Marit Hanson Weddings

Wicked Good Wedding

2012-01-30T21:04:00.025-05:00

Some of you probably already saw our feature on The Knotty Bride today. I was stoked to see our wedding on her site, she's my favorite wedding blogger ever. She tells it how it is and cracks my ass up while doing so. If you have not read her recaps of The Bachelor, please go do so! But, before you go---here are some more photos from our "Wicked Good Wedding." Enjoy!

Having a Winery Wedding?

2012-01-27T14:23:00.004-05:00

Getting married at a vineyard? Or maybe you and your fiancé share a love for wine? Either way I think you are going to love this invitation set I created with one thing in mind: wine!

An elegant pattern covers this invitation set. Look closer, and you'll see that it's actually wine bottles!

Love the design, but find that it's not the right color palette? Or maybe you'd like to see some different fonts. No problem! I can customize the design just for you.

You can order a sample here.

Cheers!

Update!

2012-01-22T12:04:00.003-05:00

I've been MIA on my blog. With Facebook and Twitter being so easily accessible and so followed, it's easy to get behind here. Sorry about that! I have lots of stuff I want to share with you: new designs, DIY and advice to name a few. Stay tuned for that!

In the meantime, I am so excited to announce that I have joined WeddingLovely as Creative Director! If you aren't familiar with it---get yourself familiar! If you are a bride, WeddingLovely is a GREAT source to find some amazing vendors. Sign up for the email newsletters and get some amazing tips, advice and vendor suggestions for your wedding.

I'll likely report to you what I am writing for WeddingLovely and link you over (because there's so much good stuff to share!)! I am so excited to be fully emerged in the wedding industry and want to thank all of my amazing friends, family and supportive husband for cheering me along the way. Pete is pretty excited too, this means that I'll be home a lot more – which means more walks and yard time.

You guys rock my socks off.

Holiday crazyness

2011-12-19T01:21:00.004-05:00

Who knew that this month would be so hectic! I've been really busy gearing up for our first Christmas as a married couple which means: more shopping, more planning, more traveling and, as a result, LESS TIME. Between working full-time at an agency, doing some work for MHW on the side, spending time with my men (my dog + husband), my freetime for blogging is few and far between. Not to mention, Christmas is a week away and I still have gifts to buy. Amazon here I come!

It's important when you are so busy to stop and smell the roses. Or whatever flowers might be nearby. Speaking of which...check out my bouquet? I totally let the florist run with it, giving her some direction on my style via Pinterest and here's what she put together:

Photo by Kimberly Potterf Photography.

Making a seating chart

2011-11-28T00:25:00.003-05:00

Let me tell you the hardest thing about planning a wedding –even a wedding that is happening THOUSANDS of miles from where you live. A seating chart.

I never would have guessed that assigning seats would have been so complicated. We'd think we figured out a table when a couple would pop up as an odd ball. Then, it was back to square one.

Here are some of my tips when it comes to seating your guests:
1. You don't HAVE to put cliques together. It's a great way for your guests to meet one another and branch out. They'll only be seated for the meal, so don't think of it as segregating them from your other friends/family. They can meet up on the dance floor!
2. Speaking of the dance floor. Sit those people next to it who are likely to go shake their butts! As soon as the music hits, they'll be the first out of their chairs. Or, you could look at it the opposite way and put people least likely to dance by the dance floor in hopes of getting them out there!
3. Spread out the socialites! If you have any friends that can talk to a brick wall, put them at separate tables to help be a conversation starter. This is huge and will help any tables from feeling a bit awkward.
4. Put children together. If you have kids at your reception, pair the families up for dinner. Maybe they can share crayons, and the parents can share stories.
But, it's great to spread your very social friends out to keep table conversation lively!
5. Make sure your vendors have a seat! They've all been working hard and deserve a place to sit down and enjoy a bite to eat. Well fed vendors will be eager to please you, rather than get home and stuff their face.

I found this AMAZINGLY helpful tip on Something Turquoise to help you with your seating charts. Totally genius!

Visit her blog for the complete how to.

2012 Calendars with FREE SHIPPING

2011-11-25T16:29:00.006-05:00

From Black Friday to Cyber Monday, get your 2012 Marit Hanson Weddings Desktop Calendar with FREE SHIPPING! Enter "2012CAL" at checkout.

Click here to order the full calendar.
Click here to order a refill pack only.

A simple way to spruce up your tables

2011-11-21T23:42:00.008-05:00

White linens are the most popular way to cover your reception tables. They are often paired up with a colored napkin that corresponds with the theme of the wedding. But did you ever think of injecting a pattern?

We used gingham throughout our stationery and other wedding decor, so it only seemed fitting to tie it into our napkins at the reception. I LOVE how it all turned out.

My mom and I took it upon ourselves to sew all the napkins for the reception. It was quite a task, but since we had a 14 month engagement...it wasn't all that bad. I'm excited to bust them out for Thanksgiving this week. We're hosting it this year, our first Thanksgiving as a married couple. It's only fitting to use the napkins from our wedding day, right?

Aren't our photos lovely? They're taken by the talented Kimberly Potterf Photography.

They nailed it!

2011-11-14T02:10:00.003-05:00

OMFG. my husband and I just finished watching last night's SNL on our DVR. And boy did we ROFL. Did you like all those acronyms? You're welcome.

No, but really...if you haven't watched this yet and you have ever been to a bridal shower, you will thank me for sharing it. They really nailed the awkwardness that can come along side of a bridal shower.

Custom Notecards are in my etsy shop!

2011-10-28T00:12:00.002-04:00

If there's one thing my mom taught me that has stuck with me, it's to always say thank you. Better yet, say it with words on paper. Because really, who doesn't like getting mail? I know this girl does!

Now, in my etsy shop, you will find a listing for 10 or 20 notecards with envelopes and address labels. Order some for yourself, or for a gift! Feel free to browse my wedding stationery designs for inspiration. I can create a set for you using any of my designs. Or, you can order the set I have posted!

Sad but sweet.

2011-10-19T19:30:00.001-04:00

This couple said "til death do us part," and they MEANT IT. Click the link below for the full story:

Couple married 72 years die holding hands

I think I need this bag.

2011-10-12T17:03:00.004-04:00

I'm a sucker for Kate Spade, I love her bold patterns and her simple design style. I have seen this particular bag floating around Pinterest, but have yet to find it on Kate Spade's site for purchase.

Isn't it cute? And really, who doesn't like cake for breakfast? I know we were eating our leftover wedding cake. YUM.

This is the kind of wedding every woman should have...

2011-10-06T17:40:00.002-04:00

For your bridesmaids...

2011-09-30T21:27:00.001-04:00

I was looking around on The Knot for things to do for your bridesmaids when I stumbled across a really cute and heartfelt idea. This bride wrote messages for each bridesmaid on the bottom of their shoe. How sweet is that? My only piece of advice: make sure the shoe fits first!

See other photos from this wedding here.

Today's find

2011-09-29T16:33:00.004-04:00

For all the DIY brides out there, or even a bridesmaid throwing a shower, how cute is this cake pan?

I can't even imagine how neat it would look to have a table full of these pretty cakes!

Make it yours for only $21.99 on Amazon. And for you Amazon Primers, like myself, it ships for free!

Picked your wedding music?

2011-09-21T13:26:00.006-04:00

One of the hardest things for us when planning our wedding was selecting music and choosing a reading. The weddings we have attended in the last year, since we have been planning, I've remembered the music---and it has served as a nice reminder when the song plays on the radio. Each time I hear "Here comes the sun," I am reminded of the beautiful wedding of our close friends Josh and Allison. When "Dog Days" by Florence and the Machine comes on, I remember Alex and Dan walking down the aisle together with huge smiles on their faces. Music creates memories, and I wanted to have something special for us as well.

Here's what we ended up going with:
Processional: Ben Folds, Luckiest (we had this played live, instrumental with flute and piano...it was perfect!)
Recessional: If I Were a Carpenter, Johnny Cash and June Carter (We had this edited to cut out the first verse about making babies...we plan to, just didn't want that to be the first thing mentioned as we were announced as a married couple!)
First Dance: The Temptations, Earth Angel (This song was easy to dance to, and gave our crowd flashbacks of "Back to the Future")
Father/Daughter Dance: Neil Young, Here for You (my dad is a HUGE Neil Young fan and this song was perfect, as he wrote it for his own daughter)

Here are some resources to help you find wedding music. The link straight to music suggestions, no digging required:
Wedding Wire
The Knot
Our Wedding Songs

Whew...to say the least!

2011-09-15T12:39:00.003-04:00

Wow, I can't believe it...we're married! After 14 months of planning, plane trips from the west coast to the east coast and HOURS of crafting--it's done. I was shipping things to Maine as I completed them, and wondered how it would all end up coming together in the end. We arrived in Maine a week before the wedding to start getting things together. I can't thank my parents enough for all their hard work to make sure everything was perfect. And perfect it was!

This is one of my favorite photos from the day. It was taken just after we saw each other for the first time. <3

Stay tuned for more photos and details of our big day! A HUGE thank you to my great friend and wonderful photographer, Kimberly Potterf for capturing our Wicked Good Wedding.

Another happy bride

2011-08-18T18:14:00.001-04:00

I just received the nicest email from Megan (& Donnie), who just mailed out their custom designed invitations. Thanks Megan, for the kind words. You made my day!

"If I sent you an email with every note or comment we’ve gotten about how amazing our invites are, I’d flood your inbox!! I knew they were awesome but it is SO much fun hearing it from everyone else! We really can’t thank you enough – they are so terrific!"

Words of advice from a 5 year old

2011-08-12T18:25:00.002-04:00

Now this girl, she has her stuff together!

Happy Friday!

Non-religious readings for your ceremony

2011-08-04T14:15:00.003-04:00

Okay, it's been a month. I have an excuse, I promise! I've been busy traveling to Maine for wedding planning, traveling to Ohio to take care of my rental and running MHW. Did I mentioned I also work a full-time job?

A big task as of lately that I wanted to share here with other brides is finding an appropriate reading for your ceremony. Dave and I are not very religious people, but wanted a special reading for his sister to read at our ceremony. It was quite the task to find the perfect one, but here's a selection of my favorites that might work for you:

From "Gift From The Sea"
by Anne Morrow Lindbergh (b.1906)

"When you love someone, you do not love them all the time, in exactly the same way, from moment to moment. It is an impossibility. It is even a lie to pretend to. And yet this is exactly what most of us demand. We have so little faith in the ebb and flow of life, of love, of relationships. We leap at the flow of the tide and resist in terror its ebb. We are afraid it will never return. We insist on permanency, on duration, on continuity; when the only continuity possible, in life as in love, is in growth, in fluidity - in freedom, in the sense that the dancers are free, barely touching as they pass, but partners in the same pattern.

