Etiquette Question of the Week

Question: How do I let my guests know that my ceremony or reception is adult only?

Answer: The only truly proper way to handle this is through addressing the envelopes - clearly state who is invited by listing their names on the envelope. If I had to throw a number out there, I'd say that about 75% of our clients have adult only receptions and about 95% of them pay no mind to this rule. So...I know you are going to break the rules and instead of being a stickler for etiquette, I'm just going to offer a few of the least tacky options out there.

DON'T use stand alone phrases such as: 'adults only', 'no children', or 'leave the kids at home'. Adding the word 'please' to any of these phrases will not soften the blow!

DO incorporate your request within the wording of the ensemble (choose just one or two...don't go over board and use them all!):

• On the reception card use phrases such as "Please join us for an adult reception at six o'clock" or "Adult reception immediately following".
• On the response card use the selection "___number of adults attending" paired with "___unable to attend"
• Have your response card printed with the phrase "We have reserved ___ seats in your honor"...and then as you stuff your envelopes, fill in the number you are inviting from that particular household.
• Instead of using the traditional single name line "M__________________", have two lines printed each with the meal choice below or next to it so that your guests realize they should only put one name per meal choice....and if there are only two lines, then only two people can respond.

Ultimately this is your day, the day you have dreamed of. If that means no children, it means no children. No matter how you word it though, be prepared to handle objections from your guests. Just stand your ground and be consistent...it will keep the family drama to a minimum!

Real Brides: Lee and Mark - December 13, 2009

images courtesy of Z Media - www.zphotocouture.com

Lee and Mark were referred to us by the fabulous Janet Capocci at the Sheraton in Cuyahoga Falls. We met with them when it was still 80 degrees outside - but with Lee's amazing communication and organization, it didn't take long for me to 'get on board' with the elegant winter wedding they were planning. Working with a color pallet of warm rich red, soft silver, and crisp black, we designed a 6x6 pocketfold invitation with a customized front square that we carried through to the ceremony programs as well. When Mark's mother came to town to visit, we met with her and Lee to design a rehearsal dinner invitation to coordinate. All three are shown below.

programs, wedding invite, rehersal dinner invite
images courtesy of Z Media - www.zphotocouture.com

Though I loved the invitations and programs, my favorite part of their order was the accessories. Lee and Mark wanted to name each table at the reception after a place that they had traveled together and also include a photo and description specific to the location. As I worked on the individualized layouts and got to know more about them, I just knew these table cards would be a big hit for their guests! Lee even got creative with the place cards using fun phrases such as "Join us for a drink at...", or "Your destination is...". We also provided the adorable snowflake place card holders which could double as table favors for their guests to place a photo or note in after the wedding.

images courtesy of Z Media - www.zphotocouture.com

Lee and Mark - you are the type of clients that we dream of working with! I especially loved that Mark was so involved in the process from start to finish. Mark - I will remember our goofy 10 minute discussion about inserting invitations into envelopes every single time I present a sample to a client! It is true that I actually cried a little when viewing your photos (a few of my favorites are below) and we already miss seeing you on a regular basis. You are such a sweet, loving couple and we wish you two the very best that life has to offer!

images courtesy of Z Media - www.zphotocouture.com

Vendor Recap - Who did Lee and Mark choose for their big day?

Ceremony: St. Bernard Catholic Church - Downtown Akron
Reception: Sheraton Suites - Cuyahoga Falls
Bride Apparel: Doreen Leaf - from Lee - "I loved working with Doreen Leaf - very personal, friendly service - they make you feel like a princess"
Groom Apparel: Men's Warehouse Tux
Cake: Creme de la Creme
Floral: Neil Leeson
Photography: Z-Media - from Lee before the wedding - "Z-Media has been awesome so far. We have only had our engagement pictures done so far but they turned out great!! They were very professional but also very friendly and easy to work with. We love them so far!" and later this " [You and Stacy and] Chris and Julie (Z Media) were our favorite people to work with. You were all so sweet and helpful, not to mention talented and creative. We could not have been happier with everything you all did!"
Invitations/Stationery: Paper Persuasions (that's us!) - from Lee - We have received so many compliments about our invitations. We love them and so does everyone else :) You both have been absolutely amazing to work with. Your creativity and professionalisim is fabulous! Your attention to detail is outstanding. Not only do you do amazing work, you both are so sweet and friendly. We always looked forward to our consultations with you. You made a very daunting task managable and fun. We loved working with you and of course, absolutely love everything you created. Thanks so much for everything, xxx Lee and Mark

Catalog Invitation Pick of the Week

(Each week I choose a catalog invitation that is on my list of favorites and share it with you!)

