GREENVELOPE

The last thing couples in the midst of wedding planning need is uncertainty. Yet, that’s precisely what paper invitations can introduce to the planning process. 

For example, Has my invitation even reached the recipient? is a question you don’t want to be asking yourself as the RSVP date closes in. Beyond the uncertainty, there’s the issue of cost. Even if you 

went the “affordable” route, paper invitations and the postage required to send them can be expensive.   

If despite the risks you feel certain about opting for the paper invitation route, it’s best to set your budget beforehand. You’ll also likely need to cast a wide net in order to find the perfect design at the right price. 

But, there’s an option that you may not have considered yet -- an option that sacrifices nothing when it comes to elegance, but saves you time and money while keeping you up to date on who receives your wedding invitation, when, and what they do with it. 

The option I’m describing is online wedding invitations. And the company that best takes care of planning couples is Greenvelope. 

Greenvelope’s RSVP tracking tools are unmatched. Seriously. Upload your contact list and send an invite, and you’ll see that Greenvelope breaks things down in such a simple way: you can see at any 

time how many invites were sent, to whom, and who has or hasn’t opened it. Someone has opened it but has not RSVP'd?  Easy- using your Greenvelope account, you can start a conversation with them.  I really can't stress this enough: the whole thing is so easy to use.  If you ever run into trouble, though,  Greenvelope's customer service team is amazingly kind and responsive.  You actually get to talk to a human!

The icing on the cake for me when it comes to Greenvelope, though, is how gorgeous their invitation designs are.  For instance, they just released a new collection of designs inspired by the bright, energetic and eclectic floral arrangements or Manu Torres. 

You have to see how vibrant these designs are!  There are ten designs in all and each one is so expressive and unique.

I especially love how Greenvelope’s designers decided to use colors throughout the arrangements, and that there are multiple options for each design so that, if you’re looking for a palette that’s more 

muted, you can still get exactly what you want. 

Click this link to check out the amazing Manu Torres Collection.

LITTLE WOMAN DESIGN

There's a new invitation design team in town and they are destined to become stars! If you are a bride looking for something completely unique and fun, you need to visit Little Woman Design! Francesca Staffieri and Michael Magro have hit the scene like gangbusters and it won't take long for them to become a "must have" for couples in Philadelphia and beyond.

Started just last winter with their own wedding, Little Woman Design is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with.

This little dynamo of a company is prepared to give you all the visual components of your wedding day, from Save The Dates- like this one here, to your invitations, programs, napkins, menus, banners and even the GOBO stencil for the dance floor lighting. Just give them the theme, color palette and your vision and their incredible imagination will design all the elements to make that vision come to life.

So, where can you find this little gem? Well, I will tell you! You can visit them at Bridal Expos, on line or at Soiree Philadelphia, in Old City. You can even set up a video conference with them. Wherever you meet them, you will be thrilled with the result! So, get going!! They are waiting to make your stationery stand apart from the ordinary. And, don't forget to visit their BLOG to see what is new and exciting for this Little Woman!!!































Photos Courtesy of BG Productions

THE PAINTED BRIDE

OK! I admit, I tune in to My Fair Wedding on Sunday nights. Not because I love the huge ego or the over the top productions that 99% of you will never have. But, because every once in a while there is a germ of an idea that sparks my interest. This past Sunday, one of those sparks perked up my curiosity. The bride was given hand painted shoes for her wedding. They were beautiful. So, I went in search of more hand painted and lovely things to make your day more personal. I will get to the shoes in a bit.

First, I think the hand painted signs that guide your guests to their destinations and the "Bride" and "Groom" chair markers are so sweet. This pretty sign that leads you to your country wedding is from Shore Chic. It sets the tone for this darling little wedding in the woods. But, you can customize your sign to fit any venue or theme.

