Tips On Designing Your Wedding Invitations

We welcome Guest Blogger, Bryan Passanisi, with Shutterfly, today for some great tips on wedding invitation design! Shutterfly has some great budget-friendly resources for those of you on the hunt for wedding invitations! I first became familiar with Shutterfly from my sister who has been using this company for creating photo books of her children each year. I'm so jealous because I have yet to finish mine and Jagger is almost 4! I have a lot of catching up to do! Be sure to check them out! They have a lot of really awesome and creative ways to add details to your wedding OR make great gifts for your family.

Things to Think About When Designing Wedding Invitations

Invitations are one of the most important parts of preparing for a wedding. Not only do they notify your guests of the marriage and convey important information like time and place, they also set the tone for the rest of the wedding. It’s important to have a good first impression, but there are so many options out there for wedding invitation design that choosing the right style can be difficult. Here are a few tips that can help guide you as you create the perfect invitation.

Consider the Ceremony

First of all, make sure that the tone you pick for your invitation reflects the rest of the wedding. Are you hoping to have a fun, casual celebration? Or do you want a formal tuxedo and ballgown affair? More formal invitations look very different from more casual ones. The difference can extend from wording choices to the paper used—formal invitations tend to be on thicker, more expensive paper than informal ones.

Color Choices

Consider choices such as the colors and design of your invitation. Formal invitations are typically more limited in their palette; you may wish to stick with traditional neutrals such as cream, black, or gold. One color might be used as an accent or highlight. Less formal invitations, though, have a lot more latitude when it comes to the use of color—you can choose vibrant blues, bright yellows, or whatever combinations will match with your wedding theme. Try not to include too many shades, though, or else the invitation can come across as too loud; stick with a set of related hues or go for two or three contrasting shades.

Creative Shapes

If you really want to get creative, then experiment with the shape of your invites. Traditional invitations are rectangular, although elegant quatrefoils may be acceptable. If you’re having a less formal wedding, though, feel free to experiment with rounded corners, scalloped edge, or even circular or square invitations that reflect your personality.

Font Options

The font is important too. You’ll probably want some sort of script for a formal invitation, whereas nontraditional fun fonts such as Comic Sans or Informal Roman are a great choice for casual invites. If you’re having trouble choosing, a basic font like Times New Roman, Garamond, or Verdana can work well, although serif fonts usually have a bit more formality (and in some cases personality) than sans-serif ones do. You might even consider doing an invitation with mixed fonts, using script for the couple’s names and plainer fonts for the time and place, although it’s important not to make these two fonts drastically different or the invitation will look sloppy. Whatever font you choose, be absolutely certain that it’s legible at every size; some of the fancier and les traditional choices can be hard to read when they’re small and the last thing you want is an invitation that nobody understands.

Picture Perfect

Do you want to include a photo? Not all wedding invitations include pictures, but adding a picture of the happy couple gives you more opportunity to let your personality shine through. Black and white pictures tend to be more elegant and classic, while colorful photographs look more approachable and realistic. Make sure that you have a number of pictures of the two of you to choose from; this will help you find a picture where you both look your best. Try to find photographs that match the colors of the invitation so that the colors don’t clash.

Backgrounds

Also, determine how much the setting of the photograph matters to you; if all you’re looking for is a shot of the couple’s faces then the background won’t be very important. For other pictures, though, the background is an important component in the design of the invitation. You can choose a traditional setting like a garden, mountain, or beach, or you can go for modern city shots. If you really want to get creative, take your photos in unorthodox locations like art museums, graffiti-covered walls, or amusement parks. You can even choose to include night or evening photos rather than typical daytime ones.

Arrangement

Finally, determine how many photos you want to include and where you’d like to put them. If you have a lot of pictures that you like, you can choose to create a collage or have a single large photos with smaller insets. You can also pick a single classic photo and put it in a frame on your invitation. Another great idea is to take a single photo, blow it up to fill the whole page, and then use it as a background for the text.

Making it Great

Other considerations you should take into account while designing an invitation include the wedding theme (if you’re having a themed wedding), the wording of the invitation (formal or casual) and whether you want to include extras such as foil stamping, ribbons, or rhinestones. Whatever you end up choosing, make sure that the wedding invitation reflects the style of the ceremony, the personalities of the bride and groom, and—above all else—the love that you have for each other.

Bryan Passanisi is online marketer and writer living in Redwood City, CA. He graduated from The University of San Francisco with his Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing. Bryan has managed a popular wedding blog and has created viral content. He currently is a blogger for Shutterfly.

All images provided by Bryan Passanisi, Shutterfly

Ira + Lucy Vintage Boho Wedding, Southerland's Ranch, Eagle ID

Something that I've always focused so hard on, is the relationship I and my team have with our couples, including their parents, especially the Mother-of-the-Bride. We work very close, usually with Bride and Mom in the months leading up to the wedding. Sometimes that means late night conversations on the phone about concerns or stresses and how we can help them through those challenges. I'll never forget when Sydney reached out to me back in November. She found Ira + Lucy on WeddingWire and sent us an email inquiring about our services. It was a match made in heaven! When Sydney shared her vision I immediately wanted their wedding. Sydney and Bryce are both film students in Denver and I just adore their style and both are such quality people. Soon, Sydney's mom, Denise and I were shooting emails back and forth in prepping for the big day.

