Wedding Color Combination: Spotlight on PURPLE!

One of the first things brides must decide on when planning their weddings is a color scheme, usually one that fits with the season or time of year when she is getting married. What I’ve noticed after working in the “wedding business” for several years is that PURPLE is often a popular choice when choosing color combinations for a wedding! In fact, when sorting through and organizing my stacks and stacks (and stacks!) of leftover invitation paper recently, I came across SO many shades and variations of the color purple. This gorgeous color needed far more storage space than some others. So… you may be wondering what is so special about PURPLE?

What I think makes PURPLE such a perfect color for weddings is that it is so versatile, meaning you can pair it with just about ANY other color. Even if PURPLE is not your favorite color, put it next to your favorite color and you will have a great combination! Just browse Pinterest to see what I mean… check out how PURPLE can be used with all of these other colors to make a fabulous palate for your wedding! Click on any photo to see more ideas of how to use these awesome color combinations!

   

As you can see, PURPLE looks amazing with so many different colors and shades!!! You can’t go wrong with this color choice. No matter the month, season, or style of your wedding, purple is sure to work in some way. If you want to talk more about colors for your wedding invitations or wedding day stationery, hit me up! I LOVE this stuff! Here are some invitations we have designed using PURPLE! Maybe one will inspire you to use PURPLE in a new way for your own wedding or upcoming celebration!

Why NOT to DIY Wedding Invitations!

A friend recently shared this photo with me and I burst out laughing because it is SO TRUE!

I can’t tell you how many brides come to me with the same story … “I tried to make my own invitations, but it was just too frustrating!”  Or…”I tried to do my save-the-dates…I will NEVER do THAT again!”

While Pinterest is a great tool for brides, it can also be very deceiving. Everything is made to look “simple.” How many pins have you seen for “Easy DIY Wedding Invitations?” The wedding invitations in the picture look amazing, so you click the link only to discover that the title is misleading. A more appropriate title would be:

“101 Steps for Creating Mediocre Wedding Invitations”

Some brides aren’t scared by a long list of steps, so they decide to carve out the necessary time and energy to attempt their own wedding invitations thinking “How hard can it be?” What they don’t expect is the headache that comes with it… there are so many things that can go wrong! Every step becomes an obstacle…

Just see what this bride had to say about her DIY experience!

“I spent hours in Word trying to design the perfect invite (if I only knew then…) and fighting to try and get it to do what I wanted … I came up with this elaborate (and looking back on it, kinda ridiculous) design that involved snowflake printed clear wrap, vellum, standard paper, etc.  My only option for adhesive seemed to be spray glue. I spent a huge amount of time assembling these invitations, making a mess of pretty much everything, getting cat hair stuck to my invites, everything stuck to my floor, and generally using any and every curse word I could come up with to describe this project. I spent hours and hours printing a myriad of different inserts, wasting tons of paper because of my crappy printer and lack of proofreading, alternately wanting to cry and run away. But, I was stuck with it. (And that’s not all!) Having to design completely different invites because we decided to invite work friends and I had no more paper. Having invitations start falling apart before they were even sent because of using spray glue. Having to send envelopes out with spelling mistakes because I hadn’t bothered to order extra. It went on and on…

When it was all over I swore I would NEVER, EVER do it again (and to this day I often say to clients that if I were to have another wedding, I would hire someone else to create my invitations). I had spent somewhere around $1500-2000 on my wedding stationery, and WAY too much time, and I could have easily used that same amount of money to have something fantastic done by an honest-to-goodness stationer. I hadn’t taken into consideration the real cost of DIY.” (Click here for the complete disaster story from The Invitation Blog at Hip Ink.)

BUT WAIT, there’s more! Many other brides share similar DIY experiences… I couldn’t help but smirk while reading “The Great Wedding Invitation Disaster of 2009.” And ANOTHER…”You’re Invited (Part I): A DIY Invitation Disaster.” This bride had so much trouble with her “DIY adventure” that she had to write about it in TWO parts!! See “You’re Invited (Part II): Assembling the Troops” to read about the rest of the mess she endured! The list of DIY invitation disasters is endless!

