CT-Designs Calligraphy and Wedding Stationery

Peek-A-Boo: Utilizing the Backside of the Wedding Invite

noreply@blogger.com (Christy Toney) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:14:00 +0000

Happy #WeddingWednesday! Wanted to highlight a part of your invitation that's not usually talked about. The backside. The back of your save the date, shower or wedding invitation is an area that can be utilized. Don't be afraid of the back! The backs can feature rich, robust, bold and fun patterns that give your stationery a bit of whimsy! This touch is unexpected and the "unexpected" in stationery is typically what will distinguish your paper from the ordinary.

Taking the colors from peony motif on the front, the backside of this
invite alternates them into a very strong striped pattern
From: WeddingPaperDivas.com

Another fun idea is to continue the exact pattern on the front and then flood the back
with it... From: WeddingPaperDivas.com

Save the Dates by CT-Designs
Polka dots on the back are ALWAYS a fun idea...

A few things to think about when considering a pattern:

Typically, if you make sure your background pattern picks up the same colors from the design/motif on the front, there will still be some continuity.
Popular patterns are stripes, damask, florals, interlocking patterns, polka dots and solids.
Don't be afraid to try to tie in this pattern with a fun envelope liner...

Take care til' next time!

--ct

Fun Wedding Paper D.I.Y. Ideas

noreply@blogger.com (Christy Toney) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:08:00 +0000

*Yawn* good morning guys and happy Monday. Congrats to the NY Giants on winning Super Bowl XLVI! We watched, "Cruz-salsa'd" and are happy for NYC in Chicago!

Found some D.I.Y. paper ideas you can use NOW... Think I'm going to later share some great Wedding D.I.Y. Pinterest boards I've discovered. There are not as many as you would think, but I managed to uncover some "best kept secrets" out there I think are worth your time.

Enjoy these ideas and have great weeks! I'll be back on Wednesday.
Take care,--ct

Wrap craft paper around matchbooks and write guests names out so
that they double as place cards. Functional, there are multiple uses for matches,
and guests are sure to hang on to these.
From: MarthaStewartWeddings

Not an actual craft project, but the table assignment process
takes so long, this idea should help things along!
From: http://viv-spot.blogspot.com/

From a "Library-themed" birthday party... GREAT ideas that
will add a special touch to your decor if appropriate!
From: Saraspartyperfect.com

D.I.Y. envelopes from vintage books!
From: Intimate Weddings

Three Wedding Guest Book Alternatives

noreply@blogger.com (Christy Toney) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:36:00 +0000

Happy Friday! Today's blog features three alternatives to the standard wedding guestbook. So much fun to be had with paper, decor and personalization, it feels endless. The following ideas purposely span vastly different wedding styles/themes. Hope these are great finds for you!

Carnation Ball! How pretty is this? Fun display. I'd probably suggest having

the paper for the names/well wishes to be larger and on card stock vs. a text weight.
From: WeddingsbyColor.com

Adding a beautiful tree, with ample decor always adds interest. My favorite
part of this display is the ornate frame. It just screams calligraphy
and is another clear opportunity for you to personalize your day.
From: Cedarwoodweddings.com

If having a vintage, rustic or shabby chic affair, consider placing
your instructions to your guests inside an old typewriter. Nice touch,
functional, and adds to your decor.
From: Cedarwoodweddings.com

Enjoy the pics and enjoy your weekends! I'll be back on Monday!

Take care,

--ct

An Intimate Bridal Affair at Hotel Palomar

noreply@blogger.com (Christy Toney) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:52:00 +0000

I had the pleasure of attending a bridal event produced by Glitz Event Design. I don't usually get a chance to blog about events that I attend, but this one had such interesting vendors and such a spectacular look that I thought it was noteworthy. This is by no means an exhaustive list of who exhibited at this event. Visit An Intimate Bridal Affair for a complete listing.

1. Peggy Lambert of Erickson Design 2. Joe Chambers from ChicagoStye Weddings Magazine

3. Chicago Wedding Candy Buffet by Donna G. 4. Carol Woldhaus, CW Designs, Bernard Presutti, Planner of the Bride and Danielle Ruggiero, Make-up artist 5. CWDesigns/Planner of the Bride table display

6. Hand Painted Chair backer decor detail, CWDesigns 7. Complimentary Henna Tattos by Unnati'Z Art

8. Closeup of the Henna 9. Live Belly dance performance 10. Christine Jackson and Lisa Pugliese from Wedding Guide Chicago 11. Ola O. Morin-Muhammed, CEO/Art-Director of IJORERE, The Invitation, Inc. 12. Live wedding gown model (Jenny Yoo Collection & Dame Couture) 13. Live illustrations by the fabulous Rosemary Fanti 14. This event's brainchild: Candace Polk, founder and CEO of Glitz Event Design (thanks Candace, everything was wonderful, great job)

An Intimate Bridal Affair boasted some of Chicago's "best kept secret" suppliers and had an edgy, moroccan vibe. The Hotel Palomar is also a wonderful venue for a special event. Very intimate, with a River North locale, we had no problem finding the venue, or surprisingly street parking.

