With so many envelopes and different sized cards, choosing wedding stationery can be a bit bewildering. Here are the essential elements of a wedding invitation explained in clear terms that any bride to be can understand.

Invitation Card
The actual wedding invitation card is the heart of your wedding stationery. Since this is the most important item, it is usually the largest in size. The invitation card should include all the indispensable information about your wedding event. Both of your names should have a prominent position on the card and are usually printed in a larger font. You can choose whether to put your first names only or your full names. The date, time and location of the ceremony should be included.

Generally, the reception time is not noted but you can write something along the lines of, “Reception to follow at the Grand Hotel in Sheffield.” Guests will assume that the reception will start as soon as everyone has made their way to the reception hall from the ceremony location. It’s good to include the name of the town or city the reception will be in, if it’s taking place in a different locale than your ceremony. That way guests can figure out how far they’ll be driving and if they want to carpool.

Many couples also include their parents’ names on the wedding invitation card. Traditionally, the bride’s parents have hosted the wedding and therefore their names have been featured on the card. Nowadays many couples are breaking from tradition to include the groom’s parents’ names as well, or just using the names of the bridal couple if they are primarily hosting the function without parental support.

Inner Envelope
The inner envelope is the addressed envelope that your wedding invitation goes inside. It generally only includes the names of the addressees, and not their mailing address. Calligraphy or fancy writing with a gold or silver pen is often used to address these envelopes.

Reply Card
The reply card is what the guests used to give you their RSVP and entrée choices. This card should have tick boxes of places where the guests can mark how many people from their party are attending and what they’d like to eat. Make sure all the entrée choices are listed and spelled correctly. You may opt to give a short description of each dish, if you think your guests may need an explanation in order to choose. Design your reply cards so that they’ll be easy to tally when you receive them in the mail.

Return Envelope
The return envelope is a stamped envelope that your guests used to send their reply card back to you. It should be smaller and the perfect size for the reply card. They should already be addresses so that guests don’t need to look around for your current mailing address.

Outer Envelope
What holds it all together is the outer envelope. This is the big envelope that everything goes inside and is addressed to your guests. Many brides choose to have their outer envelopes addressed by a calligrapher or to make stick on labels via computer. The last thing you want is for your wedding invitations to get lost in the mail because you didn’t dot your i’s or cross your t’s!

When ordering your wedding stationery package, be sure that what you’re being quoted for includes all of these elements. If reply cards and return envelopes are an add-on, it’s good to know beforehand so you can calculate your wedding invitation budget accurately.

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Authored by Heather Carreiro from Dependable Printing.

Please visit Dependable Printing for a great selection of wedding invitations, shower invitations, party invitations, and much more.

Do I really need to send out Save the Date Cards? If so, how early do I send them out? What is the purpose of sending out Save the Date Cards?

Save the Date Cards announce to all your family and friends the date of your wedding and simply ask them to reserve that day especially for you. They can be very useful for guests that will be having to travel long distances to attend the wedding. If someone is coming from out of the country, making needed arrangements early can save them a great deal of money on their traveling expenses. Also Save the Date Cards can be very helpful for a destination wedding. Giving early notice to all who plan to attend gives them the opportunity to request vacation from their employer and helps them save them a substantial amount of money on their travel expenses.

In order to give your guests plenty of notice Save the Date Cards should be mailed out a minimum of 4-6 months before your wedding date and as long as 12-15 months in advance if you will have many guests traveling from afar. This will allow your guests ample time to make all the necessary travel arrangements so that they will be able to attend your special event.

Save the Date Cards are not meant to be formal. The main purpose is just to let your family and friends know the actual date of the wedding so that they can plan ahead. There are many styles to choose from. When deciding on a Save the Date Card, you may want to try and match your wedding invitations. Save the date cards are mostly used as card stock or magnets and they are normally post card size. You can add a picture of you and your fiancé, or embellishments that are sure to add a personal touch. Most brides prefer the Save the Date Magnets because your guests can put it on their refrigerator and it serves as a constant reminder.

