Well Said – Invitation Wording Anatomy Series – Who’s paying?

It may seem like an abrupt question but really the first one you need to ask when creating your invitation wording. If you are planning a sizable affair your wedding day is about more than simply the groom and yourself. Most likely there will be a number of parties contributing financially and emotionally. The wedding invitation can honor and respect those who are along for the ride and the last thing you want to do is ignore that fact.

Well Said – Invitation Wording Anatomy Series – Introduction

Nearly every day I receive inquiries regarding invitation wording. Now we all know that a simple google search under “invitation wording etiquette” will produce a bevy of options to craft your invitation prose. I have found however the standard invitation wording lists do not pay much attention to invitation wording style, tone and personal expression. Invitation wording does not need to be a cookie cutter experience where you find the best recipe and simply plug in your information. Your wedding invitation wording can reflect specific style, personality and even tell a story of who you are as a couple.

The first diagram above illustrates a standard wording scenario. The second diagram gives a suggestion of how confusing the wording process can be. Who is inviting, how do we list his parents, is it ” to” or “and” , where can I use a quotation etc, etc…?

My goal in the next few weeks is to clarify, explain and breathe a little life into the wording process. I plan to give you the tools to create wording that is unique fresh and innovative. I will address many scenarios such as parents inviting, couple inviting, formal, informal and most in between.

If you have any specific requests, please share!

Well Said – A few words from Gordon…

Several weeks ago I received a lovely email from Monika in Sweden. She spoke of her plans for a September wedding at a countryside Inn and a day filled with thoughtful details for her guests. After working through the first design round of her Vintage Stamped Tree invitation, her partner Gordon sent me a beautiful email (it is not often I can describe email as beautiful) detailing more design direction. It is the following paragraph that stopped me in my tracks and immediately transported me to the magical day he so expertly described. So this is what Gordon wrote:

“We want to express to you the feeling of a late summer’s afternoon with golden sunlight trickling through the trees. Baskets of apples and pears. Relaxed smiles after happy vacations. Boisterous conversation and laughter over glasses of champagne and bottles of beer. Creamy cake with berries. Kind of a garden party/barbeque equals good wedding party! Not to forget: the two of us, of course. Have a look at the splendour of Monika’s lovely bouquet! I’m getting all carried away now, so I’d better stop.“

Gordon, please do not stop! I was so enchanted by his words I just had to share. I certainly would love to be on Monika and Gordon’s guest list, wouldn’t you?

Well Said – Lennon and McCartney

Ashley chose a lovely quote by Lennon and McCartney to embellish her fringe invitations. This was quite the intricate design featuring bold artwork and unexpected details. The quote tag adorned with a grosgrain ribbon wrap just adds to the edgy personality of this creation.

“Limitless undying love which shines around me like a million suns.

It calls me on and on, across the universe”

Well Said – The Notebook

I had an hour long chat with Amber late last week. She chose the Vintage Stamped Tree invitation after seeing our photo in The Knot, but had quite a different take on the concept…second to her savvy color palette and whimsical sensibilities is her inspiration for the invitation. The quote from the notebook is long – but crafts a lovely image in the mind…

“I learned what is obvious to a child. That life is simply a collection of little lives, each lived one day at a time. That each day should be spent finding beauty in flowers and poetry and talking to animals. That a day spent with dreaming and sunsets and refreshing breezes cannot be bettered. But most of all, I learned that life is about sitting on benches next to ancient creeks with my hand on her knee and sometimes, on good days, for falling in love.”
~ The Notebook

The invitation design has now taken a different path than what you see here. I am planning to create an illustrated world living under and around Amber’s tree complete with a babbling brook, squirrels, dragonflies and a few more surprises. One detail is for sure – this invitation will tell a story, a visual story that will speak straight to the heart.

Well Said – Como é grande o meu amor por você

Several bride’s have asked – what does the quote on Aline’s invitation mean?

The answer – thanks to Google translator:

“How great my love for you”

Simple and to the point…

If you follow me on Twitter you may know that the answer to most questions is just 140 characters away! Here are some translations I received this past Saturday from my Twitter friends.

If you have a better translation – please let us know!

Well Said – This is the start of something good.

My brides are the most creative, I must say. Therese chose this quote from a favorite song and it speaks volumes in a quiet, simple way. Combined with my Lacy Tree and winding path artwork her chosen words give her invitation suite a sense of place…I can just imagine this couple taking a leisurely stroll along the pathway on a sunny spring day.

“This is the start of something good, don’t you agree?” Gavin Degraw