The only real security is not in owning or possessing, not in demanding or expecting, not in hoping, even. Security in a relationship lies neither in looking back to what was in nostalgia, nor forward to what it might be in dread or anticipation, but living in the present relationship and accepting it as it is now. Relationships must be like islands, one must accept them for what they are here and now, within their limits - islands, surrounded and interrupted by the sea, and continually visited and abandoned by the tides."

Robert Fulghum's "All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten"
Share Everything.

Play fair.
Use your Words.
Put things back where you found them.
Clean up your own mess.
Say you're sorry when you hurt someone.
Wash your hands before you eat.
Flush.
Live a balanced life- learn some, think some, draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work some every day.
And remember, when you go out into the world, watch for traffic, hold hands, and stick together.

Adam Bede
What greater thing is there for two human souls than to feel that they are joined for life, to strengthen each other in all labour, to rest on each other in all sorrow, to minister to each other in all pain, to be one with each other in silent unspeakable memories at the moment of the last parting?

An excerpt from "A Farewell to Arms"
by Ernest Hemingway

At night, there was the feeling that we had come home, feeling no longer alone, waking in the night to find the other one there, and not gone away; all other things were unreal. We slept when we were tired and if we woke the other one woke too so one was not alone. Often a man wishes to be alone and a woman wishes to be alone too and if they love each other they are jealous of that in each other, but I can truly say we never felt that. We could feel alone when we were together, alone against the others. We were never lonely and never afraid when we were together.

A MARRIAGE By Michael Blumenthal

You are holding up a ceiling
with both arms. It is very heavy,
but you must hold it up, or else
it will fall down on you. Your arms
are tired, terribly tired,
and, as the day goes on, it feels
as if either your arms or the ceiling
will soon collapse.

But then,
unexpectedly,
something wonderful happens:
Someone,
a man or a woman,
walks into the room
and holds their arms up
to the ceiling beside you.

So you finally get
to take down your arms.
You feel the relief of respite,
the blood flowing back
to your fingers and arms.
And when your partner's arms tire,
you hold up your own
to relieve him again.

And it can go on like this
for many years
without the house falling.

THE ART OF MARRIAGE Author Wilferd A. Peterson

The little things are the big things.
It is never being too old to hold hands.
It is remembering to say "I love you" at least once a day.

It is never going to sleep angry.
It is at no time taking the other for granted;
the courtship should not end with the honeymoon,
it should continue through all the years.

It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives.
It is standing together facing the world.
It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family.
It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice,
but in the spirit of joy.

It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating
gratitude in thoughtful ways.
It is not expecting the husband to wear a halo or the wife to have wings of an angel.
It is not looking for perfection in each other.

It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humor.
It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.
It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow.

It is finding room for the things of the spirit.
It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.
It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, dependence is mutual and the obligation is reciprocal.
It is not only marrying the right partner, it is being the right partner.

“Why Marriage”, by Mari Nichols

"Because to the depths of me, I long to love one person with all my heart, my soul, my mind, my body... Because I need a forever friend to trust with the intimacies of me, Who won't hold them against me, Who loves me when I'm unlikable, Who sees the small child in me, and Who looks for the divine potential of me... Because I need to cuddle in the warmth of the night with someone who thanks God for me; with someone I feel blessed to hold... Because marriage means opportunity to grow in love in friendship... Because marriage is a discipline to be added to a list of achievements... Because marriages do not fail, people fail when they enter into marriage expecting another to make them whole... Because, knowing this, I promise myself to take full responsibility for my spiritual, mental and physical wholeness. I create me. I take half of the responsibility for my marriage. Together we create our marriage... Because with this understanding, the possibilities are limitless."

“Foundations Of Marriage”, by Regina Hill
"Love, trust, and forgiveness are the foundations of marriage. In marriage, many days will bring happiness, while other days may be sad.But together, two hearts can overcome everything...In marriage, all of the moments won't be exciting or romantic, and sometimes worries and anxiety will be overwhelming.But together, two hearts that accept will find comfort together.Recollections of past joys, pains, and shared feelings will be the glue that holds everything together during even the worst and most insecure moments.Reaching out to each other as a friend, and becoming the confidant and companion that the other one needs,is the true magic and beauty of any two people together.It's inspiring in each other a dream or a feeling, and having faith in each other and not giving up...even when all the odds say to quit. It's allowing each other to be vulnerable, to be himself or herself, even when the opinions or thoughts aren't in total agreement or exactly what you'd like them to be. It's getting involved and showing interest in each other, really listening and being available,the way any best friend should be. Exactly three things need to be remembered in a marriage if it is to be a mutual bond of sharing, caring, and loving throughout life: love, trust, and forgiveness."

“I Love You”, by Roy Croft

“I love you, not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you. I love you, not only for what you have made of yourself, but for what you are making of me. I love you, for the part of me that you bring out. I love you, for putting your hand into my heaped-up heart, and passing over all the foolish, weak things that you can’t help dimly seeing there, and for drawing out, into the light, all the beautiful belongings that no one else had looked quite far enough to find. I love you, because you are helping me to make of the lumber of my life, not a tavern, but a temple. Out of the works of my every day, not a reproach, but a song. I love you, because you have done more than any creed could have done to make me good, and more than any fate could have done to make me happy. You have done it without a touch, without a word, without a sign. You have done it by being yourself. Perhaps that is what being a friend means, after all.”

“Hug O' War”, by Shel Silverstein

"I will not play at tug o' war. I'd rather play at hug o' war, where everyone hugs instead of tugs, where everyone giggles, and rolls on the rug, where everyone kisses, and everyone grins, and everyone cuddles, and everyone wins.”

excerpt from “The Art of a Good Marriage”, by Wilferd Arlan Peterson

"A good marriage must be created.
In marriage the "little" things are the big things.
It is never being too old to hold hands.
It is remembering to say, ”I love you" at least once a day.
It is never going to sleep angry.
It is having a mutual sense of values, and common objectives.
It is standing together and facing the world.
It is forming a circle that gathers in the whole family.
It is speaking words of appreciation, and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.
It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.
It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow.
It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.
It is not only marrying the right person -- it is being the right partner."

“Sonnet 17”, by Pablo Neruda

“I don't love you as if you were the salt-rose, topaz or arrow of carnations that propagate fire: I love you as certain dark things are loved, secretly, between the shadow and the soul. I love you as the plant that doesn't bloom, and carries hidden within itself the light of those flowers, and thanks to your love, darkly in my body lives the dense fragrance that rises from the earth. I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where, I love you simply, without problems or pride: I love you in this way because I know no other way of loving but this, in which there is no I or you; so intimate that your hand upon my chest is my hand, so intimate that when I fall asleep it is your eyes that close.”

Excerpt from The Velveteen Rabbit

"What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?"

"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but Really loves you, then you become Real."

"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.

"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."

"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"

"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get all loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."

Excerpt from Tuesday's with Morrie
“Still,” Morrie said, “there are a few rules I know to be true about love and marriage: If you don’t respect the other person, you’re gonna have a lot of trouble. If you don’t know how to compromise, you’re gonna have a lot of trouble. If you can’t talk openly about what goes on between you, you’re gonna have a lot of trouble. And if you don’t have a common set of values in life, you’re gonna have a lot of trouble. Your values must be alike.

“And the biggest one of those values, Mitch?”

Yes?

Reading about Marriage from the Prophet

On Marriage
Then Almitra spoke again and said, "And what of Marriage, master?"
And he answered saying:
You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore.
You shall be together when white wings of death scatter your days.
Aye, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.
But let there be spaces in your togetherness,
And let the winds of the heavens dance between you.
Love one another but make not a bond of love:
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
Fill each other's cup but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf.
Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone,
Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.
Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping.
For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.
And stand together, yet not too near together:
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow.

“Your belief in the importance of your marriage.”

He sniffed, then closed his eyes for a moment.

“Personally,” he sighed, his eyes still closed, “I think marriage is a very important thing to do, and you’re missing a lot if you don’t try it.”

He ended the subject by quoting a poem he believed in like a prayer: “Love each other or perish.”

DIY Whoopie Pie/Cupcake Stand

2011-07-01T01:23:00.004-04:00

As I was doing some Antique Blue Mason Jar shopping in local antique stores, I came across the most beautiful glass and crystal cake pedestals. I knew instantly that is what I wanted to put our assortment of whoopie pies on at the reception. That was, until I turned one over to see the price. They ranged from $40-$130 each, which was out of my budget considering it would take a few of them to complete our dessert table.

Looking at them, I realized they'd be so easy to make! I hopped in the car and went to a thrift store where I found an assortment of plates and glasses. They ranged from 79¢ to $1.29 each. I bought enough for a couple stands and headed to the hardware store where I bought some Gorilla Glue.

Here are some of the pieces:

Unfortunately, I didn't take photos "in the making." Fortunately, it is ridiculously easy. Simply take the glue and line the edge of your glass (follow the directions on the glue and don't use too much!). I glued the rim of the glass, but you would probably glue the base too. Once you have the glass glued, place it against the bottom of the plate and press firmly for 30 seconds. I put a couple big cans of tomatoes on mine to keep the pressure consistent.

Voila!

Materials:
– Thrift store plates and glasses. Candlesticks and votive holders will work too if you need some more lift: 79$ to $1.29 per piece
–Super Glue: $5

You can make a stand for under $10.

Variations:
Use china or porcelain plates for another look. Or, buy some matte white spraypaint and give your pedestal a coating to mimic milk glass!

A TRUE budget wedding.

2011-06-29T14:45:00.000-04:00

For those of you who REALLY want a budget wedding, I bring you this.

AutoWed Wedding Vending Machine by Concept Shed from Conceptshed on Vimeo.

Dressing up a jam jar

2011-06-19T19:58:00.003-04:00

Maine For our favors, we're giving guests a little jar of homemade blueberry jam--a local treat! I'm having them made and canned into small jars, but wanted to dress them up to match the other things we have going on at the reception.

I topped the lid with mini gingham fabric (a smaller version of our napkins on the table) and finished the edges off with pinking shears. A dab of glue on the top makes them MUCH easier to tie the blue hemp raffia around the lid.

To finish it off, I designed a label and a special gift tag with a message on the back for our guests. I can't wait to see them full and lined up for our guests!

My wedding band

2011-05-28T01:54:00.001-04:00

A month or so ago, we started our quest for wedding bands. I did some online searching, but did not come across anything that struck me. We decided to head into the city to see what there was in store. We found a beautiful wedding band that we both really loved. Not only did it pair nicely with my engagement ring, but it really complimented my grandmother's ring that I sometimes wear on my right hand. The only problem was that it was way more than we wanted to spend. While I love diamonds and sparkle like most any girl, I am a bit frugal and can not imagine dropping that kind of cash.

