Hey gorgeous paper lovers! In my new blog series, Invitation Finishing Touches 101, we're going to go over all of those fine, luxe details that can be added to any invitation suite to bring in personal elements, glamour and charm! The first installment is all about one the most popular finishing touch I offer - the Belly Band!
This luxurious belly band is styled with a rose gold glitter band (no glitter shedding here!), and topped with a custom monogram and date, printed with blush text on an eggplant background, and backed with a rose gold mirror-foil backing. It's elegant, modern and so chic!
So I know many of my couples usually have the same question - what in the world is a belly band??? Simply put, its like a belt that wraps around your invitation suite, in order to keep all of those extra pieces (response card, info inserts, maps, etc.) all snuggled up inside! They're constructed out of any number of awesome materials, like the above pictured glitter, metallic shimmer paper, lace, satin or silk ribbon, twine - or my favorite new option - vellum!!!
This simple and classicly styled belly band is made of soft black vellum (a thin, translucent paper), with suuuuper trendy white ink printing and a modern monogram.
Belly bands can be used as shown above, simply wrapped around the individual pieces of your invitation suite, or they can be used with our ultra-popular pocket fold designs.
This sophisticated style of band features a deep burgundy satin ribbon band, topped with the couple's monogram and a backing layer of gold leaf cardstock.
They can also be used with our trendy laser cut enclosures - although I don't recommend them for use with really delicate designs, as we don't want to run the risk of your guests accidentally tearing the laser cut when trying to remove it.
Another example of a satin ribbon band - shown in ivory, with a flourish die cut topper, layered on a gold leaf glitter backing layer.
Not all belly bands have to have multiple layers for the "topper" piece. The top pieces can also be customized with any design or wording that you'd like, popular choices are custom monograms, names and dates, "You're Invited", "Join Us" or even a simple decorative element. This is one of the simplest opportunities to really set your invitations apart from everyone else's invitations, even if you're choosing from our house collection.
Crimson Shimmer cardstock and a flourish die cut topper for this beautiful finishing touch.
A bright gold glitter band and royal monogram are the perfect pairing for this perfectly pink invitation suite.
An Ivory sheer organza ribbon is the perfect pairing with this matte burgundy die cut topper and drool worthy white ink printing.
Other die cut shapes are available as well - and shapes can be turned on the bias to create a totally different look!
The traditional flourish frame gets an update with a simple rotation of the design - shown with silver shimmer cardstock backing.
Classic square cut with light gold leaf glitter band.
Here we took that classic square cut and turned it on its side to create this fun diamond shape, with a mint green satin ribbon band.
Other die shapes are available as well, like this elongated frame with a soft curves.
Now I know that this isn't a belly band (it's a simple cardstock seal), but how fun with this cute little hexagon shape be as a belly band topper!!! - you know you want it! And it's so chic in matte black with white ink printing.
So what if you're looking for something other than paper, or ribbon? Lace is a great option! It's so classic and romantic, and really gives a touch of elegance to any design. Lace is often a bit of an upcharge, but it's sooooo worth it when you get nothing but compliments from your guests.
Ivory lace with a champagne shimmer cardstock topper with gold leaf glitter backing was the perfect choice for these blush and gold pocketfold invitations.
Do you want to know what one of my favorite top 10 trends for 2018 is? VELLUM Belly Bands! Metallic shimmer, matte, colored... floral designs, monograms, white ink - I love it all, especially these beauties.
This lovely floral pattern in an extra wide band made of metallic shimmer vellum softens up this dark and moody suite in the perfect way.
Totally crushing on the #bohovibes of this matte vellum wide band, with the boho chic pattern and monogram.
We loooooove the tropical trend, and who doesn't love pineapples??? The tropical leaves pattern of this matte vellum band is the perfect way to tie this suite all together.
This ultra wide band shown in super modern matte vellum features the watercolor floral pattern from the invitations and the couples names - how pretty is this!!!
Whether you're purchasing belly bands as part of your invitation package, or adding them on à la carte, your belly bands will come to you fully constructed, simply slip them on over your pieces, and tuck them into the envelope, and wait for your guests to be delighted! Don't feel like doing that much work? Then purchase our Posh Package, or add VIP stuffing services to your order and we'll do the work for you. Whatever you choose, I am confident that you and your guests will be so excited to receive these! Love what you're seeing? Want to order any of the above for your big day - shop now using the Shop tab of my site, or contact us for more info!