Wedding Wednesdays: Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Stationery.
Last Week's Wedding Wednesdays Poll Results
How Many Nightmares Should A Bride Expect to have before the wedding? There was a two-way tie between "One a week" and "3" at 40 %each. LOL Well, its been a week now and I haven't had another one but there's still plenty of time for me to meet that 3 quota. 20% of voters said "2." And "9" and "17" received no votes. I can admit I picked those numbers at random and 17 is a bit outlandish, but hey, you never know, lol.
Which Wedding Trend is Cara Naan Most Likely to Follow?40% of voters said chose "Unplugged. No Social Media Please!!" And there was a three-way tie between Small Wedding Invitation, Seasonal Cake Flavor, and a POP of Color in the Color Palette at 20% of the vote each. The other options (Candle centerpieces, jewel neckline, raw bar, and on-line) received no votes.
Those who chose "Unplugged" know me well. As much as I love sharing my life with others and as much as I fully intend to share aspects of that day through this very blog, I want our wedding day to be a day where everyone present is exactly that: present in the moment; not simply documenting the moment using social media. We also do have that trending POP of color but it was purely by chance, that was the color we wanted and it so happens to be BOLD.
Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Stationery.
From the outset of all this wedding planning Danny and I decided that we wanted to plan together and do it our way (in a manner which reflected us well). Of course, as mentioned in previous posts, there are many ways to do this. However, it is my personal and general opinion that couples tend to overlook and care only to a small extent about their choice in wedding stationery. As long as it fits the theme/style of your wedding and you like the font well enough why not move on? Our thinking (Danny and I) was why not take control of the design process once presented with that option? And we were presented with that option! :-) More on that presenter below.
Nowadays people are finding all kinds of creative ways to announce their Wedding Day - Here's one our option presenter loved:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvM0loQ19oQ]
Sweet right? Of course there's more to wedding stationery than just announcing the wedding and inviting people...
What's Included in Wedding Stationery Packages?
Save the Date Cards - That's the part of the planning that we're currently working on now. They are simply cards sent out in advance informing guests that the couple is getting married on a particular date.
Wedding Invitations and Announcements - This is the official written invitation and announcement of the wedding and it conveys the basic details as far as time and location of the ceremony and reception.
Reception and Response Cards- If the location for the reception is different from that of the ceremony couples may choose to include a separate card with information about and directions to the reception. Response cards are for guests to RSVP and include the date by which guests must reply.
Additional Invitation Enclosures - This can be anything from dress code information to accommodation information, wedding website and gift registry. Some couples choose to send wedding website and gift registry information with the Save the Date cards rather than the invitation. It depends on the couple.
Wedding Program- Usually includes order of the ceremony and any details about the music, wedding party, and/or readings and prayers that the couple wants to share.
Reception Stationery: Escort, Place, and Menu Cards - The difference between an escort card and a place card is that a place card is Placed at the seat of the guest, whereas an escort card is typically found at a table near the entrance of the reception and directs guests to their table. A menu card simply details the courses to be served.
Thank You Cards- When the Big Day is finally over and you want to thank your guests for coming this is typically the way to go.
There's a lot you can do with each of these items and that's what makes them important to the overall wedding. Not only are you providing pertinent information, you also have the opportunity to communicate your personality as a couple, set the tone of your wedding, and create anticipation and excitement (especially with the Save the Date cards and Invitations)!
MEET OUR DESIGNER
To be honest, we (Danny and I) might not have gone the extra mile with our stationery if it wasn't for my good friend and graphic designer Yohanna Reis.
I met Yohanna in high school. We've both forgotten the details of how we met but the important thing is somehow I ended up tutoring her in Chemistry! (Yes, I tutored someone in science! It's almost laughable now) LOL. In any case we were out of touch for a few years though not too far apart as we were Facebook friends.
Yohanna and I got back in contact just before I got engaged and the rest is history really! LOL. No, okay so when Danny and I got engaged Yohanna was thrilled and when most people were asking if we set a date Yohanna asked what are plans were for stationery.LOL That's the graphic design artist in her. And I love her for it :-)
She actually came to visit a couple weeks ago, it was an all-too-short visit but we had a blast.
In any case she told us she would love to help us come up with a custom wedding stationery package and we loved the idea of the personalization and design control that would afford us.
Her work is phenomenally stupendous! And I'm not even exaggerating here. She does everything from logos to websites. She's in high demand and rightfully so her work is great! Not only that but as any true artist she works hard to refine her skills, she actually starts a graduate program in Graphic Design this fall. I'm so proud of her! Not only is she beautiful, brilliant, and talented, she also loves Jesus! She's young, gifted, and Afro-Brasileira (Black, and originally from Brazil).
The first thing Yohanna helped Danny and I with was creating a logo that we would use on all our stationery. It's perfect! Guess what it is? No really, guess by voting.
[polldaddy poll=8065998]
I'm excited to reveal it but I probably have to wait until the Save-The-Dates go out. And according to wedding planning timelines I'm a little behind with that but my bridezilla excuse is that most of the important people know. LOL.
For more on Yohanna and to view samples of her work check out her website yohannareis.com!
Remember when it comes to matters of the paper it's stationery not stationary, there's a difference :winks atchu:
Here's to you...and to our awesome artist Yohanna! Cheers!
Signed your fellow pilgrim who is anything but stationary,
-CN