Here is the ring we fell in love with, or at least I did! :)

After some more looking, I just could not get that ring out of my head. The style was just what I was looking for, so we decided to make my band. Dave had my engagement ring made at the San Francisco Diamond Exchange, so it was only fitting that we go there to make my band. Not to mention the staff is super friendly and very helpful, which made the entire experience that much better.

We set up an appointment to go over the ring design and check out the stones, this is something that my fiance really enjoyed when he shopped for my engagement ring. The original band was an infinity ring with mill grain detail, but I wanted something with fewer diamonds and a clean bezel. We were thrilled to learn that in a week we could see a mold of the ring.

Here it is! Dave went in to select the stones and assign their placement, I can't wait to see the real thing in a few short weeks. Too bad I have to wait for September to wear it!

Guest book ideas

2011-05-16T15:15:00.010-04:00

Before I stumbled across my mailbox at a flea market, I was on a search for different guest book ideas for our wedding. My goal for this blog (other than to update it WAY more often) is to fill it with ideas that I find along the way. I have not been the best lately at putting thoughts down on my blog, but if you "like me" on Facebook--you should be getting some pretty regular inspiration.

Anyway, back to the guestbooks. Here are some ideas that I found really useful. My big thing was that I didn't care to have a book of signatures that I'll never look at again. What's more important to me is something that will do two things: entertain my guests and give me some sort of a keepsake.

Guest book ideas
1. Have your guests sign an oversized letter of your new last name. Not taking his name? That's okay--use an ampersand!

via Style Me Pretty

2. I absolutely love this! Create a wedding style Mad Lib and have your guests fill out their own for you to laugh at later.

via The Knot

3. We really liked this idea, but since we are having a destination wedding--the idea of lugging a suitcase of rocks home was not an option. Have your guests sign small rocks and put them into a large glass hurricane. Store them there, or scatter them in your garden!

via the Knot

4. Because we're doing stumps as our centerpieces, I loved the idea of spreading out that theme to our guestbook. This "guest log" on etsy is really cute!

5. Doing a lovebird theme? Have your guests leave their thumbprint to make a tree. Use inks of your wedding colors! You can buy the one below here.

6. Want to DIY without having to completely do it all yourself? This one from Martha Stewart is great. It's similar to a traditional guestbook, but with enough design flair to make you want to hang it up. Best of all, you can download the template and customize it yourself.

7. Put a vintage typewriter out on your guest table with some extra paper and have your guests type messages up for you. There's tons on ebay. or maybe you're fortunate to have one if your own. When it's all said and done, you can scan the pages to put into your wedding album.

8. If all else fails, there's always the "signing of the mat." Pick out one of your favorite photos or save it for a wedding picture and have your guests sign all around it. I created a large version of my event poster for one of my bride's and she used that (Thanks Michelle for sending me this photo!). Any of my invites can be resized for applications like this!

Our mailbox guestbook is complete!

2011-04-25T01:56:00.007-04:00

Remember the mailbox I found at a flea market in San Francisco last weekend?

Well, with a very small amount of elbow grease and a can of spray paint, it has transformed into something so cute, that I can hardly even stand it.

If you didn't click on the link above, I must show you what it looked like before. I mean seriously--I can't believe what a difference a can of spray paint makes.

I'm making an insert for the bottom with our new married name and am having cards printed for our guests to fill out and drop into our mail slot.

Our goal is for them to have fun answering the pre-printed questions. We can't wait to read them all on our long flight from the east coast back to the west coast!

My fiance had the great idea of attaching the mailbox to a wood stump to carry on the theme from our centerpieces. It's great that he is involved in our wedding plans, we're both so excited to see how it all turns out.

Flea Market Find!

2011-04-18T07:00:00.000-04:00

I was so excited to stumble across this vintage mailbox at the Candlestick Park Flea Market this past weekend. After some quick haggling, it was mine!

I am going to clean it up and put a coat of red spray paint on it to sit on one of our entry tables. I am not quite sure what I will do for an actual guest book, or if we will even do one for that matter--but I plan on making good use of this mailbox by creating some small cards for our guests to write us messages.

And who knows, perhaps we'll even get to stick it on the front of our house one day. I've always wanted a red mailbox!

DIY Painted Mason Jars

2011-04-17T19:54:00.006-04:00

Mason jars are all the rage, they're popping up all over my favorite wedding blogs. They're great for centerpieces that hold a mix of blooms, which is why I am looking to use them for our wedding.

I'm always looking for ways to incorporate our wedding colors into different details, so I decided to see what the jars would look like painted. I think that it came out pretty good! I think I'll paint one for every table and maybe mix in clear glass as well. But, the court is still out on that one.

You only need to products to create them. A surface conditioner and some perm-enamel. I got mine at Jo-Ann for about $12 or so.

To do this, it's super easy. First, take of the label and make sure that all the adhesive is off the jar so that it looks nice and clean. Or, you can always buy a case of clean jars. I'm going for the recycle-route and am using random jars from things we already use. Wash the inside and make sure it's good and dry. Save the lids!

Second, you are going to put some of the Surface Conditioner into the jar, put on the lid, and swirl it around and around. You may dump what's left back into the container to use on your other jars. Now, get a cocktail and sit back for an hour or two to be safe and let that solution dry. In the sun--it might dry quicker!

Lastly, pour some Perm-enamel paint into a container with a LITTLE water to dilute the paint. The instructions say that you should not do this---but I did and it worked just fine. If you do not add water, the paint doesn't thin out enough to swirl around the jar. Pour the mixture in the jar and swirl it around and around. I did this in my front yard and I am sure the neighbors thought I was a little crazy. But who cares---because the end result was worth it. Not to mention, it was a nice arm workout to make sure that I'm looking good on September 10!

Let your jars dry and voila!

Centerpiece Ideas

2011-04-15T03:13:00.001-04:00

Now that all the "big stuff" is done, it's time to start figuring out the details. This weekend, my focus is on centerpieces and table numbers.

The image below is from Flora Grubb, isn't it beautiful? I already assigned my dad the ask of "stump collecting." I love the mix of jars holding an array of flowers. My mom is planting lots of dahlias and zinnias which we plan on filling the vases with.

I am playing with the idea of painting jars and metal cans (yay for recycling!) to serve as vases. I will post a "how to" on that soon, it's so easy and really adds an extra touch of DIY goodness.

I am loving these table numbers using simple exterior house numbers found at hardware stores.

We are headed to a big flea market this weekend, so we'll see what I come back with! I think that these simple ideas will look great in the 1812 Farm.

April is ready to download!

2011-04-04T01:20:00.003-04:00

I'm a few days late, but better late than never...right? It's been beyond crazy around here. Between working on invitations for my June brides and all my wedding crafts AND a full-time job--time slips right through my fingers. I'll be sharing another DIY project with you guys this week, I think you're going to love it.

April's calendar design is derived from my invitation set called, "Tea for Two." I designed this invitation set for Teal and Todd (which makes the name of this invite that much more appropriate!). This invites are one of my newer designs. They provide a nice mix of modern and elegant. Don't you think they look like a hip doily? Or something...

You may buy a sample of this invitation here.

Click on the link below to download your desktop (a new window will open, either drag it to your desktop or right click and "save image as"):

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Featured designer on LCI Paper

2011-03-16T14:55:00.004-04:00

I was contacted last week by LCI Paper for an interview about my business. Perhaps not all of you click through to my main site and read my bio. If you want to learn more about me and how I got started--and where I wanna go, check out this great article that they posted. Pete even managed to make an appearance...imagine that!

LCI is based on the east coast in Massachusetts. They are a great source for paper, envelopes and pocketfolds--anything you might need to build your invitations. If you see something there that you'd like to use for your stationery, let me know and we can make it happen!

Beyond paper, LCI also has party favors, and DIY supplies for those of you who feel like getting crafty. I know I do!

Thanks so much to Kristen over at LCI--it was a great experience!

DIY Pinwheels!

2011-03-09T07:10:00.000-05:00

I'm trying to do as many things as I can for our wedding to make it more personal and to add that creative touch. So far, I've sewn red/white gingham napkins for the reception and am hand-cutting place cards (we're almost done!). I've made a few fabric flowers, but I'm not sure what I'll do with those--if I get enough, I might make a garland for our Whoopie Pie table. Hand crafting all these details is not only fun, but it is pretty friendly on the budget as well!

After we exchange vows and officially become "The Snowballs" (yep...you read that right!), we want our guests to have a way to celebrate and wish us luck other than throwing rice or blowing bubbles. Because I have a passion for paper, I thought that we could give each guest a pinwheel! Turns out, they're pretty easy to make, which is good because I need to do quite a few. I can't wait to see how they look in the wonderful photos that Kimberly Potterf will be taking.

Here is a finished one. I printed the same pattern from our envelope liner on one side of the paper:

The pinwheel is secured into place on a pencil with a thumbtack. I plan on making ours with Tiffany blue pencils, perhaps customized with something fun. Here's the view from the back:

Click here to download/print the step-by-step instructions. I promise, it's easy!

March desktop calendar is ready to download!

2011-03-02T00:51:00.006-05:00

March is here! You know what that means, daylight savings time. I'm a huge fan of it being light out longer--and so is Pete. It means an additional hour of ball playing in the yard (after he's done helping me get proofs out of course!)

March's calendar design is derived from my invitation set called, "Tres Chic." I designed this invitation set for Alison and Ben, who I had the pleasure of working with while I lived in Ohio.

You may buy a sample of this invitation here.

Click on the link below to download your desktop (a new window will open, either drag it to your desktop or right click and "save image as"):

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Exciting news...

2011-02-14T12:30:00.014-05:00

So far, 2011 has been filled with blessings. Not only will I be getting married this September to an amazing man--but it looks like I will get to be a part of many other weddings. I couldn't be more excited. Really.

I've been a member of Style Me Pretty's Little Black book for over 2 years now--and I am so flattered to be among the talented pool of vendors of all sorts at SMP. I check SMP daily, and find myself bookmarking it often in my own wedding inspiration folder.

This year, I've been added to Engaged and Inspired's "Inspired List." Allison is a bride herself, so she's constantly updating with some great wedding inspiration for her own wedding. I can't wait to see how her wedding turns out this April! Check out her blog here. She was also kind enough to do a write up on MHW, thanks Allison!

Ruffled is another site I follow religiously. Not only is the blog full of swoon-worthy weddings, but they also have a "Recycle Your Wedding" store where you can shop for some amazing wedding goodies or even list your own to sell. When I got an email to join their "Blue Label Vendor" list, I was ecstatic to say the least.

Last but not least, I'm very proud to have been invited to have become a part of "Vendor Love", The Knotty Bride's preferred vendor guide. To all you planning brides, if you haven't been to this site...BOOKMARK IT NOW. It's filled to the brim with inspiration.