Thanks again so much Candace for exposing us to such a great collection of wedding partners.Take care til' next time and have a happy #WeddingWednesday!
--ct

Vintage Key Wedding Ideas

noreply@blogger.com (Christy Toney) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:14:00 +0000

Good Morning! On my pinterest travels, I've discovered some fun uses of keys with wedding stationery, and just HAD to share a few on the blog today. If you are having a vintage or shabby chic inspired wedding, consider some of these ideas.

Guests place card tags attached to string, affixed to keys. Looks like they
are hung against a distressed wall. Love this look.
From: Brides.com

Same concept, however the vintage look is more authentic with the browned
edges and hand lettering.
From: StyleMePretty.com

Not just used on place cards, this adorable save the date tag features
a large vintage skeleton key. Sure to be hung somewhere cool by your
wedding guests...
From: Unisoneventplanners.com

Quaint key bottle opener wedding favor
myweddingfavorsetc.com

Cute way to showcase key tags... Instead of distressed wood, why not affixed to a vintage frame?
cedarwoodweddings.com

Enjoy the pics and have good weeks! I'll be back on Wednesday.

--ct

Address Your Guests ...In Chalk

noreply@blogger.com (Christy Toney) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:35:00 +0000

Happy Friday! Wanted to wrap up this busy week by offering up a primer on chalk. You've seen them. Whether its cute signage pointing guests towards the reception, or menus putting guests in the mind of a charming little French bistro, chalk and chalkboards have become a popular centerpiece at weddings.

What about the guests though? I haven't seen enough emphasis placed on the personalized items utilizing this hip and cool medium. Take a look at some of the great ideas I found.

Shabby Chic setup with die-cut chalk place cards

Heart shaped chalk affixed to mason jars

Chalkboard Place Card Eggs (yes, eggs... who knew?)

Etsy.com

Cute tags with chalk

Little Heart Chalkboards

...Also thought it was important for you DIY'ers out there to know just how this look is achieved.

How-To Chalk Basics:

You can purchase chalk contact paper in rolls and can therefore trim it and apply it to the surface of your choice. Place cards, pre-cut hearts, etc.
Regular chalk can be messy... You might want to consider a sort of "wet-erase" marker that has a distressed, rough chalk appearance. Pros: You can achieve the proper look, and you won't have to worry about how to transport or rub off Cons: I haven't been able to find a fine tip so delicate work is difficult to achieve.

Amazon is a great place to buy the contact paper; Dick Blick's is nice for the
chalk markers... I prefer the Pentel brand.

Please share any other tips you have about fun with chalk! Take care and have good weekends... I'll be back on Monday.
--ct

Intro graphic credit: www.unitedwithlove.com

Calligraphy Season Starting Early in 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Christy Toney) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:28:00 +0000

Another season within the wedding season is known as calligraphy season. This is really a sub-season that goes hand-in-hand with invitation season, however CT-Designs is being flooded with inquiries, which don't typically begin until late February/early March.

We love it and will be doing some more instructional blogs on hand lettering as the season goes on. I am HOPING to do some D.I.Y. video on the technique as well, but we'll see! If you get a moment, please check out my guest blog at After All Is Done Events, which is a calligraphy primer of sorts. Some good information and worth your time.

Because of the recent spike in inquiries, I thought it was appropriate to market our two calligraphy sample pack listings available on our Etsy Shop:

CT-Designs (Regular Sample Kit)

CT-Designs (Deluxe Sample Kit)

One of my recommendations, when shopping for a calligrapher, is to always secure physical samples if you have the time to review. If you'd like a closer look at our work, purchase a pack today!

Enjoy the samples and this #WeddingWednesday... Have great days everyone and I'll be back on Friday!

--ct

Key Dates For Your Wedding Stationery

noreply@blogger.com (Christy Toney) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:19:00 +0000

Happy Monday! We are plowing through the month of January huh? Can't believe how quickly time is going by. Thinking about time inspired this latest blog, which tackles the amount of time you should allot for the development and production of your custom wedding stationery.

Its rather easy to get "stuck" in the design and layout portion of your creative, particularly when there are multiple stakeholders weighing in with opinions/direction. I can't stress how important it is to:

Allot a certain amount of time to conception/development.
Stick to a schedule and if you find that you get off by a few days, revisit.
Be strict about this. Designers, don't be hesitant to submit a revised timeline and clients should ask how additional changes are impacting originally agreed upon dates.