In just those three stories alone, the list of potential problems for DIY wedding invitations is a long one: spending hours in word processing, reformatting templates again and again and again, having to completely re-do initial designs, paper colors not what expected, having to re-order (for a fee), spray glue (enough said), messy assembly, spending more hours printing, wasting paper, spelling errors due to lack of proofreading, running out of supplies, invites falling apart before they even reach the mailbox, problems with printing companies, text smudging, throwing away invitations, paying for a second printing, and even invitations blown away in the wind!!

Not to mention other problems I’ve heard brides lament about when attempting to DIY: printing invitations upside down, making millions of trips to the craft store, frustrations over learning new design software, assembly taking f.o.r.e.v.e.r, printers jamming and/or running out of ink, and of course many tears shed over these seemingly-menial-but-still-so-important-wedding-details.

The list could go on and on and on! Think you’re saving time and money?? THINK AGAIN!

Brides who contact me quickly realize that allowing a professional to handle the job allows them to relax, knowing that the finished product will look far better than anything they could make on their own! Plus, it frees them up to focus on other important wedding decisions. There’s just so much to do — why add the stress of designing and assembling invitations too? Take it from me (I know how much time and energy it takes to make beautiful invitations!)… this is one thing you will be glad you didn’t take on yourself!

It’s your special day! Let your invitations reflect how important your wedding truly is. We at ‘RSVP to me’ would love to assist you by creating custom wedding invitations for your upcoming celebration! Share your vision with us and we can create it!

Wedding Ceremony Programs 101

You might have finalized your wedding invitations, but before you can breath a sense of relief, there are some other wedding day stationery must-haves to consider. Today we’re talking all about a detail that’s quite often overlooked and sometimes even forgotten about. Besides your beautiful custom wedding invitation, the ceremony program is the first detail that introduces your theme and style to guests the day of your wedding. Think about the last time you attended the wedding ceremony. Were you anxiously waiting for the service to start without anything to look at, wondering who’s who? Were you confused about any special rituals that were performed? What we love so much about wedding programs is that they not only allow your guests to feel included, as well as help them understand the ceremony, but each one we design is unique to each and every couple. They tell a story, are informative, and are a lovely keepsake from your special day.

Although the booklet style might be the most traditional, this wedding program gives you a lot of room to personalize and outline the ceremony in full detail

Custom chandelier ceremony booklet program by ‘RSVP to me‘

Are you having planning an outdoor ceremony during the summer? Keep in mind there’s a good chance the weather might be hot and humid. Keep guests entertained AND cooled off with a fun and creative fan style wedding ceremony program!

Custom fan style ceremony program with palm leaf design

Stacked style ceremony programs are a fun twist on the traditional booklet style. This style consists of three or more pages stacked on top of each other with each title showing at the bottom of the page. It can be secured with your choice of ribbon or twine.

Custom stacked style ceremony program as seen on “My Fair Wedding with David Tutera“

Flat style ceremony programs are perfect if you’re planning a short (generic) service that doesn’t need a lot of explaining. These are a great option if you just want to list your bridal party and/or the order of service.

Custom flat style ceremony program with monogram and date

Essential Details to Include

1. A cover page that includes the names of the bride and groom, wedding date, wedding location, and the time of the ceremony

2. Be sure to include the ceremony order to inform guests of how the service will go (i.e. prelude, processional, opening prayer, readings, songs, exchange of vows/rings, blessing/presentation of couple, and the recessional).

3. Listing the names of your wedding party and those who are involved, along with each of their roles is a great way for guests to put a face to a name. It’s also nice to acknowledge those that were there for your throughout the planning process.

