Our new Save the Date magnets are clean and are designed with a modern aesthetic. By showcasing your photographs in creative ways, the designs will stir quite the buzz about your wedding when your guests receive them. With completely customizable color schemes and interesting typography, any fridge or bulletin would feel dressed up with these magnets stuck to them.
We like to say that these are the perfect way for you to stay on people's minds! Happy customizing!
Every bride wants to have change leftover in her pocket after the big day, right? I did. It's easy to get carried away when shopping for your wedding. Everything seems so necessary, so essential. It's important to keep in mind where your budget is and how to maintain it. There's books written on the topic and so many resources for brides on a budget. Here are some of my favorites:
The Budget Savvy Bride: This blog is written by Jessica, a former bride, and features real weddings with wallet friendly details. Some brides even provide a breakdown of their budget which is helpful when you need real world numbers, especially at the beginning of your planning.
Broke Ass Bride: The title is so kitschy cute, and this blog offers so much more in addition to it's funny perspective. Dana and her team blog about making the most of what you have and they provide practical advice that cannot be beat.
Affordable Wedding Invitations : This is our selection of affordable wedding invitations. We did some research into what our customers think of as affordable. Opinions varied drastically, but we were able to determine that invitations that are less than $1.50 per card is generally budget friendly. Some are even as low as $0.77 each. These are all personalized and include the printing. Not too shabby. But, we're always listening, so let us know what you think of as budget friendly!
OnceWed: This online boutique features used wedding dresses from various designers-- even couture -- as well as a boutique of saja gowns, all under $1,200. The gowns are beautiful and the blog is chock full of inspiration.
What are your favorite budget friendly resources? I would love to hear!
Hello blog readers and fashionistas alike. I have been pouring over images of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, which has been kicked into high gear with the most creative and fabulous designs. Though the designers are debuting their collections for Spring 2011, many of their creations are well suited for every season. Because we have been focusing on fall wedding inspiration, and will even start to touch on winter weddings soon, I thought this Jenny Packham gown was superb for any time of the year. Grey, a classic color, is this season's most popular neutral. Add a touch of femininity with light pink accents and beading and you've got a stunning look jam-packed with glam for any wedding or special event.
Like I said, grey seems to be the "it" hue for all seasons. Whether you pair it with yellow, or keep it monotone with black and white, it is perfectly modern and perfectly vintage all at the same time. Our favorite grey wedding invitation is Midnight Antoinette. It's shimmering grey design is perfect for an enchanted evening. Keep the modernity flowing with an eye-catching cake. This one is dimensional with a simple shaded design. If you're looking to incorporate grey into your home, or need a stunning ring cushion, you might enjoy this lovely textural pillow. Another fabulous accessory is this pink vintage typewriter. It is the perfect compliment to a grey scheme and is delightfully charming for a centerpiece or accessory to your desk. Finally, we were most inspired by this DIY wedding. It was homespun, delicate and had many thrifty details. Our favorite photo of the night was this illuminated black & white shot. It adds a touch of glam to this outdoorsy scene.
...and don't forget to glance at all of the collections from Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and see which one inspires you!
Planning a colorful, modern or unique event? Let us help you find the perfect wedding invitation! You'll also find invitations for any party or occasion!
Thank Goodness It's Friday! It's going to be a fabulous day at
work, my husband is coming to have lunch with me today (I think),
and I'll be seeing Sex and the City 2 tonight. I'd say it's
going to be a joyous kick-off to a long weekend. To evoke my happiness,
I've put together a colorful inspiration board influenced by
sunshine and cheerful colors. These hues are perfect for a wedding,
party,
or simply adding pops of color to your home and/or workspace.
Images from Left to Right: Colorful Pinwheels via Always a Blogsmaid, Gorgeous Chair via Grey Likes Weddings, Vintage Trailer via Green Wedding Shoes, Colorful DIY Centerpiece via Intimate Weddings, Bow Tie Napkin via Dog n' Bird and Preston Bailey's Cool Aqua Blues invitation via Invitation Consultants.
{Colorful Inspirations} Is a collection of color
boards inspired by invitations and designed to enliven your event, your
style, or even to just brighten your day. Have a color or an image that
really inspires you? Let us know, and leave a comment!
Planning a colorful, modern or unique event? Let us help you find the perfect wedding invitation! You'll also find invitations for any party or occasion!