Now, to the shoes! There are other companies that do this, but B Gall was my favorite. These beautifully painted shoes will be amazing peeking out of your gown. Figgie Shoes is also a fun company to find unique shoes that will say "here comes the bride" and surprise your guests. Now, you will want to know that you can also have a hand painted gown. This was not easy to find. It took me some time to find a designer and a photo. I found a gorgeous Carolina Herrera gown on Martha Stewart. But, it was an older style and in black and white. But, I did find a Vera Wang with a hand painted bodice with crystal beaded accents. And, I found this amazing designer, Samuelle- who would make a post on her own some day- who does hand painting and hand dipping of her fabrics. The gowns are ethereal and romantic. Chloe has hand painted flowers on the neckline.
Jane Wilson- Marquis is another designer who does painted gowns. These are some of her lovely things, perfect for the non- traditional bride. You may find other designers who do custom work and there are Etsy sites that sell these hand painted dresses. I just love the idea of having this original artwork oh a wedding gown.
How about hand painted invitations? I found these gems from two of my favorite companies- Momental Designs and Starry Night Design Studio- who also does hand painted aisle runners.

Another wonderful designer who does custom aisle runners, candles, parasols and other details, is I Do Originals. Kristen is lovely to work with and her work is beautiful.

And, who could resist the beauty of a hand painted wedding cake? These two cakes are just a sample of the many designs I found. The lovebirds is a picture created by Superfine Bakery. The sweet floral cake- your something blue, comes from the talents of Whipped Bake Shop.

And, finally, a few little details that just caught my eye. the Original Bridal Hanger/ Allegro Art is a wonderful little Etsy shop that creates pretty things like these bridal hangers and toasting flutes for the entire wedding party. These are a great gift for the bride- a perfect way to showcase her gown for pictures. And, a little extra for the wedding party to celebrate your special day.





















Let your imagination run wild and do a little digging and you will find many more ways to personalize your wedding with hand painted art. Oh- and for a perfect way to document you day with art- besides your photos, is to have a portrait of the wedding done by the talented Joan Zylkin. Joan will set up her easel and paint your day. You will have a piece of art for your home and a special memory to enjoy for many years. I enjoyed creating this post. I hope you do.

THE GARDEN GATE

Through the gate and into the enchanted garden of your wedding we go. What lies beyond the gate is the dream you have of flowering trees, a stone path and your groom at the end of it. So, here we go into the enchanted and exotic land of peacocks and willows and brilliant shades of nature- to your happily ever after.

We begin our journey with beautifully crafted invitations available on Etsy. These handcrafted and personalized invitations will set the stage for your fantasy come true. You can also add the beautiful ceremony programs, each tied with a satin bow and a real peacock feather. The linens that will adorn your table are lush and carry the peacock name. Perhaps, you will dine under a canopy of moss orchids. And, the light from lanterns hanging in the trees as the sun sets on your enchanted evening, and the guests dance the night away with the fairies flickering within. .

Imagine yourself entering this magical garden in a pale green gown by Vera Wang, with the breeze billowing the soft layers of tulle as you go. Your bouquet, not flowers, but a collection of brooches that were given to you by family and friends- and will never die. The groom and his groomsmen will wear peacock feathers on their lapels. A gift, from our beloved, a locket carried by two birds with a message only for you inside. When the evening is through and the guests have gone and you and your love return through that garden gate, you will have an enchanted memory of the day you became one. And, the knowledge that you and I made the dream a reality.






Follow me through, yet another garden gate.
This one an arbor in the country. The walk down the brick path to the waiting crowd of family and friends can't see you as you make your way in your wisp of a gown. The colors or early summer, the smell of the peonies and the roses that you carry. When you arrive by the side of your love, he will be entranced by your similarity to the lovely flowers in the garden that surrounds you.
After you say "I Do", you will enter the clearing and the terrace to enjoy an evening of dancing and wonderful food. Again, the smell of the peonies- big, beautiful vases full of them and the David Austin roses that open just like the peony, but have the scent of an English rose. The table linens with the dainty embroidered rose and the soft organza fabric. Your cake, a garden unto itself with butterflies flitting about. Surrounding you are things that remind you of a day long ago, when tea parties and big hats and ladies stitching embroidery while the men played croquet. Pink lemonade and antique birdcages and hand tatted napkins. A grand affair in amongst the roses. Chandeliers hanging from the branches to give light to the evening. All the wonder of the day, brought to life by your dream and my knowledge. A team made in heaven, which is where you will find yourself when you depart down that brick path and through the arbor, hand in hand with your new husband.

