25 November 2008

Holiday > Availability

Just wanted to put a quick note that I will be busy, busy prepping (11/25-26) for the big Thanksgiving Day feast on Thursday and enjoying a little vacation time with my family.  I will be checking email and voicemail periodically - and will return non-urgent messages on Friday.

Happy Thanksgiving!

23 November 2008

Real Wedding > Megan & Peter

Meet Megan and Peter.  Their wedding took place in Angwin, California at Megan's uncles winery, Robert Foley Vineyards on August 9th, 2008.  The day was captured in photography by the talented team of Artistic Imagery, Amber & Alan.  If I could put all the photos they so expertly took - I would.  The cellar photos are simply breathtaking.

If there is any couple I have worked with in the last 6 years that I connected with on just about every level - it was Megan & Peter.  From their wedding to tattoos - I think we just about covered it all!  Their vision was clean and crisp with a Rock-a-billy attitude.  

Their invitation was a 5x7 panel design, double matte invitation of black linen and classic white - three layers all together, enclosures secured to the back with a bandwrap, grosgrain ribbon & monogram panel, directions, accommodation info and reply postcard.  The table cards were 5x7 single matte in black linen, table name printed on classic white and double sided so that guests could see the table name from any direction. The thank you notes were printed with their custom monogram on classic white 4x5 notecards with matching classic white envelopes.

Thank you, Megan and Peter for trusting me and allowing me to share in your special day!

Photo courtesy of: Artistic Imagery.

Personality > Maps

Boy!  I didn't realize I had so much to say this morning!  Tee, hee, hee.  Custom maps - fabulous way to inject some personality into your invites - it's those extra little touches that make your invite suite truly personal & unique.  Size and shape of the maps depend largely on the location of you event and the paper size we're working with.  I like to show the ceremony & reception locations in relation to each other - giving your guests their bearings.  Usually, I then give turn-by-turn directions from the ceremony to the reception.  But this all depends on your event and the event locations.  Custom maps are $100, plus printing & sales tax. 

Freebie > Thank You Notes

Did you know ... I include coordinating thank you notes with all my custom invitation orders?  It's my little thank you for ordering from Stephanie J Designs.  You get the same number of free thank you notes as the number of invitations ordered - order 100 invitations and get 100 thank you notes.

Etiquette Tip > Mail thank you notes within 1 month of receiving a gift - the sooner the better - but 1 month is the longest you should put it off.

Favz > Dynamite Weddings

Checked out Dynamite Weddings yet?  Dynamite has a website and blog that are fabulous.  My friends at Dynamite are super bloggers on TNT (Tips N Trends) bringing you the who's who and what's what about weddings right now.  On the Dynamite website you'll find the details on the who's who to make your dynamite event come true.  Yours truly is listed among the best in the biz!

I've had the privilege of designing the logos & a few invites for the Dynamite team and can't wait for the next project!

Wedding > Fan Programs

Hot summer wedding??  Fan programs are perfect.  They serve as a nice touch on seating at the ceremony, provide an overview of the ceremony, a listing of the bridal party & processional (on reverse) and serve as a keepsake for your guests.  Remember that not everyone will take a fan/program - I usually recommend counting up all the women, plus 15%.  Example: If you have 100 guests, 75 are women - order about 85.  Fan programs range from $5-15 each depending on quantity and embellishments.

Kidz > Merry, Merry First Birthday

Been super-busy with invites and it's been a month now since my last post!!  Yikes.  I had to put up these first birthday invites - they came out super cute.  Not sure if you can see in the photographs but the icing on the ginger-girl is hand glued and glittered.  Very time consuming - but the effect is sooo worth it!

The invitation is a 7x7 square, triple matte plus the invitation layer - 4 layers in all, hand glittering, Swarovski crystal, flat satin bow, custom printed envelope liner, classic & metallic papers and a custom printed envelope.  Wow-y!!  

This set of 25 ran: $15 each (plus sales tax and custom design fee of $85 for celebrations).  Assemble it yourself and save more!  I offer incremental discounts on all invitation packages, too.  100+ = 5%, 150+ = 10%, 200+ = 15%, 500+ = 20% and DIY (Do It Yourself) = 25%.  Savings may appear even greater (on your invoice) than the incremental percentage since with custom printing there are charges at the printer that are incurred on each order. 

This little invite posting is a reminder, too!  The holidays are right around the corner ... order your holiday greetings now to ensure timely delivery.  There are several signature designs for this year >>> look over to the menu on the right under HOLIDAY or we can create one uniquely you!!

You'll want to mail your holiday greetings to family and friends by the week of December 15th.  If (you're like most of us) and wait until the last minute ... you can create a Happy New Years type greeting.  If that is the case - those should go out the week of (or immediately following) Christmas.  In any case, I'm booking up, so don't delay!!!