5 Details and Tips - Not to forget for the wedding

(1) When creating your invitations get a final proof with all pieces included in the envelope. Take the envelope to the post office and check the mailing price of the stamp that you will need. Many standard invitations are $.65 to mail for a wedding invitation. Based on the style, size, and weight of the invitation this price my increase the cost of mailing your invitation. 

 

(2) It’s never too early to find out the details and requirements to obtain your marriage license for the location that you will be married in. When you apply for your marriage license you will do so based on the location of your venue. You may be getting married in the city, however live in the county. Your marriage license would be for the city

(3) You cannot legally get married without your marriage license on hand. Give this license to your wedding planner either at the rehearsal or on the morning of the wedding. It is also important that once the license is signed that you have a dedicated individual that will be responsible in keeping the license for you. Usually a parent is the best option for this.  

(4) Keep good track of the RSVPs that you receive using a program like Excel. This gives you the ability to sort your list in many options and create your floor plan and seating chart. 

 

(5) If you are leaving for your honeymoon the next day or just do not want to deal with the hassle of collecting items following the wedding day designate a family member to handle specific items at the end of the evening. For example, the sand ceremony vases, memorial candle, etc…

 

Invitations - Be Creative

Drafting your guest list is beginning of the planning process for your wedding or special occasion. Once that is done and it is time to design your invitations and design theme you will carry through the entire event!

There are endless options to select from whether you are interested in something traditional, classic, timeless, or just plain funky and fun. These decisions are hard to make, however there is one thing that you should do and that is make it personal. Play around with the wording and seek the assistance of a professional stationer on how to get your message across in your invitations.

Years ago you may have required a team to assemble and address invitations, the great news is……..(drum roll please)……companies offer this service now! If you are a bride/host that does not want to keep track of your acceptance, regrets, or of course those that just don’t even respond because they are too busy, or will place it on their to do list. This is a service that is also offered from the stationery company or your planner.

While shopping around for your invitations keep in mind that they set the tone for your event. Make sure that it reflects the theme and is centered on your vision; use the colors, monogram, and textures to create conversation pieces to use strategically throughout your event. The sky is the limit from the start to the end of the night with the favors as guests depart.

Please enjoy the pictures from mlc Desigins you may visit their website at www.mlcdesigns.net


Happy Planning!

It's not too early for Seating Charts!

Good News!! It’s not too early to start your floor plan and seating chart!!

When you send out your invitations you can create the floor plan at the same time. List the table number and the guests that you would like to sit at that particular table. As the RSVP’s come back in you can highlight the guest as attending. Once the RSVP deadline has come to a close you are able to shift around your guests if necessary to eliminate and add additional tables.

Many couples get overwhelm with the table seating, address this at an early stage and it will be less for you to worry about in the end. To also make this task easier for you, print the escort cards a week before the wedding and organize them in alphabetical order. If you are using and seating chart in alphabetical order by last name, this can also be printed and framed ahead of time.

Be strategic when you plan out your tasks….especially as you get closer to your wedding day.

Enjoy the planning process and relax as you move along towards your wonderful wedding day.

Photo Credit: http://weddinginvitationplace.com/Seating-Arrangements.html

RSVP Dilemmas

Handling RSVP cards can be very time consuming and challenging at times. Keep in mind that when sending out RSVP you should have a projected number of guests that will respond to the RSVP card.

Track your cards by having the responses in alphabetical order; an index card box comes in handy with keeping the cards together in one location.

To avoid guests from reserving five seats when you expected them to reserve two you may also prepare RSVP cards based on the specific number of seats you are able to reserve for your guest. To do this you will need to know the person that you are sending the invitation to and the estimated number of seats you will need.

Below is a suggestion on wording the specified number of seats reserved per invitation.

We have reserved two seats in your honor.

M____________________________________

_____ Accept with pleasure _____ Decline with regret

The kindness of your response is requested by September 1, 2010

"Picture This" - Save the Date Announcements

Now that you have set a date it’s time to let your friends and family know what dates to save for your wedding. A very nice way to let your guests know when you are getting married is to send them a Save the Date card, magnet, or in another creative form.

This will be especially helpful if you have guests traveling from out of town. The courtesy of giving your guest’s time to secure great deals on flights and hotels will be appreciated. Depending on the amount of guests you have traveling from a good distance you may send out the “Save the Date” cards within 5 months or more.

Find your style that you would lke to use as your save the dates....

Calligraphy at its Finest

When you think about a calligrapher over a decade ago, one would think about someone to address your wedding envelopes and RSVP cards.

Welcome to the new world of calligraphy!

I would like to introduce Laura Condouris a calligrapher based in Baltimore, Maryland. Laura loves all of the things girls are supposed to love. She is an artist, calligrapher, designer, collector of vintage clothing, and occasional comedienne. Although Laura is based in the Baltimore area, she works with brides all over the world and offers to ship packages securely and insured.

Laura offers additional services other than your basic envelopes, escort and RSVP cards. Have you thought about incorporating calligraphy in a keepsake map, table numbers/titles or for your readers? Think about framing that special poem, letter or whatever you choose for your reader to read. How great would it be to frame a piece of your wedding day other than a picture in your home as a memento of your wedding day!

Here are a few tips when working with a calligrapher:

Remember to order additional envelopes for the increasing last minute invitations and/or mistakes that may occur.

If you are using Excel to maintain the guest list, it is easier for a calligrapher to address envelopes in the exact format that the envelope will be addressed. Because they must look at each guest’s name and address, it is easier to keep everything straight in a format, here is an example below.

Mr. and Mrs. John Doe

123 Fake Street

Gotham City, IL 12345

Excel spreadsheets may also be exported to labels; this will avoid the addresses to be retyped. It is preferred that our clients provide the exported document in Microsoft Word or any other word processing format.

Think about the color of ink that you would like to use on your documents and how you would like to personalize them. What style do you prefer in alignment?

I spoke with Laura recently and would like to share an excerpt of our discussion below.

How long have you been practicing calligraphy?

I've been practicing calligraphy since I was a child, but I've been doing it professionally part-time for about five or six years and recently transitioned to doing calligraphy and illustration full-time!

How long before sending out the invitations would you require brides to contact you?

For envelope addressing services, I typically recommend booking at least three months in advance.

What is the turnaround time for invitations?

Orders of up to 200 envelopes usually take about two weeks to complete- the turnaround time is a bit higher for orders of more than 200 pieces.

How much of a notice do you need for place cards orders locally?

Since place cards don't take quite as long as invitation outer envelopes to complete, I can sometimes squeeze these into my schedule, but I still recommend booking as early as possible.

Do you offer writing/copying a poem or reading material for the ceremony?

Yes! I've worked on a few poems and recently finished a very pretty marriage certificate for the bride, groom, and all of their guests signed at the reception as a sign of solidarity with the couple.
What do couples do with the maps? How are the used?

Couples have used maps in their invitation, in out of town gift bags, as a keepsake and any other form they choose. A black-and-white map takes about 8 to 10 hours to complete, or a watercolor map, which takes even more time. The price includes the design fee, original, and a high-resolution digital file for you to print yourself at home, or take to your stationer or local printer. I offer small quantities for an additional fee.

Do you create monograms for couples?

Yes! I love doing this- it's like a logo for the union that a couple creates!

To find out more about Laura and Trial by Cupcakes visit: http://www.trialbycupcakes.com/

Photo and Art credit: Trial by Cupcakes