Today is a fun day as not only am I celebrating my 14th wedding anniversary today, it's also the day my oldest daughter started 4th grade. Lots happening all in one day . . .

In addition to that excitement, I have created a free printable Save the Date template for you that you can download and then bring into your favorite photo editing program {free or paid - think Canva vs. Photoshop}. Once you open the file, you can simple type in your personalized details and print away.

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See the super cute Perfect Blend Personalized Stamp on the top of the Save the Date? It's a self-inking rubber stamp from Holmes Stamp & Sign they created for me. I love it, and it's so easy to use - simply take off the cover, unlock and stamp away. I thought this particular one had the cutest stamp and needed to have a matching Save the Date template created for it. Oh, and if you use coupon code BRENDA at checkout - you can save 10% on your order from Holmes Stamp & Sign. The printable template comes with the coffee stain and the "Save the date" type already in place. You simply add your stamp to the top and add in the personalized type of your choice. The featured font for "Save the date" is called Mustache and can be found here.

Love the font used in this Save the date card template for "The Perfect Blend"? You can purchase the Mustache font here for just $15.

I have a fun post to start your Thursday off with - it's a DIY Wedding Stationery Set that uses Serif’s CraftArtist software and ‘Love Birds’ digikit, which can be downloaded from the social crafting website DaisyTrail.com. Below is a step-by-step guide with illustrations. You can either create the card using the free version of the software CraftArtist Compact or you can choose to buy CraftArtist Professional. The Love Birds digikit is available to purchase from DaisyTrail.com for $4.99.

Wedding Stationery Set Created using “Love Birds” digikit and CraftArtist Compact or CraftArtist Professional. Other supplies used: Inkjet paper/card, Basic card stock, Selection of twine or ribbon, Selection of small buttons, Adhesive, foam pads, or basic paper glue will work fine, Scissors and/or paper trimmer

Save the Date Card

• Starting with a blank project, choose an A4 size template.
• Create a 4” x 3” basic rectangle as base for the card with a white fill and black line. This will be easier for cutting out after printing.
• Add the text and then choose your fonts and lay out the text. Leave a bit of a gap at the top of the card to add some ribbon on embellishments after printing.
• The hearts were created using a basic heart shape and color was picked from the floral embellishment in the digikit.
• Once the card is finished, group everything so you can copy and paste to cover the A4 sheet.
• Print on white inkjet cardstock. An off white or cream would also be nice for wedding stationery depending on your color/theme.
• Use a paper trimmer to get more accurate cutting and it saves a lot of time if you have loads of cards to do.
• Thread a small piece of twine through one of the buttons for the bottom corner. Glue in place.
• Wrap twine around the top of the card and secure with a knot. Add a little bit of glue on the back of the card to keep the twine in place. Tie the button in place finishing with a simple tied bow.

*** Top Tip: Why not add some magnetic tape to the back of the card?  Available in most craft stores, this will be great for your family and friends to stick it to their fridge!

Wedding Invitation

• Start off by making the card insert. Shown with an A6 card insert and text using the same fonts as the “Save the Date” card.
• Print on high quality white inkjet paper and folder ready to insert into the card.
• For the wedding invitation, choose an A6 card template and use the same embellishment from the Love Bird digikit. Also added are some letters and a heart.
• Print them on a separate sheet and add them using foam pads to add a bit of dimension.
• Once printed and folded, add the buttons and twine much the same way as “Save the Date” card. For added dimension you can use foam pads to stick the hearts on.

Favor Box

• This was created using the cupcake holder template with a background from the Love Birds digikit.
• Print on card and cut out and then assemble. Some glue and a little bit of tape was used to hold in place.
• Draw a circle using the base of the cupcake holder (once assembled) as a template.
• Cut out and secure holder to the base – again, using glue and tape.
• Create a little handle from a printed out A4 sheet of card. Measure approximately 1/2” and then cut and secure using tape.
• Add your own embellishments and tissue paper to finish off. Shown with a couple of buttons and some pink twine to match the invites.

*** Top Tip: You could also add names to the favor boxes so they double up as place cards. Use metallic pens for added sparkle and glamour.

The above design is by Diane Rooney. More information on CraftArtist can be found online.

DaisyTrail.com is an affiliate of Brenda's Wedding Blog

Today I wanted to introduce you to PaperThemes, a personalized wedding stationery company with over 100 years experience. What I love about the site {along with their brand new design which is simply beautiful} is not every bride will want to make all the important decisions herself, so PaperThemes includes tools such as "save for later" and "send to a friend" so they can gain the much needed approval from their loved ones. Plus, there's so many great designs to choose from. Some of my favorites you can see here with SO MANY MORE available on their web site.

From now thru the end of November, you can save 30% on your wedding invitations - it's in celebration of their all new website.

At PaperThemes, you will find everything from stationery and accessories to favors and table decorations. Stationery items include save the date cards, the wedding invites, evening invites, acceptance cards, order of service, place cards and  thank you cards. Paper Themes gives you the ability to design and personalize your wedding invitations down to every last detail so you can be sure to set the right atmosphere for your upcoming nuptials. The wedding favors at PaperThemes are specifically styled so that no matter what choices you have made in your wedding stationery, you can easily find an option to suit.

And, in case you noticed that PaperThemes is based in the UK - there's no need to worry as they do ship worldwide which is wonderful news.

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For today's Eye Candy Friday edition, I'm featuring several fun and unique Save the Date's.
{past eye candy friday editions can be seen here: v1, v2, v3, v4, v5, v6, and v7}

Below is Linda & Harriett's new custom "Seaside Sundae" Save the Date. It's meant to mimic the lid of a pint of Ben & Jerry's ice cream - a favorite summertime treat of the engaged couple. These cards are letterpressed with soy-based ink (eco-friendly) onto 2-ply 100% cotton paper.

Below is from Letterpunch Design on etsy.com - it's a retro train punch card save the date.

Below is from The Stylish Scribe on etsy.com - boarding pass themed save the dates with corresponding invitation and RSVP card.

Earlier today I posted a gray and yellow inspiration board for spring weddings with a bird and pussy willow motif. I wanted to continue with the bird theme and share with you some wedding invitations and save the date cards from etsy. Some are cute and some are elegant - and there's many more if you visit etsy.com and do a search for either "love birds invitations" or just "bird invitations".

Above Image Credits:
Top Row: (Left) Letterpunch Design, (Right) Ink Obsession Designs
Middle Row: (left) Paper Heart Design, (right) Emily Ink
Bottom row: both from Eva Paul