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Celebrating 13 Lucky Years!

I’m so excited to share with you a personal milestone that means a lot to me. This fall, I’m celebrating 13 lucky years of marriage, and I’m going all out!

When my husband and I met, we were in graduate school, working part-time, and living a very simple life. Luxuries were not something we could afford, and our version of date night at a restaurant was eating at a local burger joint we both loved.

We’ve always been the type of people who celebrate experiences instead of things and have always made it a goal to continue to add more adventures since they make us happy.

laura-fuentes-family-33-of-106

When we got engaged, we planned our wedding in about a week, without any of the frills and events of modern weddings. We had no engagement pictures, no announcements, one couple’s bridal shower, and a honeymoon trip to Rome three years after our wedding.

Since half our guests were from out of town, I had to send out save-the-date cards. I remember the process of shopping for save-the-date cards and wedding invitations to be tedious and overwhelming at our local invitation store.

Imagine being in a “by appointment only” card store, looking through dozens of books with samples for over an hour that never quite fit your style. At some point, you look up and ask the designer (again) about the various paper types and whether or not different last names would fit in the invitation. Nothing was customizable, and when it was, you had no idea what the invitation would be like until your order came in.

Celebrating 13 Lucky Years! With Mixbooks Save the Date cards

Fast forward fifteen years later and technology has made a lot of things easier, including designing event cards like save-the-date cards, invitations, and thank you notes for an event. So, when the time came a couple of months ago to create cards for my “Lucky 13” Anniversary Party, I was ecstatic to partner with Mixbook.

Their website was super easy (and free) to use and creating a project from scratch was easy with their many beautiful templates. I also saved a few different save-the-date cards, which I shared with a friend to see which one she liked better.

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Although I’m a creative person (in the kitchen) I get overwhelmed quickly with too many choices so letting their samples and templates guide me through the process was an excellent idea. I was able to narrow down my favorites and choose a card that I was ultimately thrilled with.

When my friends and family received the save-the-date cards a few weeks ago, they were stunned at the gorgeous card design and how much of our personality came through in it.

My vision for the cards was simple. I wanted a little bit of whimsical, much happiness, and a lot to celebrate. We have, after all, built a great life for ourselves and a lot to be grateful for in the last 13 years.

mixbook-horizontal-family

While there are still many details about the anniversary event to plan, like flowers, decorations, music, photography, menu, the after-party, and more; I’m glad the save-the-date cards and invitations are done, and I’m extremely happy with them. For the first time, I feel the save-the-date and invitations reflect the type of event I’m planning.

What’s an upcoming event or holiday you’d love to have gorgeous printed cards for?

laura-fuentes-family

From time to time, I work with awesome companies to develop content for this website.  Today’s post was brought to you by Mixbook. All opinions are 100% my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that encourage my creativity.

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  1. Jenn C.

    October 07, 2016 at 9:45 am

    Happy Anniversary! Sounds like a fun celebration. I’d like Mixbook for Graduation cards.

    Reply
  2. Amy J.

    October 06, 2016 at 6:51 pm

    I’d probably use them for Christmas cards – my husbands wants to do cards and I don’t even know where to start! Or I’d surprise him with a photobook ;).

    Reply
  3. Angie S.

    October 05, 2016 at 7:25 pm

    I love the Christmas cards especially the rustic year in review. I always love to send out Christmas cards that tell our friends and family all about the highlights of our year.

    Reply
  4. Kimberly

    October 05, 2016 at 4:14 pm

    I love using Mixbook to make beautiful picture albums after family trips, but now that I know they also make invitations I look forward to placing my first order to invite family and friends to our Thanksgiving luncheon!

    Reply
  5. Amy

    October 05, 2016 at 3:48 pm

    I made books for my son’s teachers last year using Mixbook and found it to be a user-friendly and quality site and service. I’d love to make invitations or thank yous for my son’s birthday party coming up!

    Reply
  6. Jessica Difulco

    October 05, 2016 at 2:53 pm

    Congrats on your Lucky 13yrs. I would love to try the mixbook for some newborn announcements, or family Christmas cards with the new baby this year. I’ll have a new little one in just a few short weeks!!

    Reply
  7. Carrie Campbell

    October 05, 2016 at 2:10 pm

    I would LOVE to use Mixbook for Christmas cards this year- I’m always looking for something easy and unique!!!!!

    Reply
  8. Maryanne W.

