2011 July » Crave Design

Sunday FUN Day

Posted by on July 31, 2011

Jul 312011

I think it’s challenging to find just the right song for a bride’s important dance with her father. Although when I sat down to make a list, I found there are tons of great ones that are perfect for this special occasion. If you need some help use this list to get you started. Now get your love mojo going and YouTube these songs – get a tissue ready.

Top 10 Songs for the Father/Daughter Dance:

1. I Hope You Dance – LeAnn Womack

2. I’ll Stand By You – The Pretenders

3. Walk With You - Edwin McCain (seriously makes me teary eyed ~sniff~)

4. Daughters – John Mayer

5. I Loved Her First – Heartland

6. Lullabye (Goodnight My Angel) – Billy Joel

7. My Wish – Rascal Flatts

8. It Won’t Be Like This For Long – Darius Rucker

9. Dance With My Father – Luther Vandross

10. Cinderella – Steven Curtis Chapman

It’s a good thing this is only a top ten list because I’m not gonna make it through any more of these songs without crying – seriously the barista at Starbucks is starting to look at me. It really is a special moment between daughter and father as you start a new chapter of your life. Take time to go through these song suggestions if you need help choosing something special.

Do you have any favorite songs you’d like to suggest for the father/daughter dance? Leave me a message. And if you have a suggestion for next weeks top 10 list add that as well!

Happy Sunday – now go enjoy that sun!

I had to watch the new Katy Perry TGIF music video to get outta my sentimental funk! Check it out here - such a great 80′s montage!

Day of Stationery

Posted by on July 30, 2011

Jul 302011

Last weekend was chalk full of weddings and I wanted to take a minute to congratulate all of our newly married couples: Carrie & Arthur, Alix & David, and Stephani & Adam. Much love and success as you begin your lives together! It was an honor to be a small part of your huge day.

Today’s blog features the paper lovin’ from Carrie & Arthur’s wedding. Their clean design was a perfect combination with the swirly font they had chosen for their wedding invitations. Although Carrie had purchased her invitations through another company, Crave Design was able to match their style and font choices to create all the “day of” stationery needs.

Another benefit to hiring a designer in your town to create the same day pieces for your wedding, is a quicker turn around. Crave Design is able to create your place cards, custom menus and programs up to one week before your wedding and guarantee them to you by your date. I realize that it’s challenging to get all your guests organized by table and some changes will come up for your wedding programs and that is why I work hard to make this step stress free for our couples. Check out Carrie’s customized menus below – each guest feels like a star with their name at the top!

Now let’s talk about those programs! The first part of a program is to honor those who are have done so much for your wedding by listing out their names and titles. I always enjoy when couples also list how the person is connected to them (ie. childhood friend, college roommate, etc.)

The other part is to let your guests know what’s going on within your ceremony. It’s common to lists songs used or passages read from loved ones. Carrie’s program below shows both within her Marriage Ceremony page. Also if your ceremony has special rituals, this is the place to list those with the meaning behind them.

There is almost always one part of a couples program that gets me misty eyed and for Carrie & Art it was their acknowledgement of those loved ones that are no longer here. The couple had flowers placed on their alter and the program shared with the guests the true meaning behind the beautiful display.

There is no limit to the love you can share within your programs. They are another piece of your wedding that guests can share and take home for years of memories. The more special you make them the more they become a treasured keepsake. Make sure and include a “thank you” to all of those who made your day magical.

If you have any questions or would like to see more samples of wedding programs, please leave me a message! What are some memorable programs you’ve received at weddings?

Fall in Love

Posted by on July 28, 2011

Jul 282011

I realize it’s been awhile since I’ve put together a new blog post but if you follow me on Facebook or Twitter you know I’ve been traveling this past week. A friend of mine was married this past weekend in Buffalo, New York and I had the honor of traveling with two of the girls in the wedding party to attending this event. It was an exhausting trip traveling across the US but I saw some amazing sites like Niagra Falls and traveled into Toronto, Canada. Best of all I witnessed the marriage of two beautiful people and was able to spend time meeting all of their friends and family.

As with every wedding there is something to be learned. I always find it interesting on what a couple will spend their money on for their big day. Not everyone chooses to have the designer gown or the million decorations within their ceremony location or even the best custom stationery (for shame!). One detail you should never skimp on is the professional photography. It’s the one piece you get to have with you forever to remind you of all the gorgeous details. You’ve spent all that time planning this one day and now it’s time to capture every moment. So make sure you dedicate a part of your wedding budget to hire your photographer.

