Curvy Wedding Invitations

Your typical wedding invitation is going to be a flat 5x7 inch card with an RSVP card;  On the other hand, layered pocketfolds with multiple inserts and bands around the outside are also popular.  In between?  There are a lot of options.

One of those in-between options that Angela at Save the Date Originals is fond of is... the curvy invitation.  The main card is still about 5x7 inches, but cut into a frame shape.  Check it out:

That first example shows off a design with sunflowers;  The next one steps it up a bit with color envelopes:

The purple and gray of the printed cards is closely (though not exactly) matched by grey and purple envelopes.

There are as many possible design ideas for this shape as there are with a 5x7 inch rectangle, so if you find yourself feeling like you want to do something a little more fun, this is a shapely option for you to consider.

Wedding Invitations 2016 - 2017

I've been offering design and printing services through Save the Date Originals for a good 13+ years now.  The need to update some very old photographs on the website is continuous - back in the day, I had a cheap camera and no photography skills!

Good progress has been made with the save the date magnet and card sections;  Updating designs, photographs, enabling https, making it mobile friendly...

But the wedding invitation section has barely been updated in many years.  That will be my next big goal over the rest of the year.  I now have relationships with specialty printers that enable me to offer foil printing, thermography, and letterpress;  There are so very many options!

It will take a while, so in the mean time, here are some photographs of recent wedding invitations to feast your eyes upon.

1) White foil on navy blue?  Oh yeah.  You can get a similar look by printing a blue background on white card stock, but this is a level up.  The RSVP cards are blue printing on white card stock.

2) This order was soft and elegant.  The card stock we used was just slightly offwhite - not even an ivory, it is still a white, but not bright white.  The cards were all printed with grey letterpress;  The envelope liner was digitally printed white card stock;  The envelopes were all addressed with a laser printer.

3) Rock'N'Roll!  This is a personalized version of a wedding invitation design that is already posted on the website (INVFL58A).  This one has different colors and has been modified to fit more of a Rock'N'Roll + Country Music theme.

4) What happens in Vegas... Stays in Our Hearts.  This is a layered invitation design where the printing is digital, and the back layer is a metallic gold card stock.

5) There is a tri-fold wedding invitation posted on the website (INV3FLD1) with a wood print on the outside, and wording on the inside;  One couple had me add a ribbon wrap around with a tag.  The addition really makes a difference in the level of awesomeness!  This photo also shows off an updated wood print that just looks better than what is currently posted on the website.

6) Passport!  Oh yes, finally, someone had me make a passport invitation!  It's one of those ideas that just works so well for a destination wedding.  There are multiple ways to make a passport invitation.  For this one, we kept it simple - it's a bifold with just the 2 inside pages.  But it's also layered, so the outside is a metallic white card stock (looks cool, and also sturdy for handling) and then the inside was matte for photographic print quality.  Because it's a bifold, we don't need to use any special binding, but who can resist a bow?

That is the run down for now, but more to come.

Music themed wedding invitations

One of my favorite projects recently was a wedding invitation with a heart in the background that was made out of musical notes.  This invitation has a classic solid color border.  Check it out:

Colors are white, dark blue, gray, and silver.  This is a simple invitation set with a main card + rsvp, but with silver envelopes for added fun.

Classic Invitation with Gilded Wording

Save the Date Originals is currently experimenting with a foiling trick (shiny wording and graphics)!  Currently only available on white card stock - gold, rose gold, silver, and more.

Check out this layered 5x7 wedding invitation:

This invitation has dark gold wording and a black second layer for a simple classy design.

What really elevates an invitation like this is that while it appears simple from a distance, as you get closer and look at it, more awesome details are revealed.

For example, the fact that the wording is a shiny gold:

There is more -  The black card stock isn't a matte black, it's actually a pearlescent black:

Example 2: Gold rose floral invitation:

Isn't it lovely?  5x7 inches, gold on white, pictured with red envelope.



This foiling process isn't engraving or thermography;  It's not quite as perfect.  But is finally a much more economical option for when you only need a small number of invitation sets.  RSVP + accessory cards could be plain printed or foiled to match.


If you are interested, send angela@savethedateoriginals.com an email!


Below is an example of a foiled thank you card:

This particular thank you card design is actually now posted on the STDO etsy shop:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/238242682/gold-foiled-thank-you-notecards

You too can get your *own* name in foil for an unforgettable thank you note.

Luggage Tag Wedding Invitation

STDO is finally getting back around to some invitation section updates!

The newest design is based on a recent customers destination wedding invitation;  Check it out:

This is a 4x9 inch card with cut corners and a hole punched, made to look like a luggage tag.  No ribbon is included with this one as priced out, but of course you could have the designer customize it for you.

The sandy background is printed on white card stock, and white envelopes are included.  Yes could upgrade to color envelopes!