So, before you walk through your garden gate into your enchanted wedding, lets talk about your vision and how I can help you make it a dream come true.



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WHICH BRIDE ARE YOU

My friend Jamie Werner sends me the best stuff! Today I have a great post about invitations and jewelry. What a clever pairing, Jamie! The invitations are from Postscript Brooklyn and the jewelry from Taylor Kenney.

So, Jamie and I ask you- WHICH BRIDE ARE YOU?







The Classic Bride- Park Avenue Invitation
Camilla Earrings







The Boho Bride- Central Park Invitation
Feather Earrings






The Playful Bride- Boerum Hill Invitation
Poppy Earrings






Something Blue Bride- Montgomery Place Invitation
Branch Earrings


If you are an urban, chic bride looking for something unique, then Postscript Brooklyn is for you. With architectural, cityscape and nature inspired designs, these invitations are sure to please the sophisticated, savvy bride. Taylor Kenney jewelry is beautiful and understated. Whether for yourself or your lovely maids, this jewelry is the perfect touch to complete your ensemble. Thank you, Jamie and and Moderne Press for the chance to post this super combination of naturally chic wedding touches.



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LAUREN BROWN STUDIO

Lauren Brown Studio is a lovely boutique invitation and Design company. Lauren, a graphic designer from the Philadelphia area, has a distinctive and unique approach to her designs and her business. These beautiful and non- traditional examples of Lauren's impressive work show the expanse of her creativity and charm. Lauren works one on one with you to design an invitation that speaks to you and your wedding. Every design is carefully and artfully thought out to make your wedding invitation a "sneak peek" into the atmosphere that your guests will enjoy when they arrive on your big day. Lauren does what she does with heart and the commitment to you- the bride. When I find a vendor that speaks to my passion for making dreams come true, I can't help but tell you about them. Lauren is one of those kinds of vendors. So, visit Lauren's web site and then find out how she can help you make a statement before you walk down the aisle.




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ANGELA DAL BON

Another great find today! Twitter was abuzz with great new ideas! This one, custom invitations by Angela Dal Bon. I love this one that is a telegram. What a unique
and interesting way to invite your guests!
I also love this one. It is based on Kente cloth, from the groom's country of Ghana. The invitations are actually cloth!

Then there is the peacock invitation. Done on shiny paper, these dramatic invitations were done for a fall wedding.



















I love it when I find unusual things for a bride to make a real stand out feature in her wedding day. Angela is one of those people. Thanks, Angela, for the Tweet! It was quite a find for me. You can see more of Angela's designs on her web site.



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AN OCCASION FOR HEIRLOOMS

From time to time, I like to sit down with a vendor I enjoy referring to clients and find out how and why they came to do what they do and what inspires them. Kim Bensing, who creates amazing and unique wedding stationary is just one of those vendors. Kim, of Heirloom Occasions, gets to the heart of the bride's vision and weaves a story for the couple to present to their guests. These are not the run of the mill invitations, by any means. And, Kim is not any ordinary designer. She is an artist, who creates a
picture of your wedding, a lasting memory for every guest. This beautiful storybook, on the left, is called Sea of Love and was created for Ileana and Tomas, who met on a cruise ship. Listen, as Ileana share her experience with Kim. It will be clear why Kim is such a personal favorite of mine and why, if you are looking for something totally unique for your invitations, you should look no further.

















Inner Beauty

I asked Kim to tell me a little about herself and Heirloom Occasions. Here is what she had to say:

















Love Tree

BA: How did you get started?

