Embossed or Stamp? Or...

[AmberWaves]

Hi everyone, I was asking about where to get a monogram designed (or where/how to design my own), and then I found something else I forgot- how bad is it to have a return address (in script) stamp to put on the back of invites? It is totally declasse? How about an embosser with the return address? Also, does anyone know where I can find a place to do the above monograming, or how I can DIY? Thanks!!

 

[sumbride]

I''ve always liked the look of embossing, but how permanent is the address? If you''re living in an apartment, I wouldn''t bother having an embosser made. While it is technically better than a stamp or a label, I doubt your guests would REALLY be horrified if you used either a stamp or a label or handwrote them instead of embossing, but you can also have them printed on your envelopes if you''re using a professional printer.

 

[codex57]

Are your guests upper crust (or wannabes)? If not, they likely could care less.

 

[SoonIHope]

Love the look of embossers, but...

a) seems like a bit too much money for me (for both the embosser thingy itself and the plate with our address)

b) none of the ones I could find had enough characters per line for Myfirstname Mylastname & Hisfirstname Hislastname

c) I couldn''t even use it after we get married (since I''m changing my name), so the money seemed like even more of a waste!

I think we''re going to have our return address on our actual invites printed directly on the envelopes, but we got this stamp from Staples for $11.99 for our save the date return addresses, and I love it! They come in 5 colors, with up to 4 lines, and you can customize font/size/style a ton, plus upload any image you want (monogram?!?) for no additional cost! Ours is in red ink with a double happiness symbol next to it and it looks so cute! That said...the level of informality for a save the date is higher than for an actual invitation...but I think you could get very classy (CHEAP) ones from staples if you wanted to go that way!

 

[AmberWaves]

Well, let me put it this way, our invitees are veeeerrrry low crust. A lack of crust, really. They''re all a bunch of happy, loose people who just care that we''re getting married. Most of the weddings we''ve been to have been shotgun, so really, tradition is out the door here. I think I may get a stamp, but I''ve always wanted an embosser!!

Our address is in an apartment, but we''ve been here almost two years already, and really don''t plan on leaving for awhile. While I wrote that, I realized most of our correspondance are bills and things like that, etc. So it wouldn''t make sense to get an embosser for bills. Damn. I guess I''ll get a stamp.

My handwriting is atrocious, too, so that''s out. My SIL and FMIL have outstanding handwriting, but I can''t imagine them doing 150 invites by hand. Crud.

 

[fatafelice]

I think it sounds like a stamp would work really well for you. Thanks for the link, Albi! I may do that for my own STDs!

 

[FireGoddess]

Horrific or not, I put clear, matte return address labels on my invites. No one called the etiquette police, or if they did, I haven''t been located yet.

 

[SoonIHope]

Date: 8/23/2006 1:07:36 PM
Author: FireGoddess
Horrific or not, I put clear, matte return address labels on my invites. No one called the etiquette police, or if they did, I haven''t been located yet.

Hehe, sometimes it is hard to remember that 99.9% of the population couldn''t care less what your return address looks like!

Thanks FG!

 

[AmberWaves]

FG, that''s exactly what I was thinking. I mean, anyone (you know, of my three friends) who knows us will know that we really don''t give a toss about the return address, I''ve been reading soo much Martha Stewart that I''m brainwashed into thinking I MUST have this english calligrapher handwrite all of our invites, our table numbers, and tattoo her bill on my back in "exquisite" caliigraphy.

I''m thinking labels or the stamp (okay, I really like the stamp ''cause it''s sooo cool to stamp my name on things.). Now:

Should it be

Amber & Paul
**** ****** Ave.
*** *******, CA

or Amber ***** & Paul *****
Same as above

? It''s a very informal ceremony and reception, all of it over by 4pm on a Saturday. What do you think?

 

[fatafelice]

"I''ve been reading soo much Martha Stewart that I''m brainwashed into thinking I MUST have this english calligrapher handwrite all of our invites, our table numbers, and tattoo her bill on my back in "exquisite" caliigraphy."

LOL! I feel the same way!

 

[AmberWaves]

Fata: It''s insanity, isn''t it?

 

[fatafelice]

Yup. I am already spending a ton on invites, so I have been planning on doing my own placecards, etc. Then I go through a MS Weddings and I nearly call my stationer to add that stuff to my invoice. She is like poison...sweet, sweet poison. And I am addicted. I have actually gone on ebay an bought a dozen back issues. Truly, I need professional help.

 

[sumbride]

I have a friend with the most amazing handwriting. She''s developed her own artistic style... I always told her it would make a good font! Now I wish I''d pursued that so I could use it for the 400 invites! I think it would be a bit much to ask her to address all of them, but her handwriting just makes me so HAPPY. She''s in art school right now, so maybe I could ask her to do other things instead... maybe it could be a project?

 

[AmberWaves]

Sumbride, I say send them to her like, 20 at a time.

And then just keep sending more. She''ll never know! Just kidding, you are LUCKY.
What about table numbers?

Fata: Back issues?? Lucky me, I actually have them spanning 3 years. And we''ve been together 2 and 3/4...

 

[fatafelice]

Amber, I can only be grateful that the wedding magazine only goes back to the late nineties! Otherwise, I''d really be in trouble.

 

[AmberWaves]

Fata, my FAVORITE thing she''s done is the teeny potted moss for each place setting, seen it? Under neat things or something like that on her site. I also am planning on doing the paper flower girl basket!!

