Save.The.Dates 101: Tips & Advice

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Being engaged is a exciting time! As you get closer to saying I DO, you want to create a buzz of excitement. What better way to do that is by sending out Save.The.Dates. I was inspired to write this blog post by one of my 2016 Brides, she's getting married next Summer (so exciting). Let's chit chat today all about how to properly create and send them out to all your
guests.

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What is a Save.The.Date?
 

 

A Save.The.Date can be designed in many forms and ways. But it's basically a elegant way to announce to your guests that you are getting married. This speaks volumes for your special day that's coming up, and sets the tone! Furthermore, letting them know to make plans to attend your wedding. This is exactly what you send out BEFORE the formal wedding invitations.

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Hire a Professional Paper Designer!

Please! Hire a professional that specializes in paper. The same person that is going to design your BEAUTIFUL wedding invitations; should be the EXACT same person that designs the SAVE.THE.DATES. You want everything to be cohesive, this is your wedding after all. Your wedding is one of the most amazing events (biggest events) you will plan in your lifetime. We talk about this on the Bridal Style Blog Wedding Talk Show. When you hire a professional you will get quality paper. You want a nice polished, and professional look. What you don't want is cheap paper (even the actual weight of the paper is IMPORTANT), that washes out the over look and feel of the Save.The.Date. When you have the menu cards, invitations, save.the.dates, place cards, ect you want everything to look amazing (and match).

 

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When do you send Save.The.Dates out? 

Rule: Ship out 6 months PRIOR to your wedding date.

Once you have hired a professional paper designer (aka person the specializes on making invitations, and all other wedding stationary). Also, before hand you want to allow time to have the Save.The.Dates created, which I recommend to start that process 8-12 wks (if possible) before you ship. This allows time to gather mailing addresses directly from your guest list as well. Furthermore, time to have the envelopes   "addressed" postage stamps, ect.   You are ready to ship to all of your guests. Starting ahead of time makes this process so much smoother. Also, for a special added touch you can hire a calligrapher to address your envelopes for you (makes the Save.The.Date more elegant. 

 

How should I choose my overall style? 

The style or theme should be a true reflection of you as a couple. Starting from your wedding website, to the save.the.dates, and wedding invitations. This is the gateway into your wedding day. As mentioned, earlier in the post, this sets the overall tone. Perhaps, if you are having a shabby chic, or boho style, perhaps vintage rustic, or glam wedding; the Save.The. Date should reflect just that. Also, the time of year, season of which the wedding is taking place. You want to capture the true essence of that into that Save.The.Date. Not only is this exciting for the guests, but let's them know what to expect. 

Written By: Clarissa 

 

Have a Sweet Day,

Clarissa 

My One Focus for 2015 - Bride & Groom Education

Education, is the one thing I want to focus on more than anything in 2015. Educating brides and grooms, by blogging, writing a ebook, hosting workshops, events, and functions centered around wedding and bridal education. I will not forget the guys, grooms need education as well. I want to provide a fun, interactive platform, for brides and grooms to easily access. I want to create series of workshops. I have been thinking about this a long time. I am all about education.

I have such a desire to teach the brides and grooms what they need while engaged. I want to be very hands-on with the couples. 

     "I am happy to be apart of the process of educating couples, this is a very exciting venture for me" 

Also, teaching about preparation for pre-wedding, scheduling and planning all those fun activites ( engagement party, bridal shower, bridal luncheon, rehearsal dinner, ect...) I see a lot of engaged coupes that really need a lot of education and guidance. I love to blog about varies wedding/bridal topics that will assist with the wedding planning. Also, it's truly important to hire a wedding planner (no matter what). 

Furthermore, by creating such amazing platforms, for the couples; this will help me be a very resourceful wedding planner. I have already started thinking of what I would like to do. Now, that the new year is here, it's time to start plugging in those dates/time/location for the upcoming events. Also, it's time to continue to blog, and to keep putting out amazing content. The ebook is a project I want to really want to complete; and have available for couples.

I love to write, and I know the ebook would be a fun project for me. The ebook ties into the educational element of my "one" goal to focus on (which is indeed "education").

I'm excited about what's to come for my 2015 engaged couples. I want brides and grooms to have a amazing experience while engaged and going into their marriage.

Note: This blog post was inspired by Natalie Sission 15-Day blog challenge.

Have a Sweet Day, 

Clarissa 

Photography Credit: Clarissa

Written by: Clarissa Pinterest

The Organized Bride

Blushing brides are always busy with planning their big day! Everything from attending gown fittings, to make-up trials, practicing their first dance, going over wedding vows, working out ( Staying fit for the Wedding), shoe shopping, shopping with their bridesmaids, to meeting future in-laws and more ( you get the picture)!

With all the wedding planning, vendor meetings, cake tastings, chef tasting, beverage/signature drink tasting, bridal shows, bridal workshops, engagement celebrations to plan, engagement photo shoot, invitations to order, receipts, invoices, order forms, and more it's ALOT to organize; and as a Beautiful Bride.to.Be it's quite a task to keep up with everything!

I know from week to week, month to month there will be paper, business cards, samples and more to keep up with!   As a planner I truly understand, and I wanted to show you a solution to your problem! a perfect way to organize your wedding planning, and even your home!

Introducing a Christian Based Company called "Thrifty One Gifts" ( The inspiration behind name came from Proverbs 31).  This  Company offers everything you need to keep everything in your life organized. 

Thirty One  has beautiful bags! Everything from tote bags, wrist-lets, handbags, large and small bags, aprons, organizing baskets, containers, and even stationary. Please, stop by my vendor "Naomi Irion, Consultant of Thirty One and visit Click Here thank you! You will be supporting a Christian based company ( which is a really GREAT cause). These make great Bridal, Bridesmaids, and even Groom's Gifts!

Honeymoon Tip: This makes the perfect gift for you and your new spouse especially on your honeymoon. Imagine arriving to your destination carrying a bag in your wedding colors with your monogram on it!

 Please, provide feedback and tell me what Items, tools, or systems are put into place to keep you organized. I would love to here from you 

I have so much fun with my clients!

I love to work one-on-one with my clients. Everything from attending the vendors meetings together, bridal gown fittings, tastings, and also attending Bridal Shows together!

At the beginning of the year I booked a beautiful blushing bride, Shandria Duffy. She was a June 2013 Bride!  We dove straight into the planning.  Our first stop,  we planned a fun activity for the month of
January!

                                        As you can see by the pictures below we were having a ball!

We decided to attend the 2013 "Black Bride Bridal Showcase" together, we had so much fun! In the pictures you will see Shandria ( in the black and white shirt) and to the left of her is the Matron-of-honor Kammie and to the right the Maiden of Honor Ebony. I'm the one making silly faces right below the blushing bride! The show was full of awesome vendors, tastings, samples, fashion show and more! We had a blast when we decided to stop and take pictures at this photo booth! 

Lastly, I think it's so important to have a beautiful relationship with your clients, and be able to have fun throughout the planning process.

More information on Black Bride Bride: www.blackbride.com

Thanks for reading,

Clarissa

Have a ❤ Sweet Day!