What I love about this invitation...
It's pretty and feminine, but not typical. It's different and unusual. It's memorable. I love the triple stacked papers. And I love that each paper has a different texture and look. The torn edges add a little something extra too. I imagine the bride who chooses this invitation would be girly and glamorous, yet natural and earthy!
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Invitations on a Budget - Get the Inside Scoop!
According to bridal magazines and wedding planners, you should allocate roughly 2-4% of your total wedding budget towards invitations. So for example, if you're having a $50K wedding, your budget for invitations should be between $1K - $2K. And that should buy an entire invitations "ensemble" -- which includes the invitations, matching envelopes, RSVP cards, reception cards, and thank you notes. (Note: No need for reception cards if you're having the ceremony and reception all in one place.)
I've learned quite a bit about invitations after I started my Paper a la Mode invitations business last year. Specifically, I learned just how much you can do on a limited budget! I mean, really ladies, you have A LOT of options! My clients are always so surprised when I point out all of the different things they can do to make their invitations unique and special... without spending too much.
Here's the inside scoop...
The heavier, thicker papers will cost more, as will the more intricate and embellished designs simply because they require more handiwork. Okay, so let's put those aside. What about the more affordable, simple white or ecru (that's fancy for "cream" color) invitations? A lot of brides think they're too boring ... that is, until they see what they can do!
Take a look at this beautiful ecru invitation below. No fancy embellishments or intricate fold-out designs, right? But look what you can do when you play with the fonts. Simply by enlarging the couples' names and setting them off to the side in an unusual layout, you no longer have a boring invitation... you now have the WOW factor. It's amazing, isn't it?
The next invitation uses the same concept with varying font sizes. It also presents a nice contrast between script font and block font. On invitations, it's really the little touches that make a big difference.
And look at this one below. It's simple and understated, but also modern and chic. The use of the two different ink colors makes a world of a difference. Also, look at the varying font sizes and styles.
If playing with fonts and layouts is just not enough for you, go girly and add a beautiful satin or silk ribbon to your invitations. It'll add that extra "oomph" you're looking for!
So ladies, if you thought you couldn't afford beautiful, unique, and memorable invitations on a budget, THINK AGAIN!!! You just have to be creative. The cost of adding an extra ink color or extra font style is minimal. Unfortunately, many stationers don't point out all these different options because it means more work for them and very little profit for the extra work. I wish someone had told me all of this when I ordered my invitations. I could have done SO much more! Oh well~ Now YOU know so you can take advantage and design one-of-a-kind invitations for your big day!! =)
*All invitations featured on this post are available through Paper a la Mode. E-mail at info@paperalamodeny.com*
I've learned quite a bit about invitations after I started my Paper a la Mode invitations business last year. Specifically, I learned just how much you can do on a limited budget! I mean, really ladies, you have A LOT of options! My clients are always so surprised when I point out all of the different things they can do to make their invitations unique and special... without spending too much.
Here's the inside scoop...
The heavier, thicker papers will cost more, as will the more intricate and embellished designs simply because they require more handiwork. Okay, so let's put those aside. What about the more affordable, simple white or ecru (that's fancy for "cream" color) invitations? A lot of brides think they're too boring ... that is, until they see what they can do!
Take a look at this beautiful ecru invitation below. No fancy embellishments or intricate fold-out designs, right? But look what you can do when you play with the fonts. Simply by enlarging the couples' names and setting them off to the side in an unusual layout, you no longer have a boring invitation... you now have the WOW factor. It's amazing, isn't it?
The next invitation uses the same concept with varying font sizes. It also presents a nice contrast between script font and block font. On invitations, it's really the little touches that make a big difference.
And look at this one below. It's simple and understated, but also modern and chic. The use of the two different ink colors makes a world of a difference. Also, look at the varying font sizes and styles.
If playing with fonts and layouts is just not enough for you, go girly and add a beautiful satin or silk ribbon to your invitations. It'll add that extra "oomph" you're looking for!
So ladies, if you thought you couldn't afford beautiful, unique, and memorable invitations on a budget, THINK AGAIN!!! You just have to be creative. The cost of adding an extra ink color or extra font style is minimal. Unfortunately, many stationers don't point out all these different options because it means more work for them and very little profit for the extra work. I wish someone had told me all of this when I ordered my invitations. I could have done SO much more! Oh well~ Now YOU know so you can take advantage and design one-of-a-kind invitations for your big day!! =)
*All invitations featured on this post are available through Paper a la Mode. E-mail at info@paperalamodeny.com*
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Kleinfeld -- love or hate?
