April 26, 2010

DIY Cocktail Napkins

I’ve often said, I’m not a party planner. I’m much more of a party go-er! When it came time to put the little touches on my new wedding garter collection launch party, I was at a loss. Good thing that I had Stephanie and Janice to look out for me and save me a little bit of money!

I wanted those cute cocktail napkins that you see at parties and everyone goes “awww” before they wrap their drink or grab a cupcake. But, to get my company logo printed on them was going to be a bit pricey. They actually aren’t that expensive if you think you might eventually order more because you have to pay to have a plate made of your logo first (about $200 for 300), but certainly more money than I had or wanted or needed to spend on this extra detail.

UNTIL, Stephanie from Couture Parties suggested that I use my logo stamp on the napkins. I have a wooden stamp  from Rummberstamps.net with my “The Garter Girl by Julianne Smith” logo on it that I use for lots of different things, but mostly to stamp the keepsake bags that come with all of my stylish wedding garter designs. Genius!

For $15 in the cost the napkins (I already had the stamp.), I made these little DIY cocktail napkin beauties. (And by “I”, I mean my mom, ’cause she was the one who actually stamped all 300 of them with lots of love!)

Thank you, Stephanie, for cluing me into the wedding planner secret of stamping napkins. Thank you to Janice for saving me from spending unnecessary money. And, thanks to my momma for always supporting me, even when that means stamping hundreds of napkins!

All photos on this post are credited to A Britton Photography.

Julianne Smith on 4/26/10

C o m m e n t s

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• [...] For example, instead of buying napkins printed with your monogram, stamp ‘em yourself!  (See here where I did this for a party of my own!)  The options for using a stamp truly are endless!  If [...]

  Posted by: Easy DIY Using Wooden Stamp: Cocktail Napkins, Notecards, Gifts | United With Love™ :: Fresh Inspiration for Weddings in DC, Maryland, and Virginia · June 28, 2011 at 8:00 am

• [...] her recent launch party Julianne made custom cocktail napkins with just a rubber stamp and I think they would be fabulous for a wedding. Wether you use a floral [...]

  Posted by: :: ROCK MY WEDDING :: UK WEDDING BLOG :: · June 18, 2010 at 2:50 am

• Hello! The napkins were from Walmart and the stamp is from Rubberstamps.net. Good luck!

  Posted by: Admin comment by admin · June 1, 2010 at 4:23 pm

• Hello! In my experience, the ink doesn’t come off once it is dry. I had the same concern as you, so I was a bit worried, but I haven’t found that it rubs off. Good luck!

  Posted by: Admin comment by admin · June 1, 2010 at 4:21 pm

• I just designed our logo for our wedding and I was wondering if when a person rubbed their mouth with the napkin and it was wet, did they ink come off or anything?

  Thanks!

  Posted by: Stacie Krueger · May 31, 2010 at 5:05 pm

• Where the napkins themselves any particular brand?
  Where did you say you purchased the stamp from again? Thanks!

  Posted by: Stacie Krueger · May 28, 2010 at 5:16 pm

• Hello! I just used regular stamp ink. It wasn’t anything special. If you set the napkins aside after you stamp and give it time to dry, they turn out perfectly. I was worried that they were going to smudge too, especially when used, but they didn’t! Good luck!

  Posted by: Admin comment by admin · May 28, 2010 at 5:14 pm

• May I ask what type of ink you used to keep the writing from smearing?

  Thank you!

  Posted by: Cassie · May 28, 2010 at 4:49 pm

• super budget-savvy, so you know I love it

  Posted by: Jessica @ The Budget Savvy Bride · April 26, 2010 at 3:26 pm

• The napkins are adorable! Great job! Very inspiring!

  Posted by: Stacie Krueger · April 26, 2010 at 3:18 pm

• Thanks Juli for the shout out! Yes, I too sell the “fancy ones” but always happy to share a little secret with my friends! You and Mom did a FANTASTIC job!

  Posted by: stephanie frazier grimm · April 26, 2010 at 3:00 pm

• Hey Lisa! Thanks! I’m glad I fooled you You have to make sure that you have a good stamp so that the edges don’t make a mess on the stamp. But, there is no question the imprinted napkins look better and are less work, if you aren’t into the DIY.

  Posted by: Admin comment by admin · April 26, 2010 at 10:40 am

• Great idea! As a vendor who sells the “expensive” imprinted cocktail napkins and was at your event, I never noticed that yours were the “DIY version”. They looked amazing!

  Posted by: Lisa Schneider · April 26, 2010 at 9:28 am