Fab * Blog by InvitationConsultants.com

Fabulous Photo Friday

There is something special about getting inspiration from a photo. The photo does not move, yet somehow every time you look at it, you may see something different. Similar to a song, you can listen a thousand times and on the 1,001 first time realize there may be one little sound that you never knew existed. We carry photo wedding invitations, photo holiday cards, and photo thank you cards, because most people seem to love to display their family portraits, or maybe a photo of their pet. Either way, showcasing images is what these cards and invites do best.

At IC, we often draw inspiration from photos for our line of exclusive invitations. For this reason, I present to you Fabulous Photo Friday. Every Friday, check back here for a great image from a fabulous photographer.

Because I am lucky enough to compose this post, I am also lucky enough to feature one of my favorite photographers, Kellie of Kellie Day Photography. I met Kellie when she photographed my husband and I in a Trash the Dress shoot. We then got to work with her again when she photographed my brother's wedding. Pictured to the left is actually my niece, Sydney, the beautiful daughter of my brother and sister-in-law. I may be biased but that silhouette is the most precious thing I have ever seen. The color scheme in this photo could inspire a black and white wedding, the use of ribbons and bows, or a traditional celebration.

Check back in one week, when we'll be featuring another fabulous photo! 

Looking Forward to Folklore

Folklore is one of many many trends for the summer of 2009. I have been spotting it in design magazines, music and DIY projects. According to Phillip Fimanno of Trend Union, 2009 trends are grouped into 16 forms of expression. "A decade ago, It may have been six. All have a common theme, but the greater number shows our yearning for diversity." This is brilliant, and yet another reason I love Invitation Consultants. With over 8,000 invitations to offer, We have something for everyone. If you happen to be inspired by folklore like myself look for bright color, simplicity with layers and excellent craftsmanship. This folklore spread from the September issue of Country Home Magazine uses pops of acid yellow flowers for a modern update. Images: clockwise from the top left Country Home Magazine pgs 92 and 95. Cherished Cherry invitation.

How to Throw a Red Carpet Event: Without even really trying

Many people dream of walking the red carpet at a celebrity infused event. The glamour, the glitz, the power and the flashing cameras are all appealing, so why not recreate this event on your own terms. Throw a red carpet event....without even really trying. Add the red carpet flair to any birthday, bar or bat mitzvah, graduation party, corporate event or wedding. Tip 1: Buy a red carpet. I do not recommend the plastic ones they sell at a party supply store. I recommend a discount carpet warehouse that has any red rug. You can always have it cut to size. Or even check out a thrift store. The only requirements are: it is a real rug, it is red and it is clean. Tip 2: Hire high school or college students to play the role of photographer or paparazzi, however you choose to roll. Any cameras will do, as long as they have a flash. Tip 3: Find an invitation that has the red carpet glamour on it. Easy enough, we carry these. These red carpet gala invitations are sure to set the mood right from the time your guests open them. Tip 4: Have your invitation state what type of attire you desire. For a true glamourous evening, tell your guests to wear their bling, pinstripe suits or tuxedos, and evening gowns. Tip 5: The entrance is key. Have the guests drive up to the beginning of the red carpet, where a valet dressed in a suit will take their car (these can also be students). Hire an event planner or a family friend to escort each guest down the carpet, just as you see celebs escorted by their publicist. Set the tune, and as your guests walk down have a fabulous song like Fergie's Glamorous playing. At the end of the carpet greet them with a glass of champagne. Now all that is left to do is plan what is on the inside of the event. But it's all about first impressions, so start off the red carpet way! Invitation shown: The Red Carpet

Let’s Get Some Shoes…or Stationery!

Any woman can tell you that she doesn’t like shoes. But I think deep down we all know she is lying. It doesn’t take a girly-girl to have an appreciation for your favorite pair of shoes. Everyone has a pair of shoes that not only goes with every outfit, but has molded to the exact match of their toes. Lately it was pointed out to me that my shoe collection is so extensive that it would take me several weeks to wear every pair of my shoes…but yet I still buy them regularly (even when I don't have money for groceries). I know that I have a problem, this is nothing new. I had to hide new pairs of shoes from my father when I was young for fear of getting in trouble.

After some careful consideration, I think I finally figured out my shoe obsession. Favorite pairs of jeans are great too, but what happens when you have to do the famous “jeans dance” to get them on in the morning? This is never a proud moment. I have a stack of clothes from high school that I tell myself will fit me again…but alas it has been a solid six years of loneliness for those frocks. Yet I have some shoes that I have had since middle school. They still fit, and even if they are super old…I can’t seem to let them go...especially those Doc Martin combat boots that I threaten to bring back from time to time! No matter what day of the week, my shoes always fit me. Not only physically…but they fit my weird “sense of style.”

You may be wondering what this has to do with stationery, and I am here to tell you that the concept is actually the same (or at least it is in my mind). While trying to figure out which greeting card I should send to a friend a while back I realized that there isn’t a whole lot at the store anymore unless there is a holiday or a birthday being celebrated. So I decided that I would order some stationery. Not only was I able to find something that fits my quirky personality, but it seems to fit for every occasion that I want to send a note in the mail. Now the only problem is that my stationery collection is starting to resemble my shoe collection…

Featured stationery from left to right: Stationary Stripes, Tropical Turquoise and Contempo Crazed Pink.

Etiquette Flash!

