Stamped wedding invitation envelopes

I wanted to spruce up the envelopes for my wedding invitations -- it is a very special day after all, right? I wanted something simple though that didn't take oodles of time. So, I got the idea to stamp the envelopes.

For this project, I used the wedding invitation envelopes, a nice big bold stamp and an ink pad in the colour of choice (for me, this was coffee brown). A lap desk or hard surface like a closed laptop is also very useful.

The directions for this are simple: decide where you want to place the stamp on the envelope. For me, this was in the lower left corner. Then press the stamp into the ink, and stamp the envelope. Move to the next one.

Estimated time for this project: due to numerous breaks and other engagements, this took me four evenings to complete 250 envelopes. After doing 50 or so, I had to take a break because my wrists hurt!

Notes:

• For the best image, press the stamp from the ball of your wrist and put even pressure around the corners. Don't press lightly and try not to smudge the image. After a number of printings, your wrist should hurt but the image is crisp and clear.
• My colours were: cream envelopes, coffee brown stamp pads and a large fleur-de-lys stamp (bought in Tennessee).

Ideas:

• The possibilities for this are endless: which colour? which type of stamp? Do you only stamp once or a few times? Which corner should you use? Should it be the front or the back?

How to make an advice jar

If you are planning a wedding or other event that gathers a large group of people together for a good cause, this is a great idea to get people involved. An advice jar sits on a desk with a pen and is always ready for anyone to write down their thoughts and give advice. It's very fun to read the advice afterwards as people often write whatever they want. I had one of these sitting on a table at my reception and we had some hilarious bits of advice to read that night.

The materials required for this project are: paper in the color of your choice (at least 20-30 8 x 10 sheets), sharpened pencils, white eraser, craft knife, self-healing cutting mat, Glue Dots, marker, scissors, a stamp and stamp pad. A ruler is also useful for marking dimensions of the paper and sign.

The Jar:

I created a sign to label my jar using white paper. I cut it out in a rectangle then I labeled the sign using a good brown Sharpie and glued it all to a very large pickle jar using Glue Dots (available in Michael's).

(sorry, I thought that I had a better picture of it but apparently I don't)

The advice papers:

Next, I had to make the actual slips of paper that people write advice on. For mine, I marked 3 x 3 inch squares with pencil on 8 x 10 sheets of cream paper and I cut them out using a craft knife on a self-healing cutting mat (that would be way too much cutting with scissors). I erased all of the pencil marks then stamped one side of the papers with a large stamp in sepia brown ink (one of my wedding colors). Now they are ready for advice!

Estimated time for this project: labeling the pickle jar took about 20 minutes, but the advice papers took a few days as I made over 100 of them. It was a lot of minuche so I took days off between steps (marking, cutting, erasing, stamping).

Ideas:

• This is a great craft for a group of people. If everyone has one of the tasks or steps then it could conceivably be done in one afternoon. 
• Use any color marker or ink pad colour of your choice, same with the choice of stamp. If your wedding is purple and white, try using white paper with a brilliant stamp in purple ink.

A realistic wedding timeline

I had almost two years to plan my wedding. Now that we are married, I can reflect on when things got done along with what things I should have done and when. I will write them all in this timeline.

I find the timelines in wedding magazines include things that you do not need: for example, you don't need a videographer or a wedding planner. So, here's a timeline put together from my own experience as a recent bride.

12 months before wedding:

• Decide on your wedding colours and theme (if you are having one)
• Decide on your wedding party (maids or matrons of honour, best man, groomsmen, etc.).
• Decide on a wedding day.
• Decide on a wedding venue - and book it.
• Decide on a reception venue - and book it. Don't worry about the details like the meal or guest list yet, just book the room that holds a good number (ex. 100 seats).
• Shop around for a photographer and book.
• Book a florist for the wedding flowers.

Finances for 12 months:

• Save for confirmation payment on reception, photographer and florist.

11 months before wedding:

• Fill out the contract and make the confirmation payments for reception, photographer and florist.
• Brainstorm a venue for the photo session. Talk to your photographer for ideas.
• Brainstorm what you want to do for wedding favours.
• Brainstorm any activities you want to do for your reception (games, activities, etc.).
• Book your transportation for the day of the wedding. Get an appoximate quote and the preferred payment method.
• Shop around for a wedding dress. Have your first (first of many) "Oh my god, I can't believe this is happening" moment.

Finances for 11 months:

• Make confirmation payment for reception, photographer and florist (about $800 total). If this is required for your transportation, then do that as well.

