Kelly Ashworth Design Photo Birth Announcements

Exciting news for moms-to-be! I just launched my new Photo Birth Announcements on my Etsy site. I currently have nothing short of 139 friends/family/colleagues who are expecting, which made this endeavor ever so fun. (And may have resulted in more than one case of baby fever.)

Each style can be customized with your choice of colors, photo and wording. The cards measure 5x7" and include a white envelope. Return address printing is also included in the price.  

I was also super lucky to have some of the most talented photographers submit their photos to use on my samples. Here's a sneak peek:

{ Bouncing Baby Boy. Photograph courtesy of Jennifer Bowen Photography. }

{ Stars & Dots. Photo courtesy of Carolyn Wells Photography. }

{ Mod Floral Monochromatic. Photo courtesy of Melissa Jill Photography. }

Thanks to all three ladies for sharing your incredible work!

Pricing starts at $62.50 for 25 cards, and price breaks are available if you need more. You can find more information on my Etsy site, or you're always welcome to shoot me an email at: info{at}kellyashworthdesign.com.

Baubles for your Bubbly

Jewel tones are all the rage right now, so what could be more fitting for your first toast as man and wife than these jewel encrusted champagne flutes?

 

{Sphere Flutes - set of 4, $31.80 right here. }

Stay Tuned

Just wanted to say sorry for the blogging hiatus this week. I've been sick as a dog and have been busy reading up on the many different exotic diseases I might have on Web MD. Turns out it's not dengue, so I've got that going for me.

But stay tuned for regularly scheduled programming next week. 

Fast Food for you Big Day

As I write this, I am surrounded by a large glass of ice water, a box of kleenex and an assortment of throat lozenges. My first cold in years. I won't complain too much because it's actually given me some groovy inspiration for all of you brides out there. Actually, I have Jaimee Rose to thank as she posted a magnificent idea at just the right time. 

In case you haven't checked out Jaimee's blog, she's a bit of an entertaining maven and is generous enough to share all of her tips and tricks that bring out the inner Martha in us all. Observe:

{photo from the Jaimee Rose Blog}

Pretty milkshakes in shot glasses for all of her dinner guests to enjoy. And you know what's even better? She got the milkshakes from the Jack-in-the-Box drive through, for Pete's sake. Genius! This is a clever trick I wish I would have implemented at my own wedding. Jaimee is also famous for ordering lots of fast food french fries and laying them out in an artful way. This is a guaranteed winner at a wedding, I don't care how black tie it is.

Check out Jaimee's blog here to get loads of other fun entertaining ideas. In the meantime, I believe I'll be sending my husband out on a milkshake run to soothe the savage beast that is the common cold.

Baby Shower Invites for the Birds

As I posted here, I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of two nieces. The shower for baby #2 is quickly approaching and is being centered around feminine touches, fairy tales and the color pink. 

My sister-in-law had seen the images from my new line of Invitation Kits and fell in love with the paper I used for the Fuchsia and Turquoise Avian Invitation Kit. The pattern on the paper, combined with the deep pink satin ribbon made for a great feminine statement without being too "frou frou". 

Here's a sneak peak - with addresses and phone number removed...I figure there won't be any gate crashes at a baby shower, but you just never know - of the finished product?:

I Don't Want Kids at My Wedding

Given the current state of things, brides are being forced to cut back on just about everything when planning their wedding. Even when the economic outlook is bright and sunny, the subject of kids at the blessed event can prove to be a major buzz kill. 

In this "be nice" post, I'll tackle the issue from both the brides' and guests' perspective. Here goes.

If you're the bride:

• resist the temptation to include "adults only" or "no children" on your save the date cards or invitations. It's not nice. Simply include only the parents' names on the envelope. This is also good information to share with your bridesmaids, mother and future in-laws. They can help you spread the word that you must be this big to ride this ride.

• if you decide on a "no kids allowed" policy, stick to it. It may be awkward to field the "why can't I bring my child?" questions, but it will be much worse to cave in. If you bend the rule for one guest, there will surely be hell to pay when your other guests find out on wedding day.

• consider offering a babysitting service for any out-of-town guests who have no choice but to bring their kids. If this won't fit within the confines of your budget, you'll need to accept the fact that some of your guests won't attend. 

