The Best Way to Organize Your Guest List

In this blog post I will be explaining how to Organize your Wedding Guest List Spreadsheet. This post is not about creating the list that was covered in the post “Your Guest List”. You can read it here. This post is about organizing the list for actual use. I have been creating invitations and addressing envelopes for over 10 years now and I know that organizing your guest list is the smart couple’s way to go. The reasons go beyond the organization of the wedding itself.

I have seen good lists and bad lists and I have created a few different versions for my clients. Most people make this a lot harder than it has to be! Unless you are someone that loves manipulating spread sheets I advise keeping it simple. I would include all the information needed to  address invitations and track responses. The Guest List can also be used to list the table numbers once the seating arrangement has been worked out. I know that many couples have also used it for a running total on the number of guests attending.

Other Uses for Your Guest List

Many a bride has sent her Wedding Guest List off to not only have her invitation envelopes addressed but to family members or friends throwing the parties associated with the wedding. One bride thanked me for sending her a corrected copy of her list because it was used at her shower to record the gifts that each guest gave and it made sending out her thank you cards very easy. I know brides that have kept their list for years just amending the list when someone moves or there are other changes. Clients have used it to send Christmas Cards, Birth Announcements, and other invitations. If you make the time now it will come in handy later.

There’s Nothing Like Experience

I have set this up the way most couple’s have requested me to set up their list. The biggest request was their need to see the address so they could visualize it. Meaning, I have listed the Title, First Name, Last Name in order so that you can look across a row and visualize how it will read on the invitation envelope. You certainly could list Last Name first but I found that most people like being able to read the name exactly how it will appear when printed especially when they need to proofread their guest list. You can always use the move the columns later or use the sort function to alphabetize your list. The next thing I need to mention is a bit unusual but when you understand that as the person addressing the envelopes I need to know if we are adding “and guest” or “and family”. So again in keeping with request of needing to see it as it will appear on the envelope, my header row actually says “Last Name and Guest or Last Name and Family” as a reminder to add it in after the last name so it will print together on the envelope.

How to Create Your Own Guest List Spreadsheet

If you would like to set up your own Spreadsheet here are the instructions

1. Open up your spreadsheet program

2. Create a new spreadsheet

3. Label the columns by creating the following header row: Title, First Name, Last Name and Guest or Last Name and Family, Address Line 1, Address Line 2. City, State, Zip, # Invited, RSVP, Table No.

4. Format the Zip Code Column, click on format cell, special, then zip code (this prevents zip codes starting with zero from being a problem)

5. Go ahead and add all the additional columns you like. A few suggestions are Shower, Shower Gift, Wedding Gift.

6. Add any colors to the cells to make it easier to read or to help organize your list.

If you would rather just download mine, I am willing to share!

Click on the download below.

The post The Best Way to Organize Your Guest List with Free Template appeared first on Starglow Studios.

Save the Date Quick Guide

Here is a quick and easy Save the Date guide to help answer the most basic questions. What you need to know with easy to understand explanations or just skim our 5 simple steps if you need answers quickly.

1.  Decide if you want to send one (they are not absolutely necessary but can be helpful)
2.  Include four things:
   1. names of the bride and groom
   2. date of the wedding
   3. location of the wedding
   4. wedding website address (if applicable)
3.  Create your guest list
4.  Mail out 6 to 9 months before the wedding
5.  Remember the invitation is still the star of the wedding stationery show. The invitation contains much more information and guests are accustomed to replying about their attendance. If you can only send one, send the invitation

Are Save the Dates Really Necessary?

Whenever I have a consultation with couples they are surprised by my answer. After all I do create Save the Date cards for couples are part of my stationery business. However, the truth is  they are not absolutely necessary but in certain situations they are helpful. Save the Dates are a very recent addition to wedding stationery when you think about it. Your parents probably didn’t have a Save the Date card and people have been getting married for thousands of years without one. That being said, there are circumstances where Save the Dates are good idea. If you are having a destination wedding, or a number of out of town guests that need to make travel arrangements a Save the Date gives them time to prepare. This is why so many Save the Dates feature the location of the wedding like my Chicago designs. Also, if you are getting married on a holiday weekend you may want to send a Save the Date to prevent guests from making other plans. However, if you have a tight budget skip the Save the Date because the invitation is the star of the show.

What Should the Save the Date Include?

This is the easy part of my Save the Date Quick Guide because they do not contain a lot of information. The names of the bride and groom, the date, the location, and if you have a wedding website, the web address. The wedding website can be updated with information as time goes on but should at least have basic hotel and accommodation information for guests who want to start making plans.

Who Should I Send the Save the Dates to?

Save the Dates may be fun to do but they force you to work on your guest list earlier than those couples who chose not to send them. They should be sent to all the guests on your A List if you are doing an A and B List. If you are not doing an A and B List then they should be sent to all guests. This includes your family and wedding party that probably already know the date. Remember that the Save the Date is also a keepsake of your wedding.

