PaperDirect Blog PaperDirect Blog

August 7, 2013

Rain, Rain, Go Away: What to do When Your Outdoor Wedding Gets Wet

Filed under: DIY Wedding Ideas — PDWriter @ 9:35 am

Estate Specialty Folded Invitations by PaperDirectRain on your wedding day is considered good fortune; however, most brides still prefer to get hitched without a hitch. Summer weddings are rained out frequently, and those with wedding liability insurance may have the luxury of rescheduling while others must simply embrace the situation and forge ahead.

It’s advisable to always have a rain contingency plan in advance for any outdoor wedding. These tips will help you prepare ahead, and learn how to make the most of your rained out summer wedding.

  1. Rent a Tent – You might already be planning to have a tent onsite for your outdoor wedding ceremony, but you should consider getting one large enough to hold the entire event in case of bad weather. One step often overlooked, is renting a tent floor, so the bride and groom don’t have their feet stuck in the mud during the first dance. Leave the sunken feet to the cake topper!
  2. Landscape Considerations – The dream of having your outdoor wedding within a serene valley may need rethinking. Although ideal on a perfect summer day, that gorge could become flooded quickly and put a damper on things. Check the lay of the land, and have your tent set up along a level landscape.
  3. Put Together a Rain Plan – Write up a contingency plan, and make ample copies for each guest and vendor, so they’ll know what to do and where to go if Plan B needs to be implemented on the fly. The clever, flexible bride might consider including the rain plan along with the wedding invitations and reception cards to save time.
  4. Photography – The lighting during an overcast day is actually more flattering for photography subjects than a bright and sunny day. Be flexible and let your photographer use his skills to ensure that your wedding pictures are flawless. Use fun accessories to spruce up your rainy day wedding photos.
  5. Make it Fun – Believe it or not, a rained out summer wedding can be fun if you plan Rose Border Vinyl Banners by PaperDirectahead. Keep a supply of colorful umbrellas, galoshes, and weatherproof cameras on hand – just in case – and break them out if rain becomes a wedding crasher. Consider purchasing a personalized heavy weather wedding banner that will hold up through the elements and creates an excellent place for guests to take snapshots with disposable cameras.

Your rained out summer outdoor wedding doesn’t have to be a bust! Plan ahead, be flexible, and simplify your event shopping at PaperDirect, where it’s fun to shop for wedding stationery and supplies.

June 7, 2013

Wedding Invitations for Every Budget!

Filed under: DIY Wedding Ideas — Tags: , — PDWriter @ 10:00 am

Filigree Stripes Pocket Invitations by PaperDirectYour desire to make your magical day extra special might make you feel pressured to expend a lot of money – on decorations, that perfect dress, the fairy-tale venue, and divine catering. Weddings, are indeed, quite costly occasions, but you can tamp down the expenditures by saving money on your customized wedding invitations without sacrificing quality or style at PaperDirect.

Regardless of the style, pattern, or colors that you are looking for to match your event’s scheme, you’ll discover the largest selection of high-quality invitations printed on premium stock at prices that will make your budget sing. Savings that are even more amazing are yours if you opt to print your own wedding invitations on pre-cut stock from PaperDirect.

Choose Your Wedding Invitation Style

Pristine Vellum Specialty Layered Invitations

Do you want something simple and to the point? Take a peek at PaperDirect’s vast selection of casual, flat, and basic fold up wedding invitations designed to sway them to “save the date” without breaking the bank. A variety of shapes, styles, and matching envelopes and sticker seals gives you complete freedom to make the impression you want upon your potential guests.

Folded, layered, and pocket-folded invitations make an authentically classy statement and are perfect for more extravagant and elegant affairs. You will come across matching response cards and wedding reception cards along with an extensive selection of fabulous wedding invitations that will be custom printed to your specifications at prices you can afford.

Make Your Own Wedding Invitations for Extensive Savings

Print your own wedding invitations that start in the $22-28 range, and you’ll enjoy immense savings! Choose the design that melts your heart, and design your own invites for the big day. You’ll unearth a huge selection of printable wedding invitations at PaperDirect, along with clever tools to help stylize your do-it-yourself invitations from start to finish!

Sensation Folded Invitations

Discover the best selection of wedding invitations at super prices that just cannot be beat at PaperDirect. Wedding stationery needs can be checked off the “to do” list, and you can focus on saying “I Do” with Paper Direct – your one-stop wedding and reception paper goods supply store. You will also find clever wedding party gifts, thank you cards, and so much more. Shop PaperDirect today!

May 28, 2013

Dos and Don’ts for Throwing the Perfect Bridal Shower

Filed under: DIY Invitation Ideas — Tags: — PDWriter @ 8:17 am

DevotionCasual InvitationsAre you always a bridesmaid? Have you thrown bridal showers before? Or is it your First Time? Either way, we’ve put together some fresh ideas along with Do’s and Don’ts for throwing the perfect bridal shower.

DO

Take a deep breath – Before getting started. Visualize the whole event turning out great! Not to worry, your bride, best friend, sister or cousin will certainly appreciate all that you’re doing—even if she’s too distracted to show it right now!

Get help – Now that the right mindset is in place, line up some assistance. Assign your co-hostess (es) specific elements of the party: Invitations/RSVPs, food/menu, games, favors, prizes and decorations. List those who’re helping out as hostesses on the bridal shower invitation.

Optimistic Casual Invitations

Decide on invitees – Ask the bride if others are also hosting a bridal shower for her. Sometimes the bride will have a family shower, for example. Ask if your bride would like an intimate affair with a few girlfriends or an all-out event including female co-workers, etc.

Plan personalized games – For instance: ask each guest to reveal something no one else knows about the bride. Then have the bride draw the “secrets” out of a fishbowl and read aloud. She must guess who told the “secret” (nothing too deep and dark). Interesting back stories generally emerge and you all get to know each other just a little better. There are many fun variations on this one.