Thank you Style Me Pretty, Engaged and Inspired, Ruffled and The Knotty Bride! I am thrilled to be a preferred vendor and I look forward to providing wedding stationery to all of your brides. Not to mention, getting some amazing wedding inspiration from all of your blog posts. Here's to a great 2011 wedding season!

Free February Desktop Calendar

2011-02-08T00:49:00.003-05:00

It's official. This is the latest I've been on my desktop calendars. February has been filled with beaucoup de estimate requests and lots of save the date design for my summer 2011 weddings. I'm so excited about this year, it's only 2 months in and I've already been blessed by many good things!

February's calendar design is derived from my invitation set called, "He Loves Me." This design is contained in a pocket folder, but it can easily be converted to a simple invitation set if needed.

Click on the link below to download your desktop (a new window will open, either drag it to your desktop or right click and "save image as"):

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Featured Testimonial: Whitney

2011-02-03T00:47:00.003-05:00

It's been a while since I've posted a review. I have a bunch saved in my email and have been meaning to post one each week. For those of you who have worked with me and have sent your kind words---THANK YOU! I'll make sure to catch up and post it on my blog to show my appreciation for you!

This review is from Whitney F, who chose the Boarding Pass Invitations for her destination wedding.

It was a complete joy working with Marit Hanson on my wedding invitations and thank you cards. Time was of the essence, and even though I contacted her just before the winter holiday break, Marit worked (presumably between wrapping presents and spending time with her own fiance) on my invitations straight through the New Year. She can do anything you ask style-wise, and I couldn't be happier with my Boarding Pass invitations. Thank you, Marit!

Thank you Whitney! If you need anything else for your big day--programs, menus, placecards, favor tags....anything, let me know!

Most girls get a cute clutch...

2011-01-30T23:32:00.004-05:00

I got a custom Sea Bag for the wedding!

We designed an icon for our save the dates, which we plan on using throughout the design of various things for the wedding. We're getting married in Pemaquid Harbor (where we got engaged), which is marked with the heart.

My mom got me a Sea Bag for Christmas a few years ago, and I absolutely love it. They're made in Maine out of recycled sails and have cute rope handles. I am trying to make as much of our big day as "Maine" as possible, so this bag was perfect. And, it will be a great way to tote around things on our big day. Not to mention, it will be a great prop in our pictures with Kim Potterf.

I emailed Amy at Sea Bags our wedding icon and placed the order. I opted for the "baby" bag, which is just like their medium bag with the addition of some handy pockets and a closure. A couple weeks later this beauty came in the mail:

I love my bag, and so does Pete. I'm pretty sure he can probably fit into it!

Thanks Sea Bags!

Experimenting with fabric flowers

2011-01-17T15:24:00.005-05:00

My fiance was out of town all week, so I had lots of time peruse through wedding magazines and read up on wedding blogs. A friend of ours made some fabric flowers for her wedding, and they were so pretty that I mentally bookmarked the idea. She sewed them onto a sash for her bridesmaids and they looked so cute! Since I am only having a maid of honor, I figured I should be able to do something like this. There's no excuse, I don't have to do 5 of them.

I came across the "how-to" in the Summer 2009 issue of Martha Stewart Weddings, which is also online here. I made the peony, but she also has a garden rose and a zinnia. The instructions are simple, these were the first two I made--so I figure I can only get better. You can too!

I used some red cotton fabric and some tiffany blue silk blend fabric to test how they'd turn out. I plan on making some more, using some different textured fabric. Here's how the initial attempt turned out:

In the meantime, the wedding planning has continued! I purchased my veil, a flower fascinator and will be purchasing a sash soon with a gift certificate I won from Bronze Budget Bride and Buds and Blooms. I also ordered a custom Sea Bag to carry my things around for the wedding, it's going to be really cute. Now, we just have to get my groom outfitted!

Save the Dates for our Maine Wedding!

2011-01-12T15:56:00.009-05:00

I am so excited to finally be able to share these with you. Our guests have received them, so I do not have to worry about spoiling the surprise.

I shared a sneak peak of the envelopes with you last week (if you follow via twitter and facebook). We created custom postage, wrap around labels with our wedding icon (the heart reveals the location of our wedding) and I also lined every envelope with a gingham pattern I made. The gingham will be a theme throughout our wedding, it's the fabric I'm using to sew our napkins...which is for another post! These envelopes were time consuming, but I LOVE them.

Now, for the full reveal! The invite contains a small red envelope, which contains a lobster bib for our guests. The bibs are printed with directions on how to eat a lobster in order to prepare them for a weekend in Maine.

A close up of the envelope, "Attire Enclosed." That's my favorite part. :)

For a little added extra detail, we decided to make use of the back of our save the date. Over the last few years, we've saved emails from friends/family and written down quotes about us as a couple. We always wanted to do something with them, and thought the back of our invitation was the perfect canvas for all the wonderful (and funny!) things people have shared with us.

These were a lot of work, but we had such a great time designing them together. It's hard to design your own invitations, especially when you're marrying a designer! But, we did it and we love them. Now, time to start our invitations! Photos are also on Facebook.

Welcome 2011!

2011-01-02T14:44:00.004-05:00

Happy New Year! I can't believe 2010 has come to an end, and what an exciting year it was for me. In the last 365 days, I got engaged to an amazing man, moved across the country to beautiful San Francisco and found out I am going to be an Aunt within the next month (the spoiling has already begun)! My invitation business had a great year and I am beyond thankful for all the brides I had a chance to work with. Each year things get more and more exciting. I can't wait to see what 2011 brings to me.

I hope to bring you MANY more blog posts this year with wedding inspiration and various DIY projects. I'll be posting our save the dates soon, they're going out in the mail next week. I want my guests to see them first, and then I will share them with you. I'm so pleased with how they came out. Designing our own invitations has to be one of the hardest things I've done. Especially considering the fact I am marrying another designer.

To kick off 2011, I am putting my desk calendars on mega-sale. I have a handful left, so get one while they last. When they're gone, they're gone. They are regularly $12, but are selling at half-price for $6 on my etsy site.

In the meantime, here's the January desktop calendar for you to download. January's calendar is based off of my Marquee save the date. I have an invitation set to match this one now, it'll be going up soon!

Click on the link below to download your desktop (a new window will open, either drag it to your desktop or right click and "save image as"):

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MHW is on a holiday break!

2010-12-23T14:39:00.003-05:00

I've informed my current brides and have made it a point to add it to the end of my estimates that have gone out in the last couple weeks that I will be taking time off from 12/24 to 12/31. During this time, I will not be generating proofs. I will, however, be checking my email to provide estimates and answer any questions. You'll probably see me on twitter, so keep in touch that way. :)

May you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 2010 has been very very kind for me (I'll elaborate more on that later) and I'm so excited to see what's in store for 2011.

Now, I have to pack to head back to snowy Ohio. It's going to be quite the change from the mild California "winter" we've been experiencing!

Etsy Finds

2010-12-14T15:40:00.007-05:00

It's too easy to get lost on etsy with all the great finds. Seriously, there is some great stuff on there. And, of course--there's some stuff on there that leaves me saying, "people buy this?" Today, I was checking out all the different sashes. I'm still trying to decide if I want to add one to my dress for a little something extra.

Here are three that I was drawn to:

I love the pop of color that this blue flower adds. This sash is simple yet fun, and it's one of our wedding colors...score! It runs $95, not bad.

This sash is all kinds of elegant. While I do not consider myself a flashy crystal kind of girl, I love this. And, you can customize the ribbon color to fun it up some. Perhaps a nice aqua or red? This sash is a little more, but the added detail is worth it at $149

The last sash that caught my eye looks like the first two sashes I picked had a love affair. It mixes the fun of the flower with the elegance of stones and is $148 (right in the middle of the other two!). I'm going to be wearing pearls, so I like the idea of having them in my sash and fascinator (which I will be looking for next). This one is great because I can possibly throw it on something in the future. The etsy page shows it on the strap of a dress, which could be cute on a simple black dress later on.

What do you think?

Featured Testimonial: Teal!

2010-12-08T23:30:00.003-05:00

Teal and I worked together at an ad agency in Columbus. She was one of my last brides before we made the trek across the country to San Francisco. She had such a great vision of her wedding, which was held at the oh-so-amazing Venue at Smith Brothers. It was a lot of fun working with her on her wedding stationery and I couldn't be more pleased with how they came out. The "Tea for Two" invitations have quickly become my new favorite design!

Here's what Teal had to say:

I had the pleasure of being introduced to Marit through work. A colleague mentioned that Marit designed her wedding invitations and suggested I speak with her about my upcoming event. It was a blessing. Marit listened to what I envisioned and made smart suggestions to help polish the design of our Save the Date cards, invitations, RSVP cards and more. She also helped with reception details and designed beautiful place cards, table numbers and bar/station menus that matched our invitation design. It pulled everything together beautifully. Our guests loved the details. Marit worked quickly when I made some last minute requests and was able to execute beautifully almost overnight! My new husband and I would recommend her to any couple looking for beautiful and detailed work for their special event.
- Teal and Todd

Go check out Teal's wedding photos on her photographers blog--they're beautiful!

New invitation design!

2010-12-02T00:00:00.001-05:00

I am so excited to share this new invitation with you. I had the opportunity to work with Teal to create a custom invitation design for her vintage yet modern wedding in Columbus, Ohio. We met over lunch and talked about all the details of her wedding, from the venue and the flowers to her beautiful lace dress and wedding colors of gray/orange. And how cute is it that both their names and her new last name all begin with "t?" These were all elements that I wanted to play up, while still keeping it sophisticated.

After a few rounds of designs, this is what the couple chose to represent their big day. I am calling this design "Tea for Two," a double reference hinting at the lace/doily pattern and the amazing couple I was able to work with to create it!

Click here to view large

Click here to view large.

This invite will be on my website soon, but you can purchase a sample now on etsy.

December is ready to download!

2010-12-01T01:34:00.005-05:00

Oh my goodness, I can't believe Christmas is only FOUR weeks away. Being in California is playing tricks on me, as it does not feel anything like the holiday (other than seeing all the trees strapped to roofs of cars we passed over the weekend). Looks like I should probably start my shopping!

Speaking of which, my calendars are on an extended Cyber Monday sale through the end of this week. They are regularly $12, but are selling for $8 on my etsy site.

December's calendar is based off of my Blooms and Stripes invitation. What you're seeing here is obviously the stripes. :)

Click on the link below to download your desktop (a new window will open, either drag it to your desktop or right click and "save image as"):

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Reception goodies

2010-11-29T22:51:00.007-05:00

We have had a lull in our wedding planning, and have been using our free time exploring the Bay Area before the rain comes. Well, it's almost December and rainy season is upon us. So, you know what that means? I will be busy planning things for our wedding and sharing them with you here. Keep checking back, and I'll make sure to notify you via twitter and facebook as I post. We are quite excited to have all my big things crossed off our list: ceremony site, reception location, photographer, caterer, cake, music (fingers crossed on that one!), shoes and dress. That gives us 10 months to plan out all the fun details. Here are some that we've already begun.