Additional Details to Personalize your Ceremony Program

1. Recognition of those relatives or friends who have passed away

2. A special thank you from the couple

3. Quotes and/or lyrics that are meaningful to your relationship

Custom fan style ceremony program embellished with plum organza ribbon

Remember, there are no rules set in stone and you have the option to include as much, or as little information as you like. Don’t forget, ‘RSVP to me‘ can design your wedding stationery to coordinate with your wedding invitations and suggest exactly what to include!

Wedding Stationery to Cover Every Step of your Engagement

It’s officially engagement season and we at ‘RSVP to me‘ couldn’t be more excited for all of you lovely couple’s who are ready to take their relationship to the next level. If you’re other half [finally] decided pop the question, congratulations! We’re so happy for you. Of course you already know that ordering wedding invitations is a task on your wedding to-do list, but there are quite a few other stationery must-haves that can be overlooked. Today we’re sharing wedding stationery to cover every step of your engagement!

Celebrate your upcoming nuptials among family and friends with an engagement party! Not only will guests be so happy to congratulate you in person, but it’s also nice for both sets of families to get together, socialize, and to get to know each other. After all, you’ll be spending plenty of time together.

Custom mint green & gray pocket fold engagement invitation by ‘RSVP to me‘

Custom monogram engagement invitation and coordinating table numbers

Officially announce your engagement to your family and friends with a custom Save The Date! This stationery is a great way to ask guests to mark their calendars ahead of time to take time off of work. Since it’s the very first piece of mail they’ll receive, have fun with the design and set the tone for your big day, just don’t forget to include the basics; your names, wedding date, city and state of where the event will take place, and the phrase “formal invitation to follow”.

Custom Save The Date card with coordinating registry card

Bridal showers are a great way family and friends to shower the bride with love and items she [and her hubby] needs for their home. Typically hosted by the maid of honor, bridesmaids and mother of the bride, the theme can be as traditional or modern as you like. Invite your lovely ladies with custom bridal shower invitations that make a statement, while keeping the bride’s tastes and personality in mind!

Custom bridal shower invitation embellished with a floral motif and coordinating lined-envelope

Custom Parisian-themed bridal shower invitation designed by ‘RSVP to me‘

Custom bridal shower invitation with a palm leaf design by ‘RSVP to me‘

Invite your wedding party and close family members to your rehearsal dinner. Traditionally hosted by the groom’s parents, your rehearsal dinner is great time to relax, laugh, and enjoy an evening before saying “I Do.” While the invitations should coordinate with the overall formality of your wedding, it’s also another opportunity to have fun with the wording and overall design.

Custom rehearsal dinner invitation with champagne bottle design embellished with the couple’s monogram

Like selecting your wedding gown, choosing your wedding invitations is an exciting part of the planning process as it begins to make the wedding day a reality. This essential piece of stationery is the ONE and ONLY chance to make an everlasting impression with your guests. Wedding invitations are also one of the most important details for your wedding. They set the tone and give a glimpse of what to expect. As an invitee, you would hate to open an invitation that reflects a casual event, just to find out upon arriving that the wedding is in fact a formal affair. Check out our five things you need to know before ordering your wedding invitations here and don’t forget to tie everything together with custom wedding day stationery.

Custom glitter wedding invitation with kaleidoscope design

Custom back pocket-style wedding invitation with flourish design

From custom save the dates and bridal shower invitations to wedding invitations and everything in between, ‘RSVP to me’ can design a style that fits the bride [and groom’s] personalities. For more information and to view more our invitation gallery, visit us at www.rsvp-to-me.com.

Five Tips for Writing the Perfect Thank You

Your wedding day went off without a hitch and after enjoying a honeymoon in bliss, its time to tackle the dreaded thank-you card notes. With digital media at our fingertips, saying “thank you” couldn’t be easier, however it’s important to thank your guests properly with a well written thank you note. If you’re at a loss for words, we’ve compiled five helpful tips to assist you in writing the perfect thank you card.

