Sneak Peak: Gretchen & Matt

How cute is our couple from last weekend's wedding at Nazareth Hall?! You would never know it, but the groom is almost 2 feet taller than the bride. Choose a photographer that knows the tricks to a good photo! 

Eventista: First Impressions

Eventista: First impressions

Written by Brittany Craig | | brittany@crowningcelebrations.com

It’s said that first impressions are everything. The same can be said for love at first sight. So why is the wedding invitation — the first impression guests receive — becoming substandard?

As a planner and an occasional wedding guest, I can understand both sides of the playing field. I know many couples have budget concerns and that often one of their first ideas is to cut cost on invitations. On the other hand, as a guest looking forward to a fun night out, there is nothing more disappointing than flimsy card stock, a rushed handwritten address and Scriptina font. There, I said it. Scriptina font. Don’t do it.

“They just end up tossing it anyway” — I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard that. But actually, the wedding invitation often gets hung in the kitchen or tucked into a daily planner. It’s looked at repeatedly with anticipation. As stationery designer Kim Collins of Fiddle Stix Boutique at Levis Commons says, “The wedding invitation sets the tone for the entire event and helps give the guests an idea of what to expect. If a bride is having a gorgeous, extravagant wedding but sends something that looks less than impressive … guests are not going to anticipate something as extraordinary as they should.”

Beautiful is more affordable than you think. “Brides and grooms do not have to skimp on these details; they just need to find the right fit,” said Kelly Henry, stationery designer and owner of UpperCase Designs in Toledo. Thanks to sites like Pinterest, brides can find a plethora of ideas. But by working with a local stationery designer, you can make that “pin” come to fruition. For an invite with a lot of color go for digital printing versus off-set printing, suggests Henry. Referring guests to a wedding website for more information cuts down on clutter and costs, Collins suggests. Postcard response cards are another cost-saving tip. By working with a local designer, you can give that postcard a unique, upscale look that will compensate for its ease and convenience.

What’s felt in the hand is just as important as what’s seen by the eye. Oftentimes invitations ordered online use a lighter weight of card stock. Always request to see and feel a sample. Lighter stock in both the invite and the envelope do not mail well. They are often eaten up by the postage machines and arrive to your guests torn or marked. One way to avoid this is to also handstamp each of your invites at the post office. While you’re there, double check to make sure you have enough postage on your envelopes, if you haven’t done so already. Always bring a completely assembled invite when buying stamps.

Carrying consistent fonts, colors and design for your wedding programs, escort cards, menus, table numbers and signage gives the event an overall appearance that is more memorable and enjoyable. But don’t be afraid to assemble these items yourself. “This takes a little bit more time for the bride, but it saves on the cost of the vendor’s assembly process,” Collins said.

The wedding invitation is one of the most traditional parts about a wedding, but you can still have a little fun while being socially appropriate. One way to do this is with the RSVPs. “One of the most requested RSVP responses is, ‘We’ll dance if you play this song.’ Newlyweds want to see their guests out on the dance floor having a great time. One of my favorites is ‘We’ll have to miss all the fun’ and ‘We’ll be there to dance and dine,’” Henry said.

Finally, don’t forget the attention to detail when it comes to addressing your invitations. “The smallest of details really stand out throughout the entire event, starting with the invitations!” Collins said. Calligraphy is the most popular way of addressing envelopes. If you cannot afford hand-addressed calligraphy, opt for having a stationery designer print the addresses on the envelopes with a font that matches the invitation suite, suggests Henry. Then dress it with beautiful stamps. Buy a collection of vintage stamps on Etsy and include four to five different kinds in your color scheme to reach your required postage.

The wedding invitation doesn’t have to be a budget-bleeder. And it doesn’t have to be dull to be affordable. With a little personal style and attention to detail, you will be sure to excite your guests!

Check out our feature on Carats and Cake! 