First off: linens. Exciting right? I make you wait three weeks for a blog post only to show you photos of napkins. But these aren't just ANY napkins, folks. These are being sewn with love by my Mom (THANK YOU Mom!). We are sticking with classic white linens for our tables, but I wanted to "fun it up." I picked out red and white checked fabric, that you'll find scattered across picnic tables at lobster shacks.

I plan on folding them to house a menu, which happens to be what we are working on now. Get your bibs ready, people. ;)

Next up, place cards! I plan on starting these ASAP, since they will be hand cut. It's a good thing my fiance went to art school as well, because it will be a much faster job when there's two of us with XACTO knives in hand. Ignore the big crease, as this was a piece of scrap card stock that I wanted to test with. Oh, and I will also be perfecting my calligraphy technique...so no judging umkay? You can download a template here. I adjusted the size of my claws to be larger and used Illustrator to smooth out some of the lines for easier cutting.

Next up, centerpieces, I have lots of ideas and I can't wait to share them with you!

Check back later this week for the December desktop calendar download. And, in case you missed it on facebook today---my calendars are only $8 in honor of Cyber Monday. Get em' while they last. :)

November is ready for download!

2010-11-03T22:55:00.002-04:00

November's calendar is based off of my Calla Lily invitation.

Click on the link below to download your desktop (a new window will open, either drag it to your desktop or right click and "save image as"):

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Don't forget to order your 2011 desktop calendar! They are on sale right now for $10 and free shipping! If you only need the refill pack, those are $8.

Kill two birds with one stone

2010-10-27T14:02:00.004-04:00

Check out this great idea from Project Wedding!

Use mini-lanterns as escort cards for your guests. Light them up and spread them on a table--and look how pretty.

Click here to read the full post--complete with tips!

If we didn't already have our escort cards figured out, I'd definitely consider this! The red lanterns are even sitting on the same fabric we are using for our napkins.

Here are some sites that have mini-lanterns if you'd like to use this for your wedding:
American Bridal
Amazon
Favor Studio
ebay (set of 60...if still available)

Visit Project Weddings for a lot of great wedding inspiration!

Desktop Calendars are only $10 on 10-10-10 with free shipping!

2010-10-10T13:20:00.004-04:00

That's right! In celebration of 10-10-10, I am offering my 2011 Desktop Calendar for only $10 with FREE shipping! Because I know a lot of my readers visit during the week, I will extend this offer through 10-17-10.

If you'd like a refill pack, I am offering those for $6 with free shipping this week.
Email me if you're interested in the refill.

Here's a look at 2011:

The standard calendar includes the desktop case, seen below (image shows August 2010):

These make great gifts for your friends or co-workers. Order now while they're in stock. I sold out early last year. :)

Our reception site

2010-10-08T01:41:00.011-04:00

I was so excited to receive photos from my parents tonight along with an update on the reception venue. Up until today, I'd really only seen it from the outside.

I know that probably sounds a little crazy, but I'd heard great things and I knew that as cute as the exterior was--the interior had to be nice.

I was actually more impressed than expected. I love all the open beams, it is very similar to the airiness of our ceremony site..

The woodwork is so beautiful. I can envision the beams wrapped in pretty white lights.

I'm so glad that our venue has some outdoor space for our guests to enjoy, provided the weather is nice. According to the almanacs, we have little chance for rain--and pretty mild temperatures earlier in the day. If so, we'll be enjoying drinks and socializing with our friends and family on the deck!

Now that I have seen the space, we can start planning on all the fun details to fill it up. Happy Friday everyone!

The October desktop calendar is ready to download!

2010-10-03T23:53:00.004-04:00

October's calendar is based off of my Tres Chic invitation. This is one of my favorite invites, I love the contrast of the blue stripes with the bold damask patterns.

Click on the link below to download your desktop (a new window will open, either drag it to your desktop or right click and "save image as"):

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Our Ceremony Site

2010-09-29T23:54:00.004-04:00

My parents are in Maine for a few weeks, so they were amazing enough to take some pictures of our ceremony site. Not only that, but they are going to meet with a caterer and also take some photos of our reception venue so that I can start on the details. I'm so lucky that they are able to do this stuff for me...you know, living on the OPPOSITE side of the country and all.

I am in love with this meeting house. It's so adorable and full of New England charm. The inside is so spectacular (or maybe I am biased!), that I don't think we are going to have to do much at all for the ceremony as far as decorations. My mom is going to plant a bunch of flowers for us to pot on the steps to dress up the outside, and we'll probably put some baskets of flowers in some of the windows. I hate to distract too much from the woodwork and the abundance of charm that the meeting house has.

The outside:

And pictures of the inside. Each box pew has cute numbers on the doors. It has a balcony, which I imagine will make for some great photos of the ceremony:

We've moved!

2010-09-16T23:29:00.002-04:00

Wow, this month has been so busy. I apologize to those who came looking for the September desktop calendar – I promise to have October ready for you. I have good reasons for my lack of posting these last few weeks.

We packed up our house and moved to the Bay Area the first week of September. Needless to say, our time has been spent unpacking and settling in to our new home. I'm all caught up on emails and orders, so it's time to give my blog some TLC. Not to mention, I have my own wedding to plan and I'd love to share what I find with you.

Let the fun part of planning begin!

2010-08-21T10:15:00.003-04:00

We booked our reception site. After lots of back and forth, number crunching and logistical issues with planning a destination wedding we have decided to have our reception at The 1812 Farm. I love it--go to their site and check out the gallery of photos. We should be able to have some fun with this.

Featured Testimonial: Michele!

2010-08-11T22:51:00.005-04:00

I worked with Michele earlier this year to create custom event style posters for her wedding invitations. I modified my usual event design for her, to contain some other typefaces and scrolls for another look. I also designed a larger poster for her to print and frame for the reception for the guests to sign. What a great idea!

Photography by Johnny Wolf Photography
Click here to view large.

Here is a photo of the newlyweds---how ADORABLE is her dress and how cute is she? Michele got it from BCBG and is has.....gasp....POCKETS! I am a total sucker for a dress with pockets, I'd love to get some put into my wedding dress.

Photography by Johnny Wolf Photography
Click here to view large.

I love how they turned out and so did Michele and S.J. Here's what they had to say:

Marit,
My husband and I wanted to send a big thank you for putting your amazing talents to work for our NYC wedding reception. The night was perfect and we got numerous compliments from guests that just LOVED our invites and the poster was the perfect way to greet guests. We now have the print completely signed and marked up from guests framed in our apartment. It totally captured "us" and our event.

Thank you again and I hope you are taking some time to enjoy the summer,
Michele and S.J.

Thanks Michele, you guys were so much fun to work with--and thank you so much for sharing photos with me.

2011 Desktop Calendars

2010-08-08T23:18:00.001-04:00

For the third year in a row, I am offering a desk calendar containing designs from my stationery collection. I sold out of them last year, so I ordered more this time around. But when they are gone--they're gone!

My desk calendars are professionally printed on 100# cardstock and packaged in a specially made desktop CD-style display case and sell for $12. Here is last years:

Here is a preview of 2011:

View large.

2011 calendars with cases will mail by October 1. Refills can ship right away!

If you ordered one of my calendars last year, and you'd just like to order the calendar pages alone--not a problem. You can buy the refill pack for $10.

Click here to order the 2011 refill. In the body of your email, please include your shipping address and I will send you an invoice with directions for payment.

Click here to order the 2011 calendar with case. In the body of your email, please include your shipping address and I will send you an invoice with directions for payment.

These calendars are a fun way to dress up your desk and make wonderful gifts!

Brooch Bouquets

2010-08-07T00:13:00.006-04:00

I wish I had enough of my grandmother's brooches to make a bouquet like these from Fantasy Floral Designs. Check out her arrangements, they are so amazing! If you are lucky enough to have a big collection of heirloom brooches, you should consider making a bouquet from them:

Above photos are from Fantasy Floral Designs

I only have a handful of jewels from my grandmother, I think I will pick my favorite one and pin it around my bouquet to represent my "somethingi old":

Photo from Fancy Pants Weddings

Our ceremony site!

2010-08-04T09:19:00.010-04:00

While there is still SO MUCH to figure out, we do have our ceremony location set in place. I'm so excited about it--since I was a little kid, I thought it would be pretty amazing to get married in the Harrington Meeting House. It was built in 1775, and the inside is all kinds of beautiful. The outside is pretty charming too.

I'm really not sure what we will even need to do to the inside, other than put some flowers in some of the windows. Frommer's Maine Coast says it best, "It's an architectural gem on the inside, almost painfully austere..."

Rather than typical bench pews, the meeting house is filled with box pews--which is our favorite part.

Even the ceilings are breathtaking:

Now, to determine the reception location. Hopefully that will be nailed down this week, along with a photographer (which is turning out to be the hardest decision!).

August is ready for download!

2010-08-01T23:32:00.003-04:00

August's calendar is based off of my Serendipity invitation.

Click on the link below to download your desktop (a new window will open, either drag it to your desktop or right click and "save image as"):

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If you would like to order a sample of this invitation, click here.

Happy August everyone!

Found on Etsy: Cake Toppers

2010-07-28T23:48:00.008-04:00

I did some looking around etsy and came across some really creative and cute toppers. I'm just not sure that I'm willing to pay around $100 for something to sit on top of my cake (just my personal opinion). I don't picture it being something I'd save or put on display--but if I were to do so, it would definitely be one of these:

This one is from togetherforever and sells for $155. She will custom design the couple just for you...so cute!

Image from togetherforever etsy shop.

These lovebirds by cottonbirddesigns are adorable, and I really like how she makes them out of linen and silk. She will customize the flower color for you for $125.

Image from cottonbirddesigns etsy shop.

Okay, seriously...these custom couples from urastarhouse are beyond amazing for $125. This is a cake topper that I'd put on the dresser in our bedroom. I love that the backs are painted as well. She also offers pets as an add-on (totaling around $150). Perhaps Pete could sit on top of our cake!

Images from urastarhouse etsy shop.

Happy Thursday everyone!

The perfect tie

2010-07-24T20:50:00.003-04:00

My friend Amanda (check out her work--it's gorgeous!)sent me a link to some super cute ties she found on etsy. I've been so busy thinking about all the other wedding details, that I haven't even started looking for Dave yet. I passed the link off to him to see what he thinks and I hope he's excited about them as I am. We still have to talk about our color palette and since we are both designers, I bet this will be one of the toughest things to agree on. Whatever it is, red will be a likely accent due to our Maine destination.