10 months before wedding:

• If you are making anything for your wedding, time to finalize what you want to make, what it looks like and what you need to buy in order to make it happen. Buy all of that now (paper, boxes, ribbon, etc.).
• Brainstorm what you want to give for attendant gifts.
• Purchase a wedding dress no later than this date because it usually takes at between 4-6 months to make and ship to the wedding store.

Finances for 10 months:

• Buy wedding dress.
• Buy anything that you are planning to put together yourself: paper for invitations, boxes, ribbon, etc.

9 months before wedding:

• Decide on text and design for your wedding invitations.
• Meet with your officiant and fill out any forms that you need to (if you need to). 

8 months before wedding:

• Make wedding invitations (if you are making them). If you are ordering them, then send the text and design out now.
• Talk to the groom about his wedding attire: does he need a new suit? New shoes?
• Talk to your officiant about if you have to do marriage classes or a session. 

Finances for 8 months:

• If you are ordering your invitations, you may have to pay for them up-front now.

6 months before wedding:

• Go to marriage classes with your officiant. Depending on which religion you are (or which church you are getting married in), this may be a one-evening sit-down session or a two-day session.

5 months before wedding:

• Send out wedding invitations.
• If your wedding dress has arrived, go in for your fitting. Bring your wedding shoes.
• If the groom needs any new clothing (suit, shoes, tie, etc.), get it now so that he can have it fitted.
• Confirm the meal for your reception.
• Start designing the programs for the wedding ceremony. If you need supplies to make these, buy it now.
• Confirm the design for wedding favours and buy all materials that you will need to either make them or buy them. 

Finances for 5 months:

• Buy postage for invitations.
• Buy supplies for wedding ceremony programs.
• Buy supplies for wedding favours.
• Buy groom's attire.
• Save money for down payment for reception. 

 3 months before wedding:

• Work on the design for the wedding programs. Figure out how to print it and what it will look like. 
• If you are a real eager beaver, start designing the Thank You cards as well.
• If you are changing your name, time to research what needs to be updated (bank accounts and cards, health cards, SIN number, etc.).
• If you have a will, time to talk to a lawyer about updating it. If you want a prenuptial agreement, time to start planning that as well. 

Finances for 3 months:

• If you are talking to a lawyer about a will or a prenuptial agreement, you will most likely be discussing fees for this. Expect about $1000 total for each transaction (will and agreement).

2 months before wedding:

• Research how you go about getting a marriage license. Who do you need to contact, how much is it, how much time does it take for you to actually get it back (ours was five days from the day that it was filled out).
• Put together a prototype for your wedding favours and talk to friends about an assembly line to make them. Even if you've bought them, you might have some assembly or labeling required. 

Finances for 2 months:

• Continue to save money for down payment for reception.

1 month before wedding:

• Get all of your medical appointments (dentist, the doctor, the optometrist, etc) out of the way, that is, if you haven't done so already.
• Think about what shots you want during the photo session. Write them all down as you think of them. Send to the photographer once the list is complete. 
• Write down the venues for the ceremony, photo session and reception for out-of-town guests, the transportation and anyone else who asks. Send it to them now.
• Make your hair and make-up appointment. If you are getting married during the summer, you may need to do this 2 months before the wedding.
• Continue your RSVP list for the reception.
• Make attendant gifts (or buy them).
• Designate someone to pick up the flowers on the day of the wedding and drop them off to the groom and yourself.
• If you are changing your name, time to fill out some forms.

Finances for 1 month:

• Make first down payment for your reception. This should be half of the total bill.
• Make first down payment for your photographer. This should be half of the remaining bill.
• Buy attendant gifts or the materials required to make them.
• If you are changing your name, you may have to pay a fee to change your health card, bank cards, etc.

2 weeks before wedding:

• Fill out forms for the marriage license.
• Start whitening strips for your teeth. Go for the 14-day whitening strips or have the procedure done at the dentist.
• Get your highlights and haircut done. Also, if the groom needs the same thing it's time to get it done.
• Continue your RSVP list for the reception.
• Check the ceremony program with your officiant one more time.
• Make your wedding favours (if you are making them) with an assembly line. 

Finances for 2 weeks:

• Your highlights and haircut. The groom's haircut.
• Any beauty items: whitestrips, long-lasting make-up, etc.