Here are some guidelines for what is needed on the card or magnet: both the bride and grooms name, the wedding date and location of the wedding. You can feel free to add any other information you feel will assist your guest in making their plans. You will also want to include the wording “invitation to follow” so that your guests will know that an official wedding invitation with more specific information will be mailed to them at a later date.

It is also recommended that you include other helpful information with your Save the Date Card such as airline, car rental and hotel information that will make things easier on your guests. They may also be interested in other special events or attractions in your area. If possible also try to acquire group discount rates for your guests by calling specialty companies and seeing if they do offer group discounts. It is customary for most vendors to set up a group code or use your last name for booking purposes. You can provide this information and any other group information when you mail your Save The Date cards!!

Have a great time planning for your special day!

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Authored by Jeff Fain from Dependable Printing.

Please visit Dependable Printing for a great selection of wedding invitations, shower invitations, party invitations, save the date card & magnets and much more.

Have the last several wedding invitations you’ve received been rather non-descript and uninteresting? Shades of white, ivory, and cream with embossed lettering aren’t always enough to bring out the personality of the bride and groom to be. If the traditional, white wedding invitation just doesn’t get you excited, here are some tips to add some style to your wedding stationery.

Add Texture
One of the latest trends in wedding stationery has been to add a small bow to each invitation. Find some ribbon in your wedding colors, punch a hole in the corner of your invite, and presto, you’ve got something with some style. Ribbons aren’t the only way to add texture to a wedding invitation. Add glitter, beads, or small stones to make a more funky invitation, or even glue on small seashells for a beach-themed wedding. The possibilities are endless here, although you want to make sure your wedding invitations don’t end up looking like a kindergarten art project. If not so art savvy yourself, why not ask some artsy gal pals to help you jazz up your stationery? You can check out the scrapbooking aisles at arts and crafts stores for ideas as well.

Add a Photo
Has your mom insisted that you invite all those second cousins and great aunts that you barely know? Help them remember who you are, and give other guests a sneak preview of your fiancé, by putting a personalized photo in your wedding invitation. There is no hard and fast rule that wedding invitations need to be formal and white. Do you both love roller-skating? Take a cute photo of you two holding hands at the roller rink. If you’re both comedians at heart, take a funny photo of you two colliding at the roller rink! Use a silly caption like, “Watch two lives come together on December 4th!” to make your guests smile. Photo-based wedding invitations can have a serious or casual look, and this will help you set the tone for your wedding.

Add an Ethnic Touch
Get in touch with your roots by adding some ethnic flair to your wedding invitation. Are you and your fiancé from different cultural background? Why not have bilingual invitations? Some couples have really intrigued their guests by sending them invites in different languages. For example, a Chinese bride and American groom could send Chinese invitations to the Americans, and English invitations to the Chinese guests! Of course this might leave guests bewildered at first, but if you put essential information like the date, place, and time in both languages, this ploy could really pique guests’ interest. So you’ve always loved Hollywood movies? Choose exquisite Indian scroll invitations to make the announcement of your wedding equal to a royal proclamation. Have your stationery outlined with beautiful Arabic calligraphy for a Middle Eastern wedding.

Don’t be afraid to experiment and try several different options. Make a few samples and ask your bridesmaids which sample wedding invitation really shows your personality and wedding style. Don’t hesitate to think outside the box and come up with something truly unique!

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Authored by Heather Carreiro for Dependable Printing. Please visit Dependable Printing for a great selection of wedding invitations, shower invitations, party invitations, and much more.

Can you hear him? Can you hear the taxman? Below are a few things brides/grooms (past and present) should make note of.

For those Canadians who were married in 2008 and made a charitable donation in 2008 in lieu of wedding favours/bomboniers, these may be able to go towards your 2008 taxes. Why do I say maybe? Make sure they are indeed acceptable/registered taxable charities.
Canadians: Do a search on your charity.