Have an extra pair of scissors – Or two! One is needed for gift and card opening, the other for assembling the ribbon-bouquet. A third is good if one is misplaced during all the excitement.

Make reservations and check out the venue in advance – Make sure there’s enough room for all and verify the menu or refreshments and other details. If in a home, plan out the seating–in case you need to bring extra folding chairs, for example.

Confirm RSVPs – So you can inform the caterer or venue or do the right amount of grocery shopping/cooking.

DON’T

Don’t choose a theme randomly – Make sure to reflect the bride’s tastes and personality. Don’t go too casual if she has more traditional tastes or vice versa. Consider a theme related to the honeymoon destination. Stumped? Browse a party supply or a custom printing and paper design website for decoration inspiration.

Delightful Purple Casual Invitations

Don’t include too many games – Two or three is plenty, allowing guests plenty of time to mingle, snack and of course watch the gift opening.

Don’t send an Evite – Go ahead and use an online method or email as a reminder, but a custom printed invitation is always a wonderful keepsake for the bride-to-be and guests.

Don’t forget about your gift – In the midst of all your party planning. Choose your shower gift well in advance so that you can get just what you have in mind.

Don’t stress if something goes amiss – Everyone will still have fun and make memories. Enlist your co-hostess to help iron out any issues–it can be a bonding experience.

For help planning a bridal shower, stop by and browse our website. You’ll find lots of inspiration and good advice from experienced bridal shower veterans. At PaperDirect.com, it’s easy and fun to shop online for bridal shower invitations, RSVP cards, stationary, place cards, personalized napkins, favors, decorations and more for your event.

April 24, 2013

DIY Layered Wedding Invitations Will Save You Money

Filed under: DIY Invitation Ideas — Tags: , — PDWriter @ 8:45 am

 	 Everlasting Layered Invitations Almost everyone wants to save money on their wedding budget, but no one wants to give up any of the elegance they’ve dreamed of for their special day. One place that you can save money without sacrificing style is with invitations. Layered wedding invitations are an easy DIY project that look professional because they are.

Layered wedding invitations typically come in two or three layers that you can put together at home with glue or ribbon. You simply order your preferred invitation style from PaperDirect’s large inventory, and print the specific information on the blank card from your own home computer. By printing it yourself, you can control the size, font and color and make certain the text is exactly the way you want it. PaperDirect also provides a free template download to simplify the job and assure that you produce beautifully polished invitations that reflect the sentiment of your wedding day.Pristine Vellum Specialty Layered Invitations

Two-Layered Invitations

A two-layered invitation includes a printed backer and coordinating blank invitation sheet. The invitation sheet may fit in the center of the backer or, in the case of the “Romance” style from PaperDirect, the invitation is offset to one side. Once you’ve printed the invitation cards a little liquid glue will quickly and neatly secure both layers together for a polished look.

Three-Layered Invitations

In addition to a printed backer and an invitation sheet, a three-layered invitation typically includes a sheet of velum to fit over the invitation sheet. This type of invitation may be secured with a romantic bow at the top so that the vellum can easily be lifted up in order to read the invitation.

Astoria Layered InvitationsWith both styles, you can add further embellishments such as crystals to customize and personalize the look of your wedding invitations.

The extra labor involved in layered invitations can make them an expensive option; by making them yourself at home you can save hundreds of dollars and still have top-quality stationery that you’ll be proud to send your guests. Visit PaperDirect today and learn how easy it is to select and order layered wedding invitations.

April 4, 2013

Spring Wedding? Color Ideas for Wedding Reception Cards

Filed under: DIY Wedding Accessories — PDWriter @ 4:40 pm

Pristine Specialty Reception Cards by PaperDirectMaking the most of your special day is a top priority, and you want every detail to be perfect. It’s likely that many hours of contemplation have been invested in selecting the ideal color scheme for your spring wedding, and your invitations and reception cards should complement those hues and also your own personal style.

Couples planning to hold their reception at a separate time and location other than the marriage site should include reception cards with their wedding invitations. These cards include all of the event’s details that will help your guests make the transition from one festivity to the next with ease.

Reception Card Color Ideas for Spring Weddings

It’s all about pastel colors for springtime weddings with a dominance of soft colors reminiscent of Easter and grass. If you want your reception cards to stand out from the invitations, you can opt for a border or custom printing in hues that complement your primary wedding colors. Many brides and grooms like to “think green.” Green is a highly versatile and compatible hue, and when utilized as a natural element like vines or ivy on cardstock, it can truly create a beautiful look, regardless of the ceremony or reception colors.

Popular Springtime Wedding Reception Card Combinations

Brides and grooms working with two colors should consider these combinations:

  • Pink with any GreenStylish Reception Card by PaperDirect
  • Lavender or Periwinkle and Yellows
  • Light Blue with Mocha, Ivory, or Green
  • Orange and Sage or Ivory
  • Metallic Gold or Silver with Any Color

Three-Color Combinations:

  • Lavender, Pastel Green, and Ivory
  • Ivory, Pink, and Sage
  • White, Mocha, and Pink
  • Pink, Lavender, and Pastel Green
  • Sage, Lavender, and Ivory
  • Yellow, Periwinkle and White

If you want to stay true to your original invitation colors, choose lettering or a border design a shade or two above or below them on the color wheel. For truly remarkable wedding reception cards, consider including all of the colors of your event and then some. Wildflower themes are popular in the springtime, and a multicolored invitation can help foster a whimsical, outdoorsy feeling Jardin Reception Cards by PaperDirecttrue to the essence of spring weddings.

You’ll discover a wealth of spring wedding ideas and a vast selection of invitations and reception cards at PaperDirect.com, your one-stop source for all your wedding stationery needs! Check out their high quality and affordable products that are fully customizable, or take a look at PaperDirect’s DIY invitations and reception cards.

