They like me….They really like me!

I usually don’t like to toot my own horn, but sometimes it helps to get the word out. Here are some kind words from a few of my former brides….

I am happy to say that I was the first bride to have TEN:THIRTEEN design create our wedding invitations and programs. I chose Jackie for the job because I had seen how creative she was with other projects in school. She is great to work with and did an amazing job! She made invitations that were personalized to us as a couple and exceeded my expectations! I had custom-made work that no one else can duplicate! I highly recommend her for any design work.
-Bethany Blackburn, TX

We came to TEN:THIRTEEN design for save the date cards for our wedding. After the great experience we had with Jackie, we decided to let her do our invitations as well. We gave her a basic idea and she was able to translate our thoughts into reality! Our guests had so many compliments for us regarding the invites and we were pleased with our unique design. Since working with TEN:THIRTEEN design on our wedding invitations, we’ve been able to partner on other projects as well. Jackie designed a logo and business cards for my new business, thank you cards for my husband’s business, and helped us with another invite for a private party. Our experience with TEN:THIRTEEN design has been top-notch. We recommend Jackie to all our friends.
-Abby Trexler, IN

I first heard of Jackie when I received one of the invites that she created from a friend to her summer wedding. I was amazed at how beautiful the invites were! Therefore, when I got engaged, I knew that it was a must to use her for our invites! We had picked out a cake design, which in turn, created our entire theme of our wedding!  Jackie was able to hear our thoughts and came up with her own creation. She has gone out of her way on several occasions to assist me in this wedding planning process; from the multiple emails to the creative ideas to mailing out the invites for me, it has been a wonderful experience!  I have had multiple compliments on the invites and actually feel as if I played a part in them! Working with Jackie on the invites made wedding planning fun, enjoyable, and stress-free!  Of all vendors Brides, you MUST work with Jackie, I promise you, you will not be disappointed and she will exceed your expectations ten fold!  Thank you Jackie, you are great and will actually miss this part of the wedding planning!
-Kelly Stamm, IN

If you’re a former bride of mine and would like to comment on your experience with me, please feel free!!! I would love to hear from you!

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Photography by Brand Photodesign.

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Calling all 2011 brides!!!

I’m currently working on eight sets of wedding invitations that will wrap up the rest of my 2010 year. If you would like to be one of my 2011 brides, contact me soon! I’m sure I won’t be booked up by the end of the year, but you would be amazed how many couples I meet with right after Christmas! So, if you’re in the need of some custom wedding invites, let me know. You can check out my earlier blog, Wedding Stationery Time Line, to get an idea of how soon you should start planning. Hope to hear from you!

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Wedding Stationery Time Line

You may not realize just how many steps go into organizing and preparing your wedding stationery. From creating your guest list to finalizing all your ceremony and reception details, many things affect your wedding stationery preparations.

There are no absolute deadlines for many of the steps involved in this process. However, there are some approximate time frames that you may find helpful to avoid last-minute rushing.

Please click on the links below to find out what you should be doing to prepare for your wedding stationery. For your planning convenience, please use the calendars on each page  to determine your wedding stationery time line.

8 months – 1 year

• Begin working on your guest list so you will know how many wedding invites (and possibly save-the-dates) to eventually order (one per single adult, couple, family or household invited).
• Contact TEN:THIRTEEN design to begin your custom wedding stationery process.
• If you are planning to mail out save-the-dates, TEN:THIRTEEN design can create those as well.

7 months

• If you will be sending save-the-dates, place your order.

5 – 6 months

• If you have ordered and received your save-the-dates, prepare and mail them. If you prefer, I can take care of mailing them for you.
• Select your wedding invitation design and gather all the details that will be printed on them such as date, times, name and address of location(s), etc.
• Determine what stationery extras you will also be ordering. You can refer to the Wedding Stationery Checklist for a complete listing. The more items you can order together, the more you will save by avoiding separate printing costs later.
• If you are including response cards, check with your reception/dinner location to see how far in advance they need your final guest count. This will help you can select the reply date that will be printed on them (typically 2-3 weeks before wedding). You also need to decide whose address will be printed on the response envelope or postcard (meaning they will receive the replies).

3 – 4 months

• Finalize your wording and place your wedding invitation order. Remember to add at least 10 extra or 10 percent to your order now so you do not run out later.
• Review your guest list to make sure you have current addresses for everyone.
• If you are having TEN:THIRTEEN design address labels, be sure to email the names and addresses in an Excel spreadsheet. You can request an Excel spreadsheet sample if you are unsure of how to set it up.
• If you would like to have calligraphy done, let me know. I have a go-to calligrapher who does extraordinary work with competitive pricing.

2 months

Just so you know, TEN:THIRTEEN design can take care of the following:

• Fold and/or assemble your wedding invitations if necessary.
• Print reply address on the back flap or print and apply labels.
• Purchase and apply postage stamps to the response card envelopes or response postcards.
• Assemble all wedding invitation pieces and insert them into already addressed envelopes.
• Take one fully assembled and sealed invitation to the Post Office to have it weighed to determine the correct amount of postage needed.
• Create custom wedding stamps if you choose to use them.
• Purchase your stamps or order custom wedding stamps with appropriate postage amount required for mailing.