Custom monogram thank you stationery designed by RSVP to me

1. Get organized: Use your invitation guest list as a way to document gifts received and as a checklist to track written thank you notes. Don’t forget to choose custom stationery that reflects your personality. This is a great opportunity to utilize your NEWLY married monogram!

2. Share the work: You’re a married couple now, so tackle this first task as newlyweds together. It will not only make that stack of thank you’s less overwhelming, but it gives you an opportunity to spend time together.

3. Be Personal: No need to be formal when writing your thank you cards. In order for the thank you to be heartfelt, be conversational in your writing. You can tie in a memorable part of the wedding or explain how you used or plan to use the wedding gift. Don’t mention the dollar amount for monetary gifts, however it’s always a nice gesture to tell guests how you plan on spending the money. For example, “Thank you SO much for your generous and thoughtful gift! We can’t wait to use our new crock pot and hope you will join us at a future dinner party!” OR “Thank you for attending our wedding day. It means SO much to us that you were able to be there and share in our celebration!”

Custom monogramed thank you stationery in bronze paisley print

4. Handwrite your thank you notes, be legible and proofread to check for errors.

5. Attempting to write all of your thank-you notes in one sitting is not a good idea. It’s possible that your guests will see poor penmanship and even more mistakes, such as misspellings and poor grammar. Set realistic goals and keep things in perspective by writing about ten thank you cards a night.

Remember, guests want to feel that you went the extra mile for them, after all, they took time out of their lives for you. Authentic and heartfelt thank you cards can go a long way. Happy writing!

Perfectly Presented: Escort Cards

It’s the little wedding details that can really make a big statement! Capture your guests attention and add some glamour to your wedding reception decor with a creative escort card presentation. The key is to present your style or tie together your overall theme in an elegant way that will really wow your guests. Regardless of how you display this wedding day stationery, remember to include guest name(s), as well as the table in which they will be sitting at on your escort cards. Your escort card table is one of the first details your guests will see at your wedding reception. Make it memorable with one of these stunning and practical choices!

Folded Cards are the most classic choice for brides that are folded in half so they can stand alone.

Custom paisley print folded escort cards with flower and pearl embellishment

Simple Flat Escort Cards can easily be taken to the next level with an added decorative embellishment.

Sweet and simple escort cards in pink with flower cut outs

Custom escort tags can double as guest favors…

(photo credit: Images by Berit)

…or fun escort card labels displayed on drink bottles can also double as favors.

Seating Charts are a modern twist on tradition in which guest names are listed by table number and organized alphabetically. These can be custom printed lists displayed in frames, chalkboard style frames, or rustic windowpanes, or even mirrors.

Create a dazzling display of cascading Escort Card Tags by hanging them from a single tree, tree branches arranged in a centerpiece, or other custom made structure.

Custom white escort card hang tags with black writing

Whether you opt for traditional, modern, or informal escort card styles, let your creativity run wild and tie your wedding theme together! Contact RSVP to me today to learn more about our custom escort cards, in addition to custom wedding invitations, and wedding day stationery!

photos by Anna Hurt Photography (unless otherwise noted)

Wedding Day Stationery 101

You finally selected and committed to your wedding invitations, and while you can certainly cross this task off your wedding to-do list, you’re not out of the clear just yet! Although you ordered the most important piece of paperie, there’s additional stationery products you need to purchase for your wedding day. Not sure what additional paper items you might need? Here’s the 411 on what wedding day stationery you should keep on your radar. Talk to your invitation designer about creating a wedding day suite to ensure all of your wedding day stationery essentials coordinates with your theme, color scheme, and of course wedding invitations.

