Weddings on a Budget: DIY Wedding Invitations Step-by-Step Instructions Part One

I made my own invitations. I am the kind of person who isn't very satisfied with the ordinary, and when I went looking for invitation kits in my colors (blue and orange), I found very little. So, I started browsing the internet for ideas. Surprisingly, I found very little. I took what I had seen and began to sketch. Here area step-by-step instructions on how to make this invitation.

*Note: The way I did these invitations is very time consuming. Unless you are only making a small amount (I only had to make 50) or you have a lot of bridesmaids to help, I recommend following the simplified versions that I will note as we go along.

Supplies Needed:

1. A ruler.
2. A SMALL hold punch, not a regular size
3. Scrapbookers Glue
4. Scissors
5. Pencil
6. Exacto Knife (if you don't have one Scissors will work)
7. A paper cutter is extremely handy but not necessary.

8. 8 1/2 by 11 sheets of linen paper (or 12 x 12 for simplified version. As many sheets as invitations you are making. This should be in your main color. (mine is dark blue)
9. In your secondary color (mine is light blue) you will need 8 1/2 by 11 sheets of cardstock or linen paper. again. This is for three different parts of the invitation. A good rule of thumb is once again, one sheet for each invitation.
10. Vellum Paper. You will need 1/2 the amount of sheets per invitation. (for 50 invites, you need 25 sheets)
11. 4x6 engagement photos. One for each invite.
12. Embossing Templates. Read on for more info on this.

13. Two embossing templates and a medium size embossing tool
14. 1/4 inch ribbon
15. 5/8 inch sheer or satin ribbon

WHERE TO GET THESE THINGS FOR CHEAP: I bought my paper from Michaels when it went on sale for 4/1.00. They do this about once a month so watch out for it. Hobby Lobby does the same thing. You can also look for a Kelly Paper or Paper warehouse that sells by the ream which is much cheaper if you are making a lot. Also search Amazon, if your colors are easier to find than mine you will likely have good luck with this. For the embossing stencils, I had bought them on Amazon but they no longer sell them. I did find them online however, if you Google "Dreamweaver Stencil Flourishes LJ 890" for the big one, and "Dreamweaver stencil Hearts N' Ribbon" you will find them. The last one is not the same small stencil I used, it turns out I was one of the last people to get one before it became discontinued. So I chose this one, and had it been available I would have used it anyhow - funny how those things work out.

The Engagement photos: Did you know that if you sign up for CVS photo you get 25 free photos? I signed up both myself and my Fiancé for a total of 50 free photos! Often, Target (Kodak) and Snapfish have a similar deal, you just pay shipping. Look around for free deals before you pay to have your photos printed!