Mock-Up DIY Pocketfold Invitations

Many years ago, a coworker of mine brought me an invitation to a beach wedding that she loved. She knew I was interested in card-making and the like, so she thought I'd also be interested in seeing the invitation. It was a simple photograph with a vellum overlay, on which the invitation text was written. I fell in love with that simple idea!

When I started thinking about my wedding invitations I knew I had to incorporate that. I also love pocketfolds. But being the cheapskate I am, I quickly realized pocketfolds were out of my price range. Then I ran into another invitation dilemma: 90% of our guests will be from out of town, and therefore would really benefit from a lot of information being included in the invitation. So I either had to do a pocketfold or I had to have a ton of random inserts, or rely on my guests going to our website for all the information.

Then, like a godsend, I found MsRitaliu's tutorial on WeddingBee.com that perfectly outlined how to make your own pocketfold. I immediately set to work on recreating it. I spent hours getting the sizes right, aligning the inserts (still need to do some work here - the little swooshy thing is not lined up on all of them, and I might just scrap that altogether), playing with fonts, printing mock-ups and cutting them and seeing how they all fit together. Then I started researching papers to use. All of this was accomplished during my workday (shhhh) and without that time, I don't know if I'd be even to the halfway point on this. It takes a lot of decision-making to do this sort of project on your own.

The back of the Directions insert, with a simplified map.

My favorite site that I found was http://www.paperandmore.com/. The other sites out there (cardsandpockets.com, lcipaper.com, etc.) were also helpful. I also needed to make sure my RSVP card was the correct size and weight so I did research with the USPS on that aspect.

At PaperandMore.com, I was able to order samples of every paper style I was considering. One thing I learned: pay attention to paper weights! Text paper weight is different than cardstock weight. 

I am going to make 180 of these babies! Here's a breakdown of the materials, sizes, and prices of everything I used (all paper from paperandmore.com):

1. Pearlescent Metallic Paper 81#  in Ruby Purple  - I chose text-weight paper instead of cardstock for its cheaper price (for the same look), its folding ease (their cardstock is actually really thick), and to reduce the final weight of the entire invitation (I want to keep it at a 44-cent stamp). The only downfall is I need to be much more careful with it. It will bend and get imperfections much easier than the cardstock version (you can see this yourself with the upper-right corner of the photo above).

Size of My Pocketfold - 6.25" high x 11" wide. The flap is 2" and the main part and pocketside are 4.5". The pocket is made from a piece of 3.25" x 5.25" (then measured 1/2" in from the three sides and folded under). Actual pocket space ends up being 2.75" high by 4.25" wide. I can cut 4 pieces from each page for the pocket.

Purchasing: 3 packs (100 sheets in each) @ 19.99 = $59.97.

2. Prints of our engagement pics from Snapfish - Over the course of a few months, I got most of these for free. Snapfish sends out great deals via email that you can snag if you are patient!

3. #29 White Vellum Paper - This is the site's most popular version of vellum. I put it through the laser copier/printer at work and it did not smudge ONE bit, and the print looks great!

Purchasing: 1 pack (100 sheets, I can fit two 4x6 overlays onto each printed sheet) @16.99 = $16.99

4. Bright White Linen 80# Text Paper - Using this for three of the inserts. It is thick enough to be substantial but doesn't make the pocket too full. Plus, it's cheaper than the cardstock version so I'm saving money. I'm also using this for the 1.3" square on the front of the invite with the monogram stamp.

Insert Sizes: Reception 4.2" x 5", Directions/Map 4.2" x 4.25, Information 4.2" x 3.5"

Purchasing: 3 packs (100 sheets each) x 9.99 = $29.97

5. Bright White Linen 80# Card Stock - Using this for the RSVP card insert. 80# cardstock is the lightest paper weight you can use to send as a postcard. Looking at all 4 inserts together, they all look exactly the same! You only tell the difference when you hold all the pieces. However, I think I'll need to get the RSVPs printed by a company as it seemed to smudge easier in the printer because of the thickness of the paper. This same card stock will also be used for our ceremony programs (more on this in a later blog).

Purchasing: Only need 1 pack for invites, but will purchase 2 packs to cover the ceremony programs and other signage I may need. 2 packs (100 sheets each) x 15.99 = $31.98

6. Bright White Linen A6 Envelopes - We are only using one envelope and no inner envelope. This is partially me being a tree-hugger (it just gets thrown away anyway) and also to cut down the final weight.

Purchasing: 4 packs (50 envelopes each) x 10.99 =  $43.96

7. Pearlescent Metallic Paper 81# in Onyx Black - Used for the belly band. It is 3/4" and I can cut 11 from each piece of paper. It is also used for the black 1.5" square on the front monogram piece. I can fit 35 on a page!

Purchasing: 1 pack (100 sheets) x 19.99 = $19.99

* I will end up with 77 extra pieces of black paper. I only "need" 23 pieces but I figure I can use this black paper for some other stuff (I'm thinking rehearsal dinner invites). To purchase 23 individual sheets of paper like this from a store will be approximately $13, so it's definitely worth it to just get the extra paper.

8. Silver Brads - I bought these from Michael's (in the scrapbooking section) to fasten the vellum onto the photo. They were under $2 for a package of 100, if I remember right. I used a hammer and a nail to punch a hole in them first, then pushed the brad through and opened up the back.

9. Double-Sided Tape -  I bought some on sale at JoAnn's. It is being used to adhere the photo (after vellum is attached with the brads) to the pocketfold. In my mock-up I used a glue stick, but herein lies another problem with NOT using cardstock: you can see all the glue marks when you turn over the invitation.

10. Glue Dots - Using a glue dot to attach the belly band to itself.

11. "F" Stamp - I bought this awhile back from http://www.stampxpress.com/ for $22.99. It is a self-inking stamp that is really easy to use and it looks great on the linen text paper.

Total PaperAndMore.com Cost: $202.86 + $3.99 (shipping) = $206.85

Estimated/Rounded Cost of Other Items Bought: $35

Final Estimated Cost for 180 Invitations: $282

Ahem, that's $1.60 an invite! Hooray me!

This is going to be a HUGE undertaking -- the most painstaking and time-consuming project of my entire wedding. I plan to enlist the help of a few lucky bridesmaids, and I hope to be able to do all of the actual pocketfold-making during my maternity leave. The rest will be easy!