My Pick of the Week: Tri-Fold Invitation with Respond Postcard by Diamond




These cute little invitations are a great mix between casual seal n' sends and elegant flat panels. The invitation is presented folded and tied with a ribbon. When opened, it reveals a beautiful scroll pattern carried throughout the invitation panel, the reception panel, and the attached respond postcard. This invitation has great style and won't break the bank! And since it uses a respond postcard instead of the traditional card and envelope, it requires less postage and uses less paper!

Choose from the following customizations:
11 colors of ribbon
18 colors of ink
20 lettering styles

Catalog: Diamond Collection by NuArt
Price Point:
75 ensembles: $2.50
100 ensembles: $1.95
150 ensembles: $1.80
200 ensembles: $1.71
(Approximate price per ensemble INCLUDING proofing, shipping, and tax)

Etiquette Question of the Week

Question: “What does the 'M' on the response card stand for?”

This is the most frequently asked question we get. Clients always seem embarrassed or feel stupid asking this question and we think its because they are afraid of the answer. They've all faced the 'm' when responding to weddings in the past - but did they guess correctly?!?! We're here to spare you the embarrassment (and hopefully confirm what you kinda already know).

Answer: “M” is the first letter of every salutation - Mr., Mrs., Miss, and so on. The guest is to complete their salutation followed by their name. For instance: Mr. and Mrs. Dave Knirk. Don't want your own guests wondering what to do with that pesky 'M'? A modern alternative to the pre-printed 'M' is the word 'Name'. Although about 50% of our brides select the more stratightfoward option, we're sure the traditional 'M' will stand the test of time.

Ask the experts! Submit your very own question on our website - you will receive an email response with the answer within 48 hours - plus your question could be featured in an upcoming blog or newsletter!

Weekly Recap

WOW! That's all I can say. We are still swamped with traffic from the bridal show. It's been such a challenge going from 'appointment only' to accepting walk-ins...but I think we are doing a great job juggling things...like say two brides at once!

We've had more catalog activity than custom activity this week..and let me tell you, all shades of blue seem to be the theme. Pool, Cobalt, Cornflower, Navy, Aquamarine, Powder Blue, Hydrangea, Serene....How many more shades can there possibly be???

Despite all the craziness, we managed to take a few photos of custom invites we have worked on this week. All are samples clients have ordered or designed during their consultations.



Tealness/Pool Blue/Aquamarine Pocketfold Invitation
Super cute invite for a bride we have met with a couple of times and had a chance to chat with at the bridal show. She brought in swatches of Pool Blue and Tealness - both Alfred Angelo.




Chocolate Brown and Lime Green Pocketfold
This invite was for a client who found us online. She is having a private ceremony and sending out matching announcements afterwards but instead of the response and reception cards in the pockets, she is going to include a wedding picture in the pocket.




Persimmon and Champagne Pocketfold
This invite was for another online bride. She hasn't even seen it yet - we just dropped it in the mail today! Great color scheme - its nice to see this shade with something other than chocolate brown.




Sage and Pink Pocketfold Wedding Invite
This invite is actually for a bride we met with several months ago. We are finalizing her order in the next couple of days and had to put together the proof packet. We love this color combo! We've been doing alot of Hot Pink and Lime and so the warmth of these softer shades is a nice break!





Music themed Wedding Invitation
We recently designed this invitation for the sweetest couple! They met through music and really wanted to incorporate music notes into the invitation. Would you believe that out of all the catalogs we have, not a single one has a music themed invitation? Needless to say, this one turned out great. The couple is working with shades of blue and silver and really liked the idea of using the silver mailing envelopes. Their wedding isn't until 2010, but I am sure we will see them soon - they are super planners!


So - not a bad week at all! We are hopeful, that despite the economy, we keep having weeks like this. Thanks for visiting!

Steph

Catalog Invitation Pick of the Week

(Each week Stacy chooses a catalog invitation that is on her list of favorites and shares it with you!)

Stacy's Pick of the Week: Square Pocketfold Invitation from Paper Duvet


I love, love, LOVE these pockets! You can mix and match colors, themes and layouts to achieve a truly personal look - at a fabulous price for pocketfolds! You also have the option to "step" the insert cards so that you can see the headings on each card when they are in the pocket.

