Inviting Wedding Colors

Choosing the colors for your wedding can be an arduous process for many brides. For those who shy away from color for fear of being gaudy, follow my lead!

A color wheel and some color theory basics are all the tools a girl needs for an unforgettable wedding color scheme. This tried and true method used by graphic artists and web developers won’t steer you wrong. To avoid appearing like a first grade classroom silver, gold, bronze, black and/or white/ivory may be added for depth.

Color Wheel with Hue, Tint, Tone, and Shade.

Also remember to mix the use of each color. You might use the same color for both bridesmaids dresses and the bows on your invitations.

While it is fine to have up to four colors, ensure that you use them wisely. Pick two colors as the dominant theme of your wedding ceremony and reception, tend use the other two as accent colors.

A great example of a four-color palette in action are rustic weddings. A bold bride could carry a bouquet of wildflowers in red-orange, yellow-orange, blue-purple and blue-green. Her attendants could wear blue-purple dresses with yellow-orange sashes that match the grooms’ tie. Her invitations could be on blue-purple cardstock layered with yellow paper written in black ink and so forth and so forth ad nauseam…

Complementary Color Combination – A two color scheme using colors from opposite sides of color wheel. Simplicity at its finest! You can easily dress it up by adding silver, gold, bronze, black or white.

Red and Green
Complementary Color Combination.

Triad Color Combination – Just as it sounds, it is a three color scheme. Colors are picked by drawing a wide triangle on color wheel. Each color is one-third of the way around the wheel.

Red, Yellow and Blue
Triad Complementary Color Combination.

Split complementary Combination – This scheme consists of three colors and literally combines both complimentary and triad combinations. Again, colors will be in a triangular pattern.

Green, Red-Orange and Red-Purple
Split Complementary Color Combination.

Double Complimentary Combination – A four-color scheme. Arrived by the same means as “Complementary Combination” above. Simply choose another complimentary color set that enhances the ones you’ve chosen. Colors will usually make an X pattern on color wheel.

Yellow-Orange, Blue-Purple, Blue-Green and Red-Orange
Double Complementary Color Combination.

Please visit the following website for more information on color and color theory. Thanks to both of these ladies for all of your help!

http://creativecurio.com/2008/05/the-color-wheel-and-color-theory/

Visit this website to download your own color wheel.

http://christinafowler.com/blog/free-color-wheel-download/

Attention Husbands and Boyfriends…

Please step away from the sentimental and predictable greeting card aisle! Look no further for meaningful & relevant Mother’s Day or Anniversary cards and presents.

Let her know she’s more beautiful than ever. Tell her shes the sun to your earth. Better yet write it down so she can show her friends and her mother! No more cards ultimately finding their way to the trash can. No more roses that eventually die. Poetry and calligraphy come together in perfect unison to make an heirloom gift she will treasure for a lifetime.

Allow me to assist you in selecting a poem or together we can create one as unique as the love you share. Words have more meaning when written by hand.

This year knock her off her feet! You;ll have her right where you want her!!! 😉

What’s in a Monogram?

 

 

Monograms are a simple yet elegant way to personalize your wedding stationery. It’s a very versatile design that reflects your style, from complex and classic to sleek and modern. It can also incorporate many themes such as, vintage flourishing, peacock feathers, Fleur-de-Lis, and so on.

 

When choosing a monogram for your stationery or theme there are three points of etiquette to consider.

 

The Engagement Monogram – Before the wedding, during the engagement, the bride is still using her maiden name. At this point, the couple may use the initials of their first names.This applies to everything from Save-the Dates, to Invitation Suites, to Ceremony Programs.

 

The Traditional Wedding Monogram – After the wedding ceremony the couple are married both legally and in the eyes of their God, which entitles them to many benefits, one of which is the three letter monogram. This can be a replica of the engagement monogram, with the addition of the initial of the brides’ new last name. This applies to all ceremony decor, thank you notes, envelopes, and change of address cards.

 

The New-Traditional Wedding Monogram – For brides keeping their maiden names or hyphenating their old and new names or for same sex couples, a different monogram is called for. In this case, we could overlap the last name initials, blend them together to make a new symbol or word, or join them at the top in a clover pattern. The possibilities are limited only by our cumulative imaginations.

