Because we decided on envelopes for our save the dates, we had to figure out a way to address these puppies. There was no way I was handwriting anything. And, I surely did not want a plane label. So I searched for ways to create a wrap around label. I mean, they’re all over the place, but considering we wanted to mail these out pretty soon, I was working with a short timeline. Which left me with very few choices.
My mom had purchased what she thought were Avery 5160 labels (you know, the traditional, 3 across, 10 down labels). When she opened the box, they were the 2 across, 10 down type. So basically, longer that the 5160 labels. How convenient? I picked them up from home one night, and downloaded the Avery DesignPro program. I was not about to figure out if Photoshop could do a mail merge of about 200 addresses, and Word only gives you so many options in terms of design. DesignPro, is like the easy, free (and extremely low tech) version of Photoshop with a mail merge.
So, with a little magic and inspiration from our Save the Dates design, I crafted a wrap around:
Boy, did this make the addressing process entirely too easy. I already had everyone’s address in an Excel file, so it was a matter of merging the two files together. Taking off the labels (and stamps) from their backing sheet, and sticking them on the envelopes!
After a marathon sesh of label/stamp sticking, we were ready to mail them off!
How did you address your save the dates?
P dot S, I promise the reveal is coming!
What sucks was that I spent countless hours designing our Save the Dates. Countless, people. I’m a perfectionist, and so it took me about 15 plus tries to design something that I was pretty happy with.
Design One: Bleh. Was based on an invite design I did back in April 2009 (yes, you read that correctly, almost a year ago).
Design Two: Update of design one. Do you see a trend here?
Design Three: I decided to play off of a Frank Lloyd Wright wall stencil I found (the Mr. just loves the work of FLW).
I seriously have about 4 or 5 iterations of each of the above designs. I originally thought I wanted something edgy, but each time I designed something, the result was something more simple (hence why the three fairly art-deco-y designs above).
On top of that, I would spend endless amounts of time swooning over all of the save the dates I found online and from which I wished I could get inspired. So, what did I do? I walked away. For six months (wha??). Yeah, I totally forgot about them for six months, until we had our engagement photos taken, and I realized we should use one of those pretty little photos with our save the dates. Duh!
How long did it take you to pick out or design your save the dates? (Hopefully not six months, like me).
The Pilot and I have not yet sent out our invitations or Save the Dates (it’s a little early, folks). However, I know many of you are getting close to that point. And, the cost of postage is running through your mind.
It’s the same routine for all of us:
1. Finish invites and package into envelopes.
2. Visit local Post Office to have invitation weighed for correct postage.
3. Purchase postage and cross your fingers it’s enough.
While reading Miss T’s blog, Ninety Nine + Forever, I stumbled upon her recent post about mailing her invitations. And, boy, did this girl have the BEST. IDEA. EVER.
Go to the post office with ONE of your finished invitations. Put the amount of postage you think you’ll need (you can have the postmaster weight it to be sure, if you want). Mail the invitation to yourself. Yes, I really just said that.
A few days later your invitation will show up.
Miss T. was told by the Post Office that all of her local mail would need two stamps. So, she mailed an invite to herself with one stamp, and it arrived safe and sound without a “Postage Due” note.
Genius idea.
In keeping with our circle , the Pilot and I may just round the corners on all of our paper goods.
Image courtesy of About
Although our invitations and save the dates have not been completely finalized, we are currently liking the look of the rounded corners over the traditional square.
Plus, as a scrapbooker (although, I must confess it’s been awhile since my last scrapbook), it’ll be great to keep that crafty tool around!
For those of you who didn’t already know, the FI is a pilot. So, of course I love these Save the Dates…best of all they are FREE!
Plus, the envelope design is free, too!
Courtesy of Ruffled Blog
Now, we aren’t going to use them, we’ve designed our paper suite ourselves, but I love the little paper airplane!
A good friend of mine is always on the lookout for fun things for me to feature on the blog, so when she sent me the link to these Save the Dates, I knew I had to feature them. They are different than your traditional Save the Date, and have so much personality (especially from the bride and groom).
I love the idea that it is a tri-fold, and features several photos of the couple, which were taken by the talented James Christianson. The bride, Laura Dombrowski, is a photographer in the Denver/Boulder, CO, area, but is from Cape Girardeau, MO (giving her Midwest ties!).
At any rate, here are the Save the Dates from several different angles. I was also able to find out that she had them printed on recycled paper (a girl after my own heart), which I just love. She used color, which more brides should do. And, she opted to include photos of her and her fiance, which guests really love – they can use it as keepsake.
Laura Dombrowski
