My Wedding Report

I thought I would show you some great things you could use for invitation DIY. I know that for many people it’ difficult because you don’t have access to designing your own graphics for invitations, can’t afford custom invites (like me) or just are short on time. Here are some letter press invitation sets from Target that are so beautiful and chic.

Wedding Invitation Kit with Ivory/Brown/Green Flowers

Green Flat-Panel Invitation Kit

Cherry Blossom Invitation Kit

Pink Peony Invitation Flat-Panel

Black Filigree Invitation Set

Jean M. Tea-Length Invitations (Check out the other color combos too)

Baroque Flat Panel Invitation Kit

Green Melon Invitations

Jean M. Piper Pocket Invitations

Now you may be like me and want that extra personal touch to everything so that it is really “yours” and has the extra “wow” element. Have you ever seen Sandra Lee’s Semi-Homemade show on the Food Network? She takes already prepared things and adds those extra ingredients to take a plain ready-made dish to something really delicious without too much cooking chaos on your part. Here are a few ideas do do some semi-diy invitations and take these simple invitation kits to another level.

• You can add embellishments like simple belly bands by using some decorative matching paper cut in strips to wrap around the invitation. Use a square punch out with your monogram or date to attach to the center of the belly band strip.



• Order cheap monogram stickers to put on that belly band or add them to the outer envelope.



• Even a simple bow attached to the top of the invitation could be an extra personal touch.



• Another great detail would be investing in a $10 corner rounder to give the invitations a more polished and custom look.



• If you want to maybe use different envelopes you could back the invitation in another color of paper to pull together your colors. For example the black filigree invitation would look great against some green paper to create that chic and modern color scheme of white and black damask with green details.



• Take one of the more basic invitations (like the Jean M. Piper designs above) and use a rubber stamp with some metallic ink to stamp out a floral design or flourish. You could even get really fancy and emboss some images!

Look at these fun stamp images from Stamin’ Up!

Photos above from Target, myOWNinvitations blog, Create for Less, Renaissance Writings, With This Ring Blog, Stampin Up

What do you think? Have you taken the “Semi-Homemade” approach to any of your wedding planning details?

When we first started dating, one of my favorite things about Mark was his creativity. He challenged me to be more creative and we could add to one anther’s ideas. When he was stilling trying to win me over he helped me design invitations for the sorority formal I was planning. I was on a very low budget and had come up with a basic concept. Working together we came up with the graphic design and handmade all the invitations. Well he earned lots of points after that project! But we continued to create things together and most of our gifts for the first year were all handmade.

Now as we plan the wedding we want to continue that aspect of our relationship by using our own creativity and talents for many of the details. This is also one of the many ways we plan on saving money. We are planning on creating our website from scratch, designing monogram/logo and designing and making all stationary which includes save the dates, invitations, programs, escort cards, photo-sharing cards, thank-yous, menus, table numbers and anything else you can think of. Well with that said you have much to look forward to in terms of DIY tutorials from me and I am trying to figure out where to even start.

We are actually working on creating our website first which is kind of hard to show pictures of, since it’s programming and a lot of it is in our heads. As I get snippets of graphics I will definitely be posting so you can see the process.

One of the first things I am trying to work on is our monogram design. Now as I look for monograms I like so many different things and get more confused the more I look. I don’t want it to be super traditional, more of a logo that we can use in different places. I’d also like to have maybe 3 versions just for variety.

We want to use feel script font from Veer for our stationary. This was important, because I wanted to find a font where I like the M, L and H. This sounds crazy, but it will be the letters most used because of our first names and last names. I love the Feel Script’s M, H and L! Take a look below at the sample…

Now for the actual letters involved in the monogram I was not sure what to do. We know that we want to use the “M” throughout our wedding in different details. I was not sure if I should use just “M” or “MM” or “M&M.” I’ve been leaning towards the “M&M” but I wanted to check with an expert. I emailed Nicole from the Pink Design Blog. She emailed back right away and even wrote a post about it on her own blog. She agreed with me about the “M&M” being the best bet.

So now what should the monogram look like? I’ve been looking at lots of different ideas and getting inspiration. Nothing is quite what we are thinking, but maybe you can get an idea of some of the different elements and details that I like.

Here are some of my favorite monograms from Nicole at Pink Design Blog. I really like all the personality that her monograms have and I am hoping that we can communicate that in whatever we design as well.

