DIY BRIDES :: DON'T OVER DO-IT-YOURSELF IT :: INVITATIONS, PART II

I would be remiss if I did not discuss the all-important element of paper when it comes to DIY Invitations. You can design the most beautiful piece; but put it on a piece of copy paper you took from the ream in your mom's office and your hard work will fall flat.

Shara Danzinger, owner and operator of Shara's Papiere in Memphis, Tennessee shared her thoughts on choosing paper and producing at-home invitations. Shara knows her stuff. She has been featured in the Winter 2008 issue of Ines del Mar Weddings and the Fall 2008 issue of Bride and Bloom magazines.

• use the heaviest stock that your at home printer is recommended for
• before designing your invitations make sure that you can easily find envelopes that will work
• keep your design simple and clean
• run a test run on dummy stock to make sure that you understand how your printer will print your design…especially if you are printing on an odd size
• if you are printing in color ink, again do a test run on dummy stock…the color that you see on your monitor may or may not look the same on paper
• measure and print twice, cut once
• always have someone else proofread all the pieces of your invitation before printing
• take your invitations to the post office to have them weighed before you purchase postage

If you plan to create your own invitations, and you are not a graphic designer by trade, take your time. Most projects can be taken on successfully with love and care.


Next week I will post about DIY Centerpieces. Will I give it a thumbs-up or a thumbs-down?


Stay tuned for what we have {in the plans}