Reader Question: What's the Best Format for Multiple Ceremony Invitations?

I'm having trouble finding the right wording for my wedding invitation. My fiance is Hindu and I'm Catholic, so we're having a 2-day ceremony in Costa Rica! Friday is the Hindu Ceremony which will be the more casual affair and followed by dinner. Saturday is the Catholic ceremony and will be more formal, followed by cocktails, dinner and dancing. All of you guests will be invited to both ceremonies. I'm not sure how to word the events on the invitation without being too wordy or it looking crowded, and I would prefer to avoid doing 2 separate inserts....please help!

Stationery Guide Cathe of Feterie suggests doing a double sided invitation that lists all of the events, starting with Friday.

Stationery Guide Carey of Lasso'd Moon suggested a gatefold invitation. This would allow you 6 printed panels (one for Friday, Saturday, Reception Info and then directions or other info your guests might need), so that each event could have its own section. You could have it designed so that when folded your names and date are on the front, and then when opened, the other info would be on the inside.

Don't forget to use your RSVP to figure out who is coming to what.

Best of luck and thanks for writing in!

The Envelopes, Please...

For any special event, the envelope that your invitations or save-the-dates are mailed in is the first indication your friends and family will see of your event. From traditional white to colored envelopes and colored ink — there are a plethora of options to work with. What's also important to keep in mind is the technical aspect of the envelope as well, since it is a working item that must also work within the confines of the United States Postal Service's requirements. After all, you do want to have each and every envelope arrive safely to their destinations.

Take into consideration some of these tips when choosing colored inks and/or colored envelopes. If you are not located in the U.S., make sure to check with your local post office on your country's postal requirements.

1) Make sure that there is enough contrast between the ink of the addresses and the envelope color.

2) Our trusty USPS would much prefers that black ink is used, however they do allow for some flexibility in using these inks colors: Brown, Gold, Crimson, Blue, Grey and Purple.

3) If your envelopes are dark in color, consider a white or light-colored calligraphy.

4) Remember that hand-canceling is an option if your envelope contains invitations with delicate details. It's important to check with your local post office if they are willing to do this for your invitations.

The following are samples of colored envelopes and inks that works with the USPS' addressing requirements.

--Cathe (Feterie)

{Image courtesy of Lassod Moon Designs}

{Image courtesy of Feterie}


{Image courtesy of Tulaloo}

Not blue, not brown.

I have some new Bar/Bat Mitzvah invitation designs in the works for later on this year and have been really thinking about different color combinations for the boys.  I was thinking back to all the Bar Mitzvah invitations I have done recently and with a few exceptions, they all seem to have navy or brown in them, including my own son's invitation.  So I can't help thinking, what can we do to spice that up a little and get more creative.  Here are a few that I have done that do not have navy or brown.

Red, black and gold

Gray and silver

Black and gold

Here are a few more color combinations I am working on for the new designs.  Do you think they work for a boy?

This one is teal and gray.

This one is dark red and orange.

How else would you think outside the box for colors for a boy?

The First Look, to the Last Bite: Cakes Inspired by Wedding Invitations

Every bride strives to make her wedding her own, and most lovingly infuse their day with graphics, colors, and motifs that speak to their unique style and tastes. When choosing your invitations, consider how certain elements from your wedding stationery may be used throughout the event. You can also ask your stationer to refer other trustworthy vendors who they have experience working with. Experts who will capably capture your vision and enhance the tone you've already set with your save the dates and invitations. One sweet way to keep your guests engaged and entertained throughout the wedding experience is to carry your design style through from the first look to the last bite. Here are some examples of just that: cakes inspired by invites!

This modern, letterpressed, invitation suite by Brown Sugar Design Studio, provided some tasteful inspiration for a five-tiered cake featuring its graphic circle motif.

This She Takes The Cake creation complete with marzipan cherries, is also embellished with hand-painted fruit that mimics the custom illustrations from a pocket fold invite by Bride Design.



~Erin, Bride Design

Trends: Woodland

From Squirrels to trees and on to whimsical little mushrooms, this woodland themed trend cannot be passed up! The trend ranges from beautiful whimsy on wedding invitations to quirky fun on note cards. And to top it off, when you are done writing letters or addressing invitations to friends and family adorn the envelope with this personalized mushroom and gnome stamp!

1. artful sentiments
2. paisley dog press
3. fleur creations
4. feterie
5. sweet paperie


Courtney: Just Another Day Designs

Custom Designed or Personalized Wedding Invitations: What's the Difference?

If you are a bride to be and are looking for a unique wedding invitation, you have surely come across many fabulous stationery designers by now. Some designers offer custom invitations, some offer personalized invitations, some offer both. But what does that mean? Let me help explain!

There are three main aspects in which a custom invitations and a personalized invitation will differ: design, timeline and pricing.

Design:
A custom invitation begins with a blank canvas and is truly a work of art. You and your stationery designer will work together using your visions to create the perfect invitation for you. Your designer may begin by making sketches of your ideas and gathering the pricing for all of the paper and embellishments you envision for your invitation. The end result will be a one of a kind invitation that will be sure to wow your guests. Most stationery designers love their custom orders because it's a great way for them to express themselves as an artist.