These times will obviously differ based on the invitation company. These are our guidelines and what we have found to work well:

Custom Invitation Suite (approx. 45 days)

Initial layouts - 3-5 days
Initial feedback - 2-3 days
Edits (2-3 rounds) - 2 weeks or 10 business days
Finalization (preparing files for press, gathering fonts, last minute edits) - 2-3 days
Physical Proof - 3-4 days
Approval of physical proof - 2 days
Invitation Suite in Production - 4 weeks
Invites Mail - 8-10 weeks in advance of your wedding date

"Day of" Stationery Items (Content typically finalized much closer to your event date)

Ceremony Programs – Should be started no later than 4 weeks in advance of your date (or earlier)
Table Number Cards/Tents – Should be started no later than 4 weeks in advance of your date (or earlier)
Escort Cards (it takes time to get the RSVPs back and do the table assignments) - Should be started no later than 3 weeks in advance of your date (or earlier)
Menus (sometimes it takes a while to get the menu locked down) Should be started no later than 3 weeks in advance of your date (or earlier)

That about covers it... If you are sending out Save the Dates, they should go out 8-10 months in advance of your big day.

Take care and make it a great week. I'll be back on Wednesday!
--ct

DIY Wedding Skills

noreply@blogger.com (Christy Toney) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:51:00 +0000

Happy Friday! Wanted to do a little primer for the D.I.Y. bride... Do you understand folds? Know why scoring your paper prior to folding it is important? If you keep some little things in mind as you put together your materials, your paper products will be neater and more consistent from element to element.

Please refer to the paper primer post to become familiar with other paper terms you should know.

Any paper that has to be folded, should be scored first with a bone folder
and a straight edge. If you don't drag this tool along the paper and loosen the fibers, your
folded edge will look cracked, messy and unfinished.
DON'T skip this step. Also, folding cover stock over once (in half)
is referred to as a single fold or a bi-fold.

Paper that requires two folds, or folds that fold in on themselves
is referred to as a roll-fold, tri-fold or letter fold. Remember
the scoring principles...

Creating a program? Need holes for your ribbon to be pulled through?
Score your paper first, and use a ruler to measure where your holes
will be punched. They should be equidistant at the top and the bottom.
This way, when all of your finished programs are in a basket,
or stacked at the ceremony location, all of your bows, from program to program
are in the same spot. Measuring your holes makes for a very nice presentation.

Z-folding paper is a money saving option. Z-folding allows you to
only print on one side of your paper. You then score the paper twice
and fold it in a "z" shape. The first panel is the cover, and guests
pull it open and read it from left to right. Better and more interesting
than a two-sided element.

If you are not using ribbon and prefer to staple your spines,
you can perform your own "saddle-stitch" by purchasing an affordable
long reach stapler from Office Max. Make sure you still score the spines
and the 4-page spread edges (inside panel) are trimmed about 1/8"
shorter than the covers. This way, you won't have to worry about
the inside spread potruding from the cover once book is closed shut.

I'll be sharing more tips as we get into the season. Take care til' next time and have great weekends!

--ct

3 More Wedding Calligraphy Uses

noreply@blogger.com (Christy Toney) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:19:00 +0000

I've found three more uses for your wedding calligraphy! We always discuss envelopes, place cards and guestbooks, but there are soooo many more different cute and unique ways you can personalize items for your big day! Let's unwrap three more...

Place "stones" by CT-Designs. I lettered these stones for a wedding reception held at
the Adler Planetarium here in Chicago.
Great idea if you are getting married outdoors and wind is a concern!

Calligraphy (and watercolor) on maps and save the dates is gaining momentum.
There are also some gorgeous ones on Etsy. This one is by Designs by Robyn Love.

Tags are a GREAT idea for your wedding. So many items you can wrap these guys around.
These can be wrapped around favors, used as hanging place cards, etc.
Photo credit: olderandwisor.blogspot.com

Enjoy the ideas, this lovely #WeddingWednesday and I'll be back on Friday!

Take care,

--ct

CT-Designs Quoted in ChicagoStyle Weddings

noreply@blogger.com (Christy Toney) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 15:22:00 +0000

I'm proud to announce that CT-Designs was quoted in the January supplement of Chicago Style Weddings Magazine (2012 Trend Report). We shared our wonderful experience working with brides and their skyline/landscape themed Save the Dates. Our Etsy shop gives us great opportunities to work with local and national brides and we are excited entering what looks to be our busiest wedding season yet!

Page S-12

Page S-14

Take care and have great and productive weeks! I'll be back on Wednesday.

--ct

Wedding Terminology: Vintage and Rustic

noreply@blogger.com (Christy Toney) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:34:00 +0000

Happy Friday! Still breaking down thematic terms for your wedding paper. Earlier this week, I discussed Shabby Chic and Art Deco. Today's terms: Vintage and Rustic...

There has almost been a pre-occupation with this style in the wedding world, especially in the last 4 years... Part of this influence can be attributed to trends occurring elsewhere (i.e. fashion, interiors). We should also consider the popularity of certain wedding blogs, photographers and industry tastemakers such as Style Me Pretty.

There has been such an accelerated desire to borrow from earlier periods, that we may be accused by our successors of not having properly celebrated our own.

I'm actually a fan of this look so I'm not a wedding blogger that you'll find railing against all things vintage! I will say that you shouldn't just choose it, or get talked into it for no reason. It should be something you really love and a feeling that authentically reflects you and your partner.

