS have a tent as a back up plan.        
 P.S. No need for an aisle runner when you have fresh green grass!




TIMING IS EVERYTHING

The sunset is an amazing back drop and setting for a wedding day. You can coordinate the time the sun sets into a good portion of your ceremony when having an outside wedding, or booking a venue with a spectacular view. Keep your photographer in the loop by giving them a timeline with key times to take important wedding party and family photos. When planning your nuptials always keep in mind daylight savings time...it could really make or break picture times.




GO LOCAL

You may have had orchids or hydrangeas in mind for your bouquet and centerpieces, but if they're not in season, or local to the area, you're gonna pay - BIG! Check with local florists and grocery stores to see what's in bloom and you may be delightfully surprised to see what's at your disposal and for a lot cheaper. Same goes for produce, check with local farmers to see what crop will readily available at the time of your wedding and implement these delicacies into your menu - this may entirely change your dessert choices, wedding cake flavors and hors d'oeuvres . Don't hesitate to ask the chef or venue manager about how to get the biggest, and best, bang for you buck!



    

BE FLEXIBLE

It's understandable that everyone wants their dream wedding, including the perfect flowers and food, but when it comes down to saving Benjamin's, I think we're all in agreement that some areas we can be flexible.

Check out the invitations below each blending beautiful colors together - perfect for Summer:



Fun in the Sun



http://www.flickr.com/photos/invitationsbythisandthat/

Southern Belle

 

Barefoot in the Sand



    The Knot



    For more information and ideas on Summer wedding invitations
    please visit This & That Creations at:
    www.invitationsbythisandthat@live.com