I'm About Sick Of My Invitation Front...Help!

[TangoWedding]

Ok....I'm in love with my corset invitation covers. (The main thread for those is here (http://forums.onewed.com/showthread.php?t=8968).)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/zennymountain/finalinvites002.jpg

I even bought cute little dangles for them at Michael's today....LOVE them. It finished them out perfectly, IMO.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/zennymountain/dangle.jpg


I love the invites.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/zennymountain/MainInvite.jpg


........

[TangoWedding]

I'm even in love with the folders....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/zennymountain/finalinvites-005.jpg




But, lord help me, the front of this folder is driving me INSANE!!!!!!


I've tried stamps and stencils and paint pens and markers and calligraphy pens....but everything looks cheap and I'm starting to hate it.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/zennymountain/in002.jpg

BORING.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/zennymountain/in003.jpg


I've tried it all!

[TangoWedding]

I bought stamps from PaperSource and loved them. But they're so BORING.


I need ideas of what in the world to do with the front of these things! :bblol:

I'm thinking about scrapping the monograms altogether and starting something new. I LOVE the wax seal on the corner of the flap....but other than that, I'm stumped. I want some flair on the front other than the seal....but not something overdone.

Maybe bring the ribbon into it somehow?

*scratching head* I need you wonderful ladies' ideas again, please!


THANKS!

[TangoWedding]

Here's the wax seal, btw...it wouldn't let me edit my post up there to add it...


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/zennymountain/finalinvites004.jpg

(LOVE it! Hate the rest!)

[bichonlvr]

Maybe less is more...just do the wax to seal it!

[bichonlvr]

The wax seal is VERY cute!!!!

[TangoWedding]

Maybe less is more...just do the wax to seal it!


:snide:


I never even CONSIDERED that. I just made a sample and, ya know, it doesn't look bad at all.


:bbeek:


:rofl:


*sniffle* I love you, man.

[bichonlvr]

No problem!!! I like the way you can see it through the ribbon!!!!

You could even try black wax!!! OOOOOOOo AHHHHHH :)

[thatgirljenn]

No problem!!! I like the way you can see it through the ribbon!!!!

You could even try black wax!!! OOOOOOOo AHHHHHH :)

I think black wax would look great!

[Goin2thechapel]

hahaha...I totally agree about just having the wax seal....LOL!!

[Danielle9608]

Have you tried black india ink? It leaves a very interesting texture when it is dry. But it is not cheap, you best best is try a local art (not craft - becuase they mark up the price). Hope this helps.

BTW ... I think they are coming out flipping fantastic!!!

[EarlyBird]

yah i thought the same thing. SIMPLE for the front is better- maybe if you cant get used to just the seal so a simple simple stencial on the front .. MAYBE two intertwined hearts or something. Plain black and simple :)

[ccsdesign]

I have a custom design business, happy to give you some ideas - I think what you have so far is excellent and your eye for design and what's right is great - some people don't recognize when things are "off"

I love the wax seal only red.
Other ideas... a small logo in the bottom right with a crystal embellishment - but would have to see how it looks with seal, LESS is always MORE

Also, how about a simple double satin ribbon wrap with a knot or bow tie at center, simple, elegant...

contact me anytime for advice or opinions, I do this for a living, but still love to help people be creative for themselves!

[ccsdesign]

Hi, ccsdesign again -
Meant to say MONOGRAM not logo in above post! sorry!
As I envision it, the seal with the monogram as I described would be too much so I would do the ribbon with small lower right monogram embellished with crystal if you don't stick with seal. The ribbon could be a simple red wrapped once around to match your cover/wrap...

Although I tend to not go with things people have to "undo" that won't look as pretty when they try to "redo"...

One other idea - you could tie it/foreshadow your quote (theme?) on inside of invitation about fairytale by using artwork of a small glass slipper or castle with a crystal embellishment... This WOULD work as an accent to the seal without being too much as the 2 monograms I first brainstormed about...

Just starting here forgive the 2 posts...here anytime if you need help - can't wait to see what you do!

PS your photos are great also! Love the whole thing!

[TangoWedding]

Thank you for all the ideas, everyone!!


We're still hashing out the last of the details. He doesn't like the empty space above the fairytale quote now. And with the front, I ended up doing a double penstripe on the flap (just to line the pointed part so it's not white on white) and that with just the wax seal looks great!

The quote is another thing. He wants it centered and I told him no way. But we're trying to compromise on that part. Don't know what to do there yet.