A personalized invitation begins with a design that already exists. The design is then fine-tuned with your preferences. Most designers allow you to personalize the wording, paper and ink colors with your preferences. Your guests will be delighted to receive a personalized invitation, as it is also a unique work of art. However, it is a design that has been used previously and will be used again in the future.

Timeline:
Stationery designers will differ with their timelines depending on their printing and assembly methods and production volume. For a custom design, I suggest to my brides that we begin designing at least eight weeks prior to when the need to have their invitations in hand. It may take more or less time, depending on the overall design, quantity and time of year.

A personalized invitation will take less time because the design already exists. However, the design does need to be modified. Again, the timeline will differ from stationer to stationer. I suggest that brides begin the personalized invitation process about five to six weeks prior to their deadline.

Pricing:
Hours upon hours are involved in creating and revising a custom design, therefore, a custom invitation is going to be more expensive than a personalized invitation. If you are a bride on a tight budget, this may not be the path you want to travel. While you can reduce pricing by using a simple invitation style, such as a flat panel invitation instead of a pocket fold with ribbon, embellishments and all of the enclosures, your stationery designer will need to charge for their time.

Personalized invitations are the way to go if you are a bride with a budget, but still want a unique and beautiful invitation. While your stationery designer will still be charging a fee for revising the invitation with your preferences, the time is cut down considerably. I know that many stationers can also adapt their designs according to your budget by adding or eliminating style elements.

Whether you choose a custom or personalized invitation is a matter of preference. By sharing your budget and visions with your stationery designer, she/he should be able to guide you in the right direction!

~Maria Elena Designed By M.E. Stationery

Photo credits: Designed By M.E. Stationery
Note: Top photo is provided courtesy of Steve Burns, Bella Pictures

Stationery Trend: Grey

Super chic and completely current, grey could very well be the new black. In the past, we've associated this color with Fall and Winter palettes but lately it has been featured in Spring and Summer soirees.

It seems that any shade will do, too. From pewter to silver, grey is a fresh alternative to black or brown. Lighten it up for summery, breezy events and keep it dark for evening and fall/winter affairs.

Here are some of the hottest combos you'll see in many stationery line-ups this year:

1. InVita Paper Studio 2. baron*cards 3. Abby Jean Press 4. Brown Sugar Design 5. Just Another Day Designs

For a modern twist on a retro idea, try Soft Pink hues paired with Slate and Stone greys. For a classic look, match Sky Blue with Pewter. Remember that Black and Silver are a foolproof combo for any formal event.

6. Wiley Valentine 7. Blush Paperie 8. Abby Jean Press 9. Bride Design 10. Good Girl Gifts

~ Lianne Tokey, baron*cards

invitation alternatives :: fill-ins & imprintables

let's face it. while having custom made invitations and announcements made for special occasions like weddings or the birth of a baby is great, sometimes that sort of thing isn't in the budget for certain events like a cocktail party, family barbeque, or bridal shower. this is where two great alternatives come into play.

the first are fill-in invitations. this is the type of invitation (or announcement) that has the pre-printed "who:, what:, where:, when:, why:" information ready for you to plug in your information, stamp, and send on it's way. super simple solution and typically super affordable.

for those of you who are more confident with typing up the wording for your invitation in word processing software, an imprintable gives you more flexible options in that you can write whatever you want, wherever you want! some companies even offer the option to do the custom printing for you. (for a fee of course) so while it's not a custom design, it is customized to your special event.



1. fondu fill-in invitation. in-vita paper studio :: available soon.
2. new puppy fill-in announcements. marzipan inc. (available at shades of violet) :: $6.00/box of 10 (sale price)
3. sophisticated sun party custom printed invitations. rock scissor paper :: $24/box of 10
4. shower invites. available as fill-in or imprintable marzipan inc. (available at shades of violet):: $7.50/box of 10 (sale price)

Invitation Timelines

So you have the date, the location, and have found the perfect invitations. Many couples are unsure of when to actually send out their invitations to guests so in order to demystify the process, here is a little timeline primer.

6-9 months in advance

• Order your invitations. However, if you are having custom invitations designed for you, you may want to start even sooner. I often have couples contact me over a year in advance for custom work.

3-6 months in advance

• Mail out your save the dates. If you are having a destination wedding you may want to mail them even earlier
• Address your invitation envelopes or send them to your calligrapher. (Many stationers will send you your envelopes early just for this purpose, so don't be afraid to ask)
• Buy postage. (Contact your stationer about the final invitation weight and make sure you keep track of any postal increases that may occur during your wedding planning)

6-8 weeks in advance

• Assemble and mail out your invitations.

Finally, here are some tips from Emily Post on the proper way to address and send your invitations.
Of course Martha Stewart has her own tips here.