How Should I Address the Save the Dates?

Address them the same way you would address the invitations. Which means singles that will be allowed to bring a guest should have theirs  addressed as “and guest”. Children under 18 that are invited should have “and family” added to their parent’s invitation. This allows guests to clearly know who will be invited. You can be slightly less formal on the Save the Dates than the wedding invitation by listing the first names of couples instead of  the traditional “Mr. & Mrs. Harold Smith”. However, I advise keeping the addressing formal. You cannot go wrong with formality. It is also easier to use the same list or spreadsheet for both the Save the Dates and the Invitation instead of having to make adjustments.

When Should I Mail the Save the Dates?

If you look on the internet you will see various answers to the question of when Save the Dates should be mailed. Earlier I mentioned that Save the Dates are a fairly recent thing in the world of weddings. They were not included in the early books of etiquette. Since the invitation will be mailed 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding, mailing them too close to the invitation seems rather pointless. The Save the Date should be sent out 6 to 9 months before the wedding. If you are having a destination wedding you can send them out a bit sooner. Read more about Destination Wedding Save the Dates here.

Do I Still Need to Send Out an Invitation?

The invitation should still be mailed out 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding. Guests are familiar with the wedding invitation and will send back a reply regarding their attendance. This is not customary with the Save the Dates. The invitation includes more details about the time of the ceremony and reception, addresses, accommodations, and possibly directions or maps. If you can only send one, send the invitation.

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Introducing our Chicago Themed Wedding Invitations. The new additions to the watercolor line feature original artwork of Chicago’s famous skyline. The Chicago Themed Wedding Invitations include a view from the Lincoln Park Lagoon on a perfect day for a wedding, Chicago’s Gold Coast featuring the Hancock building and a skyline view from the Shedd Aquarium deck.

Watercolor Chicago Skyline Invitation

The watercolor design gives the invitation an elegant feel with the use of soft colors. A unique take on the typical Chicago Skyline invitation these designs do not feature black and white. Color was added to give the invitations a warm romantic impression. The beautiful hues of aqua and lavender blend to create the water where the wording for the invitation appears. This invitation is available as a bundle that includes reception and reply cards. Learn more about the bundle here:  Watercolor Skyline

Chicago Gold Coast Invitation

Another invitation in our  Chicago Themed Invitation line features a dark blue metallic pocketful which surrounds a beautiful hand painted watercolor design the Chicago Skyline wedding invitation. This invitation includes two watercolor images. One of Chicago’s Gold coast and  another of the skyline on the insert cards and outer tag. Hand painted details add extra color and dimension to the clouds, buildings and water. This was designed to be a beautiful one of a kind Chicago Themed Invitation. This invitation can be done in blue and gold or blue and silver. Learn more about this invitation bundle here Gold Coast Invitation

We also have some Chicago Themed Save the Date Invitations if you would prefer to announce that the wedding will be in Chicago even before you send the invitation. Please see our shop for more examples of Save the Dates or if you have an idea for another Chicago custom design contact us.

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Looking for a romantic save the date with a vintage feel? Our peony heart features pinks, reds, and golds and is hand painted with pearlescent watercolors. An antique gold font completes the vintage feel. Backed with a 5 x 7 Marsala Cardstock its a perfect way to make a first impression with your guests.

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The wedding ceremony took place at St. Eugene Church in Chicago and the reception was held at The Crowne Plaza O’Hare in Rosemont, IL. The wedding program featured navy blue cardstock with satin ribbon and an embossed cut out displaying their names. Matching escort cards were displayed on navy blue table linens at the reception. Guests were provided with menus tucked into their napkins at each place setting.

We were so happy to have this wedding featured on the Style Unveiled blog! For more photos from Angela Rene Photography please visit Style Unveiled! Thank you to Angela Rene Photography for the beautiful photos.

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Once the invitations went out the response was so great that we were asked to create more for the event itself. This time painting a more realistic rose with various shades of pink that was used for  menus, table numbers and place cards. We received so many compliments on this design we wanted to share some photos from the shower with you also.

The post Everythings Coming Up Roses! appeared first on Starglow Studios.

We created the place cards that were hung with clothespins on a line. It was a fun new twist that incorporated pictures of the bride and groom.

The menu was styled after the wedding invitation and adorned the tables giving the guests a hint of the feast to come!

The post Jenny and Besset’s Ivy Room Chicago Wedding appeared first on Starglow Studios.

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A pretty handpainted invitation featuring pink gerbera daisies and peonies. The bride requested hot pink daisies and we intensified the color with a touch of raspberry sparkle to highlight the center of the acrylic daisy. The floral design was added to the bold pink and black color scheme to add a romantic flair.  The insert cards were done in two shades of pink to add another pop of color.

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