Weddingbee boards

Note: I keep trying to post this but perhaps the boards are automatically rejecting it because of how long it is.  I'm going to try to post it in parts using comments.

I mailed my invitations this morning!  I'm SO HAPPY TO BE DONE!  This also means that the wedding is really, really real now because people are going to start maknig plans to come!

I wanted to share with you guys photos and the cost breakdown since a lot of people are interested in that and I found that to be very useful when I was figuring out what to do for my invitations.

I really want to thank you guys for the amazing advice, ideas, inspiration and experience!  I could not have done this without WeddingBee. :)

You can click on some of the photos to get larger versions.  I'm happy to post more detail if anyone wants to see more.  I did use many ideas I got here on WeddingBee including:

• Trilingual invitations - I didn't get the idea here but I've seen it here as well. Our invitatons have English, Hebrew and Spanish since we are Jewish and my FI is from Colombia.  We thought it would be a cool reflection on our multicultural backgrounds.
• Custom wedding map made in Illustrator ala Mrs. Hibiscus
• Printing guest names on rsvp cards ala Mrs.Lemon (and others)
• Online RSVP option inspired by Mrs. Eggplant
• Matching wedding website/blog (can be found in my profile)
• TONS of advice for PocketFolder invitations found here!

Photos

All of the pieces before assembly:

Here we are assembling various parts.  All I have to say is that my dearest FI glued over 2,000 fabric leaves onto the bands and totally saved my sanity.  That's love, folks!

Here are the pieces laid out for an invitation (click for larger view):

Another view with the map/directions and rsvp cards flipped over so you can see the other side (click for larger view):

Here is a view of the closed PocketFolder with the band and an envelope (click for larger view):

A better view of the invitation with the inserts tucked in - I used a little piece of the copper metallic paper tucked inside the pocket so that I could utilize more space on the rsvp card without anything showing when the inserts are tucked in (click for a larger view - in this photo you can read the text!):

Finished invitations in a postal box!  It doesn't look like that many, does it?  There are 72 in there:

Process

1. Design - This was the hardest part!  I went back and forth on different design elements, sizes, colors, you name it!
2. Printing - I printed the invitations and inserts at home on my inexpensive HP C6280 InkJet printer all on 8.5x11" natural white recycled cardstock purchased locally from Anchor Paper.  It took a lot of preparation and about a whole day to print all of the peices (the map/directions and rsvp card were double sided).  I used OfficeMax to cut the pieces down and tried to be really careful to format everything so that they could be cut very similarly.
3. PocketFolders - I purchased the PocketFolders from cardsandpockets.com as well as the Zip Glue that I used to adhere everything.  This liquid glue was a life-saver because when I'd lay down a mat (which was paper btw, not cardstock) and glue it, I could move it around until it was centered.  Then I did the same with the invitation card on top of it.
4. Bands - This was the single most labor intensive piece because we decided to use ribbon that had leaves on it - all of which had to be glued down.  If I had to do this all over again, I might consider another solution.  They do look gorgeous tho.
5. Envelopes & Sparkly Paper - I purchased the envelopes and 11x17" paper from paperandmore.com.  The large paper was cut down to be used as the mats, bands and pocket slip.

I shopped around a lot to find the best prices on everything.  The one mistake I made was that I bought way more stuff than I needed--I have 125 of some parts, 110 of others and 100 of others so this breakdown is for 100 invitations:

100 x Perfetto PocketFolders (inc shipping) - $115.22

2 x Reams of Natural White Cardstock (inc tax) - $49.46

Cutting at OfficeMax (inc tax) - $26.70

11x17" Copper Paper (for mats, bands, pocket slip) - $23.99

6.5" Copper Envelopes (inc shipping) - $39.97

Leaf Ribbon for Closure (inc tax) - $24.84

Adhesives - $7.98

Total: $288.16

Cost per invitation (100 invitations) $2.89

Cost with postage: $4.16 ($1 postage to mail 6.5" square envelope up to 2oz, $.27 postcard stamp)

WHEW!  I'm super glad to be done!  Thanks again to everyone!

Thanks Maria!  You know... I don't know if Paz is your last name but my FI and I are both changing our last names to something else and it's a name we considered.  In Spanish, as I'm sure you know, it means peace and in Hebrew it means golden (a sort of Hebrezation of my last name).  In the end we are going with something else but it is also a lovely name. :)

Photos

All of the pieces before assembly:

Here we are assembling various parts.  All I have to say is that my dearest FI glued over 2,000 fabric leaves onto the bands and totally saved my sanity.  That's love, folks!

Here are the pieces laid out for an invitation (click for larger view):

Another view with the map/directions and rsvp cards flipped over so you can see the other side (click for larger view):

Here is a view of the closed PocketFolder with the band and an envelope (click for larger view):

A better view of the invitation with the inserts tucked in - I used a little piece of the copper metallic paper tucked inside the pocket so that I could utilize more space on the rsvp card without anything showing when the inserts are tucked in (click for a larger view - in this photo you can read the text!):

Finished invitations in a postal box!  It doesn't look like that many, does it?  There are 72 in there: