DIY invite opinions please!

[sunnyd]

First attempt, don''t laugh at me!

Questions to follow pics...

The front:

 

[sunnyd]

The inside:

 

[sunnyd]

Questions!

The tag on the front is actually for the favors minus a date stamp (or something), but I was wanting to do something similar on the front. I think it needs to be bigger, yes? Too boring? Ooh I should make a belly band with the ribbon instead of having it inside! Or both? I think aloud a lot...

On the inside, does the ribbon look okay holding everything in? Did you put the RSVP inside the envelope or not?

Also, the black ink on the actual invite came out gray. It''s blending a bit with the graphic and I don''t know how to fix it. Anyone know?

Thanks!!

 

[EricaR]

Can you create a pocket on the right hand side to hold everything in?

I agree that the medallion on the front should be larger. Maybe layer a larger medallion on the darker paper. I like things centered left - right and a little bit higher than center up - down. A belly band would be good, but you still need something larger on front.

 

[VRBeauty]

It's not looking very wedding invitational to me. What I see is more like a menu, albeit a menu for a high-class restaurant... or a portfolio.

I'm not sure exactly what element is doing that... maybe it's having the invitation on the left side, rather than the invitation being the first thing you see when you open the envelope. A ribbon of some sort rather than a plain band might also make a difference. But mainly I think it's because the first thing you see when you open the folder is a band that's holding a bunch of things together.

Your invitation is very elegant

... I'd suggest that you find a way to highlight that, rather than the other miscellaneous pieces.

 

[sunnyd]

LOL! A fancy menu is definitely not the look I''m going for.

Might it be better if I put the invite on the right and the ''stuff'' on the left? The band is a ribbon, sorry you can''t really tell in the pic.

Erica, I don''t think I can create a pocket...unless you have an idea of how to do it?

 

[Lanie]

Those look really good sunnyd!

I didn''t put the RSVP card inside the envelope...I tucked it under the flap.

I think the band around on the inside is fine. I wouldn''t do 2 bands though...

And can you put a monogram or something on the front of the invite on that tag thing? Are you doing an inner envelope?

 

[blondebunny]

http://www.projectwedding.com/wiki/show/diy-wedding-challenge-semi-diy-pocket-fold-invitations if you google on PW you find some directions on how to make a pocketfold... if u cant find it let me know and send me a PM and ill send u the directions I''d also probably layer everything too... that always makes it look more wedding-y

 

[sunnyd]

Thanks Lanie, my twin!

No inner for us.

BB, those are the same colors I''m using, how funny! I like what she did with the ribbon and monogram...I wonder how I could recreate that.

I''d really hate to buy more stuff. The red is pre-folded, I have a ton of brown, some leftover cream. Should I go back to the drawing board?

 

[ksluice]

Date: 7/15/2009 2:29:23 AM
Author: VRBeauty
It''s not looking very wedding invitational to me. What I see is more like a menu, albeit a menu for a high-class restaurant... or a portfolio.


I''m not sure exactly what element is doing that... maybe it''s having the invitation on the left side, rather than the invitation being the first thing you see when you open the envelope. A ribbon of some sort rather than a plain band might also make a difference. But mainly I think it''s because the first thing you see when you open the folder is a band that''s holding a bunch of things together.


Your invitation is very elegant

... I''d suggest that you find a way to highlight that, rather than the other miscellaneous pieces.

What if in addition to reversing the L and R sides, you switched the color of the outer wrap to match the graphic and used the red for the ribbon. i think the contrast between the colors of the background and insert is contributing to the menuishness. if it was more blendy it might work to undo that.

 

[ckrickett]

Date: 7/14/2009 10:24:52 PM
Author:sunnyd
First attempt, don''t laugh at me!

Questions to follow pics...

The front:

have you thought of using some crafty paper, I love see through rice paper that has a great texture. you could use it in the center so you don''t lose that gorgeous outer color and when you print text on it it looks nice

 

[ckrickett]

Date: 7/15/2009 1:06:26 PM
Author: ckrickett

Date: 7/14/2009 10:24:52 PM
Author:sunnyd
First attempt, don''t laugh at me!

Questions to follow pics...

The front:

have you thought of using some crafty paper, I love see through rice paper that has a great texture. you could use it in the center so you don''t lose that gorgeous outer color and when you print text on it it looks nice

 

[sunnyd]

Date: 7/15/2009 12:58:31 PM
Author: TopoDazzle

Date: 7/15/2009 2:29:23 AM
Author: VRBeauty
It''s not looking very wedding invitational to me. What I see is more like a menu, albeit a menu for a high-class restaurant... or a portfolio.


I''m not sure exactly what element is doing that... maybe it''s having the invitation on the left side, rather than the invitation being the first thing you see when you open the envelope. A ribbon of some sort rather than a plain band might also make a difference. But mainly I think it''s because the first thing you see when you open the folder is a band that''s holding a bunch of things together.


Your invitation is very elegant

... I''d suggest that you find a way to highlight that, rather than the other miscellaneous pieces.

