How I saved money on my wedding invitations

Every couple needs to save money somewhere.  One of the ways I did this was through my wedding invitations.   Trust me, it wasn’t easy to pass on the gold foil print, laser cut details, and hand calligraphy addressed envelopes but I still feel like my invitations had character and quality. Here is how I did it:

Step 1: Shop Around

Determine where you want to get your invitations printed. It is important to know this ahead of time because your designer will need to know what size your invitations are going to be.  Believe it or not, each website may not offer all the sizes you are looking for or if they do, they may not offer the same finish in each of those sizes. For example, we chose with Vista Print and below is what we ordered.  (Other places to consider would be Zazzle, Kinkos, Office Max, etc.)

• Main Invitation for Ceremony - Flat Invitation - 5"x7" - Linen Finish
• Reception Card with Directions Printed on the Back - Flat Invitation - 5.5"x4" - Linen Finish
• RSVP Card - Flat Invitation - 5.5"x4" - Linen Finish
• Hotel Information Card - Signature Business Card - Linen Finish

Step 2: The Design

If you haven’t fallen into the Etsy trap yet, this will do it! I found someone to custom design my whole entire wedding suite… and then some! She worked with me on colors, fonts, wording, etc. Just go online to Etsy and search for anything along the lines of “Printable Wedding Invitation”. You can find plenty of great designers that will make a whole wedding suite for you starting around $20 and up.  Mine totaled about $70 for the entire design, but I had them create a few extra pieces, as well as, make custom designs for the front and back of each of my wedding pieces. Here are a few snapshots of the designs that the Etsy Designer (Melissa Ann Designs) made for me:

Note, before you confirm your design, make sure that you triple check spelling, dates, times, addresses, etc.!!! 

Step 3: Order Prints

You may have experienced with your Save The Dates that after you order, you received a promo code or coupons for your next purchase.  My advice to you is, if you can, order just a minimum number of invitations and wait for them to send you a coupon before you order the rest! I know it’s hard to wait, but you will enjoy the extra 20% or 40% off. Or maybe you will get lucky and catch a current online sale!

Also, before printing, you may also want to know where the “bleed line” falls.  In printing, the bleed area marks a small area at the edges of your card that isn’t a crucial part of the design. The diagram below provides an example of what I’m referring to.  You want a design that will fill the entire card but the darker interior should contain the crucial information and design you need.  After printing, the cutting may not be completely precise and some of the outside area may not make the cut.  Printers will specify how much bleed to use in your card.  

 

Once again, before you order, triple check everything, especially that all of your finishes match. 

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Step 4: Check Out Your Savings!!!!

We ordered 200 invitation suites total from Vista Print and, after applying an internet promo code, our subtotal was $305.  For this price, we got everything mentioned earlier in this blog including envelopes!  Add the $70 cost from Etsy for the design, and you’re looking at about $375.   

Then we checked to see what an apples to apples comparison would be from a popular wedding invitation site, such as Minted.com.  It would have cost us $1354. That is a total savings of $970!!!!! Just imagine all of the other wedding goodies you could buy with this! 

Hopefully this article has shined a light on one way you can save a little cash on your big day! 

Rhiannon Kirk 

All Events Planned 

Where Are They Now? - Chris & Maria Roberts

All Events Planned had the pleasure of being with Chris and Maria Roberts on their beautiful wedding day at the Hillbrook Country Club on October 19th, 2013.  Nearly three years later we are so happy to have had the opportunity to catch up with them and see how things are going.  And, WOW - How things have changed.  Check out our interview from Chris and Maria Roberts!

Q: What was your favorite or most memorable parts about the day? 

A: As the bride, one of the most memorable parts of the day was the first look with my dad and brother. The look on their faces when they saw me in my dress was a moment I will never forget. My mom did not know we were doing a first look so when she realized why my dad and brother were crying, she started crying (and laughing) too. It was a joyful moment. 

Also, since I did not do a first look with my husband, I was sure to pay attention when he saw me coming down the aisle during our ceremony! It was the most emotional I had ever seen him. It was also the moment I finally relaxed. The wedding day is quite nerve wracking, and seeing your love at the end of the aisle makes you remember what it's all about. 

We both really loved the end of the night as well. Everyone who stayed until the end all huddled together on the dance floor singing and dancing to one last song. Jumping, laughing, dancing and being merry. It was an overwhelming feeling of happiness and relief that it all went so well!