Mix and Match the following:
17 colors of pockets (4 of them are metallic shimmer!)
26 colors in insert cards (4 of these are metallic too!)
12 design options - from elegant to funky
42 motifs
10 monograms - 4 of which can use any lettering style you want
27 lettering styles
20 ink colors

Did I mention these include coordinating personalized seals?!? Those generally run about $50 in most catalogs!

The Paper Duvet catalog also features a great new way to spice up your mailing envelope - envelope icing:
Envelope icing is actually a decorative label that is applied directly to the mailing envelope, wrapping around one side. Your return address is preprinted on the back and you handwrite your guests address on the front. It's a great new option that makes it easier to use dark envelopes (like black or navy blue) or to simply add design to any envelope!

If you're interested in pocketfolds, you simply must see these in person!

Invitation: Square Pocketfold with 2 solid colored inserts, mailing envelope with return address printed, response envelope with address printed, and personalized seals!
Catalog: Paper Duvet by McPhersons
Price Point:
75 ensembles: $5.75
100 ensembles: $4.50
150 ensembles: $4.40
200 ensembles: $4.25
(Approximate price per ensemble INCLUDING proofing, shipping, and tax)

A glimpse of whats new!

Here are a few shots of things we have been working on lately. If they look a little familiar, its because we had most of them on display at the bridal show this past weekend. We love creating and cannot wait to start doing more stuff as wedding season progresses....

Yellow, Black and White Kitch

Wedding Invitations - with two enclosures

Coral Pocket - Gerbera Daisy Theme

Wedding Invitation Pocket fold

Grape, Lavender and Black Wedding Invitation

Purple Crystals

Butterfly Themed Wedding Invitation

Pink, Sage, Ecru

Front of Butterfly Wedding Invitation

"Love takes flight"

Peacock Themed Invitation

Gold, Purple and ecru

Booklet Wedding Invitation w/ custom monogram

White, Teal, Regalia Pattern

Lime, Green and White Wedding Invitation

with contemporary design

Beach Themed Gatefold Invitation - Wedding

Starfish, Coral and Tropical Fish are sprinkled throughout the invitation in Natural Kraft Cardstock and Teal Adornments

2009 looks to be promising!

Thanks to everyone who came by our booth at the bridal show this past Sunday. We've done 4 shows over the past 3 years and this was BY FAR our most successful show. We met hundreds of wonderful brides and have been absolutely flooded with inquiries and positive feedback this week. We are beyond grateful.

As I look back on 2008, I just cannot believe how much we have grown and how far we have come. Of course, we wouldn't be where we are without our past brides. Many whom we still keep in touch with - and many whom we miss seeing on a regular basis. Here's a glimpse into what 2008 was like for us (the big stuff anyways):

• We saw a 259% increase in sales from 2007
• We were voted "#1 invitations" in Akron/Canton in the Fox8 Hotlist Competition
• We decided to focus more on catalog invitations - increasing the number of albums brides can order from. Started out the year with 7 catalogs, ended the year with 39
• We changed our name from Simple Persuasions to Paper Persuasions to better describe our core business (not to mention we liked the alliteration)
• We moved from a 1,000 sf office building on Front Street to a nearly 2,000 sf storefront on Graham Road - proudly joining a shopping plaza containing 3 other leaders in the wedding industry
• With the move we went from being 'open by appointment only' to being just 'open' 5 days a week with evening and weekend hours available to encourage walk-in traffic
• We restructured our business to be a joint Limited Liability Company rather than a Sole Proprietorship

We eagerly await the blessings and challenges that 2009 has in store for us and we thank each and every one of you for your continued business, support, and referrals.

Stephanie and Stacy

Studio to be Closed for Bridal Show Prep

Just a quick post to let you know that we will be CLOSED on Saturday, January 10th. We will both be setting up for this fabulous bridal show:

New display system for our invitations: $786
New product to debut at show: $342
Clips to hang display boards: $65
Having an *awesome* booth at the show : Priceless

You better come check us out - Booth 522 - right across from West Side Bakery. Who doesn't love free cake samples?!? Don't forget to stop by the studio before Saturday to pick up your free tickets....

