You'll thank me later

I haven't run into this nearly as many times as the dreaded registry card, but it's just as vile and well worth mentioning. I'm speaking of ...dum dum DUM...the pre-printed thank you card. 

Let me clarify. The pre-printed thank you notes I'm referring to involve printing a message inside the card that goes something like this: "thank you for your lovely gift and for sharing in our first day as man and wife. Love, Jane and Jon Doe"

I have had brides inquire about these before, and like the registry card, I have always put my foot down. I hear all the same excuses, "it's so much easier this way", or "they won't mind as long as I send a thank you", or "it will save so much time", and on and on. 

I completely understand that planning a wedding can be quite a task. Loads of decisions, stress and credit card bills. So much so that it's easy to overlook the commitment your guests have made by ticking off the "will attend" box on your reply card. But consider the time, effort and costs they incur by just attending your soiree. There may be plane tickets to purchase, hotels to book, cars to rent. Depending on your dress code, they may need to throw in a new dress and tux rental. And the icing on the cake? A lovely gift for you and your groom.

So put yourself in their shoes for a moment and think about how you would feel if you received this type of empty sentiment. Kind of a downer, right? You don't have to write a novel, just a thoughtful note of appreciation will do. You can find some great tips right here. 

Don't take the easy way out on this one. If you do, you might consider following up your thoughtless correspondence with one of these:

Nerd Alert!

A few months ago, I was chatting with Kelly over at Bright and casually mentioned that I had some ideas for a new display table at the aforementioned event gallery. I was ecstatic with the level of enthusiasm this was met with, and even happier when the girls let me see out my idea in the form of the August display table.

My concept was born out of a desire to see something that is not traditionally associated with style and turn it into something cool. The "something" in this case was science, particularly Chemistry.

I recall many a late night sitting at the kitchen table with my dad as he patiently explained (for the bazillionth time) how to write out and balance chemical equations. I never considered my Chemistry classes to be anything but horrible graduation requirements. I'm still not the first person you'd want to ask about atomic weights or inorganic compounds, but I do look back now and appreciate the struggles because I know in the long run it made me a better student. And it made my dad one helluva teacher. 

So here it is, my stylish tribute to science. Or as I like to call it, Geek Chic.

No science-inspired table display would be complete without the periodic table of elements. 

I found some great visuals online and recreated the chart on metallic paper with black and green ink. The name itself is a play on words. Please be seated at The Periodic Table. I can just see my high school chem teacher's eyes light up.

 

The look of the table revolved around a palate of greens, black and white with lots of clear glass. The centerpiece candlesticks (used as vases above) came from CB2. You can get your own right here. Erlenmeyer flasks filled with green candies served as a cool favor. These are also a fantastic alternative to a traditional vase. 

 

I dug out one of my favorite Einstein quotes, printed it on sheer vellum and laid it over a cool graphic patterned paper for the menus. It reads: "gravitation cannot be held responsible for people falling in love." The plates came from Tri Rentals. I kind of want them for myself.

Special thanks to Harrison Hurwitz for these lovely images, and to the Bright girls for allowing me to bring this idea to life. 

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.

September Charity

For the month of September, I have donated to Autism Speaks. The statistics concerning autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is startling:  today 1 in 150 people are diagnosed with autism. This is more common than AIDS, pediatric cancer and diabetes COMBINED.

This cause is near and dear to my heart because my mom works in a school with kids who have ASD. It's heartbreaking to hear about these kids who are unable to communicate, who won't make eye contact or smile, and whose tiny lives revolve around confusing repetitive behaviors. 

So check out the website, get the facts and donate to this worthy cause.

Teresa + Mike

Teresa and Mike were married Saturday at DC Ranch, and I had the opportunity to stop by to take a few photos while everything was being set up. Let me just begin by saying that Teresa goes in my client Hall of Fame for being so much fun to work with. I was actually a little sad that my "summer of Teresa" was coming to an end. 

Obviously these photos won't compare to Hollye's (who shot the wedding), but I thought I'd share a few of my favorites.

{ gerber daisies were a recurring theme in the wedding }

{ the gorgeous chuppah }

{ all of the wedding stationery included this illustrative daisy motif }

{ Since this wedding was on the smaller side (only 39 guests) we created a seating chart that also becomes a wedding souvenir for Teresa & Mike. }

{ the feasting table looked amazing against the backdrop of the DC Ranch courtyard. }

{ the centerpieces coordinated brilliantly with the beaded linens }

{ each place setting was accented with a single gerber daisy }

The wedding was coordinated by the always wonderful Victoria Canada Weddings and Events. 

The Flower Studio created the gorgeous floral displays, and Hollye Schumacher shot the wedding. (Her photos never cease to amaze me!)

This takes the cake...

I am a girl obsessed with patterns. I shop for duvet covers on clearance so I can switch up the patterns in my room to match my mood, or the season, or whatever other excuse I can dream up. Same with pillows. And I should probably add patterned papers to the list. 

So can you imagine my reaction when I laid eyes on THIS:

{From the Fall '08 Issue of In Style Weddings, cake by Bijoux Doux }

A patterned wedding cake, people! Another reason to renew our vows. Or to become a cake collector. Can you imagine how divine this would look in my bedroom?

Rock solid seating

For all the minimalist brides out there, a cool alternative to traditional ceremony seating. Cushions disguised as stones.

{ starting at $298 (ouch) right here. }