Custom pocket fold invitations in orange & beige, with gorgeous paisley patterned background

Ceremony Programs provide usefully information that your guests will appreciate. Most often programs are made in a booklet form, however, couple’s have been showing a creative side by requesting fans. (etc.) Be sure to include information pertaining to the wedding ceremony such as the names of those in the bridal party, order of events, and titles of the readings. Some couple’s also like to include a note of appreciation for family and friends being a part of their lives.

 custom “stacked” ceremony program, complete with pocket for a tissue for those “tears of joy”! (these programs designed especially for Aime & David, as seen on ‘My Fair Wedding’ with David Tutera – the “Wizard of Oz” episode, WEtv)

Escort Cards direct guests to the table at which they will be seated at during the reception.

Custom purple, lime green and ivory escort cards, embellished with flowers, pearls and a ‘frame’ front panel

Reception tables are appropriately marked by Table Numbers  or Table Cards. You can mark your tables with numbers, phrases, locations that may have special meaning, or songs. This can be an ice breaker for guests who may not know others at the table.

this couple opted to name their table cards based on locations that were significant to them – i.e. city/state they met, got engaged, etc.

Menu Cards inform guests what they will be eating during the reception, including the choices for the main entree.

Custom aqua and fuchsia menu card embellished with a starfish; perfect for a summer/beach celebration!

Thank your guests for being a part of your special day and incorporate custom Favor Tags onto your wedding favors. You can include any saying like “Love is Sweet” or the couple’s names and wedding date.

Custom Love is Sweet favor tags

Don’t forget to thank your guests for not only their generous gifts but for being a part of your special day with custom Thank You Cards.

Custom thank you cards with a love bird motif to enhance this couple’s beautiful wedding portrait.

Whether you’re hosting a black tie affair or a relaxed soiree, your stationery is an important part of your event. Wedding day stationery that’s consistent will tie your event together and leave a lasting impression on your guests.

(all photos by Anna Hurt Photography)

Finding The Perfect Wedding Invitations

When it comes to finding the perfect wedding invitations and stationery, many brides-to-be find it a daunting task. There are many important choices to make, after all…this is the guests’ first insight into the wedding. All brides want to make a great first impression, and beautiful invitations are the perfect way to do so.

The first choice you must make is whether you want unique invitations or you want to choose from a book or template with a design that has already been used, and will be used again, countless times. The answer, I think, is pretty obvious. Custom invitations can be specifically designed to reflect your style and theme, and these invites will be designed just for you. No one else will have the same invitations – they will be as unique as you are. So once you choose to go custom over generic, how do you make sure you get the perfect invitations? Below you will find 5 simple steps that can help you to ensure that you get nothing but the best when it comes to your wedding invitations and wedding day stationery.

1. Research – Spend some time doing your homework on custom wedding invite designers in your area. Feel free to ask your friends and family for recommendations, or simply do an internet search. When you do find a few in your area take the time to look at their samples, review their process, and read the reviews of past customers. Meet with the designer in person and make sure you and the designer actually click. Does the designer understand what you need and want? Is the designer easy to work with? Of course you want the designer to have the skills and talent but you also want to make sure that you mesh well. Take your time when choosing a designer and go with your gut on this one. Set realistic time lines with your designer.

2. Choose the right style – Are you a ‘traditional’ bride? Or are you a more ‘modern/contemporary’ bride with trendy ideas? Maybe you don’t actually KNOW which type you are? Your invitation designer should be able to show you a variety of previous samples, in various styles, that can help put you on the right path. Traditional invitations are usually done in beautiful scripts, centered layout, and possibly a simple motif or monogram on top. If you prefer invitations with clean lines, creative colors, possibly all lowercase text and more on the artistic side – you may like more of the modern style invitations. Spend some time going over the different samples and see what fits for you and your wedding. This is your special day, make it all you want it be. This is the beauty of going with custom designed invitations – the sky really is the limit.

3. Choosing from custom options – When you have your initial consultation, you will be presented with many unique options. First you will choose what TYPE of invitation you would like (i.e. flat card, pocket fold, a ‘Couture’ silk box invitation, etc.). Next, you will be able to choose the types and colors of paper you would like for the invitations. Then you can choose from custom embellishments (i.e. ribbon, rhinestones, etc.). And finally, the ideas for fonts and design are discussed. After all these steps are completed, you end up with a beautiful, one-of-a-kind invitation – unique to only you!

