We know we said we'd talk about DIY vs. Full Service venues and oh trust us, we will. Much to say about that...However, an emergency POST-IT topic has taken priority. S1 as you know is getting married in the coming months. She has been searching high and low for the right invitation for well over a year now. Yup. 12 solid months of STATIONERY STRUGGLES.
It all started with an ad in Martha Stewart Weddings (http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/) for a stationery icon, Anna Griffin. There were these lavender DIY invitations that really jumped out at S1 so she dragged her mother to Greene Ave in Westmount to track them down (according to http://www.annagriffin.com/, this was the only retail outlet in Quebec). They walk in, and ask for the stationery store.
-Awkward man at the front door says, "Oh, I'm sorry but that store closed last year and we now run a fabulous art gallery as you can see". Joy. Invitation yearning replaced by utter disappointment.
"I have time, would you like a tour of the gallery"
-Mom says, "sure".
-S1 is thinking "Tour? We need Plan B woman!"
After 45 glorious minutes of "I really like the detail in this one", S1 & her mom are no better off than when they arrived. At this point, many of you might be thinking "what's the big deal? They're just invitations." As everyone says, the invite sets the tone for the type of wedding your guests can expect and reflects who the couple really is.
Next stop, Le Grand Salon Marions-Nous (http://www.marionsnous.ca/) to hunt for an invitation vendor. They met Anna Montesi of Ink Blot Design (http://www.inkblotdesign.ca/), instantly liked her and planned to meet the next month. Needless to say, Anna does some amazing work and can work within most budgets but S1 and her planning committee (Mom, Dad and HFH) felt that it wasn't within their budget to have custom work done. Not helping the cause, was Mr. HFH wanting to replace the traditional invitation with a simple phone call. Yup. Phone calls.
Next idea, http://www.weddingpaperdivas.com/. This site is fantastic for any occasion and any budget. S1 had ordered her Save the Dates from them a few months ago and was over the moon with the time frame, price, service and quality. Based on the previous experience, she figured this was in the bag. Until the sample arrived. It was teeny tiny, with teeny tiny font and teeny tiny appeal.
Blast! It was looking like all options were being exhausted, until....MICHAEL's (http://michaels.com/wedding). Ahhhh, Michael's. Craft heaven (everywhere that is, except Quebec).
After searching high and low on the net, S1 stumbled across a selection of DIY invitations at Michael's by none other than....ANNA GRIFFIN (not the one she originally wanted but ones that could potentially help to fill the void)! Road trip to Ottawa soon followed. S1 & S2 were surprised to find not only a healthy dose of Anna Griffin and Bride Magazine's (http://www.brides.ca/) exclusive line of wedding invitations, favor packaging, decorations etc but anything you could ever need for your wedding (S1 bought a garter, S2 bought S1's shower stuff- S1 has no clue what it could be as she had strict instructions to stay far away). S1 couldn't decide so she bought 2 different DIY kits in hopes of a moment of clarity in the near future.
Alas, the story does not end here, friends. She hates the invites from Michael's but is torn because the price is so reasonable. She has also found another option from Wedding Paper Divas which is in the running.
Here's where you come in. Below you will find the links to 3 different invitations, I need you to vote on which one you prefer (ps- I'm not leaving out Mr. HFH, he only wants final say).
Invitation 1:
http://www.michaels.com/art/online/displayProductPage?productNum=wd0607&channelid=
Invitation 2:
http://www.michaels.com/art/online/displayProductPage?productNum=wd0572&channelid=
Invitation 3 (in Chambord):
http://www.weddingpaperdivas.com/product/5253/signature_white_textured_wedding_invitations_posh_parlor.html
Worthy to mention, cost. The DIY kits at Michael's are $54.99/30 pk of which S1 needs 2 and the Wedding Paper Divas invites will be about $138 more for the same amount (60 invites in all).
Time to vote!
Next POST-IT NOTE, back to our regularly scheduled topic; DIY vs. Full Service Venues. Discuss.
Friday, March 26, 2010
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S1... Tyra votes #1 for Next Top Invite!!
ReplyDeleteAB votes for number 2. And thinks that Mr HFH needs a good stare down for even suggesting a phone call. What does he think this is - a casual Sunday BBQ?!
ReplyDelete