Below are a few photos from my friend Kaila & Kyle’s wedding day. They hired About the Day Photography which is a unique company based out of Olympia, WA but who travel all over the world capturing weddings. I enjoyed talking with Stephen and Sonia Steinbach and learning more about why they love what they do. Are you curious? Check out their website for tons of information about them and their business. They also offer a discount for military weddings – Thank You! Both bride and groom (not to mention several of the wedding party members) proudly serve in the Navy. A selection of photos were quickly uploaded to Facebook so that we could share them with others – what I’ve seen so far are absolutely beautiful. If you are getting married About the Day Photography is worth checking out!

Out of all the details Kaila & Kyle put into their wedding, the smartest was to have their photos taken at Niagra Falls. If you are planning a wedding anywhere near a scenic location look into doing whatever it takes to make it part of your photographs. Niagra Falls is approximately 30 minutes from Buffalo, New York and made a dreamy backdrop for pictures. Getting there could have been a huge issue for the majority of us who traveled from all over the US but instead was super fun with a large party bus! Having the bus full of amenities made getting the bridal party and family to the falls an enjoyable, stress free trip. Thanks to the bride and groom for including me in this fun adventure even though I wasn’t part of the wedding party.

Besides the wedding we also traveled to Toronto to visit the Hockey Hall of Fame, went on the Maid of the Mist tour down in the Niagra Falls, and ate some amazing home-cooked food. It was a great time with friends, old and new.

What weddings have you attended this summer? Or are you looking forward to one coming up? I’d love to know what the one thing is that you wouldn’t skimp on – rings, dress, flowers, etc. Leave me a message!

Sunday FUN Day

Posted by on July 17, 2011

Jul 172011

Oh yea it’s Sunday and that’s the day we share a fun top 10 list. A few weeks ago I asked my readers to chime in with some ideas for new top 10 lists and I only got one response…bummer. On the upside it was a pretty fantastic idea – *YAY*! So thanks to Amy Wing of Amy Wing Designs. I suggest you read this whole post so at the end I can give you more info about her rockin’ business.

Enjoy the list below as it is full of my top 10 favorite free calligraphy fonts. They are best used as “display” fonts which is when a font is ment to be larger and stand out from the rest of the text. It would make your head hurt to read these swirly fonts as the main text. In a wedding invitation this typically would be the bride & grooms names and these fonts would work great for that. However, be creative and don’t limit yourself. I have all these fonts and I’m always trying to use them in new shiny ways.

Top 10 best free calligraphy fonts:

Baroque Script

Monika

Champignon

Old Script

Scriptina

Chopin Script

Gazelle

Exmouth

In the Meat

Porcelain

Woohoo so those are some great free fonts. I’m excited to hear which ones you will be downloading. Leave me a comment! Now onto the person who made this list possible by posting her request for a the top calligraphy fonts *drum roll* AMY WING. The lovely Amy is a Portland business owner who designs the most fab one of a kind, handcrafted jewlery through Amy Wing Design. I’m telling you now that you need to check it out! Not only is her jewlery stunning but she is just the most wonderful lady. I’m actually shopping her site now and I adore her charms that you can add to bracelets or necklaces. Yes I need to decide on the words but I’m totally ordering!

Okay so now you see how this Top 10 thingy works – if you suggest a list you get your business plugged (and possibly an order from me, lol). Make a suggestion and leave it in the comments. Don’t forget to also let me know what fonts you fell in love with as I’m just the curious sort. Thanks guys this has been a really great week!

Program Love

Posted by on July 16, 2011

Jul 162011

Today I am strolling through the internet looking at beautiful programs to love – all the great ideas, papers, stories, and unique materials are inspiring! I wanted to share some of them because programs are another way to share your creativity and spread your wedding theme/story. Although it’s a way to inform guests of who is in the wedding and how the ceremony will proceed, it’s also a way to entertain, educate and share a special thank you to all of them. I’m definately taking some of these ideas and putting my own spin on them. Do you have any favorites? Leave me a message!

This program is pure childs play! We once made these “cootie catchers” for a promo giveaway at a bridal show, but I love how these were turned into fun programs. Photo from Leslie Levings. Think of all the options!!

Why not make it all fun and games? Entertain your guests with a crossword puzzle about you and your other half! This DIY bride came up with an adorable program and handmade them herself. This was actually a gorgeous DIY wedding from a very ambitious bride. It’s worth checking out – here!

I love the burlap sack! Ugh I’ve been meaning to make some samples using burlap for some time now. The little handstamped bag seals the deal for this program. Wouldn’t a great monogram stamp be perfect? Or personalized thank you note? Seriously my brain is going on overload. I wish the blog I found this on would have gave credit to the person who created this piece.

Paddle fans are very popular for wedding favors and programs. Afterall not only are they informative and functional to keep guests cool but as you can see they are also super stylish. There are lots of people who have made paddles fans (even me!) but as you can see by this pic they can be bold & fun!! www.theknot.com/diy How fun for the bride & groom to see these guys waving in the audience as they are walking down the aisle.

