Just had to share this inspiration board! One of the lovely brides that I met last night (and will have the honor of doing her invitations) is going to be having a fabulous New Year's Eve wedding this year in St. Augustine and check out this color palette! The event will be planned by the amazing Heather Snively, so it will be nothing less than perfect and spectacular, fireworks and all! I literally JUST got this from the bride and couldn't wait to share the color yuminess. The creative juices are running and I can't wait to get started on this design!

If you can't make it...just wish us luck! but if you can, make sure to send that last minute rsvp for you and your favorite bride.

In the mean time, just wanted to throw out some fun info for vendors. There's a growing trend of vendors who have seen the importance of their brand and image and I have been so lucky to help them carry out their vision. I will have the pleasure of meeting even more great vendors tomorrow night whom I've only met over the phone and can't wait to meet face to face alongside their brides. So I can't leave them hanging, right?! Here's a little info on some of the branding services I offer to vendors and will also be sharing a little bit of info tomorrow night!

I met someone very special yesterday. While I've had the pleasure of getting to know her over the phone, a little face to face time over lunch took it up a zillion notches. You've probably heard me mention her when announcing the event in Orlando that I'm oh so excited about. And I can't wait to spend more time with her then.

But in the short span of an hour's lunch in a cozy and crowded bistro, I learned some of the most intriguing lessons about business and this world we call the wedding industry. Having been referred to as, "The Bride Whisperer" by many, Sarah Hanna has a calm way about her and with her years of calligraphy experience, she's learned what it is to hold a bride's hand even passed the envelope addressing. She reminds a bride that everything will fall in it's place with no need for stress and anxiety. And her connection to her brides has, on multiple occasions, led her to a personal invitation to the wedding...having only known the bride for months!

But in the midst of this graceful connection to the bride...Sarah has boundaries. Boundaries that every wedding vendor should know about. Sarah says, "my work is uncommon. Therefore I keep it uncommon. If I revert to the ways of the well-known fast and cheap microwave products, it will no longer be uncommon." {paraphrased}
And when the flustered bride feels the need to rush an art that can't be rushed, Sarah reminds her, "It's ok. Everything will fall in its place. It's not your fault and it's not my fault either. Everything will fall in its place."

Sarah evokes a confidence in her work that never comes across as pride. She says, "A bride either values my work and finds it an important piece to her wedding or she doesn't. If she does, she'll gladly pay it's value. If she doesn't, she doesn't."  {paraphrased}

While I treat every client with the highest service, I have to remember, I am one person and my work is an art. An art that is priceless and timeless.

Thanks Sarah, for that gentle reminder. You might also, quite likely be, "The Vendor Whisperer."

To see Sarah's amazing work, visit her site at www.sarahhanna.com

What do you think? Any VOTES on this new venture? I know I know, I just recently spruced up the office! But the new furniture stays...it's just a little wall color change, right?? :)

So a big thank you to some of the recent vendors I've branded! Obviously these are all photographers {because most photographers just seem to know the need for perfect branding...so, a big pat on the back to you if you're a photographer with branding awareness!}. But don't get me wrong...everyone in the industry needs it...and I'm here to offer it!

Below, some of the lovely photographers I've had the pleasure of branding. Thank you for the opportunity to help nurture your brand and get you to bigger and better places! You're shining now, ladies! ...and men :)

www.lifewithcaroline.com

www.heidimitchellphotography.com

www.lindseypotter.com

www.brewerphotovideo.com

Save the date cards have become very popular in the recent years. Many style-savvy and modern couples are choosing to send save the date announcements and their popularity continues to grow. But should you consider sending save the dates for your wedding? Here are the top five reasons that could make save the date cards the right choice for you.

1. A large number of your guests are from out of town. If you have friends and family spread across the country or even the world, a save the date gives them extra time to make travel arrangements. By sending out save the date cards 6 - 12 months before the wedding, the long distance guests will have the opportunity to book flights and hotels at a better rate.

