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Real Weddings: Bret + Trice Allan House Wedding
Just got these lovely pics from one of my favorite brides and her wonderful photographer, Lisa Woods. Trice is my second bride whose gotten married at the beautiful Allan House, in Austin Texas. If you have never been to Austin, run dont walk to get there! Love that town! Granted I might be a bit biased as a native of Texas myself but I digress. Trice was such a joy to work with and such a beautiful bride. Enjoy y'all!
Helpful Tips: Assembling Wedding Invitations
Before the advent of the post office, invitations were hand delivered by footmen. As you can imagine it was a dusty, dirty business. To avoid the embarrassment of guests recieving soiled envelopes, invitations were delivered in two envelopes. Upon arrival, the dirty outer envelope was discarded and the invitations were presented in their clean inner envelope. The inside envelope bore just the names of the intended recipients. Their was no need for an address as they were already at their intended destination. Although no longer necessary, the custom of mailing invitations in double envelopes continues to this day.
So how does a modern day bride handle getting that pretty little invitation in not only one but two envelopes?
Wedding invitations are assembled according to size.
1. Begin with the invitation. Any enclosure cards are then stacked on top ( not inside).
2. The reception card goes first, placed face up on top of the invitation.
3. Next is the reply envelope, placed face down on top of the reception card.
4. The reply card is slipped face up beneath ( not inside) the flap of the envelope.
5. Direction card follows.
6. Then accommodation cards.
7. Once the invitation and enclosures are assembled, they are placed face up into the inner envelope.
8. Fold the flap down and flip the stuffed envelope over.
9. Place the inner envelope face up into the outer envelope.
Tip: always make sure the envelope flap is pointed to your right.
Not so tough now was it ? Happy stamping!
So how does a modern day bride handle getting that pretty little invitation in not only one but two envelopes?
Wedding invitations are assembled according to size.
1. Begin with the invitation. Any enclosure cards are then stacked on top ( not inside).
2. The reception card goes first, placed face up on top of the invitation.
3. Next is the reply envelope, placed face down on top of the reception card.
4. The reply card is slipped face up beneath ( not inside) the flap of the envelope.
5. Direction card follows.
6. Then accommodation cards.
7. Once the invitation and enclosures are assembled, they are placed face up into the inner envelope.
8. Fold the flap down and flip the stuffed envelope over.
9. Place the inner envelope face up into the outer envelope.
Tip: always make sure the envelope flap is pointed to your right.
Not so tough now was it ? Happy stamping!
Helpful Tips: Addressing your Envelopes
The invites are in! They are just as beautiful as you thought they'd be. Now just to hand address all 150 of them.
So how exactly do you address your wedding envelopes? The following guidelines should help you with the most common situations and even with a few etiquette hurdles, but do keep in mind that these are formal guidelines. For less formal couples and less formal situations, using first names on inner envelopes or no titles on engagement or shower envelopes is perfectly acceptable.
While 2Bsquared Designs does not offer hand calligraphy we do offer envelope addressing. Envelopes are individually addressed using historical fonts, providing a wonderful hand calligraphied look at a fraction of the cost and time of traditional hand calligraphy. But whether you are using my services of those of the many extremely talented hand calligraphers available be sure you understand the rules of your calligrapher before submitting your lists.
Outer Envelopes
- Use full names, including the first names. Example: Mr. and Mrs. Peter Fitzhugh
- Abbreviations such as "St." or "Ave" are never used. However you may use abbreviated titles such as "Mr.", "Mrs." and "Dr."
- In the unique situtation where both guests are doctors. Use the following example: "Dr and Mrs. Peter Fitzhugh" or "The Doctors Fitzhugh"
- Initials should not be used for middle names; either spell them out or leave them. However, if a guest never uses his/her given name, do not use it on their invitation; in this instance, an initial is acceptable.
- Roomates, siblings and or adults living in the same household who are not romantically involved, should each receive their own invitation.
- Couples living together but who are not married, will share an invitation. However, the womans name should always appear on the first line followed by his name on the second line.
- Children over the age of eighteen but still living at home should recieve their own invitation.
- If you are allowing your guests to bring dates and know who your guest is bringing as a date, include his/her name on the outer envelope.
- Guests should not be included on the outer envelope, unless you are only using outer envelopes. If you do not have inner envelopes, you may address your guest dates by name or as "and guest" on the outer envelope. For example: Mr. Peter Fitzhugh and guest
- Children also should not be included on the outer envelope, unless you are only using outer envelopes. If you do not have inner envelopes, you may address the envelopes including the childrens surnames. For example: Mr. and Mrs. Peter Fitzhugh Marvin and Heather
- Do not use symbols. Always spell out # as "Number" and & as "and".