Steph

Holiday Schedule

Studio traffic has always been notoriously slow during the holidays. We had planned to be closed from Christmas Eve thru New Years Day as we had in the past. However, we seem to be booking a record number of weddings for next year and we have had a few people want to come in while they are home from school on break.

We'd like to accommodate as many people as possible - without sitting around the studio bored out of our minds in between visitors - so we are going to see how it goes to be open by appointment only. So - here is the revised holiday schedule as posted on our website.

December 24 - Closed
December 25 - Closed
December 26 - By appointment 10-4
December 27 - By appointment 10-6 (will probably be in most of the day)
December 28 - Closed
December 29 - By appointment 10-4
December 30 - By appointment 10-8
December 31 - Closed
January 1 - Closed
January 2 - Resume normal schedule

Please do not hesitate to contact us for an appointment. We will be checking email and voicemail messages regularly so please leave us a message.

Happy Holidays - and enjoy the time you are able to spend with your loved ones!

Steph and Stacy

Adding custom touches to a catalog invitation...

Are you worried that you will end up in the following situation? - Settling for an invitation that falls just short of perfect? Don't be. At Paper Persuasions, even if you prefer catalog invitations because of budget or tradition, we can help add elements of design from our custom side of the business. We would never spend money on something we 'kinda like' and we don't think you should either! The following is a story about a real bride who worked with us to blend a basic catalog invitation with a touch of customization.

Anna and Chad are having a beach side ceremony and beautiful reception in North Carolina in April. By the time we met them, they had already carefully planned most of the details and seemed most excited about booking an extremely awesome photographer local to their ceremony. When Anna first came in to look at invitations, she knew that she wanted to incorporate various shades of green. Nothing was even close to perfect - but one style did stick with her enough to come back a few days later with her mom and take another look. She wasn't 'in love' with the invitation, but it was the best option she had found so she ordered it.

Since she wasn't 100% sold on the ensemble, Anna planned to search out paper for us to make custom envelope liners for her and after several sample orders from several different paper companies - she did. When she settled on the paper to use - we didn't settle for just envelope liners. We also added a small panel of paper with satin ribbon to the invitation. The end result was breathtaking!


BEFORE - The entire invitation ensemble in alternating shades of green - as ordered.


AFTER - just the invitation and mailing envelope shown after adding custom touches.

These photos show how adding just a few simple touches can help achieve a unique custom look while sticking closer to the catalog pricepoint...and who doesn't love that?!

Custom Table Cards - with Pictures of Bride and Groom!

As I type this post - Lee and Mark are probably standing at the alter. And in a couple of hours, their guests are going to discover just how much time and detail was put into the reception accessories.

For the tables, Lee wanted to incorporate a photo of her and Mark. They have traveled extensivly and definitely have the photos to prove it! She decided that instead of the traditional "Table 1", "Table 2" , "Table 3" , etc. - she wanted to name each table after a place they had traveled or a tradition that they share and include a photo specific to the subject. Although it was alot of work on our end to lay out every single card, photo, title and description - Lee was super organized and sent us everything in a manner that made it as easy as possible. When we start our "Real Brides" monthly blog next month, you will be hearing more about them and just how much we enjoyed working with them. For now, here are a couple of pictures of how the table cards and place cards turned out.

To tie everything into the place cards, Lee and Mark carefully selected a unique phrase suitable to the location or event to indicate which table each guest was seated at. For example, guests seated at the Central Park table found their names on a place card which said "Your destination is Central Park" while cards for guests seated at The Hong Kong Bar table said "join us for a drink at The Hong Kong".

Lee and Mark - Congrats! The sun is shining and it is far warmer than the 20 degree blustery winter day you expected. We can't wait to hear how everything turned out!

Custom Envelope Addressing

Reasons you might use to justify an expensive invitation purchase go something like this: "The invitation sets the tone for your event....", "The invitation is the first thing your guests see regarding your wedding..." blah blah blah. You get it. We get it.

But here's the thing - the invitation isn't your guests first glimpse into the wedding - the envelope is! So - it is important that you address your envelopes with care and style. Here are a couple of pictures from a recent holiday card mailing. By using the same motif and typestyle used on the holiday card, the envelope looks stunning. Yeah, these are my Christmas Cards - but we do this all the time for real clients too!

Gorgeous envelopes are just another reason to go with custom design! Let us design and print your envelopes for you:

• Address printed on back flap of invitation envelope - $.30
• Address printed on RSVP envelope - $.30
• Individual guest addresses printed on each invitation envelope - $1.00

Introducing...an even bigger selection.

