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18 Apr |
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10:04 pm Posted by Kristy |
There are many influences to help you decide on a wedding invitation design. One of them is the venue where your wedding and reception will take place. Summertime is the high season for outdoor weddings, making the beauty of these venues an obvious inspiration for many invitation designs. But indoor venues can lead you towards a particular style as well. Pay attention to specific characteristics that create an atmosphere and ambiance of your location, and then look for them when shopping for your unique wedding invitation.
Wedding Invitation Designs Inspired by Popular Venues
Agricultural
A winery, farm, ranch, or another outdoor venue in the country brings organic, natural and atmospheric imagery to mind.Earthy shades of green, blue and brown are an obvious choice, but so are the vibrant hues from flowers like poppies, tulips and roses. Go for a design with flowers, fruits, vines and other elements found in nature rather than geometric or repetitive patterns.
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 Fields by Vita Mechachonis |
Seaside
A yacht club, coastal inn, or beach resort are attractive venues because of their proximity to the sea. So if you’re planning a seaside wedding, look for imagery that evokes that fresh, free feeling of being near the ocean. You can be subtle–using color as inspiration–or more literal, using thematic elements like those seen in the examples here:
 Nautical Inspired Wedding by Charla Weaver |
 sea. sand. love. by Suzanne Cahill |
Hotel
Refined. Polished. Swanky. A wedding that takes place in the halls of a four-star hotel calls for a clean, classic style. You can go with a more traditional style through a luxurious yet simple design, or showcase some more modern flair.
 Eleganza by Lauren DiColli Hooke |
 Lux Reverse by Yana Beylinson |
Think through the feelings that your wedding location brings out in you. Remember also to consider the regional characteristics that surround your venue, as well as the season in which your wedding will occur. Whatever style you decide on, your wedding invitations will set the tone for your special day.
Once you determine your wedding invitation design style, you can start by sending out your save the date cards in the coordinating design that ties together all the components in your wedding invitation suite. Don’t miss out on the chance to win $500 towards your complete wedding invitation suite by entering LookLoveSend’s monthly wedding invitation sweepstakes!
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17 Apr |
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10:51 pm Posted by Kristy |
Do you make a beeline for the guestbook at weddings? Did you ever read your own wedding guest book? If given a do-over, I would have a guestbook that goes beyond blank, lined pages that stare back at my guests, challenging them to be interesting and original. Many of us just can’t come up witty on the spot. We end up just signing our names in the same spirit as “I was here” only it’s on nice paper instead of the bathroom wall. Harsh, I know.
So after some easy searching online, here are a few ideas you could use at your own wedding to improve upon the traditional guestbook concept. Each of these ideas gets guests involved and results in something more interesting or useful:
Thumbprint Art
We’ve blogged about a Thumbprint Tree previously, but we’ve since seen a variety of other thumbprint art for guests. One popular use of thumbprints is as balloons–one version lifts that house from the movie Up, and another version lifts the “Just Married” car. A second and more involved idea is for guests to turn their thumbprint into a self-portrait by penning a few details–glasses, a mustache, shoes or a handbag.
Postcards
Gather up as many local postcards as you can for guests to write a brief note on and sign. Then have someone mail them to you throughout your first year of marriage. To help manage the expense and effort of this, stamp your postcards and divide them among your bridal party and close family members. It’s a great way to extend your enjoyment of your special day, especially if the location was particularly beautiful.
Birthday Calendar
Put out a blank calendar for guests to sign either on their birthday or, alternatively, for couples, their wedding anniversary. While you might not send a card to every guest, won’t it be handy to have when you need to remember special days of your new in-laws? This is also a thoughtful gesture that tells your guests you will think of them on their special day!
If you also want a unique wedding invitation, shop the collection of complete wedding invitation suites at www.looklovesend.com. Choose a wedding invitation design from hundreds of styles, personalize your unique wedding invitation with a photo, text and additional options. Enjoy free shipping when you order 50 or more. You can also enter the monthly wedding sweepstakes for a chance to win $500 towards your wedding stationery.
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16 Apr |
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10:34 pm Posted by Kristy |
If sending out birthday party invitations just doesn’t feel personal enough, start a tradition that does. You may find deeper meaning in marking the moment in one of the following ways:
Front Door Portrait
Each year, take a picture of your birthday boy or girl by your front door. I saw a moving collage consisting of forty years of a girl standing with her father in front of their door. The changes are slight from year to year and fun to study, but moving when you consider them a decade at a time. It doesn’t really matter if your front door changes over the years; the symbolic nod to transition works well. You could do it anywhere that suits you, however, just be consistent from year to year.
