The hidden cost of postage...

don't let it sneak up on you!!

When you are picking your invitations and reply cards, don't forget to think about postage! If your invitation has a lot of enclosures or is an odd size, chances are you will have to add extra stamps. Make sure, before you start the mailing process, to take one of your final invitations to the post office to have it weighed. This way you know exactly what your cost will be and you won't have to worry about all your invitations making their way back to your house!

A great way to cut this cost just a bit is to use reply postcards instead of the traditional reply cards with envelopes. Postcard postage is roughly $0.16 less than average postage...plus you are saving a bit on printing!

Have a blissful day!

Upcoming Bridal Show

Courtland's Catering is hosting a Bridal Show and Open House this Sunday, March 28th from 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm. If you are planning on being in the Baton Rouge area this weekend, pre-register with them online. Pre-registration tickets are only $3. Otherwise tickets will be $5 at the door. Visit their website for more information! Enjoy!

Fabulous and Affordable Invitations

I recently ordered wedding and rehearsal dinner invitations, plus thank you cards from this Etsy vendor and WOW! Not only were the prices affordable and the shipping quick, but the quality of these invitations is outstanding! Amy was so easy to work with...even after several edit requests! It is obvious that she truly cares about her customers! I hope to have her create more unique invitations for me in the future! Enjoy!

Captured Moments by Amy Leigh

{Real Wedding} Aimee + Nathan Graham

Well, what a beautiful reception! Aimee and Nathan chose Greystone Country Club as the location of their reception and it really was a great venue! I took a few photos of her set up and decorations before the guests arrived. I'll add some more photos later...but here is a glimpse:

The flower arrangements were done by Beth Twilley. There were tall arrangements like this one with pears giving the centerpiece a little character and smaller vases with simply flowers. The differing sizes really gave the room a pop!

The cake was in the center of the room with black ribbon and fleur de lis accents.

Instead of a guest book, the couple asked their guests to sign a poster of one of their engagement photos. Such a cute idea! Their photography was done by Kase and Alli Photography.

There groom's cake really played to the groom's love of baseball! They also had cupcakes for the kiddos!

A candy bar was set up by the bride the day before with a little sign that said "Children, please ask an adult for help". There was small plastic bags with white curly ribbon for the guests to fill and enjoy!

This small table was just for the bride and groom.

This is a closer look of the arrangement. They also had their initials hanging from the seats. Super cute!

The bride made a "mad lib" type game for her guests to enjoy during the ceremony.

The guests really got into it!

Here is a closer look at their "fun" table!

What a gorgeous day...

to get married! I'm so excited about celebrating today with Aimee and Nathan!

Eco-Tip #3

Flowers can really make an impact at your wedding or event. Let them make a positive impact on your carbon footprint as well! There are easy ways to go eco-chic with your flowers...make sure to ask your florist the following:

1. What types of flowers will be in-season during my event?
2. What types of flowers will be in-season and local during my event?
3. What types of flowers will be in-season, local and organic during my event?
4. Do you know of any local hospitals or nursing homes that will accept my flowers the day after the event as a donation?

Buying organically grown flowers for your event is ideal but pricy! If that isn't an option, check out local and in-season varieties. In-season and local flowers will not only cut your bill down, but it will also insure that your flowers traveled less miles to get to your big day. Since you will not likely be able to enjoy your flowers the next day, think about donating them to someone who will. It is a great way to brighten the day of someone else!

Have a blissful holiday weekend!

Stay on top of it!

The best thing to do once you get engaged is to get organized!  Here are a few of my organization recipes:

The Never Leave Home Without It Binder
1 1-inch to 1/12-inch binder, preferably one you can spice up with pictures in the front!
Several page dividers with fill-in tabs
Several clear sheet protectors
3-hole punch
Glue stick
Scrap Paper
Lots and Lots of wedding magazines

First, go through the wedding magazines and cut out anything that inspires you! Channel your inner-scrapbooker and paste your inspirations on scrap paper and insert into the sheet protectors. Vendors love it when you have visuals to assist you with your plans!

Some tabs that I would start with include:

Checklist, Calendar, Budget, Fashion/Beauty, Stationery, Ceremony, Reception Venue, Rentals, Photography/Videographer, Florist, Catering, Music, Cake, Hotels, Creative Extras, Honeymoon

Add any you need and forget those you don't! Once you start signing contracts, getting receipts, etc. punch them and put them in the binder! Always have a paper trail...it is in your best interest!

This is what mine looks like...no I'm not writing a ransom letter!=)

The Cutesy Carry All Tote

To keep your binder easy to carry, take your cuteness a step further and make a tote bag for you to keep it all in. This is what mine looks like:

I used my wedding colors to really spice it up! Go wild and get in touch with your creative side!

Can't find your creativity, give me a call!