March 27, 2013

How to Save Time and Money on Your DIY Bridal Shower

Filed under: DIY Invitation Ideas — Tags: — PDWriter @ 7:37 am

Delightful Purple Casual Invitations by PaperDirectSave money by planning ahead, having a budget and getting the right price on everything you need for  a DIY bridal shower that will be the talk of the town. Here’s a handy DIY bridal shower checklist to help you plan the perfect party for the bride-to-be, which is probably you!

Checklist for 3 Months Prior to Bridal Shower

  • Decide if the shower is going to be all female or co-ed
  • Set the date and choose venue
  • Create the guest list
  • Choose DIY bridal shower invitations from PaperDirect

Checklist for 2 Months Prior to Bridal Shower

  • Send a save-the-date to VIP guests such as the bride’s mother or parents, best friend and maid of honor.
  • Call guests who are traveling far and give them a reminder; help with travel plans, if necessary.
  • Establish the budget
  • Finalize decisions about any flowers, menu, table lines, favors, music, activities, etc.
  • Compile addresses for the guest list.Optimistic Casual Invitations by PaperDirect
  • Make a to-do list and assign tasks to your helpers.

 Checklist for 1 Month Prior to Bridal Shower

  • Fill out and address invitations and mail them
  • Order bridal shower favors, decorations and other party needs from PaperDirect
  • Call and confirm any foods/beverages guests need to bring

Checklist for 2 Weeks Prior to Bridal Shower

  • Place flower order
  • Make a shopping list for food and beverages
  • Buy liquor

Checklist for 1 Week Prior to Bridal Shower

  • Confirm reservations with venue
  • Confirm all orders and deliveries
  • Confirm RSVPs
  • Prepare bridal shower favors
  • Prepare shower games

Devotion Casual Invitations by PaperDirectChecklist for 1 Day Before Bridal Shower

  •  Prepare any menu items that can be made in advance
  • Set up any equipment and tables, hang decorations and place party favors out
  • Confirm last-minute details with bridesmaids
  • Run any last-minute errands

Remember that shopping online at PaperDirect saves time and money when it come to DIY weddings and bridal showers!

 

February 27, 2013

Is There a Polite Way to RSVP “No” When You Really Should Go

Filed under: Wedding Wording & Etiquette — Tags: , — PDWriter @ 8:02 am

Pristine Specialty Response Set by PaperDirectYour second cousin twice-removed’s fourth – but still surprisingly formal – wedding. Your college roommate’s third baby shower in as many years. Your husband’s annual – always potluck-style, never-catered – work party, held in the dank, gloomy break room in the back of the warehouse.

Maybe it’s for the benefit of your mental health, your wallet, the sake of convenience, or maybe you truly have a scheduling conflict; sometimes you’ve just gotta RSVP with a big old “NO” – even when you know you technically could, or should, RSVP “yes.”

But here’s the good news: When you get stuck in one of those “heck no, I won’t go” situations, there are a few ways to soften the no-RSVP blow.

Etiquette, PleasePristine Specialty Response Set by PaperDirect

According to Ms. Emily Post, queen of all things etiquette, whether you reply “yes” or “no,” the rules of polite society dictate that you must RSVP promptly. That means responding a day or two after you receive the invite, regardless of how far in the future the event is planned.

After all, RSVP is an acronym for “Répondez, s’il vous plait.” Translated from French to English, that means “please reply” – in other words, a direct command, not a suggestion.

So get the dirty work done fast. Not only will the event host appreciate your quick response, it’ll give her more time to forget – and forgive.

Stylish Specialty NoteCards by PaperDirectThe Prettier, the Better

Make your negative response more attractive by wrapping it in a beautiful package. RSVP cards, also known as response cards, provide a more formal – and by extension, more polite – way of turning down or accepting an invitation.

For even more positive impact, hand write your response. In today’s digital world, full of printed text and electronic communication, a note written by hand means so much more and sends a much more personal message – in this case, your regret at not attending the event.

As for the wording of your decline note, don’t feel like you must go into great detail or over-explain. A simple “I regret that I must decline your kind invitation” will suffice.

Following these etiquette rules will mitigate any potential hurt feelings that your no-RSVP may cause. Your polite courtesy – and the fact that you bothered to send a handwritten RSVP note in a timely manner – will be remembered much longer than the fact that you didn’t make it to the event.

 

February 12, 2013

What are the “Rules” for Wedding Reception Seating?

Filed under: DIY Wedding Accessories — PDWriter @ 7:31 am

Estate Specialty Folded Place Cards by PaperDirectStylish Specialty Folded Place Cards by PaperDirectYou’ve set the date, picked out your colors, ordered your flowers, and managed to talk your fiance out of reuniting his old Twisted-Sister-meets-the-Backstreet-Boys cover band from high school to play the reception. Crisis averted! Now comes the real challenge: Creating a wedding reception seating plan that works… for everybody.

Family dynamics can be — shall we say – a bit complicated. Maybe you can’t seat Aunt Nancy within dirty-look range of her ex-husband Bob and his brand-new wife, or maybe your fiance’s sisters — who haven’t spoken since 1992 — need to be seated on opposite sides of the room. Or perhaps you just want your wedding reception to run as smoothly and enjoyably as humanly possible.Seashore Scene Folded Place Cards by PaperDirect

Either way, a bit of planning combined with the right tools will make all the difference. For a stress-free wedding reception, consider these simple tips.

Keepin’ it Real… Formal

We know, we know, you’re a free spirit who doesn’t like rules and hates being micromanaged. But unless you want the next episode of “As the World Turns” taking place at your reception, you’re going to need a formal seating chart.

Stylish Specialty Folded Place Cards by PaperDirectIt’s really not as difficult as it sounds, either. Simply create a spreadsheet of all the yes-RSVP invitees and then organize them by relationship: bride’s friend, groom’s family, bride’s family, and so on. Highlight your more “sensitive” guests by color. For instance, if Nancy can’t sit by Bob, highlight their names in the same shade. That’ll make them stand out — so you’ll be sure to seat them far, far apart.