    October 05, 2016 at 1:47 pm

    Love the BRIGHT christmas card design!

    Reply
  9. Kim

    October 05, 2016 at 1:00 am

    I would love to use them for Christmas cards this year! We finally got professional family photos done and I love mixbooks options!

    Reply
  10. Sarah

    October 04, 2016 at 8:53 pm

    My daughter is super creative and created personalized Rosh Hashana( new year) cards for each member of the family. She would love to use Mixbook to create cards for all occasions.

    Reply
  11. Yasmine

    October 03, 2016 at 3:01 pm

    I would love to use Mixbook for my holiday cards this year! Love your invitations 🙂

    Reply
  12. Debbie Hausher

    October 03, 2016 at 12:07 pm

    Every year, I say we’ll get family Christmas card photo done but it always seems a hassle. Looks like Mixbook might make it so easy that this will be The Year. Thanks.

    Reply
  13. Christine

    October 03, 2016 at 11:51 am

    Congrats on your upcoming anniversary! I would love to use the GC towards Christmas Cards this year. I seem to always run out of time and money to get those cards out in time! =)

    Reply
  14. Michele B

    October 03, 2016 at 11:00 am

    What great pictures of you all. You all look so happy and natural in your photos (which somehow never happens in our family photos). I would love to be able to make Photo Christmas cards this year. I used to make my own Christmas cards by hand, but with our new house and all my sons activities I just don’t have the time anymore, so most years I don’t even manage to get cards out. This would make it so much easier!

    Reply
    • Laura Fuentes

      October 03, 2016 at 11:22 am

      If it makes you feel any better Michele, I never get around to sending cards. Last year was a first in a while and this is the first family photo we have since we had our 3rd child (he’s nearly 5!). Good luck!

      Reply
  15. Elsa

    October 03, 2016 at 10:44 am

    I totally laughed reading this post. I remember going to one of those invitation stores before I got married 17 years ago (hard to admit) and not liking anything! everything was soooo fru-fru that I felt it just wasn’t “me” I’ll tell my sister in law about Mixbooks. she just got engaged!

    Reply
  16. Sasha K

    October 03, 2016 at 10:42 am

    For a second I thought you were getting married again and then I read through the post LOL!! Love the way the save the dates turned out!

    Reply
  17. Sabrina

    October 03, 2016 at 10:40 am

    LOVE your photos!!! I haven’t done family photos in forever but I thought to myself that this year I’ll get it together before the holidays and send out family picture invites. Using mixbooks would be great!

    Reply
  18. Mary

    October 03, 2016 at 10:39 am

    My sister used Mixbooks for her wedding earlier this year. They had beautiful cards.

    Reply
  19. Kaela Miller

    October 03, 2016 at 10:26 am

    I am definitely going to check out mixbook, for our family Christmas cards.
    I am always looking for new creative sites to help me out.
    Thanks so much!!

    Reply
  20. Kristina

    October 03, 2016 at 5:13 am

    Happy anniversary! I would use them for more original birthday party invites.

    Reply
  21. Maria

    October 02, 2016 at 10:34 pm

    I would love to use Mixbook for my oldest daughter’s high school graduation this year.

    Reply
  22. Alex

    October 02, 2016 at 10:34 pm

    I’d love to order some photo thank you cards that my daughters can use for holiday thank you notes. They are just starting to write themselves, so I think it would be great for them to add a short handwritten sentiment to the card but still be able to send a substantial thank you.

    Reply
    • Laura Fuentes

      October 03, 2016 at 10:45 am

      What a great idea!

      Reply
  23. Ginger

    October 02, 2016 at 9:54 pm

    I love Christmas cards and especially ones with photos on them to see how much friends and family have grown over the year. I would love to use Mixbook for Christmas cards, your cards turned out so great!

    Reply
  24. Marie

    October 02, 2016 at 9:39 pm

    For kid #2, I made a photo yearbook of his first year. I’ve slacked and have not done it for kid #1 (I don’t think these online photo book printing options were available 10 years ago) or #3 🙂 So I would use it for one of their yearbooks.

    I’ve also thought about making a family yearbook every year…

    Reply
  25. Lori M

    October 02, 2016 at 9:19 pm

    I’d love to try Mixbook for my 40th birthday bash coming up in April! Love your save the dates :). Happy early anniversary! My hubby and I celebrate our lucky 13 in 2 weeks!