2. Perfect for your destination wedding. The trend is growing to choose fun and exotic locations for a wedding, like the Caribbean, Las Vegas, Mexico...the possibilities are endless. If you've decided on a destination wedding and are hoping your guests will be able to come along, it's a great idea to give them as much time as possible to plan. Sending save the date cards will give them the chance to schedule vacation time and make travel arrangements.

3. If your wedding date is set around a major holiday like Christmas, New Year's Eve, Thanksgiving, Labor Day, even Columbus Day weekend, your guests may make other plans unless you inform them well in advance with a save the date card. Inform guests of your wedding date before they make any other plans.

4. Be honest...you are crossing your fingers that every person on that guest list can and WILL attend. Even if your wedding is in your hometown, with mostly local people invited, on a day that shouldn't conflict with holidays or vacations, save the date cards can help you receive more RSVPs to your wedding invitation. Life is busy and people are making their own plans constantly. Since your actual wedding invitation will only arrive 6 - 12 weeks before the wedding day, your guests may have already made plans by the time they receive it. But if they know in advance about your date, chances are there will be no conflicts.

5. It's fun! There are no rules and no etiquette, so your save the date cards can be unique and creative. They can portray your personalities, hobbies, time of year you plan to get married, wedding destination, wedding colors or just about anything you desire. The possibilities are endless, from photo save the date cards, postcards, magnets and the always impressive letterpress coasters!

So with all these reasons and creative ideas, why not send a save the date? If budget is low or you have run out of time, that's ok. But if you do have ample time and want to inform your guests in good timing, go for it! If you want  your guests to mark their calendars, there's no better way than a save the date.

{Resources from Linda Kling}

{let these serve as a preview of the letterpress 'amazingness' that is brewing in the studio}

This certainly serves as some inspiration for upcoming spring wedding invitations!

I'm really loving patterns right now. Loving the natural feel...hmm...not sure yet, but very very soon the studio will be filled with boxes, and I can't wait to put it all together.

a little packaging inspiration...
{un-surprisingly enough...it includes a couple pieces from jessica claire...her originality never ceases to amaze me.}

As most of you know, I've been hanging out in this little world we call the wedding industry for quite some time. From wedding album design, to wedding planning, and finally to my first love...invitations.

While I'm taking in every tasty bite of this awesome world of paper, I can't forget my industry friends who's identity I may have touched in some way. {and I count that an amazing honor, I might add! You all know who you are!}

So while I'm busy 'branding' some of the most amazing weddings ever, I'm also brewing up something just for vendors! Everyone knows, if you don't 'look' up to par, the brides will just pass you by. Thus, why there's a new exclusive branding and design project in the works for the best of the best in the industry.

There's so many details to hash out, but just a few hints to spark the interest:

project {identity} :: constant . exclusive . hands-on . endless branding services.

Stay tuned wedding vendors! This is going to be big....FOR YOU!

And for a little viewing pleasure...a sneak preview of the new branding in the works for yours truly.

I'm absolutely in love with this new trend and so stoked to be offering these at the studio. I don't know how much more impressive a save the date can get...and long lasting at that! I mean, who wouldn't want to put one of these on their coffee table and leave it there for months on end...even after the big day!

Here's a little bit of inspiration floating around out there. Can't wait to send our own custom coaster designs to print and show them off!

*If your design has been featured, please email me and I will gladly credit your work!

Who woulda thunk good ole' Ty would be walking the streets of our little town.

Quite the experience and wonderful event to be a part of!

A couple of snapshots from the day:

(the multitudes)

There you have it: Ty Pennington himself...in Gator Country!

Oh! And if you haven't seen their swanky new signature heels, you've got to get your hands on one of these sexy pairs that brides are winning left and right from ADORE Events marking your special day with this spicy, exclusive accessory. So if you're stuck and know you can't possibly pull all the details together yourself, put your event in the hands of these brilliant women!