Draw it Out

Draw a map of the room – tables included — and assign each table a number. Use your spreadsheet to create groups of guests for each table. Mix it up by grouping those who know each other together, placing singles with other singles, and quieter guests with more gregarious invitees.

Traditionally, the bride and groom sit at the front or most central table, surrounded by their wedding party. However, if you’ve got guests who’ll feel like they’ve been banished to Siberia if they’re not at a central table, make every table more special by spreading the wedding party out across around the room.

When you have a rough outline, write each guest’s name on a post-it note. Stick the notes, organized by table, onto the room map. You’ll probably have some tweaking to do as late RSVPs trickle in, so keep your chart handy.

Simplicity + Planning = Reception SerenityDancing Daisies Table Tents by PaperDirect

Now that you’ve created your seating chart, make it easy for guests – and wait staff, if you have them – to find their seats. Individual place cards add a sophisticated, personal touch at each place setting, while customized table tents feature a list of each table’s guests. Both can be customized to complement your wedding colors and theme.

Be ready for the unexpected; some guests may no-show, while others might arrive without bothering to RSVP at all. Keep some space open just in case.

Most importantly, don’t wait until the last minute to create your wedding reception seating plan. Just a bit of planning leads to a smooth, stress-free event that all will enjoy.

For more fun, simple ideas to make your wedding even more amazing, check out our Paper Direct Blog. From beautiful DIY wedding invitations to thoughtfully worded thank you cards, we’ll help make that special day unforgettable.

January 18, 2013

What Should be Included in my DIY Wedding Program?

Filed under: DIY Wedding Accessories — Tags: — PDWriter @ 2:37 pm

Adorable Hearts Programs by PaperDirectWedding programs are one of wedding touches that add something very special to what will surely be the most memorable day of your life. Do-it-yourself wedding programs not only give the guests a play-by-play of your ceremony, but they help guests feel included and understand what is happening, and they introduce your bridal party. DIY wedding programs will be a wonderful addition to your wedding scrapbook. Many wedding planners will tell you that you must have a wedding program, but the choice is yours. DIY wedding programs are necessary (and very helpful) in these situations:

  • For religious and traditional weddings, especially when guests are of a different faith or culture
  • For large weddings where guests probably do not know the bridal party
  • For long weddings

Parts of a DIY Wedding ProgramOne Rose Programs by PaperDirect

Typically, you will want to have these parts included in your DIY wedding program with the following information:

The Cover–Include the date of the wedding and names of the bride and groom. You may also include the location and time of the wedding, a picture and some design element.

The Order of Events–This list will include what will happen during the wedding ceremony such as music, greeting, readings, prayers, vows, ring ceremony, candle ceremony, marriage pronouncement and recessional. Be sure to organize your list in the actual order that the events will occur.

Members of the Bridal Party–Here is how you can word this information:

  • Officiant: NameApple Blossoms Programs by PaperDirect
  • Parents of the Bride:
  • Parents of the Groom:
  • Grandparents:
  • Maid of Honor or Matron of Honor:
  • Best Man:
  • Bridesmaids:
  • Groomsmen:
  • Readers:

You may also choose to include the following information in your DIY wedding program:

  • A brief explanation of traditions you are following
  • A request for audience participation such as singing, standing and kneeling
  • Thank you mentions
  • Memorials
  • Quotes or poems about marriage
  • Directions to the reception venue

Be sure to shop online at PaperDirect for the DIY wedding program you will love!

 

 

 

 

January 14, 2013

Wedding Thank You Card Sample Wording

Thanks Gold Embossed Thank You NoteCards by PaperDirectEvery bride (and groom) must write (yes, with your hand) thank you notes for gifts they received. Despite the fact that most people communicate electronically via email, text message and social media, expressing gratitude using any of these media is simply unacceptable. As a newly married couple, you must share the responsibility of handwriting thank you notes to each and every person who gave you a gift. By taking the time to hand write a wedding thank you card, you have shown your gift givers that you really do appreciate their kindness and generosity.

If you are not experienced with writing thank you notes, they really are very simple and don’t have to be long-winded at all. Proper wedding thank you card wording requires that you thank the sender for a specific gift. It is important to be specific when thanking the gift giver because if you’re not specific, the gift giver may feel as though you are just writing impersonal thank you notes and that you really don’t remember their gift at all. Try something like this:Elegant Thank You Specialty NoteCards by PaperDirect

Dear Aunt Jean and Uncle Jack,

“Thank you so much for the beautiful wine decanter. Greg and I are looking forward to sharing our first bottle of wine as a married couple using the elegant decanter you chose for us.”

It is also suggested to include a sentence or two about how the gift will be used. Proper wedding thank you card etiquette also states that when you are given a gift of cash (or check), that you should not mention the specific amount in your thank note. Instead, write something like this:

“Thank you for the generous gift and joining us in celebration of our marriage. We are so excited to be able to add to the savings for our new home!”

Willow Specialty Thank You NoteCards by PaperDirectIn addition to the proper wording, be sure you address the gift giver properly by name and title, if applicable. For example, if the gift is from your aunt and her boyfriend, then you must address the thank you card to acknowledge both your aunt and her boyfriend. It is important to be specific when thanking the gift giver because if you’re not specific, the gift giver may feel as though you are just writing impersonal thank you notes and that you really don’t remember their gift at all.

If you’re recently married, be sure to order your wedding thank you cards online from PaperDirect!

January 2, 2013

Affordable DIY Bridal Shower Invitations

Filed under: DIY Invitation Ideas — Tags: — PDWriter @ 9:51 am

Cream Roses Photo CardsThere’s nothing wrong with wanting to save a little money by having a do-it-yourself (DIY) wedding or by doing some parts of the wedding by yourself. Many do-it-yourselfers make their own wedding cakes, decorations, invitations and wedding favors. DIY bridal shower invitations can be as fancy or as simple as you like (or as your skill level allows). If they’re attractive and include all the necessary information for your guests, the possibilities are boundless when creating DIY bridal shower invitations. Here some different types you may consider.