Weddings can be immensely fun! With this momentous occasion comes many other reasons to celebrate and a fabulous way to show a bride-to-be how much you care is to shower her with...a shower! All of our bridal and baby shower invitations are on sale right now, so my mind started wandering to the endless amounts of themes out there. A few weeks ago, I blogged about Around the House showers, which are oh-so-fun and very practical for newlyweds, but then I got to thinking about the maybe not-so-practical, but still very amusing themes. My favorite idea for summer (and really for all seasons) is a Destination Travel Themed Bridal Shower!
Whether you theme it towards the bride and groom's honeymoon destination or towards the city they first met, these bridal showers can be chock-full of worldly creativity. Start with a boarding pass save the date or invitation like Jet Setter or one that is unique to your locale (like this Destination Hawaii invite). This will cue your guests that it's a themed party so make sure they dress the part! Or provide fun accessories for guests to wear such as berets if you're journeying to Paris or funky beaded jewelry for an African soiree.
There are endless amounts of ways to theme your travel themed party-space.
And remember, guests might need hints as to what to gift the couple. We suggest digital videos and camcorders, bathing suits, sunscreen, books and magazines, journals, luggage/backpacks, and iPods. Some couples have honeymoon registries where you can contribute to an excursion that they'd like to take while vacationing. The possibilities are endless, and these types of items can sometimes be after-thoughts for a couple while they are stressfully planning their nuptials. Help pack their bags as they embark on their journey!
Where will you be honeymooning? Leave your thoughts below! And don't forget to shop our Shower Sale!
Planning a colorful, modern or unique event? Let us help you find the perfect wedding invitation! You'll also find invitations for any party or occasion!
Hello all! One of my favorite ideas for a bridal shower is to theme it for "Around the House." Start with a fabulous invitation such as Pink Decor and let your wording cue the guests for what to buy (for example, leave a blank space to hand write which room you are designating for each guest). This makes it easy on buyers who are stumped on what to shower the bride with! Below are some of my top picks that are hot for summer (and all year round)!
The Office | Don't you just love these bookends? The wood grain is such a fabulous neutral for all your colorful book covers to shine and the symbols modernize a classic idea.
The Living Room | I have one of these handcrafted lacquered trays at my house and I absolutely love it. Sometimes I use it to hold magazines or I'll change it up and artfully display vases and knick-knacks. Perfect for any coffee or side table.
The Back Yard | Luckily I'm in Florida so I can enjoy a hammock year round, but I'm sure anyone who is cold 6-9 months out of the year can appreciate this 'Tranquil Paradise' hammock. It will definitely make you feel like you're vacationing in the tropics.
The Kitchen | As Anthropologie puts it, 'keep your hands cool and your kitchen stylish' with these colorful potholders.
The Dining Room | While fine china is a lovely collection to have, you will definitely get more wear out of your casual dinnerware. Be sure to register for something you won't tire of. Brightly colored Fiesta dinnerware is never boring.
The Game Room | Whether you have a so-called "Man Room" or maybe it's just a den, a little board game action is always a crowd pleaser! Stock your cabinet with lots of fun favorites (we've picked 80's Scene It)!
Your Reading Nook | Ok, so it's not an actual room, but this can be someone's favorite space of their home! Cozy up with a blanket and read your latest favorite with this table lamp. It's dramatic and will give you the ambient light that you're looking for.
The Bedroom | Don't just settle on classic white. This botanical option will add colorful flair to your haven. If you must get a white sheet set, be sure to register for bamboo. They are sustainable and so, so soft (that's what we got and we absolutely LOVE them).
The Bathroom | If you have a neutral backdrop, this patterned shower curtain will make a bold statement!
The Utility Room | Perhaps it is your laundry room, your garage, or a separate entity altogether. Some must-haves are your Rowenta iron and your hand-held vacuum. They are the chores that no one really loves, so you might as well register for ones that are at least fun to look at (and functional of course).
So there we have it! My top summer picks to buy for the bride if you're hosting an Around the House shower. It truly is the most practical and can be cutely decorated, as well.
What type of bridal shower will you be throwing next? Leave your thoughts below!
Planning a colorful, modern or unique event? Let us help you find the perfect wedding invitation! You'll also find invitations for any party or occasion!