With all the options that our custom designs offer alongside our decent catalog collection, we are often told that our invitation selection is great. But we don't want to be great - we want to be the best! And so in an effort to achieve the best invitation selection in town, Stacy and I have carefully selected additional invitation catalogs showcasing new vendors, new styles and new price points! In addition to the extensive line of Carlson Craft and McPhereson invitations we have always carried, we are happy to bring you 7 new catalogs - 4 of which are extremely budget and enviromentally friendly. This list highlights some of our wedding catalogs and the price point for each.

• Affordably Inviting - $, $$ - A variety of economical layout options including Seal 'n Sends, Sep 'n Sends, and Z-Cards. Choose from a great selection of layouts and designs. Coordinating accessories help create a beautiful wedding at an affordable price.
• Blue Book by Carlson Craft - $, $$ - Large selection of moderately-priced ensembles with a wide range of styles from traditional to contemporary.
• Bridal Collection - $, $$ - Large selection of moderately-priced ensembles with a wide range of styles from traditional to contemporary.
• By Request - $$, $$$ - Seasonal and Destination themes with coordinating Save the Dates for each ensemble!
• Candlelight - $$, $$$ - Classic Wedding ensembles with a variety of invitation wording layouts and monogram designs for endless customization.
• Diamond Collection - $, $$ - Large selection of moderately-priced ensembles with a wide range of styles from traditional to contemporary.
• ES Wedding Collection - $$$$, $$$$$ - A timeless collection of classy, elegant, and modern styles. Now includes a selection of letterpress invitations.
• Exclusive Collection II - $$$, $$$$ - The Exclusive Collection II™ Wedding features an array of incredible designs. This album presents 21 ensembles, each with 15 coordinating pieces. Customize any design by changing the colors!
• Expressions of Love - $$$$, $$$$$ - A multitude of exquisite domestic and imported papers and fabrics are meticulously arranged with original embossing, translucent overlays, tasteful appliqués and unique type formats. Includes a selection of eye-catching designs with a pocket for the enclosures.
• Naturally Ever After - $$, $$$ - Where Weddings and Nature Meet! This collection combines stunning, nature inspired artistry with richly textured, colorful papers.
• Paper Duvet - $$, $$$ - This versatile album allows you to mix-and-match paper colors and styles to create unique invitations for any event. Includes a selection of wraps and pockets.
• Pockets (Carlson Craft) - $$$, $$$$ - Large selection of Pocketfold Invitations in a variety of colors and styles. Mix and match colors and layouts to create a pocketfold unique to you!
• Something Different - $$, $$$ - Truly unique invitations and accessories. Bold colors and styles, with a few traditional designs mixed in.
• Timeless Love Collection - $$$, $$$$ - Large selection of moderately-priced ensembles with a wide range of styles from traditional to contemporary. Now includes customizable pocketfolds!
• TRU Expressions - $$$, $$$$ - Modern and contemporary colors and styles.
• TRU Flowers - $$$, $$$$ - Collections featuring, roses, calla lilies, daisies, and more!
• TRU Seasons & Destinations - $$$, $$$$ - Featuring Fall and Winter seasonal themes, and destinations such as beach/tropics and Las Vegas.
• TRU Sophistication - $$$, $$$$ - A bit of color and a touch of fun - perfect for the elegant contemporary couple!

Budget Points*:
$ = Less than $1.00
$$ = $1.00 to $3.00
$$$ = $3.00-$5.00
$$$$ = $5.00-$7.00
$$$$$ = More than $7.00
* Based on 100 quantity invitations with black ink.

That's gonna cost how much to mail?!?!?!?

Before you mail your invitations, prepare yourself for a little bit of 'sticker shock'. The cost of postage can be pretty darn expensive! I'm sure you’ve heard "Stay away from square"...but these days, postage is not figured so much on the size of the envelope as it is the weight and thickness. Even if you rule out square invitations (in which you'd be ruling out some of the cutest options out there...) you might find that by the time you stuff your envelopes and have them weighed, they will cost the same as – if not more than – mailing a square envelope.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to postage:

