Handmade Bridal Shower Invitations
07/24/09
It used to be that when you received an invitation to a bridal shower, it was either a very stodgy thing printed professionally on Crane paper or one of those fill in the blank kind of things. Now more and more brides to be are longing for creativity and uniqueness in their bridal shower invitations. They do not necessarily want the most expensive or the flashiest. Memorable is the sought after descriptor these days. If you subscribe to this way of thinking and strive to make your own bridal shower invitations, then I can help give you a few pointers.
You should jot down all your ideas before you even buy one envelope. Draw everything out on paper or do it on your computer, if you prefer. Picture your guests receiving your bridal shower invitations and how the invitations will be situated in their envelopes. Put together a list of items needed for the ideas you like the most. Then think through how much it will cost to send the invitations. I have thrown out many a great idea when I discovered it would be too labor intensive or expensive. Once you settle on the idea you like the most, write out the message you would like on the invitation. This is an important step, so you do not accidentally buy paper or cards that are too small for your message or leave too much wide open space that you then have to fill with impromptu design.
You can order or purchase all the materials after you have a firm design concept. Make sure to order envelopes that correspond with your invitations. That does not mean that the colors have to match; it simply means to match the style and quality of the bridal shower invitations. If you are going to handwrite the invitation message, a set of specialty calligraphy pens will be invaluable. If calligraphy or penmanship is not your bailiwick, consider purchasing a stencil set. There are people who will provide their fancy handwriting for your bridal shower invitations for a small fee. Lastly, whatever the design, people love accessories on their invitations. If you are doing something completely out of the box, you probably already have the frills covered. People love ribbons, bows and glittery things that fly out when they open their bridal shower invitations. Make them have some flair.
I will close by saying that, if anywhere in this process, you decide it is too frustrating or you do not have time to have a regular job and make bridal shower invitations, abandon ship for the sake of your sanity. It is completely respectable to have your invitations outsourced. There are so many options for unique bridal shower invitations these days that you need not be destined to something boring just because you do not hand make them. This is supposed to be fun. Do what is best for you.
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