Holiday Design Promotion Reminder

Just a quick reminder that my Holiday Design Promotion will expire this Friday, December 11. Book me for any design service and you will receive 25 Free Holiday Greetings cards from my new line! It's not too late! Email info@kellyashworthdesign.com to get the ball rolling.

Design Promotion for the Holidays!

I wanted the last promotion of 2009 to be big and exciting. I thought about hiring a guy in a cape to shout excitedly, Billy Mays style. But I've heard that can put people off.

So here's what I'm going to do:

From now until Friday, December 11th when you book me for any design service, you will receive 25 Free Holiday Greeting Cards from my new line. Select any design and we can customize with your own photo and message. Use them for business colleagues, friends, family, or whomever you choose. Isn't this exciting?

Free Holiday Greetings are available with the purchase of Logo Development, Postcards, Brochures, Flyers or Ad Design. Offer is good for 25 of the same design. Offer expires December 11, 2009. You must mention this offer to receive 25 free Holiday Greetings.

You can take a look at some of my most recent design work here, and you can contact me via email at: info@kellyashworthdesign.com.

Happy Holidays!

Graphic Design Services Promotion

My February Graphic Design Services promotion was so popular, I've decided to run it again for the month of August! This is exciting, people!

Starting today and for the whole month of August, I'll be offering 1,000 free business cards to anyone who places an order for my Design Services. Yep, that's right. You order postcards, you get 1,000 business cards. Same goes for brochures, flyers, web design services and print ad design. Snazzy, full color, glossy business cards. Free.

Here's the fine print in regular 12 point type:

Free Business Card offer includes 1,000 4-Color Glossy Business Cards with the purchase of Logo Development, Postcards, Brochures, Flyers, Web Design or Ad Design. Offer is good for 1,000 of the same design (order cannot be combined with another design). Offer expires August 31, 2009. You must mention this offer to receive 1,000 free Business Cards.

And here's a quick rundown of my prices (design only, does not include printing):

Postcards (Double-sided) – starting at $250

Catalogs / Brochures – starting at $350

Flyers – starting at $250

Web Design – starting at $750

Ad Design (Full Page) – starting at $400

Ad Design (Half Page) – starting at $300

Ad Design (Quarter Page) – starting at $250

You can see some of my most recent design work, right here.

And you can reach me, by calling 928.252.2590 or emailing info@kellyashworthdesign.com.

The Non-Designer's Guide to Designing the Perfect Event, Pt.4

As I mentioned in Part 3 of this week's guide, great design can be found at the grocery store if you look hard enough. And where there is great design, there is inspiration to be had to create the perfect event.

Case in point:

I have been obsessing for awhile over Pellegrino. Simply put, it's water in a fancy bottle. But look at that gorgeous green glass! And the pretty blue shades with a small pop of tomato red. Ka-pow! This color palate lends itself to so many looks and all I had to do was stop at Safeway (or insert your local grocery store here).

Think about the last time a package or pattern or photo caught your eye. What about it made you stop for a better look? Was it the color? The texture? The feeling it evoked? The lesson here is this: inspiration is everywhere. Sometimes right under your nose. Literally. Pay attention to these visual cues. They may just solve all of your design dilemmas so you can live happily ever after.

The Non-Designer's Guide to Designing the Perfect Event, Pt.3

I touched on the subject of budget briefly in yesterday's post, and today I want to bring it front and center. Clearly, budget will play a role in any event design. And clearly, many brides and hostesses have had to cut back given the current economic roller coaster we all seem to be riding.

If you can't afford to hire an event designer, or rent fancy schmancy linens - take heart. Nowadays there are so many resources out there for guys and gals just like you. Here are a few of my favorites:

1. Costco -- although I avoid this behemoth of bulk goods come the weekend, if you plan a trip during a weeknight, you're more likely to avoid the crowds. Costco has an amazing selection of fresh flowers, and they take special orders. In addition to floral, check back often for their ever changing selection of table accessories. A friend of mine had her heart set on silver chargers, but couldn't afford to pay what her reception venue was charging. At that same time, Costco just so happened to be offering the very same silver chargers. She found another girlfriend who was also getting married who also wanted silver chargers and they went in on them together. Great idea for brides who have friends getting married -- if your styles are similar in any way, consider going in on some of those little accessories to save big.

