Paper Wedding Primer #1: Stationery Size Guide with FREE Printable!

Did you know that paper thickness is measured in pounds? Or that 4-Bar isn't the name of a local pub but a common envelope size? If you're anything like me, I didn't know a thing about paper before I got married! I would buy whatever was on sale and as long as it fit in my printer I was golden! But when you start planning your wedding, it helps to know a little more about this wonderful little product. That's where the Paper Wedding Primer series comes in! Each Primer will teach you a little something about all that is paper! From size, to weight, to color..even to what glue to use on each type of paper!

This first Primer is all about size. When you start talking to a designer or start picking out invitations, you are going to hear things like 4-Bar and A2. No, this isn't a secret code we paper people like to use, it's actually how we describe the different envelope sizes as well as the things that fit inside them. It can all get a little confusing so I put together this handy little guide so you always know just what size you are getting. You can even download it and add it to your planning notebook or take it with you when you meet your designer!

Download the 8.5 X 11 version here!

Font-Mate Friday: Evening Elegance

        inspiration photo / shoes / font

Happy Weekending!!

Well Read: 15 Ways to Use Vintage Books for Your Wedding Decor

There's just something about old books that automatically create a sense of familiarity and comfort that help guests feel right at home at your vintage wedding! Head down to your old neighborhood bookstore, garage sale or flea market and start collecting old books. You can do so many things with these little beauties! Whether you simply place the books on the table or use the pages to create fun pieces, books are a great edition to your wedding day!

Here's a little inspiration in case you have decorator's block:)

Ceremony

via Style Me Pretty

I LOVE the idea of using the Bible or even a copy of your favorite love story instead of a pillow for the rings.

via Weddings by Lilly

What a clever idea! You could use this for so many different things!

Table Numbers

via Once Wed

via Pinterest

via The Wedding Co

Okay...so I know this one is a bit more complicated but it's gorgeous!! I would recommend stacking this on top of other books so that everyone can see it!

Decor

via Sew Inspired

These are pretty, delicate, AND versatile!

via BHG

These paper pinwheels are everywhere but I love the extra detail the type adds!

via Pinterest

These are just cool!

via Michaels

via I Love This and That

Centerpieces

via Once Wed

via Wedding Chicks

Use whatever wrapping you want to match your decor! Pretty prints anyone?

via Style Me Pretty

via Ruffled Blog

I adore this idea..might even use it in my house!

And just one more idea that I think is beautiful! Try printing a photo of your wedding day on a copy of the readings from the ceremony or even your vows! It's a wonderful way to remember the special details.

via Kaydee Windsor

Martha, Martha, Martha: A Round-Up of FREE Printables from Martha Stewart Weddings Summer 2012

So I FINALLY got around to picking up a copy of the Summer 2012 edition of Martha Stewart's Weddings and I am positively giddy about all the wonderful paper projects! The pages of this edition are just full of DIY projects centered around...you guessed it, paper!! I love that it showcases just how versatile paper is. It really is a workhorse when it comes to wedding day! Here is a round-up of some of my favorite projects. Most have great FREE printables!!

{cookie favor envelope template}

{clip art favor tags}

{arrow escort card display}

{monogram banner}

{tissue paper flower favor}

There are plenty more fabulous projects to explore at MarthaStewart.com. Always so clever Ms. Stewart!!

Happy creating!

Find Your Font-Mate Friday: Modern Whimsy

One of the things I like the most about designing wedding invitations is searching for the perfect font. There are literally thousands to choose from and each one tells a different story. Finding the font that tells your perfect love story is a critical part of the design process! It's like finding your font-mate! This Friday series is going to be all about finding fonts to match the tone and theme for your wedding. Each week I will find the perfect font-mate for an inspiration photo and show you just how many stories your font can tell!

inspiration photo / Julieta Font

Create Your Own Wedding Planning Notebook

There are tons of great planning guides on the market these days that are filled with oodles of information and checklists but sometimes they can seem overwhelming! Not all weddings are huge, expensive events that require mile long checklists. So, why not make your own planning notebook? This way you can customize it to fit your very own event without all the extra stuff getting in the way. The adorable Katherine over at Just Lovely put together this great little notebook for her own wedding and wrote a nice tutorial to help everyone else do just that! Check it out to get your own notebook started! Oh and did I mention Katherine makes gorgeous wreaths?! Bridal shower decor anyone?

Picture and Tutorial via Just Lovely

Paper is Fan-tastic: FREE Printable Wedding Day Fans

There's no denying it! This summer has been HOT HOT HOT and if you planned a beautiful outdoor ceremony for your big day, you're probably praying for a little break in the heat! I love an outdoor wedding and there's no reason to change your plans because of a little too much sun. It is a good idea though to have a plan for keeping your guests cool! One way is to provide paper fans for your ceremony. Not only are they simple to assemble, they can even double as a wedding day program. They are also a great way to add a little extra pop of color or fun pattern to your days festivities. Use one of the pretty images below for inspiration to make your own fans or print one of the FREE templates I designed for a quick and easy wedding day DIY!

images via Once Wed / Style Me Pretty / Oh So Beautiful Paper

FREE Printables!

Download HERE

Download HERE

Download HERE

Have a great week!!

Quilt Your Way to Paper Memories

I am always trying to think of ways to artfully display wedding stationary and paper goods after the big day has come and gone. I still have an entire box of stuff from my wedding six years ago that I would love to be able to display but haven't really been able to think of a clever, out of the shadow box way that I would like....until now! I stumbled across this contest on the Linda and Harriett blog for making paper quilts from old pieces of stationary and they are just gorgeous! I definitely wouldn't mind hanging something like this on my wall, especially to remember my wedding day! Here are just a couple of the winners from the contest...

Now if only I could find the time:)