Wedding Blog

I sent out a query earlier in the week to find some interesting wedding ideas from all around the country. I received an overwhelming response. Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing some of those items with you. Some are eco-friendly, some are money-savers and some are just cool. Today, I have something that is just cool to share with you.

Melissa Dinwiddie is an artist who creates custom wedding invitations, Ketubahs (Jewish marriage contracts) and Quaker wedding certificates… Actually, if its on paper, Melissa can create something extraordinary. Enjoy the photos of her work below!

I love this set of invitations with matching Ketubah. It would match beautifully with a peacock-themed wedding.

This is another example of a matching wedding invitation/Ketubah ensemble. Absolutely stunning.

Melissa gets her inspriation from by historical design (Arts & Crafts Movement, Art Nouveau), and lately she has been inspired by the calligraphic watercolors of Adolf Bernd.

Melissa meets with clients who want custom work, so they can design together. For couples who aren’t local to her studio in San Fransisco, Melissa works with them via fax and email. Custom designs can be expensive ($1000.00 and up), but fear not, she created a line of prints, which are printed with archival inks on the same watercolor paper she uses for her custom art, but much more affordable.

The new trend Melissa is seeing is to use Quaker marriage certificates in lieu of a guest book. She uses one of her beautiful designs and leaves space for guests to sign.

If you have any ideas or comments about wedding invitation ensembles, Ketubahs or Quaker marriage certificates, I want to hear about it. Post a message for me here or email me at susan.southerland(at)pwg.com.

Your partner in perfect planning,

Susan

One of my favorite graphic artists, Amy Morelli from the 2u Collection sent me this stunning ensemble that she created for a friend’s wedding. The groom was British, so the couple wanted to have an English garden theme. Amy was instrumental in creating that ambiance. I know you will enjoy the photos!

I love the way everything flows together from save-the-date to table numbers.

Check out the little paper birds. They were placed in potted plants around the garden.

If you have questions on this or any other wedding related topic, please post for me here or send me an email to susan.southerland(at)pwg.com. Also become a fan on Facebook by clicking here and follow me on Twitter by clicking here.

Your partner in perfect planning,

Susan

Happy Monday everyone! Please remember that postage rates have increased to $0.44 for first class mail. That would be the postage for your reply envelope. Before you purchase postage for your outer envelope, put the invitation together with all of its enclosures and take it to the post office for them to weigh. I have had some surprises over the years when an invitation was a bit heavier than expected. You don’t want your invitations to be returned, or even worse, sent to your guests postage due!

If you have any questions or comments regarding this post or any other wedding-related topics, please post them here or email me at susan.southerland@pwg.com.

Your partner in perfect planning,

Susan

Weddings have changed so much over the last decade. Ceremonies are as likely to be on a beach or garden as they are in a church or synagogue. Wedding receptions may be a formal affair in a ballroom or a picnic in the park. How do you tell your guests what to wear? Its all about the invitation.

Invitations should set the tone for the event. The look itself gives lets the guests know what they have to look forward to for the evening. So when selecting your invitation, consider what impression your guests will have when they open the envelope. The traditional, engraved invitation should be used for a formal wedding, not for a barefoot ceremony on the beach.

If you are concerned that the look of the invitation is too subtle a hint, consider putting your fashion requirements right on the invitation.

• Black tie invited or black tie optional is a cue to your guests that the men should be in a tuxedo or dark suite, and the ladies should wear evening gown or formal dress.
• Semi Formal indicates that the men should be in a suit or jacket and the ladies should be in an elegant dress or dressy suit.
• Cocktail Attire indicates that the men should wear a dark suit and the ladies a pretty cocktail dress.
• Casual Attire indicates that the men should wear nice pants and a collared shirt and the ladies may wear a simple dress or nice pants.

In addition to the above, I usually suggest giving more information if your wedding is taking place in the sand or in the grass, both of which can reek havoc on shoes, consider adding: We will be celebrating on the beach so be prepared to feel the sand in your toes, or Dinner and dancing will take place in the garden under the stars and in the grass. These are both clever ways to warn your guests to stay away from stilettos and ultra-expensive shoes.

Please remember that no matter how clearly you spell out exactly what you want your guests to wear, you will have some that will show up inappropriately dressed. My best advice is to forget it! Relax and enjoy your wedding day and ignore the couple in jeans.

If you want more information on wording your invitation click here. If you have questions or comments on invitations or anything relating to your wedding, post a comment here or email me at susan.southerland@pwg.com.

Happy Planning!