Save the Date! {And Celebrate!}

I think Save the Dates are one of the most fun parts of what I'll call the "Wedding Stationery Suite." By their nature, they can be more casual than the wedding invite, you can take a little bit more risk with them and they do not necessarily have to match the actual wedding invite but instead can be complementary to a more formal wedding invitation.

I used two of those more "fun" elements in these save the dates by using a bold pattern for the envelope liner and in the text of the save the date used an exclamatory statement that you see when you first open the save the date.

The Envelope Liner:
I'm in love with this "galaxy burst" pattern! I think it's such a surprise when you open the invitation to find something so colorful, yet classy.

Envelope liners are easy to do, take a little bit of time but I think add a lot of drama and excitement. The best part about them is that you can use any type of paper that you like -- an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet, wrapping paper (the "galaxy bursts" are wrapping paper from The Container Store), a really fine sheet of Italian paper from your favorite stationery store -- and in any pattern that picks up on your theme. I like to stock up on wrapping paper that I find during the year at Marshalls and other discount stores -- I can then make a quick envelope liner that's perfect for any occassion -- a thank you card, wedding, baby shower, or just to say hello -- and instantly add a more personal touch to a card.

{Side note: You can even use photographs that are blown up to a larger size paper than the envelope and then printed on regular paper or photo paper for the envelope liner. Check out this idea courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings. Using photographs from the wedding for an envelope liner for the thank you notes would be a great way to send people some fun snapshots from the wedding!}

Celebrate!:
I love how when you open the invitation you get a feeling about what the wedding will be like -- classy (from the straightforward font and style used on the invite and outer label) but expect fun! (from the use of the word Celebrate! when you start pulling the invite out of the envelope)