I've heard mixed reviews about Kleinfeld. The brides I've talked to, either love the place or absolutely hate it. Personally, I think it depends on what kind of experience you're looking for. I visited the original Brooklyn store back in 2004 when I was shopping for my own wedding dress. (Btw, if you've been living under a rock for the past year, you may not know that Kleinfeld recently closed down its Brooklyn store and debuted in Manhattan on W. 20th Street btwn 6th & 7th Avenues.) Here are the pros and cons as I remember:
Pros
Jane Wang (Mar 3-5)
Kenneth Pool (Mar 6-8)
Augusta Jones (Mar 10-12)
Reem Acra (Mar 13-15)
Michelle Roth & Henry Roth (Mar 17-19)
Badgley Mischka (Mar 20-22)
Vineyard Collection (Mar 24-26)
***I'd love to see comments from brides who have already been to the Kleinfeld Manhattan store!!***
Pros
- Huge selection of wedding dresses
- Lots of trunk shows featuring the latest styles
- If you're lucky enough, you may meet one of the designers at the trunk show. I met Kenneth Pool who offered to customize the dress I had tried on. It was awesome getting his personal attention, with him saying things like "well, if you want, I could add a few beads around the bust and change the neckline to a sweetheart..." He was really charming and convincing, but in the end, I didn't buy the dress. Go figure.
- Sales staff are pretty good about bringing you only those dresses that are within your price range (so be honest!) so you don't waste your time trying on $10,000 dresses when your budget is really $2,000.
- Like I said, there is a huge selection of dresses, but you hardly get to check them out because the saleswoman crams you into the tight fitting room and runs around all by herself trying to find dresses she thinks you might like. (Bless her heart!) Now, if you're an open-minded, laidback bride, this should be fine. But if you're a picky, impatient bride (c'mon, you know who you are), you may get frustrated as the saleswoman brings you one dress after another, none matching the style you envisioned.
- Your experience will depend heavily on your saleswoman. If you get a pushy one (like I did), it may not be such a pleasant experience.
- The place is crowded so you may have to wait your turn to see yourself in the 3-way mirror. If you don't have much patience, this isn't going to work for you.
- It's hectic -- some say it's overwhelming. I think if you can deal with sample sales and bargain hunting, you can deal with Kleinfeld -- the level of hysteria is pretty much the same.
Jane Wang (Mar 3-5)
Kenneth Pool (Mar 6-8)
Augusta Jones (Mar 10-12)
Reem Acra (Mar 13-15)
Michelle Roth & Henry Roth (Mar 17-19)
Badgley Mischka (Mar 20-22)
Vineyard Collection (Mar 24-26)
***I'd love to see comments from brides who have already been to the Kleinfeld Manhattan store!!***
Elie Saab
Thanks for solving the mystery, Katt!! As soon as I read your comment on my last post, I went digging for more Elie Saab wedding gowns. This one is gorgeous!! Very rarely do I see long-sleeved gowns as stylish and beautiful as this one. There's so much going on, yet the overall look is still so classic and chic.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Does anyone know who the designer is???
This photo is from Paris Fashion Week, but I can't find who the designer is. Does anyone know? I'm dying to see the rest of his/her collection!!
Sabrina Ann's Consignment Shop in PA
A bride I know just bought her wedding dress from a consignment shop in PA and highly recommends it! She sent me photos of her dress and it's absolutely beautiful. The shop is called Sabrina Ann and they carry both once worn and never worn dresses. The great thing is, all of the dresses are from the last 2 years, so you don't have to worry about sifting through a bunch of tired, outdated styles. According to their website, prices range from $400 to $3,000 for high-end designer gowns ... Badgley Mischka, Vera Wang, Melissa Sweet, Anne Barge...
If you have a dress to sell, they do all the work and then share the profits with you 50/50. Not a bad deal, right? Afterall, who doesn't need a few extra bucks in their wallet these days.
If you have a dress to sell, they do all the work and then share the profits with you 50/50. Not a bad deal, right? Afterall, who doesn't need a few extra bucks in their wallet these days.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Peonies and Limes
Peonies are my all-time favorite flowers! In fact, they were the primary flowers in my centerpieces, along with cymbidium orchids. So of course, I absolutely love the centerpiece featured below. The fluffy white peonies are so pretty, and the lime-filled vase gives it a fresh, modern twist!
David's Bridal Debuts in NYC
Manhattan brides, your wait is finally over! The bridal mega-chain, David's Bridal, will have its grand opening in NYC this Thursday, March 5th. The new store will be in Chelsea at 751 Sixth Avenue (at 25th Street). Doors open at 11 AM. Oh, and there will be an in-store raffle for a free wedding gown, so good luck!!!
Free Tickets to the NYC Wedding Salon Event
Monday, March 23rd, 2009
The Roosevelt Hotel in New York City
4:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Check out table decor, photographers, couture gowns, honeymoons, musicians, beauty services, cake tastings and more!
Featuring a Victoria's Secret Lounge & an Exclusive Bridal Reflections Fashion Show
2 Complimentary Tickets with code "BRNY09C" at www.WeddingSalon.com ($50 Value)
For more info and a list of participating vendors, visit the Wedding Salon
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