Those BRIDES Invitation kits at Michael's

SSaltzman87

Has anyone here ever used them? I found a couple designs I like and am thinking of using them for my invites.

aerinpegadrak

I didn't use the invitation kit, but I used one of their program kits and was quite satisfied with the results.  The paper was a bit tricky to print on because it was so thin, so it took a few tries and some futzing with the settings to get it to print properly.

sep72fendr

I looked at them, but wasn't happy with the quality of the paper. IT was really thin and floppy. Yes, i totally busted open a few packages to play with them. Guilty.

Kristin789

I used a kit from Target (same brand as sold in Michaels) for invitations and programs, and loved it...

jamjar11

They can turn out very nicely if you are willing to sacrifice a few for the greater goal. I have had couples bring them into my work to get them printed and even on professional printing software it takes some trial and error. But eventually they turn out very nice. 

Regarding the paper... I have seen different paper thickness in different kits... so I would honestly pop open the packages at Michael's and feel them. They aren't sealed very well, so it won't damage it. I bet 3 brides before you have already done it.

fallbride1109

Tons of brides use these and say they love them.  It usually involves dressing them up somehow (adding your own ribbon, cardstock, etc.)

But honestly, I'm with the PP--I thought the quality was very subpar.

SSaltzman87

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_invites-paper_those-brides-invitation-kits-michaels?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:cd062f89-8272-496a-b0ab-225e1f87acecDiscussion:c69d248f-72fb-4231-8e00-7711a1b401c3Post:c3248d3a-9366-44b0-abb1-6aba9c723c51">Re: Those BRIDES Invitation kits at Michael's</a>:
[QUOTE]Tons of brides use these and say they love them.  It usually involves dressing them up somehow (adding your own ribbon, cardstock, etc.) But honestly, I'm with the PP--I thought the quality was very subpar.
Posted by stephiehall[/QUOTE]

Good to know :-)

I haven't opened the packages to feel how thick the paper is, but did notice they weren't sealed very well. I may just have to do that :-P

aerinpegadrak

This was the program that we used: http://www.michaels.com/BRIDES%C2%AE-Black-Multi-Layer-Program-Paper/wd0209,default,pd.html?start=65&cgid=products-wedding-bridesexclusive

The paper was thin, but I figured that was more a design choice than a quality thing.  The cardstock backing was quite thick, and I can't speak to the ribbon because I swapped out their white ribbon for some silver.

Jelenny

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_invites-paper_those-brides-invitation-kits-michaels?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:cd062f89-8272-496a-b0ab-225e1f87acecDiscussion:c69d248f-72fb-4231-8e00-7711a1b401c3Post:7d55293d-6a1b-419e-9738-472e47e57a86">Re: Those BRIDES Invitation kits at Michael's</a>:
[QUOTE]I looked at them, but wasn't happy with the quality of the paper. IT was really thin and floppy. Yes, i totally busted open a few packages to play with them. Guilty.
Posted by sep72fendr[/QUOTE]

haha was that the micaheals in hilliard?  :0) i saw a bunch open so i too fondled the paper

jacombjax

I went to a Things Very Special in Jacksonville, Florida for my wedding invitations.  I did consider saving money with the Michaels/Target invitation kit, but after a few thoughts, I opted to see what is out there instead.  Like the other brides before, I did not like the quality of paper they offered. 

We are having an extremely formal wedding (on a budget), and, although I know how much time and money we spent on it (and how formal it is), my guest do not know.  Hence, I wanted the invitation to reflect that style.  When my mother asked me (as she pulled out her own wedding invitation 30 years ago) if I would be happy with a DIY wedding invitation, I stopped and asked myself whether or not I would frame my wedding invitation.  My answer was ABSOLUTELY NOT!

I went for a simple white card with raised printing.  The hassle and trouble to buy, find someone to print, and making sure all the wording was correct was relieved when I went to Things Very Special.  I also, in the long run, saved money since I printed the same amount of save the dates myself, and spent more money buying extra paper and extra ink for all those mess ups.

I was told there is certain etiquette involved (such as not putting on the zip code, no abbreviations..etc)  I would have BOTCHED my invitations, and looked at them like trash in the future.  I personally would sacrifice things like ribbon to get it printed at a local store who knows wedding invitations.

Beachy730

I didn't use the Brides invitation kits, but we used the Brides kits for programs and place cards.  I had no problems with the paper at all.  The place cards were a thick cardstock.  The programs had a cardstock outer layer, and a thinner inside sheet.  They were folded and held together with a ribbon, so it didn't matter what the inside paper was.  They weren't flimsy or cheap at all.  It came with black ribbon to tie them together, and we bought pink ribbon too and alternated black and pink. 

For our invitations we did a DIY kit from Wilton brand.  They also sell them at Michael's, but the design we wanted we ordered from the Wilton website.  All the  cards in it were a thick card stock and came out great.

All 3 of our DIY things (invites, programs, place cards) were from those kits, and we had many people who were shocked when they heard they were DIY.  It takes a little trial and error with the font size and lining it up, but everything you buy comes with templates online, and you just enter the information.  It was so easy, and sooo much more affordable, I couldn't imagine doing it any other way.

vm_andrews

I used the Brides invitations and was really happy with them; nice heavy paper and the printing turned out great using Microsoft Word and a regular HP printer.

jnc1113

We cracked open several Brides kits and didn't like the quality of some of the paper, but the one we did choose is a very heavy cardstock and we couldn't be more impressed with the results.

jen12_23

I also purchase a BRIDE invitation kit.  And the paper is thick.  Not thin and flimsy.  Although I have not printed any yet, from PP, I can't wait to try it.  However, just a little tip, if you have an Ollies Bargain Outlet near you, see what they have.  Two weeks ago, we happened to get an Ollies paper in our mailbox, and I went and bought 3 boxes (at 40 invitations and RSVP cards per box) and each box was $5.99 a piece.  Its a pocket invitation with raised art and of course with the hole punch through the top to add the white ribbon (that it comes with) or you can add your own.