- Use figures only when writing house numbers and zip codes. Example: 1401 West Fourth Street
- Spell out state names - Illinois, not IL
- Only surnames and titles are used. Example: Mr. and Mrs. Fitzhugh
- If children are allowed. Write the first names of children to be invited below the parents’ names in order of age.
- Children over the age of 18 should receive their own invitation, even if they are still living at home.
- Omit names of children if children are not invited.
- If allowing your single guests to bring dates, address the inner envelope with your friend's name followed by "and guest." Example Mr. Fitzhugh and guest
Neat Idea: BBQ Themed Couples Shower
I am a southern girl, from Texas to be exact so therefore I hold these truths to be self evident ... there is nothing better than a warm day, cold beer, sweet iced tea and BBQ.
Request that the gifts reflect the couple’s shower theme. A fun idea could be a personalized apron, a travel BBQ grill, or maybe, a set of stainless steel BBQ tools and a digital thermometer . Be sure to also check out the personalized barbecue favors like bottles of barbecue sauce labeled especially for the happy couple! The key to making a couple’s shower successful is to focus on making making the party a laid-back and casual affair. Have fun Y'all!
Neat Idea: Cooking Themed Bridal Shower
I am not a great cook by any stretch of the imagination but for the bride-to-be who does love to cook, here are ideas to help you throw a kitchen or cooking-themed bridal shower.
Invites
Send guests invitations framed on mini cutting boards for a kitchen-stocking shower or or modify recipe cards with the time and address. Cutting Board Invitations shown here are from Martha Stewart. Have the invitations made or use clip art of your own. Try these great freebies from Graphics Fairy. Center each on a board; attach with double-sided tape. Wrap with ribbon, and mail in a small padded envelope
Gifts
Give guests a theme for their gifts. Ask guests to bring either a favorite kitchen gadget, cookbook or gourmet ingredients for their favorite recipe. Or have every guest bring their tried and true recipes and create a recipe book out of them for the bride.
Decor
In keeping with the theme, use food related items to decorate the tables. Colanders make great containters for floral arrangements. Just lightly soak a florist foam block and place inside colander. If you are worried about leaking, line the colander with a plastic bag. Insert flowers!
Food
Dont forget your food! Use appetizers and desserts that require a bit of interaction like fondue, a hamburger slider bar or decorate-your-own sugar cookies.
Drinks
How can you have food and not drinks? Bring on the cocktails! Go retro with gin and tonics or old-fashioneds. Or spice it up with a margarita bar or hard lemonade!
Send guests invitations framed on mini cutting boards for a kitchen-stocking shower or or modify recipe cards with the time and address. Cutting Board Invitations shown here are from Martha Stewart. Have the invitations made or use clip art of your own. Try these great freebies from Graphics Fairy. Center each on a board; attach with double-sided tape. Wrap with ribbon, and mail in a small padded envelope
Gifts
Give guests a theme for their gifts. Ask guests to bring either a favorite kitchen gadget, cookbook or gourmet ingredients for their favorite recipe. Or have every guest bring their tried and true recipes and create a recipe book out of them for the bride.
Decor
In keeping with the theme, use food related items to decorate the tables. Colanders make great containters for floral arrangements. Just lightly soak a florist foam block and place inside colander. If you are worried about leaking, line the colander with a plastic bag. Insert flowers!
Food
Dont forget your food! Use appetizers and desserts that require a bit of interaction like fondue, a hamburger slider bar or decorate-your-own sugar cookies.
Drinks
How can you have food and not drinks? Bring on the cocktails! Go retro with gin and tonics or old-fashioneds. Or spice it up with a margarita bar or hard lemonade!
Grab it: Minted Invitation Giveaway
Its here! Minted's is launching its Spring 2011 Wedding Collection and to celebrate they are having a big ol' fat giveaway! This year they are offering not just one full invitation suite for 100, but two full suites for two lucky brides, valued at $700 each. Invitations start at just $134 for 50. Check out just some of the gorgeous items now for sale.
All you have to do to enter this incredible giveaway is to go here and leave a comment about your favorite design. Or you can friend Minted on Facebook or follow them on Twitter. If you Tweet about this giveaway you can be entered up to three times; just leave a comment that says “And I friended you” or “I tweeted about this awesome giveaway.”
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