It's April Fools day and this wedding is no joke! It's adorable....simply adorable. This is the perfect way to describe Liz and Rich's La Jolla wedding. Filled with sweets, pastels, and objects that will take you "Up, Up and Away" (the theme of their wedding), Liz achieved the perfect amount of whimsy for her special day. You might remember Liz as our first Fab*Bride-To-Be and now she has entered the world of wedded bliss as a Fab*Bride! Her photographers over at he and she photography had nothing but nice things to say, of course:
"Liz & Rich’s wedding was truly fabulous! Their creative spark could be seen in every detail of their wedding. Their “up, up and away” theme came together beautifully, complete with a hot air balloon piñata and cookies to match! The perfect environment, along with the perfect couple, made for the perfect wedding! Liz was a delight to photograph. A beautiful, bubbling bride is every photographers dream, and Liz was a definite joy! She stole the show – when saying her vows, she didn’t simply say, “I do,” she exclaimed, “Absolutely!” A true sign of a beautiful bride is her ability to put the day’s stress behind her and be totally enveloped in the love for her new husband… and Liz was simply smitten. This certainly isn’t to suggest that Liz neglected her guests or even her photographers – she was a doting host. She made sure everyone was having a blast! We are so sad that the wedding is over, but feel so blessed to have become friends with such a beautiful couple. We are so excited for the new journey Liz & Rich are embarking on, and we know for certain that they will go “up, up and away!”
We've changed it up this time around. We'll start with five questions and move into an adorable little survey. Meet Liz (again!):
Lots of emotions run through your mind the week, the day, the morning of, and right before you get married. Tell us about how you were feeling in those final moments leading up to your big day through the moment you said your I Do’s. From the looks of the photos, you seem so carefree and not nervous at all, but was there a tiny twinge of anxiety? =) Gosh, I think my mind was working overtime the week before the wedding! I really started feeling the pressure of getting all the little last minute things done! I only had two days off from work before the wedding, and a lot of that time was filled up with family activities and appointments... so I was running around like a crazy person trying to get everything accomplished! But it was all so worth it; everything came together perfectly! The day before and day of the wedding, I just let myself really experience everything around me--I just had to stop thinking about "how" and start thinking about "now!" It was such an exhilarating feeling being surrounded by all your family and friends at one time, everyone so excited and filled with such joy! The moments before I walked into the ceremony were very intense, I honestly thought for a second I might faint! I was just so overwhelmed and excited and couldn't believe everything was actually happening! But the moment I saw Rich at the end of the aisle, I couldn't stop smiling (and then crying--which I totally didn't think I would!)... it was so surreal!
Now that all of the elements have come together and have been photographed so seamlessly, what was/were your favorite detail(s) of the wedding? Your day was chock-full-of-charm, so I’m sure you have lots of favorites! Ummm everything!! It's so hard to choose because there were so many little details that made a huge impact! I absolutely loved our DIY fabric pennant flags hanging everywhere--they were so perfect! And the dessert table turned out amazing-- I loved all the different platters and stands we had...Carter and Cook did such a fabulous job setting everything up! Walking around the reception, the one thing I loved seeing was everyone enjoying a yummy bottle of "POP!" We had a soda bar with lots of fun bottled soda and cute drinking straws -- and everyone went for it!
If you could label a song as the theme for your wedding, which would you choose? We actually think the perfect song for the day is Good Life by OneRepublic! A few days before the wedding we were driving in Rich's car talking excitedly about the wedding and our new life together and this song was playing... and it just spoke to our situation and totally amplified the excited feelings we were already having! We started singing to the song and said "We have got to make sure this song is ready to play when we drive away from the reception!" Of course, that was the last thing on our minds at the time, but driving away we were definitely saying "This is the good life!"
Continue reading "{Fab*Bride} A Bridal Spotlight on Liz! " »
An etiquette query that we have run into a few times is the issue of how to tell your guests that you do not want gifts - but would prefer money. This is an incredibly difficult question to answer and there is a significant chance of offending your guests (particularly those from older generations).
None-the-less, we are in a recession and some newlyweds (or even those celebrating birthdays) would prefer to build their nest egg than their cutlery collection. As a frequent wedding guest (it's that time in my life I guess!), I have taken both the gift and the gift card route. Personally, I prefer giving a gift card or certificate over a check or cash - but there isn't really much of a difference when you get down to it.
Regardless of how you will word this request, there is one stipulation. Do not put this on your invitation. Wedding invitations are a keepsake for many of your guests and the last thing they want to be reminded of is your request for cash. Save details like gift registries, attire suggestions and transportation arrangements for your reception cards and keep the invitation light!
There are a few options for getting around the "We want money" issue:
Don't Register!