2. Craft Stores -- do not overlook your local craft store, or even the big box chains such as JoAnn's or Michael's. Many of these places offer coupons when you sign up for their mailing list or e-newsletter. Think of all the supplies you can get, many times at a 40% savings or more. Ribbon, craft punches, fabrics, and gift bags to name a few.

3. Home Goods -- ahhhh, Home Goods. Have you been? If not, you must. Aisle after aisle of every accessory for the home you can imagine. This might not be the place to go if you're planning a large wedding, but for smaller events this is one of my favorite places. You'll find picture frames for your table numbers, glass jars for your candy bar and other odds and ends at crazy reasonable prices. Virtually every display table I have ever worked on included a trip to Home Goods.

4. IKEA -- you had to know it was coming, right? You know all the obvious reasons to go -- candlesticks, vases, blah, blah, blah. I also love IKEA because they now carry a great selection of fabrics. If you're crafty, consider hitting up IKEA's textile department for DIY table runners.

These are obviously just a few ideas and anecdotes to help prepare a stylish soiree. Great design can be found at the grocery store if you look hard enough. So get out there and look! And tell me where you went--I'm always on the lookout for a great source of inspiration.

The Non-Designer's Guide to Designing the Perfect Event, Pt.2

In Part Two of the Non-Designer's Guide to Designing the Perfect Event, I want to focus on your individual taste. I touched on this in Part One with regards to choosing the best venue for your vision. But let's dig a little deeper, shall we?

Aside from some of the obvious questions you'll need to ask yourself (How big is your event? What kind of budget are you working with? How much time do you have to plan?) you should also consider the following:

Aside from bridal magazines, you can find a wealth of inspiration by delving into the pages of your favorite catalogs. Seek out patterns, color combinations, place settings and floral arrangements. Interior Design and Decor magazines are also very helpful.

To create the perfect color palate, consider taking a field trip to your local home improvement store. Paint swatches galore, my dears. Some of the home decorating shops have even gotten into the fray -- Pottery Barn now offers seasonal paint selections that complement their furnishings and decor items. Click here to view their current color selections or request a fan deck.

If you are planning a wedding and have already selected a dress, steal this trick: gaze at your dress for as long as you want and jot down as many adjectives that describe your fetching frock. Now take a look at what you've written. Voila! Inspiration in list form. Take this list with you to your vendor appointments and you'll effectively communicate your vision. Easy, right?

Some other things you might consider when designing the perfect event are the little things that make up your everyday style. What influences you? Do you travel? Dine at fancy restaurants? Love to explore the outdoors? All of these things can assist you in defining your ideal event style. Look inward at the things you love and you'll be more likely to create an event that truly represents your individuality and creativity. And have fun!

The Non-Designer's Guide to Designing the Perfect Event, Pt.1

I've worked with enough brides to know that one of the most common, yet frustrating challenges in planning a wedding is coming up with a beautiful, cohesive design. And I'm here to tell you that you don't have to be a designer to create a gorgeous wedding or special event!

This week I'll be sharing some common pitfalls, tips and tricks to help you determine what will work best for you event. Today I want to talk about space. Specifically the space you have chosen to host your event.

"Consider Your Space"

Repeat this like a mantra. I'm serious. If you are getting married at a gorgeous, historical country club, please don't try to recreate an industrial/modern loft reception. Instead, consider your space. Consider the architectural details. Consider the carpet. Consider the chandeliers. Consider it all. Work with what you have and enhance it. Just don't try and turn it into something it's not.

