Offbeat paper-doll-chain bridesmaids invitations

Tribe member Dragonwort took the idea of paper-chain doll bridesmaid invites and super-sized it to the power of offbeat. Check these out and get inspired to go crazy with it… -Megs

To ask my ladies to be my Ladies of Awesome, I decided to make formal invitations like I saw here. I loved the idea of formal invites for my ladies, and also I just think that paper dolls are super adorable. But I decided to make mine with a bit of an OBB twist. This was also a way to get them into the flavor and feel of the wedding that I am looking for — letting them know that I'm looking beyond just “ivory” and “white” as my wedding colors. So I decided to take a stab at it…

Part of my inspiration came from walking around the craft store. I started with commercial bridal cards that I bought at a deep discount because that color was out of season or something. They already said “Will you be my Bridesmaid?” on the front of them, as well as Flower Girl, and Maid of Honor.

Making the dolls:

I started by making the dolls using natural color card stock. Getting the template just right was a bit of a challenge, but thinking simple was the best option.

Fold up the paper and cut the ladies out, making sure not to cut their hands or feet apart. I have three Ladies of Awesome, so I folded the paper three times.

Clothing the dolls:

For the clothing, I used fabrics and ribbons from my wedding design wall, where I have been collecting stuff in the colors and theme (Moroccan, Indian, jewel tones, etc.) that want for the wedding. It has also helped me envision it better, and give me a great spot to put all those magazine clippings that I inevitably collect.

Each girl got a different dress made of different fabric to go with her personality. I would love for them all to wear dresses that they love and really reflect their very different personalities.

Doing their hair:

They also got a hair style that matches each person's, as close as I could.

I tried using decorative scissors on the hair do's, but I found that just tracing the head outline on the back of the paper and drawing it was better.

Then I cut three hair do's at once (three layers of paper) out of black origami paper.

The Card:

For the card part, I started with the commercial cards and die-cut a border of leaves. Then I placed the back ground on the part that would show through the leaves. Then I taped the last lady onto the card and secured her with a hair flower brad, which punched though the card. Then I attached the pumpkin ribbon (like they were standing in a pumpkin patch).

I crossed out their traditional title and replaced it with their Awesome one. Adding some extra spunk to the Flower Child invite.

I also found mini manila folders on clearance in the paper craft section. Those quickly became the Yes and No folder (think middle school, check box “yes” or “no”) within a Confidential Documents folder. On the inside of the No folder I wrote. “Ok, I understand and still love you” On the inside of the Yes folder I wrote “Woo Hoo!”

On the opposite side of the inside, I added the confidential documents folder, which was closed with ribbon and a tiny buckle. (Also from the clearance bin of the paper craft section.)

On the ribbon I strung letter beads to spell out their names (clearance bin again). I was starting to think that the ribbon closure was way too much, until I tired to put the letter that I wrote them into the file…

I folded four sheets of paper up until they fit in the folder, but then they were really thick. So the ribbon and buckle actually held it shut (for dear life).

The Result:

I am just so happy with how these turned out. The ladies LOVE them and were so excited by the whole process of opening them. And all my Ladies of Awesome said yes!

If you have made something like these please share. I'd love to see more Bridemaids invites.