They also offer narrow ties in some colors and you can convo them about printing in another color. I am definitely favoriting this listing!

Find these ties in Toybreaker's shop on etsy.

I say "I do" to this do!

2010-07-20T22:14:00.005-04:00

I've found myself sifting through my wedding magazines in more detail than before. I used to scour them for design inspiration and now I have turned into the girl that takes in each and every page. It's okay though, I warned my husband-to-be of my latest wedding obsessions and he seems to be okay with it. He has to be though right, because it's technically his fault!

In a recent Martha Stewart Weddings email, she had a feature on updos. I believe it was even in her last magazine issue.

This is my favorite updo, and it even gives instructions on how to do it yourself. I think I might try it out this weekend. It's beautiful as is, but depending on my dress I might pair it with a birdcage veil or a pretty flower.

Click here to see other updos or to get the easy directions on how to achieve this look yourself.

A new addition to my nightstand

2010-07-19T11:37:00.005-04:00

I am trying to get used to wearing my engagement ring. I have NO PROBLEMS wearing it all day long, in fact I often find myself staring at it. I still can't believe that I'm getting married, but I couldn't be happier!

The one thing I haven't fully adapted to is wearing my ring to sleep. I have been taking it off most nights and placing it on my night stand. I wanted something to put it it in to keep it safe and not on-the-loose. While in Chicago this weekend, I went into a cute little store called Jayson Home and Garden and found this darling little porcelain box that will look great on my nightstand. We are both suckers for type, so it's perfect.

They had them with letters painted on the tops, but I went with the ampersand. And, if Dave has problems to adjusting to the addition of jewelry to his finger, there's room in there for his ring too. :)

Do you wear your ring at all times?

Wedding Wednesday

2010-07-14T15:28:00.003-04:00

I'll take this wedding, please. I love all the personal/DIY touches and the overall feel of this wedding from the hand painted signs, to the stamped craft bags. The couple had a very intimate ceremony and created their own "chapel." Genius!

Click here to see what I'm talking about on the Ruffled Blog.

My first look at Wedding Dresses

2010-07-12T23:23:00.012-04:00

My friend Beth sent me a link to Bella Bridesmaid to get me started on my wedding planning mission. We don't have a date or a location set yet, but it's still fun to look and get ideas for when that day comes. I've been flipping through some of my bridal magazines, and I am learning that it's not so easy to find dresses that aren't strapless. Or, at least they don't put them in the advertisements. I'm headed to Chicago this weekend, where I'll be seeing Tom Petty (woo hoo!) and trying on my sister in law's wedding dress. As long as I don't look like I am wearing a sausage casing, I might just go with it. She wore it well on their wedding day, and it would be pretty awesome to share her dress. :)

Because I will need to have some backup, I went on an online search of my own.

Here are some of my favorites:
I love this short dress from Simple Silouettes. And it's only $630. With the addition of a cute birdcage veil, I think you could feel like a total bride in the Aster Dress:

Another short dress from Jenny Yoo, the Joceylyn is only $450. I love the keyhole cutout in the front of this dress:

While I like the idea of having a "party dress," like the two above--I am still obsessed with this dress (DU6556) from Saja Wedding for $790. I blogged about it before.

I have no idea what style dress I will go with, as I am sure that will depend on when/where we get married. I do know that I want something simple. I'm new to everything other than paper, so if you have any recommendations for designers--send them my way!

I'm back from vacation!

2010-07-11T18:58:00.012-04:00

And I'm engaged!

My boyfriend asked me to go kayaking with him earlier in the afternoon, but I declined because I had just taken a shower. If you know me, you know that I take my vacations very seriously. That translates to: "unless I have somewhere to be, a shower isn't necessary--you can find me on the porch with my book and a cold one."

We came back from dinner and hanging out in a town nearby. It was dusk and he'd been bugging me about going kayaking at dusk for a few days. As we turned onto the harbor road, I pointed out how calm it was on the water and suggested we should go for a paddle. We changed clothes and hopped in the water, with only an hour to spare before the sun went down. We paddled toward Knowle's Rocks, which are in view from our house and happen to be where the ashes of my grandparents were sprinkled. We kayaked there a lot over vacation, because seals are now shacking up on the rocks. It's a lot of fun to just float and watch them pop up around us. It's also pretty funny how much Pete resembles a seal.

My boyfriend asked me to pull my boat out and join him on the rocks to watch the sun set. I told him that I was quite happy just floating in the water. He was persistent and it wasn't until he gave me the whole, "c'mon be adventurous" line that I gave in. No one will question my spontaneity and get away with it. He even let me choose which one I wanted to get on, I picked the right one...because it was closer. I was worried about kayaking back across the dark harbor. Little did I know that the diamond on my finger would help guide the way. :)

He pulled our boats up onto the rocks, and I oh-so-not-gracefully crawled my way through the seaweed and onto the top of the rocks. It was there we sat just talking. I was quickly distracted when a seal started to waddle his way onto a lower rock. He used this to his advantage and pulled the ring out of his pocket.

I wish I could remember all the nice things that he said to me. I was so surprised and in the moment, that it is all a blur. I do recall him telling me that he knew I'd looked at those rocks from the porch since I was a little girl and that we'd be looking at them for years to come. There were waterworks, and then I said yes! I couldn't stop looking at my hand.

It wasn't until the next day when my family was together for lunch that we made the big announcement. I'm pretty sure that my mom and my aunt leaped across the table the second I raised my hand for a toast. We were all so excited.

That evening, we had an impromptu engagement party on the porch.

Pete even had his own plate at the party.

We're finally going to be a family! And we couldn't be happier.

July desktop is ready to download!

2010-06-27T21:11:00.004-04:00

Look at me, a few days early! June was a great month and all, but I am really excited about July. Because July means VACATION. The car is packed and Pete is ready to hit the coast almost as much as I am.

July's calendar is based off of my Art Deco invitation. I also have a matching save the date with this design.

Click on the link below to download your desktop (a new window will open, either drag it to your desktop or right click and "save image as"):

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I'll be back in a week or so. I can't promise any posts while I'm away, so just in case--have a great holiday everyone. Be safe.

It's that time again!

2010-06-22T08:57:00.007-04:00

Brides across the US wait for the Running of the Brides at Filene's Basement. It happens only once a year (twice if you are in Boston) and brides to be can score a designer wedding gown from $249 to $699 (regularly $900-$9000! Dresses have original tags).

If you haven't been, and there's one in your area--GO! It's an adventure. Brides put teams together and line up early. When the doors open, the girls bolt to the racks of designer dresses. In less than a minute, the racks are empty and girls undress right then and there to start trying on. For extra efficiency, many brides are seen wearing spandex--so that undressing isn't even necessary. If modesty isn't a problem for you, you won't be alone in your bras and underwear...I promise!

While I am sure there is some catty behavior within the walls of Filene's on this day, there's a great sense of camaraderie with the brides. If a gown doesn't suit their liking, they are happy to pass it on to another bride--which could be the gown of her dreams. It's also a great environment to get lots of opinions, if you want them. ;)

Running of the Brides isn't for everyone. But if you love a bargain and you have one in your area, or are willing to travel--go! Make team t-shirts and have fun with it. Most of the times, there are radio and tv stations doing live broadcasts at the event. If chaos isn't your thing, you can still find a dress later in the day. I know girls who have gone to The Running of the Brides, only to be overwhelmed by it all and then returned later to find a dress.

Visit Filene's online for more information. Ready...set...go!

Why hello there!

2010-06-21T11:30:00.009-04:00

Wow, I have not updated my blog in over a week. I had such a busy season, that things were piling up around the house and not to mention my accounting needed some serious attention. Pete is an excellent assistant and all, but his lack of opposable thumbs doesn't help for my office tasks. He did a great job making sure I got breaks, where we spent time in the yard in his new pool--just in time for summer! Whoever says that terriers are not fans of water, has not met my dog. You can't keep him out of the pool.

It has been nice to sit back and relax! For the last few months, my nights have been jam packed with getting proofs out and packing up orders. Don't get me wrong, I am NOT complaining. In a few short weeks, things will amp back up for my fall brides. I'm excited to announce that with that will come a few more new designs. I can't wait to share them with you.

With Fall in mind, check out these ADORABLE DIY S'more favors from Project Wedding. How cute would these be at an outdoor wedding. Throw a couple of firepits out and let your guests make their own s'mores. Or, send them home with the kits--they're sure to be enjoyed!

Materials:
1. Hershey's Chocolate Bars
2. Graham Crackers
3. Marshmallows
4. Wire Hangers
5. Cellophane Bags in 3 Sizes
6. Adhesive Paper and Cardstock
7. Labels and Instructions design (downloadable pdfs right here and here.)
8. Kraft Box with Lid 4.75" x 6" x 2.5"
9. Tissue
10. Ribbon
11. Scissors
12. Wire Cutter

STEP 1
Remove the marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers from their original packaging and put them in cellophane bags. Here we put six graham cracker squares in a 4" x 6" bag, Three chocolate squares in a 5" x 3" bag, and about 10 marshmallows in a 5.5" x 8" bag.

STEP 2
With the wire cutters, cut off the head of the hanger and then bend the hanger in fourths so it fits the length of the box. Secure it with ribbon. (these will serve as your skewers to roast your marshmallows--how clever!)

STEP 3
Print out the labels on adhesive paper and instructions on cardstock and cut them out. Fold up the instructions.

STEP 4
Lining the box with a piece of tissue, assemble the marshmallows, crackers, chocolate, instructions and hanger in the box.

STEP 5
Adhere the label to the box lid and voila! A S'mores Kit!

Head over to Project Wedding for a boatload of wedding inspiration!

June is ready for download!

2010-06-08T21:48:00.004-04:00

Wow, where did May go? For those of you who came looking for the May calendar...I apologize. LOTS has been going on around here, it's been a very busy wedding season for me. I can't believe I missed a month for the first time in two years. In fact, I received an email today from someone asking if I was going to put June up. I felt horrible for being late, but great that people download them and care enough to crack the whip on me. For those of you who use my desktop calendars--THANK YOU! I'll try to get back on track and have them up close to the first of the month.

June's calendar is based off of my Marquee style save the date. This design has become pretty popular and I am working on the invite to match as we speak. Stay tuned!

Click on the link below to download your desktop (a new window will open, either drag it to your desktop or right click and "save image as"):

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Wedding Collection at The Limited

2010-06-08T14:28:00.007-04:00

I've been waiting for months for the launch of The Limited's wedding collection and here it is.

Head on over to The Limited's web site and see the collection for yourself. You'll be amazed by the prices! I'm excited to see this collection grow and offer up some competition for other retailers. Unfortunately, it looks like the wedding gowns are an online exclusive--but most of the other dresses can be tried on in store by your bridesmaids.

I'll definitely be taking a trip over to their store. My fingers are crossed that because I'm in the land of their headquarters, they'll have a great selection.

