This has been such a fun month to celebrate our friends and raise a glass of bubbly. In the span of one week, we’ve attended two weddings and one 10th anniversary party.
As is always the case with hindsight, seeing my friends’ beautiful, and beautifully planned, parties, has me thinking about what I would have done differently with my own wedding, with the benefit of hindsight.
Since I’m not about to get married again, and my 10th anniversary is still a few years away, I channeled that inspiration into designing my holiday cards for this year. In the past, I’ve just picked the first cheap design I saw, and called it a day. But now that I have this adorable baby to show off, combined with the inspiration from my friends’ beautiful weddings, I’m putting a little more thought into holiday cards this year. I’m being pickier, and I’m definitely not just going to pick the first design I see.
I must have been sending some feelers out into the universe, because Basic Invite reached out to collaborate right as my holiday cards were top of mind (oh, #momlife, how you’ve changed me…I can’t remember another time in my life when stationery was top of mind for me … ). Don’t be fooled by their name: Basic Invite is anything but basic. They have so many beautiful designs for all occasions, and not just invitations or cards: there are also photo books, wedding websites, and guest books.
Anyway, if you want to see some babies that are almost as cute as Colby, check out their line of super cute birth announcements. I went down that squishy rabbit hole for a good long while.
But back to holiday cards. I’m debating between this modern one, this joyful one, and this more traditional one. They all include lots of pictures … so lots of oppoortunites to show off Colby. #priorities
As I was poking around the site, I could see how much easier Basic Invite would have made wedding planning had I known about it five years ago. It’s basically a one stop shop for all things wedding: you get a free wedding website, infinitely customizable wedding invitations, and even an address collection service.
That last one really would have saved my life; you just share a link with your guests, and then Basic Invite will print their addresses on the envelopes for free. I can’t tell you how much time I spent tracking down addresses, making a spreadsheet, and then FAILING at mail merge and printer settings before I got my invitations out. I could have saved half a Brazilian rainforest with all the envelopes I ruined.
If I got to do it again, I would have picked either this seal & send invitation, which reminds me of the sparkly lights in the barn where we had our reception, or even though this isn’t my typical style, I kind of love this one. Something about those flowers speaks to me. Or maybe they remind me of the robes my bridesbabes wore while we were getting ready.
Or maybe this pretty photo invitation:
So. Many. Choices.
If you’re planning a wedding or other event, you should start with Basic Invite, and knock out several items in one go: your invitations (the Seal & Send line even have attached, tear-off RSVP postcards), your guest book, and your website. Then check those items off your list and pour yourself a glass of celebratory champagne.
Being basic has gotten a bad rap lately, but if Basic means beautiful cards that make your life—and your wedding planning—easier, go ahead and call me basic.
Stay sweaty (and classy!),
XO
Jamie
Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Basic Invite. That said, all thoughts, musings, words expressed, and punny-ness is my very own. I truly appreciate all of the brands that support the Sweat Pink community.
Nic says
August 29, 2018 at 1:44 pmOH MY GOSH, yes to these holiday card ideas. Oh, how I love how mom-life has changed you because I can’t wait to see those cards with that adorable chunky baby on it! I think I like the joyful one the most, but it’s so hard to choose! I’m definitely going to go down a hole of holiday cards now, and maybe, just maybe some wedding cards one day soon… 😉
Jamie says
August 29, 2018 at 2:00 pmYES to you creating wedding cards. I’m ready for my invitation to DANCE. 🙂
Alyse says
August 29, 2018 at 2:36 pmWedding cards soon?! Is there something I don’t know???!!!
Jamie says
August 29, 2018 at 2:42 pmHAHAH we keep telling her we want another excuse to dance!
Smitha says
August 29, 2018 at 2:06 pmLOVE the robes and the unicorns!
Jamie says
August 29, 2018 at 2:14 pmHehe me too, my hobby horse unicorns always make me happy. 🙂
Alyse says
August 29, 2018 at 2:37 pmOh my gosh, I just went down that baby rabbit hole… this is perfect timing because sending out baby announcements has been on my to do list for, um, two months now, and of course the holidays are right around the corner.
I’m also having some what I would have done differently with my wedding hindsight … we’ll just have to throw a fabulous anniversary party. 🙂
Jamie says
August 29, 2018 at 2:42 pmOoh, fabulous anniversary party sounds magical! I didn’t even do a baby announcement so good on you for doing that at all! 🙂 HA. I’m gonna do holiday cards though. I’m committing myself to it.
Liz says
August 29, 2018 at 5:02 pmBasic is best!! 🙂 Bookmarking this for my (if it ever happens) wedding someday!
Jamie says
August 29, 2018 at 8:46 pmHaha don’t be silly, it will definitely happen! And I can’t wait to dance my face off!