A Lucky Orchid Wedding

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2011-09-22T18:37:00.001-07:00

Adventures of a Bride to Be

2011-09-19T06:00:00.000-07:00

June 21, 2011

My venue mailing to be put into the hands of the USPS tomorrow, I am moving along on my list of items to cross off…while, of course, adding others.

Advice to be heeded if you can: STOP LOOKING AT WEDDING WEBSITES AND MAGAZINES a month before your wedding or you will decide to buy/do/create things that, really, you could have been just fine without.

I didn’t heed my own advice.

Our wedding day was predicted to be hot, and would also be outdoors, so we decided to have little bottles of Coke, Diet Coke, and Sprite in tubs for our guests to drink when they arrived for the ceremony. I saw the striped straws in some magazine, and not being able to find them anywhere, one of my favorite websites of all tiem…Etsy.com…came to the rescue.

Pink striped straws in hand, now I had to create the cute little flags that everyone sees on them, attach them to the straws, and find a cute display cup for them as well.

Easier said than done.

One of many items left on my ToDo list, I still was without dresses for my daughters, so I had to follow-up with the manufacturer as to their whereabouts. We are now about a month out & I needed those dresses in case they needed alterations locally. After contacting them, I was told they’d be shipping before the July 4 holiday in plenty of time for alterations, if needed.

Last-minute items were coming from Laura, beautiful though they were, that also meant more work: menus, programs, table signs.

I swear, I LOVE my wedding design, I love my dress, I love the colors, I love my fiance… I was not loving the final days of details I no longer felt like keeping up with. I needed a second wind and one was not to be found, though I had to finish things up, so I had no choice. I was not bridezilla, I was bridexhausted. One month, one day & counting…
Until next time,
“There is a great deal of satisfaction to be found
in the complete exhaustion left behind by a job well done.”
~Unknown

xoxo,

Alycia

Sneak Peek: New LHC Website & Blog!

2011-09-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

While it has been quite a busy wedding season, we've also been working behind the scenes developing a brand new look for the Laura Hooper Calligraphy website and A Lucky Orchid Wedding blog! On our new site you will find more invitation suites, more maps, more event signage and more information on all the the Laura Hooper Calligraphy specialties!

The site will be ready to launch as early as next week, but in the mean time, here's a sneak peak of the new home page...

We hope you will visit the site once we launch and take a look around at all we have to offer at Laura Hooper Calligraphy!

Invitations: Summer Starfish

2011-09-16T06:00:00.000-07:00

The crisp air of fall is sneaking up on us more and more each morning and night, but the nice 70 degree mid-days remind us that there are still a few remaining days of summer. So what better time than to share a sweet starfish monogram invitation suite with accompanying program and menu!

The couple used the luxurious letter press print method for the invitation piece and RSVP card giving the summer set a more elegant feeling.

The wedding took place in Hawaii, so the couple utilized the RSVP to get a bit of information from their guests.

They not only tactfully let their guests know which parts of the weekend were appropriate for children and which were not, but they also obtained arrival and accommodation information ~ and of course we think the delicate icons are a charming touch!

The monogram continued to the reception with a tie-top program and menu card.

Here's a close-up of the adorable starfish with the couple's initials.

Maps: France

2011-09-15T06:00:00.000-07:00

We created the below map of France as a save the date card for a couple getting married in France next June 2012.

The bride was so sweet and provided some information to help us "envision" the map. From the bride:

The wedding will be in the south France, with the two ceremonies (cival and religious) being in my fiances home town of Ollioules and the reception on a near by island, Ile de Bendor, just off the coast of Bandol. The theme of the wedding is classic with a touch of Provence - lavender, olive trees etc.

She even included a photo of the church to help with our rendition:

We make so many maps each week it is such a joy to get a little background on the couple and location!

In the Press: BRIDES Magazine September 2011

2011-09-14T06:00:00.000-07:00

Back in February we shared a romantic wedding that took place amongst the beautiful, outdoor setting of the LongHouse Reserve in East Hampton, New York, and it is currently featured in the September issue of BRIDES magazine! With impeccable design by Beth Helmstetter and delectable photos by Corbin Gurkin, this piece is definite eye-candy!

We were pleased to contribute the stationery for both the wedding and rehearsal clam bake as well as escort cards, table cards and menus!

Everything was very classic which made for a tasteful, clean look while also maintaining an overall elegance. Tres chic!

Creative Tip: Pocket Folders

2011-09-13T06:00:00.000-07:00

Last week we showed you belly bands and ribbon to keep your invitation suite together, but another option is to hold it all together in a unique pocket folder designed to match your suite!

All bundled neatly together in a pocket folder...

You'll notice that the main invitation is adhered to the right side and the accompanying pieces are bound together and tucked neatly inside the pocket fold! Another special touch included in this suite is that the envelope is also printed with the design!

It's added touches like these that will enhance your invitation suite, set the tone for the wedding and make a lasting first impression with all of your guests!

Adventures of a Bride-to-Be

2011-09-12T06:00:00.000-07:00

June 7, 2011

With invitations finally in the mail & RSVPs coming in, all the final details were caching up to me: table signs, placecards, favors, hotel baskets, dresses & shoes for the girls, my dress fittings, makeup & hair trials, and another mailing to my guests.

Yes, another mailing.

My wedding is going to be at a venue that you have to find the location for the ceremony & reception, so I neeed to send maps to help them get to where they needed to be. Whereas maps were printed by the Chicago Botanic Garden for visitors, they wouldn’t be easily used by wedding guests trying to find a ceremony & reception.

Fortunately, I knew someone who did these amazing maps by hand & would recreate a much smaller, more weddingish version of the information I needed my guests to know.

OH, LAURA?!?!?!

I did think ahead on this one, so they were ready to go, I just needed to wait for RSVPs to come in so that I would send them to those guests that were attending. My goal is to send them all out one month in advance of the wedding, and then any stragglers thereafter, to guests & any vendors that should know where they needed to go.

I sweat the details. It is my nature.

Even though our wedding day is almost here (and I have SO SO SO much left to do!), my attention to each detail solely to make my guests feel welcome, so welcome they shall feel…

INGREDIENTS:
DOUBLE-SIDED MAP & QUOTE WRAP CLOSURE: Laura Hooper Calligraphy
FLORAL PAPERS: Paper Mojo
CLEAR VELLUM ENVELOPES: Paper and More
STAMPS: Zazzle

Until next time,

“It's the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen.”

~John Wooden

xoxo,
Alycia

In the Press: INSIDE Weddings Fall 2011

2011-09-09T06:00:00.000-07:00

Last week we shared my own bridal shower featured in the new Fall issue of INSIDE Weddings, and we are so pleased that another one of our clients' weddings was also included in the issue! They worked wth the lovely Susan & Kathy of Bella Weddings to create a culturally vibrant celebration that all began when the groom flew all the way to Sri Lanka to ask for the bride's parents permission! And with MiBelle Photography behind the camera - the photos are sure to be treasured by the happy couple and their families!

We were able to create the rehearsal dinner invitation and also pen the escort cards on our ever popular compasses!

Read more on this wedding on the Mi Belle blog or read about the groom's trip to Sri Lanka on the INSIDE Weddings blog!

Creative Tip: Seating Charts

2011-09-08T06:00:00.000-07:00

Last week we showed you a variety of charming seating charts, and today we wanted to feature a nautical themed one for a wedding taking place on Santa Cruz Island.

Each flag icon represents a nautical boating flag and each couple's name is written on the tiny boats clustered around the flags in "coves" on the island!

The bride & groom also ordered table cards so the guests could find their seats. Below is just a sampling.

The nautical themed chart is a unique way to incorporate the couple's love of boating into their big day!

Creative Tip: Belly Bands

2011-09-06T06:00:00.000-07:00

Sometimes clients want to add a final touch to their invitation suite and including a belly band is a great way to create the finished look! The adorable envelope liner helps too!

The all-script invitation suite exudes elegance and the gold band completes the set. You can also create the belly band look with ribbon!

These extra pieces help to make your set truly unique and showcase your wedding style.

Invitation Suite: Red, White & Blue

2011-09-05T06:00:00.000-07:00

As we observe the Labor Day holiday, which marks the "unofficial end of summer" {technically the last day isn't until September 22!}, we thought it would be fun to share this simple invite set fashioned in the traditional colors of red, white & blue!

Creative Tip: Seating Charts

2011-09-02T06:00:00.000-07:00

One of our increasingly popular items has been seating charts ~ they are perfect for engagement parties, rehearsal dinners and are being used more and more in wedding themselves. Both stylish and functional, our hand-illustrated charts can be created to match your invitation suite, or be themed to display a shared interest of the bride and groom!

Seating charts most commonly display the layout of the venue with guests listed alphabetically by table, or we can customize your chart however you wish.

You can also see our charts featured on Martha Stewart Weddings online!

Maps: Santa Barbara, CA

2011-09-01T06:00:00.000-07:00

We often showcase our vibrant, colorful maps, but there is something equally as charming with this single-color map of the coastal town of Santa Barbara.

Of course the sweet red trolley car can't go without mention! We also captured the buildings out on the pier. The delicate touches make this simple map...simply perfect!

In the Press: INSIDE Weddings Fall 2011

2011-08-31T06:00:00.000-07:00

As many of you know I was married earlier this year with a wonderful wedding in Hawaii. While we can't quite share the photos from that magnificent day, I am delighted to share that my beautiful bridal shower designed by Beth Helmstetter Events and captured by Steve Steinhardt Photography was featured in the current issue of Inside Weddings!

From the amazing box-mailer invitations to the delicate Parisian theme, it was truly an afternoon to cherish. Beth even arranged for the lovely Jaimi Brooks of Fiore Beauty to set-up a mini-massage and mini-mani station for the guests to enjoy! With catering by The Food Matters and a decadent chocolate cake by Vanilla Bakeshop...I was in heaven!

{yes, they were printed on tea towels!}

There were delicious tray-passed treats to start off the late morning fete...

Followed by one of my very favorites...french toast!

And the queen of beauty, Jaimi Brooks, showing off the mini-mani station.

Beth even used photos of Jeremy and me in the table decor!

It was such a sweet day, and I couldn't have been a happier bride-to-be sharing the excitement surrounding my upcoming wedding celebration!

{with my sister/Matron of Honor}

Adventures of a Bride-to-Be

2011-08-30T06:00:00.000-07:00

Adventures of a (Second Time) Bride-to-Be

After a brief hiatus, I’m back…May 24, 2011

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been furiously working on my invitations because I can never leave “well enough” alone. Laura delivered the most beautiful thermograved invitations, Rsvps, and inserts, but I went a step (or 20) further.

I always wanted to do a boxed invitation to an event, but figured it’d be for one of the birthday parties for my girls. I have a love of paper (I think that’s now been firmly established) and adore details, details, and more details...so I spent a lot of time glittering, finding handmade papers, assembling, and finally boxing my Laura Hooper Callligraphy creations.

Once again, not to bore you with details, you can see the pictures below. I used large silver jewelry boxes, but when they arrived in a larger corrugated box, I noticed a few had been crushed in delivery to me. So, to be sure they wouldn’t get crushed by the US Mail after all my work, I tucked the invites into white mailer boxes.

Yes, officially call me enthusiastic about my papers. OK…obsessive-compulsive.

I hope this inspires brides to DIY; make each and every item “your own”. This was my way of setting the tone for the wedding (which I started with the Save the Dates), and I must say, set the tone I did.

I sent these out on May 23 and even the fine women at the Post Office were impressed by the packaging. I was thrilled to drop them off, finally finished with all my hard work (thank GOD there were only 52 in total!), and ready to find out who would be coming.

Many were delivered locally, so the boxes were received the following day. The best comment I heard about the first impression was “I wondered what present I got!”.

Rsvps came immediately, but trickled in (driving me crazy, of course!), and I actually had three guests email to ask if they could Rsvp via email so they could keep the whole invitation intact.

Yep, I done good.

My love of paper is my own personal inspiration to make invitations that “wow”, but it truly makes my day when people give me compliments on my work when they receive them; asking if they could keep the invite intact (one had her teenage daughter ask if she could take it to her sleepover to show her friends that weekend!) put me over the top with sheer pride in something I did with my own talent and, of course, quite a bit of help from Laura Hooper & her great team!

INGREDIENTS:
(a new word I’ve seen used in magazines lately)

INVITES, INSERTS, CALLIGRAPHY, LABEL DESIGN: Laura Hooper Calligraphy
HANDMADE CORAL PAPER: Creative Papers Online
FUCHSIA SHIMMER PAPERS & CARDSTOCK: Stardream Azalea by Gruppo Cordenon
CORAL FLAT BANDS: Options Coral 2” belly bands
SILVER PAPER: Mirrorcard
RIBBON: Options Azalea Single-Faced Satin
SILVER CORD: Scrapbook supply
GLASSINE ENVELOPES: eBay
FUCHSIA PAPER FLOWER: eBay or scrapbook supply
GLITTER: Stickles by Ranger in “Icicle”
SILVER JEWELRY BOX: US Box Company
WHITE MAILER BOX: US Box Company
ADHESIVES: Tombow Powerbond, Xyron Permanent Adhesive, 3M Foam Tape
STAMPS: Zazzle
Until next time,

“Enthusiasm is the mother of effort, and without it nothing great was ever achieved.”
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

xoxo,
Alycia

Inspiration Shoot: Wine Country Elopement

2011-08-29T06:00:00.000-07:00

Armando Martinez of Alegria Design pulled together this beautiful shoot for Santa Barbara Wedding Guide and we were more than happy to contribute! The contrast between the soft florals and black touches combined with the enchanting backdrop of Santa Ynez Inn - and voila! Romance at its finest!

