Thursday, February 25, 2010

We've been featured!

Check out our work on Style Me Pretty!
Saturday, February 6, 2010

Vintage Inspiration

New Inspiration post on vintage themes


Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Real Weddings Post

Check out our latest real wedding post!
Saturday, January 30, 2010

How much should invitations cost?????



How much should invitations cost?
We get asked that a lot and it isn't a simple answer.  Wedding invitation costs are dictated by:

  • Number of invitations
  • Number of enclosures (response card, reception card, information card)
  • Inner and Outer envelope or single envelope
  • Number of ink colors
  • Flat (one piece of paper invitation), Layered or Pocket
  • Custom design
  • Ribbons, seal or other embellishments
  • Print method
The Bridal Association of America notes that the average couple spends $659 on invitations and reply cards.  Our clients tend to fall right in line with that mark.  The client with 100 thermographed one layer invitation, response card set and return address printing walks out for $475 while the client purchasing 100 pocket invitations with an additional enclosure, custom seals and additional layers is more likely to spend $800 or more.

one layer invitation with standard ink color
one layer invitation with 2 custom ink colors and coordinating ribbon

Do-it-yourseflt kits can be a great way to save on invitations.  Make sure you have a way to print them.  Many of the national chain printers will not print on papers that you provide.  If you find someone that will do it, make sure you provide 20% extra paper for printer jams or errors.  You can always take back the box you never had to use; but it can be difficult to find additional boxes of invitations purchased on sale.

Additional Costs:
When you are planning for your wedding invitation and stationery budget, here are some additional items to factor in:
  • Postage to mail (more expensive for squares, larger sizes or extra enclosures)
  • Postage for response envelopes (using postcards save on envelope costs and is a lower postage rate)
  • Save the Dates and postage
  • Ceremony Programs
  • Escort Cards/Place Cards/Table Numbers
  • Thank You Notes
Cost Saving Tips:
Compare prices on line before you purchase to give you a good indicator of what to expect as you walk into a studio or storefront.  Don't be afraid to tell the person you are working with what your budget is ~ they should be able to direct you to selections that fit your budget or how to simplify a more elaborate design to work for you.  It can be frustrating to sift through hundreds of designs and options only to find out that they are 2x as much as you are looking to spend.  If you find something over the top that you love ~ ask how you can do it for less.

Working with independent designers or home-based studios will help you save on cost.  We aren't paying the overhead that comes along with a retail storefront or large staff and we pass those savings onto you.  Just make sure you check reviews or get recommendations.

Final Thoughts:


We hear many brides say they don't want to break the bank on invitations because they are "just going to be thrown away".  We agree....ultimately that is where they will probably end up.

However, before they make their way to the garbage, the will let your guests know what type of event you are hosting.  Casual, formal, rustic, traditional, beach, simple or modern.  They can bring attention to the hours that you have spent on the details of your day.  They can tie together your colors, venue and personal taste as the first major introduction for the event and start a theme you will carry throughout the day.


Your invitations are the first impression your guests will have of your wedding day.
Monday, January 25, 2010

Charlotte Bridal Show

We took the plunge!  After over four years in business we participated in Carolina's largest bridal show this weekend at the Charlotte Convention Center.  We met so many great people with fabulous creative ideas for their wedding invitations.

Here are a few shots of our booth







Thursday, January 21, 2010

Introducing Letterpress! Contest $200 off Letterpress Invitations

A new giveaway!!!  Hurry - ends January 29th - click here for details...



Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Jesstagirl Wedding Blog ~

We follow Jesstagirl's blog because she's a brilliant writer, fun to follow on all things related wedding...and she's one of our clients.

She's doing a multi-part series on her wedding invitations.  We provided the design and thermography printing services and she did the final assembly.  Even we are staying tuned to see the final product. It isn't very often that the bride gets to see the finished product first!

Here's a link and some images and her comments from her blog:
http://jessicalynnwrites.blogspot.com/





I liked the simplicity of this font, but for some reason, it just didn't look like the invite pictured in my mind. 



I liked this font, but it was a little too "swirly" for my taste. (Although, looking at it now, months later, I kind of like it...a lot!)





Different placement of the names




I almost picked the one above, but I wasn't a fan of two things: I don't like the "J" and even though I liked the top, it didn't have that seamless flow with the rest of the invitation. 




The header above is the one we Snuffleupagused and chose, but to be completely honest, it took awhile for me to decide that this was the one. 






Saturday, January 16, 2010

Font Inspiration

A font can do so much for your wedding invitation by setting your style and in giving your guests the feel of the day.  Choose an elegant script font (such as bickham) paired with traditional italian papers and you are letting them know it is a more formal affair.  Go for something a little more whimsical such as the Feel font, and it tends to be a casual soiree.

We believe you should never get too attached to a font until you see your name in it ~ what works great for one name, doesn't have the same effect for another.

We have an extensive collection of fonts from around the world, but these tend to be our tried and true favorites.


Monday, January 11, 2010

New Save the Dates

Here are a few more new save the dates.  We are continuing to see a lot of peacock blues and purples!  Once again, thanks to Jeremie Barlow Photography for providing us with images for our templates.


Thursday, January 7, 2010

Style Perfect Weddings Garden Concept

I couldn't resist the opportunity for two blogs in one day when I can share the work of other local wedding vendors in addition to some of our own concepts.

Style Perfect owner and planner, Carla Eustache developed a concept shoot for a garden reception at Concord's Orchard House.  The Orchard House is an estate built in 1853 that has been refurbished and is perfect for garden ceremonies and receptions.


Are are a few of the images from the concept shoot.  Ella Elise provided invitations, menu cards and favor / table card labels.  Be sure to check out all of the fabulous vendors!







Photographer: The Beautiful Mess Photography
Venue: The Orchard House
Floral Designer and Baker: From this Day Forward Wedding and Special Event Design
Invitation/Stationery: Ella Elise Invitation Studio 
Models: The E Agency
Hair and Make-up: Adrian Howe from the Beauty Sophisticate
Tuxedo: Tuxedo Lady
Bridal Gowns: Classic Bride and Formals in Davidson
Rentals: Cooke Rentals and Classic Party Rentals
Linens: Connie Duglin Specialty Linen and Chair Cover Rental


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We are Paper Fashionistas, Invitation Stylists, Avid Readers (we like to pretend we read the classics but we actually prefer US Weekly), Social Networking Newbies and first and foremost, wives and moms.



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