What if in addition to reversing the L and R sides, you switched the color of the outer wrap to match the graphic and used the red for the ribbon. i think the contrast between the colors of the background and insert is contributing to the menuishness. if it was more blendy it might work to undo that.

Totally confused.

Outer wrap? I can''t return any of this stuff, so I need to use what I have.

Maybe I''m being confusing (as usual!). Here''s what I''m using: a red folded once card. ivory invite. ivory insert. ivory rsvp/envelope. brown satin ribbon. I also have some brown 8.5x11 sheets, but not enough to back the invite, which would also require cutting 1/2" off each side of 65 pieces. Not fun.

I don''t know...are they just completely hideous and that''s why noone is responding?

 

[blondebunny]

opps here is the one where the girl made her own pocketfolds...http://www.projectwedding.com/post/list/diy-invitations-2

do u already have all the supplies to make them or just some samples to make them??

what size is the red paper that you bought for the red paper fold??? I can tell u how to just add a pocket... its pretty simple! Tell me the dimensions of the paper and the red paper folded card part

 

[sunnyd]

I got 5x7 folded cards from cardsandpockets.com. I already have everything (when they were having free shipping

) so I''m stuck with it now.

Here''s a link to the card: http://cardsandpockets.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1443

 

[lilylover]

I like them, but have a few suggestions.

The font overlaping the scroll design is a bit distracting to me. It might look different IRL, but based on the pictures it seems like it would make the words a little difficult to read in those places.

I also agree with those who said you should create some sort of pocket to enclose the other papers on the right hand side. As is it looks kind of like an afterthought.

Other than that, great start!

 

[sunnyd]

Date: 7/14/2009 10:31:34 PM
Author: sunnyd

Also, the black ink on the actual invite came out gray. It''s blending a bit with the graphic and I don''t know how to fix it. Anyone know?

Thanks!!

Hi Lily, yeah I don''t really know why it''s doing that. The paper is absorbing too much of the black ink?

I guess I could buy red cardstock and fashion a pocket if really necessary. Arg.

 

[Inanna]

I really like them! I actually think the ribbon holding the RSVP card and inserts(s) looks cool and creative.

Can you post a closer pic of the actual invitation? I''m not sure if the background design is getting in the way of the text or not. Also, I do think the tag on the front should be bigger, and since there is ribbon on the inside already, I wouldn''t do another band around the whole invitation.

 

[sunnyd]

Date: 7/15/2009 3:41:21 PM
Author: Inanna
I really like them! I actually think the ribbon holding the RSVP card and inserts(s) looks cool and creative.

Can you post a closer pic of the actual invitation? I''m not sure if the background design is getting in the way of the text or not. Also, I do think the tag on the front should be bigger, and since there is ribbon on the inside already, I wouldn''t do another band around the whole invitation.

Yes, I know it is, please see above post.

 

[VRBeauty]

Hmmm... how about:

misc stuff on the left side, held in place with a vertical ribbon that''s secured on the front with the decorative seal. As an alternative-- can you fashion a half-or full pocket to contain the other things? It doesn''t have to be a pocket folder per se -- you could stick it to the back of the folders you already have with glue dots. You could also use a horizontal ribbon, if you cut a slit in the fold.

Invitation on the right side.

 

[NuggetBrain]

I really like those - that''s pretty much what we want to do with ours.

I agree that the sticker on the front should be bigger. Also, maybe you could add some kind of decoration to the ribbon - like a dangling gem of some kind, or a charm. And add an extra sheet of paper between the invite and the card to give it extra dimention.

 

[sunnyd]

Date: 7/15/2009 3:57:59 PM
Author: VRBeauty
Hmmm... how about:

misc stuff on the left side, held in place with a vertical ribbon that's secured on the front with the decorative seal. As an alternative-- can you fashion a half-or full pocket to contain the other things? It doesn't have to be a pocket folder per se -- you could stick it to the back of the folders you already have with glue dots. You could also use a horizontal ribbon, if you cut a slit in the fold.

Invitation on the right side.

I thought about doing that but wondered if that would be the "right" side! All the pocketfolds I've seen have the pockets on the right so I went with that...but I like the left side better.

Nugget, I like the dimension and charm ideas! I'll have to see what I can find. Yay!

 

[ksluice]

Date: 7/15/2009 1:25:19 PM
Author: sunnyd

Date: 7/15/2009 12:58:31 PM

Author: TopoDazzle

Date: 7/15/2009 2:29:23 AM

Author: VRBeauty

It''s not looking very wedding invitational to me. What I see is more like a menu, albeit a menu for a high-class restaurant... or a portfolio.



I''m not sure exactly what element is doing that... maybe it''s having the invitation on the left side, rather than the invitation being the first thing you see when you open the envelope. A ribbon of some sort rather than a plain band might also make a difference. But mainly I think it''s because the first thing you see when you open the folder is a band that''s holding a bunch of things together.



Your invitation is very elegant

... I''d suggest that you find a way to highlight that, rather than the other miscellaneous pieces.

