Your bridesmaids are some of your nearest and dearest BFFs.  Some of them have known you since you were in diapers and others know some of your deepest darkest secrets – they’ve celebrated all the important birthdays with you, they held your hair as you called earl, they provided comfort when you thought your heart was broken beyond repair, they helped you celebrate your greatest highs and have always been there for you.  And now they’re standing up at your wedding with you and your bethroed.  You’ve got to thank them.  They’ve been there through thick and thin. But, what’s an appropriate thank you gift? Personalized stationery of course! Our favorite stationer is effie’s paper - beautifully designed, clean and modern – unique paper products your BFFs will thank you for.

[photo courtesy of effie's paper]

The ladies at Gilt know that weddings are expensive undertakings; what better way to save some dough than to find your perfect wedding dress, wedding shoes and possibly even a wedding planner online and at a discount to boot?!?!?! Sheer genius.  So, mark your calendars for this Wednesday, October 20th and set your alarm for 12pm EST sharp – get ready set and be prepared to go when noon hits. Happy Shopping to all the Brides-to-Be!

I admitted that I was a little obsessed with my wedding stationery suite a few months ago.  I just learned that our invitations were featured in Asian Bride magazine recently.  See Number 4 above!  Click here to learn more about our bespoke stationer, Ananya Cards.

Wedding STYLE by Kalyn Johnson: How much does budget determine the kinds and types of flowers a couple can have at their wedding? What percentage of the overall budget should be allotted to flowers?

kat flower: budget is most definitely a determining factor in the choice of flowers for a wedding.  and certain budgets preclude certain flowers, i.e. if your budget is small and you are marrying in february, using only peonies, that will no doubt need to be imported, will not give you bang for your buck.  that said, when budget is a consideration (and it almost always is), then it is important that you remain flexible and open to as many options as possible.

i couldn’t begin to advise on what percentage florals should have in a couple’s wedding budget.  but i do recommend that couples weigh how important flowers are to their celebration when creating said budget.

WSKJ: What are some of the latest trends in wedding florals?  Colors? Flowers? Themes?

kat flower: with the proliferation of wedding and design blogs, i think the trend is moving to looser, natural and more organic design.  the flowers have more movement and are not always confined to tight shapes.  i also see more casual, wildflower arrangements, especially for outdoor weddings.

WSKJ: What can a bride with a limited budget to do maximize the effect of the flowers at her wedding?

kat flower: as i said before, the best thing a bride can do is be open and flexible.  using seasonal flowers will always save money.  and think about using flowers more creatively — clustering or grouping bud vase and smaller arrangements, using vessels that have some significance (like your mother’s or grandmother’s perfume bottles/china/glassware) so that it’s not just about the flower but tells a story about your family/traditions/history…

WSKJ: What kind of information from a bridal couple is helpful to you?  Do you like to receive lists?  See pictures?

i like the couple to share as much information as they can — how they met, what do they do for a living, likes and dislikes, concept and colors, how do they envision their wedding day to be, what they would like their guests’ experience to be, what are they wearing, what kind of ceremony will it be and so on.  i also ask them to bring any pictures that inspire them and help illustrate their vision.  as we talk, i help them determine what their floral essentials are so that i can prepare an estimate.

WSKJ: What happens when a couple is unfamiliar with flowers in general?  How do you work with couples who aren’t sure what they want specifically but who know they want their wedding to feel “modern”, “traditional” or “elegant”?

kat flower: more often than not, couples are generally unfamiliar with flowers.  but thank god for the internet!  once they share their wedding concept, design and date, i let them know what’s seasonal and available.  and we also look through the blogs (starting with mine) for different palettes and inspirations.  from there, i usually can produce a sample arrangement as their wedding draws near.

WSKJ: Do you believe that floral decor can help to set the tone for a wedding ceremony?  A rehearsal dinner? Wedding Dinner/Reception?

kat flower: absolutely.  floral decor and lack thereof will play a role in an event’s tone and design.  flowers come in so many shapes, colors, heights, textures and can have a transformative effect to any wedding event.  a couple’s choice of flower can evoke different moods — from romantic, to modern, to dramatic, to casual…

WSKJ: What are your personal favorite flowers?

kat flower: i love all flowers and my favorites tend to vary by season.  i love blossoming branches (quince, cherry blossoms, lilac, redbud, forsythia, etc.) because i love trees. there is something so beautiful, majestic, dramatic about them.  and i like that they are harbingers to the warmer days to come and also fleeting so you have to take the time to pay attention to them before they go away.

i love peonies and garden roses.  i love their fullness, their range of color, how they smell as pretty as they are and how you only need one bloom to make that perfect statement.

i love ranunculus, from the tiny buds to the large fluffy heads.  i love how much the color will vary in one bunch and they seem as if they have hundreds of petals.  i also love how spindly their stems are.

i heart dahlias.  just as blossom branches are precursors to spring, dahlias are that for fall and all its color intensity.  dahlias vary in shape and size and they seem to exist in so many colors.  i am particularly fond of the variegated variety.