Photo Bridal Shower Invitations

A simple but effective do-it-yourself bridal shower invitation idea is to use a photo, such as one of the bride or the couple together. To keep the photo invitation simple, you can write  all of the details on the back of your picture. Another is to try pasting the image to some pretty, decorative paper to make cards. Find paper matching the bridal shower’s theme or the wedding’s colors and add special decorations like lace or pearls for an elegant touch.

Computer-Generated Bridal Shower InvitationsDelightful Purple Casual Invitations by PaperDirect

Printable bridal shower invitations are available from PaperDirect. Your bridal shower invitations will look professionally made when using templates and other products from PaperDirect. DIY bridal shower invitations are easy to create and print yourself. Our elegant or simple invitations come with envelopes, ribbon and seals, where specified.

How to Write Bridal Shower Invitations

If you’re planning a bridal shower for a friend or family member, you’ll want to know the proper way to word the invitations so guests know the details regarding the shower. Like wedding ceremony invitations, the wording should reflect the level of formality of the bridal shower. Remembering a few key points when creating the bridal shower invitations will help to eliminate confusion and make for a fun time for all who attend!

Use a calligraphy pen to write formal bridal shower invitations. State the bride’s full name at the start of the invitation as well as the name of the groom if the shower is coed. Begin the invitation with a phrase like “[name of bride] requests your presence at her bridal shower” or “Please join us for [name of bride]’s bridal shower.”

Optimistic Casual Invitations by PaperDirectAfter you’ve written the bride’s name, state the date and time of the bridal shower. Write out the date and time completely for formal invitations as in: “The sixteenth of June, at six o’clock in the evening.” Then write the location of the shower, as well as the full address. If you’re inviting several of the bride’s friends and loved ones who live out of town, provide written directions on the back of the invitation.

Finally, write the RSVP date at the bottom of the invitation. Include the name and phone number of the person with whom guests should confirm their attendance. The end of the invitation is also a good place to let guests know if the shower is a surprise, so that they do not unintentionally mention the celebration to the bride. If the shower has a theme, such as a time of day shower or a particular color scheme, write this information at the end of the invitation as well.

Shop online at PaperDirect and order the bridal shower invitations you need for the big day!

 

December 26, 2012

Thank You Notes for Gifts You Don’t Love

Filed under: Wedding Wording & Etiquette — Tags: — PDWriter @ 9:09 am

Thanks Personalized NoteCards™ by PaperDirectWe all know that feeling–the feeling you get when you open a gift (especially if the gift giver is sitting next to you) that you really don’t love but you have to be gracious and appear as though it’s wonderful and that you love it! Sometimes we even have to write thank you notes for gifts we’re less than thrilled with receiving, but common sense (and proper etiquette) dictates that we must send thank you notes for gifts we don’t like or will never use (check out our blog on re-gifting if you are considering re-gifting an unwanted holiday present).

There’s an old saying you should keep in mind when you have to write thank you notes for gifts you hate, “When you’e not grateful, simply appreciate,” which obviously means even if you aren’t happy with the gift, show how much you appreciate the thought with a handwritten thank you note. No, a text message will not suffice, nor will an email!

Classic Thank You Greeting Card Set by PaperDirect

Tips for Getting the Kids Excited About Thank You Notes

Let’s assume that since you’re an adult, you can motivate yourself to write those thank you notes you dread. We should turn our focus to the kids. Children should be taught at a young age the value of money and what gratitude and appreciation are. Even when they’re young, kids should be strongly encouraged to write thank you notes to family members and others who have given them gifts. In fact, they really should write the notes fairly soon after the holiday is over.

It’s important to reach out to gift givers and let them know how much the gift and thought were appreciated. Here are some tips to get your kids writing thank you notes:

  • Vintage Elegance Specialty Thank You NoteCards by PaperDirectGet the kids involved by allowing them to choose the thank you cards or stationery. Explain why a text message or voicemail is insufficient, and explain why they must send a note even if they see the person regularly.
  • Make sure the kids are comfortable and have a snack ready for when they’re finished.
  • Give them a deadline (but a reasonable one) in which to finish and allow them to write a few minutes at a time at their own pace.
  • For little, little ones, you can use fill in the blank notecards and they can simply write single words instead of full sentences.
  • Help the kids think of something positive to say about the gift. Even if it’s a gift they don’t like, there’ something about it they may like. Color? Style? Anything.
  • Include a picture of the child with the gift, is possible.

Check out PaperDirect’s extensive line of thank you notes for all occasions!

December 10, 2012

Christmas Bridal Shower Ideas

Filed under: DIY Invitation Ideas — Tags: — PDWriter @ 12:08 pm

Loops Flat Invitations by PaperDirectUse the holiday season to inspire wedding festivities like a Christmas bridal shower! When having a Christmas wedding, you can draw inspiration fro holiday decorations and traditions and celebrate the upcoming nuptials and the holidays. With some creativity, you can wow the bride and still be ready for the holidays. For the bridal shower invitations you can choose holiday-themed invitations and send those to your guests, or you can include a pre-printed sheet in your Christmas card. The sheet should include all the details like the date and time, location and any specific instructions regarding food, beverages or gifts.

Food, Drink and DecorationsPristine Specialty Flat Invitations by PaperDirect

When planning the menu for your Christmas bridal shower, be sure to keep to the holiday theme with brightly colored red and green vegetables, finger sandwiches cut into holiday shapes using a cookie cutter, and decorated holiday cookies. A festive red punch or eggnog (spiked if you so chose) make great drinks for bridal showers during the holiday season. The obvious bridal shower party favor would be a lovely Christmas ornament. Poinsettias make lovely shower decorations, and you can hang mistletoe and holly throughout the house or other venue to add a special holiday touch.

