All those new family-to-be members waiting in the wings of Christmas Eve to welcome you into the family, at last! Hark! What better symbol of family heirlooms and traditions, than a chorus of Steinbach's German nutcrackers! Photo: Marjorie Maxfield
A Christmas engagement!
Is it not one of the most romantic times of the year? A time of gifting. And, a time to pause, (gasp, not in the middle aisle of Bloomingdale’s in NYC, Apple Store in Houston’s Galleria, or the cosmetic counter at Neiman Marcus, LA) and reflect on “just what does my engagement mean?”
If you suspect a ringing in the near future or, after the 1st; read on.
To be engaged is to receive a gift of another, and, likewise, be that gift to another.
Nothing tops this! All eyes will be on your ring; however, you know that a gift of another is the most magnificent gift that you will receive and give this, or any other Yule!
With this ring, more Christmas gifts abound– a new family! New traditions, new names and faces, along with all those family stories that need to be remembered and retold. They, the in-laws, sisters, brothers, children, aunts, uncles, cousins to the third line of relatives, are, too, a gift! All to shine brightly on your tree of life!
Perhaps, a word or two of a practical matter!
What to do first after the blush of yes has faded and needs to be enhanced with a sweep of Chanel Joules Contraste pink powder. Make a list, and check it twice. Here’s mine, a national wedding etiquette expert: Read Full Article
I sat riveted to the television; to the American Fab 5; to the twists, the turns, and feats of balance and daring-do on the beam; to the trio of performances on the floor that, “just nailed it;” and to the team that brought home the glory and the gold.
As “The Star-Spangled Banner” played, another golden Olympic victory began to unfold, frame-by-frame in my mind’s eye: Mary Lou Retton’s perfect 10 performance at the XXIII Olympics in Los Angeles!
Yet, the best memory of all, came to mind: the afternoon I sat down with Mary Lou and wrote her wedding invitation.
First, watch this interview with Mary Lou Retton’s and commentary of her Olympic achievements.
What is it like to write a wedding invitation for Mary Lou Retton? Read on!
New York City’s Broadway’s musicals are captivating, addicting: the pre-theater 21 Club for drinks and dinner, or a quick Sabrett hot dog, the dash to the Bernard Jacobs theater, the iconic Playbill giving you an VIP Orchestra-seat run-down on the actors, the three acts, and thank-yous to the many participants. Frankly, after the performance, when you pour out onto the street waving down a cab, what do you and the other theatergoers clutch for dear life under the arm? The Playbill!
Your wedding program is your Playbill! It gives your guests a mother of the bride, first row, center stage importance and insight into Who’s Who, the cast, the ceremony, the appreciative nod to family and friends. It gives your guests a mirror of what is to come! You have spent hundreds of hours, a small fortune or large fortune, and in just a small booklet, you literally tell your guests what to expect.
There are thousands of designs stationery store owners and buyers see at the annual Stationery Show. We asked some of the nation’s top paper retailers to share their thoughts on what lines made their “best in show” list. Here are Jessica Paulen-Glick from Judy Paulen Designs @ Bloomingdale’s top picks:
What did you see as the top wedding invitation trend for 2012 – 2013?
Foil was everywhere and I loved it! Letterpress has needed a little glitz to dress it up and we saw many designers incorporating foils into their work. Dauphine added the SHINE collection to their Weddings II Album which features foils and shimmer papers (you can see it here!), Smock added some new foil suites that feel fresh and modern and Spark showed some lovely pearl foils in their new Impress Collection.
Stationery store owners and buyers see thousands of new designs at the annual Stationery Show. We asked some of the nation’s top paper retailers to share their thoughts on what lines made their “best in show” list.
First up is Brooke and Michael Coxen from Paper and Home in Las Vegas. Here are their top picks:
What did you see as the top wedding invitation trend for 2012/2013?
Foil stamping is a trend that more and more stationers are employing. Dauphine Press and Spark Letterpress were our personal favorites. They both utilized a wonderful blend of letterpress with foil stamping to create intricate patterns and distinct designs.
Many brides ponder the necessity of “save-the-dates” as they compile the expenses that pile up during the planning process, but they do have their purpose within the framework of the wedding. Why should you bother and how should you go about creating and distributing them? Read on for a few quick save-the-date tips:
Out of Town Guests:
Save-the-Dates are particularly important for your out-of-town guests. A typical wedding invitation won’t make it to their front door in time for travel plans and timely accommodations (especially if your nuptials fall during a holiday or high-travel season) – they need to know well ahead of time that they should be planning for your big day. There is such a thing as “too early,” though – ten to six months ahead of time should be plenty warning for your far-away kin.
Congratulations to Andres and Andrea Muller, who were recently married at Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque Catholic Church in Lomita,California! Don’t worry, there are photos and stories to come regarding the big day itself, but what about the little things that led up to the nuptials?
One of the most important wedding day details is making sure that guests know where and when to show up!
People always ask us “The Green Kangaroo? What does that have to do with anything?” Certainly our company name is outside-the-norm, which is fitting, since uniquity has always been our mission.
Lucky for us, that mission is fulfilled every day: our products are a direct reflection of YOU, our customers, who are so very unique! It is always a pleasure to hear satisfied clients remark, “It’s just we wanted!” Because that’s what we’re all about! If you can dream it, we can do it. Your personality and taste should shine through all of your wedding details, (and we believe) especially your wedding invitations.
Alas! The last wedding dance to remember on your Christmas card!
{Vera Wang by William Arthur Gold Mesh Christmas Photo mount card}
Before you close your wedding book on all those wonderful memories, there is just one last gesture to your family and guests that brings them back, one more time, to your day of days; that gives them a lasting memory to treasure on their own. What may that be?!?
The Wedding Christmas Card, with, of course, a photo to capture that most meaningful event in your life.
{William Arthur distinctive round corner with brown suede corners}
Autumn Aspen leaves at 10,000 feet above Breckenridge, Colorado last week. Reminder of all the possibilities that change can bring. Photo, Marjorie Maxfield
What a surprise!
One of the more popular wedding invitation album vendors, Encore Studios, headquartered in northern New Jersey, cease to do business this week, with a formal announcement today to its dealers.
Although we had no working orders with Encore this week, ( I have a stationery store in Houston, Texas) we had placed telephone calls to the firm for information on availability of stock, and no one answered the phone. With the zanny weather on the East Coast lately, we didn’t bat an eye and thought they will get the phones back on shortly.
Who would have thought a firm of this stature, doing business for 32 years, would close their doors overnight. Which, apparently they did.