Donations must be made by December 31st to be claimed against your income for the current year. However, you do not have to claim all of the donations you made this year on your current-year return. You can carry forward any donations you do not claim in the current year and claim them on your return for any of the next five years. You can only claim donations once.

For those Canadian brides/grooms who have decided to donate to a charity, check which charity is registered so you can take advantage of this tax break. Remember, the “Human Fund” is not considered a registered charity

Lastly, if you were married in 2008, you are now required to submit taxes as a couple. “Regardless of when you were married, if on Dec 31, 2008 you were “married” the government considers you married for the entire year for tax purposes”. Source, my accountant.

Disclaimer: I am not qualified to provide tax advice. Please refer to your personal accountant and/or government sources for valid tax recommendations. If I have stated anything that is non-factual, please email me and I will update this post with accurate information.

Recommended sites:

Canada Revenue Agency

Internal Revenue Agency

Canadian Tax Blog

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Authored by Hot Pink Petticoat

That sparkle in your step separates you from everyone else – your wedding should be no different. A Hot Pink Petticoat smoothly weaves your personality, charm and style with our proven creativity, organization and experience. Whether you need complete planning for a weekend-long bash or day-of assistance for an intimate reception, our Toronto-based team has you covered. Best of all, A Hot Pink Petticoat puts couples at ease – our clients don’t worry about their wedding day – they enjoy it!

Are you doing your own hair?

1. Time your practice session and make a list of all of the tools and products you will need. If you are not going to be in your home, you will need to plan and pack well.

2. If you are doing your hair at your home put everything in a basket and hide it away to bring out fresh and ready for your special day.

3. Schedule times for showers.

4. Make sure there is a mirror and a counter or table to work from.

5. Make sure there are proper outlets, if not bring a power bar and extension cord. Older inns and Bed & Breakfasts’s may not have as many outlets or one near good lighting.

6. Put all of your pretty under things on first and cover up with a button down shirt or robe. This way after hair and makeup are done, just slip into your gown!

Is a stylist traveling to you?

1. Give exact, adequate directions and phone numbers. Many times brides give the directions they follow and forget the stylist may be coming from the opposite side of the highway. Or make sure she has GPS.

2. Have a spot prepared and set up for the stylist to work. It can be a large bath room, a well lit dining room or kitchen. Put out hot pads or thick towels to protect surfaces from hot tools.

3. Don’t assume the stylist can do extra people last minute. Make sure everyone who is having their hair done is mentioned ahead of time and arrives promptly.

4. Be ready yourself and allow extra time for interruptions.

Are you going to a salon?

1. Schedule your wedding day hair appointment at least eight weeks ahead.

2. Have a practice session at least a month ahead and bring a picture of your dress and your headpiece with you to the salon.

3. Record your travel time from the salon to where you are getting dressed.

4. Add on extra time for getting dressed and make-up if the salon is not applying it.

5. Ask for more than one stylist to help with the wedding party. Three stylists for a party of six is the best bet for staying on schedule.

6. Schedule all nail appointments for the day before, this also saves time.

7. Don’t expect to get your favorite stylist to do your wedding hair if you desire an intricate Updo. This is a specialty service and best left for the salon’s updo expert or team.

The Morning of Your Wedding covers this subject as well as many others and is a must read for every bride. Whether you are getting ready at home or at a hotel or other venue find great tips about stress, family issues, scheduling, petcare, food issues and more. No other book covers this hetic first part of your most important day. Be prepared!

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Authored by Gretchen Maurer.

Gretchen Maurer was approached to write the first ever, bridal-based hair industry book, The Business of Bridal Beauty, published by Milady Publishing. A licensed stylist since 1980, Maurer noticed there were too many wedding morning horror stories and wanted to see everyone’s morning of a successful beginning to a very important day. This first book was a step toward educating the salon industry and stylists.

