I've been wanting to show these Panel (panel invitations with no pocket) back options for sometime.  Thinking it really helps to see the same invite with different options for the back.  Each little twist makes such a difference

Photo 1: invitation front

Photo 2: ribbon sash

Photo 3: ribbon knot

Photo 4: tailored Tiffany bow

Photo 5: ribbon sash with punched monogram panel

Photo 6: ribbon sash with flat monogram panel

Which is your favorite back??  Mine?  The tailored Tiffany bow.  I'm all about those little bows these days.

» Read More...

We're not just all invitations here at SJD.  It's any paper, creative thing-y you may need for your event.  Stationery, favors, guest books, any little 'ol thing that maybe you just can't find somewhere else - we'll create it together - custom, unique, and from scratch.

Last night, I delivered these sweet table cards & menus for Christina & Troy's wedding today!  My good friend and planner extraordinaire, Alison of Alison Ulshoffer Events & Design, called me up for this fun project.  

The table cards were oh, so cute with names like - Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch, Chapel of Love, It's in His Kiss, And then He Kissed Me - just to name a few.  Are you humming along yet?  I like the classic simplicity of numbered cards - but love the idea of naming the cards with either a theme or things that mean something to the couple.  They can be a great conversation starter for guests.  The menus just as cute, followed suit in the same design palette with a custom monogram heading up the panel.  Each card, table & menu, I adorned with Swarovski Crystals for a little surprise and a touch of bling factor for Christina.  

Happy Wedding Christina & Troy!!

» Read More...

Being smart about how you're spending your wedding dinero - doesn't mean that you are being cheap.  It's definitely human nature to want the best.  Hello!  I design myself into a labor intensive nightmare with my son's birthday invitations every year (note: pics coming soon .. tee, hee, hee).  

Follow me through this scenario ... Take the above invitation, Megan and Peter's wedding ensemble was everything they wanted in design, style and presentation.  Being smart meant we looked at their budget FIRST and designed from there.  If you are looking to be smart about spending, you can and still end up with a fabulous custom invitation.  It's really about what you actually need vs. want - in a word flexibility.  (Wouldn't it be nice if all things in life were as simple as stationery??)  Ask yourself, do I really need printed directions?  Do I really need this or that or is it more a luxury I'm willing to compromise on?

Although the invitation above looks simple enough, there were still opportunities to pare it down.  By removing all the extra enclosures attached to the back and sticking simply with the invitation & reply (with envelopes).  That's were the flexibility comes in.  You can start a free -or- inexpensive wedding website and list all the accommodation, direction and any other details there.  You may need one extra little card at minimal cost to direct guest to the website - but it's certainly a lot less costly than a multitude of panels with your invite.  

A word of warning ... don't include home printed directions or scissor cut papers with extra info that do not directly coordinate with your professionally printed invitations ... it looks really tacky and they stick out like a sore thumb.  Not a great first impression to one of the biggest days of your life.  Remember, your invitation is a keepsake for you just as much as an announcement to your guests - the invitation is the only professionally printed stationery you'll have to remember the day - other than the lovely state documented marriage license.

Back to business ...today, the pared down version breaks down to the following:

Invitations (100):

5x7 -or- 5x5 Panel Design

Double Matte Invitation Panel

Mix & Match Metallic or Matte Papers

3.5x5 Reply with Envelope

Total = $625

With my ... Luxury at a DIY Price Special

Total = $525

Add-on's:

Return Addressed Reply Envelope $75

Return Addressed Outside Envelope $75

Crystal Embellishment (1 per invite) $37.50 (DIY Price $29.00)

Let me know what you think of this post ... is it helpful??

» Read More...

Meet Megan and Peter.  Their wedding took place in Angwin, California at Megan's uncles winery, Robert Foley Vineyards on August 9th, 2008.  The day was captured in photography by the talented team of Artistic Imagery, Amber & Alan.  If I could put all the photos they so expertly took - I would.  The cellar photos are simply breathtaking.

If there is any couple I have worked with in the last 6 years that I connected with on just about every level - it was Megan & Peter.  From their wedding to tattoos - I think we just about covered it all!  Their vision was clean and crisp with a Rock-a-billy attitude.  

Their invitation was a 5x7 panel design, double matte invitation of black linen and classic white - three layers all together, enclosures secured to the back with a bandwrap, grosgrain ribbon & monogram panel, directions, accommodation info and reply postcard.  The table cards were 5x7 single matte in black linen, table name printed on classic white and double sided so that guests could see the table name from any direction. The thank you notes were printed with their custom monogram on classic white 4x5 notecards with matching classic white envelopes.

Thank you, Megan and Peter for trusting me and allowing me to share in your special day!

Photo courtesy of: Artistic Imagery.

» Read More...