Your daughter isn’t exactly what your friends used to call ‘granola’ but she’s really gotten into trying to do better for the environment.  She has a friend that just got married and used ‘something different’ for invitations and she wants to do the same thing.  You are thinking,  “Oh no, what now.  Why couldn’t she just make this one nod to a traditional formal wedding invite?  What on earth will everyone think? She could get cutesy with the ‘Save the Date’ card.”

Instead of saying “Does that mean you want to use that cardboard –like paper?” in a horrified voice, you suck in your breath and say “Why what a wonderful way to let everyone know you are thinking about the environment.  We can look together to find a beautiful alternative to what I’d always envisioned your invitation to be.”.

You might want to suggest to your daughter that the two of you go look at invitation books at the local fine paper store where they offer a service of  creating your invitations with custom letterpress.  Once you get the ‘feel’ of what is out there, you can cruise around online.

A benefit of letterpress invitations, stationery or announcements is the fact that most letterpress machines require a heavy, cotton-based (read: tree-free) paper to produce their lovely indentations. In addition,  it takes a lot of ‘human power’ to create the die cuts for personalized orders. Thus, letterpress products are usually “green” and offer less of a carbon footprint than other printing alternatives.

Here’s a pretty design from traditional fine paper company: William Arthur www.williamarthur.com

Letterpress Dogwood Branch Wedding Invitation

A lovely branch of leaves and dogwood blooms drapes around the wording area on this ecru invitation.  The branch is letterpress printed in Fern green ink and you can coordinate or contrast your text ink color.  Letterpress printing creates a soft timeless look, which just might be perfect for your wedding. Each personalized invitation comes with a matching ecru envelope. Double envelopes can be selected during the envelope personalization process.  Reception cards and Reply notes can be ordered as well.

You’ve come to terms with not doing the ‘traditional’ invite, so why not do something really different and fun? I found this wonderful design by Staccato on etsy.com

Kristy

Beautiful cocoa colored monogram adorns the top of a pale blue double thickness cotton paper. The invitation is further embellished by a thick chocolate satin ribbon and a shining crystal brooch. To make sure the invitation arrives beautiful condition, it is mailed in a sturdy chocolate box.  Set will include:
Letterpressed and embellished pale blue invitation
Letterpressed pale blue respond card & envelope
Mailing box in chocolate brown
Shimmery ivory wrap-around label
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Box, ribbon, ink, and paper colors can all be changed.  Invitation prices start at $15 but can vary based on your quantity, options, and inserts.

You can encourage your daughter to go as upscale as she would like if your budget allows.  If you really think about it…it would be a good thing to use more paper with your invitation ‘bundle’ if you are using tree free and post-consumer recycled papers.  It’s actually better to go for a lush effect. Then, just maybe, more people will be inspired to use these papers.

AH HA!  – Perhaps you (and your husband) will become a bit more green in your thinking as well. 

Just maybe more trees will be saved which would = Beauty and Responsibility. Win –

Win. YAY!

MoB Claudia Van Veen