Q: How did you feel the day after your wedding?

A: Dehydrated! Even though drinks and food were offered to me, I really didn't consume enough water on my wedding day. It happens. But I was still so happy that I just pulled myself together, ate a big meal and we got ready to head on our road trip "mini moon" to the smoky mountains :)

Q: What was your first dance song and why did you choose it?

A: "Rhythm of Love" by the Plain White T's.  This kind of became "our song" after going to see Plain White T's at a concert that turned out to be some sort of adult prom...it was bizarre since everyone was in ball gowns and suits, and we were in jeans. We just laughed and played along. One of our best dating memories.

Q: What was the most fun/most stressful part of planning then?  Looking back now, would you have the same answer?

A: The most stressful part was finding the right venue. The problem was that I doubted my initial instinct and kept looking after we found it. There were just too many choices in front of me, and I felt like I had to make a decision immediately before the dates were all booked! 

The fun part was the food tasting! We brought my parents to our reception venue and so they were able to offer input and made me feel better about food choices. It was a relaxing and delicious way to spend a day of wedding planning :) Looking back, there were high and low moments for everything, but we always went with our instincts in the end so everything worked out just perfectly. 

  

Q: Have you moved since the wedding day?

A: Three months after our wedding, I moved to Hong Kong where my husband had been working for a year! We have been here ever since.

Q: What is the most exciting thing that’s happened since you’ve gotten married?

A: Besides moving to Hong Kong, we have a fur baby now :) The cutest pug in the world. I now wish he was around for our wedding, he would have made an excellent ring bearer!

Q: Have you traveled anywhere fun as Mr. & Mrs.?

A: Living in Hong Kong makes it so easy to travel around Asia! We have been to Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Korea, Macau, Taiwan, as well as a few other cities in China. We also just went to Munich for Oktoberfest (with a long layover in Istanbul)! Hoping to tick a few more countries off our bucket list before we move. We definitely caught the travel bug ;)

Q: What’s the most commonly asked question friends and family ask you after being married?

A: When are you moving back to the states and having a baby? Where will you move next? Is it difficult living in Hong Kong? You know, the usual questions =P

Q: What advice do you have for newlywed couples?

A: Relax! This is the time to have fun, and just be with each other. Don't let anyone pressure you into the "norm" of a married life (house, kids, etc). You just got married. You literally have your whole lives to figure it all out. Enjoy the ride and break away from the pack. We have SO enjoyed taking the road less traveled. 

Below are some pictures mostly from Chris and Maria's travels with a family pic thrown in. They added Oliver to the family just a month after moving to Hong Kong, when he was just two months old.  Isn't he cute!? 

Thank you so much for sharing, Chris and Maria! 

We wish you the best, and cant wait to catch up with you in another three years!

Where Are They Now- Tina & Joe

Over the last 16 years, All Events Planned has helped a countless number of couples with their wedding day. We have been there from the start to finish of the planning, wedding ceremony and reception. For the wedding planner, that is where it ends, but for the bride and groom, that is just where it starts.

With this in mind, we thought it would be fun to follow up with some of our past couples and see where they are now and how life has been since we said good-bye the night of the wedding reception.

The first couple we followed up with was Joe and Tina whose wedding was in 2010 at Park Lane Villa.  They had a glamours wedding at this amazing venue with a Sinatra Duo singing during cocktail hour to a crystal coated cake.  

Q: What was the most memorable part of the ceremony?

A: The exchange of vows was the most memorable part of the ceremony for us.

Q: Before the exchange of vows, there was the planning. What was fun part of the planning?

A: Cake tasting and checking out various venues for the reception!

Q: Most stressful part of planning?

A: The stressful side of planning was definitely dealing with our families, moms, who gets involved with the wedding details and the guest list.

Q: What advice do you have for brides currently planning their weddings?

A: Be organized, you can never start too early in the planning process.

Q: While overall Tina loved everything about her wedding day, if she had to change one thing it would have been….

A: We would have had our photographer make a wedding album. I was given a CD-ROM with full rights but I never found time to get an actual album made.

The wedding and reception is over and you’re finally married! The first day of married life is magical right?

Q: How did you feel the day after your wedding?

A: We were crazy tired.

That doesn’t mean that marriage hasn’t been fun for them, because it has.

Q: What has changed since your wedding day?