Have you ever wondered when you are supposed to spell out the date or use numbers on an invitation? Here at IC we are constantly getting questions about this same issue. The key word here is consistency! If you are going to spell the date out, make sure that you spell out all numbers (without capitalizing them!):

Saturday, August thirtieth
two thousand eight
at two-thirty in the afternoon

If you would like the date to be numerical, then all numbers should be numerical as well:

Saturday, August 30th, 2008
at 2:30 p.m.

As a general rule of thumb formal invitations will spell out the numerical values, but the host can decide what is appropriate for their shindig!

We Rank on INC. 5000

Invitation Consultants, Inc. is ecstatic to be part of the big players circle as we rank on the Inc. 5000 annual list of companies that they choose. We rank number 1,261 overall and rank number 66 on the Top 100 Consumer Product Companies list. Read our listing on Inc. 5000!

Inspiring Mondays: From A to Baby

This post is brought to you by the letter 'R' & the number '4'!*

When I wake up on a Monday morning, I'm usually excited but I often need a little bit of inspiration to get me going. The weekend means freedom and spontaneity. For me, there's no alarm clock involved and no rules. Yet, somehow I look forward to going to work on Monday a.m. Maybe it's because IC is awesome (I'm a little biased), or maybe it's because I am able to find motivation in little details. When planning an event, the little details are truly what matter. Think about food for example, a pizza may be easy (and yummy!) but what about a themed meal? Invitations sing the same tune. A piece of white paper with black type can be an invitation if it includes the right information, but what about adding some style? Which brings me to Inspiring Mondays.

On Inspiring Mondays, I hope to bring you the best photos, blog posts, and articles from around the web and tell you how you can use these elements in your event. Start here, with an Alphabet Themed Baby Shower, from Hostess with the Mostess. To draw this theme in baby shower invitations, choose an invitation that emphasizes type, like this unique purple invitation. Typography creates an interesting juxtaposition, especially when it is bright and colorful like this fabulous baby shower invitation. If you know the gender of the baby, you can play with the words boy and girl in interesting fonts and colors like this baby pink shower invitation and this baby blue one.

Sooner than you expect, the new baby will be learning their ABC's so why not start early with an ode to the alphabet?

*A reference to my favorite childhood Saturday morning show, Sesame Street!*

Which Bachelor May Need Wedding Invitations?

Reality tv news broke that the new Bachelor on ABC in January will be Jason Mesnick. He was one of the last two men standing after the several week courtship of DeAnna Pappas. Second time around on the show could very well be a charm. So we will be watching just in case Jason needs wedding invitations. Many of the girls at the Invitation Consultants' office are huge fans of his! Good luck Jason!

Swimming is Cool (Again): So Have a Cool Pool Party

Swimming, once thought to be a dying sport has been resuscitated by Michael Phelps. If you don't know who Michael Phelps is you either a) live under a rock, b) don't have a tv or 3) are living in isolation on a reality tv show like Big Brother.

Phelps is 23 and is a phenomenon. He is synonymous with pool and cool. Everyone wants to go swimming again! So in the spirit of Michael Phelps and the revival of swimming not only as a sport, but as a party theme, I am inspired to have an end of the summer pool party!

The Ambiance
Before the party hang paper lanterns across the pool (may not be possible for all patios). When your guests' arrive greet them with gift bags (clear ones to mimic pool bags) with small bottles or sunscreen, inexpensive flip flops, and a beach towel that coordinates with your party colors. You can also include playful pool toys in the bag. Don't forget to greet them with great music and keep it flowing all night. This isn't a beach party, so you don't need reggae if you do not want. Keep the vibe about summer. There are so many summer hits out there with the word summer. Search itunes and create a mix for the evening.

In the Pool
Whenever I throw a party it needs to be a bit trendy, so I am going to throw an early evening swimming party, that will culminate in a barbecue at sundown. Luckily our pool is screened in, so there is no worry of mosquitoes. Some people choose to relax in the pool and floaties and rafts are good for them, but I would rather play pool volleyball, so I will have to find a net for the event. Tip: the best floating loungechairs have drink holders. Once the net come downs, do relay races to mimic the olympics and give out homemade medals. Kick your guests' competitive spirit in gear!

The Food
Consider different foods at your water inspired affair rather than the typical hot dogs and hamburgers. I recommend turkey burgers on whole grain baguettes, vegetarian skewers, and barbecue portabello mushroom sandwiches on rosemary focaccia. Also serve fun frozen drinks like frozen lemonade, ice tea and even frozen cappuccinos. Make life easy and serve on disposable dishes; and do find ones that are chic. Good summer colors are fuchsia, lime, aqua and orange. Even coordinate your drink your straws.

After the Sun Goes Down
After sundown create ambiance by drawing on the one thing that brought you all together the pool, Place floating candles in coordinating bright colors in the pool. Have enough chaise lounges and lawn chairs on hand for everyone on hand to gather by the pool and watch the stars.

Pool parties are casual so you only have to invite your guests with cool pool themed invitations 3 weeks before the event.

A big thanks to Michael Phelps for bringing the cool back in pool!

Photos and Invitations: msnbcmedia.msn.com, Shutterstock, Crystal Clear and Splash.

Fashion me a Button Bouquet!

Love the bouquet but hate the way it makes you say "heh-choooooo?" Being allergic to the sweet smell of flowers isn’t uncommon.  What is a bride to do about this daisy dilemma? Silk flowers have been done before, but what if you could have something unique to tote down the aisle? Check out these amazing hand-made button bouquets one bride is making quite the stir with.

Check out IC's unique flower invitations