Sep 01 2010

DIY: Wedding Invitation Designs

Category: wedding Invitations — mei @ 10:33

Make your wedding invitations to match your wedding theme perfectly.

Make your wedding invitations to match your wedding theme perfectly.

Planning a wedding is a daunting and extensive task. There are literally hundreds of things for a bride to worry about. If you happen to be the kind of bride who cannot afford to buy invitations, or you just want to make them yourself, it it can actually be quite simple. You will find that your homemade invitations are far more affordable and can even be far more beautiful than the standard package at your local printer with some simple steps.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

  • Stencil
  • Stencil paint
  • Paintbrush
  • Card stock
  • Paper cutter
  • Computer
  • Printer
  1. 1

    Purchase card stock. Go to a local printer and have it show you some different papers to get an idea of what’s available. Write down the names of the types you like.

  2. 2

    Find a wedding stencil. Purchase stenciling paint and brushes as well.

  3. 3

    Download a free image editing program like GIMP to design your printed information in a simple way.

  4. 4

    Find a font. You can find a variety of free fonts online at websites like Theme World. Whether you are looking for classic, ancient, modern or even spooky, you should find what you are looking for at no cost.

  5. 5

    Download the font and install it to your computer’s “Fonts” folder. In Windows, click “Start” and “Run.” Type in the command “%windir%\fonts” and click “OK.” Go to the file menu and click “Install New Font.” Browse to the folder with your downloaded font. Click the font you want to add. Select “Copy Fonts to Fonts Folder.” Click “OK.”

  6. 6

    Design all your text and print a test card. Decide on open-close invitations or single card invitations as well as the size. If you are using open-close, you will want to have your information on the inside. To do this, make an image with your text editor the same size as your card stock. Create a border with a grid or invisible layer to represent the parts of the card stock you will be cutting off, if any. Leave the right half of the image completely blank. This will ensure that the text prints on the left-hand side of the sheet. Be sure you make margins and remember not to add anything to the borders, as they will be removed.

  7. 7

    Use your test card to practice your stencil design. For open-close cards, fold your card carefully in half, making sure the crease is straight up and down, and put your stencil on the front. For single sheet cards, place it wherever you like near the text.

  8. 8

    Place the stencil on the paper. More complicated designs will need to be taped down to prevent shifting. Hold the stencil brush at a straight up and down angle and dab the paper, do not stroke.

  9. 9

    Lift the stencil directly up. Do not slide it or allow it to spread any paint as you lift. Continue with the remaining cards, being mindful to wipe the stencil if any excess paint begins to accumulate. This will prevent any unwanted blotches.

  10. 10

    Cut your cards. Use a pencil to very lightly mark the points of each line to be cut. Do not attempt to cut these cards without a paper cutter or they will come out crooked.

  11. 11

    Buy envelopes. Now that you know how large your invitations are, shop around for the best price on some nice envelopes to send them to your guests in.

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Jul 28 2010

I think I found my wedding invitation (design) ^__^

Category: wedding Invitations — mei @ 09:27

I wasn’t really looking for wedding invitations the other night but merely browsing what this one vendor had available. I found this awesome passport invitation that fits well with the fact that the wedding is a DW and that it needs to be in a Filipino format (listing the whole wedding party and such)…

my wedding invitation (design)

my wedding invitation (design)

my wedding invitation (design)

Oh, and one more picture of the ID part of the passport wedding invitation…

my wedding invitation (design)

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Jul 28 2010

New Bilingual Letterpress Wedding Invitation Design

Category: wedding Invitations — mei @ 09:20

Invitations by Ajalon has announced that they have created a new bilingual letterpress wedding invitation style. Providing wedding invitation printing services for families of diverse backgrounds, Invitations by Ajalon is one of the only letterpress wedding invitation printers that offers bilingual invitation designs.

