Weekly Recap 2/15 - 2/21/09

I'm working by myself today because Stacy is in a wedding. Saturdays have been crazy around here and I have been dreading being by myself. Luckily we had not one single bride request an appointment for today - as opposed to every other Saturday in January and February being COMPLETELY booked. It seems crazy to be thankful for that, but I very much am! I'll just have to juggle the walk-ins (and hopefully finish this blog) which should be manageable.


We had a super busy week - again! I think we are starting to see where the economy is impacting weddings - guest count. Couples seem to be cutting their guest lists to include only closest family and friends and we aren't seeing as large of orders. Last years average order was around 130 pieces and this years is more like 100. A difference in 30 invitations translates to around 60 guests...so that is a big difference! Our number of booked weddings continues to increase as we are still meeting a record number of brides and we are thankful.


Here's a photo review for this week:

Custom Monogram Sticker Labels

We can customize these labels any way you'd like : add a photo, custom monogram, return address, your favorite quote...you name it, we can do it! These come 20 to a sheet: each sheet is $8.00.

Catalog Invite - classic elegance with a subtle border design

Catalog Accessories: Personalized napkins and thank you cards

Catalog Invite - Purple and Silver Hearts

Custom Invite: Hot Pink and Black Pocketfold

Custom Invitation: Chartreuse / Lime Green and Gold Flat Panel

Catalog and Custom Invitations: Grape / Purple/ Ivory and Gold. These invitations were for a client who was not sure if she wanted to go catalog or custom. We ordered a sample of the invitation she liked from Carlson Craft's Exclusive II Album (customizeable in any two ink colors they offer!!!) and also made a custom pocketfold sample in her color scheme.

Catalog Invitation: Red and Ecru with envelope liner

Calligraphy: This photo shows a basic calligraphy that is offered for $1.25 / envelope

Custom Invitation: Purple / Grape and Silver Flat Panel

Custom Invitation: Polka Dots and Stripes - Hot Pink, Chartreuse/Lime Green and White

Custom Invitation: Hot Pink/Fuchsia Pocketfold with Orange Accents

Catalog Invitation Pick of the Week

(Each week I choose a catalog invitation from my favorites and share it with you!)

This week's pick: Pink and Green Flat Panel






With Pink and Green being such a hot color combo for summer weddings, I thought I better showcase one of my favorites before it's too late! This invitation comes from a catalog we just recently added to our ever-growing collection, and it immediately stood out as something we haven't seen represented in the other catalogs. The hot pink and bright green design printed on rich white linen stock is fun and flirtatious, and I think sets the perfect tone for a semi-casual outdoor summer wedding. The addition of the green envelope liner really pulls it all together!

Catalog: Wedding Invitation by Stylart
Price Point:
75 ensembles: $4.16
100 ensembles: $3.35
150 ensembles: $2.97
200 ensembles: $2.83
(Approximate price per ensemble INCLUDING proofing, shipping, and tax)
Ensembles include invitation, response card with printed envelope, reception card, return address printed on mailing envelope, envelope liner.

Paper Persuasions is proud to support Domestic Violence Project, Inc of Stark County. Help us help them! Donate 5 different items from their list of needs and receive an additional 5% off your catalog invitation order!

Invitation Etiquette: Question of the Week

Q: How do I word the time on my invitations? I am getting married at 4:30 (on the upswing because my mom said it is good luck) and want to use something like "in the afternoon". -Maggie - Zanesville, OH


A: The time of your ceremony should always be spelled out and you should never use abbreviations like a.m. or p.m. You may instead use descriptive phrases such as "in the afternoon" or "in the evening". A ceremony that begins at or before five o'clock is considered an afternoon ceremony.


