Oh Hello, Invitations!

Finally. I am so excited to FINALLY post about these babies. December 23 or 24 I got our first invitations from Vistaprint. They were... bad. Tiny, off-center, greyish, flimsy, and dull. I tweeted about it and Vistaprint contacted me- who knew they had such great customer service! They worked with me completely to get them re-ordered so I'd be happy with them.

I learned a few things that you can hopefully use if you order from Vistaprint- really measure what the size is, in real life. Don't let yourself be shocked. Also, with darker colors, don't order matte. I think it would only look nice for a white or ivory. As for borders... don't. They'll just look uneven, since cutting isn't 100% guaranteed on center.

Re-ordering, I knew I'd do a larger size. This meant a re-design and I knew my designer was unavailable because of the holidays. So I did it myself. While Mr P played poker with the dudes, I worked with the pdf images she sent, cropped, cut, pasted, and re-worked. I added new elements. I think I did a good job! Want to see? Ok... here we go!

The package arrived tonight. Mr Pug is still in Alabama for work, so I took the mail inside myself and just... stared at it. I poured some wine. I worked up courage.

I opened it, got past the envelopes... and laid eyes on our RSVP postcards. I ordered those with the new invites to save on shipping. I'm glad I saw these buggers first... cause look:

Oh yes, we went non-traditional!

I smiled immediately and went straight on to the invitations. I ordered them in the linen finish... what a difference. Here are some close-ups.

Below are the old invitation and new one side by side. Look at the difference in the richness! Although, part of the dullness was the pdf. When I had it in photoshop, it wasn't pure black. That also plays a part. But overall... linen is much crisper and so... juicy. I love it.

Better, right?!?!

I added that cool quatrefoil (I think that's what they're called?) in white, and created that neat monogram in the circle.

Some RSVP glamor shots...

The RSVP files sent to me were improperly sized, and I didn't like the way they were laid out, so I fixed those myself too. It was a lot of work (well, a lot of time) but I think it was worth it. I love the RSVP front without a border around it! It's so contemporary. I also had to change the RSVP date on the back because of the delay.

I got brave and decided to do wrap-around envelope labels as well. Here they are on my computer:

See how they go? Circle on the back, quatrefoil on the front? I'm making these into PDF files, 4 per page, and will try to print them at work on full-label sheets. Since... my printer? No green ink.

Yea I wrote the green parts in for effect. Don't judge my nails! Avert your eyes!

Jeez, AND bad lighting? I stink. Someone buy me a DSLR and a photoshop class, stat!

Here is the whole suite! (That's what it's called, right? PS- the invite is laying over half the envelope... it's a big envelope!

I figure I'll print the labels Friday, then assemble and send Saturday. I will need to get a paper cutter with a coupon from Michaels- any suggestions guys? What do you all think? It's a major relief to have it done. I am so glad I went with Vistaprint because I learned their customer service is top-notch. I am looking forward to sending these out to our loved ones! They're more non-traditional for our new unique situation, but I think that makes them really reflect us.

What are your favorite things about your invites? Did you self-design or have others do it?