Maurer taught seminars, classes and performed at hair shows for 12 years, presenting information to stylists to help them better serve their bridal clients. The wedding industry became Maurer’s next audience, namely wedding planners, whom she felt needed to know the inside of the salon industry. Once involved in The Association of Bridal Consultants, she spoke at many meetings and seminars.

In 1998 Maurer developed and created Weddinghair.com. In 2002 weddinghair.com was voted the #1 wedding beauty site, by Brides magazine! The web site offers over 100 wedding hairstyles each created by Maurer. Each style is photographed in a step-by-step format with simple DIY directions available for FREE in a down loadable PDF file. Her first book, along with the web site, has fostered many interviews, articles and hairstyles to appear in numerous national and local magazines and web sites.

Although Maurer did many on location weddings while working in a salon, by 2000 she left the salon environment and became a fulltime on-location bridal stylist. Traveling to numerous unique locations and servicing weddings of all sizes and budgets, Maurer experienced many chaotic and frustrating wedding mornings. Now with the help of The Morning of Your Wedding, every bride will get an inside peek to how that day might unfold, so she can be prepared for her best wedding day ever!

Planning a wedding can be lots of fun, but it can be hard work as well. There are so many details that must come together in order for that dream wedding to become a reality, and planning that special day can quickly become overwhelming. From finding the perfect cake to choosing the right color flowers, there are just so many things to think about. In all that excitement it can be easy for simple things like the wedding invitations to get pushed to the back burner.

That would be a mistake of course. So much of wedding planning hinges on getting an accurate guest count, and it is impossible to get that guest count without sending out the wedding invitations and counting the RSVP responses. So it is important to start thinking about those wedding invitations as soon as possible and to get them in the mail as soon as the date of the wedding has been confirmed.

It is also important to choose those wedding invitations with care. Wedding invitations should reflect the style and taste of the happy couple, and they should reflect the casualness or formality of the ceremony itself. A big formal wedding at the best country club in town will naturally require a different style of wedding invitations than a casual backyard affair. It is important to consider the nature of the ceremony as you shop for those important wedding invitations.

If your wedding has a specific theme it is also a good idea to make the wedding invitations you choose a reflection of that special theme. . For instance, beach weddings and destination weddings are all the rage these days. If you plan to hold your nuptials at a local or far off beach, why not let the fun shine through with the right wedding invitations. Maybe you could use a splash of bright colors and beach themes to invite your special guests to your special day. Maybe you could even include a souvenir drink umbrella or cocktail stirrer your guests can use as a memento of your special day.

If your wedding will use your special colors, why not use those special colors throughout the wedding invitations? From the colors used on the RSVP card to the colors of the mailing envelope, there are plenty of ways to make those wedding invitations even more special.

Wedding invitations are much more than simple documents. They are a way to express your joy and offer your family members and friends a way to share in this most special of days. The wedding invitations you choose should be a reflection of your taste, your style, your creativity and above all your happiness. So choose those wedding invitations carefully and create a wonderful first impression with your honored guests.

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Authored by:  Bonnie Conrad for Dependable Printing. Please visit Dependable Printing for a great selection of wedding invitations, unique wedding invitations, bridal shower invitations, party invitations, and much more.

Today’s trends in wedding stationery are a far cry from what it was in your mother’s or your grandmother’s day. Brides no longer have to stick to white, and there are multiple options available in any color of the rainbow. In the past, it was easy to make your wedding invitation cards stick out by just adding a hint of color. Nowadays, with the multitude of designs available, it may take a little more creativity to get truly unique wedding invitations into your guests’ mailboxes. Here are some elements you can play with to achieve a different style of card that will leave a lasting impression on your guests.

Shape

Most wedding invitations still come in the traditional rectangular card shape. More brides are starting to branch out and send square cards, but not many have tapped into the various other shapes available. You can choose a long, layered invitation or a die-cut card in a wedding motif. Invitations in the shape of a bride’s dress, or of a sandal for a beach-themed wedding are certainly different from the norm.