For your specific time of 4:30, you could use any of the following options (listed most to least formal):

• half past four o'clock
  
• half past four o'clock in the afternoon
  
• half past four
  
• four thirty in the afternoon
  
• four thirty
  

If you were not getting married on the half hour, your could use

• four o'clock
  
• four o'clock in the afternoon

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

I don't know about you, but I am really enjoying being able to navigate our parking lot and driveway without dodging mounds of plowed snow! I have always been a winter person, but somthing about these last few weeks leaves me anticipating spring more than ever. It's been another busy week around the studio and I'm officially dubbing it "the week of the baby". We had two former wedding clients stop by and visit us throughout the week - each of them now mothers with new babies in tow! We also spent some time designing a baby shower invite for a former bride who is pregnant with her first. Plus we met with Marty from Bebe Suite (a trendy baby store in Fairlawn) who is interested in pairing up with us for a referral program they are starting. It was quite nice to catch up with these brides, play with new babies and take a small break from wedding-related stuff. Speaking of weddings....here's a few pics of things we worked on last week....

Catalog: Z fold invitation shown open and closed with inserts

Custom: Red and Gold Table numbers and Food Station Talkers with black satin ribbon

Custom: Red and Gold Seating Chart (top) and Place Card Tents

These custom accessories were for Nicole and Rich's Valentines Day wedding. We are hoping their pictures come back in time to be our Featured Bride for the month of February. Their Reception was at Chenoweth and Nicole did most everything herself. When we were trying to decide what colors and patterns to use for the table accessories, Nicole brought in one of the centerpieces she had created...we were blown away! Can't wait to share more of their story....

Custom Wedding Thank You Card with Photo

We were able to finish up Lee and Mark's Thank You cards this week. They coordinate with the rest of their wedding stationery and include a photo from the big day. (Lee and Mark's wedding was featured in this blog)

Catalog: Sep n Send Invitation in Teal Ink

Custom: Sage and Blush Pink (floral Pattern) Pocketfold

Custom: Chocolate Brown and Lime Green Wedding Announcments - Pockets

I think I touched on these in an earlier blog. The bride who ordered these announcments also orderd a small number of invitations to her private ceremony. These announcments used the exact same color scheme but the pocket was being used to hold a wedding photo rather than an rsvp card.

Catalog: Red and Black Z-Fold Invitation with response card

Catalog Invitation Pick of the Week

(Each week I pick a catalog invitation from my favorites and share it with you!)

This week's pick: Black and White Flat Panel

You can't go wrong with black and white! This invitation ensemble has classic elegance with a touch of contemporary style. The subtle damask pattern on the invitation panel is carried through to the enclosures and note card as well. Using the classic black, white, and red color scheme? Bring in the red through colored ink, or add a ribbon to the finished product!

This ensemble is part of a "green" line of invitations by Carlson Craft - it's made of 100% recycled products and uses only one mailing envelope instead of the traditional inner and outer envelopes. So it's pleasing to the eye and the environment!

Choose from the following customizations:
28 colors of ink
52 lettering styles

Catalog: Blue Book by Carlson Craft
SPECIAL DEAL: Order 150 or more of any invitation from this catalog and receive 100 personalized napkins FREE! (Not valid for online orders)

Price Point:
75 ensembles: $4.05
100 ensembles: $3.35
150 ensembles: $3.05
200 ensembles: $2.93

(Approximate price per ensemble INCLUDING proofing, shipping, and tax)
Ensembles include invitation, response card with printed envelope, reception card, return address printed on mailing envelope, all printing in black ink.

Paper Persuasions is proud to support Domestic Violence Project, Inc of Stark County. Help us help them! Donate 5 different items from their list of needs and receive an additional 5% off your catalog invitation order!

Etiquette Question of the Week

Q: I don't have time to finalize my guest list, but I need to send my Save the Dates....do I need to send Save the Dates to everyone that I plan to invite to the wedding or can I send them to a select few? Kim - Silver Lake, OH

A: You should finalize your guest list and send the Save the Dates to every person you plan to invite to the wedding. Guests talk. If one of your guests hears that you sent Save the Dates but he/she did not receive one, they may feel like they were invited only as an afterthought when they receive the actual invitation.

It may seem like a pain, but finalizing your guest list early has the following advantages:

• You'll already have the addresses of all your guests gathered when your invitations arrive.