For example:

You are having a wedding at the aforementioned gorgeous, historical country club. Perhaps it has a beautiful ornate chandelier, traditional floral carpets and velvet draperies. You can easily enhance the space with some yummy linens (shimmery satin, damask prints or nubby silk would be pretty), lots of candlelight (antique candelabras?) and some fantastic floral to finish the look.

And if you haven't booked a space, consider your personal style before signing the dotted line.

If you have your heart set on a bold/modern look, do some research and find a venue that would cater to this look.

More examples:

Resorts/Ballrooms are great for big and fancy. Each place will have it's own distinct style, though - so be sure to look around to determine if it's right for you.

Beaches are great for low key and casual events. They are also very versatile. You can do modern beach just as easily as you can do vintage beach.

Country Clubs tend to be beautiful and traditional. Not always the best choice for the "modern" bride. But they do serve as a terrific backdrop for the classic beauty.

Garden Weddings are great for earthy and traditional brides alike. Like a beach wedding, they can be more relaxed and casual. On the other hand, gardens can serve as a great canvas for extravagance.

Offbeat venues such as museums, parks or other cultural attractions allow for more free flowing design. Just about anything goes (within reason -- always make sure to check with the venue before taking it upon yourself to "decorate".)

Of course everything that I mention above is just my opinion. If you want to do a retro 50's themed wedding in the ballroom of a fancy resort, there's nothing stopping you. I just personally find that you suffer far fewer event-related headaches by tuning into your surroundings to make it work. (Thank you, Tim Gunn.)

What are you doing to "consider your space"? I'd love to hear all about it. Even if you are a major rule breaker. Go ahead and share with the class.

Fun with Stamps

It seems every year the United States Postal Service decides that they cannot possibly deliver anymore mail until they receive an additional two cents from the general public. This year is no exception, and the new rate of 44 cents is officially in effect. I am already mourning the loss of my beloved Charles and Ray Eames stamps that made my water bill infinitely more festive.

While you can always go out and buy Forever Stamps, I personally find them a tad snooze-worthy. Fortunately, just in time for the price increase, the USPS has released a few new designs. My feelings are mixed, take a look. What do you think?

Not gonna lie - I was pretty stoked when I saw the new Simpsons stamps. Pop art at it's finest. Perhaps not apropos for fancy wedding invitations, but fun nonetheless.

I'm also quite fond of this new design in the Love line. King and Queen of Hearts stamps are so cool and unexpected. Really pretty.

 

And this is where the post office lost me. My parents always said that if I didn't have anything nice to say, that I should keep my mouth shut. But I assure you, in this case, my silence is deafening. 

Quick etiquette reminder for brides: you must MUST include postage on your RSVP cards. Whether they are tucked in a pretty envelope or you opt for groovy postcards, it's imperative that you stamp each and every one. Most often you can get away with a standard .44 cent stamp, but if there is any question at all - have your friendly postal employee weigh it for you. Same goes for your invitations. NEVER assume you have enough postage. The line at the post office is worth the wait.

Music for your First Dance

When planning our wedding, one of the aspects I enjoyed most was selecting a song for our first dance. My husband and I love to have a few glasses of wine and search for songs on iTunes, (Warning: imbibing whilst searching for music may result in inadvertent Will Smith downloads) so for us choosing music was great fun.

However, I know for some brides this can be a difficult task. Many couples may already have a "song", but you need to ask yourself the following questions:

1. Is it appropriate? If your song includes lyrics about having intercourse, I would say to move on and find something else. Immediately.

2. How long or short is the song? Do a test and dance to the song at home. If it's over in 30 seconds, or if after 4 minutes you're still dancing, keep looking.

3. Does the DJ have the song? This may sound stupid, but I actually ran into this at my own wedding. Because I was planning from Arizona for a wedding in Michigan, I did not have the chance to meet many of my vendors until the actual wedding day. I filled out the DJ's questionnaire and promptly returned it to him, assuming that all was well and my selections were available. Wrong. My DJ phoned the night of our rehearsal dinner to say that he didn't have the song for our first dance, and we'd either have to select something else or bring him a disc. I realize now that my choice in DJ was probably not the best, but it's worth mentioning so you don't run into the same thing at the last minute.

