My invitations (non-passport, non-boarding pass, still DIY!) - yay! Lots of details/pics.

So happy to finally have these ready to mail!  I spent an absurd amount of time price shopping for all the paper, had them printed at a local art store (but I designed for the most part).  I mounted the main invitation on the 5x7 navy pieces, and I also lined all the envelopes - inner envelopes and RSVP ones - myself.  Totally worth all the work now that they're put together!  Here's the vendor and price list:

Main invitation pretty paper - Paper Source (www.paper-source.com but I bought them in the actual store) - $18.50 for 20 sheets

5x7 navy cardstock that I used for mounting - Paper Presentation (www.paperpresentation but again, I bought all my stuff in the store) - $8.50 for 25

Navy inner envelopes (navy A7) - Paper Presentation - 5.75 for 25

Pearlescent outer envelopes (Opal size A7 outer) - Paper Presentation - 10.95 for 25

4 bar pearlescent card stock for response cards - www.paperandmore.com - $6.99 for 100

4 bar RSVP envelopes - Paper Presentation - 4.25 for 25

8.5 x 11 Pearelscent paper - I used for both lining envelopes and for the accommodation cards (printed 4 to a page) - www.paperandmore.com - $16.99 for 100 sheets (it was champagne metallic text weight paper)

7/8 inch navy ribbon for belly bands - $7.95 for 2 rolls, I think

small capiz shells - bought on ebay for $18 for 10, I think seller was shellshack but not positive

Printing - local art store - came out to about $175 total, and this was the absolute cheapest I could find.  I would have done it myself but it just wasn't worth the crazy it was causing.

We had to use .65 cent stamps going out, .45 worked for RSVP of course.

So all together, excluding postage, they came out to about $5.50 each and including postage, $6.60ish.  A LOT more than I'd planned to spend, but I think not bad considering I got exactly what I wanted.

I used glue sticks for lining the envelopes (but I wouldn't again - they get sort of crackly).  Used Elmer's glue dot runner to mount the main invitations (that's what I'd use for liners if I had a do-over I think).  Also used the glue dot runner to glue the ribbon together and to glue the capiz shell to the ribbon.  Couldn't find anything else that would work for that part!

The accommodation card was just printed on the pearescent paper, but the printing people put the same swirly design as the main invitation on it for me.  I also had a card from American Airlines wtih our group discount code included, but I forgot to take a picture of that and I ran out.

My mom did the addressing - she did a wonderful job.  And I think it's obvious that I am an amateur at photo editing.  Haha.

Very elegant looking!!

I love them! Beautiful Job.

Thank you guys!

They are beautiful.

Very nice... Something different!!!!

gorgeous! I can't wait to get mine together to post

Thank you!  I can't wait for them to go out.  So excited!

Excellent job! I am alson in NYC adn am looking for recommendations on a printer other than Kinkos or Staples. Would you recommend the vendor that you used? Would you mind sharing the info? Thanks!

Originally Posted by kisha311 

 

Excellent job! I am alson in NYC adn am looking for recommendations on a printer other than Kinkos or Staples. Would you recommend the vendor that you used? Would you mind sharing the info? Thanks!

I would recommend them.  I went to Lee's Art Store (on 57th between Broadway and 7th) and worked with Diana.  All the people in the printing department seem really nice and competent though.  The pricing was MUCH more reasonable than other places I checked, like Paper Source - they wanted TWICE what Lee's charged me.  I would just say to be patient; we had to go back and forth quite a few times to get it just right.  Also, make sure you are aware that they can start charging you a higher setup fee after a certain number of email communications.  They didn't do that to me, but I heard them talking about another job where the client (who was apparently a pretty big pain) ended up with something like $200 in setup fees!  Mine were just the standard fees - I think maybe $35 total.