{Published} Weddings in Houston Magazine Expert Advice

{Artwork Credit:  Weddings in Houston Magazine}

It's no question I love what I do and when others take note of that, it just makes my heart warm and fuzzy!  It is always such an honor to be asked to be a wedding expert and be in the same panel of other amazing wedding planners...such was the case in the Winter Edition of the beautiful Weddings in Houston Magazine.  Take a looksie!

Don't forget to join us this Sunday, January 27th at the couture bridal event of the year...I DO! Soiree and enjoy some delicious eye candy!

Now, to get your hands on this beautiful magazine, filled with wedding inspiration, give us a ring or swing by our office for your complimentary copy!

 

{www.daytoremember.net}

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{Wedding Planning 101} Addressing Wedding Invitations

{Photo Credit:  Non-professional photo by A Day To Remember}

 

Last week, during our Wedding Planning 101 Wedding Invitations post, we discussed the importance of your wedding invitations.  You have spent hours working with your stationery designer in creating that perfect invitation.  The final touch is the art of addressing an envelope.  Many brides come to us with questions about this, "Do I include children's names on the invitation", "How do I address to my uncle and his life partner?", "How do I address common law married couples?", the list just goes on and on...

So, let's get started with some quick pointers, followed my more specific samples...

For your Outer Envelope:

• Proper etiquette and tradition is upheld, decorum celebrated, so this means no cutting corners and using abbreviations such as Dr., Jr., TX, St., instead use Doctor, Junior, Texas, Street
• Titles such as Doctor, Reverend, Captain, etc. are not abbreviated unless lack of space necessitates it
• Mr. and Mrs. are the only acceptable abbreviations
• Full names only, this means no initials or nicknames
• If an unmarried couple is living in the same house their names should be on separate lines, with the female guest listed first
• Adding "and family" is not acceptable.  Children's names are to be listed on the inner envelope
• Write out "and", not "&"
• Suffixes are all properly proceeded by a comma, including Roman numerals
• Junior and senior are to be written out, no abbreviations
• North and South is written in full if it proceeds the street name {123 South Main Street} with a comma added after the street name.  An abbreviation is acceptable if it comes after the address {123 Main Street, N.W.}

For your Inner Envelope:

• Formal invitations, unless they are in a pocketfold, are slipped into an unsealed inner envelope to be placed inside the outer envelope. The inner envelopes are addressed in a more informal fashion, typically only title abbreviations, last name or guests first names, including the names of all other invitees {ie: children}
• Exclude the first names of the recipients {unless they are really close relations}
• When including children, only their first names are needed and must be listed by age, oldest first
• Children over the age of 18 should receive their own invitation
• Omit children's names if they are not on the guest list
• If an invitation to a single guest extends to an unknown escort, address the inner envelope with your guest's name followed by "and guest" {guest should not be capitalized, it is not a proper noun}

Now that we've managed to confuse you some, here are some examples to better help you!  :)

Addressing  to a married couple {outer envelope}:
Mr. John and Mrs. Jane Doe OR Mr. and Mrs. John Doe
Addressing  to a married couple {inner envelope}:
Mr. and Mrs. Doe OR John and Jane

Addressing to a married couple using different last names {outer envelope}:
Mr. John Doe and Mrs. Jane Fawn
Addressing to a married couple using different last names {inner envelope}:
Mr. Doe and Ms. Fawn OR John and Jane

Addressing to an unmarried couple living together {outer envelope}
NOTE:  Just as a married couple, both names should be included on the envelopes, but each name should be listed on a separate line.

Mr. John Doe
Ms. Jane Fawn
Addressing to an unmarried couple living together {inner envelope}
Mr. Doe
Ms. Fawn

Addressing to same-sex couples {outer envelope}
NOTE:  Same rules apply just as you would for any other unmarried or married couple. If the couple is married, list the names on the same line; otherwise, the names are to go on separate lines
Ms. Jane Doe and Ms. Jill Hill
Addressing to same-sex couples {inner envelope}
Ms. Doe and Ms. Hill OR Jane and Jill

Addressing to a married woman doctor or two married doctors {outer envelope}:

NOTE:  If a woman uses her maiden name professionally and socially, the outer envelope should read:
Dr. Jane Fawn and Mr. John Doe
NOTE:  If a woman uses her husband's name socially:
Dr. Jane and Mr. John Doe
NOTE: If both parties are doctors:
Doctors Jane and John Doe
Addressing to a married woman doctor or two married doctors {inner envelope}:
Dr. Fawn and Mr. Doe OR The Doctors Doe

Addressing to guests with distinguished titles {outer envelope}:
NOTE:  Same rules apply just as you would for doctors.  If both titles do not fit on one line, indent the second line.
The Honorable Jane Fawn and Captain John Doe OR Lieutenants Jane and John Doe, U.S. Navy
Addressing to guests with distinguished titles {inner envelope}:
Judge Fawn and Captain Doe, U.S. Navy OR The Lieutenants Doe

Addressing to children and families:
NOTE:  For girls under 18, use the title, “Miss.”.  Boys do not require a title, unless they are 18 years, then, they are to be addressed as "Mr.".  Remember, if you don't include each child's name, you're implying that children are not invited.
Mr. and Mrs. John Doe
Johnny, Jack, Miss Janie and Miss Jillie

We hope this gives you the tools necessary when addressing your invitations.

Beautiful calligraphy work created by the amazing Patricia Leith of Calligraphy by Patricia

Now, if you have any questions or doubts, we recommend having a professional calligrapher handle this task for you.  Not only will you save yourself the trouble of figuring out how to address each envelope, but having a calligrapher address your envelopes will give it that special touch your guests will greatly appreciate! 