Santa Rosa, CA, July 28, 2010 –(PR.com)– Updating their letterpress wedding invitation gallery designs to reflect the growing diversity of 21st century brides, Invitations by Ajalon has announced that they have created a new bilingual letterpress wedding invitation style. Providing wedding invitation printing services for families of diverse backgrounds, Invitations by Ajalon is one of the only letterpress wedding invitation printers that offers bilingual invitation designs.

Invitations by Ajalon has long been at the forefront of custom making letterpress wedding invitations. While they specialize in Indian and South Asian inspired wedding invitation cards, Invitations by Ajalon has the ability to make any design into a bilingual wedding invitation. Employing custom wording techniques, professional graphic artists and artisan letterpress printers, Invitations by Ajalon translates each invitation individually into the desired language.

“Many of our brides have guests that do not speak English,” notes owner David Walrath. “If your wedding party consists of guests that cannot speak or read English, it really makes sense to pursue the options of having bilingual wedding invitations.”

Families living in America have increasingly diverse ethnic and linguistic backgrounds which make ordering bilingual wedding invitations an important part of your wedding preparations. To ensure that all of your guests understand the details, directions and RSVP information, think about the options of ordering bilingual wedding invitations.

Invitations by Ajalon is a letterpress wedding invitation subsidiary of Ajalon Printing and Design and has been operating in northern California’s beautiful Sonoma County wine country for over 50 years. They are featured on several different online publications and recently exhibited their work in the Dulhania Bazaar South Asian and Indian Wedding Expo in Phoenix. For additional information relating to bilingual wedding invitations or Invitations by Ajalon, please call 707-528-0288 or visit www.invitationsbyajalon.com

Trish Jackson
Marketing Director
ajalon@ajalon.com

###

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Jun 11 2010

Top 5 Wedding Invitation Ideas for the Modern Bride

Category: wedding Invitations — mei @ 03:09

With hundreds or even thousands of options, choosing your wedding invitations can be frustrating. Although classically styled invitations are still most popular, if you are having a modern wedding, you should look for invitations to match. Not to worry, modern wedding invitations do not have to be completely serious. They can still be romantic and beautiful. Here are the top five wedding invitation ideas for the modern bride:

Idea #1: Use non-traditional, bold colors.

White has always been a traditional wedding color, and many brides also use gold and silver, pastel colors, and off-white shades in conjunction with stark white. Instead of these classic bridal colors, consider using bold colors with the same bridal motifs. You do not have to go with hot pink, but think about how the traditional invitations you are viewing would look in plum, hunter green or red. Modern invitations do not have to be soft colors. Let your personality shine through! Right now, steel blue, brown, and yellow are all popular, trendy wedding colors, and you can send cards in colors that match the season. You do not even have to match your wedding invitation colors with your wedding colors, just do what feels right to you. If you are worried about using bright colors, consider at least an accent color. Stick to a white invitation that includes just a burst of color.

Idea #2: Go “green” with your wedding invitations.

Today, you can make eco-friendly choices with everything from your clothing to your food – why not your wedding invitations too? “Green” wedding invitations are made from recycled paper, and for the best option for the environment, look for paper made with as much post-manufactured recycled product as possible. Try to avoid pre-manufactured product, which comes from mill scraps. You can also find companies that plant trees for every product ordered, and you can choose to include a note on the back asking your guests to RSVP via email or phone and recycle the invitation after the wedding. “Green” wedding invitations are not just modern; they are a simple way for you to make this world a better place.

Idea #3: Send a message in a bottle.

We usually think of invitations as a flat piece of paper, but that does not have to be the case. One especially innovative idea, especially if you are going to have a destination wedding, is to send a message in a bottle. Instead of a sending a flat invitation, choose a scroll style and put it inside of a bottle. You can actually find companies that have kits to help you prepare these bottle invitations. You may end up spending more on postage, but the effect is very unique. If messages in a bottle do not match up with your wedding theme, you can instead consider other kinds of 3-dimensional cards. You can also choose destination-wedding invitations that feature designs like seashells and sandcastles if you do not want to spend the extra money on postage.

