I'm Running Late to Save the Date

As I mentioned before, my Gocco has arrived. It is time to start designing our save the dates. AH! Since our wedding is so close to Christmas and will require travel for over half of our guests, the sooner I get the info out, the better. I've had an concept in my head since before holiday break, but now I need to get my thoughts into print.

And that's the theme of our save the date {and possibly a bit of the wedding}: travel. It is something Nick and I love to do. Plus our friends and family are spread out all over the United States and with Nick's career in the Air Force and the relocation that involves, we will always have to travel to see them. Out of all of this, our save the date was born!

My basic idea for the front of the card is a map of the US with arrows pointing from all of the various locations of friends and family to the Indiana with a heart {?} where my hometown and our wedding is. {The heart might be a bit too much for me, as I'm not really a heart kind of gal, but I'm still working out the details.}

Shortly after my brainstorm, I found two related designs. The first was a super cute letterpress postcard from etsy seller rar rar press. You tell them who you miss and where you are, then they will put the hearts in the proper place. Fantastic.

The next inspiration is from Mr. Boddington's Studio's portfolio of save the dates and wedding invites is nearly perfect. I love the raggedness of the map outline and the colors. Although, our storyline is a bit different {this bride and groom chased each other around the country}, the look is exactly what I'm going for. Plus, I'd like to use some of my favorite script typefaces to make it a teeny bit more formal.

I'm a bit behind, but hopefully I will get to test out the Gocco on my "Will you be my bridesmaid?" cards this weekend. Then, next week I'm going to get to work printing the actual save the dates. First, I need to decide on colors and order paper. I'm sure this is going to take longer than I think.

For you DIY brides, did you order paper from Paper Source? or a different company? Also, did you order it pre-cut or cut it yourself?

Top image © rar rar press; bottom image © Mr. Boddington's Studio.

Comments

[Sarah]

The simplicity of the card from etsy is what really makes it work. The type is fun and playful while the hearts are minimalistic and too the point. I personally find "Katie and Adam's" example hard to read. I'm not a fan of the reverse type on Texas. It really takes away from the design in my opinion.

For your save the date perhaps you could incorporate an element from your own wedding, instead of a heart. Another possibility is an icon that really represents your hometown or an icon that reflects you as a couple. Maybe an airplane landing would be appropriate playing off of the airforce and the traveling people will have to do.

[Hasel Bride aka Allison]

Thanks, Sarah, for the input! I have to agree. The text is about the only thing I don't like on the card from Mr. Boddington. It is a bit impossible to read, plus I've always thought it weird to change the color of text just because you are going over something. Pick something that works on white and green! Mostly I just love the way the map isn't quite perfect and is filled in. I'm thinking that will add a bit more color to a white card.

Keep the comments coming!

[Erin]

i love the arrows on the second option, but agree with sarah that the simplicity of the one from etsy is so charming. i also love the "it's not that far. really." probably because i can relate!

[Brooke]

I am starting to design my own save-the-date cards. Where did you buy your gocco from?

[Hasel Bride aka Allison]

My Gocco came from etsy seller Print Addict http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5072634 a really great little shop because the prices are super competitive.

I'm going to do a post with other Gocco resources later this week. I am trying to go through all my bookmarks so I get them all at once!

[Darci]

I agree, I really like the simplicity of the etsy card. You could use almost anything besides a heart for Indiana (I understand the reluctance). What about a little church? Or a mini bride & groom? Just a thought ;)

[Stephanie]

DIY Bride has some amazingly detailed tips for using the Gocco--she read all available instructions, but still found some things frustration, so gives her readers an uber-helpful step by step by step run down full of great advice.
http://www.diybride.com/page/2/
Good luck!

[Hasel Bride aka Allison]

Thanks, Stephanie!