escort cards that do double duty
photos:1- Cookie escort cards featured in Nonpareil Magazine & designed by Maddy Hague; 2 – Escort card buttons designed by May+Bell Calligraphy at Kathryn’s wedding photographed by Elizabeth Messina; 3 & 4 – Match box favor/escort cards and Mint Lemonade escort cards via Martha Stewart
pretty color palettes #6
photography by Cooper Carras for Matchbook Magazine, featured in the current issue on pages 80 and 81
Menu card inspiration
There are as many ways to present menu cards as there are ways to design receptions. Below are a few ways from classic to modern, casual to formal.
Traditionally, the bride and groom’s name or duogram and the date of the wedding appear at the top of the card, then the menu follows with wine either noted alongside courses or at the bottom of the card. The menu card usually matches the place card, both in the stock of the paper it’s printed on and possibly with the repetition of a motif or monogram (see Kathryn’s invitation below — she used the wreath motif throughout her wedding on printed materials).
Although menus can be shared, they usually go on each place setting, and can double as place cards. In that instance, the guest’s name would be hand calligraphed or printed at the top of the menu (see Kathyrn’s menu for an example).
When outdoors, it’s best to have the menu tucked into a folded napkin or secured in another way so it’s not picked up by the wind.
A classic menu that uses a mix of calligraphy and type, for a rehearsal dinner featured on Snippet and Ink and photographed by Kristen Loken.
A modern calligraphed menu, photographed by Karen Mordechai, by Betsy Dunlap for Sunday Suppers.
Kathryn’s classic wedding menu, photographed by Elizabeth Messina, used the wreath motif that appeared on many printed goods at her wedding. Her menu cards also doubled as place cards — guests’ names were calligraphed by Maybelle Imasa-Stukuls at the top of each card.
A casual wedding menu photographed by Suzanne Christine Photography and featured on Martha Stewart Weddings. The bride and groom used a repetitive stamp motif on their day-of paper goods.
This menu, photographed by Timothy K. Lee and originally featured on MSW, doubled as a napkin band — a great solution for an outdoor event!
creating your wedding budget
Before you set a guest list, choose a date, choose a location, fall in love with a gown, you must craft a budget that is informed by costs in your market. You may begin planning with a total budget of $35,000 and a guest list of 300, with dreams of a seated dinner and open bar. That is not possible in Richmond; trying to force fit your dream reception into an unrealistic budget is a recipe for disappointment. Food and beverage tend to represent 40-50% of total spending. If you know the cost per head for both (because you’ve spoken with your planner, caterers or reception site managers), you can get a general idea of total budget just by knowing what your total spend on food & bev will be.
photo by Don Mears for Ashley’s derby day wedding
farmers’ market inspired floral crates
We can’t wait for the farmers’ market to reopen. Fresh vegetables, yummy baked goods, beautiful, locally grown flowers…does it get any better? I love these farmers’ market inspired crates of flowers. Beautiful for a summertime wedding.
photos: We Like It Wild on Design Sponge; Carrie Patterson photography & Flower Hardware via The Brides Cafe; Carrie Patterson photography via Ruffled
monogram etiquette
Monograms are a staple in the south. You’ll see them on cars (yes, cars), pillow cases, embroidered cocktail napkins, and, of course, at weddings. But, did you know that it is a breech of etiquette to use a “duo-gram” (a monogram that uses the bride and groom’s first name initials and the initial of his last name) on any printed materials prior to your marriage? A duo-gram should be reserved for printed materials following the ceremony (cocktail napkins at the reception, like above, or thank you notes). If you’d like to use a monogram on your invitation or programs, it is most appropriate to use the initials of the bride and groom’s first names (see the wooden stirrer above for an example).
photo by Melissa Musgrove via Martha Stewart Weddings
organizing your day of list
Organizing your day of deliveries is one of the most important things you can do to prepare for your wedding weekend, especially if you’re having a large event with lots of moving parts. When we work with clients, we create a detailed production spreadsheet that lists each item coming into the event. Each and every single item that is needed for the ceremony or reception is captured on our spreadsheet along with all pertinent details. For smaller events with less production, you don’t need an elaborate spreadsheet, but you do need to communicate who is responsible for all items during their life at the reception so there is no confusion during installation or at the end of the night.
Photo: loving the way these items are organized via martha stewart weddings; also love these day of organization tips from Ritzy Bee
clever ceremony send-offs
Love these sweet ideas for ceremony recessionals (and wouldn’t some of them be lovely for grand getaways at the end of the evening too?).
photos: flags by jordan ferney at oh happy day!; calder clark designs and leigh weber photography; ritzy bee event design and kate headley photography; confetti exit via martha stewart weddings; ritzy bee event design, paper moss and kate headley photography as featured in martha stewart weddings
romantic, rustic runners
Whether they’re made of bay leaf, laurel or magnolia leaves and whether they’re complemented by dahlia, garden roses or fruit, runners always look so lush and romantic.
photos: 1- Photographed by Meg Perotti via Camille Styles, originally featured on Style Me Pretty; 2- Runner designed by Lily Lodge; 3- Scott Clark Photography via Brooklyn Bride; 4- runners designed by Lily Lodge and photographed by Gertrude & Mabel via Martha Stewart Weddings; 5- Sunday Suppers, Saipua and paperfinger collaboration for Martha Stewart Living via paperfinger
banner day
photos: 1- via Martha Stewart; 2- programs by Bird & Banner featured in Martha Stewart via Invitation Crush; 3- Weather balloon sign by Jordan Ferney at Oh Happy Day; 4- Letterpress cards by Seesaw Designs via Paper Crave; 5- Banner via Green Wedding Shoes photographed by Ali Degraff Photography}
