This Blog is Moving

Hello everyone!  2021 is full of parties and I am here for it.

There are updated save the date and invitation designs all over the website.

New designs such as: this hexagon shape save the date magnet.

You have to admit, that looks cute and cool.

A blog has finally been set up on the main website itself, and new posts will be published there:

https://savethedateoriginals.com/blog

Save the Date Coasters

Now available: Save the Date Coasters!

And wedding favors too, of course.

Pictured below is a coaster that is 4 inches round.

The imprinting is done with a laser;  No colors, but, still awesome.  These are actually cork coasters, not wood, marble, or another material.

Pictured below now is a round coaster, a heart shaped coaster, and a coaster with an extra rim.

As you can see, it's also fun just to put family names.

Pricing will be $2-$3 each, depending on how many you need, with a minimum order of 5.

Custom designs are possible.  Just shoot angela@savethedateoriginals.com an email to get started.

Save the Dates - Plural!

This save the date magnet is really a "save the dates" magnet!  Featuring a world map in the background to showcase the two locations highlighted in red.

Sometimes people have two different events because they each have family that is a good distance away, like in this example. Sometimes people have a small destination wedding and then a party when they get back.

This *is* kind of a big deal life event.

Whatever the case, there is a way to help your guests save the date(s).

Pictured magnet is 4x3 inches, easy to mail out in the smallest mailable envelope size in the USA.

Check out pricing for that size: https://savethedateoriginals.com/4x3_Magnet.php
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#weddinginspo #savethedates#stationery #scotland #world #alabama #weddingplanning

Greetings in 2019

It's 2019 folks.  Save the Date Originals is still at work on save the date magnets and cards.

You know what's fun?  Color envelopes!  Here's a recent photo of a spring/summer save the date magnet with a mason jar, fun colors, and a cheerful spirit.  It's paired with a green envelope.

The website is quite full of designs, to the point where there haven't been a lot of additions in recent years - at some point, you could end up with too many designs to load up while browsing.  In the near future, some designs may be retired to make room.  In the mean time, custom design requests are accepted, and have led to a lot of fun projects.  You should check out the instagram for some more photographs.

Speaking of additions, thanks to a partnership with In Mezzo Designs, a few new things are available, such as compact mirrors with custom printing on the front.  Here is an example with a monogram:

These are a fun idea for bridesmaids gifts!  Could go with an inspiring saying, or, each person's initials.

New ticket save the date magnet design

It's hard to resist adding more ticket designs to the website, even thought the save the date ticket page is getting to be quite full.

A recent addition is this 2.5x6.5 inch ticket save the date magnet:

Unlike a lot of the ticket designs on the website, this one isn't specifically themed for Broadway, a music concert, or a particular sport.  The other thing that is different - it includes a calendar.

Here is another shot of the ticket magnet with a clear sleeve & a mailing envelope.  At Save the Date Originals, you can get magnets alone or with envelopes... plus return address printing, if you want.

Concert ticket save the date magnets are beloved!

People feel excitement when they get concert tickets, and they remember that feeling when they see a concert ticket themed save the date.

I, Angela, the designer here at STDO, have a secret about one popular save the date ticket magnet.  This one:

I made this save the date design near the end of 2015 for a couple based on a photo of an actual ticket that they sent me.  And... they didn't even go for it.

But this design was just so awesome, I thought that I'd take a photograph and put it up on the website anyways.

Well, turns out a lot of other people like the design!

Since then I've seen some similar ticket designs, but, it's still hard to match the print quality and thickness of the magnets STDO makes.  They aren't crazy thick, but they are certainly a cut above DIY.

(feel free to email angela@savethedateoriginals.com if you are interested in a mailed sample magnet).

That isn't the only popular save the date magnet in the ticket section the website, but it was a surprise how popular it would turn out to be.

On the subject of concert ticket save the dates, here is another recent favorite of mine:

This is actually a version of one of the ticket designs on the website:

But as you can see, the original idea of more of a nice, simple broadway feel.  This couple upped the concert factor and it turned out awesome.