Birthday Chair Interview
Video a candid one-on-one interview with your birthday child. You can play both the interviewer and film-maker for one perspective. Or for another perspective, do your interview while someone else films. Be ready with the same questions each year to see how the answers change. Good topics to ask about could include questions about friends, favorite toys, activities and aspirations. Try these questions for your interview:
- What will you get to do now that you are x years old?
- What was the most fun thing that happened this past year?
- What would you like to do (or be) when you grow up?
Walk Down Memory Lane
Children adore seeing pictures of themselves. Get your child’s baby book out to read together. Sit down as a family to watch videos or view photos from their baby years. This is a great reason to dust off old footage you may not have reason to pull out, and it’s also great fun to do as a family, knowing everyone will get their turn (including mom and dad!).
All of these ideas are perfect photo-ops to add to the usual birthday party action. If you’re just getting started now with birthday party planning, find birthday party invitations unique enough for your child’s celebration at www.LookLoveSend.com. You can customize birthday party invitations online using easy tools to personalize them with a photo and your own text. You’ll find coordinating thank you note cards for many designs, and you can count on premium quality paper for all your invitations and cards.
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15 Apr |
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5:11 pm Posted by Nicola |
With the upcoming season of graduations and First Communion celebrations, many families are busy planning family get-togethers for after the celebration. As the logistics are added to graduation party invitations and First Communion announcements, one of the biggest dilemmas is always whether to direct guests to a restaurant or back to the house after the ceremony. Read on for some pros and cons of each.
Restaurant pros:
- Choose a restaurant with a varied menu and kiddie options, and your guests will be sure to find something they’d like to order. Great for picky eaters.
- Most restaurants allow guests to bring in their own special occasion cake so you can still honor the special guest in this traditional way. Be sure to ask if the restaurant will charge a cake cutting fee when you make your reservation.
- No mess. No cleanup.
Restaurant cons:
- May be pricier than hosting at home, although this is of course dependent on the restaurant and number of guests.
- A less relaxed atmosphere as guests will be seated and expected to order with minimal downtime upon arrival. There may also be less interaction as guests will mostly chat with their closest dining neighbors.
- It may be a challenge to find a restaurant near the venue of your celebration – expect many others to have the same idea and book early!
Home party pros:
- The house can be decorated for the occasion (or is this a con? Decoration cleanup required…)
- A better environment for guests with energetic young children.
- More dining flexibility if you are able to take advantage of outdoor seating in warm weather, want to setup the kids in their own dining area, etc.
Home party cons:
- House and yard preparation required. Unless you maintain an immaculate home at all times, a visit from parents and in-laws will often include some amount of de-cluttering, cleaning, mowing, and weeding tasks to be done.
- Stocking up on multiple beverage options, disposable plates, cups and napkins if you expect a large crowd. Unless you regularly host large events, it may also involve arranging for extra tables and chairs, serving dishes, etc.
- Cleanup.
The idea of hosting family after a milestone celebration will immediately excite some hosts and leave others quickly reaching for the phone to make restaurant reservations. As the party host, decide what will allow you to enjoy the special day ahead the most. Regardless of which option you choose, your guests will be happy to be included in the celebration.
For beautiful graduation party invitations and first communion announcements printed on superior quality paper stock, checkout the collection of designs at LookLoveSend.com. All cards are easily customizable and your complete satisfaction is guaranteed.
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13 Apr |
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9:38 am Posted by Kristy |
With so many beautiful save the dates cards now available, how can you also have the same kind of gorgeous photo like the couples featured in the samples?
There is no rule that says your save the date cards must have a photo. Traditionally, the save the date card is simply a way to announce your exciting news. It also serves as a courteous, advance wedding invitation with few details other than who and when.
Getting the Best Save the Date Card Photo
While the trend in personalized photo save the date cards is growing, having a great photo to use might be the deciding factor for whether or not to personalize your save the date cards.
Spontaneous
Most couples, especially the bride herself, aren’t thinking about the photo when the proposal comes. As for the one doing the proposing, he is more likely concerned with not sweating too visibly and balancing on that knee. Some with the forethought to capture the moment might rely on others to film or photograph you, as evidenced by YouTube. But the emotion of the moment won’t necessarily result in a photo you want to showcase for eternity by printing it on a save the date card!
Favorite From the Files
Your next option would be to check photos already in your files. It’s worth looking for a picture that conveys some aspect of your experiences together–a special trip, a social event, or a photo taken by family or friends. Or go with a good photo that simply compliments both of you. If you have a paper copy only, scan the photo to create an electronic file you can upload onto an online wedding stationery website, like www.LookLoveSend.com.