There are a million and one ideas out there and I had fun taking some time to share a few with you. I promise to blog in the future about all the little details that go into a program but until then I hope that you enjoyed the pure creativity that went into making these. Leave me a message and let me know what you think… have you seen a program you want to share? I’ll be making new samples for upcoming shows so let me know if there is something you want to see!

Monday FUN Day

Posted by on July 11, 2011

Jul 112011

I know I’m a day off – but why should Sunday have all the fun? We’ll just have to kick the week off with a snazzy top 10 list instead of wrapping up last week. This weekend I had the pleasure of attending the 39th Annual Sandy Mountain Festival in Sandy, Oregon. It’s a great little town and this festival is always full of great vendors, live music and super yummy food. Let’s kick this off this week with a Monday top 10 list of great vendors!

Top 10 things you missed if you didn’t attend the Sandy Mountain Festival:

1. Laurie Miller Designs – super cute hand painted pieces “Dazzled by Hand…Designed with Heart! A journey with one woman as she makes her dreams come true using paints,brushes and COLOR! ” These hand painted pieces would make great bridal gifts or hire her to paint a design that can be used in your wedding stationary pieces. I keep thinking her work would make really fun place cards.

2. JK Glass Works – this hand blown glass is beautful and the way Judy combines colors and pieces is stunning. Invest in a few pieces and you could use them as part of you wedding – a gorgeous bowl is just the thing needed to hold wedding programs for your guests.

3. Luau Wraps – Reusable Sandwich Wraps & Bags. These ladies use super fun materials to make their bags and the insides are lined for easy cleaning. I thought these would make a great “green” idea for wedding favors! Put your guests gifts inside and they can reuse them for years to come. Ooooo these would be perfect for a candy buffett!

4. Crescent Custom Products – These guys are located in central Oregon and make the most amazing metal artwork and also do plasma cutting. Items at the festival were nature inspired metal works cut into saw blades! They do custom work so use them to make a truly unique sign for your wedding – maybe a monogram or your new last name? After your wedding you can use enjoy it in your new home for years to come!

5. Sandy Actors Theatre – Fun shows and workshops for those who have the acting bug! If you live out in the area take some time to enjoy one of their shows. Take a night off and enjoy the theatre instead of a movie.

Other fun things to enjoy at next years festival:

6. Elephant ears, corn on the cob, yakisoba noodles and fresh cobbler!

7. Face painting

8. Every night a different live band

9. puppet shows

10. and of course a really fun parade.

I always enjoy taking time to join in the festivities and this year I wanted to highlight some local vendors in small towns. I found that there are some great treasures and these artists could make some really special pieces for your wedding. Think outside the box!

Cupcake LOVE

Posted by on July 7, 2011

Jul 072011

This is the most fun I’ve had on a blog post EVER! I love me some yummy cupcakes and I”m so excited that they are becoming such a cute and creative alternative to a wedding cake. Couples are opting to treat their guest to cupcakes (which can be purchased in a variety of sizes and flavors) instead of the traditional cakes. I cannot get enough of these pint sized treats and so I decided to add some flair to my favorites.

Cupcakes picks are a cheeky way to add even more fun to your big day. If you’re going to take the time to pick out each cupcake for guests, then I suggest customizing them as a way of saying “thanks!”. Ideas below are cute ways to incorporate monograms, engagement photos, beads, and your new status – Mr. & Mrs.!

I had so much fun making them that I could hardly stop! Thank goodness I was able to capture these images before eating them all. And might I say they were DELICIOUS. Two fantastic bakeries in Portland are Saint Cupcake and Cupcake Jones and they love their weddings as much as I do. Please check out their websites or better yet go take a bite out of their inventory. You will not be disappointed.

One more picture of the happy cupcake family below – they were eatten shortly later and I’m currently in a sugar comma. Ahhh so happy!

Also if you are what you eat then this picture explains a lot. This is my cupcake costume from last halloween – it was quite the conversational piece.

Leave me a comment on what you think of these sweet lil’ picks. Also, do you have a favorite cupcake bakery? Let me know – I’d love to give them some business.

Sweet Proposal

Posted by on July 5, 2011

Jul 052011

This is a repost from Green Wedding Shoes blog that I found and LOVE. It’s just a super sweet proposal with a ton of details and heart. I hope you enjoy it half as much as I did. Check out Green Wedding Shoes blog and the photography of Mikaela (the bride to be!). Be inspired… to fall in love.

