| You're getting married. You've chosen a date, | | | | and going to heaven, but costs a whole lot more. |
| found the perfect dress, you've got ideas about | | | | 2. CHOOSE YOUR WORDS WISELY |
| wearing flowers in your hair. You're happy and | | | | I vote for keeping it simple. This just isn't |
| want people to come share your happiness, | | | | something to sweat over. Vows, okay, but the |
| witness your vows, eat some cake, and leave a | | | | invitation has simple work to do: Be inviting. Be |
| gift. But how will you let them know? Because | | | | clear. |
| you're also kind of broke. | | | | Bride and Groom |
| Weddings are expensive! Professionally printed | | | | Invite you to join them for their wedding (yay!) |
| invitations would cut into your budget so much | | | | Date & Time |
| there would be no cake to serve. | | | | Place |
| Mass text message is very of-the-times, but a | | | | Reception Immediately Following |
| little less romantic than the vibe you're going for. | | | | Place (if different) |
| The evite--it's convenient, true. But still, same | | | | RSVP* |
| issue. | | | | *I highly recommend using an email address for |
| The truth is, you want something your friends will | | | | RSVP. Create one just for this purpose: , say. It |
| hang on the fridge next to the photos of all your | | | | streamlines your keeping track of who's coming, |
| other friends' babies. That fridge space is prime | | | | plus saves on paper, stamps, confusion, and bulk. |
| real estate in their daily lives. You want these | | | | 3. DESIGN |
| people to celebrate your pending union every time | | | | Now is the time to think about software. There |
| they reach for the Rocky Road. | | | | are some terrific graphic design programs out |
| You'd like to try to DIY, but all you've got is a | | | | there (Adobe Creative Suite is a great one), and |
| regular printer and a stack of fresh Brother Toner | | | | although they can be costly, a lot of them have |
| cartridges. | | | | 30-day free trial periods. |
| Ready for the good news? That's all you need. | | | | But if the prospect of learning new software is |
| Really, you don't need a fancy new machine (that | | | | just as overwhelming as the prospect of paying a |
| would end up costing you so much more). Here's | | | | professional, then a desktop publishing software |
| how you can make truly sweet wedding | | | | program works just fine for more text-based |
| invitations with the tools you've already got. | | | | invitations. You've got one of these. It's got a |
| Okay, and paper. Secret: paper shopping is super | | | | wide selection of fonts. Enter your text, center it |
| fun. Get into it. | | | | on the page, and scroll through the fonts. You'll |
| 1. BUY AWESOME INVITATION PAPER | | | | know the right one when you happen upon it |
| Paper is tactile and luxurious to browse through. | | | | (wink). |
| Take your time, open yourself up to a rainbow of | | | | 4. MANUAL LABOR OF LOVE |
| possibilities. You'll know the right one when you | | | | Put the paper in your printer. Check the Brother |
| happen upon it (sound familiar?). | | | | toner cartridge. Full? Got another one handy, just |
| Where to go? You can find terrific paper, card | | | | in case? Now print. |
| stock and matching envelopes in bulk at office | | | | A few bonus notes: Address your envelopes by |
| supply stores like Staples or OfficeMax, already | | | | hand! Do it while you watch television. It's a |
| sized for invitations. If your guest list is on the | | | | personal touch that sweetens the |
| smaller side, I like the loose paper sold at craft | | | | opening-real-mail moment deliciously. On the other |
| stores like Michael's and JoAnn's, for a more | | | | hand, wet a sponge to "lick" the envelopes. Save |
| interesting selection. Kate's Paperie is like dying | | | | your tongue for kisses, and cake. |