I decided to focus on vintage and rustic together, because they typically go hand in hand. When thinking about your paper for both, think: Distressed paper, browns, circus fonts, ornate frames and corners, distressed type and old fashioned fonts.

How is this look achieved?
The best way to develop authentic looking vintage paper for your wedding is to look at actual documents (i.e. train tickets, posters, post cards, etc.) from earlier periods and be creative about re-purposing them.

Is this a theme you want to explore?
Maybe... Honestly this theme started out with couples who either wanted to be ironic, or who REALLY had connections with this period. This look is perfect for writers, history buffs, professors, etc. Ask yourself why you are passionate about this look. Just really put some thought into this before you decide to plop an antique typewriter on your guest book table. This IS becoming a look that has been out there a good little while.

Postcard: KJohnstonCreative | Thank You: Nostalgic Imprints | Detail: emsquaredstudio | Ticket: JamieKonet
Many of the vendors who specialize in this look offer GREAT recycled paper alternatives, please inquire.

Enjoy the pics and have great weekends everybody!
--ct

Wedding Theme Terminology: Art Deco

noreply@blogger.com (Christy Toney) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:52:00 +0000

Continuing to demystify some of the wedding theme jargon. Monday, I broke down the term "shabby chic". Today I'd like to tackle Art Deco.

What does it mean?

Art Deco refers to a bold decorative style characterized by geometric patterns, graphic colors, and similar to shabby chic, also has a heavy influence in furniture/architecture. This style saw its height of popularity during the 20's and 30's.

How is it achieved?
Coupling art deco inspired fonts, along with some patterns/motifs will achieve the look. Below are some graphic examples as well as fonts.

"Art Deco Motif" is a font that features only art deco characters...
Wonderful for creating stationery with the art deco feeling

Examples of Art Deco fonts coupled with design elements

Many of the Art Deco fonts can be found free through a basic google search

Is this a theme you want to explore?

I've had couples who were into architecture desire this look. I've also seen an interest by those who want their theme/materials to "borrow" from a different era without opting for the (now) overused vintage styles.

Wedding Theme Terminology: Shabby Chic

noreply@blogger.com (Christy Toney) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:30:00 +0000

Good Morning! Hope you all had outstanding weekends. Today I want to begin a series that will start to demystify some of the popular wedding jargon and terms that are being tossed about today. No need to pretend that you understand what these terms mean while your planner or stationer is excitedly rattling off ideas in a somewhat foreign, "wedding-ese" type dialect... Make sure you know what they are talking about so everyone is on the same page!

Today's term: Shabby Chic

Ornate corners, brownish backgrounds, chandeliers, stripes and frames are
all under the Shabby Chic umbrella!

What does it mean?
Shabby Chic refers to a type of design that pulls elements from historical design periods. The more worn, old and distressed the elements are, the better! Think: wood, canvas or burlap backgrounds. Chandeliers, dated florals or baroque frames.

How is it achieved?
Those historical, "shabby" elements are then coupled/mixed with softer, minimalistic elements that balance the old with the more elegant and polished. Think: Stripes, modern/contemporary fonts, muted color palettes.

Is this a theme you want to explore?
You might... Ask yourself if you are a fan of historical pieces. Do you like the distressed look? Do you think that it is appropriate for a wedding? Finally, what kind of feeling do you want your nuptials to have?

I think that Shabby Chic designs can be brilliant and are more interesting than just "another" vintage theme. Vintage is basically just the "shabby" portion of shabby chic. In terms of your paper and fonts, the possibilities are endless and the theme can be used inside any season.

Please enjoy some of the pics I gathered for inspiration and I'll be back on Wednesday!

Photo credits: Key with calendar | Save the Date with phonograph | Chandeliers | Striped Stationery

--ct

Wedding Photo Thank You Cards

noreply@blogger.com (Christy Toney) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 15:46:00 +0000

Happy Friday! Wanted to share a cute and fun idea with you today. I had three clients that utilized nice "money" shots from their wedding albums, to use on the inside AND outside of their thank you cards.

Nice way to show off new pics of you and your partner! The biggest challenge you will probably face here is which photos to use!

Gorgeous, sepia toned photo of Aneesa and her hubby James

Married in Punta Cana... The wedding party and guest count was
small enough to fit onto one photo. That's the photo they chose to use on the inside.

Denedra and Eron elected to have their cover shot be in full color and the inside
b/w... Just need to decrease the opacity of the picture to ensure legibility of the inner message

Helen and her new hubby elected to go with a more crafty Thank You card!
They actually provided me with actual wallet sized photos and we mounted
them onto metallic card stock prior to mounting them to the actual cards.
Keepsake quality for sure!

Feel free to steal these ideas and make them your own! Have good weekends and I'll be back on Monday!

--ct

Wedding Invitation Resources

noreply@blogger.com (Christy Toney) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:16:00 +0000

Good Morning! Wanted to share some resources today for your invitations... Still resuscitating older posts. I've done SO much blogging in the last year, and I want to make sure I put the best in front of you guys! The links below will connect you to pertinent posts that relate to most everything you'll need to know about your Paper, invitations, fonts and more!

