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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
Kim
I would love to use them for Christmas cards this year! We finally got professional family photos done and I love mixbooks options!
Sarah
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.
Yasmine
I would love to use Mixbook for my holiday cards this year! Love your invitations 🙂
Debbie Hausher
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.
Christine
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! =)
Michele B
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!
Laura Fuentes
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!
Elsa
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!
Sasha K
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!
Sabrina
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!
Mary
My sister used Mixbooks for her wedding earlier this year. They had beautiful cards.
Kaela Miller
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!!
Kristina
Happy anniversary! I would use them for more original birthday party invites.
Maria
I would love to use Mixbook for my oldest daughter’s high school graduation this year.
Alex
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.
Laura Fuentes
What a great idea!
Ginger
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!
Marie
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…
Lori M
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!
Laura Fuentes
Happy Anniversary to you too Lori!
Viviannette
I would love to use Mixbook for Christmas cards. Congrats on your anniversary!
Angela Williams
This would be awesome for Christmas cards!
Nancy
We’d like to have these cards to announce our future bundle of joy!