Mapmaker, mapmaker, make me a map
By Never teh BrideIn this day and age, it’s not unusual to have friends and family spread out across the country or even the planet. So when you’re getting married and know that people hailing from remote locations will be attending, it’s polite to include a map with your invitation. While most people are capable of using services like MapQuest or Google Maps, there will always be those who can’t (like great grandma) or won’t (like stubborn Uncle Bill). Putting a map in with your invites is also a great way to ensure that loved ones won’t miss the ceremony because they confused Route 62 with State Highway 26.
Lovely, soon-to-be married reader Jess recently sent me this endorsement:
When I decided we need maps made up for our wedding, I searched online and found Studio West Designs. They had the best price *and* the cutest icons to put on your map! Working with Jesse, the owner, was easy. He had to change things for us about a hundred times but he did so without complaint because he really wanted to make sure our maps were perfect. The best part is, Jesse doesn’t print anything for you – he just e-mails you the adobe files and you can print them or take them to a local printer, choose your paper, etc. The whole map-making process, from initial e-mail to final payment (only $85!) took about two weeks, but Jesse knew we weren’t in a rush.
Never one to let a recommendation go unexamined, I checked out Studio West Designs. They will design a customized map that includes addresses, driving directions, points of interest, parking information, and other important details, as well as an array (as in more than 100,000) of cute icons.
November 29th, 2006 at 1:04 pm
Thanks alot: now I have tune cooties.
November 29th, 2006 at 2:21 pm
Ack, I hadn’t even thought about that…but now the earworm has infected me, as well!
December 1st, 2006 at 12:59 am
You can also make maps online using a “mashup” site like http://www.mapbuilder.net – I made one for my upcoming Rome wedding with my own google-map-type markers and descriptions and then linked it to my wedding website. Of course, it’s not as traditional as including with the invitation, but quite effective.
December 1st, 2006 at 12:11 pm
Great recommendation, meels! And Rome! Wow!
December 2nd, 2006 at 12:12 pm
There’s also a MapBio via The Knot, which teaches you how to make one in Word using the drawing toolbar and a standard Yahoo, Google, or MapQuest base. Best part? It’s free, and prints easily on your home printer.