On our next Wedding Planning 101, we will discuss the hand addressing vs label addressing issue!  In the meantime, let us know, do you plan on addressing your invitations yourself or are you having your invitations addressed professionally?

{www.daytoremember.net}

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{Wedding Planning 101} Wedding Invitations

{Picture Credit::  Kelly Hornberger Photography}

 

As you are planning your wedding, selecting the perfect color palette and defining your style for that perfect day, you want to make sure that you set the tone for this amazing fête, and no better way than with the perfect invitation!  I know what you are probably thinking...."everyone throws the invitation away!"  Well, not everyone...but yes, most people may, but that doesn't mean that it doesn't make a lasting impression about your wedding.  That little packaged envelope will say everything about what to expect for your wedding, whether it will be a fabulous beach wedding, a luxurious black-tie affair or a whimsical celebration!

When creating your invitations, seek the assistance of a professional, someone who will help you in designing the look and feel of your special day.  Your wedding isn't going to be a cookie cutter celebration, so why should your invitations be one?  A couture invitation doesn't mean it will cost you thousands and thousands of dollars, it means, it will be an invitation designed especially for you and your fiance! 

When talking to a professional, ask them for some feasible alternatives...especially if you are the DIY bride.  Have a professional design and print your invitations and you can assemble and add any final embellishments.  Don't be afraid to ask for ideas to your invitation provider.  If you have some crystals, feathers or ribbons you want to use for embellishment, present your ideas to your designer and let them show you how to properly accessorize your beautiful invitations!

Now, when it comes to postage for your invitations, please be sure to add a stamp to your return envelope.  It is in bad taste to have your guest add the stamp.  If your invitations professional will not be assembling, addressing and/or mailing out your invitations, please be sure to visit your local USPS office and get your invitation weighed!  You want to make sure you have the proper postage, especially if you will be personalizing your stamps...nothing is worse than having to add extra stamps on your envelope that may not match your personalized stamp!  When you are at your local USPS, please be sure to ask them the price difference of domestic and international postage rates, as they will vary!

Lastly, when you are dropping off your invitations to be delivered, please make sure your lovely invitations are hand-cancelled.  "Why", you ask?  Well, to avoid your beautiful invitations to go through the sorting machines and automatically cancelled.  Hand cancelling reduces the risk of damage to your invitations, especially if your invitation is thick, has added embellishments, such as a jeweled buckle, or even finished with a beautiful wax seal.  In Houston, not all USPS offices will offer hand cancelling services, but I know for a fact, the downtown location WILL hand-cancel your invitations.  Don't worry, hand-cancelling your invitations will not incur any extra charges.

For those of you who are in the process of mailing out your invitations, please be sure to use either a Forever stamp on your return envelope or the new .46 cents stamp, as prices will go up effective, January 27th!

On our next Wedding Planning 101 feature, we will discuss the etiquette of addressing envelopes!

{www.daytoremember.net}

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{Wedding Show} I DO! Bridal Soiree: A Weddings in Houston Event

{Artwork Credit:  Weddings in Houston Magazine}

Happy New Year!!!   Welcome to 2013!  Welcome all our newly engaged couples!    I'm sure you are beyond excited and ready to start the planning!   

We've got some good news for you...the annual Weddings in Houston I DO! Bridal Soiree is happening later this month, Sunday, January 27th and it's an event you won't want to miss.

Many brides ask, what makes this wedding event different than others?  It's quite simple...it's exclusive, offers jaw dropping displays you won't see anywhere else, you can visit each booth with a tasty cocktail in hand, enjoy some bites and most importantly, you will not be overwhelmed with massive crowds.  Only the creme de la creme of wedding professionals will be there to help you in creating your perfect wedding!

So newly engaged, I hope you are prepared to feast your eyes on some fabulous eye-candy and enjoy the fashion show, featuring some breathtaking wedding gowns! While you are taking in on some fabulous ideas, be sure to come by and visit us!  We're excited to meet you and see how we can help you in creating memories...creating "a day to remember"!

If you haven't purchased your tickets yet, you can do so now! You truly will NOT want to miss out on this event! See you all there!

Oh, and don't forget to pick up your latest copy of Weddings in Houston Magazine at your favorite newsstand. You can also email  us or come by our office for your complimentary issue!

 {www.daytoremember.net}

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Happy New Year!

{Artwork Credit:  A Day To Remember}

Well, it's here!  We've seen 2012 come and go!  I'm sure it's so cliché, but seriously, where did time go???

As I sit here, enjoying my cup of delicious coffee, I started pondering on what goals were achieved in 2012 and what goals I've set for 2013.  I won't bore you with my list, because I'm sure you had your own goals to set and new ones to start.  I will just say that while not all of my goals were achieved, the most important goals to me where most certainly checked off my list!

The beginning of a new year for me, is like the start of a clean slate; let's start over, start from scratch, or start new projects.  I'm excited about what 2013 will bring and I'm going to embrace the good with the bad.  In the Chinese calendar, 2013 is the year of the snake, a good omen to have a snake in your house, as it will bring wealth to your family.  Now, don't misinterpret wealth to be thousands and thousands of dollars; wealth is measured different by everyone. I'm going to embrace the snake and I'm looking forward to continue to grow with the business and become more successful with each passing day!

Before we leave 2012 behind, I wanted to share with you some of our most memorable wedding couples we had the true honor to be a part of their special day.

So there you have it.  Have an amazing New Year's celebration and we will see you NEXT YEAR!!!

{www.daytoremember.net}

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