Sending Sydney and Bryce off in a sparkler exit to a dreamy vintage car, a surprise gift from the Groom's parents, was so special and a bit emotional for me. Dealing with 105 degree weather, and over 13 hours in the heat, Sydney hugging me before they ran to the car and telling me how happy she was, "Heidi I just love you! Thank you!" meant the world to me!

You'd think after three years of doing Ira + Lucy I wouldn't get nerves or deal with anxiety, but I totally do! I can barely sleep the night before our clients' weddings because I'm so caught up in all the lists, logistics, management etc and I can't stop my head from those lists. I want the day perfect for my couples that have trusted me and my team. It's one thing to kick ass leading up to the wedding, but it's another come "go-time". It was an incredible day! I've never seen such a stunning wedding party! Wait till you see the pics! E + E Photography were wonderful to work with and I'm just dying to see the pics! So, for now here is one stunner of a sneak peek! Thank you Sydney and Bryce and the Thomas and Hoogland Families for inviting Ira + Lucy to be part of such an incredible moment! xx

Stay tuned for more pictures coming soon!

TEAM Ira + Lucy Event Design, Coordination, Vintage Rentals The Southerland's Ranch, Eagle ID E + E Photography The Florist at Edwards, Matt A Lively Chef Catering Hannah Ganatos Hair + Makeup Greg Marsh Designer Cake VCI Audio - DJ

- Heidi

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TIPS for DIY Brides working with Wedding Coordinators

We recently wrote an article for Sound Wave Music and Lighting about the DIY bride with some tips! Head on over for the full article. Since writing that guest blog post I have continued thinking about the DIY couples and how as designers and coordinators we can help our Do It Yourself Couples with some helpful tips! So, get your notepad out and start taking notes! Here are some tips for DIY Brides working with wedding coordinators and designers!

Some Background

SAVING MONEY! From experience talking with DIY couples, many assume they can't afford a professional Coordinator or Designer. DIY, usually lends to a couple being serious about having their wedding on a strict budget , so they are opting to tackle the details as much on their own as possible to save money. They immediately write off any option of having a Coordinator OR they hope to use a family friend or relative to help with coordination. Sometimes this works great and other times not so much... In our own wedding, many years ago and pre-wedding industry professional, I was in the same boat. I felt that $10k was a lot of money and had no clue what weddings cost and thought it would stretch far. I made the mistake of blowing through a decent amount of that buying decor, as there weren't vintage rental businesses back then. I certainly thought hiring a coordinator was out of the question!

Questions to ask yourself:

• Budget - have you actually figured out an itemized budget? Not just an overall budget, but how it is broken down? Usually DIY brides are reaching into the unknown trying to estimate price range for services: venue rentals, catering, DJ, flowers, attire etc. Often the answer is... "I had no idea how much that costs!" A professional coordinator can help you navigate the budget with a clear idea of what the different services cost and how to best guide you to reputable vendors that fit your budget.
• How much of your budget went out the window on those spontaneous shopping sprees at Hobby Lobby? You know exactly what I'm talking about. I know how tempting it is! That $75 here and $50 there and another $130 last month... Those add up! Instead, that money could have been saved up to go toward catering vs your family having to prep all the food. Or that dream floral arch for your ceremony! Those details will last in photos and give you the real bang for your buck vs. all those cute chalkboard signs. Really go through and ask yourself what you definitely need. Return the extras before you get any further into planning.

• Prioritize needs: (some of the main things to consider)
  • Venue
  • Officiant/Ceremony
  • Catering
  • Photography
  • Rentals (chairs, linen, tables etc)
  • DJ
  • Attire
  • Floral + Decor
  • Lodging
  • Travel
  • Hair + Makeup
• Coordinator fees. We highly encourage you reach out to local coordinators and ask lots of questions! Each of us offers different packages and services and all share the belief that each couple will find the coordinator that fits their personality and needs. It's okay if you meet and find that it isn't a good fit. It's all part of the process. Ask about coordination and design services - YES, there is a difference. Let the coordinator know your budget up front. Talk about it. See if you can figure something out that works for both of you. Maybe you need to pick between having a designer/decorator or a coordinator - what do you need most? ASK why they are beneficial to your particular needs. *side note! As with all industries there are always businesses that want to get into the industry and therefore do research on the market and then underprice the competition in hopes of getting experience and business starting out. Beware. As a couple with budget on the mind, that doesn't mean the cheapest coordinator is quality.
• Utilize PINTEREST. Pinterest can be a bride's AND coordinator's best friend or worst enemy! Autumn is a perfect example of how awesome Pinterest can be utilized for DIY couples!
  • Set your Pinterest Wedding Board to SECRET! You don't need the opinions and input of everyone AND you want to keep some elements a surprise right?
  • Start pinning things that catch your and your fiance's eye.
  • EDIT and DELETE pins that no longer fit the vision (or move them to a different board if you are attached to them)
  • Once you have narrowed down your board make sure to put in the comments the specific description:

With Autumn giving us all the details we knew EXACTLY what she wanted! This is perfect for the DIY bride who really wants to make sure her hard work comes together at the end; how SHE envisioned it. Autumn functioned as the designer until the last three months and then handed the reins off to our incredible team.