A Starbucks Proposal Story
Thursday, June, 23, 2011

I love a good proposal story, who doesn’t?! Today, I’m sharing two super creative proposals. The first is the proposal of Mikaela and Shane. Their first date was at a Starbucks, so Shane decided to build a Starbucks in the woods – seriously! Wait until you see it! Shane told Mikaela (who is a photographer) that they were going on a photo field trip to this great place he discovered, well he led her to a clearing in the woods and had Mikaela close her eyes. The moment she opened her eyes, she saw this…

From Mikaela, “The moment I was allowed to open my eyes is a moment that will be burned into my memory forever. It was the most peculiar feeling to see something so unexpected, so creatively carried out, something that took weeks and hours to plan, for me. For this moment. For us. Surreal.

Starbucks in the woods. Our Starbucks, our first date in those two comfy chairs, with our same two drinks – a passion tea lemonade and a green tea lemonade, and that fruit bar Shane had as well. A homemade candle in a Starbucks sample cup flickered, the prettiest bouquet of pink peonies, and music playing in the background. We sat, me in stunned silence and broken sentences. Knowing what would most likely come next, but not daring to think it, at the same time. Derrick ran by in the corner of my eye, leaving behind a video camera, while I caught someone taking photos in the bushes! Another video camera on a table! Crap, why didn’t I wear my contacts tonight, why the glasses? And off they came Then Shane pulled out a ring box and said those words and it happened.

‘Ever since our first date I knew you were the one… I fall more and more in love with you each day… Mikaela Ruth, will you marry me?’

He says there was a pause before I said yes! Of course! And then I dropped to the ground to be close to him and to hug him and he slipped the ring on to my finger.”

Check out all the details Shane put into the proposal…Love the wifey instead of Wi-Fi And the free download cards!

Any aspect that could possibly be personalized, he was on it…

They went to a Jack Johnson concert last Fall and notice the ‘Congratulations’ card? Details, details!

Close friends and family began to trickle in and Shane snuck away to change into a Starbucks barista uniform – and it was a party! How special that they were able to celebrate with everyone!

Biggest congrats to Mikaela + Shane!! All photos from Mikaela

Sunday FUN Day

Posted by on July 3, 2011

Jul 032011

This is the end of a terrific week and I’m happy to have shared it all with you guys. I hope you are all enjoying this holiday weekend and for my fellow vendors I hope all your weddings are going off without a hitch. So this is Sunday and that my friend is fun day, so let’s get on with this weeks top 10 list.

When mailing out your wedding invitations you can add a special touch by adding a fun postmark. There are several cities with sweet names that can be stamped by the post office before sending to your guests. You don’t have to live in these cities to reap the benefits of their town names. Simply gather all of your stuffed invitations into a large envelope or box and address them to the “Postmaster”, followed by the town of your choice, state and zip code. For added protection make sure and send them express or priority so that you may track their arrival.

Here are ten of our top choices:
1. Bliss, New York 14024
2. Bridal Veil, Oregon 97010
3. Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514
4. Romance, Arkansas 72136
5. Groom, Texas 79039
6. Honeyville, Utah 84314
7. Kissimmee, Florida 34744
8. Lovely, Kentucky 41231
9. Loving, Texas 76460
10. Luck, Wisconsin 54853

Another idea is to take your invitations to the post office to have them “hand stamped”. Another term for this is “hand cancelled” and it’s when the postage is marked by hand at the post office instead of going through their machines. Machines print the barcode on the front of your mail and sometimes your envelope can get bent or damaged during this process. I’ve done this a few times for brides in Portland and we have beautiful inked stamps you can use to cancel postage. Make sure and call your local post office to make sure they offer this service – you may also need to make an appointment since usually there is only one stamp per office.

So far I have yet to receive any suggestions for future top ten lists. Here’s my challenge to everyone reading: take a minute to fill out the little form below with just one idea. I promise it won’t take long and it’s more fun to have everyone involved. If you’ve got fun plans for the 4th add that to the little box when you’re typing in your suggestion – I’d enjoy hearing from you! I think I’m going to just chill at home on Monday…. ahhhhh!

Busy Week

Posted by on July 2, 2011

Jul 022011

It’s Saturday and my crazy insane busy week is now over. I’ve told you about the 300 promotional fans I made for the Oregon Bride Best of event and also about the big night itself. On top of that I created 100 place cards for a wedding, coming up next week, in a day including laying them all out, having them printed, cutting, scoring and alphabetizing them… whew!

Today’s blog post features another project I was working on, which included 200 menu cards and 175 programs. Mary and Ryan are tying the knot today and we’d like to send them all our love. Congratulations! It’s nice our Oregon summer finally kicked in and today is absolutely beautiful. I’ve included some pictures of their paper love… enjoy!

Wedding season is in full bloom and we’re excited to be a part of your special day.

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