Get the look with these fabulous vendors!

Photographer: Linda Chaja Photography
Planning, Styling and Art direction: Alegria by Design
Location: Santa Ynez Inn
Jewelry: 33 Jewels
Dress: La Soie Bridal
Floral and Plant Rental: Village Gardener
Hair and Make-up: Flirt Make-up {Artist - Shannon Jordon}
Cake: Enjoy Cupcakes

Inspiration: Days of Summer

2011-08-26T06:00:00.000-07:00

Often called the "lazy days of summer", those in the wedding industry know that the summer is usually far from lazy! But as the days of summer start fading fast, and kids are heading back to school, we still wanted to share a few of our favorite "summer" things!

{Sand Dollars}

{Seashell Invites}

{and escort cards!}

{Colors that pop ~ like orange!}

{Textures}

{Fan Programs}

{And of course, Hawaii!}

Here's to savoring the last couple weeks of summer!

Real Wedding: Washington, D.C.

2011-08-25T06:00:00.000-07:00

This elegant wedding took place at the National Museum of Women in the Arts and included our white programs with gold foil and Bickham Swash Caps calligraphy.

The ceremony site was stunning!

We also provided menus that were white with metallic purple foil letterpress.

How stylish is this couple?

Photography by Jennifer Lust Portrait Design.

Destination Bride-to-Be

2011-08-24T06:00:00.000-07:00

I have to admit it, I’m exhausted! Don’t get me wrong, I thrive on being busy, but this is definitely a different kind of busy. I set a goal for myself: create, make and pack everything for the wedding by the end of August. Of course everything is taking way longer to finish than anticipated and now I know the perfectionist in me needs to take a back seat. Thank goodness Nate has been away for work over the past couple weeks, otherwise he would have had me committed. This is me taking a deep breath because everything will get finished, my goal will be met and I will have some fun along the way.

Nate and his friends in Yosemite for his Bachelor Party

Nate with his Best Man and Groomsmen

Keeping me sane are some incredible friends who live in the area, Marisa, Maureen, Kara, and Kat (and of course my sister). They have been an amazing support system, coming over after work and for hours upon hours on the weekends; helping me to glue and tie menus together, stuffing the welcome bags, stamping napkins, etc. While I have so many random thoughts developing in my head because I want to put so much into our wedding, they have been able to reel me in, reminding me that certain ideas are totally excessive. My family and friends are very therapeutic, thanks for keeping me on track!

Candles for the Guestbook table, they match our wedding invitations perfectly!

So far we have four fully stuffed suitcases and I am expecting to fill up three more. Sabryna and I separated everything in half and placed each half in different suitcases, just in case one gets lost. We figure it is better to have 40 dinner menus than none at all! I am keeping very detailed lists of what we have and what we can wait to get once down in Mexico. We have come to the realization that certain items will be much easier to acquire in Cabo rather than trying to lug everything down with us. Real flowers in Cabo are extremely expensive (more so than in the states, since they all have to be flown in) making the largest box to be hauled down, all of the birch wood flowers that we are using to make the centerpieces, bouquets and hairpieces. Luckily they are extremely light!

Personalized Napkins and Dinner Menus - DIY

I love the fact that we can get away with using bright colors; it’s really going to make the pictures and decorations pop.

As I wrote in a previous post, we hired a travel agent thinking it would make our lives so much easier. Unfortunately, it has turned into a bit of a headache. We hired the agent for the expertise she could provide, and after answering all of our questions with flying colors we were sold. Everything was going along swimmingly and people were very happy with her service, until a few months ago when we started to get complaints from guests who were trying to book with her. The last 20 guests to book were not happy with the service or quotes provided so they all went through other channels to make reservations. We even divulged to the agent information regarding a couple friends coming in from afar, South America and Europe, who write for travel magazines and blogs. Yep, they booked elsewhere. It’s a terrible feeling to know that our friends and family were inconvenienced.

In all honesty we gave our travel agent the benefit of the doubt, while we continued to hope for the best, telling ourselves, that everything would turn around. I started to question the deal Nate and I were getting as well after talking to two other brides who will be having their weddings at the same resort in September and November. Their rooms have been completely comped and they are bringing half as many guests to the resort (with no upfront payment for group bookings, unlike we were lead to believe). We were never counting on a complimentary room, but I decided to call the RIU corporate office and talk through the situation. They were very helpful, but there is really nothing to be done unless if we re-book everyone, which really is not an option. The travel agent decided to go through a 3rd party instead of working directly the resort which also played a part in not being able to secure the special benefits for us and our guests that were promised in the first few meetings. I have come to realize that sometimes no matter how much research one carries out, substandard service can still be had.

Obviously I do not want to end this post on a downer. So on a positive note, one item I highly recommend all destination bride and grooms provide is a welcome bag filled with goodies for their guests. Nate and I chose to go with a non-woven polypropylene bag that will make a perfect beach/pool bag which dries fast after getting wet, with our wedding logo adhered to it. We are going to fill the totes with useful items for the adults and have special fun bags for the kids.

{Tags DIY}

My favorite part was coming up with the themes for each bag insert:
In Sickness and Health…
- Tylenol, Tums, Floss, etc.
Beautify Me for the Big Day…
- Nail kit, Comb, etc.
Resort Relaxation...
- Mad-Libs, Drink Stirrer, Chiclets, Beach Ball, etc.

I really hope the huge suitcase filled with all of these items doesn’t get misplaced, haha!

Less than 2 months to go…

Lots of love,
Amanda

Spotlight on: Elizabeth Anne Designs

2011-08-23T06:00:00.000-07:00

We love the wedding ideas and inspiration that comes from Elizabeth Anne Designs and are pleased to be included in her newly revamped vendor guide!

Visit our vendor portfolio or the Elizabeth Anne Designs blog today for some swoon worth wedding inspiration!

Creative Tip: Faux Wood

2011-08-22T06:00:00.000-07:00

If you want to get the look of wood invitations without the actual splurge of wood, consider this "faux wood" paper. It's great also because you can letterpress on it!

The faux wood gives a natural, creative look ~ inquire for pricing and other information!

Spotlight On: Fiore Beauty

2011-08-19T12:21:00.000-07:00

One of our absolute favorite beauty companies {Fiore Beauty} is featured today on one of our favorite online shopping sites {Rue La La}!

Join Rue La La today {it's free} to take advantage of their offer from Fiore Beauty ~ a two-hour in-home makeup application consultation and makeup bag revamp!

We had the priviledge of working with Jaimi and her wonderful team at Fiore a couple of times last year when my little sister, Alyssa, booked the team for her wedding day hair and make-up! We planned her trial run to coincide with her bridal shower to get double duty out of the fabulous looks created by Fiore.

{At her shower...}

{At her wedding}

Needless to say we loved working with the team and, as mentioned in the Rue La La feature, they came to us for both occasions. My sister also had Fiore come to our hotel the day before her wedding to do mani/pedis for the bridal party and they even came to my own bridal shower for a mini-massage and mini-mani parlor!

Invitations: Palm Tree Touches

2011-08-19T06:00:00.000-07:00

This oldie-but-goodie save the date reminds us that simple can still be chic...and the perfect palm trees allow us to hang on the the fading days of summer!

One of my favorite things about this invitation is the line of icons letting recipients know what information they can find on the wedding website ~ it was so creative!

Guests can visit the wedding website for tips on golf, shopping, food, hotel and flights!

Maps: Palm Beach, FL

2011-08-18T06:00:00.000-07:00

Last week we shared a Fort Lauderdale map and today we've got this beach chic depiction of Palm Beach. From Bethesda-by-the-Sea to The Breakers and The Everglades Club ~ the map would not be complete without the final touch...Neiman Marcus!

The wedding weekend, which just took place, had many activities planned for the very special guests. These were mapped out on the reverse for easy reference.

The weekend included kickoff cocktails, a "night before" nightcap, casual beach party lunch, the wedding itself and concluded with a "morning after" brunch!

Invitation Suite: Classic Red & Black

2011-08-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

Red and black will forever remain a classic color choice for weddings {especially ballroom!} - and this elegant invitation with it's "all calligraphy" text hits the mark for classic elegance.

This couple also added a coordinating envelope liner to complete the look! And an invite suite would not be complete without an RSVP card {also featuring full calligraphy} and it's own return envelope.

This simple yet bold invitation suite is perfect for birthday parties as well as weddings.

Creative Tip: Bachelorette Parties

2011-08-16T06:00:00.000-07:00

Don't forget Laura Hooper Calligraphy for all of your bachelorette party needs ~ we've recently completed a few items for different bachelorette parties including a map invitation and tote bags!

This group created a custom map for the bachelorette party invitation and asked guests to RSVP to receive more details at a later date - but our guess is the map includes some of the anticipated activities!

The hosts also included the wedding site itself {as indicated by the wedding cake} and the reverse includes more information {RSVP info removed for privacy}.

At another recent bachelorette party that took place in Palm Springs, the hosting ladies ordered totes for all of the guests! It was perfect for the day spent relaxing by the pool and included the names of all those celebrating with the bride-to-be. The photo used was a picture of the bride catching the bouquet at a wedding last year...the same wedding where her fiance caught the garter...I guess it was meant to be!

Let us help you make any party you are planning extra special with a personal touch.

Invitation Suite: Sweet Lavender Florals

2011-08-15T06:00:00.000-07:00

This simply sweet invitation suite features delicate lavender flowers and full set of invitation pieces...starting with the main invitation itself and reply card.

In addition to the two core pieces, the couple also included an accommodations card with a custom map and directions as well.

The suite also include a reply envelope and of course the outer envelope. This design is perfect for a spring or summer wedding and can come in a variety of floral colors.

Tips: Invitation Etiquette

2011-08-12T06:00:00.000-07:00

The excitement of your engagement has really started to sink in, you've picked a venue and date and now it's time to start thinking about invitations. But where do you start? Below are some basic tips to get you started on figuring out what to include in your invitations...

Be sure that you count one invitation per household address, not per guest; however, anyone over the age of 18 should receive his/her own invitation; plus you should always order about a 10% overage for any added guests
Once you figure out your invitation count, be sure to add another 10% for the envelope count. You, or your calligrapher, will require extras for mistakes. Remember to order extra of both inner and outer envelopes.
If your parents are hosting the wedding, their names should be on the first line of the invitation; for couples who are hosting their wedding together, their names can appear first, but remember to list the bride's name first.
Mr., Mrs. and Dr. may be abbreviated - but no other abbreviations should be included. Your names should be competely spelled out; titles should be used consistently among the hosts, or not at all. Initials should not be used in names on invitations. Middle names are either in or out.
Always include the day of the week, date and year of your wedding.
The street address of the wedding and reception location should not be printed on the invitation itself, but on a separate map/direction/accomodations card. However, be sure to list the city and state, unless the city is internationally recognizable, such as Los Angeles, New York or Paris.
Never include gift registry information on your wedding invitation or enclosures - your family and members of your wedding party should pass on that information; one invitation where registry information is commonly accepted? The bridal shower invites.
If your wedding is a formal event and you want your guests to be dressed most formally, include "Black Tie" in your invitation; if you say "optional" be prepared to have guests dressed much less formally than you are looking for.
If your reception is at the same location as the ceremony, add "Reception immediately following" to your invitation wording. If you aren't having a full dinner, you may want to adjust the wording to "Cocktails following." It is proper to indicate that your wedding and reception are in different locations by using a separate card.

Other notes...

Monograms are a beautiful tradition and are regaining popularity, but since you're not married yet, don't put your married monogram on your invitation. Your initials will make just as beautiful a design. If you must use a monogram, it is proper to use the bride's. A married monogram shouldn't make its appearance until the reception. Think about introducing your married monogram on the reception menus or place cards.
Many couples choose to discretely number their reply cards so that they can identify their guests if they forget to include their name(s) on the reply card itself.
Be sure to weigh your invitations at the post office for the proper amount of postage. The cost per invitation will depend on the size and shape of your invitation. Squares are automatically extra postage (this also applies to square reply cards); remember to affix first class postage to your reply envelopes. This will help to ensure your guests will respond in a timely manner.
It is a good idea to have your envelopes hand-canceled at the post office to avoid the "tire tread" left behind by mechanical stamping machines.
These may seem like a lot of "rules," but most are probably things you would do anyways. If you have any specific questions, feel free to contact us directly.

If you have additional questions, feel free to contact us directly!