Enjoy!
--ct

Printing Your Wedding Invitations: 2012 Edition

noreply@blogger.com (Christy Toney) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 14:54:00 +0000

Happy New Year! This is a repost from a couple of seasons ago with a few updates... We are re-entering invitation season, let's go!

Around this time, circa 2010, I highlighted the current “season within the wedding season” that most brides have found themselves in -- printing the invitations. I explored basic distinctions between solid and process colors, cover and text weight stocks.

Its 2012, and I'd like to re-introduce readers to our “mini-glossary” of printing terms. After this installment, you will be well on your way to discussing your invitations with your stationer or printer.

DIFFERENT PRINTING METHODS
There are multiple printing methods available to you that you should consider before actually sending your invitations to press.

Lithography (LE THA GRAFEE) or Offset Printing
This method of printing is one of the most popular. It involves burning the image or artwork to four separate plates, a cyan plate, a magenta plate, a yellow plate and a black plate. Some presses have enough stations to accommodate solid ink plates as well. Stock is fed through the press and the image is transferred or “offset” onto a blanket from the plate and from the blanket to the stock.

Pros: Ink coverage is of a superior quality. Great for achieving consistency on creative that has solid blocks of color.

Cons: Setup costs are expensive and will be your main cost driver. Typical invitation quantities of 150 to 300 are usually considered too small for Lithography printing, unless solid colors are absolutely necessary. Contract proofs (which I recommend for accurately reviewing color) also add to your costs and are on average $75 and up.

Digital Printing
Extremely popular printing method for a short run! Digital presses usually use toner-based inks and do not require plates. The setup costs for digital quality prints are low and you essentially pay for stock used + ink.

Pros: Perfect for qtys ranging from 25 – 500. Invitation and other wedding stationery elements typically fall right into this category. Proof costs are minimal and can be output as a “one off” from the press onto the stock you have selected.

Cons: Ink coverage and quality is not as nice and rich as lithography, and solid colors cannot be achieved through the digital printing process. CMYK only!

Engraving
Engraving is without a doubt, the most expensive method of printing your invite. Text and images are etched onto a copper plate, and your stock “kisses” the plate. The area where the image and text are become raised. The test for true engraving is to check the back of the stock. You will see an actual indentation on the back of the stock from the plate.

dolcepress.com

Pros: You can be confident that you are using the most traditional method of printing your invitations. Engraving will provide the highest quality.

Cons: Invitation costs will skyrocket. Budget conscious brides will find this method to be cost prohibitive.

Thermography (THUR MAH GRAFEE) Printing
Beautiful after execution, thermography printing also features lettering that is RAISED. The process occurs on press and involves spreading thermal powders on the wet ink and heating it. The area that has been treated with the powder dries into a solid mass, hence, the dimension.

blog.tinyprints.com

theletteredset.com

Pros: Often referred to as the “poor mans engraving”, this method is cheaper than engraving and gives your invitations an “all too important” feel and look!

Cons: Because the raised lettering effect occurs on press, there is no way to REALLY inspect the proof prior to the press run. A small intangible, but I like to show my clients everything!

Letterpress

The opposite effect of engraving and thermography is letterpress. It is relief printing. Steel backed plates with raised metal type are pressed into thick, high-quality stock. The result is usually a beautiful motif and type indentation that is filled with ink. Read tips from Accucolor Printing on what works and what doesn’t when designing for letterpress. Also, check out a video of a letterpress machine in action! The machines are dinosaurs, but in fact it was a popular method of printing for over 500 years!

plushinvitations.squarespace.com

Pros: There are so many beautiful combinations of letterforms and artwork that can be effective for letterpress printing; I believe the bride that elects this method will end up with the most tactile invitation that guests are sure to interact with.

Cons: Costs… Design and printing of letterpress can be very costly, especially if your quantity is over 100.

Finally, these are some miscellaneous red flags that you should keep in mind. You may need to raise these questions with your printer/stationer based on the nature of your invite:

If there needs to be heavy ink coverage on your invitation, ask about the finish... Will it be shiny or will have an uncoated look? If you don't want a shiny finish, then ask if any kind of coating can be used to achieve the finish that you want...
Should there be a concern about ink ruboff on envelopes if working with blacks or dark navy?
What is the best printing method based on the design that you have chosen?
Is a physical proof of your invitation materials on the stock that you've selected available prior to printing? If so, is there a cost for this?
Are there recycled stock/paper options for your invitation?
Are there discounts available for placing an order for everything up front (i.e. thank you cards, menus, etc.)?

These questions will remind the vendors involved that you have done your research and you DO know what you are talking about!

Take care and congrats to all the NEWLY engaged out there. Flash that ring and enjoy!!!