This Mothers’ Day move on up from the ‘fridge to Living Room wall!

“You never realize how much your mother loves you till you explore the attic – and find every letter you ever sent her, every finger painting, clay pot, bead necklace, Easter chicken, cardboard Santa Claus, paper lace Mother’s Day card and school report since day one.” — Pam Brown

Mother’s Day is on its way. How long has it been since you suprised your Mom with a gift? We can no longer shake glitter on glue and call it a day, now we have to REALLY work at it.

I’ve done the work for you! Send Mom a hand-lettered poem. It can be written by you (Moms’ litte Poet Lauret) or I will assist you in finding the perfect piece to warm Moms’ heart. Whatever the case, you will present Mom with a stunning and elegant showpiece that will make her the envy of all her friends.  

Happy Mother’s Day Mom!!!

Make a romantic gesture on Mother’s Day! Send her a hand-lettered poem!

Addressing Envelopes : A Formal Guide to Titles

Formal Etiquette Guide – Envelopes

Your envelopes set the tone for your invitations, which sets the tone for your wedding. If you are having an informal wedding your invitation suite should reflect that. This gives people an idea of how to dress and even what kind of gift to buy. HOWEVER, it is your wedding and you can do whatever you want! Most importantly your stationery should be a reflection of who you and your future spouse are and the love you share.

