Invitations part II (of a few more to come)

I'm sure some would be discouraged to see "0" comments/replies for a few consecutive posts but certainly not I. Why? Bc I know SOMEBODY, at least ONE other person is actually reading my blog. HOW? because my counts are growing! slowly!! but surely!! Unless of course, James is pumping up the counts by refreshing the page a dozen times to get me going.... he's actually done that once before when I first started this blog. Oh, my silly fiance.

Onto the topic at hand: INVITATIONS!!! I am not enjoying the paper stuff much. I admit, I like pretty things, stickers, ribbons, scrolling through finished invitations on theknot.com and rubbing my grimey little hands on the sample invitations on the walls at the paper store. I like all that stuff, but I don't like envisioning the finished product. I have not put that side of the brain to use since I left my last jobby job; it is quite rusty.

I ordered some paper from papersandmore.com (will review once product comes in, but they have been quite thorough and attentive so far in answering my questions). Here are the things I ordered last night:

1. Linen Paper 200 8.5"x11" sheets 70lbs in white (will be printing on this paper)
2. Linen Paper 200 8.5"x11" sheets 80lbs in ivory (will be using this as rsvp postcards)
3. Linen Envelopes 250 A7 in ivory
4. Solid Brown cardstock 200 8.5x11" (for backing of printed invitation paper)

I am looking for something along the lines of this:

except that my envelopes will not be dark since I'll have to print the lettering on it myself..... and I dont think white/light ink against dark paper is an option with the route I am taking.

Also, will probably not have backing for anything other than the actual invitation portion of the set. RSVP & Direction cards will just kinda be stuffed into the envelope on its own.

ORRRRR, I was thinking something like this:

this is in a sep inner envelopment. I think that it looks very nice and put together, but it also would cost me anywhere between $75-100 more and may require more postage if it goes above the weight... since the paper I want to use is already pretty thick, I dont want to risk it....

SOOO, I think I'll need to think up an idea of how I'd dress up the above template..... ribbons maybe? or maybe a thin colored vellum paper in violet/purple and green to incorporate the colors of the wedding?
Which reminds me, the toughest part is choosing the colors for everything!! I decided to just go cream/ivory/white with brown for contrast. I wanted to include some purple in there, but I may not be able to put it in there. Never have I felt so color-ly challenged.... totally not a word, sorry.

I can't wait until my paper arrives. In the meantime, I will be tracking the shipment like a hawk and researching for a good printer! Recommendations, anyone? My co-worker suggested I use the one at the office, but I'm afraid I'll jam up the machine since my paper is so thick.... HMM!!