Happy shopping!

Featured Testimonial: Amy

2010-06-07T21:45:00.003-04:00

I worked with Amy to create event posters as a reminder for guests to save the date for their wedding. Amy was great to work with and emailed me these kind words after receiving her stationery:

"Hi Marit- I just wanted to let you know that we have gotten such good feedback on the save-the-dates. Everyone has been writing to us saying how fun and different they are-- even work colleagues, who I wouldn't expect to go out of their way to say nice things about the mailing. So thank you for a fantastic job! Perhaps we can also use you for either rehearsal dinner invitations or programs!"

Thank you Amy, I look forward to working with you again!

TOMS Wedding Collection

2010-06-04T10:34:00.005-04:00

I'm sure by now you all know about TOMS shoes. If not, you can learn more about their movement here. With every pair of shoes purchased, the company donates a pair to a child in need.

I'm a huge fan of the cause, but when it comes to fashion... I will admit they aren't necessarily the cutest things around. Until now! Look at how cute these wedges are--I could picture them being worn by a bridal party in a cute New England beach wedding:

The even have a new wedding collection that offers the shoes in metallic colors (or classic white for more traditional brides). And don't worry, the groom hasn't been left out---there's footwear for him as well.

TOMS is offering a special promotion for couples who outfit their entire wedding party in TOMS to help make an even bigger difference in the lives of others around the world. Please visit their site to get more information!

Every girl could use a new bag!

2010-05-28T14:08:00.005-04:00

I bought a wristlet from San Francisco based artist, Drikab, a few years ago and I have lost count of the compliments I have received on it. It's by far my favorite bag when I need to carry a few things around. Her selection is always changing, but the fabrics are all so beautiful. I love the detail of the jute handle and the other felt accents. Check back to her shop, because she is currently sold out of her wristlets. I JUST bought one for a friend's birthday, so perhaps she is busy sewing away to build up her inventory.

I've been eye-balling this style for a long time, and I might just have to buckle down and buy myself a late birthday present. It'd make such a great carry-on bag for my upcoming vacation. Brides--this would be a great honeymoon bag!

Secret Proposal

2010-05-27T10:45:00.004-04:00

Okay, this is way to touching not to post. I know I JUST shared an engagement video in my last post, but when I saw this one--I couldn't NOT show it to you. Perhaps I am just a little on the emotional side today, but this engagement at what looks like a Caribou Coffee totally choked me up. This is one of the sweetest things--so simple, yet so personal and unique. Way to go groom!

Casey proposes to Amy from One Small Instrument Pictures on Vimeo.

Flash Mob Proposal

2010-05-25T11:41:00.004-04:00

Okay, this guy wins! I've seen my share of flash mob videos, but this one is pretty awesome. I am sure it has something to do with the end result, but regardless--it's awesome. This is the first proposal I've seen done this way. How on earth he got this organized is beyond me...but KUDOS to him. And sorry for all the men who now have to top it!

Click on the video to go to YouTube. My blog is not designed wide enough to embed YouTube. I'll add that to my list of things to do!

Watch the whole thing, but the real action starts at about 2:40 into the video.

Everything's better with your name on it!

2010-05-25T00:59:00.006-04:00

I was flipping through my latest issue of House Beautiful when I came across these great plates. That sentence alone is proof that I celebrated a thirty-something birthday this past weekend, because really--how many 19 year olds do you know who get this excited about dinnerware? Exactly.

Look at how cute these designs are. And, unlike your china that you may have registered for, these babies are safe from breaking. Any of these bold patterns would be lovely on a wall in your kitchen (or mine!)

Featured Testimonial: Amy!

2010-05-25T00:18:00.005-04:00

I just finished up working with Amy and Jack this May. The couple chose my event series "poster" to send their guests as a reminder to save the date. Here's what she had to say:

I just wanted to let you know that we have gotten such good feedback on the save-the-dates. Everyone has been writing to us saying how fun and different they are-- even work colleagues, who I wouldn't expect to go out of their way to say nice things about the mailing. So thank you for a fantastic job! Perhaps we can also use you for either rehearsal dinner invitations or programs.

Featured Testimonial: Bree

2010-05-24T18:23:00.000-04:00

Bree and Clint selected my "Monogrammed Damask" invitations for their stationery. Bree was great to work with. Here's what she had to say about working with me.

I just received my invitations this evening. They are absolutely beautiful and I cannot wait to send them out. You have been so wonderful during this entire process. From the color choices, to the quick shipping and the help with the wording. I am so glad I found your website and cannot wait to give your business cards to my friends! Thank you so much!

If you have worked with me already, and have not seen your feedback posted--feel free to email me and I'll post it on my blog. Thank you in advance. :)

Featured Testimonial: Timberlee!

2010-05-17T19:51:00.005-04:00

I used to make it a point to post all my feedback on my blog on Mondays. I have quite a few emails/cards that I have yet to post, so I will do my best to get them up on Mondays. If you have worked with me already, and have not seen your feedback posted--feel free to email me and I'll post it on my blog. In return, I might even send you something (include your address)!

My good friend and very talented photographer, Sherri Jackson, referred her sister, Timberlee to me. Timberlee chose my Black Tie Pocketfold invite to announce her big day.

Here's what Timberlee had to say:
I just wanted to thank you again for doing our wedding invitations. They turned out great and we received so many compliments on them. You are very talented and your invitations are beautiful! :)

If you live in the Brooklyn/NYC area, take a look at Sherri's work. She also offers Boudoir sessions. Sherri is fun to be around and spews talent. Check her out!

Make your own wedding bands!

2010-05-14T10:30:00.003-04:00

I am always on the lookout for unique things. A while back, I found these rings on etsy, which I still love.

Today I stumbled upon something even more unique for those of you who are true DIYers. With locations all over the United States (and England!), A Wedding Ring Experience allows you and your significant other design, melt, create and polish each other's rings. How cool is that?

Here are some photos, but you can view a complete flickr set here showing couples creating their own rings.

Wedding Wednesday

2010-05-12T07:22:00.003-04:00

I was doing some reading on one of my favorite wedding blogs, Green Wedding Shoes, when I stumbled upon this oh-so-perfect wedding.

The couple got engaged in an antique store and ran with that theme throughout their wedding. Birds, lemons and colorful eclectic things decorated their day. The photographs are beautiful and capture the essence of everything the couple worked so hard to create. What a truly lovely wedding...take notes!

Now that I've teased you enough, go check it out!

Kimberly Potterf Photography

2010-05-04T11:32:00.004-04:00

My dear friend Kim is a Wedding Photographer in Columbus (but, she'll travel!). She just shot a wedding that I am totally in love with. All the little details are so intimate and beautiful. Here are a few of my favorites, but please go to her blog and see more from this awesome down-home wedding. While you're at a blog, check out some of her other work as well. Kim is so talented and I'm sure all her brides would agree that she is a complete joy to be with. :)

I love the grey and purple combo, and how cute are they?

The old car, paired with these adorably crafted wood signs is what really won me over. The groom made them himself!:

Alphabet Pillows!

2010-04-30T16:05:00.005-04:00

Whenever I have a minute or two of down time, I often find myself on etsy looking through different shops at all the wonderful things. I'm pretty sure if I had a problem with shopping, that etsy would be the place I'd go broke. Unfortunately, Pete needs braces and I'd like to send him to private school...so my wallet will stay RIGHT where it belongs in my purse.

Look at how cute these initial pillows are from Hilary Cosgrove.

Each pillow is different, and is made from recycled suit-jackets. Some will have buttons, some will have a pocket--so cute that the detail from the coat become a part of the pillow. Hilary makes them from vintage fabrics, like herringbones and tweeds. You can purchase them here/

I'm considering purchasing a couple of these for my bedroom, but they'd make a great bridal shower gift as well!

Let there be cake!

2010-04-27T16:56:00.007-04:00

I must have confections on my mind or something. I signed on to write this post and noticed my last post was about cookies. What can I say, I've got a weakness for sweets. Especially when they look so pretty with my wedding stationery designs.

I was thumbing threw my Martha Stewart Weddings magazine on the way to visit my family in Missouri this past weekend when I came across a cake that would be SO PERFECT for Wendy and Frank's wedding. I designed these invitations especially for them:

Buy a sample of "He Loves Me..."

Now, take a look at this cake from Martha Stewart Weddings and tell me it's not a match made in sugary, gum-paste heaven:

Image from Martha Stewart Weddings.

If you are feeling adventurous or are an experienced pasty chef, you can get directions on how to make this cake here. Martha claims that the petals can be made in four steps. Throw that apron on and you be the judge!

Confections + Invitations!

2010-04-19T16:33:00.006-04:00

I was catching up on Design Sponge today, when I came across a post about Miette, an adorable organic bake shop in San Francisco. I was already sold on Miette when I landed on their home page to see an adorable logo and a cake that I wanted to slice right into. She (owner, Megan Ray) has all kinds of cakes (carrot cake. YUM!) and confections (two words: VANILLA MARSHMALLOW!) that I'd love to try. Her cookies are available for mail order... so tempting.

As I perused Miette online, I thought how perfect some of her cookies would be for a wedding shower or as a favor for out of town guests.

These lovely starburst cookies would pair up nicely with my boarding passes, don't you think?

Photo from Miette.com

And how about these Hydrangea cookies with a Garden Party themed event?

Photo from Miette.com

New invitation design!

2010-04-13T15:03:00.003-04:00

Wendy and Frank contacted me back in December to design their wedding invitations. The couple will be having a formal ceremony in New York, with their colors being pink, ivory and black. Wendy loved the idea of using rose petals in her invite, so that's exactly where I went with it. The idea was to show petals falling from the invite down the entire pocketfold. It's appropriately named, "He Loves Me..."

target="_Blank">Click here to view large.

Here's a detail shot of the invitation design:

Click here to view large.

Wendy and Frank were great to work with. They are one of my few in town clients, as the majority of my business is done with out-of-state brides. It's always great to meet with a bride face to face and see their reaction to their wedding stationery!

I don't currently have a save the date for this design, but I am making it my goal to add them for any design that does not have a matching "partner." If you'd like a save the date using this design, I can create it for you!

If you would like to purchase a sample of this invite, you may do so here.

Save the Date Etiquette

2010-04-07T11:35:00.003-04:00

Brenda, over at Brenda's Wedding blog wrote a great post about Save the Dates. I get questions all the time about them, and Brenda does a wonderful job detailing the etiquette of Save the Dates. So if you have any questions about them, please go read this entry.

While you're over there, check out her entire blog--it's a definite one to bookmark for anyone planning a wedding. She posts daily, so you'll have your wedding planned in no time!