• Think of the Save the Dates as a trial run. Any incorrect addresses will be discovered when the save the dates come back to you in the mail.....and then you'll have plenty of time to obtain the correct address and keep the more expensive invitations from being returned


• You will have a more accurate guest count to give all your vendors....and that can help save you money in the long run


• Guests that will definitely not be able to attend might let you know early. This is an advantage when planning for the "b" list.

One other thing to be sure of: Send an invitation to everyone who received a save the date. Even if you've had a family fallout or fight with your closest pal.....you have already asked them to 'save the date' and even if you know they won't come, you should still present the option.

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 x 2

We've Arrived! Last Saturday (a crazy day in which we met with 13 brides) Stacy and I actually shared a tearful moment at the realization that we've made it...and then celebrated with Perfect Margaritas at Applebee's along with my husband Dave. It was a great day!


We came to that realization because throughout the last two weeks, we have met with 43 brides! The number alone is shocking to us...but we are most blown away that 4 of those brides are getting married in Fall 2010. When it comes to budget, invitations often get the shaft...and these 2010 brides all came in so that they could budget appropriately for the expense of custom invitations. We've haven't signed contracts for weddings this far in advance before now - and we are so excited!

Needless to say, we've been so busy meeting with brides this week that we haven't had the chance to work on too many orders. I did manage to snap a few photos though - here ya go!

Catalog: Invite on shimmer stock with custom touches added

Catalog: Gold pocket with three inserts and violet print

Custom design: Navy pocket with silver and white accents - starfish motif

Custom: Sage pocket with blush pink accents, ribbon wrap and custom monogram

Custom: Hot pink pocketfold with lime green layer - gorgeous typestyle!!

Catalog invitation with a custom 'information card' (in center) designed and made by us to coordinate with the invitation.

Custom: This photo shows a loose pocket with three inserts. It was tied with a sheer ribbon to the invitation panel.

Constantly amazed. I hate to be redundant in our posts, but those are the only words that I can use to describe how we feel every day. In a world where jobs are slashed in a heartbeat and the economy is beyond slumping, our business is flourishing and we owe it all to you! Thanks...and have a great week!

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: Tealength Flat Panel featuring a Peacock design

So...I was planning on blogging about a different invitation when the UPS driver unexpectedly delivered a package from Carlson Craft (one of our fine catalog vendors). I immediately opened up the package, and discovered six new incredible designs for the Exclusive II Catalog! When I got to this particular invitation, I literally jumped up and down. Stephanie was out running errands, but I HAD to call her and let her know. And I immediately knew this is what I would be blogging about. Here it is...

Isn't it gorgeous?!? The peacock is a symbol of beauty and sophistication, and we've been seeing it more and more in the wedding themes lately. I love this peacock theme because it is simple, not overdone, and it's incorporated into each piece of the ensemble in different ways.

Now I can't just leave it at that. This catalog works very differently than most catalogs, so I feel the need to share with you ALL the wonderful things it has to offer. First, each piece is printed using a newer method of printing that allows you to change all the colors you see above. Each piece begins with either a white or ecru base, then you choose any two ink colors you want for the design. So if you like the peacocks, but your colors are orange and green, you can change everything you see above to orange and green, with a white or an ecru base. Second, each design offers the following coordinating accessories: Save the Dates, Envelope Liners, Envelope Icing with Guest Addressing available, Ceremony Programs, Table Numbers, Personalized Place Cards, Menus, Favor Tags, and Personalized Seals! Third, with the new designs came updated pricing - with LOWER prices! Here is a sampling of the different designs and colors available...

Choose from the following customizations:
27 colors of ink
14 colors of envelopes
28 lettering styles
27 Designs

Catalog: Exclusive II by Carlson Craft
Price Point:
75 ensembles: $4.32 standard / $4.46 tealength
100 ensembles: $3.52 standard / $3.64 tealength
150 ensembles: $3.22 standard / $3.32 tealength
200 ensembles: $3.09 standard / $3.19 tealength
(Approximate price per ensemble INCLUDING proofing, shipping, and tax)

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!