Fox 10 News Segment: Ways of Saving Money

Here is the debut of our invitations on TV! It was an exciting morning that flew by. Our invitations were featured as part of a segment about ways to save money on your wedding by talking with your vendors. We think it turned out great. Let us know what you think.

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Tune In: Fox 10 News Friday 9/04

We are very excited to announce that our invitations will be featured in a news story on Fox 10 this Friday morning at 9:30! We will be respresented by Arizona Weddings Magazine, along with dresses from Suzanne's Bridal Boutique, flowers from Sugar Magnolia, and food samples from Heidi's Event & Catering.

The segment will focus on ways to save money on your wedding by talking with your vendors. Often items can be modified to fit your budget and still be similar to what you originally wanted.

Tune in to AZ Fox 10 at 9:30 this Friday 9/07/09.

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To RSVP or Not To RSVP

Ah, yes. That is the question. So many brides now days are cutting costs where ever they can, and with their invitations, its no exception. The biggest trend we are seeing with RSVPs is that brides no longer want to use them. They are throwing tradition out the window in favor of a modern day, technological solution : the telephone and Internet.

Many brides are signing up for free wedding websites that allow their guests to respond directly on that site. Instead of sending an rsvp, they are including a line on the invitation that reads "please rsvp by going to {insert website here} or by calling {insert phone number}."

Other brides do not even care if they request an RSVP at all. I have had several brides tell me they know exactly who's coming and they is no need to ask.

I find the trend pretty startling. Being a stickler for details, I would go crazy not knowing who is planning on attending. (And I assume plated dinner choices have gone out the window because they don't need to know what everyone wants to eat.)

We do still have some traditional brides that want all the pieces. (Thank you, ladies!) In fact, its funny to hear a bride say, "I printed the address on the response envelope and stamped it for my guests, so they better respond!" My thinking exactly. What a perfect wedding world it would be if everyone responded in a timely manner.

For those wanting to take it a step further, we were given this helpful tip about sending RSVPs. Number the back of each one according to your list. This way you know exactly who hasn't responded as well as know who responded when their handwriting is hard to read.

If you are scared of extra guests attending the wedding (which is another growing trend since couples want to cut costs and not pay for a date you picked up in a bar last night!), is to write in the number of guests on the RSVP before sending them out. This can be tricky if not all of the party can attend, but it will clearly state who you are allowing to attend.

So Internet, telephone, postcard, card or nothing at all. The options have definitely changed for wedding responses. What is the best solution for you? When in doubt, put it on paper.

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Sarah & Jon's Flurry Monogram Wedding Invitation

A while back we posted the story of Sarah and Jon's engagement. Now we are happy to share their choice for their wedding invitation.

Sarah and Jon are having a Tiffany Blue Wedding. They chose our Flurry Monogram Design and made a few alterations to fit their budget. They removed the gatefold and ribbon and instead used a flat card. They also trimmed the rhinestones by using one large one instead of three small ones.

This is an excellent example of how many of our designs can be modified to fit your budget.

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Invitation Timeline

When should you order your invitations? Well, we think you should start the process early so we can help you with your wedding's theme. That way we can carry it through all your printed pieces, starting with your Save the Date. Besides that, here is the traditional timeline of when to schedule your consultation for invitations.

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Rachel & Kevin's Wedding Invitation and Custom Stamp

About a month ago, we blogged about the engagement story of Rachel and Kevin. They are having a berry themed wedding because Kevin's last name is Barry. Well, here is their finished invitation and custom stamp. This design proves that you can create something amazing without spending a lot. Since they had a modest budget, we went with a simple flat card style invitation on ivory stock, printed in one color, and had matching berry-red envelopes. For an added personal touch, they used the custom stamp that matched their wedding ensemble. We are hoping to get photos of their wedding reception and will post them for our readers.

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Cost Saving Invitation Tips

It seems to be what's on every bride and groom's mind: How can we have a fabulous wedding and still com in under budget? Well, we have decided to pass on some great information when it comes to saving money on your custom wedding invitations.

