CONGRATULATIONS!
First of all, congratulations on your engagement! This is a fantastic period of time in your life and we would be honored to help you with your special day!

Okay, now you're wondering:
"Where do I start?"
Invitations are a great place to set the tone for your wedding - whether it be the colors, the accents or the overall theme. Many times, wedding stationary is the first thing brides do in their planning process. If you already have most of the basics figured out (colors, theme, etc), then your best bet may be our ibuilder software. We've had several brides come to us because they already know what they want and they couldn't find it until they arrived at our ibuilder software. If you're just forming ideas, there are a few things to consider. We have a step-by-step system below.

When deciding on your color scheme, take into consideration location, time of day and the formality of your event. However, none of these things are more important than capturing your individual style. You can achieve a formal or casual look by pairing your signature color with just the right accent color. For instance, if your primary color is soft pink, you can combine it with black and white or a chocolate brown for a formal look. Or go casual by mixing it up with a sage green or a watermelon pink. Once you have found your primary color, you can add more than one accent color to complete the look you are trying to achieve.

Hot Colors of 2009:
2008 brought us some beautiful color palettes which will continue into 2009. While Black and White is a consistent classic that will remain indefinitely, we were excited to be part of the color revolution this year with BRIGHT colors becoming an accepted and well-received trend! Hot Pinks (think Watermelon) are in. Also in that same palette: Tangerine Orange is in and has even been paired with the pink (a lot of color!) - it will continue to brighten invitations at least through 2009. Yellows are everywhere as well, usually paired with a crisp bright white paper. Bright Greens are a huge hit coming into Spring 2009. Chocolate Brown became very popular this past year in everything (dishes, bedding AND invitations) and looks great paired with pale blue, aqua blue or a blush pink. Purples and pinks are consistent wedding colors - but the shades of these change in trends. Right now, Plum / rich purples are in as well as the Watermelon Pink. You can still do lavender and blush pink, but pair them with a stronger color for impact. Reds are hot as well - think Rich Reds - warm reds. Here's what it comes down to though: No matter what the trend - it's your day and it's about you and what you want! So if you have your heart set on Red and Pink - get it! That's what we're here for. Dream in color and we'll make those dreams come true!

Once you have selected your color theme and know the tone of your wedding, you can emphasize it further with the shape and textures you choose for your invitations. There are many shapes to choose from. The key is finding the shape that compliments your design. A couple of the latest trends for shapes are the Slim and the Horizontal. You may also choose a self-enclosed invitation.

You can mix up your style by choosing the right paper, whether it be a classic solid, a clean simple design, a funky design or shimmery metallic paper. If you want something even fancier, look into our Exclusive Lines. All of the paper in the Exclusive Lines are textured, meaning that you not only get a beautiful look, but a beautiful FEEL, so your invitation touches more senses.

Now that you have captured your style, complete your invitation with fun or elegant embellishments. If you have a minimalist theme, emphasize your clean lines with a solid ribbon or a simple stone. To add dimension and fun to a layered invitation, use a ribbon with contrasting color or texture. You might also consider adding a trendy paper punch-out to the top layer. With a formal invitation, experiment with satin or sheer ribbons, an elegant background imprint or a classic rhinestone. Also, keep in mind - one of the simplest ways to add great accents is by choosing the right Font Colors and Styles!

Once you have your invitations completed, you will need to decide what all you need to complete your package. Do you need Save-the-Dates? Do you need Reception Cards? You can find advice on all these items and more on our FAQ page. You will also find help with proper Invitation Etiquette there as well. If you need help beyond that, please give us a call! We are here to help you Enjoy the Journey!