Gift-Wrapping Ideas

Wrap gifts using the bride’s wedding theme and colors, which, for a holiday wedding are Ribbon of My Heart Flat Invitations by PaperDirectprobably the same colors you would associate with Christmas: red, green, gold, silver and white.  You can even be “green” (eco friendly, that is) and wrap your gift in brown paper bags or newspapers; use environmentally friendly paints for splashes of color. Accessorize the gift with paper flowers that you’ve cut out or household items that you can make work as gift wrap accessories. There are fancy (yet inexpensive) fabrics that can be used to wrap gifts; try chiffon and see how that works for you.

Gift Ideas

Since it’s the holiday season, you may get exhausted just thinking about doing more shopping, but you have to get the bride a great gift for her Christmas bridal shower. Try Red Silk Flat Invitations by PaperDirectsome items that will allow her to pamper herself like relaxation materials, bath products, entertaining magazines and even some delicious chocolates are all things she can indulge in and enjoy some me time before the big day.

If the couple is planning a honeymoon in a warm location, you can present a gift bag filled with items she can use on her honeymoon like sunscreen, a large beach towel, a good book or even a travel guide for the country she’s traveling to.

Membership to some type of monthly club like a wine club or a cheese club. If you’re feeling very generous, you can buy a one-year gym membership for the bride, but be careful she doesn’t take this the wrong way and think you’re saying she’s out of shape! Wine-of-the-month clubs are great fun, and each new month brings a new bottle of wine to enjoy. The bride and groom can enjoy your gift for months following the wedding.

PaperDirect is your online shopping source for bridal shower invitations and supplies you need to host this type of event and so many others!Loops Specialty NoteCards by PaperDirect

July 20, 2012

Wedding Place Card Presentation Ideas

Filed under: DIY Wedding Accessories — Tags: — PDWriter @ 8:00 am

Wedding place cards may not seem like an important detail for a wedding reception, but Rich and Radiant Folded Place Cardsnot only are they important, they’re a fun detail because place cards are a great way to accentuate the theme of your wedding. Let’s take a look at some ways you can enhance your wedding theme with place card presentation.

Wedding place cards are as important as the wedding menu or wedding program. Careful seating will save time and eliminate stress by creating great conversation, introducing new people to each other and avoiding family conflicts. There are many ways to display your wedding place cards for easy access and to avoid mix-ups. Traditionally, place card presentation is simple. Guests mill about and find their names on the reception tables.

Place Card Presentation by Seasonal Theme

When it comes to place card presentation, following your seasonal themed wedding is a great way to go. For instance, winter weddings call for a classic white card with tones of ivory and powder blue. You can jazz up your place cards even more with crystals and little pearls to give off a chilly, snowy feel.

Summer weddings, especially those around July 4th, can have a patriotic flair with red, white and blue accents. Summer weddings call for bright, vivid colors that shout Summer is in the Air! Easter/spring weddings call for pastels and lovely flowers of all shapes, colors and sizes.

Fall weddings are a perfect time to get those creative juices flowing when it comes to place card presentation. Think of all the autumn symbols you can use to highlight your place cards and autumn theme: gourds, pumpkins, leaves, fall colors, etc. The more creative you, the more options you have. If you don’t feel very creative, you can always come to the PaperDirect blog for great suggestions.

Place card Presentation by Tropical/Locale ThemeSeashore Scene Folded Place Cards

For your Hawaiian luau themed wedding, carve your guests’ names into tropical fruits such as mangos and pineapples. For seaside weddings, you can present guests with seashell place card holders and arrange them in an eye-catching display.

Frequently Asked Questions About Place Cards

The PaperDirect blog offers a great deal of advice on a variety of topics, and DIY weddings is a topic that many people have a lot of questions about. Let’s look at some commonly asked questions about DIY wedding place cards:

Q. How do you handle place card presentation for single wedding guests with dates? Do you just put the word “guest” on the place card?

A. You must make the effort to learn the name of each of your single guests’ dates. Putting the word “guest” is not acceptable. If the guest did not fill in the name of his or her guest, you must phone or email your guest to find out the full name of the person who will be joining him/her for your wedding. Once your guest list is complete, create a place card for each individual guest rather than putting both names on one place card.

Q. Are place cards absolutely necessary for my wedding reception?

Golden Sunflowers Folded Place CardsA. Wedding place cards are not an absolute must have for every type of wedding, especially small, informal weddings with very few guests; however, for large wedding receptions, place cards make things much easier for you (and your guests). With assigned seats, stress is eliminated and things just seem to go more smoothly. With thoughtful, proper wedding place card presentation, you can decide which guests sit at which tables allowing you to ensure couples stay together and feuding family members keep a distance.

Please keep in mind that PaperDirect is your one-stop online shopping source for many of your do-it-yourself (DIY) wedding needs like invitations, reception cards, response cards, envelopes, save the date magnets, wedding program paper, personalized napkins and thank you notes.

Do you feel you need more information about wedding place cards? Please read these PaperDirect blogs:

 

 

 

 

June 22, 2012

Types of Wedding Invitations-How About a Layered Invitation?

Filed under: DIY Invitation Ideas — Tags: , — PDWriter @ 8:00 am

Everlasting Layered InvitationsIf you’re planning a do-it-yourself (DIY) wedding, your wedding invitation type, design and wording is probably one of the biggest, most important decisions you will make. Thankfully, PaperDirect has an extensive line of wedding invitations from which to choose, but with so many different types available, you may feel overwhelmed and not know where to begin! Layered invitations are perfect for very elegant weddings, but if you’re looking for something a bit simpler, PaperDirect has those styles, too.

Layered Wedding Invitations

Layered invitations add a modern spin to classic elegance. The flat, rectangular shape is simple, yet exquisite, and the coordinating carrier card frames your invite with sophistication. Layered invitations are extremely beautiful when draped with a soft overlay of Vellum, sized perfectly to be placed on top of your layered invitation.Fancy Foliage Layered Invitations

Layered invitations come with carrier cards specifically designed to nestle your invitation and complement your design. Stylish and unique carrier cards add that special “something” to your layered wedding invitation. For harmony and depth, wrap your layered invitation with a matching band and seal, and you can also personalize the colors and add your own photo, monogram, motif or special message.