If you're still stumped, a sure fire way to find a great song is to look to The Standards. Standards, or music from the Great American Songbook, include music written between the 1920's and '60's and is most often associated with Jazz, Broadway and Hollywood musicals. If you go to Amazon and search for "standards", you'll find a slew of options. You can also search for the songwriters themselves, including Irving Berlin, George and Ira Gershwin, Jerome Kern, Cole Porter and Rodgers and Hart to name a few. You'll likely recognize the songs instantly. I'm listing some of my personal favorites here:

Songs for Swingin' Lovers! $13.99 right here.

Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Rodgers & Hart Songbook, Vol. 2, $14.98 right here.

The Original Great American Songbook, $13.98 right  here.

So grab your favorite adult beverage and enjoy! But please avoid any selections from "Big Willie Style". I assume that goes without saying, but you just never know.

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:

Practical advice for the uninspired bride

I have absolutely nothing against bridal magazines. Not at all, I subscribe to a majority of them. However, I can't tell you how much inspiration can be found in the many wonderful magazines that do not fall in the bridal category. 

Here's the proof:

The latest issue of Domino magazine. The sticky tabs they include are GENIUS and unlike a bridal magazine, you won't be inundated with a billion ads for wedding dresses and Sandals Jamaica honeymoons. I am a devoted subscriber of this magazine, as well as many of the other wonderful shelter magazines out there.  If you are a bride, consider checking out some of the brilliant home and garden magazines for design and style inspiration. 

UPDATE: I scheduled this post in advance before the news came out that Domino is closing it's doors. Really sad news, I loved this magazine and eagerly awaited each new issue. 

What does the "M" mean on my RSVP Card?

Whether you're a bride planning a wedding, or a guest planning to attend, you may find yourself completely clueless on matters of etiquette. For example, I have so many people ask "what does that "M" mean on the RSVP card?" 

{Pictured above: Kelly Ashworth Design reply card for Nov. '08 wedding. }

Simple answer: it denotes your formal title. Mr., Mrs., Miss, Ms. So if you are Mr. and Mrs. Jim Halpert, for example, the "M" is the first letter in "Mr." It's just a line meant to fill in your title and the rest of your name. Easy, right?

I will post periodically about etiquette issues on this blog. For quick reference, just look under the category "be nice" and you'll find what you're looking for.

DIY Invitation Workshop for Brides Reminder

We still have a few open spots for the DIY Invitation Workshop for Brides next Thursday! Call the Bright Girls now to reserve your spot. 

Guest Expert Series on The Smart Planner

Chances are, if you are a bride planning a wedding or a wedding coordinator looking for sage advice, you've heard of Liene Stevens. As the writer of two insanely popular blogs (Blue Orchid Designs and The Smart Planner) Liene serves up tons of practical tips and tricks in a totally relatable voice.

So you can imagine how excited (and nervous) I was when she asked me to write a series for The Smart Planner. Click on the links below to learn more about:

Tips for Hiring a Graphic Designer

How to Be Consistent in Your Brand Image

How to Know When Your Designs are Overkill

And thanks again to Liene, for this great opportunity!   

Amy's Floral Design

I recently had the privilege of working with Amy Garza of Amy's Floral Design here in Phoenix. Amy needed some collateral materials to pass out at a bridal show and wanted to use some of the images she had received from a recent photo shoot.

As a graphic designer, I cannot stress this enough – good photography is critical to the health and success of your business. If you are selling a product and you have opted to shoot said product with your camera phone, you might as well close up shop right this instant. A professional photographer will ensure your product is shown in the best light. Literally. If you are hoping to receive editorial coverage from a magazine or website, professional photographs of your product or service will greatly increase your chances for coverage.