Professional Photo Shoot
You may want to allocate some of your budget to scheduling a professional photo shoot. You can use a professionally taken photo in your save the date cards, a published engagement announcement, a handy refrigerator save the date magnet, your wedding website, and other wedding stationery components.
Once you have your photo, you’ll need to decide on a design for your save the date cards. You may want to coordinate the design with your wedding invitations, as offered by the complete wedding invitation suites available at www.looklovesend.com. If you need to get your save the date cards mailed before deciding on your wedding invitations, you’ll find a huge selection of save the date card designs in all kind of styles at www.looklovesend.com. Enter the monthly sweepstakes to win $500 towards your wedding invitation suite that includes save the date cards!
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11 Apr |
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10:43 pm Posted by Kristy |
Recently, the trend in baby birth announcement cards has been towards style and sophistication. Modern geometric patterns, organic designs and vibrant colors that go beyond the expected pink or blue are everywhere. Such elements are a hallmark in the design-forward styles of baby birth announcements desired by today’s parents. Samples from LookLoveSend below show just how beautiful these sleek birth announcement cards can be, with or without a photo:
 Modern Baby by Diane Kappa |
 Rock-a-bye baby by Lauren diColli Hooke |
 Yummy Stripes by Yana Beylinson |
Lend Some Personality to Your Birth Announcement Cards
But the critter, beloved by kids and adults everywhere, can give your baby’s birth announcement a personality that people will remember. When designed well, a critter birth announcement card doesn’t need to be cutesy. And don’t feel compelled to coordinate a critter card by suddenly collecting everything in sight for baby with one–you’ll tire of it quickly.
On the other hand, a critter-inspired nursery theme may lead you down a path for critter baby stationery, from your baby’s memory book to birth announcements and baby thank you note cards. But even if you’re starting from scratch, and you haven’t been particularly inspired by critters before, take another look. Here are more samples of the appealing and fun way popular critters lend a memorable design to birth announcement cards:
 Elephant Parade by Genevieve Gail |
 Loving Giraffes by Jennifer Pritchard |
 Fishies by Sarah Trainor |
The elephant, giraffe, fish, owl, monkey and so many more continue to show up. They are a natural reflection of babies’ and kids’ fascination with the natural world, and animals in particular. One of the most recent critter regaining popularity after a few decades on the shelf is the owl. He is appearing on everything from baby books, baby bags, baby fashions and, of course, baby announcement cards.
So if a critter inspires you, go ahead and indulge. Your birth announcement cards will be more memorable for it. You can find a wide selection of adorable and personalized birth announcements at LookLoveSend.com. Original, fresh design and superior printing are accompanied by easy online customization of your selected design, including adding a photo, choosing a color palette and the option for backside printing. Enjoy free domestic ground shipping when you order more than 50 cards.
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10 Apr |
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8:01 pm Posted by Kristy |
I must admit, I’m not a keepsake mom. I’m way behind on my photo albums, I never did get baby number 3′s footprints, and I don’t play the kind of tooth fairy that keeps my children’s teeth (gross!)
So when it comes to first birthdays–an occasion designed much more for the keepsake parent than for the child who won’t remember anything–I do like to plan a party. Kids love to see memories they created before they could remember. But more to the point, it’s an opportunity to share this milestone with others. It’s worth the effort if you know where to spend your time.
Here’s a quick-hit list of easy ways to create keepsake moments for your baby’s first birthday party:
Send out First Birthday Invitations
Go with personalized party invitations featuring a photo of the birthday baby. It’s the perfect all-in-one keepsake: you can frame it, put in the photo album, and re-use the photo for thank you note cards (go ahead, sing that to the “paddy cakes” tune like I did).
Present the First Birthday Cake
While moms are getting more judicious about indulging baby with sugar, don’t skip this! Even if you go with the beautiful and simple cupcake, it’s worth seeing baby’s reaction to a first taste of sugar. (Warning: it’s also frequently followed by an icing-as-fingerpaint/makeup/hair gel experiment.) Just remember to rein in the family paparazzi to avoid the fun from dissolving into tears.
Give Unwrapped First Birthday Gifts
Giving a baby who is turning one a gift is so rewarding because of the intense regard they typically give toys at this age. It’s similar to the stage when they discover their hands and just can’t keep their eyes off of them. So don’t skip the presents, but you could skip the wrapping and help the environment out.
To find original baby’s first birthday invitations, visit the fresh, fun collection at www.LookLoveSend.com. It’s easy to personalize your invitations with a photo and text fast and online. Your invitations won’t print until you approve a digital proof first, making it perfect for you to keep and use again in an album or in coordinating thank you note cards. Enjoy free shipping when you order more than 50!
