Zazzle Custom Stamps!

These are AWESOME! I've been doing my happy dance ever since I found these custom stamps from Zazzle.com. Use them on your invites, Save the Dates, RSVP, engagement party invites, thank you cards, etc. Customize them with your wedding monogram, an engagement photo, or whatever your pretty little heart desires. With Zazzle, you can upload your own design, or use one of theirs (choose from pages and pages of gorgeous designs). Zazzle has teamed up with TheKnot.com and Hallmark to offer really sweet designs. You can change the color scheme, wording, font...this site has it all when it comes to personalizing! Prices range from $15-25 for per sheets of 20. Depending on the number of sheets you order, you can get a bulk order discount.

• Choose from seven postage denominations:
  $0.29: Postcards.
  $0.44: First-class, 1 oz. mailings.
  $0.64: 1 oz. mailings, unusual shapes.
  $0.64: 2 oz. mailings.
  $0.84: 2 oz. mailings, unusual shapes.
  $0.84: 3 oz. mailings.
  $1.04: 3.5 oz. mailings.
  $1.48: 4 oz. mailings.
  $4.95: Priority Mail (up to 16 oz.).

Monogram Etiquette

Monogram etiquette isn't common knowledge for most folks, hence the reason for this post. So how do I go about explaining the proper etiquette without boring you to tears. Hmmmmm, here goes: in short definition, monograms are those cute, calligraphy-looking letters you see hanging on bathroom towels in fancy houses (oh, and at weddings too). Who am I kidding, you know what a monogram is, right?? Exhibit a:
Ok, so on to the next (and more complicated) question…do you know the proper way to create your own monogram? In what order should your initials be displayed? Who's name comes first? Which is the bigger letter? Let's face it, how many people really take the time to research the appropriate way to display your monogram...I therefore, am putting together this very short, very simple list of rules to follow.

• A general rule of thumb, and most importantly...the brides name always comes first! Duh, because we are more beautiful and special...heh, I kid, I kid.
• If using initials only, the order is: the brides first initial, groom's last name, the grooms first initial

That's it. Pretty simple right? I'm glad we got that established. Now on to the fun part: the ways to utilize your monogram are ENDLESS. Use on wine bottle tags, stationary, cake toppers, napkins, aisle runners, favors, signs, chair ties, decor, signs, drink stirrers, flags, etc, etc, etc! A wedding monogram is kind of a big deal, almost in the same category as the cake, rings and officiant...ok, not quite. But close.

P.S. In case you didn't know, Envy Events will design your own personalized monogram for a flat rate of $50. Unlimited revisions included. Pass it on. Also, check out our post on custom monogrammed stamps from Zazzle.com.

Brides & Tattoos: Taboo or Art?

Question: what comes to mind when you see guy or gal...(or to keep this wedding-related, a bride) covered in tattoos? Are you repulsed by the amount of ink or do you appreciate the beauty of it? I personally go for the latter. Body modifications, including but not limited to tattoos, are a form of art that represents a persons individuality. The beauty a of tattoo is that it is permanent, and most of the time they also serve as a reminder of some part of your past. Unfortunately, society tends to frown upon anything that doesn't fit into this so-called ideology of the "norm". This bothers me immensely.

Tattoos should not only be accepted in the workplace, but on brides as well. A lot of women feel pressure to cover-up their tattoos. Whether this pressure comes from family members, co-workers, or whoever...it's ridiculous. Covering a tattoo for your wedding is the equivalent if wearing a mask to a business meeting. Whatever your opinion may be, personal expression should forever be appreciated - not looked down upon. Stereotypes in general disgust me. As the old saying goes, "never judge a book by it's cover". But who really does this right? The first thing we do by natural human instinct is form 5-second opinions / judgments based on first impressions. Don't let looks fool you though. A gorgeous woman could very well be the devil in disguise...and the guy with head to toe tats could very well be more inclined to save your butt in a sticky situation, as compared to the generally well-liked "suit". Men and women who grow up without privileges live to appreciate the things they have and they learn to understand loyalty and compassion better than the spoiled rich kid who's had everything handed to him/her since birth. Tattoos represent an underground, a mini-culture of people who thrive on individualism and stray from all things PC.

After all the above ranting, what I'm trying to get across is this...be yourself, and don't be too concerned about what other people think. Tattoos and piercings are not trashy, who cares what upper middle class (snobby) folks think. It's YOUR body, do what you want to it. Express yourself and don't be ashamed. Body art is beautiful, and it's YOUR taste that matters. Too many people are concerned with what others are going to think that they spend years worrying their little heads off until eventually they lose it (and eventually say eff it) and start to do what makes them happy. Don't spend your time trying to live up to everyone's expectations, you'll never make everyone happy. As Dr. Seuss once said, "Those who matter don't mind, and those who mind don't matter!"

On a side not: hiding a dumb or embarrassing tattoo is another story. That tribal band you got on your 18th birthday should go bye-bye. No offense intended.

Last Dance: Chris Young - Gettin' You Home

I’m no closet country music fan. I’ll let any and everybody know how much I love country music. Maybe my dad has something to do with this. Country music, to me, is feel-good music. Reminds me of hanging out with dad in the garage while he tinkered around fixing one thing or another. Also reminds me of summertime, riding in his pick-up truck to various jobsites, the smell of freshly cut grass, and hanging with all the blue-collar folks who were always smiling and cracking jokes at one another's expense. I can only hope the guests at your wedding will appreciate the emotion behind this song. And feel free to play it at your wedding whether you think they will like it or not. This is YOUR day. Country music isn’t all about sad, wrinkled old men, shotguns and beer…it’s mostly sentimental. This song makes a great" last dance" song for the couple heading off into happily ever after.

DIY Project: Making Your Cupcakes Cute

If you are like me, you browse through countless wedding blogs whenever humanly possible. I love seeing all the lovely little details of DIY weddings and stare longingly, wondering how to share them with you all. Today I wanted to try those cute little cupcake signs that have been seen on Style Me Pretty. Here's an inspiration picture.

How cute are these?? But they are $9 for a set of 12, and that could add up really fast, especially if you have a large guest list. For example, if your guest list is 150, you would need 13 sets of 12, which comes out to (carry the 3, subtract the 1) $113. But enough blabbling, on to your DIY instructions...

Supplies needed (can be found in any craft supply store):

• Big scalloped-edge hole-puncher (2 inch)
• Slightly smaller circle hole puncher (1.5 inch)
• “Woodsies” wooden sticks (5.75 inch)
• Glue sticks & hot glue gun
• Cute construction or scrap-booking paper
• Letter stickers

Here is a closer look at the hole-puncher's:

Start by cutting out a few of each of the circles, playing around with the patterns and colors from the card stock you have. Then, hot-glue the circle onto the stick (or use Zots if you don't want to use a messy glue gun). If you don't want to leave the stick exposed on the back, glue the matching color onto the back.

 

Next, apply some sticker letters, or quotes to the circles. Mix it up by using different sayings such as:
Your monogram or initials,We Do, I Do,Love,Kiss,Sweet,Just Wed,In Love,Happy,Mrs, Mr, ...etc

 

All in all, these will turn out so cute!! Not to mention, they are sooooo ridiculously easy to make! This DIY trend has been popping up everywhere, and I love the idea of cupcakes instead of a traditional cake, or in addition to a traditional cake. There's many uses for these: think drink stirrers, attached to favor bags, "toss me" bags, at the bar or dessert table....the list goes on and on!

{Courtesy of Miss Petit Four of Weddingbee}