Variety of Wedding Invitations

Let’s take a look at some examples of the different types Promises Layered Invitationsof wedding invitations offered by PaperDirect–your DIY wedding one-stop online shopping source.

With so many to choose from, your only problem will be deciding which wedding invitation you love the most.

June 20, 2012

Wedding Program Paper Options

Filed under: DIY Wedding Accessories — Tags: — PDWriter @ 8:10 am

Brides and grooms (or other family members) planning a do-it-yourself (DIY) wedding can add a special touch to the wedding with custom printed programs. PaperDirect has a large selection of wedding program paper to fit all tastes. Die-cut and embossed designs are simple and elegant. Once you’ve chosen your wedding program paper, you can even design your wedding programs online choosing font styles and ink colors to coordinate nicely with your wedding theme.

Wedding program paper options include:

  • Plain papers (there are numerous types of plain papers to choose from)
  • 2-Panel

For some great information about what should be included in a wedding program, please read, “Wedding Ceremony Program Ideas 101” from PaperDirect.

Adorable Hearts Programs

Jardin Programs

Perfectly Plain Programs

Imperial Foil Specialty Programs

June 15, 2012

Wedding Response Card Wording for DIY Weddings

Filed under: Wedding Wording & Etiquette — Tags: , , — PDWriter @ 8:00 am

Supreme Black Response SetIf you’re in the midst of planning a do-it-yourself (DIY) wedding, you may find yourself amazed at the number of items that must be tended to, decisions that must be made, and minute details that must be addressed. Have you thought about your wedding response card wording yet? Are you not even sure you know what a wedding response card is? It’s another name for the RSVP, which stands for the French phrase, “répondez, s’il vous plaît,” which means “please reply.” Now that you you know what a wedding response card is, let’s take a look at the important issues regarding them:

  1. When response cards are necessary
  2. Wedding response card etiquette
  3. Wedding response card wording

Formal vs. Casual Wedding

Most, if not all, formal weddings will have a response card inside the wedding invitation. The response card, in case you don’t know, is the little card that lets the bridge and groom whether or not you’ll be attending. Have you heard of “plus one”? Plus one is the phrase used when you are invited to a wedding and are allowed to bring along one guest–your “plus one.” Wedding response cards are extremely important to formal weddings because the bride and groom must know how many people will be attending (i.e. eating a dinner, having drinks, and for seating purposes at the reception). An accurate “head count” for a formal wedding and reception in a must.Felicity Response Set

Nowadays, invitations often carry a “regrets only” notation at the end, which means that the couple will count on your being there unless you tell them otherwise.

If your wedding is casual, a phone response may be all you need or even an email. If you’re not planning a sit-down dinner, are not providing free alcoholic beverages and have plenty of seating for everyone you invited, it’s not quite as crucial to have an exact head count for your DIY wedding.

Wedding Response Card Etiquette

The enclosures included in your wedding invitations do more than just help you keep track of how many guests will be attending your special day. That is why wedding response card etiquette to wedding reception card etiquette is so important. Enclosed within the invitation, the wedding response card is always sent with a stamp affixed to a self-addressed envelope. This helps to ensure that you get an accurate count of the number of guests expected to attend. Wedding response cards will also include the guests’ meal preferences so the precise amount of food and drinks is ordered.  wedding reception cards also are good if you are inviting more guests to the ceremony than the reception. In this case, these cards are inserted into the invitations of only certain people.

In addition to wedding reception cards, map and direction cards should also be printed and included if since some guests may not be familiar with the area where you’re holding your ceremony. Be sure to include these along with the wedding response cards; if money is an issue, you can cut corners by providing directions in some other way (via email perhaps).

For the guests, be sure to respond by the date indicated on the card. If you don’t respond, the couple will be forced to call you to verify your attendance, which just adds to their already huge “to do” list. The first thing you should do after receiving a wedding invitation is respond promptly because so much is riding on whether or not each guest is attending. Everything from seating arrangements to placing the liquor order, depends on how many people are attending. If an RSVP card is enclosed, feel free to add a more personal note of congratulations or explanation of regret. If a blank reply card is enclosed, you must write a response on the card in language that is similar to that of the invitation–formal or casual.

Wedding Response Card Wording

There really is no right or wrong wording for a response card, but there are traditional “guidelines” you may want to follow; the easiest way to explain how wedding response cards should be worded is to provide examples here. The same basic elements appear in most wedding response cards:

Request Lines

A “please respond by” line is typically included on every response card, though some brides may choose not to include a date on their card, as they feel it might insult guests who know very well when to reply. The request lines may be in either the first two lines of the reply card or in the lower left-hand corner. Most brides ask that their replies be rEnchanting Response Seteturned 2 weeks before the wedding date.

Guests’ Name

“M” followed by a line for the guest to write in their name(s), should be sufficient in most cases. If your parent(s) and or the bride and groom are doctors, you may wish to omit the “M” as many of your friends will likely also be doctors, as such the “M” will not apply, as they will be using their professional title.

Guests’ Response

The most common response line format is to have the word “will” separated by a line for their response followed by “attend”. You may also choose to split the Guest’s response line into two lines. “will attend” will be preceded by a line for their response, on the line beneath it “will not attend” will be preceded by its own response line. Either way is considered proper.

Here are some PaperDirect blogs that may help to address some of your other DIY wedding questions:

Also, remember to view PaperDirect’s extensive line of DIY wedding necessities. We are your one-stop online shopping source for DIY wedding supplies.

May 11, 2012

Invitation Wording for A Christian Wedding

Filed under: Wedding Wording & Etiquette — Tags: , , , , — PDWriter @ 8:00 am
Supreme Black Flat Invitations

Your invitation wording is very important because it must convey the thoughts and feelings that you and your future spouse hold true. Also, the wording on your wedding invitation is something that requires thought regarding your guests because the invitation is the first impression they will have of your wedding, and many people keep the wedding invitation as a souvenir.

