You can add a copy of your engagement photo to each and use them as favors! They could also double as napkin rings: just add a length of ribbon and tie around the napkin. Or, add tags with your guests names on them and they double as escort or place cards as well! The best part – all of the ones shown below cost between 50 cents and $1.25 each!

This wirework heart is 13 x 11 1/2″ and absolutely gorgeous! Just tie a ribbon to it, and hang it on the doorway into the chapel/reception area. Or, hang 3 at varying heights behind the head table. These are on sale for $6.75 each, so you can easily add a few to your decor without spending a fortune!

These heart shaped cookie magnet set would make a lovely wedding favor, and at $3.97 for 6 – that works out to about 65 cents per guest!! VERY affordable, and perfect for a pink or red wedding theme.

Here is one find that gives you an entire centerpiece in one, and the entire thing is $8.97! All you have to add is a candle! This centerpiece works for a red wedding any time of year, but if you are planning ahead for a Christmas 2008 wedding, the red berries will fit right in as well!

And one more worth mentioning, these adorable little gift bags! Just add some chocolates or other treats, and you have a wonderful favor. These are on sale in sets of 3 for $4.97.

(Legal Disclaimer: The following instructions and photos are my own original content and are copyright protected. If you wish to share this project with others on your own site/blog – please do but don’t copy the instructions. You may use the photo above, and link back here so your readers can read the instructions if they wish. Thanks – Crystal)

Supplies / Cost Up Front – for each invitation you will need:

- 1, 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ piece of textured white cardstock – about 25 cents depending where you shop. Try searching eBay or contact online scrapbooking boutiques for deals on bulk purchases.

- 1, 5 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ piece of patterned paper, I used Jack Frost from the Basic Gray Blitzen Collection – about 10 cents per invitation

- 1, 5 1/2″ length of 1″ ribbon, price varies depending where you get it. I purchased mine at the local dollar store for about 15 cents/invitations.

- 1 snowflake embelishment. I used Dimensional Stickers from K & Company. I paid $6 for 6 at my local scrapbooking story but if you are make a large amount, I suggest checking out eBay, dollar stores, etc – for more reasonably prices embelishment ideas. The ones I used came to $1/card.

TOTAL: Using the more expensive embelishments, $1.50 per invitation not including envelopes.

Step 1: Gathering Supplies

- 1 – 8 1/2 x 11 piece of white textured cardstock for every 2 invitations

- 1, 12 x 12 piece of printed paper for every 10 invitations

- 5 1/2″ of 1″ ribbon for each invitation

- 1 large embelishment for each invitation

Step 2: Cutting/Folding

a. Cut the white cardstock in half creating 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ inches pieces, fold each piece in half to create a tent card.

b. Cut the patterned paper into 5 1/2″ x 12″ pieces, and then cut into 2 1/2″ sections

Step 3: Taping/Gluing

a. Tape or glue the patterned paper to the bottom of the tent card front

b. Tape or glue the ribbon centered across the top of the patterned paper

c. Tape or glue the embelishment to the ribbon, off centered.

Step 4: Finishing

a. For a finishing touch, use a corner rounder to round the bottom edges of the front and back of the card

b. Print your invitation wording onto a colored paper and tape or glue to the inside of the invitation. If you prefer, you could save time, money and paper by print the wording onto the inside of the white cardstock before cutting/folding instead.

VARIATION IDEAS:

There are plenty of ways to vary this design – or to use it for other themes! In the photo at the beginning of this post, you can see two examples using the same paper but different ribbon and embelishment colors. Here are some other ideas:

- change the paper colors/pattern

- use a different embelishment: holly, flowers, poinsetta, butterfly, cally lily, etc – to match your theme

- change the size, for a larger invitation try using a full 8 1/2 x 11 sheet folded into a 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 tent card

- change the size or location of elements like the paper, ribbon or embelishment

- Add stamps! Customize each invitation by stamping your names, the date or a sweet sentiment onto the front. Suggested places: above the ribbon, just opposite the embelishment or along the bottom, centered on the patterned paper.

- shaped cookies (snowflakes, gingerbread men, etc) One wedding I attended last winter had gingerbread snowflakes with icing sugar sprinkled on top

- evergreen seedlings – there are actually companies who specialize in these! Treat each guest to a small evergreen seedling, planted in a small terracotta pot decorated to match the decor. They can then plant the seedling in spring!

- mistletoe

- fruitcake

- hot chocolate cones – who doesn’t love hot chocolate in winter? Buy a gourmet hot chocolate mix, and divide into individual servings. Place each serving in a small paper cone (make them from parchement or buy them premade) Top with marshmallows, twist, and tie shut with a ribbon. Insert a small candy cane into the ribbons.

- candy canes

- ornaments