 1 week before wedding:

• Pick up marriage license.
• Do a run-through of your hair with the hair dresser.
• Finish the program for the ceremony and print off. Assemble. Designate someone to take these to the ceremony and (if there are leftovers) take them to your house after the wedding.
• Make any signs that you want to display at your house, ceremony, photo shoot and/or reception. Designate someone to put up these signs and to take them down.
• Submit RSVP list for your reception. Confirm the menu for your reception as well.
• Designate someone to pick up flowers at the florist and drop them off for the groom and bride. Call the florist to inform them who this person is so that they give the flowers to the right person.
• Call and confirm details with the limo or transportation that you have hired. Confirm pick-up time, locations (church, photo shoot, reception), drop-off time and method of payment.

Finances for 1 week:

• Pay for marriage license.
• Pay for wedding hair and make-up at the run-through so that you don't have to on the day of the wedding.
• Make second and last payment for the flowers.

 Two days before wedding:

• Pick up wedding dress and get all bridesmaid's dresses steamed. Hang dress up in a room that is closed off from kitchen and bathroom odors (and peeking grooms).

 Day before wedding:

• Do a rehearsal with the officiant, wedding party and musician.
• Have a rehearsal supper with closest family, friends and the wedding party.
• Have a manicure or pedicure.
• Prepare food for the wedding day (think of breakfast, lunch and a snack).

Finances for one day:

• Pay musician(s).
• Pay officiant with a thank you card.
• Pay for manicure or pedicure (unless you are doing it at home).
• Pay for food at the rehearsal supper (if it is at home). If it is in a restaurant, everyone pays for their own food.

Wedding day:

• Get hair and make-up done. 
• Flowers are dropped off.
• Put dresses on.
• Get married!
• Photo shoot
• Reception

 Finances for wedding day:

• Pay limo or transportation (most likely in cash).

4-6 weeks after wedding:

• Confirm and update your will with a lawyer.
• View photo proofs and decide on which ones to develop.
• Start Thank You cards.
• Update your accounts with the status "married". You may need to update information at work, at the bank, etc.
• Get your marriage certificate in the mail. You might need it for your will or prenuptial agreement, or to change your name.

Finances for 4-6 weeks after wedding:

• Make last payment for the reception.
• Make last payment for photographer.
• Pay for photo development.
• Buy postage for Thank You cards.
• Lawyer fees for a will and/or prenuptial agreement. 
• Fees may be needed for changing your name.

Stenciled brown paper bag

I was about to throw this bag out when I remembered that Christmas is coming and I needed to wrap some items. So, I got out my stencils and started painting. Why not reuse something like this? It's just going into the recycle anyways.

For this project, I used some leftover newspaper, a stipple stenciling brush, acrylic paint in pink rose, an orphaned container to hold paint, tape and plastic snowflake stencils.

I used the same method as I did for my snowflake shower curtain: use the tape to adhere the stencil to the paper bag (in this case), use stipple brush to paint the stencil, remove stencils and then let it dry.

Stencil the back then the two sides. Done!

Estimated time for this project: about 1 hour, including drying time for the stencils. It was a very nice Saturday afternoon project!

Notes: 

• There was a hole in the paper bag where a staple had fastened it shut but I stenciled over it to hide it. 
• I have to note to properly clean that stipple brush after painting with it. I now have dried paint goo in it and once it's dry, it's hard to remove. Note to self!! 
• To wrap, simply place the item in the bag and roll the top down. Staple or tape into place and add a pink yarn pom-pom or some other pink bow and a tag (perhaps a monogrammed felt one?).

Ideas:

• This will work with any stencil and almost any color paint. I did this in pink to match my mom's Christmas decor as that is where I will be this year. However, I could have easily did this in red or brown for my own Christmas colors. 
• Every time a brown paper bag comes into the house, save it for this project. This one was used to deliver Thai food to my door. It wasn't stained so I reused it. Can you imagine how many bags you'd have if you use them for your groceries or delivery? You'd never need to buy wrapping paper again.

How to do a bilingual wedding

Canada is a bilingual country (English/French) and so was my wedding. Well, my hubby is French so it was only fair to him and his family. I enjoying mixing the two traditions together for my wedding although I have to admit that I stressed over translation and including both languages in our wedding. If you are planning a bilingual wedding, read this. I have been there and here is everything that I did to make it a wonderful day for us.