4. Budget – Plan your budget ahead of time. Set a realistic budget, and discuss it with your designer on first meeting. Be upfront with your designer and expect the same from them.

5. Consider additional wedding day stationery – When choosing your wedding invites try and think about the big picture of all your wedding day stationery needs. Do you want all your wedding day stationery to be of the same style as your invitations? Wedding day stationery includes menus, programs, escort cards, table numbers, favors, etc. Also, think about thank you cards that are also cohesive with your whole stationery look. Talk with your designer and let them know the plans of the big picture and consider designing wedding day stationery on that initial consultations as well. You can always place the order for the wedding day stationery closer to the wedding, but at least you will have an idea of style and budget all at once.

Having your wedding day invites done by a custom designer should be a fun and exciting experience. Of course, there may be moments when it is stressful but if you have a designer that understands those wedding day stresses, you will be able to rest assured that your wedding day invites will be perfect. Be unique, be creative and choose to go custom for all your wedding day invitation and stationery.

Timing is everything when it comes to sending out your wedding invites

There is no question about it…planning a wedding is a very exciting, but stressful experience. With so many different things to do – from finding the perfect location for the nuptials to purchasing your beautiful dress, and everything in between – wedding planning can often drive one a little crazy.

As a custom wedding invitation and wedding day stationery designer, I often get asked about the proper time line to send out wedding stationery. While everyone is a little different and some things will depend on how much time is allotted for planning…let’s take a look at a typical timeline to help you with your wedding planning process.

Save-the-Date: When to send

A save-the-date card is a great way to start the wedding process. These cards ask your friends and family members to reserve the day for your upcoming wedding. Generally speaking, I advise brides to send these reminders approximately 8-12 months prior to the wedding day. However, do keep in mind that if you are planning your wedding during peak times (such as summer, holidays, or valentine’s day) more notice may be needed. It will also depend on how large your wedding will be and if you have friends and family members who have to travel a great distance to attend your wedding.

Save-the-dates should be sent to all people who you wish to attend your wedding. It is also a good idea to include hotel accommodations information with your save-the-date for “destination” weddings, or weddings during “peak” times in your specific venue location (i.e. the Jersey Shore, during the summer) – this will allow your guests to book their rooms way in advance, and not lose out on the special rates offered, as well as the “preferred” hotels.

Custom save-the-dates take up to 4-6 weeks to create from scratch, so be sure to time your order accordingly. Click here to see some of our previous creations for save-the-dates.

The Official Wedding Invitation

I always advise brides to send wedding invitations 2 months (8 weeks) prior to the date of the wedding. You do not want to send them to early as people may forget about it and you also do not want to send them to late as people already may have prior engagements. Two months prior is a perfect time to send them out, giving your guests plenty of time to respond – especially if you’ve already sent out save-the-dates.

By adding the special and elegant touch of having custom wedding invitations designed, you will be setting the style and tone of your wedding. Give your guests a sneak peek as well as get them excited to attend your special day.

Custom invitations can take up to 6-8 weeks to create from scratch, so again…plan accordingly.  Click here to see some of our previous creations for wedding invitations.

Thank you Cards

Don’t forget to include your thank you card as part of your wedding day stationery. Most timelines will say to send out thank you cards one month after your wedding; however, being in the wedding industry – I know that is almost unreasonable!  Figure you will be on your honeymoon 1-2 weeks after the wedding…and if you want to include a wedding photo in the thank you, those are certainly not ready in one month! I think a more feasible timeline is anywhere from 2-4 months after the wedding.  Sending a beautiful custom thank you card, with a handwritten note will surely make your guests feel special!

Hopefully this timeline helps alleviate some of the wedding planning stress. After all, timely planning will help ensure that your wedding day is everything you dreamed about.