When I’m designing for a couple who are about to get married, the first thing we do is meet for coffee. It’s an important part of my process to meet the bride & groom and talk to them about what’s consuming their every waking thought – the wedding! Okay maybe that’s more true for the bride but you get the point. It’s really fun for me to hear about the things they’ve already picked out before they call me. One of the most important items to book ahead are the locations as they can already be filling up with other events. Also, the dress is a must – not only is it super fun to look for but it’s important to get early for ordering purposes and fittings. Then it’s on to the invitations!

During the first meeting I’ll bring a ton of samples to pick through and talk about. Anything your mind can imagine I can incorporate into a stunning invitation suite. We’ll also go through styles, motifs, paper samples, & wording. I know it may seem overwhelming but my clients have told me repeatedly that this process has been the most enjoyable part of the planning process! So never fear we are just talking over coffee about your big day and in the end you will be amazed at how your wedding invitations really are about you!

So there is always something about the invitation that tells a story about the couples. Beautiful nature graphics can communicate the setting you grew up in, a rose from a first date, or a park where you first kissed. Maybe your venue has a special significance and we can incorporate graphics for that as well. Photographs are a perfect way to use your engagement photos! We can print them directly into the invitation or design them to be separate so that guests can frame them for years to come. Monograms and color themes can easily be used throughout your wedding and can later be used for thank you cards and personal stationery.

I had a sweet couple years ago that told me they had no theme to their wedding. I asked about colors or flowers but they were pretty undecided – just fun and colorful! As we began talking I noticed that the soon to be groom kept calling his lovely fiancee, Pixie. I knew that wasn’t her name and became curious about the pet name. She blushed and told me that they met on a dating site. I could tell she was a little embarassed but come on we all know someone who met this way. So I told her it didn’t matter how they met as long as they found one another. Apparently her screen name was Pixie and it just sort of stuck. I knew immediately that was going to be the “something special” in their invitations. Each invite was colorfully adorned with a pixie stick inside. Although not everyone knew the story behind the unexpected treat, it made for a heartfelt story when the guests asked.

My couple was thrilled that they could tell their story and I was excited to put a little bit of a theme to their wedding. It really is the smallest of details that can tell your story and oh what a story it usually is! I would love to meet with you about your upcoming wedding. A chat over coffee about the biggest day of your life – what could be more fun?!

I was flipping through the new issue of Inside Magazine Weddings a few days ago and noting all the beautiful Real Weddings that they publish. Inside Magazine is a great reference for any bride looking to put a little glamour and fabulocity into their wedding day. The real weddings that they write about are usually quite extravagant and luxurious, featuring wedding planners at the top of their game. Often times celebrity weddings are features and it’s always fun to see the details of those events.

This issue I was noting that they were giving a lot of focus to the wedding stationery of each event, and I’m seriously loving that! As I was flipping through I saw this menu and stopped short – it looked so similar to a menu I created for a lovely couple just a few years ago in 2009 for their Maui wedding. The fonts and such are different but the overall idea is the same including the handmade woven paper and starfish. This invitation was created by Arabesque Stationer out of Naples, Florida in 2010. I wish my little menu had equally fabulous photography but alas we will go will this side by side look.

Here’s what today’s post is really about… is copying the sincerest form of flattery? The first point I want to make is that in no way do I think either myself or the other designer copied this idea. Or maybe we did and it came from another source… I will tell you now that there are very few originial ideas floating out there in the world. My job is to give the couple exactly what they want.  The 2010 wedding design created by Arabesque Stationer was for a couple who met working at the White House. There was literally an ice sculpture of the White House at their wedding. My fellow readers I tell you now – I don’t roll in those circles. It’s nearly impossible that they saw my idea and decided to use it for their own.

From my point of view I’m totally extatic to see this featured in Inside Magazing Weddings. You know what it does tell me? I’m doing something right!! My designs and ideas and overall love for what I do is right up there with the big dogs. WOOOHOOO! Can I make another point? This little menu that sat on the plates of this extravagent wedding was featured on page 112 of the magazine – ON THE WHOLE PAGE. You may not realize just how amazing this really is; rarely does even a whole wedding invitation set get featured on a full page alone. These honors are usually reserved for the ubber detailed cake, the stunning gown or the event space and rightly so.

But can I take a minute to stand up and applaud whoever decided to feature this little menu on it’s own? BRAVO! It really make my heart swell because if you have read any of my other posts you know it’s all in the details even if it is a little menu.

So yes, I would say that copying is the sincerest form of flattery. I once saw a blog post using one of my bridal shower designs – the girl posted that she couldn’t afford to buy the invitations but referenced my website and gushed about how people should check me out. It’s true I couldn’t make a living if everyone did this but she was INSPIRED. Can I share a secret? There are sooo many local designers that do exactly what I do and they INSPIRE me daily. I don’t feel threatened that we all do the same thing -there are a lot of you brides out there and only one of lil’ ole’ me! So to all my vendors – be inspired by your competition. We all need the support of others who understand exactly what we do. And to all of my brides – you are so lucky to have so many talented choices. We love you, we want to work with you, but above all else we want your wedding to be the best!

These vendors all make absolutely amazing handmade invitations and I’m giving them some love. A big THANK YOU for inspiring others including me. Best wishes as you work on your 2011 wedding season. New and Blue, Puddle Jumpin’ Cards, Hi, Friend Design, Studio Olivine, Portland Paper Dolls,  Paper Bloom, & Red Pearl Designs. We all offer such unique and different designs for our brides.

To all those brides out there, Crave Design loves what we do and it shows in everything we create. We hope you continue to follow our blog and increasing sample collection. Call us for a free consultation and we’ll show you why we are the best at what we do!