• Take a fully assembled invitation and all components of the ensemble (including a stamped RSVP envelope) to the post office and have it weighed and measured. This extra step is less of an inconvenience than having to re-address and re-postage all new outer envelopes if they get returned due to insufficient postage. Don’t assume you are within guidelines just because you weighed it at work! The size and thickness of the envelope matter too.
• Get Creative with Stamps. Your local post office may not have a huge selection of stamps – especially in the higher postage range. Don’t settle – be sure to check out www.usps.com for a full selection of stamps available. Stamps are shipped right to your door for just $1.00. There are also other places such as www.zazzle.com where you can customize stamps with your pictures or themes for an extra charge.
• Keep it simple. If the postage rate for your ensemble costs more than the first class rate, carefully choose the combination of stamps that you use. You have already spent time and money to properly address your envelopes…. 4 different stamps totaling $.81 isn’t going to look stunning next to calligraphy or even your best handwriting. In the picture above, this bride paid the extra $.03 to be able to place two coordinating $.42 stamps on her outer envelopes which kept her envelope from looking ‘junky’. Nobody likes to throw money away, but in the scheme of things, 100 invitations with $.03 extra postage totals only $3.00.
• Stamp your RSVP Envelopes for your guests. Accurate guest counts are important. The RSVP envelope should always be stamped and addressed to you or whomever is tracking your responses.

Is all this postage killing your invitation budget? Here are a few suggestions for keeping on track.

• Substitute formal RSVP sets with RSVP postcards.
• Elect flat response cards and reception cards when possible. Folded note style cards are not necessary in these instances and will just add bulk and weight to your ensemble. If the invitation you select only comes with folded cards, consider cutting them in half just below the fold. The side removed can easily be used for place cards later on down the road.
• Send ‘seal-n-send’or ‘sep-n-send’ invitations. Not only do these mail at regular postage and have postcard response options – they save trees!
  
  
  
  

Fa la la la la....

Stacy said that if I write a blog today, we can put the Christmas tree up. So here's the blog - enjoy!

If your wedding is in March, April, May or June...

...and you are thinking about custom design, hurry in to meet with us! We can officially say that the move to Graham Road has paid off! We have experienced a record number of deposits for 2009 and are getting close to filling up for Spring and early Summer weddings.

Remember, all of our custom designs are made in our studio - by hand - by Stacy and I. We only have a certain number of hours per week to dedicate to production. Inevitably, there are periods of time that book up quickly each year which prevents us from accepting additional orders. Again, this year we have toyed with the idea of hiring someone - but again, we have decided that what makes us 'us' and what sets us apart from our competition, is the comfortable atmosphere of our studio and the fact that we are just two sisters - involved in each order we accept every step of the way. Every email, every phone call, every print run, every part of the assembly. Add another person to the mix, and we lose that. We don't want to risk losing that just yet!

If you want to check on your date, feel free to call us! We'd be happy to meet with you at any time during our scheduled studio hours to discuss your options. Please note that appointments are suggested. Evening and weekend hours tend to be pretty busy and we'd hate to be occupied with other clients if you stop in without an appointment. Schedule a consultation by calling us at 330-945-6914 or fill out our contact form here.

Steph

To Handwrite or Not to Handwrite....

With traditional stationery etiquette quickly becoming a ‘thing of the past’, it is no surprise that ‘properly addressing an envelope’ is a hot topic during our consultations. We value short-cuts just as much as you do…but this is not an area you should skimp on time. Though it may seem silly to you, guests will scoff at a tacky envelope!

Professional Calligraphy
According to traditional etiquette, handwritten professional calligraphy is the only acceptable method of addressing an envelope. Hand Calligraphy is quickly becoming a lost art, making it difficult to track down a professional calligrapher at a reasonable cost. You shouldn’t be at all surprised if the cost for calligraphy services exceeds the cost of the invitation ensemble itself!

At one of last years bridal shows, we met a woman who has such a passion for the art that she does it as a hobby and charges a very reasonable price. Though she only offers non-script hand calligraphy, her style is beautiful and her attention to detail precise! Guest addresses are $1.25 each and Return addresses & Response envelope addresses are $.85 each. The turnaround time is 1-2 weeks, depending on the size of the order. Here is a sample of her work:




Handwritten
Most of our clients approach the invitation process with the assumption that they will handwrite the addresses – and most don’t approach that idea with much enthusiasm! Addressing your own envelopes is the next best thing to professional calligraphy. Make sure you set aside plenty of time, and order extra envelopes for the inevitable writing errors!

