In more than a few conversations on the QCWeddings.com forum, I have shared information about one of my favorite websites, Etsy.com. After hearing feedback about how people have had overwhelming good luck on this site, I thought it only fair to share the love with all of our blog readers.

For those of you who have not visited Etsy.com yet, I am so excited for you! I remember the first time that I used the site and discovered all the fantastic opportunities on it! Essentially, Etsy.com is an enormous collection of vendors of all things handmade or vintage who have created stores in which they sell their wares. You can literally find just about anything you can imagine. Vintage yearbook pictures? Felt tooth pillows? All natural dog shampoo? You got it! I'm telling you, folks...think of the oddest item in the world and search for it on Etsy.com. There is someone who sells it or someone who is willing to make it custom for you.

Along with all the "weird" stuff on Etsy.com, you can find anything and everything you would ever need for your wedding. Dresses, candles, decorations, favors, banners, invitations, fans, cake stands, jewelry...I could go on forever. I like to think of it as mecca. Here are just a few items found on Etsy.com that are available for purchase:

Remember that this is a very SMALL sampling of some items I found while looking around. Here are some links in case you're interested in finding out more about the items shown above:

Row 1: Wedding Poster, Wedding Band, Tissue Flower Poms, Lace Garter

Row 2: Dress, Table Runner, Marriage Certificate, Necklace

Row 3: Calligraphy, Veil, Bachelorette Party Invites, Bouquet

Row 4: Bolero, Moss Initial, Wedding Sign, Earrings

Warning! Etsy is addictive! If you do not set a kitchen timer, you will stay on the site for hours and alienate your friends and family and fiance! Have fun!

As we settle down tonight to gain some well needed rest, my mind wanders to the essential question for tomorrow - Why am I Thankful?

I love receiving wedding invitations in the mail. In fact, I love receiving all things in the mail from folks I know. I think there is something so enchanting about the nearly lost art of correspondence, and I really wish letter writing would come back in style. Ironic, coming from a blogger, I know, but receiving a card in the mail is way more fun than an email. I think it probably has something to do with nostalgia and the extra effort it takes to lick the envelope shut...plus our postman is really adorable and friendly!

Anyhoo, we are nearing that time in our engagement when my fiance and I are starting to think about how our wedding invitations will look. We are working with a local artist to create our stationery look, and she asked me the other day what specific parts of the invitation I wanted to include. I wasn't sure what my options were, so I did a little research. Check out this list of wedding invitation options provided by StationeryStyle.com:

Outer envelope—This envelope is formally addressed to the recipient and holds all the enclosures.

Inner envelope—This holds the invitation, keeping it in good conditions during mailing. It is normally addressed with the first names of the invitation recipients only.

Reception card—This card includes information about where and when a reception will be held.

Response or Reply Card—This card is encased in a self-addressed, stamped envelope to allow the recipient to easily RSVP to the invitation. In recent years you may find the card itself is addressed and stamped for mailing, but it is always preferable to provide an envelope for the card.

Within the Ribbon Card—This card lets a recipient know that he or she has been honored with special seating at the ceremony. A long ribbon or sash will reserve several front rows of seating at the ceremony for these guests.

Place Card—This card is used if you choose to have assigned seating at your reception. The cards are personalized, usually by hand or calligraphy, and set on the table at each guest’s assigned place. They are not mailed.

Table Card—Also referred to as an escort card, a table card lets each guest know which table they are assigned to. It is less specific than a place card. They are enclosed with the wedding invitation, but they are encased in a separate envelope.

Menu Card—A menu card lets guests know that will be served at the reception. This card may offer recipients a chose between two or more entrees. If so, they should be placed in a self-addressed, stamped envelope to make it easy for guests to reply.

Map—This optional card is included to give recipients clear directions to the ceremony and/or reception.

You will have to decide with your significant other which elements you need to include, would like to include, and don't mind excluding. There may be even more elements that can be part of a wedding invitation that aren't even on this list! What will you include/exclude??

Am I the only one with an unhealthy love for paper?  I think I've mentioned this before, but lovingly packaged snail mail makes my heart thump a little harder.  Lately I have been thinking about how to jazz up our invitation envelopes.  There are so many cool things that you could do to make people do a double-take on your wedding invitation before they have even opened the envelope.  Here are some recent examples that I've added to my paper-eye-candy-files:

photo found via Something Old Something New

photo via Oh So Beautiful Paper

photo via Oh So Beautiful Paper

photo found via Mint

There are many talented artisans around the QCA who would love to help you construct your dream invitation suite!  Model Printers in Moline has been a trusted source for all things paper since 1900!  They can basically do anything that you want:  invitations, programs, stationery, etc. to your exact specifications!  Check out their website for more info!

Adding a unique stamp or using a typewriter to address your envelopes would give them a wonderful vintage feel.  If you are more of a do-it-yourselfer, you may want to consider talking to the folks at RubberStamps.net who can create a custom stamp with graphics, lettering, and pictures of your choice!  They can also create fun address labels for your envelopes...

Do we have any local calligraphers?  I would love to find someone to hand write my guests' addresses in a beautiful flowing handwriting!  If you are on the hunt for a calligrapher and can't find one here locally, check out Etsy.com where you can find many calligraphers!

Has anyone around here gone the calligraphy route?  Hand stamping route?  Feeding the envelopes through your printer route?  Letterpress route?  Tell us about how you made your invitations unique so that I know I'm not the only one who needs a paper addiction support group...  :)

There has been a lot of discussion lately on the message boards about brides who are thinking of creating their own or looking for inexpensive Save The Date stationery ideas.  

Save the Dates are so much fun because they can be really anything.  They can match the "theme" of your wedding or be something totally off the wall.  Each of us has seperate tastes, and so the perfect Save The Date depends on the bride.  

Me?  I'm a sucker for anything vintage, and being a librarian student, I have an unhealthy addiction to books and anything library related...

So my dorky little heart did a hop, skip, and a jump when I saw the Save The Dates pictured below featured on the DIYBride blog.  Hop on over to her blog to find the library card online generator where you can play around.  I made a Save The Date for the Fall Bridal Fair!  Check it out!

I could definitely make something like this for my Save the Date cards and print them out very inexpensively!  What do you think?

DIYBride also has some templates for library card pockets and check out cards.  What?  You don't like to stamp a due date on a card when your friends borrow a book?  :)  Kidding...