1. If possible, stick with black ink only. This is the cheapest way to save on your printing costs. If black ink will just ruin the look of your invitation ensemble, then ask your designer about other standard ink colors offered by the printer. Many times these colors can be used, even if it is at a percentage. (such as 20% blue will then be a light blue.)
2. Ditch the bells and whistles. One rhinestone will have the same impact as if you used three. Tie a simple bow instead of wrapping the whole invitation in ribbon.
3. Change the invitation style, but keep the design. I just quoted a customer twice - once with the design used in a gatefold card tied with ribbon, and once as a flat card. The gatefold card was nearly 3 times the cost of the flat card, and still had the design the customer fell in love with.
4. Don't be afraid to ask your designer for files. We are more than happy to create something for someone and allow them to do their own printing and assembling. Just pay for the cost of the design and CD, and then choose how you want to use it. This is a great way to save - and you can use your custom art on other items such as tags and labels.

If you are interested in custom design, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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Invitation Trend: Wrap Around Labels

A lot of brides don't like the look of ordinary white labels, or even see through ones, on the invitations. I understand. Why create something so special and beautiful and ruin it with a tacky office supply.

Well a great new trend I am seeing (and loving!) are personalized labels and wrap around labels. These labels incorporate your design onto the outside or your envelopes without adding a crazy cost of printing. They are easy to assemble to0 - since they just wrap nicely around the envelope both front and back.

If you do not want to use the wrap around style wedding labels, then try odd shapes and sizes. This adds an element of fun to the outside of your wedding invitation.

Our suggestion is to let us take care of it all. We not only offer assembly services with our invitations, but can also address and mail them too. This is a great solution to have that perfectly polished look to your invitation - even before your guests open it!

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Video: Perfect Bows

Out of all the questions a client asks me when we do a consultation for wedding invitations, the most common has to be about tying bows. I understand the frustration in making a perfect bow - for the longest time I couldn't get it to not sit crooked.

Well, here is my secret to learning how to tie the perfect bow on your invitations or other wedding stationery: you tube! I first watched this, and then practiced along while watching, pausing and rewinding as needed.

I hope this helps all the "do it yourself-ers" out there. I now always get perfect bows and hopefully you will too.

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Save the Dates: A New Wedding Staple

Over the past few years, save the dates have become an important part of wedding stationery. With our jam-packed schedules and busy lives, we often do not have enough time to communicate with the ones who matter most to us. Save the date cards ensure that the important people in your life attend your ceremony or reception. They also help communicate the timeline or itinerary of the event and can offer essential information including travel arrangements and hotel accommodations, which is extremely important to out of town guest or for destination weddings.

A great feature for save the dates is that they can have it's own theme or design, separate from the rest of your wedding stationery. Although you can choose to have a matching design, most couples are opting for a fun or cute alternative to the more formal designs, and more often than not, are using photos. Couples are also mixing up the type of the save the date by choosing cards, magnets, and even "out-of-the-box" items like figurines with a tag attached.

A save the should include both the bride and groom's names (no middle name and optional last name required), the event date, and where the event will take place. It is also a good rule of thumb to list hotel accommodations or any important information for out of town guests. Remember to include "invitation to follow" to let your guests know there are more details on the way.

Be In Love Designs currently offers Save the Date Magnets online and is working to add Save the Date Cards. Please remember we can create anything you are looking for, so please do not hesitate to email us at info@beinlovedesigns.com or call us at 480.463.4775 with your design request.

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Invitation Etiquette : Declining Gifts

Recently one of my brides had asked for some help with her invitation wording. She wanted to tell her guests that they did not want any gifts and that their presence at the wedding was enough. I thought I would share some of the information online regarding this, since I had not come across this very often.

Gift Declining Wording Ideas

• We wish to share our happiness with you, our family and friends. No gifts please.
• The only gift you should bring is yourself.
• The only gift we request is the gift of your presence.
• No gifts please.
• Your friendship and good wishes are the best gifts that we could hope to receive.
• Your warmhearted wishes would be our most cherished gift.
• Please let your good wishes be your only gifts to us.
• Please let your good wishes for our future together be your only gift to us.
• May the presence of your company be your only gift to us.
  

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New Beginnings

Hello Everyone!

We are so excited for the release of our site today. As you can tell, we are in the beginning phases of our business. Over the next few months, Be In Love Designs will grow and evolve into a wonderful shopping experience of invitations, favors, and more. Both Brides and Grooms to be will have the opportunity to create highly customizable invitations at affordable prices. We welcome any comments and feedback you may have in order to make both our products and our website as user-friendly as possible. We encourage you to please check back often, since we will begin to display inspirational photo galleries and design ideas, elaborate on our products and services, and of course, update our blog with useful stories and tips to help you get through the stress of planning your big day. Thank you for taking the time to stop by and we look forward to sharing our big adventure with you!

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