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WSKJ: What is like designing for weddings?

kat flower: i love designing for weddings and feel a great deal of responsibility with each event.  after all, there is a level of trust that happens between me and my client.  i am entrusted to realize their vision, their concept and as stated earlier, am a part of creating the tone for the day.  with regard to personal flowers, besides the dress and the groom, the bride’s bouquet is the quintessential accessory that makes the bride feel like a bride.  she will walk it up the aisle, it will wtiness the ceremony, it will be photographed over and over again, making it timeless.  so it’s super important that i get it right.  all in all, i want them to be moved, to be happy that they chose me.  and i am always honored to my flowers played a small part in their celebration.

For more information, please go to kat flower’s website and blog at http://katflower.blogspot.com.  For weddings and events, contact Kathleen directly at kathleen@katflower.com.

[photographs courtesy of Jen Huang Photography, Jenny Ebert and kat flower]

I saw this book, I Married Adventure, online a few weeks ago and the title made me chuckle because, to me, no truer words could be used to describe marriage.  It is an adventure!  Osa Johnson’s book is about the adventures she and her husband, Martin, had as photographers, explorers, marketers, naturalists and authors while studying the wildlife and peoples of East and Central Africa, the South Pacific Islands and British North Borneo during the first half of the Twentieth Century. They explored then-unknown lands and brought back film footage and photographs, offering many Americans their first understanding of these distant lands.  While your marriage may not be about this kind of adventure, it will be an adventure nonetheless.  The book is now a collector’s item, especially for decor enthusiasts; it’s a great wedding gift for the right couple.

The BIG DAY is almost here!!!  Essentials?  What essentials?  You’ve got your dress, shoes, hair and make-up all under control.  Which means you’re just about set  . . . but there are a few things you’re going to want to have with you during the actual celebration to make sure that you’re picture perfect for every shot.

1. A beautiful clutch bag to carry your essentials in.  I’m partial to sparkly, but choose one that makes your heart sing.  It could be the color of your dress or possibly the color that your bridesmaids wear.
2. Pressed Blotting Powder.  Shiny is not what you want to be on your wedding day.  Emotions will be running high and your internal furnance may choose to kick in.  Minimize your shine with MAC ’s pressed blotting powder.
3. Lip Gloss.  Sheer lips are the way to go, MAC lip glass will keep a little bit of color on your lips and it’s so darn easy to apply!
4. Lip Balm. Rosebud Lip Balm is my favorite – it’s great for dry lips, perfect under your lip gloss and it will even give your Groom’s lips a nice moisturized look for photos.
5. Mints. Altoids, Altoids, Altoids.  They’re curiously strong for a reason! (I love the Ginger ones).
6. Blotting Paper.  They’re easy to store and use; ALSO, you can hand them out to your Groom, Attendants and anyone else who get’s a little shiny.  I’ve used Papier Poudre forever and a day.
7. A Handkerchief.  I cry at other people’s weddings, so I knew the faucet would be turned on at my own wedding! A pretty hankie is the best thing to have tucked away in your clutch or bossom to dry those eyes.
8. A Camera.  You’ve hired a photographer to shoot the wedding so that you don’t have to worry about trying to capture the moment, but you’re not going to get those pictures back for months!  Pack a little digital camera in your purse and give it to one of your bridesmaids or good friends and ask them to take photos for you – you’re wedding day will be a blur to you. Everyone says it goes by in a flash, and it really truly does.  Having photos on your own camera to look at the day after with your hubby is one of the best gifts you can receive!

I just read about Carmello Anthony & Lala Vazquez’s wedding that took place Friday nite here in Manhattan.  Their wedding invitations were designed by Lehr&Black.  You know I’m a sucker for paper, so I did some investigation and discovered these beautiful invitations designed by Lehr&Black.  I saw them and immediately, I said just like my 3 year old niece Jada would have, “OOOOOOOOOoooooh!”.  Enjoy.

[image courtesy of Lehr&Black]

Sneakers and wedding gowns?  I know, seems like an odd pairing . . . but, maybe not. Think about it like this – you’ve been in your 3 to 5 inch heels for 8 hours taking pictures, standing through your 40 minute ceremony, more pictures, meeting and greeting your guests, through dinner and now it’s time for dancing the night away.  Your dogs are barking!!!  But, it’s your wedding night and if there’s any night you must be light on your feet, it’s your wedding night, right?  Ask your MH (a.k.a. Maid or Matron of Honor) to stow away some cool sneaks for you underneath the head table, just in case . . . it’s better to be safe than sorry.  My favorites are pictured below by Converse for Jack Purcell. If you end up wearing your sneaks your guests will love it because it’s license for them to kick off their heels and your groom will love you even more because he won’t have to hear about how much your feet hurt.  Plus, as you can see they make a great photo op!

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Love is in the air.  Everywhere I look around.  . . .