General Guidelines
Order to list names	Males’ name first, UNLESS female outranks him by degree, military rank, etc
Person with two titles	Most important title(May be different for some military- Ex. Rank/Chaplin)
Mrs.	Married female or widow
Ms.	Adult female with unknown marital status or married female using maiden name
Miss	Younger female (Under 12)
Mr.	Male regardless of age or marital status
Post Nominals Letters appearing after a name designating position, education, or honor	Not used in social correspondence.
No Abbreviations	Spell Street, Avenue,etc Spell numbered street (Eleventh, Thirty-First) Spell Titles (Doctor, Officer, etc.) Exceptions: Mister/Mr., Misses/Miss. or military rank
“and Guest”	Single individual allowed to bring a guest (Written on Inner Envelope) Mr. Jones and Guest
“and Family”	If there are many children/step-children or you are unsure of each name, etc. Also to reduce cost of hand lettering.
INNER ENVELOPES Title and last name only. List all people who are invited including children (Under 18) from eldest to youngest.	Colonel Jones and Mrs. Smith John, Emily, and Gaven
OUTER ENVELOPES
Single Guests
Female/Unmarried	Miss Janet Smith Ms. Janet Smith
Female/Widow	Mrs. Janet Smith
Female/Divorced Using married name	Mrs. Janet Smith
Female/Divorced Using maiden name	Miss Janet Smith Ms. Janet Smith
Male/Married, Divorced. or Unmarried	Mr. Glenn Jones
Couples
Married/Same last name	Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Jones
Married/Female kept maiden name	Mr. Glenn Jones and Mrs. Janet Smith Mr. Glenn Jones and Ms. Janet Smith
Unmarried & Live seperately or together/ Name of person you know best first	Mr. Glenn Jones and Miss Janet Smith Ms. Janet Smith and Mr. Glenn Jones
Same Gender & Unmarried/Name of person you know best first	Ms. Janet Smith and Ms. Emily Jones Miss Emily Jones and Miss Janet Smith
Same Gender & Married with same last name/First names in alphabetical order	Messrs. Glenn and Robert Jones Mesdames Janet and Susan Smith
Children
Under 18	No mention on OUTER envelope
Over 18- Should get their own invitation, even if living at home.	Ms. Janet Smith Mr. Glenn Jones
Unless it is designated on inner or outer envelopes etiquette dictates that children aren’t invited.	It is appropriate to use “and Family” on outer envelope if no inner envelope is used.
Professional Titles If you don’t see the title you need let me know and I will find it for you.
Judge	The Honorable Glenn Jones  and Mrs. Jones
Attorney	Mr. Glenn Jones and Family
Catholic Clergy	The Reverend Glenn Jones (followed by the initials of his particular order)
Protestant Clergy	The Reverend Glenn Jones (followed by degrees held) and Mrs. Jones
Rabbi	Rabbi Glenn Jones
Medical Doctor	Doctor Glenn Jones
Married Female Doctor Her name will be before husbands’ name	Doctor Janet Smith and Mr. Glenn Jones
Married Couple – Both Doctors	Doctors Glenn Jones and Janet Smith
Doctorate of Philosophy/PhD Non – Medical	Dr. Glenn Jones and Mrs. Janet Smith
Armed Forces Note: This list is ment for social and non-official functions ONLY. It will be different from the military’s protocol.	Please visit Robert Hickey’s site for other questions regarding addressing military personnel
Officer or Enlisted Personnel/Active	Colonel Glenn Jones and Guest Private Janet Smith and Guest
Retired personnel Active duty/Retired status is not used in social correspondence	Colonel Glenn Jones and Guest
Couple are both in military – one is retired List retired person second with rank	Colonel Glenn Jones and Colonel Janet Smith
Retired Personnel who now hold higher office	Senator Glenn Jones and Family
Military Branch	Not used in social correspondence
Military Time	Not used in social correspondence
Wife has higher rank Always list person of higher rank first	Colonel Janet Smith and Colonel Glenn Jones
Couple have same rank (List person who attained rank first)	Colonel Janet Smith and Colonel Glenn Jones
Abbreviations for rank It is appropriate to spell out rank or use official abbreviation	COL Janet Smith and COL Glenn Jones
Official Abbreviation by Branch of Service
U.S. Army GEN General LTG Lieutenant General MG Major General  BG Brigadier General  COL Colonel  LTC Lieutenant Colonel  MAJ Major  CPT Captain  1LT First Lieutenant  2LT Second Lieutenant  CW5 Chief Warrant Officer  CW4 Chief Warrant Officer  CW3 Chief Warrant Officer CW2 Chief Warrant Officer  WO1 Warrant Officer 1  CSM Command Sergeant Major  SGM Sergeant Major  1SG First Sergeant  MSG Master Sergeant  SFC Sergeant First Class  PSG Platoon Sergeant  SSG Staff Sergeant  SGT Sergeant  CPL Corporal  SPC Specialist  PFC Private First Class  PV2 Private PV1 Private	U.S. Navy Seaman Recruit SR Seaman Apprentice SA Seaman SN Petty Officer Third Class PO3 Petty Officer Second Class PO2 Petty Officer First Class PO1 Chief Petty Officer CPO Senior Chief Petty Officer SCPO Master Chief Petty Officer MCPO Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy MCPON Warrant Officer First Class WO1 Chief Warrant Officer Second Class CWO2 Chief Warrant Officer Third Class CWO3 Chief Warrant Officer  Fourth Class CWO4 Chief Warrant Officer CWO5 Ensign ENS Lieutenant Junior Grade LTJG Lieutenant LT Lieutenant Commander LCDR Commander CDR Captain CAPT Rear Admiral (Lower Half) RDML Rear Admiral (Upper Half) RADM Vice Admiral VADM Admiral ADM Fleet Admiral FADM
U.S. Air Force Airman Basic AB Airman Amn Airman First Class A1C Senior Airman SrA Staff Sergeant SSgt Technical Sergeant TSgt Master Sergeant MSgt First Sergeant 1stSgt Senior Master Sergeant SMSgt First Sergeant 1stSgt Chief Master Sergeant CMSgt General of the Air Force First Sergeant 1stSgt Command Chief Master Sergeant CCMSgt Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force CMSAF Second Lieutenant 2d Lt First Lieutenant 1st Lt Captain Capt Major Maj Lieutenant Colonel LtCol Colonel COL Brigadier General BrigGen Major General MajGen  Lieutenant General LtGen  General Gen General of the Air Force GAF	U.S. Marine Corp Private Pvt O-1 Private First Class PFC Lance Corporal LCpl Corporal Cpl Sergeant Sgt Staff Sergeant SSgt Gunnery Sergeant GySgt Master Sergeant MSgt First Sergeant 1stSgt Master Gunnery Sergeant MGySgt Sergeant Major SgtMaj Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps SgtMajMC Warrant Officer WO-1 Chief Warrant Officer 2 CWO-2 Chief Warrant Officer 3 CWO-3 Second Lieutenant 2ndLt First Lieutenant 1stLt Captain Capt Major Maj Lieutenant Colonel LtCol Colonel Col Lieutenant General LtGen Major General MajGen Lieutenant General LtGen General Gen

Invitation, Response, and Reception…OH MY!!!!…Or the what, when, and where of getting married.