If you are planning a Christian wedding, you will want to include wording in your invitations that may not be found in an invitation to a less religious or less traditional wedding. If you are concerned that your guests may be put off by Biblical verses or other Christian-like additions to your wedding invitation, you must remember that this is your day–you and your spouse should have the exact type of wedding ceremony and reception that you have always dreamed about.

Cascade Specialty Folded Invitations

If Christian wedding invitation wording is something that you need help with, you have come to the right place. PaperDirect has some suggestions based on what others Christian brides and grooms have included in their wedding invitations to help get you started.

Your wedding invitations let guests know what to expect at your wedding, including color scheme, theme, and ambiance. Letting prospective guests know that religion will play a  part in your ceremony will help them decide what attire is appropriate, or they may (unfortunately) even decide to not attend your wedding due to their own religious convictions. Your Christian wedding invitation wording should reflect your personalities and your religious beliefs as a couple. One popular way to incorporate your Christianity into your wedding invitation is to include Bible verses.

Dumont Specialty Folded Invitations

Here are some suggestions for do-it-yourself (DIY) Christian wedding invitation wording:

  • Design the front of your invitation by including a meaningful Biblical verse. The Internet provides hundreds of suggestions of Biblical verses that are appropriate for the wording on the front of a Christian wedding invitation or you may add a Bible verse that is a personal favorite.
  • When you write the actual wording include a reference to God such as the following: “Mr. and Mrs. John Doe request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter, Susan Kay, to Thomas Michael Jones, when they ask God’s blessing on their union and His presence in their new life together as a married couple.”
  • Conclude the invitation with the specific church name, address, date, and time. Close with a Bible verse, if you desire. For example, “A chord of three strands is not quickly torn apart,” Ecclesiastes 4:12 or “This was the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes,” Psalms 118:23.

If you are in the midst of a DIY wedding, PaperDirect can help– a one-stop online shopping source for several DIY necessities including wedding invitations, reception cards, response cards and thank you notes.

April 26, 2012

Save the Date Postcards vs. Save the Date Magnets

Filed under: DIY Invitation Ideas — Tags: , — PDWriter @ 8:00 am

Verona Gold Save the Date MagnetsEverything you need to know about save the date events can be found right here on the PaperDirect blog. In addition to providing useful information about DIY (do-it-yourself) weddings and wedding etiquette, PaperDirect is also your one-stop online shopping source for DIY wedding necessities like wedding invitations, wedding reception cards, response cards, wedding thank you cards, and save the date magnets and save the date postcards.

Postcards vs. Magnets–You DecideHeart Serenade Postcards

You might know all the ins and outs of sending wedding invitations, but save-the-date etiquette is sometimes not so clear cut. Save-the-date postcards or magnets are typically sent to your wedding guests six to eight months before the date of your ceremony so that they can mark it on their calendars.

It’s okay to send your guests a wedding save-the-date by email, but don’t forget that this wedding card is really the first introduction your guests will have to your wedding, so a lot of couples thinking up unique ways to incorporate their wedding theme into their save the date reminder.

If you are looking for a more traditional reminder, PaperDirect has save the date postcards and save the date magnets; it’s really just a matter of personal preference which you choose. Look at our selection of both and see which one best fits your personality and style of wedding.

Seashore Scene Save the Date Oversized PostcardsYou don’t need to include as much information on your save-the-date wedding cards as you do on the actual wedding invitation, so be sure to read some tips for save-the-date wording tips before getting started on your wording. One thing to keep in mind about these wedding reminders is that they can be more casual than your formal invitations. Here are some more PaperDirect blogs about save the date wedding magnets and postcards:

 

March 8, 2012

Wedding Program Wording: What to Include

Filed under: Wedding Wording & Etiquette — Tags: , — PDWriter @ 8:00 am

Wedding programs are incredibly One Rose Programs by PaperDirectunique–the layout, the adornments, and the content for every wedding program is different. And since many people keep wedding programs as a “souvenir” of the special day, it’s important to have a beautifully crafted, professionally worded wedding program. If you have been struggling with wedding program wording, we have some tips for you that will help get you started.

Your wedding program should have the same “feel” as the rest of your wedding and should add to the ceremony, not distract from it.  There really is no set rules as to what must be included in your wedding program or how the wedding program wording should be organized. Here we are going to offer some of the more traditional wedding program wording and what is included in most traditional wedding programs.Floral Elegance Programs

On the cover of the wedding program, you can include:

  • Full name of bride and groom
  • Wedding date, year and time
  • Wedding location
The wedding ceremony:
  • Prelude
  • Names of parents and grandparents and seating
  • Vocal selections
  • Processional
  • Entrance of Bride
  • Statement of intent
  • Prayer
  • Reading of Scripture
  • Poem reading
  • Charge to couple
  • Exchange of vows
  • Exchange of rings
  • Pronouncement of marriage
  • Lighting of unity candle
  • Blessing of the marriage
  • Presentation of the couple
  • Recessional
  • Postlude
  • Invitation of guests to reception
Red Red Rose ProgramsThe wedding party:
  • Officiate
  • Parents of bride and groom
  • Grandparents of bride and groom
  • Matron and/or maid of honor
  • Bridesmaids
  • Flower girls
  • Best man
  • Groomsmen
  • Ring bearer
  • Musicians
  • Bell ringer (if applicable)
  • Registry attendants
  • Program attendants
  • Reception attendants
  • Wedding director
  • Wedding coordinator
Adorable Hearts ProgramsAdditional items that are optional:
  • Special thanks
  • Directions to reception venue
  • Dedication
  • Your new home’s address
  • Brief history of your relationship
  • Special poem meaningful to couple
The PaperDirect blog often has information about do-it-yourself weddings to get you started, and PaperDirect is your one-stop online shopping source for everything you need for your DIY wedding from invitations to thank you cards.

 

« Newer PostsOlder Posts »

Powered by WordPress