Here are a few more designs that I like from Lucky Designs blog. Check out her blog if you haven’t already, there are lots a of great ideas and pictures.

Such wonderful designs don’t you think? I’m sure I will be showing you our own designs as we makes samples so stay posted. Do you have a monogram that you are using (or used) in your wedding?

In honor of the letter “M” (aka the first letter of Mark and I’s names) I am going to feature an “M” each Monday (or for as many Mondays that I can think of an “M” thing to feature). I know it’s kind of cheesy and maybe a bit of an overload, but you will just have to humor me and look forward to “M” Mondays.

To start off the “M” Mondays I want to look at how you can use monograms in your wedding. I love that monograms can be personalized to suite your individual tastes and match the color, theme and feel of your wedding. There are so many different ways that a monogram can be used. You can use the monogram for all paper products, your cake, decor, extra decoration, registry items, garter, bouquets, parasols, favors and just about every detail you can imagine.

Now with all this talk about monograms you would think I am going to reveal ours. Nope, it is still a work in progress. But I wanted to show you some of my favorite monogram ideas from the knot.

Don’t you love the big block letters? I know I want to use wooden “M”s somewhere, but I’m not sure where yet. I want to paint them with our wedding colors.

Notice the “M”? I think these cakes are really pretty! I love the contrast of the blue and white.

This is a cute monogram idea in general, but I also love the use on the coasters.

Cute tags for favor boxes! The monogram and names on the actual ribbon would be fun too.

I really like the simplicity of this monogram and how the colors contrast on the program.

I think the monograms on the belly bands are a great way to add a personal touch to your stationary suite. Also very doable for all of us DIYers!

Such a subtle detail that adds so a lot to the overall feel of an event.

I think the monogram on the dance floor adds a sense of formality to your event.

I love the photo opportunities you have with parasols. Have you seen the pictures where all you can see is the silhouette of the couple kissing behind the parasol? So sweet!

Something blue detail…

Custom aisle runner, also something you can make a DIY project!

I could keep going but I think that is enough Monograms for “M” Monday.

What does your monogram look like? How are you using it in your wedding details?

I have always been a fan of DIY. I think it is an amazing way to express your personality and get a certain level of satisfaction in knowing you created something. My perfectionism also comes out in DIY, which is not such a good thing, but I am working on it. Mr. Ducky and I are both DIY people, but with different talents. We are hoping to DIY as much as we can at the wedding to not only save money, but also share a part of ourselves that day with friends and family. We hope that people can walk away from our wedding saying, “That was so Mr and Mrs Duckling” or just feeling like they know us a little bit better. My first diy project of the wedding was creating my “Will you be my bridesmaid” cards. I’m not quite ready to share them yet, but very soon.

Martha Stewart Crafts

I was on Martha Stewart Weddings website and loved these candles she had featured in her fall favors. What perfect candles for the fall!
I then figured out that they are DIY! Amazing! Here is the how to:
“Lemon, mountain laurel, and rhododendron leaves work well for this project.
Melt 4 to 6 ounces of beeswax in a double boiler. If you’d like, tint the wax: Add 1/4-inch pieces of crayon until you achieve desired shade. Note ratios so you can make more if needed. With a sponge brush, spread a few thin layers of wax on the back of a leaf. Press coated side of the leaf firmly onto a pillar candle. Working quickly but carefully, peel back the leaf, leaving a wax impression.”

How did I figure out this was DIY? While doing my daily read at Elizabeth Anne Designs, I came across their recommendation for the One Pretty Thing, a blog with daily DIY inspiration! As I was browsing through I came across the DIY for the candles I had been admiring this weekend! This site is awesome and a great resource for DIY ideas in general, not just wedding stuff. Thanks EAD…you continue to add more websites to my new blog addiction!

Here are a few more DIY projects I discovered through One Pretty Thing that I think could be easily incorporated into a wedding. I included the link to get to the specific directions for the DIY project.:

Schlosser Designs

Quick Napkin Rings

Wouldn’t these be a great way to incorporate your colors and add a special touch to table setting?

Monogrammed Wall Art

Alan & Stephs Blog

I love the wooden/moss/flower letters that I have been seeing in wedding pictures. I like the idea of putting them on a printed canvas for something different. Imagine having this at your guest book table?

What are your favorite DIY projects or your favorite place to go find DIY ideas?