RSVP Tips & Tricks

When it comes to the wedding invitation suite, the invitation always seems to have the spotlight - which means that oftentimes the RSVP gets little attention. In order to bring it into the light, we've decided to compile a few tips to keep in mind when preparing your response card:

Tip #1
Common misconception is that the response cards should be mailed to the bride. However, etiquette calls for response cards to go to the individual(s) hosting the event. Also, be sure to pre-print the address on the response card- this will allow your guests to mail them back with ease.

Tip #2
Don't forget to add stamps to your RSVP cards - if you'd like your guests to respond in a timely manner, you need to provide them the means to do so.

Tip #3
Include a response deadline that falls 2-3 weeks before your final catering numbers are due. This allows plenty of time to call guests who didn't make the deadline, ensuring your final guest count given to the caterer is more accurate (which may save you a few $ in the end).

Tip #4
If you're looking for an easy way to save money on your stationery - go with RSVP postcards instead of response cards with envelopes. This will not only save you the cost of envelopes, but will require cheaper postage.

Tip #5
It's always a great idea to number your response cards, keeping track of each guest's assigned number in a spreadsheet. This is in anticipation of receiving an illegible {or blank!} response card, where you can easily reference the response card's number & locate the guest in the spreadsheet. {Believe me, it happens quite frequently!}

Tip #6
If there are concerns about uninvited guests tagging along with invited guests, don't feel bad about specifying the amount of seats that has been reserved.
"2 seats have been reserved in your honor"
This will make it very clear how many seats will be set aside for this group of invitees, and will clear up any confusion.

We hope these tips have been helpful - feel free to ask us anything else that we may not have covered! Since etiquette is always changing and evolving, we are happy to help our customers word their invitations & RSVPs properly.

{The last thing you want to do is offend your friends & family with a typo or oversight!}

My first tip!

I should probably start this blog off with a disclaimer: While I haven't started taking sweet treats as currency, I will gladly accept them as gratuity. =)

A local customer stopped by the other day to pick up her order {a rush invitation order for two corporate events}. When I greeted her at the door.....she handed me my first tip ever. A thank-you for getting her order done in such a short timespan.

But this wasn't any tip. Oh, no. She handed me.....CUPCAKES! =)

These beauties were fresh from Gigi's Cupcakes on the northside of Indianapolis. I've heard of a few other cupcake vendors in the area, but hadn't come across Gigi's until this week. So thank you, Amanda, for introducing us!

She told them to pile in 4 of their best sellers....

...a lovely & very rich double chocolate combo....

...a red velvet/cream cheese duo...


...a delicious banana concoction...

...and my favorite, called Wedding Cake! {...call me a plain Jane, but I'm a sucker for white cake and buttercream icing.}

What's left to say? Other than I love my job. =)

A Sweet Collaboration

I have always loved the colorful creativity and thoughtful planning behind sweets tables at weddings & parties, and wanted to do one of my own. So this past weekend, I finally got to try my hand at it!

I paired up with Lori {my sister} at Boldly Chic Events to create a colorful & chic Halloween sweets table, and am so thrilled with the end result. I absolutely loved working with her to design the layout & was honored to provide the festive paperie!

{We already have 2 more sweets tables on the calendar - next up, a modern December tablescape!}

For more details & photos of the collaboration, be sure to visit Boldly Chic's blog...

Take a hint {from Martha Stewart...}

I was strolling through the aisles of Michaels yesterday {shocker. I know!} and spent the majority of my time in the Martha Stewart section. This month, she has truly outdone herself with all of the fun Fall/Halloween craft tools & decor!

If you're planning on throwing a big {or even a small} Halloween bash, you definitely need to make a trip to Michaels there this week. Check out a few of my favorites...

Martha Stewart's test tubes are perfect for party favors or bar beverages - fill them with Halloween candy, or serve spooky-themed shots at your 21-and-over party. (Monster Blood, anyone?)

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I am absolutely in love with these gothic chic, glittered paper chandeliers (who says a Halloween party can't be fabulous?)...

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Spruce up your entryway or decorate behind your treats table with these fun garlands.

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These incredibly detailed craft punches are perfect for scrapbooking the photos after the party is over!

Scary Fence Punch & Spider Web Punch
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Be sure to also check out Boldly Chic's "Sunday Coffee" blog today - there's a sneak peek of our Halloween photoshoot collaboration in there....with more eye candy to come on our blog later this week!

New Product Showcase: Flat Notecard Sets

One of our loyal customers approached us earlier this month for post-wedding gifts for her family & maid-of-honor. She liked our boxed card sets on Etsy, but was looking for something larger & more personal.

The finished product? A boxed set of 4.25" x 5.5" flat note cards - each box contains 15 cards each of 3 different personalized designs. How fun are these?

I am so thrilled with the final product that I plan to list these in our Etsy shop this month! What a great Christmas gift idea for your girlfriends, sisters, mother-in-law, boss or any female on your shopping list. =)

Making Strides

This Saturday, we're pairing up with Boldly Chic Events for the 2010 Breast Cancer Walk in downtown Indy. It is such a great cause that is close to my family's heart.