1. Programs: the ceremony will most likely be in one dominant language but print bilingual programs. Make sure that the process of the ceremony is written in each language and if any parts are read in the other language, write that. For example, we had English and French programs. In the French programs, we wrote all of the responses in English as they were said in English but the process was written in French so that they could follow. In turn, in the English programs, when there was a French reading we indicated that it would be said in French. Also be sure to have a sign indicating which programs are in each language when people pick them up.
2. Readings: have one in each language during the ceremony.
3. Vows: each person can say their vows in their maternal tongue. This may require some memorization as your officiant may not be bilingual. Or, you can just do them in the dominant language of the ceremony which is most likely the language that the priest or officiant speaks.
4. Signs: have bilingual signs for the venue of the ceremony and reception. I also made little bilingual signs for the guest book and other activities around the reception and ceremony.
5. Master of ceremonies: we were very lucky to have a bilingual master of ceremonies. This can be anyone that you know very well that speaks both languages and believe me, it's extremely helpful. It doesn't interrupt the flow of the event at all and keeps everyone laughing at the same jokes.
6. Speeches: do not expect for your family and friends to do bilingual speeches. If they want to attempt it, they are welcome to and your guests will appreciate the time and effort that they make but it is not an expectation. This is what a bilingual MC is for!
7. Slideshow: we had a slideshow at our reception and we made sure that all of the captions were bilingual. It was consistent too, with the French // English text. Everyone enjoyed it!
8. Menu: if you have a menu card, make sure that it is in both languages.
9. Favours: make them without text so that you don't have to translate. One thing that I did was I stamped my candy packages with both English and French thank you stamps so I didn't have to worry about who got either language and where they were sitting.
10. Families: don't worry about both families meeting at the wedding. Try icebreaker games that don't require language. You could also make up word lists between the languages and send them out so that people can pick up on certain words when they hear them that day. We played the shoe game which was translated back and forth by our MC.
11. Guest book: make sure that it is blank so that people can write their comments in either language.
12. Translation: if you are bilingual, or your partner is, then when people talk translate back and forth so that everyone knows what is going on and everyone can have a share in the laughs. We did this for the day and everyone got along very well (despite the language barrier).

Wedding finances

So how much does a wedding cost? And people always say that there are last minute expenses, but if you are a bride you aren't really sure what they are. Here is an approximate list of what we paid (in Canadian dollars) and what we learned. This list may not be complete as some people buy things that others do not think are necessary. But here is how I viewed it.

The necessities:

1. Marriage license: you will need this. Expect for it to cost between $100 to $200. The price is regulated in each province and state. Mine was $122.
2. Reception: depending on how you do it, budget it at about $50 per head. This may or may not include the price of the room before the meal.
3. Officiant: again, it depends but count on about $200 for the officiant and the church unless you live in a city and you are having a wedding at a cathedral or basilica. You may also have to pay for the officiant and the ceremony venue separately.
4. Musician: this could run you at between $100 to $300 for the ceremony. If you have an organist and a musician, this will double.
5. Photographer: count on $800 for the lowest packages (ceremony and photo shoot) and then it will go up.
6. Photo venue: you may or may not have to pay a fee for your photo session location.
7. Wedding dress: start your budget around $700. Mine was $1100 and it included alterations, storage, rebeading and steaming. 
8. Hair and make-up: I didn't have my make-up done, but I did have my hair done professionally. Expect for it to cost between $100 and $200.
9. Attendant gifts: depending on what you want to give your attendants, you should always give them something. If you spend $50 on each attendant and you have three girls and three boys, this is $300.
10. Paperterie: programs, invitations, thank you cards, and any other paper items that you want to use like signage, menus, name cards, etc. The paper costs money but you don't need to buy invitations made for weddings as they cost 10 times as much. If you make it yourself, you will save tons of money. The average price I found for buying paper items was $900-$1200 whereas mine was less than $300 for everything.
11. Flowers: depending on which flower package you choose, this will run you from $300 to $1200 or more.
12. Transportation: how will you get from point A to point B? I rented a limo which cost $800 for the day. You could also rent an antique car or have other options. Expect for it to run you between $500 to $1000 for the day.
13. Decorating: after you decide on how you want to decorate the church and reception (or more venues) you have to go about paying for it through a decorating company or you do it yourself. I kept things extraordinarily simple because my venues spoke for themselves and didn't need decorating. I paid about $100 total for decorating.
14. Favours for guests: again, this will depend on your wedding theme or colors. I made candies and gave them out in decorated Chinese takeout boxes. We made them ourselves and it cost about $250 for the ribbon, boxes, paper, maple syrup, filling and wax paper.