Adapted from previously posted material 03/10

Custom Map...on Your Custom Website

2011-08-10T06:00:00.000-07:00

We were getting ready to post this super charming map of Rhode Island...

...when we were delightfully surprised that the bride shared a link to her all new custom wedding website!

Each category linked to a pop-up with useful information for their guests.

How great is that?! The best part is...the website was designed and created by the bride and groom themselves!

We love seeing how our clients use their custom LH Calligraphy products - feel free to share your photos on our Facebook page!

Maps: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

2011-08-09T06:00:00.000-07:00

Today's map features the coastal town of Fort Lauderdale in Florida. Including all the usual suspects of Florida, the map has alligators, sealife, flamingos and our personal favorite, the endangered manatee. On a more personal note the map also includes the couple's pup as part of the compass, a tandem bike to ride off into the sunset and the home of the ceremony and reception!

Budget Tips

2011-08-08T06:00:00.000-07:00

Last week we showed you how to make your custom LHC map your invitation itself, so this week we thought it would be good to share a few more budget tips and also remind everyone to be sure to include printed materials in their overall wedding budget from the very beginning.

No one forgets to budget for their dress or flowers or photography, but invitations and definitely calligraphy {even if you know you want it} are oft overlooked! Prices for inviations and calligraphy can vary greatly depending on paper, style, number of pieces and of course the vendor, but to get a basic idea for your budget, here are some numbers.

For an invitation, RSVP card and envelope for each, an average cost could be:

Flat printing = $5-$7 per set
Letterpress printing = $14-$20 per set

Many vendors will have a minimum {our standard is 100 sets}, but be sure you ask for pricing for the number you are looking for. If there is a minimum, you will find out shortly.

For envelope calligraphy, you should factor in another $300-$425 for 100 envelopes.

Maps and reception items are additional, so be sure to include these in as well if you are looking for a comprehensive print material suite.

If these numbers seem daunting but you still want a custom look and to include the art of calligraphy, here are some tips to keeping your costs down:

Thermography {raised printing} can be a great alternative to letterpress if you want a textured print without the price tag of letterpress.
Use an RSVP postcard instead of card with envelope - this saves on paper costs as well as the postage you will need to include on each piece.
If you want to have your own custom map, consider using it as a save the date or as the invitation.
To get a map in addition to your other materials, consider our map alteration process - you can alter an already existing map of your destination {restrictions apply}
If you are concerned about the cost of calligraphy, but do want hand lettered envelopes, keep your sights set on the tier 1 styles - the higher the style, the higher the cost per envelope.

If you have any questions or to let us create your dream invitation suite, contact us today!

Creative Tip: Photo Save the Date

2011-08-05T06:00:00.000-07:00

Looking for a fun way to use your engagement photos and share one in particular with your friends and family? Turn your favorite pic into a save the date postcard that you just know your guests will happily hang on their refridgerators!

For this couple we gave them two options for the Save the Date text - both in Rook script.

Keep your text simple on the reverse and you're all set!

{also included but removed for privacy is the couple's wedding website}

Let us know how we can turn your engagement photos into a beautiful invitation keepsake!

Creative Tip: Kraft Bags

2011-08-04T06:00:00.000-07:00

Want to give our some traditional wedding candy but looking for a unique way to get it to your guests? Or do you have a special treat you've thought of but not sure how to package it up? Use these simple yet chic Kraft bags!

The bags come in natural {pictured} or white and we can calligraphy any words in a wide variety of colors! Pop your treats in and you're all set! Things to write include: "Gateaux", "Treat", "Thank You", "Merci", your initials and/or wedding date...the possibilities are endless!

Ribbon not included.
Photo by Jose Villa.

Map: Crested Butte, CO {magnet}

2011-08-02T06:00:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we showed you how to turn your map into an invitation and today we have another option for your map to accomplish "double duty"! If you don't want a standard save the date, you can create a custom magnet for all of your guests to hang on their refrigerators leading up to your big day!

This adorable map for Crested Butte depicts all the fun of a mountain village wedding weekend. The adventures available include hiking, bike riding, train rides, downtown shopping, golfing, canoeing ~ the possibilities are truly endless!

Remind your guests daily of your special celebration with a magnet map!

Budget Tip: Map Invitation

2011-08-01T06:00:00.000-07:00

Do you want to secure one of our custom maps for your wedding, but still stay true to your budget? Then consider making your map the invitation itself! This couple opted to include all of the wedding details right on the front side of their map card!

The destination wedding is sure to be an exciting weekend, and the soon-to-be newlyweds were able to convey all the local hot spots while also sharing the ceremony & reception details. To further save on costs {and also cut back on paper!} this client opted for an RSVP postcard - that means no envelope and a much less expensive stamp {$0.29 versus $0.60 and up}.

Let us help you create your dream suite too ~ with or without a map!

Real Wedding by Jose Villa

2011-07-29T06:00:00.000-07:00

We love Fridays and thought it would be a sweet treat to kickoff the wedding with this Jose Villa stunner. It was such a pleasant surprise when our client popped over these swoon-worthy photos of her wedding and mentioned that famed photog Jose Villa had captured it all.

In addition to the invitation envelopes (not pictured), we worked on the wedding reception for this beautiful Los Angeles wedding and it is so wonderful to see our pieces tied in with the gorgeous wedding design.

We took care of the petal bag tags, "Post a Love Note" sign for the "guestbook", table numbers, menus and tags for all of the dessert buffet yummies!

Congratulations to the bride and groom!

Maps: New York, NY

2011-07-28T06:00:00.000-07:00

New York is a magically classic city and we just love this crisp, clean black and white representation. The city speaks for itself and keeping the simple pallette allows the city hotspots to shine all on their own.

In addition to all the NYC usuals, this couple also included the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, the Flatiron Building and the grand fountain in Central Park. And with the wedding festivities taking place at one of New York's premier event spaces, Studio Square, it's sure to be a good time!

Creative Tip: Personalized Guestbooks

2011-07-27T06:00:00.000-07:00

Nature can be quite inspirational and that is exactly where product designer Gillian Stevens pulls from for her daily inspiration in creating leather and recycled paper products that comprise her company Dewdrop designs! These beautiful leather bound books make amazing guestbooks ~ both my sister and I made good use of them at our own weddings!

You can write directly on the pages themselves, or leave cards for your guests to write their message on and glue those in at a later date. This works well for you to add a photo from your professional pics with each card to keep a visual of each guest with their well wishes. The books are also perfect if you have a polaroid camera or photo booth to add day-of pictures right in!

Gillian is so easy to work with and will even add in your custom Laura Hooper Calligraphy monogram or standard calligraphy to correlate with your entire inviation suite and other print materials!

Visit the Dewdrop website to see these and other fantastic products from Gillian Stevens.

In the Press: Martha Stewart Weddings Online

2011-07-26T06:00:00.000-07:00

Needless to say we were beyond thrilled to find our seating charts included in The Bride's Guide: Martha Stewart Weddings online yesterday!

The feature inclues three of our large poster seating charts - they are perfect for venues with many tables, or if you simply want to guide your guests!

Visit The Wedding Library on Martha Stewart Weddings online for more wedding tips!

Real Wedding: NYIT de Seversky Mansion, New York

2011-07-25T06:00:00.000-07:00

The lovely ladies over at Always a Blogsmaid worked on this beautifully vibrant wedding at the NYIT de Seversky Mansion in New York. They worked with the luscious color scheme of purple and blush, to create a truly unique {and super floral} look!

First we definitely need to point out the ceremony venue transformation that they pulled off. The couple loved the venue except for the fans in the ceremony site.

So instead of scrapping the venue, they figured out a way to use the fans to their advantage. Swap out the chairs and add an array of cherry blossoms, and the room is completely transformed!

And the ballroom itself was simply gorgeous!

We contributed escort cards and table signs to compliment the look.

The table signs were names of the couple's favorite restaurants around the city to personalize the room.

Thank you to Heather Waraksa for sharing her beautiful photos with us, and to see more on this lovely affair, visit the Always a Blogsmaid blog.

Destination Bride-to-Be

2011-07-22T06:00:00.000-07:00

Three months to go until the big day! We have already attended 3 weddings this year which were all absolutely amazing and unique. The events inspired us with tons of ideas for our own special day. With Nate going to Yosemite National Park for his bachelor party this coming weekend with 11 of his friends, I should have plenty of time to focus on some of the smaller wedding details.

Nate playing Groomsman at a wedding in Santa Monica

As a Bridesmaid in Maureen’s wedding at the Nixon Library, standing with my sister

Along with the wedding day we are also planning a few other activities for our guests if they choose to take part.

Thursday: Early Evening Cocktail Hour
Friday: Welcome Dinner
Saturday: WEDDING DAY
Sunday: Boat Excursion - Guests can book a boat tour to join Nate and myself for an exciting day of snorkeling, sightseeing, kayaking, and relaxation aboard the Cabo Escape.

The timeline for the wedding has been confirmed. We are so excited with the finalized locations. Hopefully everything comes together seamlessly!

3:00pm: First Look and Pictures (We decided to do pictures before the Ceremony because the sun will be setting at 5:35pm that day)
5:00pm: Ceremony on the Beach and the Champagne Toast to follow
6:30pm: Dinner at El Torote (The Steakhouse Restaurant)
8:15pm: Reception in the Disco with a live mariachi band, dancing, and of course wedding cake

An entire corner of our townhouse is filled with items for our wedding. It is becoming a little overwhelming, haha. Let me do a rundown of some of the main items that are completed:

The pile keeps getting higher…items stuffed in suitcases, boxes and bags

Dress: Deborah’s Bridal - It came in and looks gorgeous! I cannot wait for my first alterations appointment in September.
Shoes: Nordstrom - Stewart Weitzman flip flops embellished with crystals

Jewelry: Swarovski Crystal – earrings and necklace. Kate Spade - bracelet
Photographer: Sarah Ellen Photography
Hair: Dominique Fulling - mother of the ring bearer and flower girl
Attire: All members of the wedding party are fully clothed, minus pants for the Groom and Groomsmen. We still need to decide if we want to go with khaki or linen pants. Any suggestions?
Ceremony: Tulle for the isle way and arch has been purchased. Palm Fans will be handed out to beat the heat, and decorated paint brushes will be available to brush the sand from between guests’ toes before leaving the beach.
Cake: ClayinAround (Etsy) - created our cake topper which is absolutely amazing. The clay work is remarkable. We also received our Kate Spade Gardner Street serving pieces and toasting flutes as a shower gift. The actual cake will be chosen once we get to Mexico.
Flowers: AccentsandPetals (Etsy) - we ordered over 600 wooden flowers in varying sizes and colors

My grandmother is currently constructing all of the bouquets and boutonnieres. In Mexico we will be building all of the centerpieces with the flowers as well.
Lanterns: Battery powered lanterns from World Market will be placed around the disco to provide more light.

Feathers for my dress and hair

There is still much to design and put together, including welcome bags, welcome books, dinner menus, door signs, etc. This has truly turned into a real DIY wedding!

Lots of Love,
Amanda

Maps: La Jolla, CA

2011-07-21T06:00:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was opening day at the Del Mar Race Track which indicates the un-official "beginning of summer" down in the sunny So Cal city of San Diego. So we thought it was the perfect time to share this map showcasing the La Jolla shoreline.

This map was created for La Jolla Vacation Rentals to distribute in their rental properties ~ such a fun and cute idea!

So ditch the heat and consider heading to the coast for all that summer has to offer!

Adventures of a Bride-to-Be

2011-07-19T06:00:00.000-07:00

Adventures of a (Second Time) Bride-to-Be
March 29, 2011

I’m starting off today’s entry with a rant and then will show more photo goodies in storyboard fashion…

I have come to realize that planning YOUR wedding is YOUR priority, but the people you have hired to help (or even friends who you’ve roped into it!) don’t have it as THEIR priority.

I have come to the part of the planning that is no longer “novel”; the newness has worn off & now the work has to get done. And I have hired everyone under the sun and more to help, yet I cannot seem to get them all to work together, even if I hired a planner to coordinate just that!

UGH, I am so very frustrated at this point. I am usually very “in charge” of what’s going on and am not a good delegator… I know this, I don’t ask people for help for that very reason. I am particular about what I do & do not want, so I don’t impose all of that on anyone else that I am not paying to do as I ask them to (as part of a contract). My friends know this, they know I’m picky, they make fun of me for it. It’s OK! But, when I’ve hired someone to do things for me, yet I have to do the work (or actually CONVINCE them to supplement their work if only to make the work get done quickly!).

YOUR priorities are not THEIR priorities. Just keep that in mind and you won’t be disappointed or anxious about things getting done. My advice for the week, make sure each vendor has your wishes known IN WRITING along the way. Due dates, status updates, and an understanding of what would be paid for & when.

PAYMENTS. That’s another rant this week. Make sure you AGREE to the payment schedule set forth in your contract. If you haven’t built a house before or done work with “milestone payments”, ask friends & make sure you don’t pay for everything before goods or services are delivered. Once completely paid, there is no incentive for any vendor to stay in touch and I cannot tell you how many I have chased down myself (WHERE is that planner I hired?).

