Paper elements
Save the Dates
From Wedding Paper Divas- they came with white envelopes, so I bought my own yellow matching envelopes to make them a little more unique.
Invitations
My friend Erin designed these and I had them printed by Cards & Pockets. Jeremy and I assembled ourselves. I also did my own version of faux-calligraphy for the envelopes using a light box.
Rehearsal Dinner Invitations
From MyExpression.com- printed them on my work printer. I got 30 for under $40.
Programs
My accordion programs were the most masochistic DIY project I took on. I was inspired by Mrs. Cheeseburger on Weddingbee and used her posts for how to's on layout and assembly. The paisley on the covers was done with rubber stamps. I designed the inside with Microsoft Publisher and printed them at Staples. I'm not sure they were worth all of the work I put in, but I think they turned out well.
Place Cards
I bought the place cards at Paper Source and cut the slits in them myself. Having the names and table assignments printed out separately enabled me to wait until the week of the wedding- when the seating chart was done- to finalize the cards. I stamped them with gold ink, using the same paisley rubber stamps from my programs. The 3 colors were used to represent the 3 different meal choices.
Table Names
My husband and I are both huge sports fans (I used to be a production assistant at ESPN). We named our tables after our favorite players from our favorite teams. It was one of my favorite projects because it was very personal to us- and I was able to give a bunch of my friends crap about having to sit at the J.J. Redick table!
DIY Store Recommendations
Here is a list of stores that I frequented for my DIY supplies:
Dick Blick
www.dickblick.com
There are stores in The Loop (State St.) and Lincoln Park (North and Sheffield). Used for all of my calligraphy supplies and also adhesives (I don’t have a car so it was too hard to get to Michael’s and Hobby Lobby for this kind of stuff).
Paper & Print
www.yelp.com/biz/paper-and-print-chicago
Used for mailing envelopes for Save the Dates and invitations. Some of their pricing is weird- the envelopes are very reasonable, other invite elements seem to be a bit outrageous- but it’s a good alternative to Paper Source in the city.
Cards & Pockets
www.cardsandpockets.com
Besides my invites, I also got cardstock and custom paper (paisley design) there that I used for things like belly bands, signs, table names, etc. Definitely recommend- the quality is fabulous and there is a big selection of styles and colors.
Xpedex
www.yelp.com/biz/xpedx-paper-store-chicago
This store is a hidden gem!! Although they mostly sell to businesses, you can go to the warehouse-slash-store and get paper at ridiculous prices. Great for basic paper and oddly sized cardstock- I needed 11x17 ivory heavy paper for my programs and got a ream for around $18. They also have a good selection of supplies for DIY invites.
Paper Source
www.paper-source.com
I have a love/hate relationship with PS. Love their stuff and the selection but hate the prices. I ended up getting my place cards here- that’s about all that was in the budget.
Dick Blick
www.dickblick.com
There are stores in The Loop (State St.) and Lincoln Park (North and Sheffield). Used for all of my calligraphy supplies and also adhesives (I don’t have a car so it was too hard to get to Michael’s and Hobby Lobby for this kind of stuff).
Paper & Print
www.yelp.com/biz/paper-and-print-chicago
Used for mailing envelopes for Save the Dates and invitations. Some of their pricing is weird- the envelopes are very reasonable, other invite elements seem to be a bit outrageous- but it’s a good alternative to Paper Source in the city.
Cards & Pockets
www.cardsandpockets.com
Besides my invites, I also got cardstock and custom paper (paisley design) there that I used for things like belly bands, signs, table names, etc. Definitely recommend- the quality is fabulous and there is a big selection of styles and colors.
Xpedex
www.yelp.com/biz/xpedx-paper-store-chicago
This store is a hidden gem!! Although they mostly sell to businesses, you can go to the warehouse-slash-store and get paper at ridiculous prices. Great for basic paper and oddly sized cardstock- I needed 11x17 ivory heavy paper for my programs and got a ream for around $18. They also have a good selection of supplies for DIY invites.
Paper Source
www.paper-source.com
I have a love/hate relationship with PS. Love their stuff and the selection but hate the prices. I ended up getting my place cards here- that’s about all that was in the budget.
