Save the Dates: The Mock Ups!

Last week I got an envelope in the mail from my step-mom! I thought "Hmm, this could be a Valentine...."

Like this!

But it wasn't. Instead, it was several versions of our Save the Date! Our graphic designer included a note saying these were just drafts and a starting point, and said she had in mind printing them on either a white or kraft paper background. Oh, and she thought we could print 4 cards to a page, to save on printing costs, so the final card would be 4.25 inches by 5.5 inches. I'm not good with math (as I mentioned here, here, here, here and here), so I had to use a ruler to draw lines to see how big that would be. I decided the size was big enough (insert obvious "that's what she said" comment here...oh wait, I just did.)

So, withuot further adieu, here are the mock ups! Since she sent me hard copies, I had to scan them, so don't mind the scanny-ness of the images.

These first two were along the lines of our tree theme! We could have text on the page with the tree, or have a card that opens up with text inside. Or, have the below images on the inside of the card.

These are the cartoon versions of us and our cats, Isabella and Monster, a la Mrs. Stripes lovely cartoon caricatures over at Weddingbee. While I love the idea of the cartoon, I think I prefer the tree design in reality. I don't know that the drawing of us really looks exactly like us, which I guess is pretty impossible (I mean, obviously, that's what photographs are for). In fact, when I first looked at the drawing I thought "Jim looks like a young Kennedy!" Which I guess makes me Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. I can dig that! ( I can't be Jackie because, alas, I am too blonde.)

 John Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy

I called my step mom up and we chatted about the save the dates, and what I liked and thought could be improved upon. I won't lie...there have been a few more versions, but I have to wait until they are in our guests' mailboxes before the final reveal.

It is so nice of her to take the time to design them for us, and getting them in the mail was such a fun surprise! She is even taking charge of the printing, which is such a relief. Being able to delegate something pretty big to someone else is such a huge relief!

Did anyone help you out big time during your wedding planning? I hope so!

Save the Dates: The Inspiration

Here's a tip, from me to you. When looking for inspiration for your save the a dates, do not, under any circumstance, do a google search for "STD pictures." Just trust me on this one, and you won't lose your lunch.

My step mom did graphic design work in the past, and still does some small projects occasionally. I asked her if she would be willing to design our STDs, and she said yes! So I threw a bunch of inspiration her way!

Inspiration #1: Mrs. Stripes Save the Date
I have a bit of a crush on Mrs. Stripes over at Weddingbee. I know, she's totally taken and all, and I suppose I am too. But everything she does is so amazing and I just want to eat it up, including this amazing Save the Date.

 

so freaking cute!

Inspiration #2: Classic & Mature Tree Themed STD.

See, we are having this kinda-sorta-it-just-fell-into-place tree theme. So we could incorporate that into our STDs as well. I mean, we are getting married in the fall, so it makes sense. But while this image is so pretty, it's a little...serious. Our wedding is hopefully going to be a colorful, fun, lovefest (um, but not an orgy). So I like this idea, but maybe tweaked a bit...

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Inspiration #3: Bit More Fun Tree Theme. The below image I love because it is more colorful! I love the carved initials in the tree, and the background colors of the sky and grass. I love the scrolly font with the more blocky font (yes, those are technical terms).

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I can't wait to see what my step mom comes up with, and get these babies out into the world so people can, of course, get their STD on! Where did you find your inspiration? Did you design them yourself or delegate?