Before I end with “all vendors are on the take”, know that MANY are reputable, live up to their word & contracts, and are very easy to work with. It is the few, though, that take up time you do not have. Make sure you know which ones these are and keep them on your communications list so that you are on the same page on a regular basis… You will be happier for it later.

And now, with my rants for the week over (there will be more), here are some more photos of my masterpiece wedding design process.

Inline, beginning from the uppermost left corner:
WEDDING ANNOUNCEMENTS: Laura Hooper Calligraphy
RECEPTION PLACE SETTING: Kehoe Designs & Laura Hooper Calligraphy
VENUE MAP: Laura Hooper Calligraphy
WEDDING STORAGE CLOSET: Alycia’s Personal Mess
WEDDING MAP: Laura Hooper Calligraphy
WEDDING INVITATION WORKROOM: Alycia’s Pooltable (to the chagrin of her fiancé)
WEDDING ORCHID DESIGN: Laura Hooper Calligraphy
WEDDING INVITATION: Laura Hooper Calligraphy
MONOGRAM: Laura Hooper Calligraphy
MEMORIAL CARD: Laura Hooper Calligraphy
WEDDING INVITATION WORKROOM #2: More of Alycia’s Basement (again, fiancé’s chagrin)

Until next time,

“Tough times don’t last, but tough people do.”

~Bear Bryant

xoxo,
Alycia

Maps: Louisville, KY

2011-07-18T06:00:00.000-07:00

There's nothing quite like good old country charm and this map in the "Heart of Bluegrass" exemplifies just that!

With the race course, horses, farms, Opera House, horse park and horse shoe accents, wedding guests will be ready for a fun weekend adventure! As a special touch, the couple included their two pups shown at their own home and also the University of Kentucky where they met.

Maps: Mackinac Island, MI

2011-07-15T06:00:00.000-07:00

Just a short ferry ride off the coast of Michigan lies the quaint Mackinac Island, and here is an adorable map we created for a wedding taking place there at the end of this month!

From the island's own website...
It’s an Island suspended in a forgotten, more innocent time. Relive the simple pleasures of life: A leisurely carriage ride on silent, uncrowded streets. Slowly dancing face-to-face with your loved one on the romantic floors of the Grand Hotel. Or simply sit and wonder at a star-splattered sky. Come to our Island. Stay the night. On Mackinac Island every day is timeless, every night precious.

Um, yes, please!

This map has a few icons that we just love ~ a horse-drawn carriage, buoys out by the dock, a butterfly gazebo...such sweet touches to set the scene for the romantic weekend! This couple wanted to feature the entire island but also spotlight the Main Street area so they asked us to create a special "star" key with an inset of this significant area. To top it all off, they added a floral border for a final accent!

Real Wedding: Montego Bay, Jamaica

2011-07-14T06:00:00.000-07:00

One of our most popular blog posts ever was one featuring a boarding pass invitation suite. We also created an adorable Jamaica map for the couple, so we thought it would be fun to share the photos from the wedding itself!

First, the pieces we contributed...

And now the beautiful wedding photographed by Andrea Jae Photography, starting with the bride in her drool-worthy dress!

Congratulations to the bride and groom!

To see more of this tropical paradise wedding, visit Andrea Jae's blog!

Invitations on Inside Weddings Online

2011-07-13T06:00:00.000-07:00

Earlier this week InsideWeddings.com debuted a new Editor's Circle spotlight of us! We are so honored to be a part of the Editor's Circle and this new spotlight even includes my own wedding invitation suite!

They also included a few other more recent invitation suites...

Head over to the Editor's Circle Spotlight to read the interview!

Adventures of a Bride-to-Be

2011-07-12T06:00:00.000-07:00

Adventures of a (Second Time) Bride-to-Be

March 22, 2011

Most of my recent posts have been words…and a lot of them. I hope I haven’t bored you with the process; each wedding has its ups & downs, mine being no exception. And I admit, I’m lazy. Embedding photos into writing takes time & MORE WORDS!

So, now that you know I have a ring, a venue, a dress, lots of shoes…and, of course, my invitation design (with a few details to change), I have decided it’s picture time!

I have a LOT of pictures so far, so instead of trying to have multiple photos in a single blog, I figured I’d make some “storyboards” of the MANY MANY MANY elements I’ve shared with you so far. I am trying to show a bit and hide a bit before the big day…

A wedding is made up of small parts and I like details, details, and more details! Here are some of those for you to see…

Inline, beginning from the uppermost left corner:

SILK SATIN BRIDAL SHOES: Stuart Weitzman
SILK CHIFFON SHOE CLIPS: Sophistica (sophistica.etsy.com)
COCKTAIL HOUR TABLE LINENS: Coral Silk & Crystal Gossamer
PLACECARD SETTING: Shabby Chic Tray by Furniture Creations
SAVE THE DATES: Laura Hooper Calligraphy
FLOWERS: Kehoe Designs
ENGAGEMENT RING: Custom semimount by Jared (diamond privately owned)
NECKLACE: Ann Taylor
ATTENDANT SHOES: Something Bleu
WRAPPED STATIONERY GOODNESS: Laura Hooper Calligraphy
ADDRESSED SAVE THE DATES: Laura Hooper Calligraphy
MONOGRAM: Laura Hooper Calligraphy
RECEPTION TABLE LINENS: Raw Fuchisa Silk & Crystal Gossamer with Diamond Accents
SILK CHIFFON WEDDING GOWN: Matthew Christopher
OPENED TRIFOLD SAVE THE DATE: Laura Hooper Calligraphy
SILK HAIR FLOWERS: Sophistica (sophistica.etsy.com)
CRYSTAL & METAL CLUTCH: Tasha
WEDDING ANNOUNCEMENT: Laura Hooper Calligraphy
FLOWER IMAGE: Chicago Botanic Garden
Until next time,

“I always like when that happens,

when something comes that is more than the sum of the parts.”

~Evan Parker

xoxo,
Alycia

Creative Tip: Pashminas & Blankets

2011-07-11T06:00:00.001-07:00

Want an outdoor wedding but worried about the cool summer nights? Then consider gifting your guests with pashminas or placing throws around your lounge seating area. Pashminas are the perfect touch to show your guests you are thinking about their comfort and they can also be showcased in a creative display!

{photo via La Purse Blog}

You can also use our calligraphy to let your guests know they are welcome to "Cuddle Up" "Snuggle Up" "Keep Warm" or "Take One With You" ~ or think of your own creative saying!

While you can find reasonably priced shawls online {and don't forget you don't need one for every guest, just the ladies}, if you don't want to provide 40+ shawls, you can also consider them as a bridesmaid gift.

{photo via Saucy's Sprinkles}

Let your added touch of comfort set the mood for your evening...

Real Wedding: San Ysidro, CA {Real Bride Aly}

2011-07-08T06:00:00.000-07:00

We were so excited to receive these gorgeous photos from our last bride-to-be Aly! Her wedding was beautiful and she and her new husband Wes were simply glowing. Here is the final entry from bride-to-be Aly.

Over the past few months, I waited in anticipation of our wedding photography. I was so excited to see how our photographer, Kirsten Ellis of Beaux Arts Photographie, would capture our day. That was one of the biggest "unknowns" of the wedding day ~ what would the pictures come out like? Would she get all the right moments, people, and images? But I had to let it go, let her do what she does best and be creative.

When we did receive the pictures, my jaw dropped they were so unbelievably breath taking. She captured San Ysidro perfectly and the love between not only Wes and me but also the love of our family and friends. All of the vendors that helped me create our day were beyond amazing and we could have not done it without them. From Laura with all the stationery goodies, Dedra Whitt making us ladies look gorgeous, Anthony Ybarra playing all our song requests, Richard Tobin for putting up with five wedding ceremony revisions, Kirsten for being called the papparazzi to Tess, Scott and the crew at the Ranch ~ it was a magical day for Wes and me, and for that we thank each and every one of you.

For all the brides to be out there, here are a few tips of advice. The last month is going to be stressful, many sleepless nights and even some arguments, but when you sit next to your husband at your reception and cheers together your first glass of champagne, all of the past month goes away. And none of those petty arguments matter or those sleepless nights. Take in all of the moments you can, breathe and have fun. The day is about you and your husband and nobody else. So here is our day in photos, particularly focusing on our products from Laura Hooper Calligraphy!

Thank you to everyone who read my posts and put up with me over the past few months. I cannot believe a few months ago I was still a bride to be and now I am officially a newlywed.

I will leave you with a quote in which I love and was apart of my vows to Wes by Winnie the Pooh. "If you live to be 100, I hope I live to be 100 minus 1 day, so I never have to live without you."

Always with love,
Alyson Bowyer-Colgan

Maps: French Country

2011-07-07T06:00:00.000-07:00

We recently received a lovely photo from a bride with her totes in France! We love receiving photos of our clients and wanted to share it with our readers along with the map featured on the tote, the invitation for the local "Bon Voyage" party here in the states and the menu used for the reception in France!

The map itself was used for the invitation postcard inviting friends and family to a special party in Alexandria, VA earlier in the month of June. The couple would head to the French Country for a wedding celebration there as well.

For the guests who made the trip to France, the couple asked us to create this whimsical menu featuring a variety of French delicacies.

These pieces represent how every couple marks their marriage in a way that works for them ~ and that might include more than one celebration!

Maps: Same City, Different Maps ~ Rhode Island

2011-07-06T06:00:00.000-07:00

This set of Rhode Island maps shows how even maps of the same area are personal representations of the couple who creates them.

Both maps feature the backwards "L" shaped island, but the first map is zoomed in to Castle Hill Inn and includes our Ella font. The second map shows a slightly larger range and Contemporary font. The icons of the first map are somewhat more whimsical with the latter map showcasing a more realistic look and also different coloring. Each map can have varying amounts of wildlife represented, or not included as with the second map. The possibilities are truly endless and each map is customized for the couple at hand.

But you can definitely see that both maps feature the famous Mansion Row!

Adventures of a Bride-to-Be

2011-07-05T06:00:00.000-07:00

Adventures of a (Second Time) Bride-to-Be

March 15, 2011

Having found our wedding venue was such a relief! I was so disappointed about Key West, but really had high hopes for our new, summertime wedding in this city. I knew the area well and would find all the vendors I needed. Plus, I could add local flair since invites would be going to friends outside of Chciago; that would be a fun “detail” to work on because there is little better in the world than our summertime. It’s amazing!

Finding the venue & going to Geja’s for dinner was only part of the story for my Saturday, though. As if the weight of the venue being off my mind and a fine fondue dinner awaiting me downtown wasn’t enough, I have more to share that wouldn’t fit in last week’s post (or you may still be actually reading it!)

A detail I didn’t add last week was that the day *before* we went to visit the garden, I’d found a set of tri-fold papers in the passenger seat of my car as we were headed out to a see a movie. I didn’t know what it was, figured it was something that belonged to the kids, and picked it up to look at it. Lawrence immediately saw it, grabbed it from me, told me to turn around, and then did a few other things in the car before I was allowed in. I looked at him suspiciously, but he’s so gentlemanly & always opens my door for me, I just let it go. I didn’t give it a second thought after that, actually; I figured it must be Christmas-related or he wouldn’t be so secretive.

The night we went to the garden, though, I opened the center console to get my gloves, only to find that same stack of papers again. He wasn’t yet in the car, so I opened it up & started to read. I made it thru my name and a few words from the first sentence, but that was all I got before he realized I had it again. He snatched it away from me, but I wouldn’t let him off so easy this time…

I asked what it was and wouldn’t let up, so he sheepishly admitted that he’d planned to ask me to marry him at dinner that night, but the engagement ring had been custom made & wasn’t done yet. He begged, bribed, and pleaded his case to the jeweler, but the volume of custom work for the holidays had them backed up; it wasn’t ready yet and there was nothing he could do. It had taken a while to design and he thought it would have been done long before, but changes kept being made and, ultimately, couldn’t be exactly what he wanted until the following week.

He told me he was sorry I’d seen the note, that he’d wanted it to be a surprise, but had to confess because I thought the letter was something bad. He told me about the planned engagement because of the look on my face when I started reading the letter (although what I did read told me nothing)…I must’ve looked sad, like it was bad news.

Geja’s had been reserved for a while because he’d planned the proposal date right after he asked for my dad’s permission back in September, so I knew he wasn’t just making up a story. I’d had no idea; I figured our engagement would be on another date for specific reasons, but it hadn’t been. I admit I was disappointed…but I’d already waited this long, so why not a little longer. I knew it was coming, but I still didn’t understand the letter. I assumed I’d find out eventually.

We had a fantastic dinner, cheese fondue to start, meat & seafood with lots of veggies as the entrée, and then fruit & breads in chocolate sauce for dessert. We talked, laughed, had great wine, and I knew I was very happy to be marrying this man in the summer. Not our original plan of a wedding in the tropics, but maybe even a better one now that I’d seen Chicago Botanic Garden. Everything was right again in the world.

That’s when it happened.