My husband and I both so grateful for Heidi's and her team's part in making our wedding day truly memorable and amazing. It was more than we dreamed about, and it was surreal to walk into the space with all the little details I'd been planning and working so hard on fully executed beyond my wildest dreams. It was beautiful, and I wouldn't change a single thing about any of it. The Ira & Lucy team was truly incredible - so kind, thoughtful, and hard working, and their dedication means the world to us. Because of all their hard work, we were able to relax and enjoy ourselves from the first second to the last, and focus on our vows, our guests, and most importantly, each other. My husband even made a point of telling me the next day how happy he was that we found Ira & Lucy - we couldn't have pulled it all off if we hadn't! Special thanks to Arielle for her attention to detail - she had lots of questions in the days and weeks leading up to our big day, and it really showed that she was thinking through everything to make sure it was just how we pictured. You know you've had a successful event when there isn't a single thing you'd change when you look back! - Autumn

We work with DIY couples often and don't want you to shy away from contacting us to inquire about our services. Hopefully these tips will help you in your planning! Certainly, we could give many more tips, but this post is already long enough! After you take a look at your budget with realistic expectations and think you may benefit from hiring a coordinator or designer/day of decorating team - shoot us an email and let's chat! You can see our packages here. Now put the car in reverse and pull out of that Hobby Lobby parking lot!!!

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Marsala Pantone Color of the Year 2015

It's been announced! The Hot Color for 2015 has been predicted to be Marsala, an earthy red-brown and sophisticated tone. Similar to burgundy and maroon, I know many of you think Marsala will only fit fall and winter season weddings. Here, I have paired this bolder tone with the soft romantic hues I know so many of you love. Peach, blush, dusty rose and gold all pair wonderful with Marsala. Marsala encourages design to layer tones and I LOVE that! I always encourage our couples to broaden their original color palette and not just use two or three, but to layer them. If you adore this color, but are worried it will dominate, take some of these ideas as inspiration. A pop in your floral design, perhaps some stunning after the wedding lingerie, invitation liners, or a breath taking vintage sofa for your bridal portraits or memorable lounge at your reception. There are so many lovely options! We'd love to hear your feedback on this year's choice! I'm still partial to 2013's Emerald, but I think I can be persuaded with this elegant hue.

Photo Credits: Dahlias flickr.com mellow_stuff, Plum and Peach wedding bouquet by Kate Foley Designs, tablescape Paula's Healthy Living, Blush Gown Alexi Shields Photography and Boca by Design, Arch Eric Ronald, Cake Photographer: Megan Pomeroy and Cake: Le Cupcake, Invitation Suite Plum and Gold wedding invitations by Sage Nines Event Production, Pink Astilbe - Bohemian Barn wedding by Braedon Flynn, Vintage Sofa Brown Dress with White Dots, Gold Escort Cards Linen Escort Card Display-Snippet and Ink- Lisa Lefkowitz, peach heels Snippet and Ink,Floral Design Chair Ben Q. Photography

Ira & Lucy Featured on Oregon Bride Magazine!

We are so honored to be featured today on Oregon Bride Magazine! 

"Though I love the brightly colored, sunny mood of summer in the Pacific Northwest, fall and winter tend to bring out a sumptuous richness of design in our local vendors’ creative efforts that I find simply irresistible. This equal parts Ralph Lauren and equestrian inspired styled shoot embodies that cold-weather decadence. From the gorgeous reclaimed wood table, to the dramatic black wedding gown, to the striking blue chaise lounge, rustic luxury with a glam touch abounds.

Pretty details aside, I’m even more excited to share this shoot than usual, given that it features a dream team of Western Idaho vendors never before featured on Oregon Bride. After writing the Eastern Oregon destination story in the current print issue of our magazine, I’m keenly aware that Eastern Oregon brides don’t have half the luxury of picky-ness that their Willamette Valley counterparts do. Though all of the vendors featured in this shoot are Idaho-based, most are located within 45 minutes of the Oregon border, and creative mastermind behind the whole shoot, Heidi Wight’s event coordination team Ira & Lucy, specializes in Northwest destination weddings. Keep scrolling to see it all, and scroll all the way to the bottom to read more about Wight's inspiration behind the shoot—Eastern Oregon brides, take note!" - Taylor Ellsworth, Oregon Bride Magazine

Read the [button url="http://orbridemag.com/vintage-equestrian-ralph-lauren-inspired-styled-shoot"]FULL ARTICLE HERE[/button]