A simple nod to our nations capital, Charmed Washington DC is ever so – well – charming! Traditional with a twist, light pastels paired with our prussian blue will win the votes of your guests!
customization = inks: powder blue + prussian blue | fonts: coronation + utrect | paper: white | invite size: f-8 | liner: vintage stripe pattern in prussian blue ink | original design by Jessica Tierney | customized by in-house designer Racheal Decker
embellishment suggestions: edge painting in watermelon
(Photo Credits: Jessica Hill)
by Racheal Decker In-House Designer.
Last week, we shared invitation wording tips for same sex couples with some pointers from Mark Kingsdorf (esteemed wedding planner and etiquette expert), and now we’re back with more advice from Mark and tips on program wording for same sex couples. How do you recognize parents, grandparents, honor attendants, and other guests on the program? Luckily, there are lots of ways to do it — read on to see some of Mark’s tips.
For parents:
– Simply say ‘Parents’ and list both sets of parents (as opposed to the traditional “Parents of the Bride” or “Groom’s Parents”). You could also say “Mark’s Parent’s” or “Kyle’s Parents” – this applies for grandparents, too!
For attendants:
– Your wording for attendants can be determined based on the formality of your wedding. In our example below (a tea length program of our Austin Traditional design), each groom’s best man was listed, and the rest of the wedding party was listed under “Honor Attendants”. If you’d like, you can divide the attendants into two columns, placing names on the left or right side depending on which side they’ll be placed on while you’re at the altar.
As with invitation wording, the program text should really fit your style as a couple — if you’ve got a more casual or laid back wedding planned, you can say “Mark’s friends” or “Kyle’s friends” when recognizing your wedding party. Of course, bridesmaids and groomsmen may also be used as well, but if you’ve got men and women in your party, an alternative option would be to list your “Bridesmates” or “Groomsmates”. You can even get creative and incorporate your wedding colors and tie in subtle recognition that way. While there are many possible ways to word your program, it’s important to give recognition to the friends and family members supporting your marriage – so word your programs in a way that best fits your personality and your wedding day.
Our thanks again to Mark for sharing these great tips!
Little-known fact: We can actually letterpress your own press-ready artwork for no additional charge! All of the artwork for this lovely letterpress invitation set was designed entirely by the groom and then submitted to us for printing. There’s a great interplay of curvilinear patterns going on between the invitation and the two insert cards in this set.
inks: black + blind deboss | paper: 2-ply white | invitation size: sq7 | liner: provided by client | client coordinator: chris gannon | in-house designer: sarah walroth
Our ever popular Mimosa (by Amy Graham Stigler) looks divine in this refreshing color combination of sea mist and antique gold inks for letterpress day of pieces. An oversized program cover stands tall at 5.5″ x 8.5″ folded. A #10 sized – tea length menu with space for calligraphy accents and table cards with the floral mimosas round out the set. We are in love with the sweet botanical hints that are perfect for a late summer celebration.
inks: antique gold + seamist | fonts: parisian + sans capitals | paper: 1-ply white | program size: 5.5″ x 8.5″ folded | menu size: #10 | table card size: a6 | client coordinator: christie jones | in-house designer: lindsy aragona
Relaxed, easy summer days inspire this carefree customization of our Simplicity invitation – just in time for August! Paired with a metallic bronze pocketfold that shimmers beautifully in the sunlight, this would have your guests feeling all warm inside just opening the invitation!
simplicity customization = inks: taupe + clover | fonts: newport + meadow | paper: white | invite size: a-7 | liner: vintage river pattern in antique gold ink | original design by James Grieshaber | customized by in-house designer Sarah Walroth |
embellishment suggestions: pocketfold in metallic bronze
(Photo Credits: Hazelnut Photography)
by Sarah Walroth, In-House Designer
Invitation wording can be tricky – knowing who to list and where to list them can sometimes present a challenge. With an increase in same-sex weddings (woohoo! go New York!), we’ve had some inquiries about wording for when you’ve got two brides or two grooms. So, we decided to speak with wedding pro Mark Kingsdorf of Queen of Hearts Wedding Consultants (an etiquette expert and contributor to several books by the esteemed Emily Post Institute) to get some tips for same-sex couples on the best way to word their invitations.
Mark said it best: “Proper etiquette is what makes the largest number of people feel most comfortable” — and we couldn’t agree more. So, when it comes to your wording, be sure to decide on the following factors:
1. Who should be listed? This depends entirely on the couple and their family. If both sets of parents are contributing, both sets of parents can be listed. You can list all parents, one set of parents, one parent, or no parents – it really comes down to your personal preference. If you have a lot of family members contributing to your wedding, a great alternative option would be to simply start by saying “Together with their families”, and proceed from there. Here’s a traditional example that lists both sets of parents:
2. Who goes first? Unless one family is contributing more than the other, Mark advises that alphabetical is the best way to go. Again, personal preference should reign, and your wording should be what fits you best as a couple.
The rest of your text should fall into place based on the type of ceremony and reception you’ll be having – let the formality of your event guide you. For even more tips on how to finalize the text for your invitations and other wedding stationery, click here, or feel free to get in touch with one of our client coordinators for assistance!
The important thing to remember is that your invitations and wedding stationery should set the tone for your wedding while highlighting who you are as a couple. Many thanks to Mark Kingsdorf for these great tips!
Don’t forget – our promotion for free envelope liners ends September 25, so there’s still plenty of time to order!
Just as our printers enjoy telling stories of how they came to love letterpress, every bride knows the importance of a good engagement story… you want to tell the whole world how he presented that little box with the sparkly ring.