By not registering, you're doing two things. First, you're allowing your guests to get creative with their gift-giving (which many will love). Second, you are basically tricking your more lazy un-inspired male busy guests into going the cash/check/gift card route. Choosing gifts can be difficult sometimes (hence the creation of the registry), so money is an easy alternative if you don't provide your guests with a wish list.
Get Cute!
If you're willing to be open with the issue, there are a number of things you can say. If you're already established and living together before the wedding (as some couples are), you could say something like "The Bride and Groom have built a happy home together. They do not need anything other than your presence, but they would love a honeymoon!"
Remember, it's going to be tough, if not impossible, to please everyone attending your wedding. Consider carefully if your need for cash in lieu of gifts is important enough to open up this can of worms. But, if it is - take our advice! That's what we're here for!
Have you been in this situation, or been to an event where the hosts were asking for cash? How did you handle it?
Do you have etiquette questions? Tweet us @fabulousinvites!
Items Shown:
Happy Thursday! I'm happy to announce this week's Fab*Bride. Her name is Kristin and she is a photographer herself. Her associate, Adam Barnes of Adam Barnes Fine Art Photography, nominated Kristin as this week's feature. We are elated that he did because the photos are stunning! He knows Kristin on a much more personal basis, but was able to say that...
"Kristin was able to infuse color and style into a timeless evening wedding. A naturally chic bride, Kristin's personal style flowed effortlessly into every corner of her event. Her eye for detail and beauty was clear from the beginning of the outdoor ceremony to the final exit. Working with Kristin was a photographers dream, she carried herself with such poise and made time for every detail."
Let's meet Kristin, our very knowledgeable Fab*Bride!
Lots of women ask themselves…"I’m engaged – now what?" What was the first decision that you made after you got engaged? What were priorities for you to get done a little bit early? The first big decision for me was picking a date! I quickly learned how many factors played into that decision. I had 3 and a half months to plan my wedding because we got engaged in June and I knew I wanted a fall wedding! The location and photography were on the top of my priorities to lock in place. I chose to get married on a Sunday, primarily because that offered me the most flexibility with my vendors. I have found that non-Saturday weddings are quickly becoming more popular because of that. I quickly secured a spot with Oak Ridge Estate in Arrington, VA as my ceremony and reception site. This location perfectly fit my desire for a gorgeous outdoor setting in the fall. As for the photography, I am so blessed because I work with an amazing photographer in Lynchburg, Adam Barnes. I knew ahead of time that I wanted him to be the one to capture my day on film. I am not ashamed to say that the final decision on nailing down the date was based upon when he was available! All of my family lives in Texas, so coordinating a day that would work for them to be in Virginia was important as well. Again, I had very little time for planning, so it was important to me to get my list checked off quickly! Looking back, I am so grateful that I was not engaged for an extended period of time because the planning process can take its toll!
Describe one of your happiest moments with your husband before your wedding day. Now that you’ve tied the knot, share a happy moment you’ve had during wedded bliss? It may sound cliche, but one of our happiest moments together before the wedding was the night before at the rehearsal dinner. All of the work was done, nothing else needed planning and we could just focus on being together. We were surrounded by family and friends who loved us and regaled us with stories about their own marriages and how much they loved us together! It was truly one of the most joyful experiences we have shared. Now that we are married, one of the happiest moments we've had was in December when we found out we were pregnant! The timing is wonderful and has been such a great bonding experience. We are expecting a little bundle of joy in August!
Your wedding dress is has a natural elegance to it, as does your veil – tell us about your search for the perfect dress for you? How did you go about accessorizing to finalize your look? My personality is one that I know what I like when I see it and I am hard pressed to find something else that will suffice! Honestly, the task of finding a wedding dress was a daunting one for me. I knew when I began the search that I wanted something very feminine but classic. Something that would remain timeless in my photos. Simplicity is also very important to me. Trying on dresses was so much fun! I learned that even if you have an image of the perfect dress in your head, you should try on styles that you wouldn't normally see yourself in because they all look so different when you put them on. It just so happened that on the day of my appointment to try on dresses, at the first and only store i went to, they were having a sample sale! I didn't go into the process expecting to find a sample that I liked, but because I was so pressed for time, I knew that finding something straight from the rack would make the process so much easier. Instead of having the dress custom made, I could simply have a sample tailored after a few fittings.
Continue reading "{Fab*Bride} A Bridal Spotlight on Kristin!" »