Luggage Tag Placecards

2010-04-06T21:26:00.004-04:00

Because I offer Boarding Pass style save the dates and invitations, I get a lot of destination wedding brides. Jane and Tameez contacted me earlier this year to create boarding pass invitations for their April wedding in Mexico. We worked together to create passes for her guests and are finishing up her details at this very moment. The clock is ticking!

Because Jane, Tameez and all their guests will be boarding a plane and flying to Mexico, we decided to take the travel theme from the invitations into their wedding celebration by creating luggage tag place cards. The guests will find their seat by locating the luggage tag at their place setting. The best part? They can use it to make sure that their luggage makes its way back home. And with every future trip each guest makes, they will see their luggage tag and remember the amazing time that they had at Jane and Tameez's wedding!

I created one for myself, so even I will remember their big day in my future travels! :) The front has a screened back graphic of a tropical flower (which was on their boarding pass invitations) with room for the guest to write in their info:

Click here to view large.

The backs are flooded with bold tropical flowers:

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Take it from your seat to your suitcase!

Click here to view large.

Pure Genius

2010-04-02T09:11:00.005-04:00

If there's anything I've learned over the years, it's that Martha Stewart never fails me. Whether it's an organizational tip, a craft or a recipe– she knows what's up! I was searching around online for wedding shower ideas when I came across the most brilliant idea: cupcakes in a jar!

Photo via Martha Stewart

FOR THE CUPCAKES
* Vegetable-oil cooking spray
* 1 1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, plus more for muffin tins
* 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
* 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
* 3/4 teaspoon salt
* 1 large egg
* 1 large egg yolk
* 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons warm water
* 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons buttermilk
* 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
* 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

FOR THE FROSTING AND ASSEMBLY
* 12 ounces cream cheese, softened
* 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
* 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
* 1 1/2 tablespoons whole milk
* 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
* 2 1/2 cups raspberry jam

Directions
1. Make the cupcakes: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat 2 standard muffin tins with cooking spray, dust with flour, tap out excess. Sift flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into a mixer bowl. Add egg, yolk, water, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla to bowl; beat on low speed until smooth, about 3 minutes.
2. Divide batter among 20 muffin tins, filling each cup about 2/3 full. Bake, rotating tins halfway through, until cupcakes are golden brown and a tester inserted into centers comes out clean, about 17 minutes. Let cool in tins placed on wire racks for 15 minutes, then turn cupcakes out onto racks, and let cool.
3. Make the frosting: Beat cream cheese, butter, and confectioners' sugar with a mixer on medium-high until smooth. Beat in milk and vanilla.
4. Spoon 2 tablespoons jam into the bottom of each jar. Place cupcake on top, then top with 2 tablespoons frosting. Cupcakes can be stored for 1 day.

If you wanted to simplify it, you could cheat and go with a box mix and prepared frosting. And obviously, don't forget to accessorize your jar with a customized label to match your invitation suite. ;)

April is ready to download!

2010-04-01T22:35:00.003-04:00

It's April, and you know what that means? May is on the way! This month's design was inspired by my "Event Poster" series, check them out here.

Click on the link below to download your desktop (a new window will open, either drag it to your desktop or right click and "save image as"):

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I've had a busy last few weeks, I apologize for the lack of posting. I'm in the middle of my busy season. In fact, I'll be posting some new invite designs in the next week, so you can see what I've been up to!

Did you know?

2010-03-22T14:23:00.003-04:00

...that White House Black Market will be joining the Limited by announcing the sale of bridal gowns? This is an exciting new trend in retail!

For more information on their limited edition gown (seen below!) here.

New colors released!

2010-03-22T10:44:00.003-04:00

Essie has released a wedding collection that has some beautiful colors--check them out!

Spring is in the air!

2010-03-17T09:23:00.004-04:00

I am so excited that the snow has melted, temperatures are rising and my perennials are making an appearance. Yesterday, I was even able to do a little yardwork...with the help of Pete of course.

As I was soaking in the sun this morning, I started thinking of colorful pinwheels. Don't ask why, perhaps there was a little something special in my coffee. Or maybe my mind was still out of whack from a dream I had last night, where my boyfriend's parents were meeting my parents for the first time in the Target parking lot...and I was wearing a night gown. Getting off track, back to the pinwheels!

I figured that they should be fairly simple to make, and how CUTE would they be as an accessory to an engagement shoot or even an outdoor wedding reception. Just pick out a bunch of different colored papers from your palette and get crafty. OR, get your invitation designer (cough, cough!) to print you sheets of paper with your invitation graphic and really tie your wedding together.

I found this DIY tutorial on the Better Homes and Gardens web site:

What You Need:

+ Paper, fabric, or foam material
+ Scissors
+ Pencil
+ Straightedge or ruler
+ Straight pins with plastic heads or aluminum screw posts (like those used in scrapbooks and photo albums)

Instructions:
1. Cut a square of material to desired size.
2. With pencil, draw two light lines between the opposite corners of the square, using a ruler or straightedge.
3. Make four cuts along lines, starting at each corner and stopping three-fourths of the way to the center of the square, as shown in the pinwheel diagram.
4. Poke a hole through every other corner and through the center of the pinwheel. Be careful not to poke too close to the edge, or the hole may rip when the pinwheel is assembled.
5. Fold the pricked corners into the center. If using a pin, push the pin through the pricked points, then through the center hole. If using a screw post, push the screw post through the underside of the square and then through the pricked points. Secure with screw.

If this craft doesn't interest you, check out the other ones on the BHG site--I found lots of things I would like to take the time and create.

Etsy Saturday

2010-03-13T20:22:00.007-05:00

Words cannot express how jam-packed my evenings and weekends have been lately. 2010 is a busy wedding season! My blog has suffered lately, but I am making a conscious effort to give it a little TLC. I will have three new invitation designs on my site in the next few weeks, I will share them here too!

Today was filled with rain and gray skies. Once I got some invitations delivered, a hair cut and dinner made--I was able to sit down with my laptop and do a little etsy browsing. Here are my favorite finds:

Etsy seller, papercutsbyjoe, will make custom silhouettes. Each piece is hand-cut from a single piece of black paper and mounted to acid-free white mat board. I have bookmarked this seller--wouldn't this make a great gift and a nice piece of art?

I'm pillow hunting for the living room couch and came across this one from dedeetsyshop.

This necklace is one of the many beautiful things in botanicalbird's shop. What a great wedding necklace! Check out her shop for some other great jewelry that would make perfect gifts for your bridesmaids...or yourself. :)

Pete's tag is getting a little grubby, I found this one from makeyourdogsmile has his name written all over it.

March is ready for download!

2010-03-01T23:52:00.003-05:00

I'm so glad to be looking at the blooms on this month's calendar--that means that the snow is melting and spring is coming! It's been a rough winter in Ohio. Pete and I are over the snow. We're ready for rising temperatures and walks that don't require coats (for both of us!)

This month's design was inspired by my "Garden Party" invitation, check them out here.

Click on the link below to download your desktop (a new window will open, either drag it to your desktop or right click and "save image as"):

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1280 x 960

1280 x 1024

1600 x 1200

1680 x 1050

1920 x 1200

The new 2010 desktop calendar is still available, I've got TWO and they are available at a discounted price of only $8. Buy a copy for your desk here. Or, download a computer desktop version each month on my blog. Times are rough, I understand. ;)

Quotes on Love and Marriage

2010-02-24T23:33:00.004-05:00

From time to time, I have couples that want some sort of love related quote on their wedding stationery. While it's very sweet, I can't tell you how many times I've read "On this day, I marry my best friend..." Here are a variety of quotes that I would love to see in my designs:

These would be really cute on a wedding program:
When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.
– Billy Crystal as Harry in When Harry Met Sally

He is husband, she is wife.
She fears not him, they fear not life.
– Robert Frost, “On the Heart’s Beginning to Cloud the Mind”

I can see these printed on a belly band that holds an invite set together:
“To love abundantly is to live abundantly, and to love forever is to live forever.”
― Henry Drummond

There is no remedy for love, but to love more.
– Henry David Thoreau, The Journal of Henry D. Thoreau, Volumes I–VII (1837–1855)

“To love deeply in one direction makes us more loving in all others.”
― Anne-Sophie Swetchine

I like these two for an invitation footer

“Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same.”
― Flavia Weedn

“Love doesn't make the world go 'round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.”
― Franklin P. Jones

Coming in June

2010-02-18T09:38:00.004-05:00

Did you know that The Limited will be offering a line of bridal gowns on June 3rd? This is pretty exciting, especially for the budget conscious bride. They will be offering two gowns and two bridesmaids dresses. The bridal gowns will retail at $298 and the bridesmaids dresses at $89.50. You can outfit your ENTIRE bridal party for what you might normally pay for a wedding dress!

This is my favorite one, I love the color and cut--the little belt is a great finishing touch:

Ruffles are big this year, and this dress sure knows how to use them:

I will be on the lookout for these on limited.com and I hope that they will put some in the stores here in Columbus, since we are the headquarters. Fingers crossed!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2010-02-14T22:49:00.002-05:00

In spirit of Valentine's Day, I am going to share the ultimate love story. It was sent to me by my dear friend Beth (Hi Mia!). I'm an avid listener of NPR, but somehow I missed this broadcast. I'm so glad she shared it with me.

Go listen, it'll make you all warm and fuzzy. If it doesn't...please pinch yourself and make sure you are real. :)

Featured Testimonial: Beth!

2010-02-13T14:14:00.003-05:00

Beth was referred to me by a Columbus based photographer, Lauryn Byrdy (thanks, Lauryn!). Lauryn's work is exceptional, if you are in the area and photographer shopping, check her out. She has skills. :)

Here's what Beth had to say about her Marquee style save the dates:
We just finished putting out save the dates together and they are beautiful! The colors are perfect and the envelopes look amazing. We love the wrap around address labels! They add that modern touch that we were going for and make the save the dates looks SO custom, but were really easy to put together.

We absolutely love them and can't wait to have you do our invitations. Thank you so much for taking the time to make them look just like we wanted; they go with our whole "idea" of the wedding perfectly. Thanks again for the amazing work!

Thank YOU, Beth and Chris. I can't wait to work with you on your invitations!

More than just stationery!

2010-02-10T23:36:00.007-05:00

You have worked so hard to find the perfect wedding invitations that capture the feel you wanted for your wedding day. Why not carry the look of your invites into your ceremony and your wedding reception? It really is something to see it all come together.

I can design just about anything to match your invitation set. From wedding programs for your ceremony, to table numbers, place cards and menus for your reception...if it's printed, I can do it!

Here is a list of just some the things I have created for my brides:
> Wedding programs
> Place cards
> Table Numbers
> Wine bottle labels
> Menus
> Food description cards for buffet receptions
> Guest bag tags
> CD cover art and labels
> Seed packets
> Wedding wish cards

Want something you don't see here? Email me, I am sure that we can make it happen!