Card-making: Wedding Invitation

As wedding season approaches, I'm beginning to reflect back on my own wedding almost a year and a half ago.  A friend recently asked how I designed our invitations, and I was both flattered and more than happy to share with her how I made them.  Now I'm sharing the idea here for anyone who is interested.  Be warned, these are not the simplest invitations to make, but hopefully my instructions and templates will give you a few ideas to get started.

This is a pocket-style invitation, and if you'd rather purchase invitations in this style, I'd suggest looking here.  My invitations ended up costing around $2 each, including all stamping supplies and postage.  Not bad!

Here's what you'll need:
12x12 inch cardstock in main color
accent color cardstock
paper glue
sliding paper cutter (recommended) or scissors
template print-outs, on 12x12 white cardstock
envelopes, at least 4 1/2 x 6 inches

* for the template print-outs, I don't know how to upload a word file to this blog, so please leave me a comment with your email address and I can send you the file.  Thanks!

for stamping (optional):
stamp in any design
embossing heat gun
embossing ink pad
embossing powder

To figure out how much main color cardstock you'll need, figure on one sheet yielding two invitations, not including the pocket.  One sheet yields 6 pockets. 
Example: 150 invitations = 75 sheets, plus 25 sheets for pockets = 100 sheets total.

For accent color, used as a frame on front of invitation, one sheet yields 18 rectangles, each 3 1/2 x 1 3/4 inches.

Now to make the invitation:
I suggest inviting lots of friends, sisters, mothers, and grandmothers to an invitation assembly party!

1) Cut out main invitations (see diagram).  Fold where indicated.
2) Cut out pockets.  Fold where indicated.
3) Stamp design on invitation and pocket, before gluing pocket to main invitation.  Here is a good embossing tutorial.
4) Glue pocket on to inside of invitation, in bottom right corner.  Do this by running paper glue along the small folded under flaps, then press firmly to invitation.  Wipe away excess glue.
5) Cut out accent color rectangles, each 3 1/2 by 1 3/4 inches.
6) Cut out all white cardstock inserts.  The small rectangle with bride and groom names is glued to accent rectangle.  The main invitation page is glued inside in the middle.  The RSVP, Directions, and Reception info cards are stacked together and placed in the pocket.  The registry info card is glued to the invitation behind the pocket info.
7) Write your own address on the back of the RSVP card, and place a postcard stamp in corner.
8) Glue the accent rectangle to front of card.
9) Put in an envelope, address it, stamp it, and mail it!

I hope these directions are simple yet clear.  Please refer to photos and diagram for help.  Comment here if you have any questions, and also please let me know if you use this tutorial!  I'd love to see what you make!