Passport-Palooza: Anatomy of the Wedding Passport Invitation

noreply@blogger.com (Christy Toney) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 16:56:00 +0000

As we head into "invitation season" I thought I'd start it out with a bang. You love 'em, I love 'em, guests love to receive them, its the: The Destination Passport Themed Invitation.

Cover

The cover of your passport can be as formal or as fun as you would like it. I've seen invitations that have attempted to stick very closely with the traditional passport cover and then others have just broken all the rules. "Passport to Love", "Destination Bliss", "United in Love"... All of these titles are frequently seen on the cover. Additionally, list the couple's names, date and location of wedding.

The more elements you pick up from the actual passport, the more effective your invitation will be

Travel Arrangements

Sometimes you can drive your guests to your wedding website for information concerning travel arrangements, you can simply suggest places to go to book travel or you can actually point them to a travel agent. If going the travel agent route, its nice to have a page that details all of that information so guests will have everything they need to get started booking travel.

Couple Page

Everyone loves the couples page... This page can be as detailed as you want it to be. I've seen these pages stick pretty closely to the picture page formats in passports, but I've also seen them display very different info. Some very personal, some not so personal... Its up to you as a couple what you want to share about yourselves.

Sharing the most basic information

Expanded information can also be accommodated

Resort Info

This is a great spot to whet your guests appetite about the resort. You can use photos, indicate any special dress codes, number of restaurants, etc.

Schedule of Events

Maybe you have a welcome bonfire, rehearsal dinner, cocktail party... List everything that is going on here since typically these destination affairs span 3-4 days. Nice way to organize your activities.

These are just a few things that you can do... If you still need filler pages, think about having a page full of stamps or a page for your guests to take notes! Have fun with this, as it will become a keepsake you cherish for years to come.

Top Wedding Pinterest Boards

noreply@blogger.com (Christy Toney) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 15:43:00 +0000

Yes, I took Monday 12.26 off! I was basking in the holiday break and also taking in NBA games, which have returned with a vengeance... How insane was the Bulls at Lakers game on Christmas? Go Bulls!

Also, we are slowly moving out of Save the Date season and entering Invitation season so stay tuned for plenty of planning posts to help you navigate this task!

In the meantime, I wanted to share some of my favorite Pinterest boards! These are worth your time, check them out...

Dejanae Events has a spectacular Wedding Cake board with 105 pins!

Calligraphy board by yours truly....

Why start from scratch when you can comb through
The Perfect Palette's color palette library of 215 pins!

Lauren Grove of Every Last Detail has the largest
repository of escort cards and seating ideas I've seen.

Aglow Weddings and Events has an outdoor wedding board
that boasts 147 pins, I'm not kidding... Check it out!

This D.I.Y. Wedding Pinterest Board has SO many unique ideas...
Have some time available when you peruse this one!

For the bride who likes a little bling, Antoinette from After All Is Done
Events has a must see board with lots of sparkle!

Happy Holidays From CT-Designs

noreply@blogger.com (Christy Toney) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 16:09:00 +0000

I am such a scrooge this year... No tree, no decor and am working straight through the holidays! My only reprieve will come Christmas Day when there will be FIVE NBA games airing, signaling the triumphant return of hoops!

I thought I'd at LEAST decorate my blog since everywhere else seems so bare. Have safe, wonderful holidays everyone and I'll be back on Monday!

Making Bracelets for a Cause: Butter Kup Reloaded

noreply@blogger.com (Christy Toney) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 15:42:00 +0000

I attended my third Butter Kup Spa Collection Event on December 7th and was delighted to discover that the company's founder, Erika Bracey is using her network and influence to raise money for a worthy cause. After surviving a cancer diagnosis last year, Erika is now selling bracelets to help others who are under-insured and need support during this scary time.

The bracelets are gorgeous and are a seamless addition to an already awesome collection that includes original body scrubs, whipped creams, body oils and butters.

Erika took a break and was sweet enough to model for me...

The bracelets are substantial, come in different sizes and are just beautifully made.

The set up

Closeup showing the rhinestone embellished stones and cancer ribbon emblem charm

Montage of the 2011 Butter Kup Spa Collection Event

Finally, I wanted to share some local coverage that Erika received recently. This piece allowed her to open up about her experience and explain why she wanted to begin raising money. I hope everyone can support this worthy cause. It never quite means as much until it affects someone you know personally. Erika is a special individual and I wish her nothing but the best!

To order bracelets, email Erika at: erikabracey@gmail.com

ETSY Holiday Card Roundup

noreply@blogger.com (Christy Toney) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 15:29:00 +0000

Ok, I am horrible with holiday cards... Just horrible. Some seasons, I get them out. Others, I just can't be bothered. I think I'm usually SO happy for a slower season, the last thing I can picture myself doing is crafting cards... Another paper project? Really? I do understand that I'm missing a great opportunity though and my goal is to get better. Making a promise to myself to plan (and produce) some nice cards in 2013.

In the meantime though, I found some very inspiring work on Etsy and I always like to promote and share. This treasury list boasts vintage, photo-based and embellished work. Really beautiful and I hope you enjoy it. Have great, short weeks everyone!