This is way STDO still likes to accept requests for experimenting with designs.  The results can be fun.  Of course, that's also why design proof turn around times are usually 2-3 days.  If I stuck to only requests of exactly designs that were already posted, sure, it would be faster.  But that's not how I roll.

Luggage tag save the date magnets

Luggage tag magnets are a popular option for destination weddings!

One of the options that was added to the website just over a year ago has now been done in many colors by many couples.  The original design:

The best part about this particular design is that it does work well with a variety of different colors;  That teal can easily become pink, orange, purple, green, you name it.

Now, there are two more design options posted on the website, both with those warmer destinations in mind.

The first is 2.5x4 inches, and has a printed sand background to remind guest's of the beach:

The second is 2.5x4.5 inches, this time with background photo of the ocean & beach:

Luggage save the date magnets are currently in the boarding pass save the date magnet section of the website, but if more designs are added, they just may need their own section.  All of the luggage tag magnets are currently set to 2.5x4 inches or 2.5x4.5 inches, but larger sizes are also possible.

A Grape Save the Date Magnet Design

Heart shaped magnets have been available at Save the Date Originals for just over a year, and it's time for another save the date magnet design, this time, one that works well with a winery or vineyard theme.

The background design is printed with a faux cork-board texture, and overlaid with the sketched cluster of grapes.

All magnets at STDO are reasonably sturdy and have a glossy finish; Check out pricing and info for heart shape magnets here:
http://savethedateoriginals.com/HeartShapeMagnetInfo.php 

Request a personalized version of this magnet design here:
http://savethedateoriginals.com/details/Heart24.php

Castle save the date magnet

Since launching the heart shaped magnet section this past February, there have been a few new custom designs, but this one is probably my favorite.

The couple is getting married at a castle, and didn't have specific colors to include, so I thought that I would see how a castle silhouette + a dawn sky would look.

Turns out, it looks beautiful:

No doubt this would work well for many a wedding, just for a romantic theme, if not more specifically those Disney and castle weddings.

This magnet is about 4x3.5 inches.  Check out pricing for the heart shaped magnets here:

http://savethedateoriginals.com/HeartShapeMagnetInfo.php

Mention this post in an email to angela@savethedateoriginals.com during 2015 and she will mail you a free heart shaped sample magnet.  Random design though.  And only to USA + Canada addresses.

Heart Shaped Save the Date Magnets!

Available after February first are 4x3.5 inch heart shaped magnets.  And for the first month, February 2015, they are on sale for 20%

These will have all the same features as the other fridge magnets, such as the glossy laminate finish.  Yes, the entire backside is magnetic!  Get a design with photographs or without.

Check out pricing here:
http://savethedateoriginals.com/HeartShapeMagnets.php

Round is back Around!

In about 2010 when I decided to start making the magnets myself, I found that left me unable to offer shaped magnets.  Well, they are back now, and are the same high quality as the rectangular sizes.

These magnets are approximately 4 inches in diameter, have a glossy finish, are about 30mil thick, and are circularly awesome.

Check out some designs:
http://savethedateoriginals.com/RoundMagnetDesigns.php

And, by the way, these will be on sale during November.  To celebrate the return... 20% off!

New in August

Many of the projects that I work on never make it to the website, because it takes time to get all the files in order, take photographs, add the details page, etc.  If I even remember which projects I was planning to add.  ;-)

Still, more things are constantly added.  What made it to the website in August?  Well...

1) A beach themed wedding shower invitation with a banner to highlight the bride's name:

2) A 6x3 inch airplane boarding pass save the date magnet with some tropical palm trees by the side:

3) A jungle themed baby shower invitation with a lion, monkey, and giraffe:

4) A 3x4 inch Vegas wedding save the date magnet:

5) A wedding invitation with the Chicago skyline:

....and that wasn't all.  I already posted about the luggage tag save the dates from earlier this month!

Milwaukee save the date

Sometimes, a wedding save the date with a photograph of the actual wedding venue works well.

For example, the Calatrava art museum is a well known landmark in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  Even better yet, it is quite picturesque.

A save the date with a photograph of the art museum could look like this example:

I'd be excited if I were a guest!

This save the date is 5x3.5 inches, and is pictured with a metallic silver envelope.