    Reply
    • Laura Fuentes

      October 03, 2016 at 10:46 am

      Happy Anniversary to you too Lori!

      Reply
  26. Viviannette

    October 02, 2016 at 9:08 pm

    I would love to use Mixbook for Christmas cards. Congrats on your anniversary!

    Reply
  27. Angela Williams

    October 02, 2016 at 8:27 pm

    This would be awesome for Christmas cards!

    Reply
  28. Nancy

    October 02, 2016 at 8:09 pm

    We’d like to have these cards to announce our future bundle of joy!

    Reply
  29. JoeyfromSC

    October 02, 2016 at 8:08 pm

    Happy Anniversary! ! Beautiful photographs!! I LOVE Christmas, so I’d love to use the credit to make cards for that holiday!! Thanks for the chance!

    Joey J.

    Reply
    • JoeyfromSC

      October 02, 2016 at 8:11 pm

      & “BRIGHT” is my fave Christmas card design. .love it!!

      Reply
  30. Helen

    October 01, 2016 at 12:35 am

    My favorite holiday is Christmas, where we send and receive a lot of Christmas cards. It’s such a sweet way to remember all the people you love.
    I would like to use mixbook this year to try it out!

    Reply
  31. Yasmin

    September 28, 2016 at 9:48 am

    Congrats! You have a beautiful family!

    Reply
  32. Tina

    September 28, 2016 at 2:46 am

    beautiful invitations. we’ve used Mixbook in the past for baby announcements and they were gorgeous. happy celebrating!

    Reply
  33. Lisa

    September 28, 2016 at 2:45 am

    what a great post. you two have something special. I hope to make it that long with my future husband (and longer)! lol

    Reply
  34. Rosa

    September 28, 2016 at 2:44 am

    I love that you are celebrating all the things you’ve achieved together. The save the dates look great!

    Reply
  35. Cat

    September 27, 2016 at 4:29 pm

    I’d love to use these cards for a welcome home party for when my husband of 25 years comes home for his 2 week R&R break from his deployment. He was already deployed for our anniversary, so a welcome home party is what we are having instead.

    Reply
    • Laura Fuentes

      September 28, 2016 at 2:40 am

      That would be amazing!!

      Reply
  36. Maria

    September 27, 2016 at 12:02 pm

    The pictures are precious! Love the color matching shirts. Would love to win this for Christmas cards.

    Reply
  37. Polly

    September 27, 2016 at 11:34 am

    These look great! What a beautiful family.

    Reply
  38. Lisa

    September 27, 2016 at 11:29 am

    I’m getting married soon and would love these as my save the dates & invitations!! they look awesome.

    Reply
  39. Jules

    September 27, 2016 at 11:23 am

    I would love this for Christmas cards!

    Reply
  40. Gabi

    September 27, 2016 at 11:22 am

    Christmas Cards!! Would love this for my family!

    Reply
  41. Jessica J.

    September 27, 2016 at 11:19 am

    Wow, the cards look great! I would love to use Mixbook for our Christmas cards!

    Reply
  42. Alice

    September 27, 2016 at 11:08 am

    The pictures look great!!

    Reply
  43. Serena

    September 27, 2016 at 11:07 am

    Thanks awesome! Congrats!

    Reply
  44. Marion

    September 27, 2016 at 9:23 am

    Love your “Save the Date” cards. I would love to use Mixbook for Christmas invites this year. We are having it in our new home with friends and family.

    Reply
  45. Shonda

    September 27, 2016 at 8:20 am

    Happy anniversary! Beautiful pictures!

    Reply
  46. Mary Ellen

    September 27, 2016 at 7:24 am

    You are just so cool to celebrate 13years! Gorgeous pictures and cards.

    Reply
  47. Ella

    September 27, 2016 at 7:23 am

    The cards are gorgeous!!! We used Mixbook last year for my sister’s wedding and were extremely thrilled with everything we ordered! From save the date to thank you notes, everything matched.

    Reply
  48. Brooke Kingston

    September 27, 2016 at 7:19 am

    You have such a gorgeous, photogenic family, Laura! I LOVE seeing these images of you all…the smiles are so stunning! Congratulations on the lucky 13! May you and your husband be abundantly blessed for many, many years to come! ❤️️

    Reply
    • Laura Fuentes

      September 28, 2016 at 2:47 am

      Thank you so much Brooke!

      Reply

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