Check out pricing for this invitation:
http://savethedateoriginals.com/details/invitations/INVFL75.php

Busy Winter!

After launching the circle shaped magnets, and then the heart shaped magnets, the next big project is something most of you probably won't even notice- making the website more mobile friendly!  Work is well under way on that front.

Just so as not to neglect the blog, here is a pretty picture for you:

It's a 5x7 inch wedding invitation based on one of the designs in the invitation section, but with an added gold layer.  Both the creamy color and gold color card stocks are metallic, though it's hard to see that in the photo.  The printed chandelier color is a light dusty pink.  With metallic card stock, you really have to go with dark colors for wording, but for some design elements, you can get lighter shades.

Instagram users can find more random photographs:
http://instagram.com/stdonexus

Steampunk wedding invitations

Steampunk is a style that I haven't happened try designing for... until now!

Someone asked for steampunk save the dates that wouldn't be overly surprising to their guests.  When I think of steam punk weddings, there are some crazy fun ideas that come to mind- like maybe a pair of advanced octopi!

But for something simple, here is an idea:

This idea is 5x7 inches, and would be made of white card stock.  (That whole background would be printed on).  Old style typewriter font paired with one that looks handwritten.  Of course I had to include a couple of gears, but in this case I also added a geodesic dome.  Last but not least, I'm thinking of copper envelopes with be a good finishing touch.

This invitation idea will probably make it onto the actual STDO website sometime in the next year, but if not, contact Angela at angela@savethedateoriginals.com for a price quote.

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!

Black and White: Pocketfolds

There are so very many options for a pocketfold it's hard to describe all of the things you can do.  There might be a finite number of colors you can pick for the folding card part of the invitation, but you can add yet more colors with an extra card layer or wrap-around.  And then the printing?  Just about any color you can think of.

But then sometimes, a couple is having a nice elegant black and white wedding.  Or maybe silver is the overall color scheme.  So here is a pocketfold invitation idea in black and gray:

The design features a chandelier with a few of strings of lights.  There is a little bit of silver showing thanks to an extra layer of silver card stock behind the main printed section.

There would of course be a response envelope behind the response card too- which could also be in silver!

This is a really nice option for a couple in need of a formal invitation but without specific coloring. 

Chevron Pattern Invitations

The chevron pattern has been a popular one in recent years;  And now Save the Date Originals finally has a wedding invitation with a chevron pattern!

This picture shows a basic invitation set: 5x7 inch invitation card + 3.5x5 inch response card.  The chevron rows are in varying shades of a teal blue.  The fun extra for this particular example is a lined mailing envelope with a matching chevron pattern.

Check out pricing here:
http://www.savethedateoriginals.com/details/invitations/INVFL71B.php

Summer Lovebird Invitations

This invitation idea came from a set that was created for summer beach wedding in Wisconsin at the South Shore Pavilion.  The wedding colors are loosely ivory and burgundy, though there might be a few pinks here and there.  Their theme: lovebirds ❤

This design idea actually come from their save the date, which was of course smaller, but was similar.  Their save the date included a cute photograph of the couple with the wording also on the right.  Thinking to try something similar but different for the invitations, I searched for a photograph that would work well for their theme.  This photo turned up, and is just about perfect for their summer wedding invitations.  Two birds + flowers!

The dark red envelopes are close enough to burgundy to work, and would add a little extra awesome.  (Dark envelopes do need labels for writing the addresses on though)

Football themed pocketfold invitation

There were actually already a couple of sports themed wedding invitations on the Save the Date Originals website, but, both were baseball related.  It was time for some football love, and thanks to a recent customer, a new wedding invitation is now on the website.

For those customers going for the touchdown, I present a 5.25x7.25 inch dark green pocketfold invitation with a football and two helmets in the design.






The 4x5.25 inch response card is also set up to mimic a football field just for extra fun:

This pocketfold set comes with white response and outer envelopes.  Like all the invitations, of course it could be modified with different wording, colors, envelopes, etc.

Check out more info here:
http://www.savethedateoriginals.com/details/invitations/INVPOCK5.php

It is Chemistry

This is a new wedding invitation for the chemists among us.  Key features:  A atom graphic with a heart at the center and, the two first names form elements.  (Sort of).  The number of the element is the age of the person.

This invitation is shown printed on white card stock.  It is about 4x8.5 inches.  Colors used are red, green, and a slightly dusty orange, though, of course, colors can be changed.

Check out pricing here: Chemistry Invitation Details

Spaceship save the dates and invitations

Within the last couple of months, a new save the date magnet and wedding invitation design have been added to the website that may be of interest to those couples that are out of this world.

First, a 3.5x4 inch save the date magnet:

Next, the 4x8.5 inch invitation:

This invitation design does have a simple accompanying response card.  Click on the images for more detail.