I personally will be walking in honor of my grandmother, who battled breast cancer fearlessly - unfortunately, she lost her battle in the summer of 1995. I will never forget her courage, strength & loving presence in my life.

If you would like to help support our team with a donation, please visit our team's website. If you could forego that morning Starbucks coffee and donate $5 instead, we would greatly appreciate your help! {Every little bit helps!}

Your support enables the American Cancer Society to save lives by:

• Helping people stay well by educating and empowering women to live healthy lives and reduce their risk for breast cancer, and to get screening tests such as mammograms to find breast cancer early, when it is most treatable
• Helping people facing breast cancer get well by providing information, day-to-day help, and emotional support to guide them through every step of their breast cancer experience
• Finding cures by investing in and conducting research that leads to groundbreaking discoveries into breast cancer’s causes and cures
• Fighting back by working with lawmakers to support laws that help women battle breast cancer and help all women get access to screenings and care

Thank you for your support! Let's fight this disease in hopes that our daughters & granddaughters will never have to face the battle.

Cari @ Interprintations

Sticking up for the little guy....

In recent months, I've come across many posts & comments about how wedding ceremony programs are just unnecessary. Brides have come up with many reasons to exclude them - some of the popular excuses I've found are:

* Guests just toss them after the ceremony
* Everyone knows who's in the wedding party
* No one even looks at them
* It's an unnecessary expense

Obviously, I love all things paper & am a little biased. But I seriously beg to differ that they are a waste of time. Here is my rebuttal...

1) These little cards are a great way to subtly tie in your colors, monogram, or whatever theme you're using throughout the wedding. {Remember - it's all in the details!}

2) Your guests will look at them. Don't you always appreciate it when the bride & groom provide you with information about those closest to them {the wedding party}, as well as what's going on & what's coming up next {the ceremony lineup}? You might also consider including the song lyrics or readings/poems used during your ceremony - another great way to keep your guests engaged.

3) Give your guests a reason to keep the program! Include your address where you'll reside after the wedding, so guests can keep in touch with you. And why not also provide your photographer's website/blog/gallery link, so they can view your wedding photos? Some guests even hang onto them for inspiration when tackling their own {or a son/daughter's} wedding programs.

4) When done right, programs can actually be extremely easy on the wallet. Have door greeters hand out the programs, giving only one per couple or family. This easy addition will greatly cut down on the number of programs needed. Also, be sure to check with your stationery vendor - a lot of them offer discounts on additional stationery if you ordered your invitations through them or order multiple items (menus cards, table numbers, favor tags, etc).

Don't take your wedding programs for granted - they are truly underestimated! These can be a chic & affordable way to add color to the ceremony and keep your guests informed. {I can say firsthand that the gesture will not go unappreciated!}

Take a break with us....

Attention: Fellow vendors, area brides, and anyone who loves party planning!

Looking for inspiration for an upcoming holiday party, wedding, or just want to scope out some local vendors? I highly recommend attending the next open house at A Classic Party Rental!

The event is scheduled for Tuesday, November 2nd at 5:30-7:30pm. Perfect timing for a mid-week breakaway from the normal routine. =)

You can gather ideas for tablescapes & floral arrangements, sample food from Jacquie's Gourmet Catering, try sweets from 240Sweet, and much more! The event planners at A Classic Party Rental always do a fabulous job and I highly recommend attending!

Click here for more information & to RSVP!

...and check out the photos from their spring event! (We're in there somewhere....)

A Contemporary Venue: The Eiteljorg Museum

As a young girl, I always looked forward to visiting my favorite museum. I took part in a special art program in middle school, and would get SO excited when our annual trip approached! It is a place full of incredible history, gorgeous artifacts, and perfectly groomed landscapes.

This place is none other than Indy's own Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians & Western Art.

Nestled in downtown Indianapolis right by the canal, it's breathtaking property easily compliments the neighboring White River Gardens and NCAA headquarters. Every time I drive by it, I get anxious for my next visit!

This museum is also a lesser-known {but absolutely gorgeous} venue for catered events and weddings. It is in the higher end of the price spectrum, but definitely worth a look if it's in your budget! Check out some gorgeous photos I found of a recent wedding on the property....

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For the full photo lineup, check out Nathaniel Edmunds amazing photography work at the Eiteljorg Museum here.

For even more gorgeous wedding photography at the Eiteljorg, check out the recent work from the talented Chad Franz.

A day at the spa

Today I had the pleasure of cashing in my gift certificate {a birthday gift from my amazing husband} at Complexions, a spa in downtown Indy. I couldn't have picked a better day - after a long weekend, and a long week ahead, I needed it!

I had a 30-minute massage, organic facial, and a mani/pedi to top it off. I feel like a new woman. =) {Thanks, sweetie!}

And after my great experience, I wanted to be sure to pass along their info. I love the great deals they are currently offering! Check out their website for great gift ideas for the holidays, your wedding attendants, birthday gifts............or even to treat yourself. =)