Most of the envelopes we use in our designs are metallic, thus, they have a smooth and shiny texture to them. Surprisingly, ballpoint pens work best on the metallic envelopes. Any standard calligraphy pen or water-based pen takes extra time to dry and may smudge easily. This will be a very tedious process so be sure to test out several different options to find a pen or marker that you feel comfortable working with.

Computer Calligraphy
Computer printed calligraphy is quickly replacing hand calligraphy. Though a computer addressed envelope lacks the charm of a hand written envelope, it can coordinate with the typestyle of your invitation bringing an element of design to the ensemble. We offer computer calligraphy on all of our custom designs. The catalogs that we carry have even started offering computer calligraphy which just goes to show you how high the demand is. If I had to guess, I would say that approximately 80% of our clients choose computer addressing. Not only does coordinating the font of your invitation with your envelope looks polished and professional ….it will save you time. If we print your addresses and you pay for response envelope stamps, we will actually stamp and stuff your entire invitation ensemble! Now that’s what we call ‘taking care of our clients’!

Labels
Applying pre-printed address labels is the only absolute no-no under both traditional and modern etiquette. Your guests will think it’s tacky…and we do too! There is a reason why catalog companies include address printing in the cost of the response card and charge a very nominal fee to print the back flap of the invitation envelope – they don’t want you to use labels either! Still, if you find yourself in a situation where you must do the unthinkable, we suggest using clear matte or gloss labels and only do so only for repetitive addresses.

Menu Cards

"Menus...should I use them"? We seem to be getting this question quite a bit lately!

Considering that the majority of your wedding budget goes toward food and drink, it's no wonder you are thinking about just how to let your guests know the delicious choices they have. Not only will you spend a lot of time deciding what types of food to serve...you have to choose how to serve it! Whether you choose Family Style, Buffet, Plated or the increasingly popular Food Stations, a properly placed menu will add to the anticipation of your event. Below is a list of each and our suggestion for how and when to include them.




Family Style - We suggest placing 1 or 2 menus at each table for guests to pass around and share - just like the food! You could also send a menu card with the invitation ensemble, or place one at each place. Keep in mind, the table will get rather crowded once the food is served so the less you add to the tables beforehand, the better!

Buffet - For Buffet style dinners, we favor menus at each place setting. What a great way to incorporate beautiful papers with shine and texture to your table scape! You could also have a small card with a food description placed near each item on the buffet line. We strongly suggest doing so if you are serving ethnic cuisine. You could still send a menu with the invitation ensemble, but with the many choices buffets offer, the card could get pretty lengthy.

Plated - Or some might say: "a response card nightmare"! Relax, we have this one under control! Most couples serving plated dinners at their reception offer meal choices on the reply card as this helps their caterers prepare the correct number of each offering. Unfortunately, response cards are often crammed for space and your exquisite "Center Cut Filet Mignon", "Pan Seared Wild Salmon", and "Chicken Francaise" get represented as: "Beef", Fish", and "Chicken". Our solution? Include a menu with the invitation. You can either double side your response card and put the menu on the back, or include the menu as a piece of the ensemble. This will help your guests make their choices and leave them excited to see the other fine details you have incorporated into the reception. You could also leave a menu at each table or even each place setting to better describe the food they will be served.

Food Stations - Food stations are a great way to incorporate themed food or break up the traditional "table-dismissal-buffet-monotony". I will never forget the wedding I attended a few years back where six entirely different cultures were represented at six different food stations. It was a great way to learn about and try new foods but I am a picky eater and thankfully a menu was on display at each station. You could also include a menu card at each place setting or at each table describing the different stations and perhaps why you chose them. And as with any other type of reception, it would be just fine to include a menu card within your invitation ensemble.

All this talk about food and now my stomach is growling! Time for lunch! No need for a menu...its a boring Lean Cusine....

Steph

This Just In - Holiday Cards!!

We decided to give something a try this year - and we could not be more excited to share it with you. We have added 8 catalogs of holiday cards!! These are not your average holiday cards either! From formal corporate cards to family photo cards to funky personal greetings, these catalogs are guaranteed to get you excited to send out cards this year! I have picked my (15) favorites - so I am sure you will find at least one!

We are trying it out to see how it goes - so tell your friends, family, co-workers and bosses! We are offering 30% off all holiday card purchases through November 15th!! This is a huge savings off the book price. If you get your order in early enough, you may just get free return addressing on your envelopes!


Steph