When I was a kid we’d go to a store like Staples or Office Max and I could spend a solid hour staring at the varieties of writing instruments and writing surfaces, before we dragged ourselves out so we didn’t splurge on the newest, coolest pens. Because we totally would have.

And now that I’m in the wedding industry, there are so many varieties and areas where pretty paper can come into play.

One of those areas is, of course, your wedding invitations.

As a bride who decided to DIY her invitations, let me say right now that it not only takes time, it takes sweat equity. And the help of willing slaves volunteers. Like my sister. And it takes an eye for design, which after going through the process, I’ve decided that if I had to do it again, I’d hire some help. And finally, just because you do-it-yourself, doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll be less expensive. To see how ours turned out, check out this post with our wedding invitations.

But if you don’t have the time, don’t have the designing eye, don’t have an army of help, and don’t quite have the budget for custom stationery, there is help!

Enter Minted.

I love how these wedding invitations are modern and quirky and a little unexpected.

One of things I love about Minted is that they have design challenges several times a year, inviting all designers to submit. Then the favorites get voted on. It’s a great opportunity for newer designers to get some exposure.

These invitations start around $234 for 100 invitations & envelopes.

Who said your invitations can’t be fun and whimsy? Your wedding is all about YOU, as a couple and even your invitations should reflect it.

Minted also carries a line of letterpress (looooove letterpress!) invitations.

So if you’re looking for an option that is more than DIY, but less than full on custom, consider Minted.com.

From now until the end of the month in celebration of their 2nd year, Minted is offering three free samples (code: SAMPLES) or 15% off all wedding invitations (code: LAUNCH15). The 15% discount also applies to their beautiful save the date cards for those of you who are a little earlier in the planning process.

Happy Tuesday!

All photos from Minted.com

The events was held at the Cascades Event Center, at the newly built Fairfield Inn. While the event was intended for wedding planners, or those interested in pursuing a career as a wedding planner, I walked away with a wealth of information that I could apply to my own business. It was a great learning experience!

The beautiful stationery was designed by Carrie Foiles, owner and designer of The Event Messenger.

THE emergency kit. It’s serious. You’ll be in good hands when you hire Sweet Pea Events for your big day!

The tablescapes: lemon and lime!

Aren’t these ADORABLE favors?

I loved this simple, but sweet table number.

Kelly sharing her knowledge of all things wedding.

The attendees: (from left to right) Kelly Simants, Evie Howard, Stephanie Midkiff (Kelly and Lime),  Michelle Holland (Fret Knot Events), and Stephanie Torres (Stephanie Michele Events).

Thank you so much Kelly for your warm welcome! And it was great meeting all the attendees!

Event Design: Sweet Pea Events
Stationery: The Event Messenger
Wedding Planners: Kelly and Lime, Fret Knot Events, Stephanie Michele Events, Evie Howard

To get in touch with me, CLICK HERE.

]]> http://blog.catieronquillo.com/2009/08/sweet-pea-events-the-sweet-success-workshop-texas/feed/ 2 http://blog.catieronquillo.com/2009/06/our-invitations-do-it-yourself-part-2-one-month-to-go/ http://blog.catieronquillo.com/2009/06/our-invitations-do-it-yourself-part-2-one-month-to-go/#comments Fri, 19 Jun 2009 05:39:26 +0000 Catie http://blog.catieronquillo.com/?p=771 Time passes in a flash.

Seriously.

Today marks the one month mark from our wedding. Considering that Cent popped the question on March 1, 2008, the momentous occasion has been a long time coming. I kind of can’t believe that it’s almost here, but it is! I picked up my dress last week from the alterations lady, all the invitations have been sent out and the last of the RSVPs are trickling in, and work has started on the escort cards. Yeeeeeeeee! So exciting. Lots to do, but each and every little step makes it more real.

Here are the insides of the invitations.

The invitation section was printed using an InkJet printer on Stardream Metallic paper – Champagne color – from Paper and More. I learned this trick from a lady at Paper Source that if you print on Stardream Metallic paper using an InkJet printer, it won’t dry. That’s when I got the idea to emboss!

After feeding each sheet of paper into the printer, my sister and I sprinkled clear embossing powder and shot it with a heat gun. Voila raised lettering!

I was so excited to find a way to get raised lettering without going the letterpress or engraving route. Plus I wanted to do these invitations myself. It worked!

Finally the inserts. These were printed on Champagne colored Stardream Metallic Cardstock from Paper and More using a color laser printer.

To save paper, I printed front and back. That’s right I painstakingly stood in front of the printer to feed each side.

Here’s the reception card, single-sided, as well as the RSVP card. I drew the little icons in Illustrator. My icon for chicken? A drumstick, love it!

I’m really pleased with how these turned out. It was totally worth the self-inflicted sweatshop! Thanks to my sister, Stephanie, for all her help!

All these photos were taken using my trusty point & shoot camera.

Happy Thursday!

One of the things I knew that I wanted to do for our wedding was the invitations. I had seen a lot of gorgeous stationery online, but none of it really spoke to me. I love the look of letterpress. I love the look of engraved invitations. I love the look of pocketfolders. But, it wasn’t really in our budget.

I knew I wanted something totally unique and something that I could craft myself. So I designed. And planned. And drew in Illustrator. And stared at the screen for weeks. I ordered samples from Cardsandpockets.com and Paperandmore.com, and bought some from Paper Source. I printed out a couple of prototypes and asked for opinions. Finally, after some serious deliberation, a decision was made.

I’m really pleased with the way they came out! My self-inflicted sweatshop was worth it. Big thanks to my sister for all her help in the production of these puppies! These were also all taken with my point & shoot camera

Here is the front of the DIY cardfolder, made from Aqua Stardream Cardstock from Paperandmore.com:

On each cardfolder, since I didn’t make a pocket (that seemed like waaaay too much work), my sister and I sliced a slit in the middle of each folded card in the crease. Then we slid the 1.5 inch wide grosgrain Chocolate brown ribbon from JKM Ribbon through the slit.

Then the ribbon was glued to the outside of the front cover, with a tape runner.

The mini seals on the front were printed on Opal Stardream Cardstock and punched with a 1.5 Circle Punch from Joann Fabrics.

After punching out all of the circles from the cardstock, I rolled them through my Xyron 900. Love that machine! It’s seriously the best way to apply adhesive.

With the adhesive applied on the circles, I stuck a circle on each cardfolder.

Et voila!

Next, I’ll share the insides of our invitations!

Happy Monday!