Christmas Cards- Photo Cards...
MimisDollhouse
$7.50
Mod Simple Houndstooth Chris...
MommiesInk
$12.00
Holiday Card with Matching E...
SewColorfulDes...
$4.25
vintage bingo holiday card
afavorite
$5.00
Custom Vintage Style Printab...
applejackdesig...
$12.00
Vintage Noel Custom Holiday ...
applejackdesig...
$12.00
BOX of 6 let it snow holiday...
dutchdoor
$16.00
Letterpress Cupcake Holiday ...
kissandpunch
$4.75
HOLIDAY SALE - Letterpress H...
hutchvintage
$15.00
Letterpress Holiday Cards
PurpleInkPress
$2.00
Christmas Card Templates - H...
GloriousMemory
$12.00
Scrooge Holiday Card Set
FoglioPress
$15.00
DIY Merry Christmas Cards in...
thesleepingpri...
$6.00
DIY Printable Holiday Card -...
konadesigns
$12.00
recycled brown bag happy kwa...
bacidesigner
$4.00
CLOSEOUT - LOVE - Merry Chri...
kottageon5th
$13.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Wedding Best(s) of 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Christy Toney) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 16:15:00 +0000

I always do an end of the season post to highlight the créme de la créme of the current year! This was a delightfully insane season here at CT-Designs with a lot of ups and downs, but I wouldn't change a thing. We got some great buzz, completely revamped the website/blog and FINALLY opened an Etsy shop. We even managed to keep pace with the technological advances being made in the wedding industry, specifically with how brides seek inspiration and services for their big day.

The following is a brief summary of the highlights of our year:

Biggest Technological Undertaking
I launched the new website on February 13, 2011. HUGE undertaking. It took me a little over 3 months to complete. The before and after shots indicate how dramatic the changes were.

Every page was impacted in terms of the overall look and branding. The original site was dated and it didn't adequately reflect the quality of work we are capable of producing. To this day, people never hesitate to let me know how lovely the site is. Very proud of this 2011 accomplishment.

Press and Buzz
Wow. All I can say is 2011 was a banner year for CT-Designs in terms of press and features...

We were recognized in the following wedding press outlets:
Spring Summer issue of CS Brides
Spring Summer issue of The Knot
Beuweddings Blog (Ivy Room Wedding)
Beuweddings Blog (Eaglewood Resort Wedding)
Elizabeth Anne Designs
Winter 2011 Knot Luxury Edition
2012 The Knot Best of Weddings Pick

VERY excited about the buzz and hope to continue the trend in 2012... Thanks to all who made sure our company was properly credited!

Coolest Stationery Theme
Kelly and Mark

To incorporate a sports theme with such an elegantly styled design motif was a challenge, but it came out beautifully. We did a belly band invite, table cards, programs and baseball card styled place cards!

Being a sports junkie and Chicago native, this stationery suite was SO much fun to execute!

Best Invitation Collaboration
Erin and Daniel

Erin had a specific vision for her invitations and she also had awesome artistic ability. She actually sketched out the story of she and her hubby to be and wanted it to be included in a fold-out map style invite! A little cleanup in Photoshop by me was all that was required!

The event was also a mini-destination wedding to Wisconsin with a rustic/shabby chic look. Very beautiful and my best collaboration to date!

Congrats to Erin and Daniel, I can't wait til' your wedding is featured in 2012!

Etsy Store Opening
We opened with a handful of items in June of 2011, now we've got 59 items listed and have been welcomed very warmly to the Etsy community! I only wish I'd done it sooner! My goal is to list 100 items before March of 2012... Wish us luck!

Visit us on Etsy

Joining Pinterest
I FINALLY got around to joining Pinterest. Pinterest is a very cool, awesome way to gather inspiration on "boards" from work all over the web. It is also time consuming and addictive! Check out my earlier blog entitled Pinterest 101 and come join me in the madness! It's "ooh-ahh" city, for sure!

Follow my boards on Pinterest

Wow, what a season! I can't wait to see what 2012 has in store!

10 More Top Wedding Blogs You Should Know About

noreply@blogger.com (Christy Toney) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 07:02:00 +0000

Ilove BrideTide's listing of the Top 100+ Wedding Blogs...Very excited that the number has expanded to 149, because there are waytoo many now to limit the list to 100!

Istill think that there are some more that are going under the radar that are worth your time. Fair warning that there is a nod being given to some Chicago-based blogs!

Other personal criteria for this list:

Blog is fully established
Content is consistently updated
Features not just submissions, but helpful tips and ideas
Not already on all of the current wedding "it" lists and blogrolls

The listings are in alpha order:

Be U Weddings Blog
Wedding blog focusing on events in Chicago and the Midwest.
They featured my work twice in 2011, what are the odds?
Gorgeous real weddings and practical advice you can use now.
Absolutely recommended for Chicago brides-to-be. They will
give you a nice look into some of the hottest venues.