Fold

Instead of a simple open and shut card, choose a different type of fold to add some flair to your wedding invitations. A three-way gate fold, a pocket style design or a diagonal fold will add texture to your cards. These folds can set different tones for your wedding depending on the material and colors you choose. A pink-polka dotted pocket invitation would suit a more casual wedding, while a black and silver monogrammed card would suit a more chic urban affair.

Wrapping

Intensify the suspense of your guests by wrapping your invitations. Guests will have to do some work to unveil the details of your event, but they should be intrigued in the process. Wrap white invitations in black for a fancy event, or show how decadent your wedding will be with an elegant floral wrap. Patterns depicting roses, dark reds and pinks all can give a unique and romantic touch to your wedding invitations.

When choosing your unique wedding invitation, just make sure you don’t go overboard. Guests may get confused if they receive a lime green, pocket-folded and wrapped invitation. Using one of the elements mentioned above should be sufficient to set your wedding invitation apart. You want your invitation to be different, but you certainly don’t want it to be so frustrating to open that your guests become flustered. Combing one of these ideas with your wedding colors should get you on track to hosting a memorable wedding.

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Authored by Heather Carreiro for Dependable Printing. Please visit Dependable Printing for a great selection of wedding invitations, unique wedding invitations, bridal shower invitations, party invitations, and much more.

We seem to find that most brides seem to fit fairly well into one of four categories. Which one are you?

1) The Minimalist

Simplicity is your middle name – from the sleek lines of an iPod to the pleasures of a perfectly cut white shirt, your personal style is easy and unadorned. Detail-oriented and down-to-earth, you bring order to all around you. The sounding board for friends and the go-to-girl at work, you’re capable, rational, and precise. But don’t sell yourself short – you radiate true beauty through straightforward communication and a soothing demeanor. There’s nothing pared-down about your passion for detail or your love of real honest living.

Avoid: Oversized baubles, multi-course meals, vanity plates

Crave: A class in Zen flower arrangement, a stack of plain silver bracelets, an iPhone

2) The Sensualist

Sexy and seductive, you’re governed by the five senses, which you shamelessly indulge with extravagant sights, luscious textures, and romantic meals. You’re at your peak when indulging in a decadent meal, sharing a passionate embrace, or blessing out in a tub spiked with exotic oils. More champagne and truffles than tea and scones, you bring a sense of luxury and passion to everything you do. From your fabulously overdone signature to your penchant for drama, you don’t believe in half measures.

Avoid: Stainless steel, low-fat anything, torturous Spin classes

Crave: A Mediterranean wine cruise, a full-body massage, a seductive flacon of hand-mixed perfume

3) The Organic

Your home is the true center of your life, and you decorate it with a flea-market sensibility and sustainable style. Obsessed with comfort and ease, you’re more likely to opt for a midnight hike than a crowded bar. You’re the person who brings incredible homemade cookies to a friend in distress and serves the perfect cup of tea in a fabulous vintage mug. From your eclectic personal style to your open, giving nature, you’re the personification of honest ease.

Avoid: Stinky subways, traffic, uncomfortable high heels

Crave: Fair-trade dark chocolate, a weekend in the mountains, a treasure-finding trip to your favorite vintage boutique

4) The Sophisticate

Fashion is your middle name, and urbane luxury is your game. A world traveler, you can hold your own in a boardroom or a boutique. Your fresh, fun approach to life means that you infuse some oomph in everything you pursue. From updating a classic cashmere sweater with a hyper-modern piece of jewelry to surprising a friend with a perfectly-arranged bouquet of her favorite flower, you’re classy and sassy.