NERD ALERT (you have been warned)…

I believe in Newton’s Third Law of Motion…that is, every action has an equal and opposite reaction. The world is always in balance; if something untoward happens in one place, something good happens elsewhere. Silly or not, it’s what I think when something I don’t like occurs; that somewhere, someone else is having something good happen. So, I just have to say that I am sorry for any inconveniences the rest of my story may have caused someone as a result.

NERD ALERT OVER (you made it!)…

As we’re eating the chocolate fondue and laughing, Lawrence has this cat-ate-the-canary look on his face. I asked him if I had oil from the fondue all over me (not uncommon, unfortunately) and he shakes his head, looking down. He reaches for his jacket and pulls that stack of folded papers out of it. I put my hand over my mouth, because I instinctively know what’s going to happen even if I don’t KNOW it’s going to happen quite yet.

He opens up the folded papers and begins to read. “Alycia, our lives have traveled winding paths to tonight. Separate parallel paths most likely to never meet until decisions made unraveled and fate played its hand. In our lives we have learned to how to treat people, how we would like to be treated, what is important, the value of the tangible and the intangible, what makes us happy, why happiness is important, how to compromise, and how to love. On June 24 of this year, our paths crossed through fate or serendipity, and we found each other.”

The letter goes on for two full pages of scripted font and he tells me all the wonderful things I am and all the wonderful things he wants to be for me. As he begins the final paragraph, he slides a box across the table, saying “Join me in this journey we call life and walk the path as it comes to us – high or low, wide or far, good and bad times, hand in hand knowing that I love you as truly and deeply as anyone can ever love another and will always be here for you as your friend, comforter, rock, protector, equal, lover, and if you say yes, husband. So, I ask you, Alycia – will you marry me?”

I cannot speak through the tears rolling down my face, but nod my head boisterously as I take the box & open it with the hand that isn’t covering my mouth (still!). Inside, I find a gleaming diamond ring on its side; it’s a pave, twinelike setting that must be the most beautiful creation I’ve ever set my eyes on. As he’s watching, he says he was still waiting to actually hear my answer, so I choke out “yes” and slide the box back across the table for him to place on my finger.

Apparently the story about the ring had been true, he didn’t know until that day if the stone would be set in time for dinner. He took it to the jeweler while I was at the gym; he usually goes with me to the gym, but said he had to run errands for Christmas, so I was none the wiser. It was the stone that was the holdup (he purchased it elsewhere), not the setting, and it arrived only the day before via FedEx (thanks FedEx!).
OH MY GOD, though, I was engaged to be married! I had been planning a wedding for months and making plans for our future, but had no idea when I’d have a ring to show it to the world. But now, he had proposed, I had a story to tell (I always wanted that!), and he was able to do without my knowledge. He had me completely fooled, and that’s hard to do. But he got me. And, well, now he’s getting me for life. :)
Oh, and one more thing. This beautiful letter, which he framed for me and is on my desk at home, has the date of when he actually wrote it of August 2, 2010. Six weeks after we met, he wrote his proposal to me and says he never changed a word once it was written. *swoon*
Until next time…

“The moments of happiness we enjoy take us by surprise.

It is not that we seize them, but that they seize us.”

~Ashley Montagu

xoxo,
Alycia

Happy 4th of July

2011-07-04T21:22:00.000-07:00

Wishing everyone a very safe and joyous Independence Day!

{cake monument stand from our favorite crafter ~ Martha Stewart}

Visit Martha Stewart online for a fun and easy napkin ring DIY project for today's BBQs!

Real Wedding: Elkhart Lake, WI

2011-07-01T06:00:00.000-07:00

We've shared this sweet peony invitation suite and fan program...

{above photography by Steve Steinhardt}

...so we were very excited to see this gem of a wedding shared a few months back on Style Me Pretty!

In addition to the invitations and prgrams, we also created place cards ~ and here they are for the bride and groom!

The happy couple also asked us to create wood signs for their reception including a bar sign and "fromage" signage too!

This cheese spread looks absolutely delicious....

Congratulations to the lovely newlyweds!

Photography by Honeybee & Peony, LLC. Planning and catering by The Ostroff Resort (venue).

Creative Tip: Drink Stations

2011-06-30T06:00:00.000-07:00

There are many ways to quench your guests' thirst other than (or in addition to!) a standard bar. Perhaps the most common way is a simple table set up at the wedding ceremony. Especially if your ceremony is running late, your guests will thank you!

Offering a slightly unique beverage will spice things up a bit and is the perfect way to incorporate local fare ~ such as the Hawaiian drink below! If you want to keep things traditional, consider a lavender lemonade or cucumber water. These are basics drinks that will leave everyone refreshed, not bored!

Bins provide another opportunity for self-serve drinks and can range from simple to chic!

You can also create a self-serve bar for soirees that won't include a bartender.

Use these ideas plus your own to create the perfect beverage station that fits your party, shower or wedding!

Maps: Southampton

2011-06-29T06:00:00.000-07:00

We always see in movies and TV shows, and read in books, about all the New Yorkers who buzz off to "The Hamptons" during the muggy summer months, so it was just delightful to work on this Southampton map for a 2010 wedding ~ and the couple kept things simple going for an all black and white look.

Without using color to tell the story, we had to show the shoreline using star fish, seashells, umbrellas and sandy "dots" to exude the shore. The couple also included the Village, Southampton Inn and the private home at which the wedding was held.

Adventures of a Bride-to-Be

2011-06-28T06:00:00.000-07:00

Adventures of a (Second Time) Bride-to-Be

March 8, 2011

Ah, I’m still around, so the change in venue didn’t kill me…it must have just made me stronger. I think.

Key West was a not-so-distant memory, but now I wanted new memories. I had come to terms with the change (and I am not so great about dealing with change!); now I had to come up with a new plan and then work it.

Go back to my third (?) post as a Second Time Bride-to-Be and you’ll see I’m back at Step 1. The IMPORTANT LIST had to begin anew. The first time, I was excited; this time, I wasn’t all that happy about it. Really, hotels and catering and cakes AGAIN?!

With Chicago as my hometown (well, it adopted me when I moved here after college), venues are plentiful, but planning and scheduling usually are months (if not years) out. Certain locations are not large enough for both the ceremony and the reception to be held in one area, others had minimum headcounts that I did not intend to invite. Many have weekends booked 12+ months in advance. I was not looking forward to this; the work had to be done by me and I did not have a vendor list from a friend that I could use as my own personal Rolodex. I was already exhausted and I hadn’t even started yet…

Racking my brain for ideas, I spoke with a few potential places, but none excited me. A boat on the Chicago River would be great, but what if guests are prone to seasickness? A ballroom overlooking Lake Michigan would be extraordinary, but I didn’t want the formality that type of setting required. My visions had been around an outdoor ceremony on the Gulf of Mexico; I wanted to recreate that somehow. Finally, it came to me.

Chicago has a beautiful outdoor garden that was created specifically to cultivate many different kinds of flora (flowers and plants ). Certain flora are located outdoors, others in hothouses, still others just inside buildings. It is a stunning display, and very large at that, but I had no idea if they also hosted weddings.

I thanked God once again for the Internet, went out to Yahoo!, and quickly found what I was looking for. I called the events coordinator at the garden the following morning; Connie and “clicked” instantly. I told her the story about Key West, the need for a new venue, that I knew the garden was beautiful, and inquired about a summertime wedding I mentioned the information from the website; in turn, she gave me a whole lot more, and I scheduled a weekend afternoon to come look at it in person.

Between that telephone conversation and the actual visit, Connie emailed me a lot of paperwork, pictures, and ideas. A garden viewing during a Chicago winter wasn’t going to be the best representation of what it would be like in the summer months, so she made sure to send me as many pictures as she could so I had something to look at…yes, THAT truly did wonders for me…if the venue was half as perfect as the photos, and they do many events at the garden (not just weddings), it would be *perfect*.

Lawrence and I made plans visit one of their onsite locations, an outdoor pavilion, that Saturday and then would go to dinner afterwards. Saturday came and we were running errands all day, so we didn’t get there until after sunset. It was COLD (so VERY cold!), but decorated for Christmas with all the lights, and a nice clear night. We walked to the pavilion, through the hothouses to warm up at the suggestion of a nice tour guide, and came out into the structure like a grand entrance. It faced a small lake that, in the summer, had a fountain in the center (at least from the pictures Connie sent me it did!).

It was all open, floors of large brick, a solid structure that would have a white tent beneath it in the summer, and the water I’d been looking for. We walked around a bit, talked very little, and walked back out with smiles on our faces (frozen in place by the time we made it to the car!).

Most importantly, we agreed that this was our place…I’d found it, a floral paradise in my urban setting…the Chicago Botanic Garden. I would have all the flowers I could wish for and then some. I would have the water I envisioned being married in front of. We would have the evening sun to warm our faces as our vows warmed our souls.

Yes, this wedding was going to be magnificent!

Even better, as we warmed up in the car, we were headed into the city for dinner at one of my favorite places. If you are not from Chicago and enjoy fondue, you MUST go to Geja’s Café. It’s romantic, aromatic (!), and has a wonderful wine list. It’s also fun, has a great atmosphere, and people are truly enjoying themselves when they are there…it’s infectious. I have been there an untold number of times and I go back as often as I can. It is always fun and is something I never tire of doing…

We found our wedding venue and were going to my favorite place for dinner that Saturday. It didn’t get much better, in my mind, given where I’d been a few short weeks earlier when I had to cancel my Key West plans. I was ready to spend a few hours relaxing with wine and various foods cooked in hot oil, fabulous cheese, and melted chocolate. Fantastic. I felt like it was a celebration!
And, until next time…

“The Earth laughs in flowers.”

~e.e. cummings

xoxo,
Alycia

Real Wedding: Santa Barbara, CA

2011-06-27T06:00:00.000-07:00

The lovely couple from today's real wedding travelled all the way from London to celebrate their wedding in the beautiful coastal town of Santa Barbara.

We worked on reception pieces featuring our Sloop script and Quatrefoil design on blue shimmer paper. The print materials included fan programs, menus with belly bands, table and other signs and the ultimate world map!

The large map displayed all the travels of the couple ~ so much fun and such a sweet personal touch!

Creative Tip: Tea-Length Invites

2011-06-23T06:00:00.000-07:00

Do you love elegant invitations but want to do something just a tad bit different? Tea-length invitations may be just the thing for you!

Nearly any of our invitation styles can be done in a tea-length suite, and this is also the perfect medium for a formal, all calligraphy invitation as well.

You can still include a custom map, and not all of your pieces need to be in the tea-length size!

And can carry the concept into your reception pieces {such as the program shown below}.

Let us know if tea-length is a concept you'd like to consider!

Maps: New York, NY ~ Save the Date

2011-06-22T06:00:00.000-07:00

Today's Save the Date map features the wonderful New York City and comes complete will the Times Square ball drop! In addition to the wedding locales (church & reception), the couple also includes the beautiful flowers of Central Park, a horse-drawn carriage and even a simple tribute to New York City Firefighters with a couple small hydrant icons and the NYC Fire Museum.

We especially love the throwback to the old subway coins!

Adventures of a Bride-to-Be

2011-06-21T06:00:00.000-07:00

Adventures of a (Second Time) Bride-to-Be
March 1, 2011

So, as of now, I have my dress chosen, Laura and I are working on the invitaiton suite, booking of vendors is going along perfectly and I was going to have the pretty wedding in the tropics I had a vision of in my head…I could almost taste the salt of the seaspray as I said my vows, I was that absorbed in the whole process.

It’s early December now and I received my Save the Dates from Laura. So adorable, “slithers of shiny” (as my Australian friend have deemd my wedding papers!), and perfect. Except, I am me an can never leave well-enough alone, so I always like to add a bit of glitter to just about everything I mail out. Knowing I had to get these to the post office pretty quickly, I had been laborously glittering my trifolds, double-checking labels, lining envelopes, and cutting handmade papers. I love when things I send (Christmas cards, inviations, thank you notes, etc.) really “wow” people, and this was not the time to do anything other than that… So, I carefully folded my cards, stamped the envelopes waiting for all my cards to be done, cut the handmade papers, and adhered the address labels. They were going to go in the mail just after the first of the year and I was just about done…

In the meantime, Laura & I were working on proofs of the other little slithers of shiny, many pieces for a destination wedding, all in a gorgeous thermography that actually gleamed on the shimmer paper. We finalized everything, I received my flatprinted maps, magnets, and my larger signs that I’d ordered…I waited to see the final product of our collective hard work on the invitations…and it was close. I knew I’d have them soon, give or take, depending on the printer’s schedule for the holidays.

Then…then…IT happened. It did. I should have predicted it if only because I say I live “The Murphy’s Law Life”. Nothing ever truly serious happens, but IF “it” is going to happen, it happens to me. It’s been this way my whole life and you’d thing I’d just get used ot it. But I haven’t and I still get disappointed. So, “it” happened and “disappointed” would be an understatement.

My venue had to change. Through circumstances beyond our control, we were unable to marry in Key West in April. Yes, a bride’s worst nightmare.