Heidzillas Blog
Northeast Ohio full service wedding planning company. Heidi and Brittany are totally
unselfish with the details of their events, every vendor involved gets mentioned
and the photos are not all submitted by photographers.
Look for the color palette + nice overview before each real wedding feature.

Lucky in Love
I know you are wondering why a Seattle-based blog is listed here,
but I've been following this blog for some time now and they
just have a nice balance of submissions, inspiration boards
and advice... I love a balanced approach.

Munaluchi Bridal Blog
Another balanced approach... One of the few resources for mocha brides,
this is a nice mix of inspiration boards, real weddings,
Etsy shop spotlights, and interesting discussions for brides-to-be.

Paper Blog (Wedding Magazine)
UK based blog where CT-Designs blogs are actually published... Our blog entries
have been selected 5 times as the Editor's pick in the lifestyle/wedding section!
Refreshing reading about weddings and style from an English perspective
and I highly recommend visiting...

Parisian Party Blog
I met Kim Petyt at ISSE Chicago and it was a delight. She has such a unique story!
She is originally from Chicago, got married, and was then promptly whisked away to Paris to live!
Now she plans weddings there and has the BEST advice for the bride who either wants
French-inspired nuptials, or is getting married in Paris. LOVE the spirit of this blog...
Note: Kim has also been blogging for almost 5 years (that's a lifetime in the blogging world
as there aren't too many bloggers who've been doing it prior to 2008-09)

Sassy Chicago Brides
This one is great with your morning coffee... Quick tips and insight that
can be absorbed in about 5 minutes. The blogging team is made up
of local brides-to-be as well as Wedding Guide Chicago staff, as this blog
is affiliated with that publication. They also accept wedding submissions.

Style Unveiled Blog
Style Unveiled is such an underrated site to me. Not sure what else
they can do to distinguish themselves, but I think that there is
room for them. Their site is very user-friendly in that you can
view blogs by city OR by ideas... They make it very easy to visit and find
just what you need... There is also much more variety here than yet, ANOTHER real wedding...

Wedding Lovely Blog
Tracy Osborn has managed to pack a TON of information into
one site. It should be cluttered and hard to understand, but it is organized very well...
Invitation vendors, wedding planners and now photogs are housed here, searchable
by region and price range. PLUS there are inspirational photos, real weddings,
D.I.Y. tips AND advice... Brilliant and so so pinnable!

Wedology Blog
Desirée Dent has capitalized on producing timely, pithy, brief and readable blogs
full of practical advice brides can use immediately when planning
their big day. She is currently on a blogging tear for December 2011,
committing to blogging for 31 consecutive days, so don't miss out!

Look for some of these blogs to crack Bride Tide's list at some point... Hopefully in 2012! Also, let me know about some of the wedding industry's "best kept secret" blogs below, I'm always looking for new sites to read and feature if I can!

2012 Wedding Paper Trend Watch #3: Font Design

noreply@blogger.com (Christy Toney) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 15:21:00 +0000

Check out the other blogs in this 2012 trend mini-series!

Part 1 of 3 - 2012 Trend Watch: Soft Themes
Part 2 of 3 - 2012 Trend Watch: Colors
Part 3 of 3 - 2012 Trend Watch: Fonts

Fonts and font design in 2012 will be pushed more than ever before... Pay close attention to usage, scale and combinations. I've been seeing over-sized ampersands, circus fonts (the circus styled fonts are actually very commonly used/seen now), cool seamless patterns and contemporary font-styled combinations. The possibilities here have become endless.

Some of these touches are pleasant surprises that add the "wow factor" and interest to invitation suites. Others might be a little much. Invitation designers must, as one of my favorite style authorities Tim Gunn would say, bring an "editing eye" to their work.

Photo credits clockwise from l to r:

yolaweddinginvitation.com | davidairey.com | en.paperblog.com | stationerywithane.com

minted.com/blog

http://www.mitchellanddent.com.au/

http://creativestartdesign.com/

http://empapers.com/

Christmas Cards- Photo Cards... MimisDollhouse $7.50	Mod Simple Houndstooth Chris... MommiesInk $12.00	Holiday Card with Matching E... SewColorfulDes... $4.25
vintage bingo holiday card afavorite $5.00	Custom Vintage Style Printab... applejackdesig... $12.00	Vintage Noel Custom Holiday ... applejackdesig... $12.00
BOX of 6 let it snow holiday... dutchdoor $16.00	Letterpress Cupcake Holiday ... kissandpunch $4.75	HOLIDAY SALE - Letterpress H... hutchvintage $15.00
Letterpress Holiday Cards PurpleInkPress $2.00	Christmas Card Templates - H... GloriousMemory $12.00	Scrooge Holiday Card Set FoglioPress $15.00
DIY Merry Christmas Cards in... thesleepingpri... $6.00	DIY Printable Holiday Card -... konadesigns $12.00	recycled brown bag happy kwa... bacidesigner $4.00
CLOSEOUT - LOVE - Merry Chri... kottageon5th $13.00