birth announcements : beyond pink and blue

when it comes to choosing the right announcement for the arrival of your new bundle of joy, the options can be daunting. you're so excited to share the news with friends and family and want to make sure your announcement stands out. one way to do this is with an announcement that doesn't fit the stereotypical pink and blue theme. surprise them with bold burst of bright hues and it will be an announcement that's hard to forget.

the announcements below are from fin+roe. if you want yours to stand among all the other pastel pinks and baby blues, this is your answer! at fin+roe you choose your favorite design layout and then choose from 20 colors and 10 patterns to create your own customized design!


why not try a bright spring green on a baby girl announcement like the one below?


try a cheery orange for a little boy.


this bright red custom announcement from paper zest is a great color option if you're looking for a full-custom design. you can view a great selection of their previous work on their website.


this lovely orange option with pops of magenta comes from feterie. another nice touch: unlike most flat photo announcements, this one is a folded card.


i love the sophisticated and calming feeling that this chocolate brown announcement from paper stories letterpress exudes. brown is such a great color to tie into any color theme. it's gender neutral and is a softer option than black for a baby announcement.


if you're looking for a non-photo based announcement i thought these cards from InVita paper studio would be such a fun way to announce the arrival of a new baby. the colors are bright and cheerful and i love the text based design.

i hope this has given you a few ideas on how to escape the pastel pink and baby blue rut that so many people fall into. there are so many options out there. the possibilities are endless!

photos courtesy of their respective owners.

-lori [marzipan inc.]

The Usual Suspects-Wedding Invitation Inserts

You’ve finally decide on your invitation design, so what’s next? The inserts! Here’s a breakdown of the usual information that’s included on the inserts that go with your invitation:

Response card: Whether your design includes a postcard or a small card with an envelope, a response card is important so that you know how many guests to expect at your wedding. Be sure to apply the appropriate postage so guests can return these to you quickly and easily (let’s hope!). Your response card should have the date to reply by (usually a month before your wedding is recommended), an area to include the guests’ name, and an area to select whether they are accepting or declining. Some may choose to include a choice of entrée on the reply card as well. Depending on the formality of your wedding, sometimes guests may be given the opportunity to RSVP on your wedding website. Though not traditional, this can be noted as an option on the response card.

Reception card: If the reception information is not included on the invitation itself, and a reception is being held in a different location than the ceremony, a reception card should be included. This insert informs guests where and when the reception will take place. You may also wish to note attire on this insert, especially if the reception is black tie.

Maps and Directions: It’s a good idea to include a map or directions with your invitation as a courtesy for guests, especially if they are far apart or complex to find. They should outline the route guests would take from the ceremony to the reception. Including parking information, if applicable, is also helpful. Ideally the map and/or directions should be printed on the same paper as the invitation.

Accommodations: If you are inviting a lot of out of town guests, it’s often a good idea to include accommodation recommendations with the invitation as well. These details can easily be combined with the map and directions insert. A website can also be noted on this insert.

Stay tuned for information on additional enclosures in the coming weeks!

~Christina, paperzest

Images with * from Lasso'd Moon Designs, other images from paperzest

Save the Dates- the First Glimpse

Congratulations! You’ve set your date, secured your venue, and started to finalize your guest list. Now comes the fun part – telling your guests about your wedding!

Save the date announcements have become an increasingly popular way of letting guests know about your upcoming nuptials. While not imperative, sending save the dates are a good idea if you’re getting married on a holiday weekend, if you are expecting a lot of out-of-town guests, and especially if you’re planning a destination wedding.

Plan on mailing save the dates 4-6 months prior to your wedding, so that guests can begin to make any necessary travel arrangements. For destination weddings you may wish to extend the timeframe from 6-9 months.

Consider including accommodation information, or your wedding website, with your save the dates. You should aim to have save the dates ordered 2 months prior to mailing them. This will give you time to finalize your guest list and address your envelopes.

Start thinking about your invitations while looking for save the date announcements. Now is the perfect time to establish the tone for your wedding, and can provide a cohesive feel to your wedding stationery.

~Christina, paperzest