 

[fatafelice]

Amber, I LOVE the potted moss! I was considering that for my wedding, but given the bird theme, I think I am going to have the vine birds nest favors/placecards (also on the site), but with different candy. Now I just have to track down those *exact* vine birds nests! lol

 

[sumbride]

Date: 8/23/2006 2:40:30 PM
Author: AmberWaves
Sumbride, I say send them to her like, 20 at a time.

And then just keep sending more. She''ll never know! Just kidding, you are LUCKY.

What about table numbers?


Fata: Back issues?? Lucky me, I actually have them spanning 3 years. And we''ve been together 2 and 3/4...

20 at a time... hmmm... you may be on to something! I don''t know if we''re doing table numbers or placecards yet because it will probably be a cocktail reception/heavy appetizer buffet, but maybe I can get her to do the master program and then we can have it printed!

oh, and I''m cracking up that your wedding stash predates your relationship! Too funny! Does he know?

 

[AmberWaves]

Fata: Those moss things are my dream, but won''t go with the theme. Booo.

I LOVE the nests, though. I can only imagine that with your dress! Such a great theme.. How about a metal birdcage for your card box? I saw one at Pottery Barn. What kind of candies? (Never been a fan of the almond things, raw almonds? yuck!)

Sumbride, I think using her to do a program would be great!!! He knows I had a whole stash of mags and files.. Now he bought me my very own file case!!

 

[fatafelice]

Sumbride - I love the idea of having her do a program! Fantastic!

Amber - I found some speckled cream and brown eggs from the UK that look more like real eggs, so I think I am going with those. I don't love jordan almonds, either!

When did you see that PB cage?!?! Was it recently? I'll have to go check...all the vintage ones I have found are too $$$.

BTW, sorry for the thread hijack!

ETA: I found them! Thanks! But I wonder if I could spray paint them brown? Red wouldn't go.

 

[AmberWaves]

I'm totally sure you could paint them, either hand paint, or spray paint!

I am so excited now, the wedding is a year away, and I'm obsessed!

ETA: Thread Jack? Psh.. I couldn't care less!! I love talking weddings!

 

[fatafelice]

Date: 8/23/2006 3:47:01 PM
Author: AmberWaves
I''m totally sure you could paint them, either hand paint, or spray paint!


I am so excited now, the wedding is a year away, and I''m obsessed!


ETA: Thread Jack? Psh.. I couldn''t care less!! I love talking weddings!

I know what you mean! I wish the wedding was next month!

BTW, I had this saved from when I thought I was getting married in the fall and it made me think of you!

 

[AmberWaves]

ooooh...

I saw this knot bio that''s all autumn weddings and I keeled over! I love this, and fiance okay''d it! I think I may add a flower in there, though.

 

[AmberWaves]

And I loved the idea of these:

 

[sumbride]

Date: 8/23/2006 4:01:59 PM
Author: AmberWaves


ooooh...


I saw this knot bio that''s all autumn weddings and I keeled over! I love this, and fiance okay''d it! I think I may add a flower in there, though.

that would look really pretty with a red mum! or yellow.

Ours is in the fall, but it''s in Texas so I think it will be about a month to 6 weeks before the leaves change, so it''s more like "late summer".... alas... I love the acorn thing! But I was really excited when I read that hydrangeas are in season until November! All the better go with our blue theme!

 

[fatafelice]

I really like that bout''! And those glitter gourds!

Here''s another pic I had saved:

 

[jcrow]

Date: 8/23/2006 2:26:45 PM
Author: fatafelice
Yup. I am already spending a ton on invites, so I have been planning on doing my own placecards, etc. Then I go through a MS Weddings and I nearly call my stationer to add that stuff to my invoice. She is like poison...sweet, sweet poison. And I am addicted. I have actually gone on ebay an bought a dozen back issues. Truly, I need professional help.

dang, now that''s a thought! **must check ebay for martha** that''s my favorite bridal mag!! yum!

 

[jcrow]

Date: 8/23/2006 2:58:04 PM
Author: fatafelice
Amber, I LOVE the potted moss! I was considering that for my wedding, but given the bird theme, I think I am going to have the vine birds nest favors/placecards (also on the site), but with different candy. Now I just have to track down those *exact* vine birds nests! lol

sorry if someone already posted this, cause i didn't read the whole thread yet-- but i saw the EXACT bird nests recently.
i'll do some digging ---

here's one, but not THE one: http://www.beau-coup.com/mini-birds-nest.htm

 

[AmberWaves]

Sumbride, I love mums, and it''s the flower for november!! Our wedding month! I wanted a big bouquet of mums for my MOH (no BMs), and I wanted to see if any worked with the colors.. Wine, gold, and ivory (and I''m trying to add fall-y colors, too). Any idea for a card box? I saw a cute leaf of wishes tree, too. I''m going crazy!

I also saw this great picture: and I SOOO want to do it

 

[jcrow]

Date: 8/23/2006 3:22:46 PM
Author: fatafelice
Sumbride - I love the idea of having her do a program! Fantastic!

Amber - I found some speckled cream and brown eggs from the UK that look more like real eggs, so I think I am going with those. I don''t love jordan almonds, either!

When did you see that PB cage?!?! Was it recently? I''ll have to go check...all the vintage ones I have found are too $$$.

BTW, sorry for the thread hijack!

ETA: I found them! Thanks! But I wonder if I could spray paint them brown? Red wouldn''t go.

check www.weddingbee.com they recently blogged about birdcages.