Remember this post from a few weeks ago? Well, today I have the second post in my collaboration with invitation designer Kristy from Momental Designs. The Pretty in Pink inspiration board I sent Kristy...
photo sources - clockwise from the top left: elizabeth messina, elizabeth messina, carrie patterson, becker, jerry yoon, lisa lefkowitz, lisa lefkowitz
From Kristy, At first look, subtle black detailing is what drew me in to this inspiration board. Powerful, pink, salmon and blush mindfully balanced by hints of black - perfect. I felt immediately that the bold colors needed to be tamed by a neutrals with a sense of softness and a bit of shimmer. I chose a palette of strawberry, barely there aqua and black. Heavily petaled flowers played right into my artistic passions and I knew that my peony illustrations would be the perfect starting point for this stationery collection.
The table number, perhaps my favorite piece in the collection, was hand painted in creamy whites and aqua. The chalkboard feel seems relaxed and charming.
I collect vintage findings whenever possible and had this lovely hand painted silk hankie in my collection for some time. A sculpted bloom bouquet seemed to fit perfectly with the hometown-elegant vibe and the hankie became the perfect finishing touch. Each bloom, sculpted entirely of rice papers, then hand painted, seems lofty yet light, playful yet elegant and will remain a keepsake for years to come, what could be better?
Borders for both the invitation and programs were crafted from hand painted watercolor paper. A bit of my own handwriting used throughout keeps the look breezy and casual.
Thanks so much Kristy! I love those table numbers also. Be sure to take a peek into their studio and more work from Momental Designs here.
|
|
|
|---|
This adorable invitation designed as a collaboration by the bride (Jessie Turner) + groom (Tyler Thiessen) totally grabbed my attention this morning. Jessie designed the beautiful balloon illustration and Tyler worked on the great typography treatment. How bright + fun is this? I've always been a fan of this color combo and love the hot balloon illustration.
{via Studio on Fire}
And how adorable are their engagement photos? I love that they fit in with their theme :) So cute you guys!! Photography by Jake and Jess Oldenkamp of Kamp Photography.
Next up on our Invitation Week is Lucky Designs. Here is your sneak peak:
The Lucky Designs blog, Lucky in Love, provides updates on designs and real wedding inspiration.
We are ending our Invitation Week with SWOONOVERIT, the Modern Calligraphy Studio by our very own associate planner, Amanda Young. Here is the sneak peak to her fabulous work:
Don't forget to check out the SWOONOVERIT Blog while you're at it!
Don't forget to check out Leslie's blog, The Studio Scoop!
- Desire to create one-of-a-kind invitations with a personal flair
- Creating your own invitations using new upscale kits that include invitation stock, response cards, envelopes and all the ribbon, layering and attachments
- Hot wedding trend colors: pink, brown, blue, sage green, mango, used on invitation stock & ink
- Affixing decorative embellishments to invitations, placecards, programs and favor boxes -- 3-D add-on's, charms, ribbon "bellybands," rhinestones, feathers, and seasonal motifs
- Adding decorative corner edges with scrapbooking punches and corner rounders
- Creating a "Wedding Monogram" and printing it on invitations, programs and all accessories
- Locking in the date with guests 6-12 months in advance with save-the-date cards
U.S. Wedding Industry
- There are 2.4 million weddings in the U.S. each year (2)
- The wedding industry marketplace is currently estimated at $50 billion (1)
- The cost of the average invitation has doubled to $4 within the past five years; custom-made announcements can top $25 each -- or as much as $10,000 for elaborate weddings (5)
- The average amount spent by couples on Wedding Invitations and Thank You notes will be $1,145 in 2005, and an estimated $1,180 in 2006 (2)
Ready-to-Print Invitation Market
Since your reception may be
on the beach, consider the sun!
- The ready-to-print invitation market developed with the emergence of personal computers/home printers in the early 1990's – giving consumers the ability to customize traditional invitations
- Ten years later, specialty printable media is now an estimated $450 million-a-year industry (3)
1) Growth of the consumer craft business -- an estimated $29 billion retail market (4)
2) The declining cost of inkjet printers
3) More than 60 percent of U.S. households have home color printers
4) Consumers are more comfortable and experienced with printing at home
Ideas -- it's all in the details!
