It’s time to SAVE THE DATE!!!
Happy New Year! As we dive right in to 2018, most of us are a little shy on extra cash after the holidays. However, being a bit in the red doesn’t mean you need to stop the wedding planning! DIY (or Do It Yourself) projects are all the rage and a great way to save money. With the holiday season coming to a close, you will find yourself surrounded by clearance sales, which are the BEST way to find the items you need to get your “Save the Dates” cards out of the way.
Shopping in the wedding sections at craft stores can give you some great ideas, but you might notice that the price tags may be slightly outside your budget. If you don’t mind a little work, take a walk over to the scrapbooking section to find stickers, stamps and stencils to make your “Save the Dates” much more affordable. Stamps are a girl’s best friend when it comes to DIY projects. You can find various styles and sizes to suite any wedding theme.
Don’t forget paper and ink! Markers can also be used instead of ink to incorporate multiple colors. Using a lighter shade (white, off-white or ivory) paper may be the best idea. This will ensure your stamps are fully visible, and gives you the opportunity to include your wedding colors via the stamps! Adhering a small piece of lace, petals or gems (either with glue or using stickers) is a great way to add embellishments while keeping within your budget.
The only “con” to these DIY projects, is that they do take time to make. The more simplistic the design the less time it takes, however, this can be a great excuse for some bridesmaid bonding time! There is nothing wrong with putting your girls to work, and most bridesmaids will be psyched to help alleviate stress and check items off your “to-do” list. So grab a bottle of wine, put on some tunes, and have a girl’s night crafting away!
Remember, “Save the Dates” are NOT the same as invitations. Listed below are a few tips to make sure you don’t forget the proper etiquette for making and sending these out.
Save the Date Rules and Etiquette:
1) Send them out six months before the ceremony. Any earlier and you run the risk of your date or venue changing.
2) If you want to save money, only send them to out-of-town guests and people you know will need to plan far in advance.
3) They are a must for destination weddings, or if your wedding happens to fall on a three-day holiday weekend.
4) If you’re going with a quirky photo or motif, be cautious about who you’re sending them to. Especially if you have any relatives on the conservative side.
5) Be upfront about who’s invited. Does the guest receive a plus-one? Are you banning children from your wedding? It’s important to note this in the content of the card.
6) Remember to add “Invitation to Follow.”
7) Don’t forget to include your wedding website URL.
Thanks for reading and happy wedding planning!!!
