Luminaries...

One of my Brides came to me with a decor idea for her wedding and asked for my help. She wants to put candle lit luminaries down the isle of her wedding ceremony. Gorgeous right! Now, the dilemma for me was to figure out how to give her a custom monogrammed luminary that, A) won't burn the place down, and B) actually have the design show through. Being the DIY girl that I am, I took this project on with open arms, even though I have never made these before, I am certain they will turn out spectacular and be an amazing addition to her wedding.

Check out these different types of luminaries... you can use them for table number signs, simple decor placed around your venue, down the isle, and even at each table in a cluster of different heights for added ambiance! Depending on the type of luminary, whether it's glass or paper you can use standard white tea lights or battery operated tea lights. Wish me luck ladies! Pictures of the finished product to follow...

Adria & Jim - 08.21.10

Adria and Jim came to me last year for their save the dates, their theme was dark purple and white, simple and elegant! Although I had never met them in person I was able to put together a Save the Date magnet design that they absolutely loved... the main star being a beautiful picture from their engagement shoot with Suzanne Collier Photography!

As we got closer to the big day they wanted to do their "Day Of" ensemble, as I like to call it, with a little more flair and design. Even though Adria still wanted to keep it on the simple and elegant side, I was able to come up with a design that fit right into the entire theme and feel of their wedding. Her flowers had lots of hydrangea in them... which is one of my favorite flowers to work with! HYDRANGEA I said! So we ran with it.... 

The first and foremost item was the program... Adria and I will laugh over it now, as it was quite the project! Check out their Full Catholic Mass bi-fold program with the hydrangea detail on the front (which carried over to the back where their thank you note was written). 

Next on the list was their menu that was placed at each place setting. We carried out the hydrangea theme with their monogram. The printing method we used was raised thermography purple ink on a crisp white 105# smooth cover stock.

Lastly, the escort cards!!! As you know, this is my favorite piece to design out of all of the "Day Of" ensemble pieces. I thought, let's give it a little more punch then having their design on white tented cards... lets add a purple tented backer!!! Adding a backer card is probably my favorite thing to do to just about anything. I feel it just finishes off the piece. We used a variable imprint method that printed each guest name on each card instead of having a blank line to hand write the names. I loved the way these turned out... to me it screams simple, elegant and hydrangea! Don't you think!?! 

Congratulations to the happy couple, Adria and Jim! It was a pleasure to work on their wedding stationery and I wish them nothing but happiness and love for years to come! Here's a peak of the fabulous Bride and Groom on their wedding day.

Wedding Programs

Wedding programs: They are one of the few details that guests will have to take with them to remember your special day. Not only will your guests feel included in the ceremony they will also know who is who in the bridal party and which Groomsmen it was that "really let loose" at the reception! The most important piece to the program is that is a wonderful keepsake and record of the most important day of your life. 

What to include in a wedding program:

• The Cover Page
  Typically includes the date and/or the names of the couple. It may also include the location and time of the ceremony, and sometimes a design element.
  
• The Physical Ceremony
  If you haven't already included your names, wedding date, location, and time on the front cover, consider listing that information on the inside just before the order of events. Then list what will happen during the ceremony, including processional music, greeting, readings, prayers, exchange of vows, ring ceremony, any form of unification ceremony (i.e., unity candle, sand ceremony, hand ceremony, rose ceremony, etc.) , pronouncement of marriage, recessional music, and any other ceremony music. Your list may not include all of these elements, and it may include some traditions not listed here. Be sure to list the events in the order they will occur.
  
• The Bridal Party
  This is a simple list of the names and roles of your bridal party. Some couples also like to include how they are related to the Bride or Groom. For example:
  Officiant: Pastor Jeffrey Evans
  Parents of the bride: Deborah Moyer and Jeffrey Wiker
  Parents of the groom: Ina Beebe and Andrew Beebe
   Grandparents: Betty Myers, Joan G. Wiker, Katherine Beebe
  Maid of Honor: Tiffany Merrick (relation example: Tiffany Merrick, Friend of the Bride)
  Best Man: Bryon Kremer
  Bridesmaids: Heather Petko, Laura Leidy, Rheanna Benson, Trinda Bernardo, Katelyn Whitcomb
  Groomsmen: Jason Musselman, Todd Hennessy, Craig Himmelwright, James Hope, Douglas Ziegler
  Readers: Dennette Myers, Kara Markley

Additional elements you may want to include in a wedding program:

• Dedication
• Thank yous
• Memorials (for example: On this day of happiness, we would like to remember those who are no longer with us, especially Jason Reall, Step-Father of the Bride, and William Wiker, Godfather of the Bride.)
• Quotes or poems about love or marriage
• Directions to the reception 
• Your new mailing address as Husband and Wife (if you have recently purchased a house to start your married life together)

Depending on how long your program is will somewhat determine what style of program you should select. There are styles of all kinds and sizes. Here are some of my favorites!

This is one of the several styles of a fan program... on a hot August day, this was perfect paired with a bottle of water for each guest to enjoy during the beautiful ceremony!

A Z-Fold Tea Length Program

I call this the "The Wristlet", it's for the couple that has a lot to say! Also looks adorable if you hang it on the corner of each chair lined up for your ceremony. 

The classic Bi-Fold Tea Length, with an insert page, bound by gorgeous satin ribbon (or ribbon of your choice)

A simplified version of the program above, the classic Bi-Fold Tea Length, with no insert page, just scored and folded down the center... simple and elegant!!!