Location: Schedel Gardens, Elmore Ohio

Photography: Kristen Nicole Photography

Crowning Celebration: Anna + Kevan

Maternity Leave has been full of joyous occasions, including that of our very own Crowning Celebrations' Anna's wedding to her high school sweetheart, Kevan! Check out this trailer from Fordham Footage.

Anna + Kevan | December 7, 2013 Sneak Peek | filmed by Fordham Footage

 

from Fordham Footage on Vimeo.

Event Coordination: Crowning Celebrations

Photography: Jennifer Mott Photography

Videography: Fordham Footage

Ceremony: Historic Church of Saint Patrick

Reception: The Secor Building

Catering and Bar: Registry Bistro

Dress: The Gown Shop Ann Arbor

Flowers: Lia Colapietro Design

Lighting and Decor: Magers Designs

Linens & Chiavari Chairs: Toledo Chiavari Chairs and I Do Chair Covers & Linens

Music: Decorative Sound

Desserts and Cake: Sugar Shack Specialty Sweets

Stationery: UpperCase Designs

Bridal Make-up: Bridal Make-up by Natalie

CROWNING CELEBRATION: Leah & TJ Video Trailer

We loved working with this super cute couple this September! Can't wait to share the photos from Jennifer Mott Photography. Until then, savor this video trailer from Fordham Footage.

Leah and TJ | 9.7.13 Sneak Peek | filmed by Fordham Footage

 

from Fordham Footage on Vimeo.

Flowers: Bartz Viviano Flowers and Gifts

Dress: Pronovias from Belle Amour Bridal

Church: Historic Saint Patrick

WHERE DID SUMMER GO?!

We're back! This summer season was fabulous! So fabulous that it really didn't allow too much time for blogging. But I want you to know we are still here and there is so much to share!

In addition to a wonderful spring and summer season, I am excited to share that I am going to be a "Mother of the Groom".... well, one day. I am expecting our first, a boy, in November. So one day, 20-something plus years later (or even later than that) I will be an "MOG"! Between feedings and naps I plan to share all this year's goodness and then some. 

In the meantime, here is a look at one of our June weddings that was featured in the Toledo City Paper's, City Weddings guide. More from this gorgeous wedding will be blogged. It will probably take a few posts just to get all the details shared. But we cannot say enough wonderful things about this couple. And it was so kind of them to share their great experience with us. Check it out! (and you can read the guide online here.)

Sneak Peak: Asher's Bar Mitzvah

Last night we celebrated "All About Asher" for Asher's Bar Mitzvah. Asher is a great kid and we LOVED working with his family!!! Here are a few sneak peaks of the room before Star Trax Entertainment lit the room up with non-stop fun!

Event Coordination & Design: Crowning Celebrations, Anna Malone
Event Location & Catering: Hilton Garden Inn, Perrysburg
Floral Design & Lighting: Keith Brooks Florist
Entertainment: Star Trax Entertainment, Paris
Stationery Design: UpperCase Designs
Professional Photography: Cara Jones (images provided her taken by Crowning Celebrations)
Videography & Video Montage: Inspired Image

CROWNING INSPIRATION: Washi Tape Wedding Fun

If you don't know what Washi Tape is yet then check out these easy Washi Tape wedding ideas. Washi Tape is like a very-pretty-crafty-fun-decorating paper tape. Its the pretty cousin to ugly masking tape. 

Washi Tape is made of natural fibers like bamboo or hemp, but most commonly from the bark of native Japanese trees — the mulberry, the mitsumata shrub or the gampi tree. Washi Tapes can be as strong as duct tape! But its best known to be functional as well as pretty and an easy way to add to spruce up any wedding item.

(check out fun links below)

To buy, inspire & create check out these links:

100 Ways to Washi

Pinterest Washi Tape Wedding Boards

Washi Paper Crafts

Washi Tape Stationery

Shop Etsy

Shop Koyal Wholesale - SALE on Washi Tape!