And let’s be serious — we love gold. It’s shiny, it’s pretty, and when placed on the left ring finger, a gold ring symbolizes never-ending love and commitment to our one-and-only.
When I started ring shopping with my fiance, I was torn. I knew I wanted a ring, but I was concerned about the environmental and social impacts of this particular “symbol of love”. From the beginning, I was adamant that I wanted a conflict-free diamond, but it wasn’t until I started digging into the facts that I began to understand the effects of gold mining on communities, mining workers, and our environment.
You may have noticed that proceeds from our Labor Day Sample Sale (a huge success by the way… thanks!!!!) went to support Earthwork’s No Dirty Gold Campaign. Earthworks is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting communities and the environment from the impacts of irresponsible mining (Earthworks is also one of the eco causes we support as a member of 1% for the Planet!). I wanted to share with you some of what I have learned from Earthworks, and give you resources that will allow you to make informed purchases in the future.
Did you know that:
– One ring (if using traditional mining practices) produces an average of 20 TONS of waste!?!
– Gold mining is one of the world’s dirtiest industries. It wreaks havoc on local economies, causes illnesses, destroys streams, contaminates soil, and contributes to human rights abuses.
– Mined waste includes all sorts of toxins such as cadmium, mercury, arsenic, and lead. These metals enter local watersheds, contaminating drinking water for local residents.
Yeah. That’s pretty heavy stuff. Still, there are things you can do to help!
– Recycle old jewelry. You can have old rings melted down to make new ones. Support jewelers that offer products made with recycled gold.
– Buy vintage or antique jewelry.
– Love your ring. Take care of it and eventually pass it on to a child or friend.
To learn about more ways you can have an impact, or to learn more about the “No Dirty Gold Pledge”, visit the No Dirty Gold Campaign website today.
We think you’ll definitely agree that these vibrant and lively letterpressed Tara (by Ben Whitla) Bar Mitzvah invitations really get you in the mood for a celebration! These trendy invitations set the tone for the important Jewish milestone. The stand-out color combination of spring green and aquamarine inks is carried through onto all of the pieces. The modern vibe is continued through with adorable letterpressed thank you cards. It’s safe to say the celebration will not be short lived with a festive party to follow!
inks: spring green + aquamarine| fonts: moravia + billhead | paper: 1-ply white | invite size: a7 | client coordinator: jessica hanaman | in-house designer: kyle laatsch
A Bar Mitzvah is a great time to celebrate and what’s not to love about this Champagne (by Elizabeth and David Mandel) letterpress invitation customization? Letterpressed in navy ink on our 1-ply white paper the design is perfectly complimented with a 2 letter monogram. The reply postcard is a great addition to this set. The envelope liner in reverse antique geometrics pattern ties in both the navy ink and echoes the graphic used throughout the pieces.
ink: navy | fonts: futura + copperplate | paper: 1-ply white | invite size: a6 | liner: the reverse antique geometrics pattern in navy ink | client coordinator: christie jones | in-house designer: kyle laatsch
Make a splash with this summery Ribbon customization! Pairing aquamarine and atlantic inks makes for a perfect compliment to this whimsical customization. A rustic crosshatch envelope liner printed in cream ink creates a perfect final touch for this fun summer inspired look.
ribbon customization = inks: atlantic + aquamarine | fonts: futura + montenegro | paper: white | invite size: f-8 | liner: rustic crosshatch pattern in cream | original design by erin jang | customized by in-house designer kyle laatsch |
embellishment suggestions: edge paint in taupe
(Photo Credits: Cheri Lehnow)
by Kyle Laatsch, In-House Designer
Chris had the pleasure of working with Elizabeth & Alaina on their Canopy invitations for their super-sweet, homegrown wedding, and we’re thrilled to share photographs from their big day. This wedding is seriously overflowing with creativity – Elizabeth and Alaina spent two years planning, and their hard work paid off. They put special thought into every last detail (just wait til you see the paper goods…the place cards + table numbers = genius!), and Elizabeth was kind enough to fill us in on everything that went into planning their beautiful, backyard wedding.
Can you share with us a bit about your wedding and your inspiration for the event?
We had a backyard wedding for our friends and family at my parent’s house in Olympia, Washington. My parents live just outside of town where my mom raises chickens and has a huge garden. We spent two years before the wedding replanting the flower beds and getting the yard ready. We DIY-ed almost every aspect of the wedding from the yard to the decorations. I read a lot of wedding blogs leading up to the wedding, so I’m sure I was influenced by them in a lot of ways, but our wedding decor and feeling was very uniquely “us”.
My mother and I have a love of blue mason jars and both have a large collection, so we used those for flower vases. I thrifted some soda bottles for cheap and used those, too. I’m a librarian so we had books on the tables, and my wife is a math teacher – so flash cards as table numbers were perfect. There wasn’t a detail of the wedding that didn’t have meaning to us in some way.
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We printed this letterpress wedding invitation set for a very sweet Brazilian client of ours and – what’s the Portuguese word for gorgeous? Well, these are it! Letterpressed in a sophisticated paring of Pewter and ink-less Blind Deboss, this Amici (by designer Ian Koenig) set speaks softly and with an impeccably romantic tone. Lavender edge painting and lavender envelope liners printed with our reverse vintage river pattern add a subtle whisper of color to the set.
inks: pewter + blind deboss | fonts: coronation + utrecht | paper: 1-ply white | invitation size: f8 | liner: the reverse vintage river in lavender | client coordinator: chris gannon | in-house designer: racheal decker