So, you have the engagement ring, you’ve made a guest list, set a date, booked the Ceremony and reception venue(s), and bought a dress. Now what?!? You need people to show up…

In order to do that your guests need to know 4 things.

Who, What, When, and Where. (Ceremony and/or Reception Invitation, accommodation Card, Maps, Etc)

In order to NOT overpay the caterer, you need to know HOW MANY!  (Response Card and Envelope)

In the stationery biz, we call that an Invitation Suite.

An invitation suite includes the Ceremony Invitation, Reception Invitation, a Response card and Response Envelope, and directions to ceremony/reception locations.

These items are enclosed in an Inner Envelope which is enclosed in an Outer envelope.

Why do people use all these items? Let’s take it step by step…

CEREMONY & RECEPTION: Your guest is invited to one or both events. Because they are separate functions, they have separate invitations. Formal etiquette frowns upon adding “Reception to follow” to Ceremony Invitation. However, you are the star of the show and you make the final decision on your big day!

RESPONSE CARD & ENVELOPE: Your response cards will have an area for your guest to write their name and a date to be returned by. This allows you to know how many to expect. Your Response Envelope should have the return address and postage affixed. Many less formal brides have begun using Response Postcards. While not traditional, this method makes stationery and postage cheaper. It also keeps an informal wedding looking informal from the beginning. Your guests will appreciate not showing up to your garden wedding in a tux!

Remember! There is a difference in appearing informal and looking cheap…

ADDITIONAL GUEST INFO: Maps, lists of accommodations & entertainment may also be included in the Invitation Suite. A map is handy and considered good manners. accommodation Cards are helpful to out-of-town guests.

INNER ENVELOPE: An Inner Envelope will have the names of each guest invited, or head of household “and Family”, or guest name “and guest”. The Inner Envelope will hold all above mentioned pieces of the Invitation Suite.

OUTER ENVELOPE: The Outer Envelope has the name and address of each guest (or and Family/and Guest) and their address. Postage is affixed. I recommend a return address on back flap, just in case.

*Guests should receive their Invitation Suites 6 weeks before the wedding. This will allow out-of-town guests to make travel arraingements.You should request Responses 3 weeks before wedding date. Caterers usually want a head count 2 weeks prior to reception. This way you have one week to call straggling guests who haven’t sent back their responses.

**Number the guests on guest list. Write the corresponding number lightly in pencil on the back of Response Card. If someone forgets to write their name on the response card you will still know who they are!

Navigating the sea of stationery choices…

There are few things as daunting as deciphering the lingo associated with stationery. It would seem to be easy, right? For someone who is new to the industry, nothing could be further from the truth! The options for white paper alone appear endless. But fear not gentle reader…I am here to help!

Luckily for those desiring hand-lettered calligraphy, the options become slightly smaller. Don’t worry, we can still use that red metallic paper you’ve had your eye on, but heavily textured or glossy papers just wont work.

The following is a short list of terms that will make your life easier:

• Weight – Paper is weighed in reams (500 sheets) by category (text, card stock, vellum, etc)
• Vellum – Transparent and lightweight, usually affixed on top of heavier paper, with or without printing
• Text weight – Paper that is the same thickness of regular printer paper (usually around 60-70 pounds)
• Card Stock – Heavy weight paper, great for invitations (average 74 – 80 pounds)
• Heavy Card Stock – Thickest paper available, great for invitations but costs more to mail(94 – 107 pounds)
• Smooth – No texture
• Linen – Has the same crisscrossed look as linen fabric
• Textured – Has uneven look/feel (Not good for calligraphy)
• Metallic – Sparkly appearance
• Embossed – Raised area or pattern (Not good for calligraphy)
• Double Sided – Color and/pattern exist on both sides of paper (A must for invitations!)
• Deckled – Torn edge
• Scored – Folded

Please feel free to contact me with any stationery questions you may have!