I'm just glad I started so early in the game. I still have a good 7 months to finish them. :grinhappy:

[ccsdesign]

Hi - just wanted to let you know I think your idea of the pinstripe is GREAT! Wonderful way to keep it simple, but add the needed touch -

Had one more thought on the wax seal, don't know if you are using real wax or faux wax seals, but real seals almost always crack in the mailing, so you may want to reconsider and go with the faux/hot glue seals, if you haven't made them yet.

My thought on the quote is either way will be good design - just a matter of preference - some like all things alligned - and since everything else is centered your FH is probably thinking it should be too - but since it is in red and meant to be different offsetting it works too! So it's whatever makes you both happy.:D

Two more thoughts:
One little spacing idea - very small edit - take some of the space out between "Jeremy" and the "&" to give make them look more equal -even though I know technically they are, the lettering in headings sometimes has to be adjusted less/more to appear even. Noone would notice if you don't though!
After you pull through all the ribbons and attach charms go back and trim about 1/8" off of the ends, still at angle - just one of my little tricks to make it look crisp and professional!

Sorry to post so much, new here and I LOVE invitations and good design. Congratulations again on great invitation.

[TangoWedding]

Thank you so much! I will make those adjustments!



I have been using the real wax seals...the ones you have to actually light and melt. I didn't know they cracked - that's kinda disheartening. (Especially since I already bought everything. LOL)

Thanks for the heads up though...I'll check into the glue gun wax stuff. (I don't like the faux stickers...I always scoff at them when I see 'em in the store. Hehe!)

With the quote, I'm thinking if I make the font a little larger, he might be ok with it being off-center. Maybe using a more romantic font on just the quote would make a difference, too? Would that look odd?

Again, thank you!!

[ccsdesign]

Hi!
Glad I was able to tell you about seals, but don't worry about the stuff already bought just use it for your programs, menus, table signs -things that don't have to be mailed - the monogram is a really great them that you can carry through every part of the wedding for a really pulled together look.

Also here is a link to see the kind of seal you should look for - not a sticker, but a wax look a like that doesn't crack - I haven't used this site and don't know how their prices compare, but am giving you the link so you can see what to look for and do a search to find the best price/selection.

http://www.waxseals.com/

On the quote the different font is a GREAT idea - one of the major design trends is combining script with no script fonts. You have a great feel for design. You can also try using the emboss or engrave feature in your word program (under font menu) on the quote. Careful you may have to play with the font size and some script fonts don't look good with emboss/engrave option. Just play around till you find what you like.
I would definitely do the script though and keep it offset if you do that I think - happy to give my thoughts when you get one you like and want feedback on!

Happy designing!:D

[TangoWedding]

Glad I was able to tell you about seals, but don't worry about the stuff already bought just use it for your programs, menus, table signs -things that don't have to be mailed - the monogram is a really great them that you can carry through every part of the wedding for a really pulled together look.

Ya know, that's something else I'd never considered. That's a GREAT idea that I will for sure use! I'm making my own programs, too, so that will be perfect on the cover of those. Thank you once again!

I have so much DIY stuff in my head right now I can't control it all! :bblol:

Also here is a link to see the kind of seal you should look for - not a sticker, but a wax look a like that doesn't crack - I haven't used this site and don't know how their prices compare, but am giving you the link so you can see what to look for and do a search to find the best price/selection.

http://www.waxseals.com/



Great!! Thanks!! I'm so excited!!

You can also try using the emboss or engrave feature in your word program (under font menu) on the quote.


:snide: I didn't even know Word had that option. I played with it a little and found some great inspiration! Thank you AGAIN.

:D

[ccsdesign]

I'm so glad that I could help:D
Can't wait to hear/see how it all comes out!

You can send me a message if you ever need any help - I haven't been here long enough to know how long threads are up or if I might loose track of you - so please be sure to find me with email if you ever don't hear from me!

As you can see by 4am post - my mind is out of control with design and DIY too! I'll be suffering when my daughter gets up at 7 or 8, but weddings and all you can do is just so great!

Have fun with it all!!

[Doglover]

love that wax seal! Love your corset invites. My dress was a corset...wish i would've had invited like that!

[E. Jennings]

The wax seal just alone would look terrific. It'd be really different.

[BrideInCuffs21]

Tango my opinion is to drop the black J and C... on the envelope. For the wax stamp is it possible to have one made with J/C instead of the A???? Just a thought... and sorry if I screwed up on the letters for you.. short term memory problems....

[trishelle]

u could always use glitter