Paper Advice

I had a lovely reader email me last weekend and ask about DIY invitation resources. She's a savvy bride and has chosen to work with a free template she found online for download. However, she had questions about paper selection and sources.

As a DIY Bride, there are many different ways to create your own invitations.

• Utilize one of the many free downloads found throughout the bridal blog world
• Purchase pre-designed, print-at-home sets at a hobby store
• Design your own!
• Hire a stationery designer! Most freelance stationery designers can customize your invitation vision for a fraction of the cost of major stationers as well as just "jump start" you with a designed template that you will then print, trim and assemble yourself.

Almost all of the above options would require you to purchase or choose paper, which can be overwhelming! There are, of course, many online paper stores that can provide you with numerous color options for mats and envelopes, but I save more money & time by heading down to one of the local paper stores for white & ivory paper for printing. They have direct access to the paper mills in the Nashville area, take in overstock and can in turn pass the discount on to you.

Nashville-area paper stores:
Dennis Paper
Paper Plus

Additionally, I enjoy shopping these  online retailers (most offer samples):
Cards & Pockets
Paper & More
Paper Source
Paper Presentation
Envelopements

Do any of you readers have suggestions? Leave them in the comments!