Details are truly uninteresting, but I have to say, the people we worked with down there were AMAZING. We’d put down deposits, signed guarantees, and consumed hours of time with people that gave us one-on-one attention since we were from out-of-town. As soon as Lawrence & I made the decisoin, I called each vendor personally or emailed my contact and explained the situation. It is very humbling to have to ask somoene you don’t know for a favor, but each vendor was overly accommodating to our predicament. We were released from contracts, guarantees, and wished well by folks that had spent their precious time with us. With that, for all the vendors we did work with, I especially thank Ocean Key Resort and Hyatt Regency Key West for all the accommodations they made for us… In the end, it worked out vendor-wise, but personally, I felt devastated. It was by no means the end of the world (so many things are so much more important), but it was MY world for the previous three months and I felt like I was watching it all crumble.

As all of the phone calls were being made and the items cancelled, I also contacted Laura to halt the printing of our invitatoin suite so that we could print them for another date, time, and venue. Unfortunately, as it turns out, everyting had been printed a few days prior and were in the process of drying for mailing to me.

Of course. OF COURSE.

A few days later, I received a package with my invitations in the hopes that some items could be used no matter what. Alas, as it turns out, only two slithers of shiny would still work: the RSVP envelopes and a memorial card (for “in lieu of gifts”). Everything else was unusable as they were printed and I would need to start everything all over again. Blood, sweat, tears, and a lot of money went into all of the paper I had in front of me, with very little of it unusable.

All of our work…Laura, her team, me, my fiance’…had to start over.

But first, where were we going to have the wedding and when were we going to have it? I couldn’t think about that just yet. I needed time to recover, which I did among all of my Key West slithers of shiny, so I sat down & had myself a good, old-fashioned pity party. It was a good one. I throw a fine party.

So, if you think your own wedding planning isn’t going so well or there are unexpected bumps in the road as you’re doing it, now you can say “thank God all I had to worry about was…”.
And, until next time…

“Courage doesn't always roar.

Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying,

‘I will try again tomorrow.’”

~~ Mary Anne Radmacher

xoxo,
Alycia

Creative Tip: Cupcake Signs

2011-06-20T06:00:00.000-07:00

In honor of my birthday {yes, I'm 30 years old today!}, I decided to post some signs for one of my very favorite things ~ cupcakes! Cupcakes are perfect for birthdays, engagment parties, showers, weddings, anniversaries...or just any day that you want something sweet!

Here are a few signs that were used at a client's recent wedding.

Cupcakes work well on towers or can also be given out as favors in sweet take-out boxes at each place setting. The possibilities for cupcakes are truly endless!

{via Butter Cream Cupcakery in Colorado}

{above two images via Vanilla Bake Shop in Santa Monica}

Yumm!

Destination Bride-to-Be

2011-06-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

After a brief hiatus, our Destination Bride-to-Be checks in with her pre-wedding adventures!

What an incredible time it has been since my last post! I am feeling so loved, inspired and thankful. Over Memorial Day Weekend my sister threw me the most amazing bridal shower and bachelorette party. Friends and family traveled from near and far to spend the weekend celebrating with me in Los Angeles. I will never forget the special moments I shared with so many people who are so close to my heart. Before the events I had a friend make us a few logos and our monogram for the wedding, which you can check out in the photos below.

On Saturday morning, before the bachelorette party, I treated my bridesmaids to a blow dry and style at Dry Bar in Brentwood. It was so nice not having to do our own hair for the big day ahead. We then went to brunch and ventured over to the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills to get ready. My sister booked us a suite for two nights of pure enjoyment along with rooms for all of the girls to crash in after the party!

Bachelorette Party Favors: Engraved Wine Glasses, See’s Candies, and Water Bottles

Everyone meet at the hotel where we prepped for the day by drinking champagne and munching on snacks. When everyone showed up they were wearing my wedding colors, orange and blue…what a fantastic surprise!

Cheers!

Opening Funny Gifts

My Favorite, Texas Sheet Cake!

A limo then picked us up and transported us to two wineries in Malibu. We had such a blast wine tasting. After wine tasting we had a scrumptious dinner at Dukes on the water in Malibu.

I was in for a shock at our next stop! We went to Hamburger Mary’s…for those of you that don’t know they specialize in drag and burlesque shows. It was amazingly hilarious, we had so much fun getting into the action, and it was STUNNING.

My favorite entertainers of the night

The next morning we all went to brunch. All day Sunday we lounged by the pool and then went to dinner with my parents who got into town earlier that day. At dinner I gave my sister and bridesmaids their wedding thank you gifts. I figured it would be easier for them to hang on to everything rather than Nate and I trying to transport it all down to Mexico. All my maids now have their jewelry, beach bags, and a few other items for the main event in Cabo.
Monday morning we headed down to my sisters place in Hermosa Beach for my bridal shower.

Bridal Shower Favors: Luggage Tags and Water Bottles

Our group of women (and my dad and flower girl) had lunch at Hot’s Kitchen, a very unique taco shop. Honestly, they were some of the best tacos I have ever eaten!

We then ventured back to my sisters place for desert and gifts. After the normal bridal shower activities we headed down to the beach to relax and play Corn Hole…my dad built the game and brought it all the way down from Oregon. It was all extremely entertaining.

Me with My Bridesmaids

Wow, what an exhilarating yet overwhelming weekend! I want to say a gigantic THANK YOU to all of you who planned a participated in this thrilling weekend of events. I am humbled by the outpouring of love and support. Sabryna…you rock!
Lots of Love,
Amanda

Party Invitations

2011-06-16T06:00:00.000-07:00

We love creating invitation suites to kick off our clients' wedding experience with their guests, but we have just as much fun creating invites for welcome parties, engagement dinners, baby showers, bridal showers, sunset cruises ~ if you want people to share an experience with you, we can create an invitation for it!

Here are some examples of party invitations for events other than a wedding!

{baby shower}

{Sunset BBQ & Rehearsal Celebration}

{engagement party}

{bridal shower}

{welcome party}

{baby shower}

We hope you'll let us work with you on any life events!

Maps: Columbus, Ohio

2011-06-15T06:00:00.000-07:00

This hometown map for a wedding taking place in Columbus, Ohio features personal hotspots like "Mom's House" for a dinner party and also wedding specific locales such as The Darby House for the wedding ceremony and reception.

The map also features cultural favorites Franklin Park Conservatory, Columbus Museum of Art, Center of Science & Industry (COSI) and Short North arts district. This map is the perfect way to show any out of town guests your recommended tourist visits ~ and let's your local guests reminisce on all their city has to offer!

Adventures of a Bride-to-Be

2011-06-14T06:00:00.000-07:00

Adventures of a (Second Time) Bride-to-Be

February 22, 2011

I am feeling a bit nostalgic as I write today, so if that’s not your thing, skip ahead to the last paragraph and come back next week for more details & fun…

I had finally found my wedding gown and made all the changes I wanted; it was going to be one-of-a-kind made expressly for me; I couldn’t have been happier. I had gone to that bridal salon alone and somewhat on an impulse, making that appointment only days before. I did not come armed with a slew of magazines or photographs, and I didn’t have specifics in mind other than what I did NOT want.

Some brides want to bring along moms or sisters or friends for their input, but I did that the first time I married. It was a very special time with my mom, who passed away nine years ago, that I will never forget or regret. It is something that many of us feel the need & desire to have: mom’s excitement about our wedding dress (and she was excited!). This time, though, it was an equally special experience that was all about me without any input but my own two eyes and a vision in my head. You will have to decide what works best for you, but I found that the solitude and the simplicity of it all made it better than any “ooohing” and “aaaahing” I could have had.

The beauty of being older (wiser?) is that you learn that so many pleasures can be had from simple experiences...one being that it was a rainy day when I went to the salon, but I walked back out with a big smile that lit up my eyes, as though the rain weren’t there & the sun was shining just for me.

I want you to know that, while these are my stories and experiences *I* have had (and still have yet to have, even though I’m working a bit in reverse right now), the real message I hope to convey over these weeks is that this is your wedding day and there is no magical recipe to follow: make it “YOURS”.

You will know what feels right and what doesn’t as you plan, choose, coordinate, and select. Do what you feel will make this day about you, your fiance’, and any other close family you may have (in our case, we both have children that I hope will feel part of a new, extraordinary “family” when our day is over). After your wedding day has passed, all the “things” have been paid for, the gifts unwrapped, and your dress heirloomed, you will have the beautiful memories of it both in photography and in your mind. Don’t forget, though, that you’ll also want to remember the breathtaking feeling you had the minute you saw your groom at the front of the aisle, waiting for you to join him at the other end and become a family.

If your cake wasn’t exactly what you wanted or the fuchsia wasn’t the right shade in your floral arrangements or the dinner wasn’t what it was supposed to be, it doesn’t matter. Remember what made it a day about you & your husband and hold onto that. Daily life will get in the way sometimes after your wedding is over; it is inevitable. Some people may have more “things” than do others...some are wealthy, others make ends meet...some live in big houses, others rent an apartment to be closer to the school their children go to...still yet, some have big titles, big jobs, and live the “high life”, while others live “simply” by choice or circumstance. The ONE thing that’s the same for everyone, though, is that LOVE...pure, magical love...is the “great equalizer” among all people. If you hold your love for each other in your hearts…the love you felt that day you became one...you will be richer in so many ways than you ever imagined.

In short, don’t lose sight of the marriage as you spend time planning the wedding… A wedding is a day; a marriage is a lifetime.

I’m sure you’ve noticed by now that I love quotations & especially like finding ones that fit a situation. As I continue to plan my own wedding and focus on my future marriage & family, I find this one to be quite apropos:

“We've got this gift of love, but love is like a precious plant. You can't just accept it and leave it in the cupboard or just think it's going to get on by itself. You've got to keep watering it.
You've got to really look after it and nurture it."

~John Lennon

Until next time…

xoxo,
Alycia

Video: Letterpress in Action!

2011-06-13T06:00:00.000-07:00

Our clients love when they receive their finished invitation products, but they rarely see or know about the entire process. So we were excited to receive this video from our letterpress printer showing the letterpress in action on one of our favorite invitations - the dot and loop set!

As you can see from the video, each sheet is pulled into the machine and "pressed" with the template of the invitation. People often wonder why letterpress printing is more expensive than other forms of printing and part of the answer is that each plate must be individually and intricately cut to create the impression. So for an invitation suite with multiple pieces, that can mean 3 or 4 or even more plates! Another factor is that letterpress requires thicker, and in turn more expensive, paper than flat printing.

Below is the finished product of a previously printed letterpress invitation of the same style!

For more information on this and other invitation sets, please visit our Etsy page.

Creative Tip: Totes

2011-06-10T06:00:00.000-07:00

Being environmentally conscious is important for many people today...and all of those people will love if you give them one of our reusable tote bags! These are perfect for your welcome bags and then of course serve as excellent grocery shopping and travel bags after your wedding day has passed!

The totes are perfect to fill with snacks, drinks and other treats for your guests to enjoy during their hotel stays. You can also purchase totes with photos and/or writing. Have your totes at each of your hotels for your guests to receive upon check-in, or they also look great hung on each chair at your rehearsal dinner.

If you want to have your totes ready for each guest at hotel check-in, be sure you call ahead to your hotel and find out their policy regarding distribution and any charges that you will incur.

They work wonderfully also for bachelorette weekends!

Invitations: Subtle Touches of Tangerine

2011-06-09T06:00:00.000-07:00

Do you love the color tangerine, but don't know how to incorporate it into your big day or other event? Invitations such as these let you incorporate your favorites colors in a more subtle way.

The delicate floral design boasts a soft tangerine coloring ~ perfect to accentuate your favorite shade!

One of our favorite blogs, The Perfect Palette, happened to feature a palette modeled around tangerine just yesterday!

For more on our invitation suite, please visit our Etsy page.

Maps: Sarasota, Florida

2011-06-08T06:00:00.000-07:00

Even if you want to focus your custom map directly in on your wedding locale, you can still highlight important places to you, your spouse and even your families or guests.

In addition to the hotels, main streets, church, rehearsal dinner restaurant and other local hotspots, this couple also wanted to mark the nearby Pine Ark and Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Tampa. And further away...lies Texas!

This whimsical map is the perfect addition to any invitation suite or welcome bag.

Adventures of a Bride-to-Be

2011-06-07T06:00:00.000-07:00

Adventures of a (Second Time) Bride-to-Be

February 15, 2011

It’s now mid-September, I am still not officially engaged, but Lawrence and I are choosing venues, cakes, flowers, music, favors, themes and the like. Booking vendors, putting down deposits, and all the things needed from the MOST IMPORTANT list I mentioned a few weeks ago. Crazy as it seems to do before you have a ring on your finger, I knew it was coming...I just didn’t know when. I will say that you get strange looks when you indicate your shopping for your wedding, but you have no engagement ring on. People have expectations and THAT is one of them!
The ring and IMPORTANT LIST aside, and hard at work with Laura on my invites, I also made an appointment to try on dresses and found two pair (yes TWO!) of beautiful shoes to wear. I didn’t have design or silhouette in mind for my dress, only that I wanted to wear white. I also didn’t want a dress that was categorized as “beach” either. Even though I’d done this before, I still wanted to feel like a bride in my dress with all of the glamour that goes along with it. My shoes were stilettos (I ADORE shoes with 4” heels, even though I’m already 5’6”!), and I intended to look like a bride on her wedding day.