Idea #4: Use your picture on your invitation.

Your wedding invitation serves as an announcement for some people. To make it really special, consider printing a picture of you and your groom on the front. You can use your announcement photo or take a special one specifically for your invitations. Instead of throwing away your invitations, your guests can frame them, keep then as keepsakes, or otherwise display them. A picture also helps make the invitation more personal. You can choose black and white or color for printing, depending on your budget.

Idea #5: Design your own invitation.

Modern invitations are not always just about a modern look, they are also about a modern concept. Today’s invitations can be personalized more than you may realize. Many websites offer custom design services and you pick everything from the design and overall style to the font color to even the ink color to the envelopes. You can then add ribbons, monograms, and more to really make them personal. As a bonus, creating your wedding invitations with your future husband can be fun.

Modern wedding invitations can include other accessories and add-ons in beautiful accent colors and designs. Consider some pocket-style jackets for your invitations, colorful organza bows that can be tied around them, designed seals that stick on the envelope, or sheer stickers. All of these small touches can help your invitations look great.

Choosing the perfect wedding invitations can be a difficult task. When searching for that right style, do not be afraid to consider modern options. With the right colors and accessories, your modern invitations should be just as beautiful as you have always imagined. If you are planning a destination wedding there are other creative options to consider such a message in a bottle or an image of yourself at the destination.

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May 21 2010

Wedding Invitation Wording

Category: wedding Invitations — mei @ 07:33

here is a long history to the social wedding invitation as we know it today. Whilst selecting the format of your wedding invitations, why not remember the following helpful historical information’

The history of social invitations
The trend of using invitations to invite select people to elitist social events began somewhere just before the 18th century. High society and aristocracy in England and France – including Kings, Queens, Dukes, Duchesses, Lords, and Ladies – would invite peers to their social events with written announcements on cards. These cards were written by their ‘people’, such as the wife, butler or the secretary. Paper was an expensive resource, and the ability to write was seen as a prestigious sign of education. The use of studied calligraphy and penmanship was a work of art by today’s standards, and even after the invention and inception of the mass market printing press it was still deemed socially ‘correct’ to hand write the invitation.

Traditional Wedding Invitation Wording
Traditional wording on invitations was actually very similar to the wording which is commonly used today. Everything was spelled out:

* Place
* Date
* Time
* Venue
* Venue address
* Hosts/ Hostess names
* Bride/ groom full names
* Contact details for the bride/ groom, or host/ hostess
* RSVP
* The name of the guest.

The main difference in modern wedding invitations compared to traditional is that the invited persons name is not usually printed on initially – it is usually written on later.

Presentation

Envelopes
In the 18th century the invitation would be placed in a handmade envelope and sealed with hot wax imprinted with the family crest. Servants were then made to deliver the letters as there was no postal service. Now because this task was completed on horseback in all weathers, there became a need for an ‘outer envelope’. This not only protected the invitation, but was used to write directions for the servants. For example ‘Travel one day north to Newcastle. There, cross the stone bridge and proceed past three farms until you see the stone entrance marked ‘Williamson’. Remove this covering, and give the invitation to the doorman. Wait there for a response and make a note of same’.

Tissue paper
The use of tissue within the presentation of an invitation links to the printing process in the 13th century. Because ink took time to dry, sheets of protective tissue were laid between the paper to protect it from smudging. The printing press was taking off into popularity with the upper echelons of European society, and so the tissue paper was also put into the envelope to show that they had been using the latest fascinating technology. The inclusion continues to this day.

Engraving and calligraphy
Because the mass market conveniences of the printing press quickly became distasteful to the aristocracy and upper classes, a new printing process was necessary. Lithography produced sharp and distinctive inking, where as engraving very much emulated hand writing because copper plates are made by hand. To this day the engraved invitation is still the most prestigious form of writing on an invitation, although the technical printing process has obviously developed since then!
To get the finest effect possible, you must hire a calligrapher to hand write each invitation and address envelopes. This is sheer indulgence in its most luxurious form.