Kim: I began designing for private clients while I was an ART DIRECTOR for an agency in Bethlehem. I set up a web site and the business started flooding in from all around the country.

BA: What is your inspiration?

Kim: The Griffin and Sabine Love Trilogy. A fabulous series of 3 books that every romantic should read.

BA:What do you want brides to know about you?

Kim: That unlike other invitation designers, I will conceptualize with you to capture the true essence of you and your fiancé and why you are uniting. Then translate that into a beautiful design.

BA: Tell me about your business philosophy.

Kim: I enjoy working with clients who desire to design event ART that is interesting and thought provoking. I believe that is the core of a marriage and I incorporate well-thought-out concepts into all of my work.

BA: Tell me a little about your product:

Kim: Conceptual Event Art Packages in the form of invitations, programs, custom monograms, placecards, etc.

BA: What should a bride look for in an invitation company ?

Kim: She should always look for someone who understands her ideals. Someone who, through an interview, discover the love behind the upcoming marriage or event. And then choose your designer wisely. Try not to be scared off by the unrealistic fear of a high price tag. Instead, explore creative options with your designer, because, with their experience, they may have ideas you have never considered, and inexpensive ways of achieving them.

BA: Why should a bride choose your company?

Kim: Because I offer a highly conceptual experience for a fraction of the cost of the few other designer options available at this level.

BA: Describe one of your favorite weddings.

Kim: Intertwined, the wedding of Marisa and Corey. The wedding was this summer and I was honored to be chosen to design the invitation book and placecards. Interestingly my 2 daughters were asked to take part as flower girls, so that always makes it more special. But the setting was the gorgeous Brandywine Manor House and it couldn’t have been a more beautiful day. Sunflowers were the main attraction and the entire wedding book invitation, poetically described the couple, as a pair of sunflowers rising out of the earth,

Discovering their inner beauty and not being blinded by their outer beauty. You can read about it on my blog called INNER BEAUTY.

BA: Anything else you would like to talk about…

Kim: Enjoy every moment of your planning and share your unique story with your friends and family so that your marriage, and wedding day, will forever live in their minds as a wonderful memory.

If you would like more information about Kim and Heirloom Occasions, Contact her and let her know you found her here. She will be happy to discuss your wedding story and create an Heirloom just for you.

Metamorphosis

A LION IN BROOKLYN

Here is a great idea for an truly unique and personal wedding invitation! A Lion in the Sun is a new company in Brooklyn, New York that designs this amazing wedding stationary that puts a personal twist on your wedding stationary, with images of the places you live, fell in love, went on your first date or where he proposed. You can carry this theme through from your Save the Dates, to your table numbers. Start with a vintage postcard or a photo of your favorite places and then let your imagination take you and your guests on the journey to your wedding. Thanks to Connie and Jamie at Moderne Press for the heads up!

JEAN M CONTEST

Jean M is having another contest! They are looking to YOU to create a new and exciting invitation design. Here's a chance for you to use your creativity and win $1000! Below are all the details and the link to get your application. What a great way to help you with your wedding budget!! Good Luck to all of you!
















We're looking for creative, fresh, fantastic new invitation designs to be added to the Jean M line -- and we want your best ideas. If your invitation design is chosen, you'll win a cash prize up to $1,000 PLUS have your invitation featured in the Jean M product line. Designs will be posted to the Jean M blog where readers will select their favorites!

Top Design Prize: $1000 First Runner-Up Design Prize: $500 Second Runner-Up Design Prize: $250 All other designs selected will be purchased for $100 each.

Contest runs from July 15, 2009, through September 30, 2009. *Submit as many designs as you like*

Download our application today and start designing! Download Application and Contest Rules Good luck. We can't wait to see your designs! -- Jean Questions? Email: DesignerSearch@myjeanm.com

THINK FALL?

It's time to start thinking about your invitations for your fall wedding! So, Wedding Paper Divas has the perfect solution! These examples of wonderful products in all their Fall splendor are waiting for you at Wedding Paper Divas. So, stop over to their site and get busy!