What if in addition to reversing the L and R sides, you switched the color of the outer wrap to match the graphic and used the red for the ribbon. i think the contrast between the colors of the background and insert is contributing to the menuishness. if it was more blendy it might work to undo that.

Totally confused.

Outer wrap? I can''t return any of this stuff, so I need to use what I have.


Maybe I''m being confusing (as usual!). Here''s what I''m using: a red folded once card. ivory invite. ivory insert. ivory rsvp/envelope. brown satin ribbon. I also have some brown 8.5x11 sheets, but not enough to back the invite, which would also require cutting 1/2'' off each side of 65 pieces. Not fun.

I don''t know...are they just completely hideous and that''s why noone is responding?

Heavens no! They are very lovely!!! I didn''t understand that you already had all the materials...yeah by outer wrap I meant the "red folded once card"--but i thought you were still in an earlier design phase when I suggested that you might try it with the folded card matching the graphic on the ivory invite and that you switch your ribbon color. Ignore those suggestions...I don''t even know if that would look better or worse, it was just an option I thought you might explore.

If you have enough ribbon though i do like the idea of the vertical wrap around to front secured with decorative seal a la VR Beauty''s suggestion. And the text/graphic thing doesn''t bother me in the slightest.

 

[cocolaw]

they look really great! i love the colors

 

[pocahontas]

SunnyD, I love the colour and overall feel of your invitations; they''re very elegant. FWIW, I agree with the suggestion to use a pocketfold. I''m not a fan of how the inserts are held together by the ribbon; it doesn''t look quite finished, ya know?! I know you''ve already bought all your supplies so if a pocketfold is out of the question then I would consider Lanie''s suggestion of an inner envelope. DH and I had an ensemble folder, which, in essence, served the same purpose as an inner envelope.

 

[Lanie]

Date: 7/15/2009 11:16:47 AM
Author: sunnyd
Thanks Lanie, my twin!

No inner for us.

BB, those are the same colors I'm using, how funny! I like what she did with the ribbon and monogram...I wonder how I could recreate that.

I'd really hate to buy more stuff. The red is pre-folded, I have a ton of brown, some leftover cream. Should I go back to the drawing board?

I think you could recreate that. You would have to buy more ivory paper.

What I would do if I were you...look in a mirror and admire how beautiful and gorgeous you are, THEN I would print out a monogram for you and FI on that ivory paper. This is the part that takes work, but if I did it for 150 invitations, so can you. Get one of those Fiskar cutters, and cut those into squares. 2 x 2. Then buy 2.25 x 2.25 squares from cardsandpockets (they come in all colors and are pretty cheap), and glue the monogram square on top of the cards and pockets square. It gives it a nice frame. Glue them straight onto the red folded card.

OR, have the ribbon around the outside and glue the monogram tag onto the top of the ribbon. Then you can have everything loose inside. I get "loose" invites in the mail all the time and they have never bothered me or made me think there should have been a band/ribbon holding them down.

 

[NuggetBrain]

Sunny - I also got some information from a lady at the Knot on how she made her DIY pocketfolds. It was a really interesting idea, the invitation was attached to one side of the card stock, and then when you turned it over there was a pocket with all the other information. I will send you the instructions on how do to it and a picture if you''d like when I get home.

 

[cellososweet]

I think that your invite is awesome, but I''m not really liking the side-by-side thing and I think that''s what''s throwing people off. If it were me, I''d glue the red card together all the way around except for the top to make a pocket and then I''d slip the isingle nvite inside. I''d wrap a ribbon around it and put the rest of the parts on the outside. I had this type of invite and here''s the link so you can see what I mean: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/diy-invites-and-wedding-thread-picture-heavy.82834/

I hope this didn''t turn out as gibberish.

 

[Lanie]

Oh I like Celloso''s idea!

 

[sunnyd]

Date: 7/15/2009 5:11:46 PM
Author: Lanie

Date: 7/15/2009 11:16:47 AM
Author: sunnyd
Thanks Lanie, my twin!

No inner for us.

BB, those are the same colors I''m using, how funny! I like what she did with the ribbon and monogram...I wonder how I could recreate that.

I''d really hate to buy more stuff. The red is pre-folded, I have a ton of brown, some leftover cream. Should I go back to the drawing board?

I think you could recreate that. You would have to buy more ivory paper.

What I would do if I were you...look in a mirror and admire how beautiful and gorgeous you are, THEN I would print out a monogram for you and FI on that ivory paper. This is the part that takes work, but if I did it for 150 invitations, so can you. Get one of those Fiskar cutters, and cut those into squares. 2 x 2. Then buy 2.25 x 2.25 squares from cardsandpockets (they come in all colors and are pretty cheap), and glue the monogram square on top of the cards and pockets square. It gives it a nice frame. Glue them straight onto the red folded card.

OR, have the ribbon around the outside and glue the monogram tag onto the top of the ribbon. Then you can have everything loose inside. I get ''loose'' invites in the mail all the time and they have never bothered me or made me think there should have been a band/ribbon holding them down.

Bahahahahaha!!!!

Done and DONE!