Tickled Pink Brides - Orlando, Florida's Premier Wedding Planner

Why Not Try a Braid?

I'm digging braids this year for casual hair-down days and even as a twist on bridal up-dos.  There can be so many events to dress up for before your wedding including engagement parties, showers, rehearsal and dinners, so why not try one of these stylish and totally non-fussy looks?

Visit our Pinterest board to see sources and for other great ideas!

Why Have a Wedding Website?

Today is our second post from custom wedding invitation designer Amy Morelli of 2U Collection.  These days just about all of my clients are creating wedding websites, but there are usually a lot of questions from couples not familiar with how to go about creating one or what to put on it.  This should help!

Do you need a wedding website?

It isn't 100% necessary, However the majority of brides choose to have one these days. It is beneficial for several reasons, and you can get them free at most wedding planning websites (weddingwire.com, theknot.com, marthastewartweddings.com, etc).  If you are splurging on Custom Invitations, a website can be created that matches the design and feel of your invitation suite.

How to use your wedding website:

Couples use websites (otherwise called wedsites) tailored specifically to their wedding to help spread the word about issues that are not considered polite to express on the actual invitation, such as posting where you are registered, addressing a “No Children” policy, when giving complicated or detailed directions, informing your guests of hotel special room rates, and providing links to area activities for out of towners. 

Note from Brittany: I think it's perfectly appropriate and helpful to list your website address on your save the dates.  This gets guests thinking early about things like hotel arrangements, childcare during the wedding, and to start shopping for wedding and shower gifts!

My favorite place for creating personalized wedding websites is Wedding Window.  Lots of templates to choose from, and very user friendly!

Your Wedding Invitation Questions Answered

Today we're sharing wedding invitation ettiquette tips from the wise and talented Amy Morelli of 2U Collection, a luxury invitation designer based in Orlando, FL.  This super helpful post will assist every bride in wording her invitations, addressing them properly, and calling everyone by the right name!

Over the years I have had many brides ask me specific questions about Wedding Stationary Etiquette. So today is all about etiquette, keep in mind some of the information below is how I do things here at The 2u Collection and Paper Couture Stationery.  Some of these "rules" have been modified to what I've found works best over the years, so in researching etiquette you may find different rules. What I've found over the years is that it is mostly personal preference how you handle some of these things. And I could write on etiquette for pages and pages, so with that in mind I tried to create a brief overview of the main items and the questions I get asked the most.

With the current days of online invitations, eblasts, wedding websites, etc. it is easy to understand why there would be so many questions. Well instead of having to thumb through Emily Post’s Etiquette, I would like to help clear up some of the do’s and don’t’s of the world of wedding invitations.

The main goal of the wedding invitation is to let your guests know the who, what, when, and where of the event. It will also serve to express the formality and tone of the event through the complexity, color, fonts, and design of the invitation. Once the invitation has successfully accomplished the 4 W’s the last step is to ensure that they are addressed and delivered with the proper courtesy! Keep in mind the Save the Date or Invitation is the first introduction your guests have to your spectacular event. It's a window into the Tone and Design of the event, and a great opportunity to start a BUZZ about your wedding. So, it's always best to WOW them, so they are excited and looking forward to the unveiling to come.

When to send the invitation:

Typically 2 months before your wedding date. The standard is 6 weeks before, but depending on travel, location of wedding and whether or not Save the Dates were sent is what will determine just how many weeks before your event you send your invitations.

What are the proper Formal Social Titles?

Mr. - Formal Male Title

Ms. - Formal Female Title, for divorcée or over 40 single woman

Mrs. - Formal Title for Married Females

Miss - Formal Title for Unmarried Females under 40 years old

 

 

How to address your invitations:

Married Couples:

Standard - Mr. And Mrs. John Smith

One has a Professional Title - Doctor Jane Smith and Mr. John Smith

Both have a Professional Title - Doctor Jane Smith and Doctor John Smith or The Drs. John and Jane Smith

Unmarried Couples:

Miss Jane Smith

Mr. John Adams

Single Guests:

Unmarried Female - Miss Jane Smith or Ms. Jane Smith

Divorced Female - Ms. Jane Jones

Widowed Female - Mrs. Jane Smith or Mrs. John Smith

Children: 

Under 16 - Only list parents name on the outer envelope and list the children's name on the inner envelope. For example: Jason and Brittany.

Over 16 - Get their own invitation! Addressed: Miss Brittany Smith or Mr. Jason Smith

When to use an Inner and Outer Envelope:

Typically, we usually only use an outer mailing envelope, but if you are having a very formal or traditional event, then you will want to have both an inner and outer envelope, it gives an heir of sophistication and implies formality.

How to word the invitation depending on who is paying for the wedding:

Example when Brides Parents are paying:

Mr. and Mrs. John Smith request the honor of your presence at the marriage of 

their daughter Jennifer Michelle to

Mr. James Joseph Clark

on Saturday, the sixth of November Two Thousand Eleven

 at two o’clock in the afternoon

at Little Chapel 

Winter Park, Florida.

Example when Groom’s Parents are paying:

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Clark request the honor of your presence at the  marriage of Miss Jennifer Michelle Smith to their son Mr. James Joseph Smith

When both are paying:

Mr. and Mrs. John Smith request the honor of your presence at the marriage of 

their daughter Jennifer Michelle to Mr. James Clark son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Clark

When the Bride and Groom are paying:

The honor of your presence is requested at the marriage of Miss Jennifer Michelle Smith and Mr. James Joseph Clark

OR

Miss Jennifer Michelle and Mr. James Joseph Clark together with their parents request the honor of your presence

Tomorrow's post is all about wedding websites.  See you then!

The Friday Five

This week we're showing off some various wedding trends that make us smile.  Across the board, we love for weddings to feel personal and intimate, even if your guest list seems to have gone sky high.  

Terrariums make beautiful centerpieces, and are even more exciting when guests get to take home mini versions that double as place cards.

Serve a family-style dinner where guests will interact more with those around them.  Place banquet tables end-to-end and dress them with festive runners and low centerpieces to encourage chatting across the table.

There's no rule that says bridesmaids must wear dresses.  Skirts and blouses are a modern alternative.

Use serving pieces and decor you already have.  Grandma's cake serving set and crystal toasting flutes...lace table runners your mom happens to have...the cake topper from your parents' wedding.  Even having one or two things that you or your family already owns will save you money and make your wedding feel a little more cozy.

 Flower girl fairies.  Need we say more?

 Have a lovely weekend!