In Chicagoland, we have an interesting way of choosing wedding gowns (which I’m not very fond of). A bride makes an appointment with a salon, which carries a certain number of manufacturers, and you work with a consultant to determine what suits your likes & dislikes. You can bring photos of silhouettes or even specific designers with them to these appointments, but ultimately it is up to the consultant to select dresses from their samples that may match what you’ve described. Where I grew up it was vastly different, and you went into a store and browsed many designers and many samples on your own (or with assistance, if you desired) almost any the gowns you’d seen in the magazines. I knew this difference from the last time I’d been dress shopping, but it still frustrated me because discretionary time is something I have very little of and the salon-model can be very time-consuming.

Since I lived where I lived, though, I didn’t have much of a choice how to shop for my dress other than to plan to visit several salons and narrow down my choices over time. I’ll admit, though, for all of that complaining I just did about how it works in Chicago, I happened to see the most amazingly unique gown on a mannequin at the first salon I visited. I stood in awe, to touch the fabric was like heaven (I love things that make your fingertips tingle!), and I asked if I could try it on. Of course, it was the first dress I changed into...and as soon as I saw it, I was done right then & there. Not even knowing the designer of the dress or, once told, not knowing who he was, it didn’t matter; boutique-manufacturer Matthew Christopher’s “Cadeaux” was “it”…”the one”...”utterly perfect”. Unique, simple, classically understated, yet still a one-of-a-kind wedding dress I’d hoped to find.

It was a very full dress (and, therefore, also very warm for a wedding in the tropics), I asked about making changes...I wanted something a bit more appropriate for a second wedding, yet still be “that dress” we all dream of wearing on our wedding day.

The women at the salon immediately called Matthew directly (how many manufacturers can you do that with?) and talked with him about the changes, how they could add some bling to match my blingy shoes (oh, I forgot, I once had 3 pairs of shoes…I’ll admit to being a little “shoe obsessed”!), and I asked to try on a few other dresses while I waited “just to be sure”. The second dress that came to me was another of Matthew’s, Vivica. I’ll admit, once I had that dress on, Cadeaux went by the wayside, and I never wavered. I started talking about ways to remove the fullness, train, adding straps, all sorts of wonderful things, again with Matthew on the telephone indicating what could or could not be done. It was almost as though I worked with him to design my own gown; it was an incredibly awesome experience and I cannot recommend him more highly as a designer and a partner in the process of choosing your gown.

Ever the cynic, though, I asked for them to humor me & let try on a few other designers. As expected, they didn’t even compare. Quality, fabric, construction, uniqueness...some in lower price ranges, others in higher brackets...I kept coming back to Vivica. I was mesmerized. I found “THE ONE”. And at the first salon I visited. I was quite pleased with myself and looked forward to the day I could see the dress created especially for me (approximately 8 months, so I was cutting it close; as a note, beware of a designer’s time for manufacture before you buy!).
I had it. I finally had it. My INVITATIONS and my DRESS and my SHOES. OH MY!
I was making excellent progress on my IMPORTANT LIST and now needed to begin work on my flowers. Back to the Internet I go, looking for florists from my friend’s list and searching for tropical bouquets & arrangements that would overflow the pier we’d chosen for our wedding... It was all very exciting and I was most definitely caught up in it.

“Each little ‘happening’ is like a tiny scrap of magic.

When you paste them together, you get a memory of something beautiful & strong."

I hope for me...and for you...that your wedding day & your marriage are both beautiful and strong.

Until next time…

xoxo,
Alycia

Invitations: Coordinating Cards

2011-06-06T06:00:00.000-07:00

We often work with brides and grooms, moms or planners and sometimes our clients are even sisters of the bride-to-be! Today's invitation was for a bridal "cocktail party" shower and the hostesses opted for an invitation that coordinated perfectly with the bride's wedding invitations themselves!

The "shower" invite:

{RSVP information removed for privacy}

And the original invite inspiration:

Both invitations feature a simple, clean look with various shades of blue. If you already know your guest of honor likes a certain look, it is a safe bet that she will enjoy a coordinating card! This idea works perfectly for a shower, brunch, bachelorette party or thank you notes.

Tips: Seating Charts

2011-06-03T06:00:00.000-07:00

When you are in the final stretch of your wedding day planning, one topic that could get somewhat heated is your seating arrangments. And while escort cards will tell your guests what table to go to, this may not be enough if you have a large space or many tables.

A chic seating chart could be the perfect solution to show your guests where they need to be! We've posted previously on college or sports themed seating charts, and the possibilities are truly endless...

Seating charts are perfect for showers, rehearsal dinners and of course, your wedding reception! Visit our website for more seating chart ideas.

Maps: Sea Island

2011-06-02T06:05:00.000-07:00

Sea Island is an affluent resort island off the coast of Southern Georgia. It boasts amazing golf, gorgeous lodging and fabulous food ~ the perfect location for a wedding weekend!

This simple map captures all the charm of this sweet, Southern resort ~ we've even got a bonfire!

Real Wedding: Santa Barbara, CA

2011-06-01T06:05:00.000-07:00

As promised, we've got many more photos from last summer's gorgeous red, white and blue wedding! Designed by Beth Helmstetter and photographed by Steve Steinhardt, it was a truly beautiful affair. Everything was kept clean and simple and tastefully coordinated in the color theme.

In addition to the save the dates previously posted, we also created escort cards and table signs. The pieces were creatively tied together with a mix of prints and fabrics on the tables, escort card display and the menswear itself.

It was a perfectly nautical theme, even down to the starfish boutonnieres! And how about that adorable crab tie?!

Congratulations to the happy newlyweds!

Adventures of a Bride-to-Be

2011-05-31T06:00:00.000-07:00

Adventures of a (Second Time) Bride-to-Be

February 8, 2011

As I began to plan, and following my own rules about prioritizing important things that I talked about last week, I decided that my MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENTS were, in order, my invitations, my dress, and that I would have an insane number of flowers on that day.

So, with that, first I started on invitations. I knew I didn’t want “the ordinary”, I wanted extraordinary. I have already been effusive about Laura, her team at LHC, and their work…but I’ll do it again… After looking through many websites, and finding everything but what I wanted, I finally found Laura Hooper Calligraphy and was IN LOVE! I scoured Laura’s website for photos and the web for even more (thank you, Yahoo Images!); the more I saw, the more my jaw just kept dropping.
One word: AMAZING!

As you already know, I chose Laura and her amazing team to work with and I could NOT have been more excited! Her “Lucky Orchid” invitation suite was the inspiration for my colors, fuchsia and a watermelon-coral. We began working on the map & design immediately, right after I returned from Los Angeles to Chicago. Lawrence & I decided on a Key West wedding, with both the whimsical design and the colors of the “Lucky Orchid” design being perfect for it...festive & tropical...but also conveying the tasteful, informal elegance of our anticipated wedding on a pier overlooking the Gulf of Mexico.

Since this was all back in September of last year, though, I’m now quite a bit further along in my planning than your typical new Bride to Be, even a second-timer, so we’ve been hard at work for MONTHS on my many requests.
This is the photo from Laura’s website that started it all:

There have been so many things I’ve done since then, but I don’t want to get ahead of myself.

So, with dreams of a wedding on a pier facing the ocean, I started booking locations, vendors, services, and all the details I mentioned last week MUST be done immediately. Having had a friend wed in the Keys a few years ago was also a timesaver for me as I used a lot of her same vendors, just a different location for the wedding. If you are planning a destination wedding and have a friend (or even an acquaintance) that has planned an event in the same locale before, beg, borrow, or steal any information you can get. My friend did a scouting trip and met with these people in person, a luxury I could not afford timewise…but I also knew her taste, style, and trusted her judgment implicitly, so I knew using her list wouldn’t be a mistake. It was planning “made easy”…at least for a while.
This very winding story gets oh-so-more-complicated as the weeks pass, but I’ll save that for a few posts down the road. Stay tuned!
Until next time…
“Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies.”
~ Aristotle
xoxo,
Alycia

Honoring Memorial Day

2011-05-30T06:00:00.000-07:00

On this Memorial Day, we remember those who have died honorably serving the United States military. While we have become accustomed to celebrating this holiday with BBQs, shopping and sales, and spending time with our families, it is important to always remember the significance of the day. So we offer our sincere "thank you" to all those who serve!

Enjoy this sneak peek of a beautifully red, white and blue Santa Barbara wedding - we'll post the full wedding later this week!

Tips: Don't Forget Your VIPs!

2011-05-27T06:00:00.000-07:00

You've spent months and months planning the details for your special day, and that likely includes a procession of very important people walking down the isle before your big moment. Don't forget to save them front row seats for the ceremony!

Aside from your parents and grandparents who customarily sit in the front row on each side, it is also nice to consider saving seats for your immediate family (think your sibling's significant others) and ushers in the second rows. You can even personalized your reserved signs with each person's name to cut back on any confusion during ceremony seating.

Your reserved cards are just another way to incorporate your printed material theme, and using elegant calligraphy on card stock will ensure that you keep a consistent look through the entire celebration!

Maps: Montana

2011-05-26T06:00:00.000-07:00

There's nothing quite like the great outdoors and Montana seems like it would be a picture perfect location for a summer wedding ~ and this couple will be having just that at Rainbow Ranch in the state recently referred to as "The Last Best Place"!

This adorable maps includes tourist hotspots and well as locations significant to the couple like Lambeau Field and San Diego to the southwest. It also includes the engagment spot ~ Lost Trail on Powder Mountain!
The icons include all our favorite outdoor animals, and the map itself serves as a print piece to their invitation suite directing guests to the wedding website {omitted for privacy}.

Creative Tip: Spanish Tiles

2011-05-25T06:05:00.000-07:00

Looking for a unique way to guide your guests to their seats? Try our spanish tiles that come in an assortment of styles!

Our tiles work beautifully at destination affairs ~ Santa Barbara, Puerto Rico, Adamson House in Malibu ~ basically any location with a spanish hacienda feel! The tiles make excellent escort cards, place cards and double as a favor.

The tiles come in over 20 styles and can be calligraphed on either the front or the back...but we recommend the back so as not to disturb the beautifully artwork of each tile.

Please inquire for more information or visit our Etsy page.

Adventures of a Bride-to-Be

2011-05-24T06:00:00.000-07:00

Adventures of a (Second Time) Bride-to-Be

February 1, 2011

Last week, I talked a bit about how Lawrence and I met and were “engaged to be engaged” within about 2 ½ months of knowing one another. I still didn’t have a formal proposal or an engagement ring, but why let those little details hold me back from planning a wedding? I HAD WORK TO DO!

Working in technology, I use the Internet for almost everything. If it can’t be had from the Internet, I don’t need it. I am not sure how single moms functioned before the Internet existed, but I’m pretty sure I’m glad I never had to find out.
Armed with my trusty laptop (yes, I am obsessed with all kinds of technogadgets!), I immediately went to the web to investigate the parts of the wedding that were important to me. Before I get into all of that, I want to start my story with the end in mind: SANITY by the time your wedding day comes around!

Ladies, PLEASE, take a few bits of advice from someone who has done this before.

1. Decide which elements of your wedding are MOST IMPORTANT to you. Every single area cannot be; there is no way you will be able to manage each & every detail of your day. Trust me on this (and, yes, I am Superwoman  ). You may want to…you may be a perfectionist…you may have dreamt of this day your entire life down to the very smallest detail. Throw all of that out the window and pick 3 or 4 areas you are personally going to spend the majority of your time on. You will thank me later.

2. Hire a wedding coordinator. I cannot stress a wedding coordinator enough. The benefit of a coordinator is that, not only will she be a lifesaver in the later stages of your planning, she has good relationships with many vendors, so you will work from a list of trusted professionals in your budget. When time is a precious commodity, it is tedious to interview multiple people; a coordinator will understand your “vision” and recommend one or two in various categories. As a single, working mom, I don’t have a lot of “free time” ; I trusted the people that were recommended to me and, if I liked them after one meeting, I didn’t look elsewhere. Bottom line: use your time wisely or you’ll use up ALL your time on your wedding planning.

3. Focus on booking, buying, or renting the BIG items first. Even if they are not your MOST IMPORTANT, they must be arranged, booked, confirmed, or deposits placed if you are going to have a wedding. These include, minimally, selecting a date, the venue for the ceremony, the officiant (if you are not being married in a church), the venue for the reception, the caterer, the music, the photographer, hotel blocks for out of town guests, and the florist. Your head will spin, because it all needs to happen pretty quickly to reserve your date for them all, but after that, you can slow down a bit if your wedding date is more than 6 to 9 months out.
4. Focus on the secondary items next. Choose a theme and pick “your colors”, decide if you want to wear white or ivory and look through magazines at dresses, think about events other than the wedding ceremony & reception (rehearsal dinner venue & guests, day-after brunch venue & guests, special events like cruises, etc.), choose your bridesmaids & maid/matron(s) of honor (especially if they have to travel), choose your invitations and/or calligrapher (I recommend Laura Hooper Calligraphy!  ), and determine when you want to complete a registry.

