Invitation Maven

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Call Us Today: 424-666-1796

Engagement Party Invitations

Eloping Due to COVID-19: What to Consider

Due to Coronavirus (or COVID-19), couples more than ever are looking for information and guidance about eloping. I am always looking for good information to share with my readers. As it happens, I recently met Morgan Pirkle through a wedding industry networking group, and was excited to share her expertise with you. She is a … Read more

Ordering Custom Invitations – How Much Lead Time Do I Need?

Custom Invitations

I am often asked “How much lead time do you need to create a custom wedding invitation?” Well, the short answer is “It depends.” That may not sound very helpful, but every invitation design is unique, and because there is an almost endless choice of styles and printing techniques, the TYPE of invitation we’re creating largely dictates the amount of lead time we need.

However, here are some general guidelines to help you figure out your timeline for ordering custom invitations for your wedding or event. You’ll need to account for design and production time, as well as your mailing window. We’ll start with design and production. 

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Glossary of Invitation Terms

Words you should know when designing your party invitations and event stationery

When I meet with clients to design their custom invitations, I use a variety of terms to describe the different elements of an invitation suite and other pieces of event stationery. There are also terms relating to different printing techniques and different types of paper. Some terms are self explanatory and most people understand what they mean. Sometimes, however, there are terms that are common in my industry that some clients don’t know. To help make sure you’re an informed consumer, I created this glossary of terms that you can use when designing or ordering your party invitations and event stationery. The terms are divided into the following categories:

  • Printing Techniques and Treatments
  • Invitation Design
  • Invitation Suite, Stationery and Event Signage
  • Typeface and Fonts
  • Paper
  • Presentation, Binding and Packaging

Use this glossary to help you understand what it is you’re getting before you place your invitation order. It’s also useful to help explain what the different elements of an invitation suite are, and whether or not you should add something to your invitation ensemble.

If you have any questions about any of the terms in this glossary, or if you want help designing and ordering custom invitations, event stationery and signage for your event, I invite you to contact me at [email protected]. 

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Elegant Spanish Style Wedding Inspiration at Rancho Las Lomas

Invitation Maven was honored to participate in a styled shoot with an elegant Spanish-style wedding inspiration. The shoot took place at Rancho Las Lomas in Silverado, California, in Orange County and was published in Southern California Bride today!

Here’s a link to the article:

Elegant Spanish Style Wedding Inspiration at Rancho Las Palmas

Scroll through the photos to see the beautiful invitation suite I designed for this gorgeous and inspirational wedding location. And if you fall in love with any of the details you see, from the flowers to the attire to the make-up to the styling, all of the vendors who participated are listed at the bottom of the article. I am honored to be included among this very talented group! 

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Do It Yourself (DIY) versus Professional Invitations: Pros and Cons to Help You Decide What’s Best for You

Last month, I wrote about how to add unique and personal touches to your wedding or party décor with projects you do yourself (known as Do It Yourself, or DIY). The article was actually about how you can hire a professional to help you if you don’t think you can or don’t want to do the work yourself, but still want that personal touch at your party. This month, I thought I’d delve a little deeper into the Do It Yourself decision as it pertains to invitations, and present some pros and cons to help you decide whether or not you should make your own or hire a professional. This article will help you figure that out so you can set the right tone for your event.

INVITATION STYLE AND DESIGN

The invitation you choose for your event is largely based on how formal your event is and what tone and expectations you want to set for your guests. If you are throwing an elegant affair, you’ll probably want to have an invitation that imparts the formality of the event. Fancier invitations such as letterpress, foil stamping, laser cut designs, and printing on things other than paper (like plastic or wood), are not easily done from home. Ordering invitations from a professional company expands the range of papers and printing styles you can choose from. Also, if you have a specific design in mind, the best option is to

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Five Common Invitation Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When designing your custom event invitation, whether it’s for a wedding, bar mitzvah, fundraising event or milestone birthday, there are a lot of things to keep in mind. There’s more to it than simply creating the invitation and placing it in the envelope. Here are the top 5 mistakes most people make when creating their invitations and some tips about how to avoid them.

Mistake #1: Not including all the necessary information on the invitation

I find that some clients worry that their invitation includes too much information. However, I counter that it’s best to include all of the information your guests will need to know rather than leave something out for the sake of cutting out a few words. Of course, your invitation should include the basic details of the event such as the day and date of the event, the time the event starts, and the location of the venue, but don’t be afraid to include inserts with additional details. For example, one of the most common inserts is a Map and Directions card. Even though most cars and phones have navigation software to help guide guests to the location of your event, including a pre-printed map or printed directions in the invitation, especially if the venue is difficult to find, is a courtesy many guests will appreciate. 

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