If you're a guest:

• pay attention to your wedding invitation. If the envelope is addressed to "Mr. and Mrs. John Smith" and not "Mr. and Mrs. John Smith, Mady, Cara, Aaden, Alexis, Joel, Collin, Leah and Hannah", you'll need to leave the little ones at home. 

• don't give the bride and groom grief about not including children in the celebration. Put yourself in their position and understand that weddings are extremely expensive and that it was most likely a budgetary decision.

• enjoy your night off. And bring some cake home for the kids. Sugar is your ally.

Cake Toppers for the Outdoorsy Bride

While I love flowers, sparkles and other fun adornments, I'm also a bit of a tomboy. And I realize not every brides dream is to don a giant ball gown and traipse across the dance floor in 6 inch heels. Maybe you'd rather wear a fleece jacket and hiking boots? If so, this post is dedicated to you. And look, I've already found you some cake toppers:

{ $25 each right here and here. }

Assigned Seating for Wedding Guests

I recently had a bride tell me that she wouldn't need escort cards or a seating chart for her wedding guests because she wanted everyone to get to know one another and mingle. Which in theory sounds great, but in actuality can be a recipe for disaster. 

Before you flood me with "but I did it and it worked out fine!" emails, please allow me to preface this by saying: MOST of the time, free-for-all seating is not the best idea. Sometimes it works. But most often it doesn't.

In truth, most guests follow the herd mentality. They WANT to be told where to sit. Arriving at a reception sans escort cards can be chaotic. They will expect a seating assignment of some sort, so this unexpected turn of events can catch them off guard. 

With assigned seating, your reception will run smoothly and you'll have one less thing to fret about. And chances are, your guests will be mingling during your cocktail hour anyway. 

Martha has a sweet new feature on her site where you can create and organize the seating arrangements for your reception (why couldn't this have been around when I got married?) which makes the whole task of assigned seating infinitely easier. Use it. You (and your guests) will be so glad you did. 

{seating chart from Farrah & Andy's wedding, designed by yours truly.}

Modern Prep

Even with the departure of Isaac Mizrahi, Target has still managed to produce these two lovelies. Would someone have a modern preppy wedding so I have an excuse to wear one (or both) of these dresses?

Top: Tie Neck Dress, $39.99

Bottom: Belted Swirl Dress, $44.99

Drive Your Map

Maps and directions cards have become a critical piece of the wedding invitation puzzle as of late, especially here in Arizona where a large percentage of the weddings are destination oriented. Lots of out-of-towners coming in to experience the lovely weather, great shopping and dining and of course, your ridiculously amazing wedding!

To make things easier on your guests, I suggest that my clients drive the route they provide to ensure accuracy. This must be done before signing off on your final proofs and sending to the printer. This is especially important if your ceremony and reception are being held at two different locations. Because there is nothing worse than being a stranger in a strange land, no? 

{ pictured above: Map for Anita & Steven's January '08 wedding }

Introducing Kelly Ashworth Design Invitation Kits!

Exciting news for DIY Brides! I have just launched a line of DIY Invitation Kits on my Etsy site! I currently have five styles of varied colors and patterns. Each kit contains enough paper, sashes, ribbon and envelopes to create 50 individual invitations. Just print, assemble and you're golden! 

In addition to printing your invitations, you'll also have enough paper leftover to print your own RSVP postcards. Here's a rundown of what comes in each kit:

• 50 5x7" Invitation Backings

• 50 100% Recycled Cotton Patterned Sashes (approx. 3.5 x 11")

• 1 Spool of Eco-Friendly Satin Ribbon

• 50 A7 Envelopes

• 50 Sheets of 8.5 x 11" Cover Paper (enough to print your invites 2-Up and your RSVP's 4-Up)

• 1 List of Tips from yours truly for optimum assembly results

Kits cost $92.50, available right here.

If you don't see what you want, I am happy to offer customized Invitation Kits starting at $125. Just shoot me an email {info@kellyashworthdesign.com} and let me know what you need!

Here are some snaps of the current collection:

Rose Clutches

Have you noticed everything's coming up roses? Specifically in the handbag department? Or even more specifically in the clutch handbag department? 

Take note of  these lovely sculptural clutches, all perfect for your stylish 'maids:

Top: Fabulous Flower Clutch, $128

Middle: Silk Rosette Clutch, $88

Bottom: Raso Clutch, $695