- Response cards returned blank? Place a small, inconspicuous number on the back of each card before they are mailed, then list each guest's name with their number to cross-reference
- Create a classic keepsake -- your favorite wine embellished with a self-print wine label with your own "vintage date" -- your wedding day
- For outdoor weddings, include "rain cards" with your invitations, letting guests know your alternative location
- Keep your "save the date" cards on your guest’s mind by attaching an engagement photo they'll want to display
- Personalize your wedding invitation with a quotation at the bottom of your invitation wording
- Ask the post office to hand cancel your invitations, that way they won't have a machine bar code and will arrive looking much cleaner.
If you're planning a 50s themed wedding and are anything like me, you'll want to set the scene right from the word go.
You might want to have a go at making your own invitations if you have an eye for design. However, if you are not that way inclined, there are plenty of talented designers out there to lend a helping hand!
Whether you're taking the DIY route or delegating, here's some of the coolest retro wedding invitations around...
I just love this fabulously retro invitation designed by Heather Ackley.
This one's for all you polkadot brides, the colours are just yummy! It's designed by Ceci New York and now available as part of their ready to order collection.
If Rockabilly's your thing, check out this tattoo inspired creation by masters of alternative invitations, Royal Steamline!
If children will also be included as guests, you can choose to write out their individual names on the addressed envelopes or put "and family". For example:
Mr. and Mrs. Bob Simpson, Cathy and John
or
Mr. and Mrs. Bob Simpson and Family
If the children are older teenagers (say 16 years of age or older), you may wish to send them an individual invitation, just like you would an adult.
If you don't wish to include children at the ceremony, do not include their names or "and family" on the outside of the envelope. It’s suggested you add "Sorry, but children are not invited", "adults only" or something similar somewhere on the invitation to make it clear. If you wish to include them at the reception, but not at the ceremony, you could note this information on the response card…or on the invitation itself at the bottom in some fashion.
When issuing invitations to a guest who is single, it is polite to put "and Guest" on the outside of the envelope so that they have the option to bring along a companion. For example:
Mr. Ralph Jones and Guest
or
Miss Sarah Campbell and Guest
Be forewarned. Usually 7% to 10% of the guests who respond with a yes will not actually attend the wedding. In addition, 20% to 30% won't make it to the reception. This can wreak havoc when budgeting for a sit down dinner. You may want to consider a buffet style dinner instead.
In some cases, you'll want to invite people to the ceremony, but not the reception or vice versa. If so, then you will need two sets of invitations printed. One that includes reception information and one that doesn't.
If you don't receive a reply from some guests by your reply date, do not hesitate to call them. It is important that you know how many are attending so you budget accordingly.
If you decide to order invitations, be sure to do so at least 4 to 6 weeks before they are scheduled to be mailed. If you plan on mailing your invitations around the 15th of March, order them between February 1st and 15th.
Double, even triple check everything before it gets printed. This includes invitations, response cards, envelopes, wedding programs, etc. whether you’re doing them yourself or your having them professionally printed. Check for spelling errors especially.
Always order extra invitation envelopes and response card envelopes. There will inevitably be a few mistakes when addressing these and you’ll want to have a few extras on hand.
You should mail your invitations at least 6 weeks before the wedding date and indicate that you would like a response at least 3 weeks before the wedding date. So if your wedding date is July 1st, mail your invitations by May 15th and ask that they respond by June 7th. This will give guests time to receive their invitations and reply by mail, which in turn, gives you time to firm up catering plans, seating arrangements, etc.
If your wedding is going to actually be held on a beach or other outdoor area, be sure that you let your guests know this, so they can dress appropriately.
by Rose Smith
Seal n Send Invitations: This type of invitation is mailed to guests as a single-folded piece (without an envelope) having the respond postcard attached to the invitation by a perforation for easy removal. Since the respond piece is a postcard, you will save on postage for the return mailing. Prices for this product normally include seals along with a printed return address on both the back flap when initially mailing the invitation and on the perforated respond postcard.
Announcements: For those who wont be invited to your wedding but you would still like them to know about your marriage, you can mail them an announcement card. They can be printed on the same paper as your invitation but mailed on your wedding day or immediately after with the wording stating that your wedding has already taken place.
Reception Cards: If there isn't enough room on your invitation for listing the details of your reception or if not all guests will be invited to attend the reception, reception cards can be ordered to match your invitations and then be included as a separate insert. Please keep in mind that this card could possibly add to your mailing cost since postage is based on weight.