Avoid: Boring take-out dinners, sports bars, people who don’t write thank-you notes

Crave: Plane tickets to New York or Berlin, season passes to your city’s most cutting-edge museum, a box of over-the-top cupcakes

Try the quiz online to see what you are: http://www.recherche-photography.com/quiz/quiz.html 

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Authored By Recherche Photography

Rare. Refined. Romantic.

Recherche Photography is not your everyday photography. http://www.recherche-photography.com

As a pastor, I am often asked by brides to help them get their point across to their new HUSBAND!. I always ask them, “do you know what he’s saying?” The answer is almost always NO! Ladies this should help you. 

1. “A!” This means yes.
2. “Baby!” This means I got caught. Please see # 10
3. Nothing I forgot what you said. I’m waiting for the Starbucks to kick in.
4. “It’s this way!” I am not stopping to ask for directions. The GPS is wrong!
5. “It was here, it must have moved!” The GPS and YOU were right, but I am too proud to tell you this. Please refer to # 10.
6. “I want to live” That means I will agree with you just to avoid an argument.
7. “Honey, I am tired of being right I just want to be happy” I am just agreeing with you for now, because your girlfriends are with to you. I’ll let you have it your way. Later when we are alone, I’ll remind you, I was right!
8. “In a minute” I will do what you ask when the commercial comes on.
9. “Piece of cake” I am calculating exactly how many commercials it will take to do what you asked. I’ll start the job when the next commercials come on.
10. “What?” This means don’t ask me for details! I have none. Please refer to #6.

 

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Authored By: Senior Pastor Tom Burgos / Calistogachristiancenter.org

 

 

 

Pastors Tom Roxanna Burgos are the authors of Wedding’s 101- How to officiate a guide for new Pastors, Ministers and Notaries in California. They are also the Founders and Senior Pastors of Calistoga Christian Center Church the first multi-cultural church in the Napa Valley.

All proceeds from Celebrity and Traditional Wedding go directly to fund Backpacks and Christmas Toys for children of migrant workers. So consider their advice. Many celebrities and Brides do!

Weddings are a very special time, when two people in love start their newlife together. If you are planning your wedding you know there is much more to preparing than meets the eye. A bride has many tasks to take care of, the dress, the flowers, and the invitations to name a few.  Wedding invitations are just as much a part of the planning process as any other task. Here are some important things to keep in mind when selecting your invitations.

Color: Wedding colors should be incorporated into the invitations. Choosing colors for a wedding can be a difficult task, but once chosen they are the colors that will be attached to the wedding ceremony, reception, flowers, dresses, everything. Continue the color choice by incorporating it right into the invitation. There is a great variety of colors available for wedding invitations, so you are sure to find a color choice that matches your wedding colors.

Theme: Wedding invitations should coincide with the theme of the wedding. Is it a spring, fall, or winter wedding? The theme of the wedding greatly depends on the time of year the wedding is held. There are some wonderful selections for spring and summer weddings that incorporate flowers and natural elements right into the invitation. For fall or winter weddings there are many varieties that include luscious fall colors, or cool icy winter themes.

Theme of invitation may also be incorporated to other aspects of the ceremony and the invitation. When ordering your invitations, try to order your programs and thank you notes at the same time. You’ll have a wonderful coordinating theme, and be done with the paper work.

RSVP: Ordering RSVP cards. RSVP should be ordered along with the invitations. All invitations have coordinating RSVP cards and envelopes that are sent right along with the invitation. RSVP cards can be very important for the reception. If the reception is being catered, the catering company needs a count for how much food and also how much it will cost. Seating at the reception can also be dependent on how many guests will be attending. An RSVP card is also important for booking lodging for guests.

Whatever theme, color, or style of invitation is chosen, there is an endless variety of selections. Guests will be delighted when they receive the beautiful wedding invitation. It is the time to start becoming excited for the upcoming event.

 

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Jeff Fain is an author for Dependable Printing.  Please visit Dependable Printing for a great selection of wedding invitations, shower invitations, party invitations, and much more.