A: Since our wedding, we have enjoyed traveling together to Vancouver, British Columbia, Ireland and other places. On top of that, we have recently moved and welcomed our first child into the world, Baby Joe, who is now 19 months old.

With all that has transpired over 6 years of marriage and 10 years of being together, they had this advice to share with newlywed coupes….

 “Slow down and enjoy each other before jumping on the baby train.”

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, Tina and Joe! We wish you many more years of happiness!

Top 5 First Dance Moments from All Events Planned Weddings

Top 5 First Dance Moments from All Events Planned Weddings

You did it! You are officially married and ready to celebrate married life. However, before everyone can join in the celebration, the couple gets to have their first dance. The timeless wedding tradition symbolizing the couple coming together as one to share a dance alone with family and friends surrounding them smiling. It’s always fun to see what the couple will do; a serious choreographed dance, something silly or simply holding each other swaying to the music.

Over the years, we have seen some very sweet first dances and are lucky enough to share them.

In 2010, Lisa and Josh share a laugh during their first dance at the Conrad Botzum Farmstead.

In 2011, at the Club at Key Center, Nataya and Louis shared a romantic kiss during their time alone on the dance floor.
Photo Credit: Spencer Photography

In 2011, Margaret and Todd elegantly twirled across the dance floor at Signature of Solon Country Club as family and friends smiled and applauded for their new life together.
Photo Credit: Sugar Bush Design

In 2014, Kevin and Katie couldn’t stop smiling during their first dance! Their excitement and happiness filled the Mayfield Sand Ridge Club as they celebrated the start of their married life.
Photo Credit: Z Media

In 2015, Emily and Steve shared a quiet moment together as they graced the dance floor for their first dance at Silver Grille.
Photo Credit: Justin K. Photography

A Classic Wedding at the Old Courthouse

On April 2, All Events Planned helped Alana and David with their beautiful wedding at the Old Courthouse. The couple chose a classic color palette for their wedding featuring golds, creams and purples. Gold table cloths and cream napkins were the perfect backdrop for the mix of high and low floral centerpieces. Whether you were seated at a table with stunning gold candelabras or a classic arrangement, the mix of white and purple hydrangeas and roses were perfection!

-Nataya Harris

All Events Planned

Technology and the Planning Process: Saving you Money and Removing Stress 1 Click at a Time!

With all the technology we have at our fingertips, it’s not surprising that there would be hundreds of apps and websites to help brides get ideas, find the best deals, read blogs and help plan their weddings.  Thanks to the Huffington Post and some personal research, we now know the top apps and websites that will help you along the way to your wedding day.

Guesterly (https://www.guesterly.com/)

This is a website helps you create mini magazines or booklets with information about your wedding day.  You can fill the book with pictures, fun/funny facts about the bride and groom etc.

How it works: the bride and groom come up with a questionnaire for their guests to pick questions from and answer.  The guests choose questions they want to answer, upload a picture of themselves and guesterly turns all the responses into a booklet for all the guests to have the day of the wedding.

“Couples love that a guesterly makes everyone feel like old friends. And their guests say it ups the fun factor and makes the wedding more memorable.”

Wedding Spot (http://www.wedding-spot.com/)

If you’re trying to find a venue that you can get the best deal for-this website is for you.  Wedding Spot allows couples to compare venues side by side including amenities and price.  Couples can type in specific keywords for what they are looking for. 

Benefit: Couples are able to see a variety of venues and find out information about them without having to call or email all of the venues.

Squarespace (https://www.squarespace.com/tour/wedding-website)

A website to create your very own customized wedding website! Squarespace now offers unique website templates just for weddings.  For only $8.00 a month, couples can create a unique website to keep all the information that their guests need to know.

“Create a beautifully designed, mobile-friendly wedding website that will be a joy for friends and family to visit. Collect mailing addresses and RSVPs, post photos to your blog, and share important information with ease.”

Pretty Pear Bride (http://prettypearbride.com/)

Pretty Pear Bride is the only website and magazine catering to the plus size bride.  This site lets brides get inspiration for wedding dresses, accessories, photo shoots and hear about weddings from other plus size brides.