Like everything else on the website, colors and wording can be adjusted.

Modern Invitation

A new invitation design has recently been added to the website.  It can be described as "modern".

It's simple, and yet, quirky, in that the font style is fairly basic... and then it just so happens that the wording is printed diagonally.

It's for a couple that maybe hasn't picked out a specific color scheme, or wants to include multiple colors without covering the invitation with color.

It's for the couple that maybe doesn't have any particular theme in mind and/or doesn't want to go with the usual fallback of floral or swirly patterns.

PS: Square invitations are cool.

For the Bibliophiles

While updating the photograph for "STDC14", a save the date card that is meant to look somewhat like a book cover, a new invitation design idea came to mind.

First check out STDC14, where one is asked to "Book the Date" rather than "Save the Date".

If Save the Date Originals has a save the date for those writers, literary lovers, editors, and book lovers, then surely STDO should have a wedding invitation for them as well.

Introducing a 4.5x6.25 inch folded card design.  The front is somewhat like a book cover, while the main invitation wording and information is printed on both panels of the inside, complete with page numbers.  You can't see it in the photo, but there is even a cute little book graphic with two hearts on the back of the invitation card.

Lastly, one must not forget the response card.  For this design, it seemed fitting to make a design that mimics one of those Library cards that keeps a list of the book's borrowers.

This invitation design isn't yet posted in the main website's invitation section, but will make it there soon.

November Favorite

The project I am featuring this month is a 4x8 inch magnetic invitation.  Photographic save the date magnets are a common order, but actual invitation orders that are both photographic and magnetic are not common.  This design includes two photographs of the couple along with cherry blossom and bamboo graphics.

Just about any invitation card design from the website can be converted into a magnetic design instead, and of course, custom designs are available.

4x8 inches is also another magnet size that isn't actually priced out on the website;  Projects that require custom/random magnet sizes are becoming more common.  One of the advantages of Save the Date Originals is exactly the fact that custom sizes are available.  Any rectangular size up to 8x10 inches would be available.

Movie Ticket Wedding Invitation

Back in 2010, Angela wrote a blog post about a movie ticket themed wedding invitation design.  It was done with a red background and looked fun.  The post was mainly to show off the way an invitation design could look (and be ordered) in different versions with alternate languages.

This invitation design is one of the ideas that hadn't made it onto the actual website yet, but had people contacting Save the Date Originals now and then.

Finally, a version of the invitation design has made it onto the website.  This version is printed on white card stock, with full color printing of a yellow background with red and black text.  The fun addition is the metallic red sleeve.

Check it out:

The response card is a simple but carries the idea with it's title "Admission Ticket".

While this version uses white card stock and a red sleeve, Save the Date Originals is a custom invitation place, so if a couple wants to change things up a bit, they can.

This invitation design is often of interest to people who were eyeing up this movie ticket save the date card that was created the year before the invitation. This save the date card is made out of actual yellow card stock- that isn't a printed background.  It is fairly small at about 4x2.5 inches, and is sometimes ordered as a fridge magnet of that size instead.

Side note- here is a link to the 2010 post/version of the wedding invitation:
http://savethedateoriginals.blogspot.com/2010/07/movie-ticket-themed-wedding-invitations.html

July's Favorite Project = New Offbeat Invitation

This newest invitation design to be added into the offbeat wedding category is a design that was inspired by a bride asking for something that fit in with keywords like "vintage", "tattoo", and "rock star".  For me, one of the first things that came to mind for "rock star" was a guitar.

The photographed invitation is a simple 5x7 inch card with a 5x3.5 inch response card.

The original project that inspired this was in bold pink, and, part of a black pocketfold:

That couple actually went with bright pink envelopes as well, which will really make things pop.

A design like this could work for any sort of "concert" themed wedding, and perhaps for those couple's who are in a band or otherwise involved in the music industry.

These fun invitations are surely a good follow up to a ticket-style save the date card or magnet, for which (hint) there are plenty of designs posted on the Save the Date Originals website.

What next for the offbeat section?  Feel free to make suggestions.

In June: A pink butterfly

June's favorite project of the month is a pocketfold invitation.  This spring season is chalk full of pocketfold invitations.  They are a good option for people who want something more than a standard flat card set, and, you can personalize these pocketfold sets in a lot of ways.

This customer ordered save the dates with pink butterflies, in keeping with her wedding theme.  For her invitations, something pink and with butterflies was in order.  We ended up with a landscape 7x5 inch pocketfold with a side pocket.  The pocketfold itself is a shimmery pink, and the 3 inserts are designed to stack up nicely.

What I liked most about this invitation set was that it gave me another opportunity to draw a graphic from scratch, first with a pencil and then with my handy digital sketchpad.