~Kelly (all images courtesy Paper Stories Letterpress)

Inaugural Invitation: The Ultimate Invite

In the spirit of the day, we thought it would be fun to share this video from CNN Money on AOL, about the printing of the Inaugural Invitations. To a stationer this is the invitation to end all invitations - one million invitations were printed! An engraved, 8 1/2 x 11 invitation, it took Brooklyn-based printer Precise Continental 24,000 hours to complete the job. And the best part? It's printed on recycled paper. What a great green message to send.

Check it out, and enjoy!

Embedded video from CNN Video

-Diane, Shakespeare's Bride

Photo Credit: Robin Beth
Video Credit: CNN Money on AOL

First Birthday Bash — A Superhero Theme to the Rescue!

Marking your baby's first birthday with a fabulous bash can be fun when you make the planning less stressful by pulling all the basic elements of a theme together. As an example, let's look at a superhero-themed first birthday party for both boys and girls.

The Invitation
Send friends and family a fun-filled invitation that gives a flavor of the event's theme. Choose a design with bright colors reminiscent of superhero comic books or fonts that have similar characteristics. Another option is to work with a designer to customize every element of the invitation. Include fun wordings in the tone, catch-phrases or words such as, "KaPow!" or "Zap!" and don't forget to give your child a superhero alter ego, too!

The Favors
What are parties without favors? Instead of the traditional favor goodies, involve every boy and girl in making the event a gathering of "super friends" by giving them their own superhero gears — capes for those with the power of flight, power cuffs empowered with amazing strength, or even a mask to hide secret identities.

The Decor
Set the right atmosphere with simple elements from the theme to make it extra special. There are many fun ways to sprinkle superhero elements around the party scene. I love finding old comics and making them into confetti to scatter around tables or printing out action phrases from superhero comics and adding them to all sort of surfaces (walls, doors, etc.) to add to the excitement.

The Cake
The perfect cake for such an event calls for cupcakes dressed with superhero emblems. I love the sight of a sea of cupcakes with different emblems and the kids will love snatching one to "power up" or have them decorate their own sugary sweets! Look out world, here comes some supercharged little superheroes!



{Cathe, Feterie)


Photo credits: Feterie (top), Discovery Denim, BombusCrafts, BiteMeBakery (bottom)

“Something Old”- Vintage trends for the modern bride.

A big trend for the upcoming wedding season is the “Vintage” look. This does not necessarily mean looking in consignment shops for a wedding dress from the 1930’s, but incorporating the classic trends of that time into today’s modern wedding. Spring 2009 Bridal collections are showing a trend back to the early-to-mid 1900’s, with lots of lovely lace and detailing reminiscent of turn-of- the-century-designers. Two of my favorites this season, the first from Carolina Herrera Spring 2009 Collection, “Bettina,” and the second from Monique Lhullier Spring 2009 collection, incorporate simple silhouettes and stunning yards of lace and beadwork. Both are perfect examples of a timeless vintage look for today’s modern bride.

Another comeback for the 2009 wedding season is the short and sweet birdcage veil from the 1920’s. Wear this look as a simple veil pared off with a little comb, or a more elaborate one, as shown below, from Etsy seller “brendasbridalveils. Embellished with silk flowers, light airy feathers and dazzling Swarovski crystals, this veil helps to draw attention to the brides face while still maintaining a “fun” and airy look. Now, every Vintage wedding needs a stunning invitation to set the “tone” of the wedding for your guests. Think simple and classic letter pressed invitations, embellished with hand woven silks and delicate silk flowers sent to your guests in a custom mailer box such as the one below from Fleur Creations' "Luxe" line. While today’s invitations are no longer sent by hand messenger, this exquisite presentation is a beautiful delight to the eyes and sure acknowledgement of the attention to detail that was customary 100 years ago.

The “Vintage” look is an easy one to achieve. Think in shades of white, ivory, creams, peaches and pinks as well as soft flowing fabrics. Add details such as lace, pearls, and antique brooches to your bouquet, bridesmaid’s dresses and centerpieces to tie everything together. The resulting look is romantic yet classic with a touch of whimsy.

~Maria, Fleur Creations

Photos in order of appearance courtesy of Carolina Herrera 2009 bridal collection, Monique Lhullier Spring 2009 Bridal collection, Brendasbridalveils, Fleur Creations in conjunction with Simply Unique Accessories.

Oh Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah!

When planning a Bar or Bat Mitzvah that is close to the holidays, it is difficult not to get caught up in the festive holiday season. While I am sure that you do not want to use blow up foam core dreidels as centerpieces, you can infuse the feeling of the holiday season into your event in small, but fun and elegant ways. And that first impression always starts with the invitation. Using an elegant blue and silver color scheme is a great way to thread the festival of lights into your celebration. The Capri Suite by Robin Beth, shown below, is a square invite wrapped in ribbon that comes in several color ways including a fabulous blue and silver combination.  

What could be more dashing than the Bar Mitzvah himself clad in a blue and silver handmade tie from this Etsy shop.



Add to that a touch of the festival of lights with fabulous menorah centerpieces at the table. From Velocity online.