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9 Apr |
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9:56 pm Posted by Nicola |
Saturdays in spring often mean time for bridal showers. If you’re sending a bridal shower invitation for Saturday, May 5th, why not make it a Cinqo de Mayo themed bridal shower? This festive Mexican holiday lends itself well to bright décor, fun music, great food and drinks – an instant theme that is original, fun and easy to plan. Read on for some super simple and easy ideas to make your May 5thcelebration a fun bridal fiesta!
fiesta-inspired glassware from Pier 1 Imports
- Decorations. Use bright colors like fuscia pink, lime green, turquoise and yellow. Buy inexpensive tablecloths, napkins and straws in these colors and mix and match them in your place settings. Add bright balloons, paper flowers, streamers and consider adding a few strands of party lights for additional charm.
Music. Log onto Pandora or find the music channels on your TV, then to a mariachi-style channel for authentic sounds for your party.
Food. Setup a table with a broad choice of fillings and toppings for a taco bar. Buy some brightly colored patterned serving bowls and scatter chips, salsa and guacamole around the room for your guests to snack on.
Drinks. Mix up pitchers of margaritas and sangria. Also offer a non-alcoholic punch and water flavored with lemons, limes and oranges.
Favors. Find miniature bottles of hot sauce for your guests to take home – better yet, use a site like http://www.bottleyourbrand.com/ to make custom bottle labels for a fun party keepsake.
It’s almost time to send bridal shower invitations for your Cinqo de Mayo shower. For fresh designs checkout the selection at LookLoveSend.com. All cards are printed on superior quality card stock and will ship the next business day. Enjoy!
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8 Apr |
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8:23 pm Posted by Nicola |
Bridal shower peak season is nearly upon us. With summer weddings quickly approaching, female wedding guests will soon be receiving bridal shower invitations and scoping out bridal registries for that perfect gift. What it lacks in surprise, the registry more than makes up for in convenience for both guests and the engaged couple. With its usual clarity and helpfulness, Real Simple magazine has provided answers to some of the most pressing wedding registry questions. The timing seemed perfect so we’ve shared a few of our favorite tips below.
Create a registry that is accessible online. Your guests will appreciate an online registry for selection and shopping ease, especially if they don’t live near your chosen stores. An online registry allows you to monitor and edit your selection at any time, and some sites also show you who purchased what – particularly perfect for wedding thank you card writing if sender cards don’t stay with their gift boxes!
Provide plenty of choice on your registry. Add more items than you initially think you should, it’s always best to include many differently priced items and a range of options for your guests. Just be sure that you have space for everything you wish for.
Register at several places. Choose at least three retailers to provide your guests with a choice. Ask stores if they offer a ‘completion package’ which is the opportunity for the newlyweds to buy unpurchased items off their registry for a 10-20% discount for about a year after their wedding. Perfect for buying that final china place setting!
Royal Crown Derby "Darley Abbey" fine china setting
Select items in all price ranges. Ideally, your registry should have an equal number of midrange and lower cost items and a few expensive ones. Pick items that reflect your personality so guests buying the less expensive gift still feel like they’re giving you something you will love.
If you’re hosting a bridal shower this spring, know that it’s perfectly appropriate to include the couple’s registry information on the invitation – after all, the whole idea is to shower the bride with gifts for her newlywed life! Shop LookLoveSend for fresh bridal shower invitation designs that are easily customizable and will set the tone for a stylish celebration.
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5 Apr |
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9:53 pm Posted by Kristy |
Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a silver sixpence in your shoe.
For decades now, brides have followed this adage from Victorian tradition. They are showing deference to the symbolism of family connection (something old), success (something new), good luck (something borrowed), and purity (something blue).
Traditionally brides wore a garter trimmed in blue because blue was the color of purity and fidelity in ancient times. Today, brides choose many ways to adorn themselves in blue on their wedding day. Not just undergarments, but shoes, jewelry, sashes, hair pieces all are some of the popular ways brides wear blue.
But blue is a favorite color for wedding invitations as well, and can be used boldly or subtly in all kinds of designs:
 Floating Mums |
 Simply Monogram |
 Modern Lattice |
Blue remains a mainstay of wedding design in everything from wedding invitations to flowers to cake and bridesmaid dresses. It is a timeless color that works for all seasons. It compliments many people and comes in wide range of hues and shades. From baby blue to cadet blue to teal and navy, there are many interpretations of blue that may appeal to you.
You will find a large selection of wedding invitation designs with a blue color palette option at LookLoveSend. Coordinate your wedding invitation with other key pieces of your stationery, including save the date cards, menu and directions cards, programs and thank you notes. You can win $500 towards your choice of design to create a complete wedding invitation suite when you enter the monthly sweepstakes!