I completely understand the need to slash budgets, decrease overhead costs, etc. in this tough economic climate. But if you skimp on the way you present yourself and your company, you're as good as dead anyway.

OK, I have stepped off of my soap box. Check out Amy's snazzy new postcards:

{ images courtesy Tunnel Photography }

Designer Invites for Beer Budget Brides

This just in...I'm not sure if you've all heard, but apparently the economy is in tough shape right now? Weird.

Anyway, given this recent development, I figured it might be nice to come up with a new menu of services to cater to brides who are cutting back on their wedding spend. So in addition to my custom work, I will now be offering Design-Only Services for brides who still want the look of a designer invitation, but who are willing to take on the assembly themselves. I will meet with you, go over design options and even make recommendations about what tools you'll need, which techniques work best and so forth. 

The menu below (click to enlarge) is just a starting point, if you have a specific idea that I have not addressed below, just give me a buzz. 

Wedding Programs made easy

{ Bhavi and Tom's wedding program. Photo provided by Jared Platt }

In my experience, nothing seems to stump a bride like the wedding program. By the time you reach this point in the planning process, you're likely to be worn out making decisions that have anything to do with your wedding. Understood. 

That's why I'm providing you with the Kelly Ashworth Design Super Fantastic Wedding Program Checklist (or KADSFWPC for those of you who like a good acronym).

I normally have brides build a program around four main components:

1. Wedding Party

2. Order of Ceremony

3. Message of Thanks from the Bride & Groom

4. Remembrances / Tributes

Then if you want to get a little more in depth, you can explain your relationship to the members of your wedding party. Depending on your energy level, this can include a straightforward "Shannon Snodgrass, bridesmaid, college friend" or a more intimate approach that may sound like "Shannon Snodgrass was one of my Biology lab partners at MSU. We bonded over bunsen burners and beer at The Riv."

For brides with unique cultural or religious traditions, I always recommend laying them out in the program. Guests will appreciate being able to follow ceremonies they may be otherwise unfamiliar with. 

{ Bhavi and Tom's ceremony combined elements to celebrate their Indian and American heritage. }

{ Stephanie and Jordan's wedding program provides detailed explanations of Jewish wedding traditions. }

And always ALWAYS thank you guests in some way for attending your wedding. It doesn't have to be eighteen paragraphs long. It does have to express your gratitude and appreciation that people have taken time out of their busy lives to be with you. 

Easy, right? Now just make sure you don't put this off until the last minute because your friendly designer is liable to FREAK OUT. Thanks.

Flaunt your fonts

Many times when I meet with clients and the subject turns to font selection, I will hear, "there are too many choices! I don't care, just pick something that looks nice." But the typefaces you choose really do make a difference. Careful consideration of this seemingly minute detail will make a huge difference in the overall impression you are giving your guests about your event.

Consider these four examples and what they say about Jim and Pam's wedding. (Can you tell I'm dying for The Office to start?) These invitations are identical in wording, but look at the style and you can see what they really say:

{ This one says "fancy schmancy traditional". As Michael Scott would say, "get your hair did." I realize the all cursive is still largely popular, but I often advise against it as it can be difficult to read. }

{ This one is nice because it combines two typefaces that are traditional, pretty and easy to read. You are still leaving an impression of formality with guests without angry phone calls from Grandma saying she can't read your invitation. But she might be bummed to discover the reception is in a warehouse. }

{ I love messing around with the same typeface in different ways. In this case, I'm using the same font, but one is Light and one is Block. Reverse out the names for a dramatic mod effect. Using more contemporary styles does not necessarily mean a less formal impression. If it fits the style of your event or the architecture of your venue, go for it. }

{ This would be great for a less formal affair. Maybe they've decorated the warehouse with tiki torches and will serve fruity cocktails. Perhaps it's better for a beach wedding at Lake Scranton. Either way, the lowercase lettering combined with a retro style font lends to a more playful vibe. } 

So in the process of making the 687th decision of the wedding planning process, don't forget your fonts!