Postage Increase: April 17th

On April 17, 2011 postage rates will increase for some denominations - not including the standard one ounce $0.44 stamp!

The new USPS postage rates will be:
Postcard - $0.29 (currently $0.28)
1st Class, 2oz. - $0.64 - currently $0.61 used for most wedding invitations!
1st Class, 1oz. Odd Size - $0.84
1st Class, 3oz. - $0.84 (currently $0.78)

1st Class, 3.5oz. - $1.05 (currently $0.95)
1st Class, 4oz. - $1.48
Priority, Flat Rate Envelope - $4.95

If your wedding invitation is going out in the mail after April 17, 2011, be sure you have accounted for these increased postage prices or you may find your invitations back at your door! The best thing to do is always to take a completed invitation to the post office for weighing ~ just be sure to request the post-April 17 rates!

For more information and size limits, please visit the USPS first-class mail pricing page.

Top photo courtesy of Zazzle.

Zazzle Stamps - On Sale Now

We've recently shown you many of our custom stamps available and Zazzle, and we are happy to report that Zazzle is now having a sale of 25% off Zazzle Stamps!

Use promo code WELUVINVITES at checkout to secure your deal on these custom stamps perfect for weddings, birthdays, showers, anniversaries, baby announcements - anything! You can purchase your stamps for various postage amounts as well as three different sizes to suit your various envelopes.

Custom stamps can truly tie together an entire suite - just like this one we did for my sister's engagement party back in January (yes, we've shown you these, but I still love them!).

Visit our Zazzle store to find these love bird stamps and others...and don't forget to use code WELUVINVITES for 25% off!

Zazzle Stamps

Visit our Zazzle shop to buy your custom stamps! These are perfect for save-the-dates, bridal & baby showers, wedding invitations, wedding reply cards, etc.

 

Venice Invitation Suite on MarthaStewartWeddings.com

This couple's wedding was recently featured in Vermont Vows Magazine and we are so honored to have been included in their newest feature on MarthaStewartWeddings.com!

As you might have guessed, the wedding took place in Vermont. They were married in the historic town of Manchester, where the groom's mother lives. Such a gorgeous backdrop for a wedding.

{photo by Corbin Gurkin}

The couple chose to use our Venice invitation suite and ordered a complete set including invitations, rsvp card sets, full color maps with directions, and reception cards.

A custom belly band with their monogram held the entire set together.

The innner envelopes had a matching pink envelope liner, and we used two ply pearl white letterpress paper to get an extra deep imprint.

Matching menus, placecards and programs were ordered later for the ceremony and reception.

Each menu was personalized with the guest’s name in hand-lettered calligraphy.

{photo by Corbin Gurkin}

The whole set came together beautifully and tied in well with the intimate reception decor. The couple even used our custom Zazzle stamps to complete the look!

{photo by Corbin Gurkin}

{photo by Corbin Gurkin}

You can view the full Martha Stewart Weddings online feature by clicking here. Photos by Steve Steinhardt except as noted by Corbin Gurkin.

Real Wedding: Los Cabos, Mexico

I simply adore the creativity and details in this custom invitation suite. The wedding took place at the One & Only Palmilla Resort in Los Cabos, Mexico, and we incorporated the major colors of the couple's palette ~ aqua blue, rich orange, gold, and brown. The result was fabulous!

We created a fantastic postcard highlighting each event so guests could respond to each one individually as well as write a handwritten note to the bride and groom when they replied. Instructions for this were provided in English and translated to Spanish as well.

We used a beautiful osmose paper that resembles wood for the Beach BBQ card and the Welcome Fiesta on the beach and created a custom oversized pocketfold (to hold all the pieces) imprinted with a gorgeous tile design that is seen throughout the resort in a neutral ivory shade.

Allcards were printed on 100% cotton paper. The invite card itself was orange and metallic gold letterpress, and the rest of the cards were letterpressed as well.

The invitation and all the cards went into the pocketfolder which was then inserted into a beautiful organic envelope tied shut with twine a luggage tag style name tag for each guest (instead of an inner envelope). The entire set was mailed in an organic kraft envelope (letterpress printed, of course!) sealed with an antique gold wax stamp that was custom ordered by the bride.

The bride also created her own monogram to match the set and affixed it to the front of the pocket folder. The weather forecast was provided on an additional card, 80 degrees and sunny every day!!

The bride even ordered four custom stamps from Zazzle.com to accompany the set!

Custom luggage tags like those on the invitation were also used as favor tags at the reception itself. We also did placecards for each event on sand dollars and spanish tiles that the bride and her brother painted over the span of several months leading up to the wedding so they, too, would match the invites!

We couldn't have been happier with the results of this suite, and we know the bride and groom loved it too!Calligraphy style is Elegance script. All photography by Victor Sizemore.

This tablecloth was used at the rehearsal dinner and was the inspiration for the Beach BBQ Card!

Sanddollars were hand painted with the names of each guest and used as placecards at each seat.

Something Old -- Vintage Postage

{Photos Courtesy Elizabeth Anne Designs}

I recently addressed some oversized envelopes in Elegance Script for a bride {Incidentally, Ami of Elizabeth Anne Designs} with a very classic taste - as in old classics! After we sent the envelopes back for mailing, they spiced things up with these clever vintage stamps. The stamps {and thus envelopes as well} were different for every recipient!



Clients can order these vintage stamps on Ebay in all different shapes and sizes (and denominations - so make sure they add up to the correct postage on every envelope!). Revisit childhood cartoons, revered sports icons, symbolic moments in history and other classic images. Prices vary based on seller.

It's the perfect way to mix something old with something new!

{The above photo depicts the inner envelope}