# 80 Invite Pics from Ali

Just a hint at what's to come

# 77 Invites. DONEZO!

The whole invitation fiasco was such a mess, I nearly broke down several times because I spent an entire month worrying about them. NOW?! Thanks to the help of a bridesmaid and groomsmen(yes, men), I got almost all of my invites printed, perforated, wrapped, and stuffed into envelopes where Melissa and I made envelope liners. Whew. To be honest, I was worried they were going to look way cheesy and not formal enough but I think we kicked arse. 53 invitations were sent out today!!! All that's left is my mom & dad's family and Thomas' dad's family & friends. I'll post pictures of the sweet 'vites and the sweatshop factory I had going on later when everyone's gotten theirs. Let's just say I'm quite pleased :)

They are 100% different from the invites I designed in the summer. More nature inspired and cute.

NOW R.S.V.P.! I even put a stamp on the RSVP postcard!

# 71 Invite Mess..

Ok, so before I knew I was going to be a graphic designer, and pretty good at it at that, I bought these stacks of invites to be printed on. Problem is, I tried designing around it, and it looks nice, but when I print it at the nice laser printer at school, it looks homemade! It has little random dots that I just CAN'T stand and don't want to settle. I'm seriously thinking about having it done by a thermography company but that would double the cost of the invites. Btw, the invites aren't that cheap too so every one I mess up on, it's .50 + ink going down the drain. Multiply that by 20 mess ups and that's already $10(which is expected, but still annoying because I've got to throw out the whole set of RSVPs and envelopes that come with it too).

About to break down over some silly paper goods, I called Eager up and drove the gas guzzler of a truck down to the beach, splashed around with her and Sassy, and went to Tu Do with them, my bro, and Yummie (EASY crew). BEST BREAK EVER! Now I'm renewed and ready to finish up on my crap for school. THAT's what's stressing me out. Oh, I added designing and purchasing Yummie's business cards for his new job. Vunderful!

# 69 FINAL invite design

Ok, I am dying to post them here but I can't- I just can't. I have to wait until they are printed and pretty. I really want to though... maybe just for half a second. So cute! I'm finally happy with the feel... I went to class this morning at 8:30 - apparently, according to an e-mail I received last night from my instructor, I didn't have to go. Since I don't have internet or a computer at home, I didn't know. So, for 3 hours I worked on the invites. Finally! Now I need to find a way to print them. Yessss......

# 44 Map of our crib

Spent quite a bit of time on this map to find out that I "don't really need to provide people one." HA! Whatev, any excuse to create dorky animals from scratch and for people to actually try to visit the wedding website.

# 42 Répondez s'il vous plaît

Répondez s'il vous plaît... I am currently designing our wedding invites- I actually have a few posts dedicated to it but decided to halt the drafts of them until you guys actually receive them in your sweet little mailbox! I am, however, willing to share a little bit of what my RSVP postcards will look like... that might give you a glimmer of an idea what Typography style I'm going for... or not. Still working on Illustrator versions of my little printed map that I want to include in our invite package. Holy smokes, I could make a shilling or two designing these for real couples since I'm into illustrating and designing. Anway, this is fun... SO!!

Here you go!

# 41

#27 M+C's invite

I can't believe I designed and drew this from scratch on the computer in less than an hour- Anyway, I think it's because all I had for lunch and dinner thus far is chocolate cake, fruit ice cream bars, a crossiant, and a lot of tea.... total sugar crazy wedding rush!!

Plus I had a lot of fun going crazy w/Reachanna, Jenn, and Brandy doing random wedding stuff for Marshall and Carry. He better like this or we'll beat him. arg.

********crap crap crap, I realized I got the date wrong. Technically, the 24th is the day of the reception. I just won't tell him. tee hee

#26 Cute Maps

saw this on a weddingbee user's blog- so cute! I think I'll end up doing my map on Adobe Illustrator- it might match more than watercolor/Sharpie.

#14 Sketches

I'm a visual artist so before I commit to some things I like to plan them out via good ol' fashioned paper and pencil. Sometimes watercolor too!

#3 Finally! My E-Mail Save the Date

You probably know how I feel about StDs but my problem with them is that it's printed, postage paid, and most importantly, unnecessary. Alas, here's my upcoming notice that I designed. Oh, did I mention I actually dislike the term "Save the Date?" Who am I saving again?

#1 Save that Date idea & First Blog

Follow My First Thoughts of Wedding Planning on wordpress:

bunniandbarricuda.wordpress.com/

July 6, 9, 11, 16//2008
August 1, 12//2008
Oct 9//2008
Nov 26//2008
May 21//2009

Save That Date thoughts:
Even though I'm nixing the printed STDs, I needed something cute that was somewhat consistent with the invitations I bought last year before I knew I could design. Hence, the e-mail STD is born!

The following image I found on littlesparrowstuff.etsy.com and is super cute- I won't even dare use this design but the font used reminded me that I still love typography and always have since I was little. Yes, I was THAT GIRL who did all the posterboards because she loved to do block lettering. That font is really common and I can't remember the name but it's sparked the idea that my invites can look like ME: quirky, youthful, unique, and still elegant at the same time.

As I'm typing this, I've already sketched out my process.