Check out pricing for this magnet size:
http://savethedateoriginals.com/35x5_Magnet.php

Luggage tag magnets are back in the house

2.5x4 inch luggage tag magnets are one way to get more awesome for a travel themed save the date without going wilder with something like a message in a bottle.

They aren't new exactly- they just haven't made it back onto the updated version of the website in a few years.

Check out this example:

The printed design features a beach background with orange & pink.  At the sides are "Pack your bags" and "Save the date".  At the top there are some faded hibiscus graphics (tropical flowers).

The top is cut with angles, and there is an actual hole at the top.

Check out this page for a pricing chart:
http://www.savethedateoriginals.com/details/NWU3.php

Rounded corners for boarding pass magnets

Customers can switch to round corners for any magnet order, but it looks especially awesome for boarding pass save the date magnets.  One recent customer did just that for her order of a customized Ticket17 boarding pass order.

Love Birds Save the Date

This 3.5x4 inch save the date magnet design is cute!  The lovebirds are in yellow, with a lighter blue background, and white stylized "branches".  The wording is in a darker grey/blue.  

This design was included as part of Maven Bride's recent birds & blue wedding inspiration post. Check it out for some more ideas!

Save the Date Magnet Holder Cards

A lot of people either buy or make holder cards for their magnets when they order a small size (like 2x3.5 inches) that is too small to mail out.

There is also the case of the 2x8 photostrip magnet- it's a lot thinner than any envelope size, so people will often make holders for that case too.

Another reason is just to enjoy the presentation.  Check out this 5x7 inch holder card, paired with a photographic 4x2.5 inch magnet.  The card includes hotel information, which you have to admit, is very useful for guests who will need to travel.

This is a classic save the date idea;  Looks good, isn't overly complicated, and is informative.  This example uses navy and gold colors, but to personalize, you could go with different color pair.  How the wording will fit on the magnet depends a lot on the photograph used- you can see that there needs to be some background space in the chosen photograph.

Cards can hold a magnet via slits, like this example, or with photo corners, or maybe even ribbon.

Cost would depend on a few things;  Not the least of which is how many you need.  A good 2014 estimate is for a complete set like the pictured example is $1.80, but that is just an estimate.  You'll need to email about your version of this idea to get a firm price quote.

New year, new family reunions

One of my favorite projects this month was a simple 2.5x4 inch save the date magnet for a family reunion in New York.  The main feature is a tree made out of words: Genealogy, family, children, teenager, parents, brother, etc.

Pricing for this magnet size can be found here:
http://www.savethedateoriginals.com/41x26_MagnetInfo.php

And if the design isn't on the official Save the Date Originals website yet, just submit your email address through the Contact form on the website to get started on a personalized version of this design idea.

Rose calendar save the date

This design comes from a recent save the date magnet project where we actually went with a pink rose instead of red rose.  The design idea is fairly classic, with a rose, a calendar, and the important information one needs to know.  Added to those classic elements is... a little bit of bling!  There is a fabulous ring placed on the rose in the photograph that was used.

This design is about 4x3 inches.  Soon to be added to the website, for now this design is featured only in this blog post.

Who sends the save the dates?

This question comes up now and then, along with: "On save the dates, what should the return address be".

It's not a cut and dry answer.  Ideally, the return address on the save the dates should be the same as they will be on the later formal invitations.  And... ideally... that would be the address of the person/family that is hosting the wedding.  Who is hosting the wedding?  The person who is paying for it!

The bride and groom (or couple) might be mostly paying for the wedding, or one of the parents might be.

When the parents are paying for everything, use their address.  This is also why you sometimes see wording like "Mr. Person and Mrs. Person invite you to the wedding of their daughter Bride to Groom...".  Because the parents are hosting the wedding, they are included prominently in the wedding invitation wording.

Sometimes, however, who is paying for what isn't even decided yet when you send out save the dates.

That's why there isn't an easy answer to this question!

If the bride and groom are already living together, that is an easy choice for the return address.  Even if someone else is paying for the save the dates- whoever is actually mailing the save the dates is the one that should have their return address on there, so that they can handle any that are returned for having the wrong address.