Altered Paper Press

New US Stamp Prices

Marjorie — Mon, 11 May 2009 04:43:55 +0000

Are you sending your wedding invitations this week? Make sure to double check the new prices at USPS. The new prices start today.

Up to

1 ounce is 44 cents
2 ounces is 61 cents
3 ounces is 78 cents
3.5 ounces is 95 cents

An average wedding invitation can weigh anywhere from 2 to 3 ounces, depending on what you have in your invitation set. But don’t forget there are other variables to consider to determine the cost of sending an invitation.

weight
size (height x length)
shape
thickness
strings, buttons, clasps
anything that causes the envelope to have an uneven shape

The best way to determine how much your invitation will cost to send is to bring a complete invitation set to the post office to have it weighed. Or you can use the USPS price calculator for domestic postage.

Posted in Business Chit Chat Tagged: sending invitations

Rock and Roll Bride

Marjorie — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 19:19:33 +0000

Now this is my kind of site. It really focuses on weddings with that rock and roll edge. If you like that style, check out some of the great posts and fun photos they have up at Rock and Roll Bride.

Later this week I’ll be posting a rockabilly invitation.

Posted in Recommended

Revamping Altered Paper Press

Marjorie — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 04:54:35 +0000

It’s time for a change. I’ve taken down the old blog and transferred some of the posts here that I felt were useful. 2009 is going to be filled with changes. We’re creating a few new altered lines of invitations and opening up a site with a store. This blog too will eventually move to the site. But for now, stay tuned for updates and changes about us, weddings and of course invitations!

If you are a DIY savy bride, check out this past post, about DIY Invitations, to remind you of some basics you wouldn’t want to miss as you start to create your invitations.

Posted in Business Chit Chat

Limited Guest List? Adult Reception? The Inner Envelope Please

Marjorie — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 05:30:24 +0000

The dream wedding. Not only does it include your special touches and must haves, but it’s also shared with everyone you want. For some this is possible and for some of us this is not. The reality could be is that the wedding of your dreams will need to be scaled down in some way. Minimizing the guest list is one way to get down to budget. With a limited guest list, you start to worry about etiquette and making sure you do this in a way that’s not hurtful to anyone. You start to worry that if you invite your cousin, will he bring his girlfriend? Because you’re only planning for your cousin. And what if you want to make it an adult only reception? What can be done to help give your guests an extra hint?

In traditional times the invitation set always included an inner and outer envelope. The outer envelope was used to properly address the invitation and send it off in the mail. The inner envelope also served its purpose. It was used to address the invitees and protect the invitation. Here are sample ways an inner envelope would be addressed:

Family invitees, with children in the home under 18

Mr. and Mrs. James Strum

Bethy and Kyle Strum

For an adult wedding

Mr. and Mrs. James Strum

For a single person and guest

Mr. Stephen Hass and Guest

For a single person only

Mr. Stephen Hass

In modern times of going ‘Green’ and trying to cut on costs, people have found that the inner envelope is so 1950′s. But have we really cut down? Right now there are some fun invitation designs that include sleeves, wraps, ribbons and tags. So, really we never did away with the second envelope we just chopped it up and transformed it. I say let’s bring back the etiquette of the inner envelope with a modern twist. Work with your designer to make use of the modern inner envelope!

Here are a few ideas:

The theme was a tropical wedding.

The wrap is a natural tissue and fiber adorned with a handwritten tag.

The sample below is from a 50′s style invitation.

Added to the sleeve is a little layered block that was printed.

Rockabilly themed invitation also has a layered block.

But given a slight edge by having the layers offset.

Now of course it’s not going to guarentee that your guests will get it. Still make the extra effort to make sure your guests are informed of your limitations. Have your family call to let guests know it’s an adult reception. But think about this… If you are invited to a wedding and there’s 4 in your family but only two are addressed on the envelope would you call to say hey what’s the deal? If you don’t, just maybe someone might. They might even call to confirm. And if they don’t they’ll sure talk about between themselves. It would be hot gossip. One of the best ways to get information around? Gossip, I mean communication!! And if someone’s not sure, they’ll call to confirm. I know I would.
This method is a straight in your face; these are the people who are invited, but kept a long the lines of proper etiquette. It’s now an alternative rather than the norm. I think it’s something to consider.

Victorian Gothic Wedding Invitations

Marjorie — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 22:38:27 +0000

I met Janelle at a little Mexican restuarant. We sat down and she began to explain her Victorian Gothic wedding. It was filled with some traditional victorian elements, such as her bridesmaid’s gowns. Each gown was handmade by a costume designer, created in the traditional victorian dress, using a different color for each bridesmaid. Janelle wanted to have those colors reflected in the invitation. Now, this isn’t an unusual request.

Most brides like to have their invitation colors the same as their wedding colors. The only difference with this wedding is that she had multiple colors, black, blue grey, red, purple and green . The other little twist, is that her wedding reflected the couples gothic style and hertiage tradition of a celtic element. So, all these things needed to be pulled into a flowing invitation.

I found the perfect paper. The pattern had victorian elements and used all the colors of the wedding. I gave her two samples. One using a black base, while the other still dark but gave a softer touch – brown. I even found a celtic image / design that complimented the victorian pattern.

She ended up choosing the brown over the black and removing the celtic element altogether going for a simple and elegant presentation. I think the invitation is modern, with victorian gothic style reflected.