Some items you may already have:

1. Shoes to wear in your wedding dress: wear a pair of comfortable shoes. You will be on them all day until the reception. They should match the dress but you don't need to spend a lot of money on a new pair of strappy sandals. 
2. The groom's attire: it depends, of course. Some men rent their suit, but we got lucky. The groom will need a suit, shirt, tie, and shoes. It is possible that he already has some of this. 
3. Accessories: the jewelry that the bride wants to wear, a shawl if it gets cold, and a purse to carry around that day.
4. Manicures: all girls love manicures and pedicures but we have an army of beauty products at home. You could do them at home to save money or spend about $40 per person. It's up to you.
5. Attendants clothing: we were lucky that we didn't have to pay for the bridesmaid's dresses or the groomsmen's tuxes. I did buy ties for the guys so that they all had the same color tie but we saved money here. Some people want to buy all of that for their party (I did at first) and that is fine.
6. Make-up: also listed below in unexpected expenses but you might already have good make-up that you can apply yourself for your big day. I did but I did buy a long-lasting lipstick and waterproof mascara.

The unexpected expenses:

1. Food for the day of the wedding: that is, breakfast, lunch and a snack. Is it made at the house? Are you getting something on route? Or are you buying a veggie tray and taking it with you?
2. Also, Food, in general: you will eat during your meetings with the vendors if they are at a coffee shop. During the wedding week, keep a couple $20s in your wallet to cover this.
3. Long-lasting make-up: I thought that my regular make-up was good enough but believe me, get the long-lasting lipstick, waterproof mascara and eyeliner. Use blush and foundation. The point isn't to look super made-up but for it not to fade.
4. Photo development: is your photographer developing your photos or do you get a CD of photos that you have to develop? I put aside $200 for that.
5. Scrapbooking: well, you might not be into scrapbooking but if you are, you might want to consider the following items: a scrapbook (or two, or three) for the wedding, scrapbooking paper, scrapbooking stickers or embellishments, acid-free pen for journalling, and the photos.
6. Cash bar at the reception: that was for everyone else, right? No. It includes you too.
7. Honeymoon night: where are you staying? do you have a hotel room? And if you booked one, you still need to feed yourself while you are there too.
8. Gas in the car: you'd be surprised how this takes up money while you are going around running wedding errands. 
9. Bachelorette Party: depending on what you have planned, you may buy food or other items. I spent $350 at my bachelorette party--I won't say on what.
10. Craft items: if you are making things yourself, you may notice that you keep buying double-sided tape rollers, acid-free pens, and other items. You may also need scissors, an eraser, pencils, glue dots and other craft items.
11. Postage: you will need stamps to send most of your invitations and then again for your thank you notes. Depending on how many you are sending, this could set you back at least $100. You may also want to note that if your invitation package is heavy with lots of paper in it, you may have to weigh each one of them as the stamp might not be enough.
12. The Bride's Kit: any of the items in the bride's kit that you don't already have (or, can't find and don't care if you buy another one).

The extras:

1. Travel: do you have to fly to and from your wedding? We did so plane tickets were a factor along with additional expenses like meals and taxi fare.
2. Spa treatments: you can indulge in a spa treatment before or after your wedding day. Some people do: I wish that I had.
3. Gifts for your parents: our gift to our parents was a slideshow with photos that we had scanned from their photo albums but you may want to buy something special for your parents on this day.
4. Hair and make-up for your mom: I paid for my mom's hair and make-up on that day so that she didn't have to stress about it. She looked really great too!
5. Manicures and pedicures: as I mentioned above, you may already have some of these items in your arsenal of beauty products. If not, you, your girls and your mom could all go for manicures and pedicures. Expect for it to set you back at least $50 per person but it's a really nice treat. It helps you destress too!

Stamped envelopes

I made these envelopes for my wedding invitations. They are exceptionally easy, just hard on the wrist and kind of monotonous after a little while. What I recommend is to make this while you are watching a great movie. You will be done by the time that it is over.

To make this project, you will need one really great large stamp, a stamping ink pad in the color of your choice, and your envelopes. I bought the Environment Woodstock envelopes from Paperworks, size A-6.

I looked at the envelope and decided on where I wanted to place the stamp, in this case, the bottom left corner of the front of the envelope. To create these envelopes, firmly place the stamp on the stamp pad to ink it. Then hover the stamp over the corner of the envelope and firmly press down. It helps to use a hard surface like a book for this so that it does the work, instead of your wrist. Lift the stamp carefully to reveal your image.

Estimated time for this project: about 2 hours. I had 250 envelopes that were finished by the end of a long movie.

Notes:

• After about 50 envelopes, my wrist hurt so I changed my angle so that I pressed down with my entire palm instead of just one side.