5. Focus on each element, vendor, or area in priority order. Sometimes you can do some of the items at the same time, but try to focus down your list in order (and make notes for those you need to follow-up with or will get to later).

If you follow these few things, and you WILL get a lot of advice from people along the way, you will feel more in control as the day approaches (and it does quickly!).

Until next time…

“You sweet moon beam, the smell of you in every single dream I dream.
I knew when we collided, you're the one I have decided, who's one of my kind.
Just in time, I'm so glad you have a one-track mind like me.
You see, I can be myself now finally, in fact there's nothing I can't be.”
~ Train
xoxo,
Alycia

Creative Tip: Informational Signs

2011-05-23T06:00:00.000-07:00

Most brides think about the basic printed materials ~ ceremony programs, escort and/or place cards and menus ~ but there are many more aspects of your reception that could use informational signs. Signs are an excellent way to showcase your cocktail hour drinks {especially if you are serving signature drinks}, hors d'oeuvres, sweetheart table, favors, guest book, petals to shower the happy couple...the list goes on and on!

Below are a few samples of signs at recent weddings and showers we've worked on!

As you can see, your signs can have lots of information {such as a bar menu} or simply just one sweet line! The possibilities are endless and they truly add an extra special touch to any event.

Maps: Venice, Italy

2011-05-20T06:00:00.000-07:00

Do you ever want to take a jaunt to Europe? Well this weekend, an adorable map of Venice, Italy for a client in Germany will have to do!

Along with all of the tourist hotspots, this map also includes the many waterways that Venice is known for and of course the romantic gondolas!

In the Press: Occasions Magazine ~ Interview with Laura

2011-05-19T06:00:00.000-07:00

Back in March we were approached by Occasions Magazine in Atlanta to answer a few questions to be used in an upcoming issue. Just this past week the Summer Issue with our advice popped up in my mailbox!

The story on stationery and calligraphy included small quotes, but we thought it would be fun to share the full interview here on the blog!

1. How does Calligraphy make stationary more intimate/personal? Anything that is hand-written shows the extra time and care that someone took to produce it, and stationery is no exception. It also lets the client set the mood for their entire event based on the style of calligraphy he or she chooses.

2. How do you decide what the perfect style is? Based on event or person? Normally our clients choose their own style, but for events I have done for friends and family, I usually think of the setting and design to decide what style will work best...and most often, the event design is based off the person's personality - so it all ties together!

3. How and when did you begin Calligraphy? At the age of 12 I was began using calligraphy at the shop I was working at. I am completely self taught and have just practiced various styles and tried new things. When I was 20, I penned my first set of envelopes for a close friend's wedding, and I've been doing it ever since.

4. What price range should our readers expect when choosing calligraphy? Envelope calligraphy generally runs from $2.50 - $4 per outer envelope depending on calligrapher and style (the more intricate the calligraphy style, the more time consuming and thus more expensive).

5. Are all Calligraphers the same? What makes them different/unique? Definitely not! Calligraphy is an art and just like other artists, no two are alike. In addition to inherent differences due to two unique hands, calligraphers use varying pens, which create different looks.

6. What pieces in an event can be handwritten (i.e. not just the envelope...signage, place cards, etc)? We have created signs for nearly all components of weddings and parties. In addition to the usual programs, menus, placecards and escort cards, we have also done signs for the bride and groom, thank you signs, restroom signs, calligraphy on mirrors, bar menus, directional signage, guestbooks - if there are words, we can calligraph them!

"S" is for Summer...and Sand Dollars!

2011-05-18T06:00:00.000-07:00

Summer is quickly approaching which means sun, sand and of course, sand dollars! Our hand-calligraphed sand dollars are the perfect addition to your wedding, shower or any beach party.

Sand dollars can be used as place cards, escort cards or favors on their own. They work great for tropical destination weddings, themed parties or any event with a coastal vibe.

Adventures of a Bride-to-Be

2011-05-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

Adventures of a (Second Time) Bride-to-Be

January 25, 2011

I should probably go back in time a bit and talk about how Lawrence and I met. In June of 2010, I was given an email address of a gentleman that a friend of mine thought I should send a note to. I had been divorced and dating for about a year by then, unfortunately without promise of a Prince Charming or anything close, and I was discouraged. I told her I would contact him, but I didn’t hold out much hope.

Well, the old adage of “when you least expect it, expect it” is true. My friend indicated that Lawrence lived out East, so I was pretty sure nothing significant was going to come of the “meeting”; he lived too far away and long distance relationships are difficult at best. I truly expected our “conversations” to last no longer than a week.

Alas, two weeks of emailing incessantly and one five-hour telephone conversation later, Lawrence traveled to Chicago for the weekend to meet me in person; it has been a whirlwind ever since. From the first email, we found we had many things in common, plenty to talk about (to the point where we joked about needing a “talking stick” so that one of us doesn’t monopolize the talking time!), and just an ease in our relationship I hadn’t felt in years. Handsome, a true “southern gentleman”, and just an all-around interesting person with adventurous life experiences I had not had, Lawrence had my heart from the weekend we first met. Our first date was to a Chicago Cubs game where the day was warm, the beer was cold, and the company was great. Oh, and the Cubs won! :) (For any of you long-suffering Cubs fans, we always enjoy flying the blue & white “W” flag!).

Soon thereafter, we spent a week together and talk gravitated towards us, as a couple, and being together permanently. His children were older & he was able to move to where I was; I was unable to relocate because my girls are young and their dad lives nearby. A mere six weeks after we began communicating, but unbeknownst to me, Lawrence actually wrote out his marriage proposal to me.

A wedding was a topic of conversation by August, but not wholly serious because his desire was to first talk my dad and get his permission to ask me to marry him. Southern through-and-through, and the first man to ever do so, Lawrence asked him at the beginning of a Los Angeles Dodgers game on September 3, 2010. This is a photo of the two of us from that game; see how silly we are together?

My dad said yes, but Lawrence didn’t instantly propose to me (and thank god, nothing on the JumboTron, either…not my style and definitely not his). I didn’t mind; he wanted to do so in an “event” and I wanted a story to tell all my girlfriends anyway…

However, was a proposal coming soon? Was I engaged by default? I had a wedding to plan! Alas, it didn’t matter, now all I could think about was…

DRESSES and SHOES and INVITATIONS, OH MY!

Even without a ring & a story (yet!), that same weekend I looked for wedding invitations on any site that came up in my Yahoo search results… (Sorry Google, this “old girl” is still “old school”.) Thankfully, I came across Laura Hooper Calligraphy’s website and was instantly DUMBSTRUCK & SPEECHLESS, an occurrence that does not happen often let me assure you. :)

After a few email exchanges with Laura, who is as sweet as she looks!, about my wedding & working with someone who lives 1800 miles away, I hired her & her team of wonderful people to design my UNBELIEVABLY EXTENSIVE (right, Laura?) wedding suite before we even left Los Angeles.
Yes, some parts of wedding planning ARE just that easy!

More to come. Until next time…
“Just in time, I'm so glad you have a one-track mind like me.
You see, I can be myself now finally, in fact there's nothing I can't be.”
~ Train

xoxo,
Alycia

Real Wedding: Bali

2011-05-16T06:00:00.000-07:00

Back in January we shared this super sweet rose invitation set, and last week we were so thrilled to see the awesome wedding weekend featured on Style Me Pretty!

{photo by Steve Steinhardt}

Coordinated by Bali-based Elite Events and captured on film and cinema by Johnny Productions, the weekend-long celebration included a welcome dinner at Sarong with a traditional Chinese tea ceremony, and the beautiful wedding and farewell brunch were both set with the gorgeous backdrop of the Balinese coastline.

We were honored to be a part of this charming affair by creating a custom map and totes in addition to the invitation set that set the mood for the entire fete!

Everything was picture perfect and I especially love the floral dresses worn by the bridesmaids!

Congratulations to the happy couple!

For more details and amazing photos, check out last week's feature on Style Me Pretty!

Maps: Highlands, North Carolina

2011-05-11T06:00:00.000-07:00

We often feature maps of islands and ocean bordered states, but we do complete many maps that feature no ocean to be seen ~ and this charming map of the town of Highlands, North Carolina is one such map!

Becoming a golfing mecca in the 1930s when Bobby Jones founded the Highlands Country Club, the small town emulates Southern charm and character. Filled with antique shops, Higlahnds is also known for its hiking and fishing adventures.

Adventures of a Bride-to-Be

2011-05-10T06:00:00.000-07:00

We asked our next bride-to-be to chronicle the adventures of her wedding planning for us back in January, and to keep the integrity of her story, we have back dated them as such!

Adventures of a (Second Time) Bride-to-Be

January 18, 2011

When Laura asked me to be the newest “Bride to Be”, I was truly honored. Having your wedding planning and ceremony profiled for brides around the world to see is an overwhelming feeling; I am humbled that she asked, and I accepted without hesitation. I hope my story is something that you all enjoy reading every week.

First, I know I’m not the typical bride you may have read posts from on this blog in the past. In eight days, I turn the magical age of 40 and have been married once before. From that marriage, I have two beautiful young daughters and they are the loves of my life.

My fiancé’, Lawrence, also has a gorgeous teenage daughter and a very handsome almost-teenage son from his previous marriage. Our children will be a big part of our wedding day and that makes this opportunity to write about the events leading up to July 22, 2011 all that much more special to me.

So, for anyone that is getting married for a second time, or even the first-time brides that want some advice from someone who has done this once before, I hope you enjoy reading about planning a wedding from someone with my perspective.
Brevity is not a strong suit of mine, so I’ll try to keep my posts short, but no guarantees (although I’m sure Laura will keep me in line!). I look forward to sharing my story with all of you.

Until next time…

"They came to sit

& dangle their feet

off the edge of the world

and after a while

they forgot

everything

but the good

and true things

they would do

someday."

~ Brian Andreas

xoxo,
Alycia

A Very Special Wedding Day

2011-05-06T06:00:00.000-07:00

Last weekend Laura of Laura Hooper Calligraphy married the man of her dreams at a gorgeous private home in Kona, Hawaii! She was joined by a small group of family and friends for an intimate affair and was so happy to work on all of the paper goods for her big day!

We don't want to give away too many details from the day, but here is a picture of the gorgeous bride waiting to walk down the aisle!

The rehearsal and wedding were both stunners by Beth Helmstetter and photographed by Steve Steinhardt, and we can't wait to share all of the amazing details!

{posted by Alyssa of LHC}

Creative Tip: Coordinating Thank You Cards

2011-05-05T06:00:00.000-07:00

After all the planning, vowing, feasting, toasting and dancing, you still have one last wedding task other than living happily ever after ~ to send your guests "thank you" notes!

So why not finish off a sweet suite with perfectly coordinating thank you cards?

We can create a coordinating finishing touch to match any of our designs and are perfect for weddings, showers and birthday parties too! Cards can be created in a variety of sizes, with matching envelopes and either folded or flat.

Maps: Key West

2011-05-04T06:05:00.000-07:00

We often share our maps with you, but we don't always show how they are designed as a cohesive set with other information. Here a Key West map is used in an adorable welcome tri-fold!

The first page of the tri-fold is a welcome letter from the bride and groom. This is a great place to let your guests know why you have chosen this destination for your wedding and to highlight the important places to visit and eat while they share your weekend {we've omitted this piece as it portrays a personal message from the couple}. The next page is the map itself, followed by the details for the weekend!

This is such a fun way to greet your guests and to let them know all the details for your wedding weekend! Plus it lets you incorporate a custom map while also conveying pertinent and useful information.

Adventures of a Bride-to-Be

2011-05-03T06:05:00.000-07:00

The day has come and gone and now I am a married girl, and go by the name "Mrs. Colgan". The day was absolutely the most perfect day for a wedding. I want to do it all over again ~ it could not have been more perfect!

Always with love,
Mrs. Colgan

Real Wedding: Thousand Oaks, CA

2011-05-02T06:00:00.000-07:00

You may remember this reader favorite Peacock Invitation suite featured on the blog last November, and we were so happy when our bride, Vanessa, sent us some pictures from the wedding itself!

The bride and groom went through quite a bit to get to their big day, with their original venue in Big Sur, CA suffering from a fire. They were forced to postpose the wedding but were fortunate to be able to hold it at a family friend's estate several months later.

In addition to the invitations, we created menus and signage at the wedding, and the couple used our lettering for a custom monogram used on their gift bags.

Congratulations to the beautiful couple, and thank you for sharing your day with us!

A Royal Wedding

2011-04-29T06:05:00.000-07:00

It's Royal Wedding day...cheers to Prince William and his new bride!

{the royal couple's official engagement photo}

{a save-the-date mock up featured on Aisle Dash in January}