The site was created by Shafonne Myers, a certified wedding planner and plus size bride. “Pretty Pear Bride was started as a site where plus size brides can find bridal inspiration that THEY long for. So many people planning their weddings struggle with finding inspiration that includes images that look like them.  Everyone wants to see people that look like them, doing what they are trying to do because it allows them to envision that they can be just as glamorous and gorgeous as they imagined. So the mission was clear: merge a love for blogging and wedding planning with creating a place for plus size brides to see themselves in wedding inspiration.”

AllSeated (http://www.allseated.com/)

Welcome to the 21^st century of seating charts for your wedding! That’s exactly what AllSeated is.  The website takes the floor plan of the reception venue and lets you choose how to arrange the room.  All the details of the dance floor, tables, chairs, bar etc. are there for you to design.  It also lets you keep track of RSVPs and guest list.

“We save you time and make life simple.” –isn’t that what every bride needs during the planning process?

Brideside (http://brideside.com/)

Finally the website to help bridesmaids everywhere! No two bridesmaids are built exactly alike which means when it comes time to shop for bridesmaid dresses, it’s anything but easy.  Brideside’s fit algorithm, try-at-home program and fit videos, your girls are sure to wear bridesmaid dresses that fit like a glove!

Check out the gallery on their website and see the magic for yourself!

BevMo (http://www.bevmo.com/weddings)

Of course there’s a website to help supply you with the best part of the reception-the booze! That’s right, BevMo is a website that helps you calculate how much alcohol you need for your reception. The site also has party planning tips to help you learn more about choosing drinks for your party, including cocktail recipes, measurement guides, and wine pairing advice.

How it works: Once you register, for free, on the site you are assigned a beverage expert. He or she will find a local BevMo store where you can go for a private beer and wine tasting to help you choose the right wines for your wedding.

Nearly Newlywed (http://www.nearlynewlywed.com/)

If you have a budget for your wedding dress that seems hard to keep, this is the website for you.  Nearly Newlywed is a website that sells a selection of gowns from “nearly new” starting at $700 to brand new around $2000. Most of the dresses come from top name brands! They even send you dresses to try on and ones that you don’t like you can send back-basically they have taken the fear of online shopping for wedding dresses out of the equation and have made dresses more reasonably priced.

“The Nearly Newlywed way… a better way to shop bridal.”

The Bach (http://thebach.com/)

The Bach is your go to place to plan your Bachelorette Party! It can help you find places nationwide for your party.  Once you select your location the site then gives you information about recommended restaurants, bars, spas, adult entertainment, transportation and other activities.

“At The Bach we know that modern brides and bridesmaids are busy juggling thriving careers and active social lives. Planning a fun and exciting bachelorette party can be incredibly time consuming, and we are here to help you streamline the process.”

Happily Ever Borrowed (http://www.happilyeverborrowed.com/)

If you are looking for the final accessories to complete the look for your wedding day-look no further than Happily Ever Borrowed.  This website has partnered with designers such as Enchanted Atelier & Elizabeth Bower, and has curated a special collection of veils, tiaras, headpieces and jewelry to “frost yourself” on your special day.  You simply select the item you would like and rent it for your wedding, after that you ship it back to them to be cleaned for the next bride.

HitchSwitch (https://www.hitchswitch.com/)

Can’t wait to take his last name but don’t want to deal with all the paperwork? This is the website for you. HitchSwitch provides a simple full-service solution that guides you through the process. Just fill out the quick EasyForm online then they’ll send you your personalized name change forms that come with step-by-step instructions and pre-paid addressed envelopes. You can call or email them directly in case you have questions along the way.

How helpful is that?!

Postable (https://www.postable.com/)

So the wedding is over and you’ve opened all your wedding gifts….now it’s thank you note time! If you aren’t fond of putting pen to paper and writing hand written notes then this is the website for you.  Postable lets you type out your personalized thank you messages and then select from a variety of fonts (most of them are handwritten fonts) and ecofriendly card designs.

Appy Couple (http://www.appycouple.com/)

Now you can have a wedding website and app to keep track of it all too! Keep RSVPs organized and keep your guests up-to-date on your wedding. 

How it works: you design the app, post information and invite your guests to download the app too.  Whatever update is posted on the app will also update your wedding website.

“The stylish wedding website and app. Everything you need in one place. The way it's meant to be.”

Bottom line-there are lots of ways to take the stress out of wedding planning! That’s what All Events Planned is here for as well as all the websites we researched above.  I hope you found this helpful and will consider using some of these websites and apps.

Happy Planning!

-All Events Planned

www.alleventsplanned.com