The Knot Best Of Picks

{Artwork Credit}:  The Knot

2013 has definitely proven to be a great year so far!  Among some amazing things already happening and others that are still in the works, my heart melts and my belly is filled with warm fuzzies to know that we continue to make a difference in our clients' lives with each wedding we are a part of!  What is even more rewarding is to see our hard work recognized by when our lovely couples submit such heartwarming reviews to the most talked about wedding website...The Knot.

The Knot selects a few wedding professionals from each category, when they judge based on various criteria on the reviews left by brides and grooms.  It is our pleasure to announce we have been awarded The Knot Best Of Weddings for the category of Wedding Planners and share the spot with some pretty awesome colleagues!

I'm thankful to all our amazing clients for their continued support even after their unforgettable special day! Thank you so much for allowing us to create "a day to remember"!

{www.daytoremember.net}

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{Wedding Planning 101} Hand Addressing vs Label Addressed Wedding Invitations

{Photo Credit:  A Day To Remember}

The never-ending question our brides always ask about addressing wedding invitations:  "What is appropriate when addressing envelopes?  Can I address my envelopes using labels?  Do I really have to address my envelopes by hand?"

The simple answers to these questions:

"What is the appropriate way to address envelopes?"  Handwritten addressing.

"Can I address my envelopes using labels?"  It's not appropriate.

"Do I really have to address my envelopes by hand?"  Yes!

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

Now we all know, simple answers usually don't suffice, so let's explore this issue a bit more, shall we?  Let's face it, weddings are about tradition, and while most times we don't like following tradition, in reality...we do.  If not, then why go through the ritual of planning a beautiful wedding in the first place?

So, in following with tradition, the proper etiquette is to hand address your wedding envelopes.  Why? Well, there are many reasons, but primarily because it is so personal!  You've taken the time, thought and effort to invite your guest to one of the most important days of your life.

You're investing the time and effort to design a beautiful invitation, and you're going to stop when it comes to addressing your envelope? "Why bother with the invitation at all, then?"  We know how tempting it may be, especially if you have a large guest list, to print some labels, but, simply put it just isn't appropriate.  Handwritten addressed invitations, are not only more formal, but more personal.  

If you find it a daunting task to hand address your invitations alone, enlist the assistance of your wedding party!  Maybe you have a family member or friend you has great penmanship.  Other alternatives are commissioning a professional calligrapher, adding a sophisticated, formal feel.  If you are having a less formal wedding, calligraphers these days, offer so much more than one font style and can provide you with a more whimsical, casual look.

We’ve heard all the arguments against hand-addressing and for pre-printed labels: nobody pays attention to the envelope, handwriting etiquette is gone now that computers are here, anyone who cares about a label stuck on an envelope is petty. Well, the list goes on and on, but think about it...and be honest with yourself...You collect your mail from your mailbox, sort through your stack of mail and as your flipping through, you go past your bills, junk mail, handwritten envelope, bills, other envelopes with pre-printed labels, which one is going to really catch your eye and which one are you going to open first?

As soon as you see that handwritten envelope in your name, it brings a smile to your face, because it was personal, it wasn't a mass produced label, where your name was part of an Excel spreadsheet, merged onto a label document set for print.

So brides and grooms, we'd love to hear your thoughts, do you agree or disagree with hand addressing your wedding invitation envelopes? Will you be handwriting your invitation envelopes or will you pre-print them on labels?  We look forward to your thoughts!

{www.daytoremember.net}

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{Published} Anaise + Richard in Weddings in Houston Magazine

{Artwork Credit:  Weddings in Houston Magazine}

You met Anaise+Richard when we featured their engagement session; you enjoyed the beautifully styled bridal session of our lovely Anaise, both captured amazingly by the talented Kelly Hornberger of Kelly Horberger Photography.  We invited you to the beautiful wedding of Anaise+Richard through the eyes of the talented team at 31 Films. 

Anaise+Richard are just one of those memorable couples that turn into lifelong friends, family.  Nothing gave me more pleasure to see all the amazing details, the long hours of planning, creative juices flowing over dinner and drinks to create a beautiful memory for one amazing couple.  Now, enjoy the fabulous feature of such a beautiful wedding, of such an unforgettable couple in the 2013 Winter issue of the prestigious Weddings in Houston Magazine!

Tradition dictates paper is the first anniversary gift, so, it is our honor to present our wedding anniversary gift to our lovely Anaise+Richard, who will be celebrating their first year as husband and wife next month!  Happy Anniversary guys!

Let us create an unforgettable wedding for you.  Visit us on January 27th at the Weddings in Houston Magazine's couture bridal event...I DO! Soiree...become a featured couple!

Again, huge thank you to the amazing team of wedding professionals that made this perfect "day to remember" happen for Anaise+Richard!

Wedding Professionals:

Event Design + Planning: A Day To Remember
Ceremony: Holy Rosary Catholic Church
Reception: Crystal Ballroom at The Rice
Photographer: Kelly Hornberger Photography
Cinematographer: 31 Films
Catering: Sambuca's

Florist: Plants N' Petals

Wedding + Groom's Cakes: Supreme Kakes
Linens + Lounge Rentals: A Day To Remember
Lighting + DJ Entertainment + Photo Booth: Space City Entertainment
Hair & Make-Up Artist: LP Makeup and Beauty
Transportation: The Original Trolley & Limousine Company
Stationery: A Day To Remember

{www.daytoremember.net}

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{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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