As a DIY (do it yourself) novice I decided to try and save a buck by creating our own STDs (save-the-dates) for our wedding. Sharine and I had been researching STDs long before we had definite plans of our wedding and we realized that there was just so much to choose from, plus nothing came cheap once you said 'wedding'. We also realized that our cheapest route would be either an online printing company like (http://www.vistaprint.com/, http://www.123print.com/, http://www.magnetstreet.com/ etc...) or a DIY project by using materials from places like http://www.micheals.com/, http://www.joann.com/, http://www.hobbylobby.com/, etc..). This realization made it easy for me to at least TRY a DIY project and with the help of http://www.vistaprint.com/, and some materials from a paper store I believe we were successful.
After all, we all know that eventually STDs, invitations, thank you cards etc... all end up in one place no matter how much the sender spent.
In the garbage! lol
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Save-the-Date Photo Magnet
- I designed these at http://www.vistaprint.com/, it's a wonderful site where you can create all kind of things and use your own photos and personal touches.
- The envelopes we purchased at a paper store in Manhattan
- The ribbon is good ole' fashion curly ribbon
The Full Packet
- We included the STD magnet, and a note
- The note was a poem I made up for the occasion
Return Address Labels
- We had some clear address labels already (from staples) so I just added a heart to it.
Putting It All Together
- Sha and I prepare each packet for mailing
There is a great debate that some may know about out, but all those who are planning a wedding do know about; to register or not to register, for gifts that is.
Now wedding etiquette says that you must register for you are starting a new marriage household and need things to help build that foundation. Wedding etiquette also says, that if you don't register you are sending the message that all you want is money which is a no no in the world of weddings.
So as most people know Sharine and I have been together for eleven years now and five of those years we have actually shared a household along with our kids. Now when sharing a household you tend to accumulate even more especially when there are 4 people living in it. Keeping this in mind we have begun our own debate. Not a debate on whether we should register or not, but where to register. After equally deciding we did not want to register we were reminded that if we didn't it would scream 'give us money', but also people have already begin asking us where are we registered?.
That is a loaded question.
With so many places that you can be registered at it's really hard to decide. Then when you top that with the fact that we don't want to register it makes the 'where' decision even harder.
So as we begin to look at the usual places like discount stores (Target, Walmart etc..), department stores (Macys), and speciality stores (Bed, Bath & Beyond, Crate & Barrel etc...) it makes me realize I have to begin to stress myself over choosing things I do not really need. Then of course you read & hear : well just upgrade what you already have. But what if you like what you already have? and why should you have money being spent on something you already have that works perfectly well?!?
Okay now just when you think the decision couldn't be any harder comes the whole modern technology twist; online registries. Now this twist doesn't just come with the fact that you can register with the above mentioned stores online, it also comes with the fact that there are even more registry choices; honeymoon registries, buying a house registries, and even the giant elephant in the room cash registries. Now compound this with the fact that we are getting married on a cruise ship and the cruise line ask that we let guest know that due to security reasons they cannot board with presents.
I believe I've just fainted and gone to registry hell!