The John Paul Young disco classic pretty much captures how I’ve always felt about the month of June.  For some reason, I’ve always associated the month of June with weddings.  I went to a wedding last night.  The first wedding I’ve been to since my own.  It was wonderful to be a part of someone else’s happiness as a spectator.  The recitation of the vows.  The exchange of rings.  All of it is exciting to me each and every time I watch someone embark on such a momentous journey.   I love weddings.  I always have, ever since I was a little girl.  There’s something about the tradition.  You know what to expect but you don’t.  You know the bride will walk down the aisle on the arm of a gentleman all the while smiling at her betrothed.   You know she’ll be a vision in white as she floats down the aisle.  You know the vows she and her groom will make to one another.  It’s so routine that it’s almost rote.  But at the same time, each time I hear a couple repeat their vows, tears form in my eyes as I think about the promises they’re making to one another and their families and friends.  Love is in the air.  Inhale.

Beth Cozzi:  First and foremost is the budget, and then next on the list is overall style (contemporary, traditional, pocket fold, etc) and then colors.

BC: Letterpress is a printing technique that uses a raised surface printing plate, indenting the ink and words into the paper.  Thermography is raised ink, and is a popular alternative to the traditional method of engraving.

WSKJ: Are you seeing any trends in wedding invitations today? Monograms? Logos or motifs?  Popular colors or themes?

BC: Pocket folders that hold all the pieces of the invitation ensemble are very popular.   Contemporary monograms have become more popular in the last couple of years, as are motifs such as birds and monochromatic florals.  We are seeing more use of yellow/black combination this season as well as lime and navy.

WSKJ: Is a “Save the Date” a must for all weddings or just destination weddings?

Save the Dates are used for all weddings now and have replaced engagement announcements.   People are excited to share their news and save the dates are a way to spread the word and also provides the opportunity to choose a less formal stationery piece.

WSKJ: What information is essential and must be included on a wedding invitation?  If someone is having a weekend of events, what is the best way to convey that information to guests?

BC: A wedding invitation must tell you who, when (date and time) and where.  The street address of “where” is still optional, although most people include (but no zip codes on formal invitations!).  Additional inserts would be used for events such as rehearsal dinners or farewell brunches.

WSKJ: Is it helpful for guests if bridal couples have a wedding website?

BC:  Wedding websites are a wonderful tool being used by engaged couples.  Websites can include lots of extra information that cannot or should not be included in a formal invitation.  For example, it is considered improper etiquette to include gift registry information in any part of your invitation ensemble, but it is OK to have links to registries from a wedding website.  Many couples opt to exclude the paper respond card in favor of RSVP by website or email only.

WSKJ: Is there a rule of thumb for addressing wedding invitations?

BC: While double envelopes are still the traditional way to go when mailing wedding invitations,  the single envelope has become much more commonplace over the last several years.  Reasons range from attempting to be green and use less paper, to the rise in popularity of pocket folders and custom envelopes.  However, addressing a single envelope often creates confusion with regard to etiquette.   Here is an example of how you would address a single envelope when you know the name of the date they will be bringing:

Ms. Bonnie Higgins
Mr. David Watson
1666 Orchard Lane
Vancouver, WA 98683

Hand written calligraphy is still the most upscale and elegant form of addressing an invitation.  However, computerized calligraphy is very popular and socially appropriate.  Computer calligraphy allows one to perfectly match the font used for the invitations to the guests addressing and is often more affordable than hiring a professional calligrapher.  Checkerboard does a fantastic job of guest addressing, incorporating the use of motifs along with the printed addresses.

One final tip for the budget conscious bride is to stay away from square or vertical envelopes.  They can drastically increase the amount of money you will spend on postage.

WSKJ: Can a wedding invitation or Save the Date set the tone for the wedding?

BC: Absolutely.  For example, a very  traditional ecru invitation presented by the parents of the bride sets a very different tone than an invitation with a photo of a couple dancing with lampshades on their heads, presented by the couple.

WSKJ: How far in advance should Save the Dates be mailed out? Invitations?

BC: Save the Dates should go out about 6 months before the wedding, or sooner if the date is set and guests may have to budget for travel.  Invitations should be sent 6 – 8 weeks before the wedding.

WSKJ: What percentage of the budget should be spent on wedding stationery (Save the Dates, invitations and thank you notes)?

BC: Most experts agree that stationery should be 2 – 5% of the overall budget.  So, if you have a $20,000 budget, you would spend between $400 and $1,000.

WSKJ: I’ve always heard that it’s inappropriate to include “gift registry cards” when mailing out wedding invitations.  Is this true?  If so, how do guests find out where the couple is registered?

BC: The traditional way is by word of mouth, but now couples often rely on wedding websites.  And it is appropriate to include registry information on shower invitations.

WSKJ: What do you think of the trend of electronic Save the Dates and wedding invitations?  Invitations?

BC: Personally, I am not a fan of electronic invitations, and not just because I am in the business of selling paper invitations.  As I get older, I cherish my keepsakes more and more.  And you can’t deny that there is something special about seeing personal correspondence and invitations in the mail.

For more information, unique wedding invitations and great wedding stationery etiquette tips, check out Beth’s website, www.invitationlane.com.

[images from Invitation Lane]