6 – 8 weeks

• TEN:THIRTEEN design can also seal the envelopes, apply postage stamps and mail your wedding invitations if you like.

3 – 4 weeks

• If TEN:THIRTEEN design created any other wedding related invitations (rehearsal dinner, post-wedding brunch, etc.), I can prepare and mail them as well.
• Keep track of the response cards as they are returned by checking off their names on your invitation guest list.

2 – 3 weeks

• Contact any guests who did not mail back their response cards.
• Provide final guest count to reception/dinner location.

1 week

• If you ordered any day of materials, make sure to get them to the appropriate locations. If you are crunched for time, TEN:THIRTEEN design may be able to do this for you.

After the wedding

• Send personalized thank you notes to your guests.

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Wedding Stationery Checklist

Are you making your wedding list and checking it twice? Well, you should be! There are a lot of pieces that go into a wedding – and your stationery is just one of them! Most people know the essential elements included in wedding stationery. However, there are several components that often get forgotten or left out. Below are all of the elements that make up your wedding stationery package. Of course, you do not have to incorporate all of these elements into your wedding. It just depends on what you’ve got your heart set on and, of course,  what you are comfortable spending.

Before the wedding:

• Engagement announcement
• Engagement party invitation
• Save the date – Announces the date and location of a wedding.
• Wedding shower invitation

Announcing the wedding:

• Invitation – The focal point of your entire stationery package. Aside from the physical invitation, this ensemble should include some, if not all, of the following:
  • Reception card – Necessary if the reception is being held at a location that is different from the ceremony.
  • Response set* – Card and stamped envelope that guests fill out and mail back to RSVP.
  • Directions/map card – Detailed directions to all wedding-related venues.
  • Hotel card – Notes the address, price range, and phone number for hotels with rooms for guests.
  • Activity/itinerary card – Typically send out if most of your guests will be visiting from out of town.
  • Parking arrangement card – Informs guests that parking has been arranged in a nearby garage. Can also serve as an admission pass if parking fees have been prepaid.
  • Special transportation card – Informs guests of shuttle service to faraway or off-the-beaten-path sites.
  • Rain card – Notes an alternate venue in case of inclement weather. Appropriate for outdoor ceremonies.
  • Within-the-ribbon card – Identifies VIP guests such as grandparents to ushers.
  • Outer envelope – An addressed and stamped envelope.
  • Inner envelope* – An unsealed envelope that holds the invitation.
  • Calligraphy, printed addresses and reply address or address label
  • Custom postage
  • B-list invitation
  • Wedding party itinerary
  • Rehearsal dinner invitation
  • Post wedding brunch invitation

*Traditional etiquette calls for two large envelopes and a smaller envelope for the reply card. Although, a more modern approach has been taken with this formality. Most couples that I’ve worked with opt out of the inner envelope and, instead of a reply envelope, response postcards are sent out (eliminating the cost of the envelope and reducing the cost of postage).

For the big day:

• Welcome basket card/tag
• Program – Notes the names of your wedding party and any readings, songs or prayers in the ceremony.
• Menu – Lists the various courses and dishes served at a reception.
• Favor card/tag
• Escort card – Notes the table assignment for each guest. This is typically located near the entrance of the reception in alphabetical order.
• Place card – Indicates each guests’ assigned seat.
• Seating chart – Used in place of escort cards.
• Table numbers
• At-home card – Announces the newlyweds’ new address.
• Thank you note

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Jennifer Driscoll Photoshoot

So, as most of you know, I had the pleasure of having my invitations photographed by Jennifer Driscoll. Any of you brides who are looking for a photographer…She’s amazing! Not only is she incredibly talented, but she’s also wonderful to work with. Check out her blog featuring TEN:THIRTEEN design!

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Jennifer Driscoll Photoshoot

For those of you who don’t know….I love Jennifer Driscoll Photography! Jenn has become a great friend and an inspirational source for me. Recently, she shot all of my premier pieces for my new and improved website. Below is just a little taste of how brilliant she is (with a little help from me, of course).

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Back and Ready to Blog!

I’ve made the attempt to blog before, but staying consistent with it wasn’t in the cards…at the time. Now I’m back and ready to blog.

Many of you may already know of TEN:THIRTEEN design, but for those of you who don’t, here’s a little bit about me.

TEN:THIRTEEN design is a one-woman company dedicated to creating custom stationery, announcements and correspondence. If you have a vision of what your wedding day will look like, tell me, and I’ll help you create the wedding stationery to match. Each item will be uniquely designed to meet your expectations. I will assemble every piece from scratch. Papers will be hand selected, ribbons hand-tied with care, glued, cut, you name it. With strict attention to detail, I will make sure each invitation is unique and personalized just for you.

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