Respond Cards: These cards are essential to planning for your dinner/reception since an accurate guest attendance count will be needed for food and seating preparations. The respond card along with its mailing envelope will be inserted with your invitation. Remember to include a postage stamp on this small envelope which will also have a mailing address already printed on it so all your guests have to do is fill out the card and mail it back by the date you have printed on it.
Map Cards:
Map Cards: These direction cards would be included as a convenience for any guests who might not be familiar with the location of the church and/or reception.
Printed Invitation Envelope Flaps: This option of having your return address printed on the outside envelope can save you valuable time and ensure that undeliverable invitations are returned to you. There is a small cost involved but it also gives an address to those who might not be able to attend but still want to send you a card or gift.
Lined Inner Envelopes: For a small charge, you can request your inner envelopes have a colored lining to add a special touch to your invitation ensemble. Color choices will vary depending on the invitation style you choose.
Envelope Seals: These self-adhesive labels add just the right finishing touch. They are available in many styles and are used on your outer envelope making it look like they are holding the flap down even though it has already been sealed.
Informal Notes: These are used separately from your invitations but should be included with your original order since they are usually printed on matching paper and this will save you on shipping costs. They are personalized with either your names or monogram on the front with the inside being blank for writing your thank you notes. Any leftovers can be used long after the wedding for other purposes. Blank mailing envelopes are included with them.
Not all of the above items are necessary to make your wedding invitations complete. Remember, this is your special day, so it's your decision as to which ones you would like to include as part of your invitation ensemble.
by Sara Haese
A Valentines wedding theme is all about love and romance. Hearts, flowers, bows and chocolates are common symbols of love on Valentine's Day. They are also perfect items that you can use to bring a Valentines Day wedding theme to life!
Here are some tips and ideas you can use to make your Valentines Day theme stand out:
Color Scheme
• Red
• White
• Pink
Invitations
Design your invitations "set the stage" for your theme. This will automatically show your guests what theme you are planning to have.
• Shape the invitations into 2 intertwined hearts.
• Have hearts and flowers (roses are a must!) on the invitations.
* Have heart-shaped confetti sprinkled inside the envelope.
• Start the invitation wording with the word "Love". For example: "We would love if you attended"
Flowers
Any flowers can be used, but of course red roses are always a top choice, because they are said to stand for love. Here are some other options:
• Red roses
• Pink roses
• White roses
• Daisies
• Peonies
• Lilies
• Tulips
Decorations
• Use floral arrangements on the reception tables and scatter flowers petals around them.
• Floating candles in large decorative glass bowls.
• Accent your flowers and roses with white or pink ribbons.
• Have hanging cupid decorations
• Have a chocolate fountain to dip fruit and marshmallows into
• Have a red wine or red fruit punch fountain
* Have a candy or cinnamon heart "buffet"
Wedding Cake
• White iced cake decorated with red roses (real or sugar). Or the opposite: a red iced cake with white roses.
• A heart shaped cake.
* A multi-tier cake with hearts, bow, ribbons, flowers and flower petals adorning it.
Favors
• Heart shaped measuring spoons
• Heart shaped candles
• Heart wine stoppers
• Heart favor boxes filled with candy or mints
• Soap in the shape of hearts.
• A cookie mold in the shape of a heart.
Though there are many other creative ways to bring this theme to life, hopefully these ideas have given you a good starting point.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Slow economy? Not sure of your job? Check out these work at home opportunities while you're still employed!!
Dozen Red Roses only $29.99 (until supplies last) from Dan's Chocolates
Lovely items at Scott Fine Jewelry!! Free shipping ~ Free gift wrapping!!
Great hints and money-saving ideas for Brides-To-Be
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Some wedding sites I recommend for reading~~
Ashlee Weddings
Bettes Wedding
http://sparklingweddings.blogspot.com
http://sweetheartweddings.blogspot.com
==========================================================
Want more? Click here for to find tons of Wedding Theme Ideas or Wedding Ideas and Free Wedding Printables.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nicole_N
Here is a cute, informal invite in hand calligraphy. I'm a bit obsessed with hand calligraphy at the moment... something more formal though I think. this is nice though from martha stewart weddings.
From Knottie Taurus5683 (love the red!):
From Gourmet Invitations
From eLucky Designs:
From Australia's WeddingShop website:
Monogram from eLucky Designs