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Apr 09 2010

DIY Vegas Theme Wedding Invitation

Category: wedding Invitations — mei @ 09:32

Wedding is certainly the most memorable event in one’s lifetime. Almost

DIY Vegas Theme Wedding Invitation

DIY Vegas Theme Wedding Invitation

every couple wants their wedding to be a perfect one in every respect. Planning every aspect of the wedding before hand can be really helpful for appropriate arrangements and proper management of money.

The invitations of the wedding are considered to be the most essential of the wedding preparations and could account for a sizable portion of the wedding budget.

The DIY wedding invitations could be a plausible way to counter the extra cost burden on the wedding invitations while letting you customize a unique invitation for your wedding.

Wedding Invitations Vegas Style

Las Vegas wedding invitations are in vogue these days. They are not only beautiful and trendy but also require incredibly low cost and reasonable time for their preparation.

Preparing these cards is extremely simple and fun and it may roughly take 10 to 20 min in completing a single card. You will only require the following easily on hand items for making the exquisite invitations:

Materials Required:

Double-sided Mulberry paper
Ornamental vellum
Ace of Hearts rubber stamp
Glue runner or glue stick
Ribbon (color of your choice)

Getting Started!

Step 1:

The Mulberry paper can easily be obtained from any arts and crafts shop. The selection of color should be according to the wedding theme; however, red is recommended if no particular color theme has been decided.

In case the required paper color is not available from these stores, you can always order online through www.paper.com. Each sheet usually comes in 12″ x 12″ size so divide it into 2 equal halves to make two cards per sheet.

Step 2:

After dividing the paper sheet into equal halves of 6″x6″ deckle the edges of the paper. This can be done by placing a foot ruler almost ¼” in from the edge and wetting these exposed edges with water.

This will make them softer and will be easier to tear off without damaging rest of the paper. If you find it difficult to do, you can simply skip this step and use straight edges; however, deckled edges give a more classy appearance to the invitation.

Step 3:

Next, fold the edges of the paper sheet in towards the center from both sides. One edge must overlap the other in the center by ¼”. Now fold the outer edges downwards. This indentation will help you identify where to score the paper.

Rubber stamps of different playing card decorations are available at stationary stores. The stamp is by Inkadinkadoo. Different playing card stamps can be used on different cards to have a variety of samples.

Step 4:

Draw gridlines at the back of the Mulberry paper of approximately 2 ¼” x3″ dimension and cut along these lines to get rectangular pieces of paper using the technique employed to deckle the edges earlier on. You can now use these rectangular pieces to stamp the image on.

You should use good quality ink while stamping the image on the paper. After stamping, the rectangular piece needs to be pasted on the front of the card. In order to do this you can choose either of the two folded edges on the front. Simply apply the glue on one of the edges and paste the rectangular piece in way that it lies exactly in the center of the card, half of it being on the edge on which it is pasted.

You can use the ornamental vellum to print the text for the invitation as Mulberry paper is not a good choice for that matter. You may choose the dimensions of vellum according to the length of your text. After printing simply apply glue to the top backside of the vellum and attach it centrally inside the card.

Your Wedding Invitation is ready!

In the end, you can simply add a satin ribbon and tie it in bow on the outside of the card.

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Jan 07 2010

steps to write a wedding invitation

Category: wedding Invitations — mei @ 21:46

what should a modern couple do to write a wedding invitation? Follow these simple steps for writing your wedding invitations, referring to the sample wedding invitation wording for examples.

wedding invitation cardStep 1: Who is Hosting?

The first names your guests will see on your wedding invitation are those of the people who are paying for the event. Traditionally, this has been the bride’s parents, and so it reads:

Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Beazley

or

Kate and Marvin Beazley

If the bride and groom are hosting, then the line reads

Ms. Jane Doe and Mr. Sam Smith
or,
Together with their families,
Jane Doe and Sam Smith

Step 2: The Request Continue reading “steps to write a wedding invitation”

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