Colors- blush pink, gray, navy, and ivory

Ceremony- Bigelow Chapel I saw this chapel first when I visited it for a college art class. The swooping ceiling let in the light beautifully and made the ceremony feel very warm and intimate.
Reception- Vadnais Heights Commons
Photographer- Imagen International My co-worker Lizzy Hausladen did our pictures. It was strange to be on the other side of the camera, but it was really fun to have someone I know so well do our pictures. She also did a great job of helping us both relax and forget the camera, I know she captured some really great moments! {Brittany is also 1 of 3 head wedding photographers and co-owner of Imagen International}

Save the Date, Wedding Invitations & Suite- MagnetStreet Weddings
Magnet street was great. We were doing DIY projects for many other aspects of our day that we didn’t have the time/energy to make every invite too. We did save the dates and invites through MagnetStreet. We got the personalization we were looking for without having to craft each invite. We got so many compliments on our stationary–really set the tone for the day.

{Save the Date Magnet- “Devoted”}

Flowers- The Flower Guys Our flowers were beautiful. Lynn our florist had to make a last-minute substitution, but it was an upgrade to peonies in my bouquet. It was so pretty and vintage, perfect for the day.
Day of Wedding Coordinator- The Bliss Life Kari did such a great job making sure the day ran smoothly. I am sure there were a million little problems that needed to be solved, but I never knew about any of it!
Catering - Creative Catering by Molly We had chef-cooked pasta stations. The meal was a lot of fun and even though the food was being cooked on the spot, they got everyone fed fairly quickly. I also heard after the fact, that the kitchen lost power before the meal was served, but I had no idea! The food was tasty, fresh, and hot even with out power!
Vintage Lace Veil- etsy designer EricaElizabethDesign

Highlights of the day- The whole day was just a blast. We were just able to celebrate our journey and this big-step we were making with all the important people in our lives. It was great to see all of our work and dreaming for the last 9 months come together in such a beautiful and memorable day. The weather was beautiful, almost 40 in the first week of January must be a Minnesota first.

{Above: Jamie & Brittany personalized “Matchless Beauty” wedding invitation design & Enclosure Card}

Best part of the whole wedding day- Our vows. We wrote them ourselves and surprised each other. There were lots of tears, but I will never forget how beautiful and special that moment was.

Advice you’re glad you took- Have someone in charge of your day. We hired a day-of-coordinator. Kari Warwick from Bliss, made sure that everything ran smoothly so we got to enjoy our wedding instead of stressing over details.
Advice you wished you took- Don’t take on too much. We had multiple DIY projects. I loved how personalized our day was, but there was definitely a lot of work and stress before the wedding.
Advice you’d like to give- Don’t stress the small stuff, just sit back and enjoy the fact that you are getting married. Make sure you have points in your day where you can both sit back and reflect on what is happening–and the  huge step you are taking together.

Congratulations Jamie and Brittany! Thanks for sharing your day and savvy advice with us. We wish you all the best! And if you dear reader would like to wish our couple well, please leave them a comment below!

xo

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See the color, feel the quality and experience the difference!

We invite you to take us up on this …

Request your Free Samples here! And when you get your samples … look for vibrant-rich colors and print clarity. Check out the quality of the stationery item–check out the textures of your Invitation Suite items and adhere the Save the Date Magnet to the fridge! If you have a specific stationery or color request, we’ll do our best to fulfill them! See the colors. Feel the quality. Experience the difference!

Also available … Personalized Samples

Did you also know that you can order a Personalized Sample of your exact Save the Date design–personalized with your colors, your photos and with your wording on it? Personalized Samples are $6.99 each–this cost would be applied to your full Save the Date order. Available in Classic Magnets, Mini Magnets, Large Magnets & Photo Booth Magnets.

Shop Save the Date Magnets

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To start off, we’ve personalized 2 Save the Date Magnets with the dynamic combination of Turquoise & Red! Such a bold color combo will add energy and vibrancy to your wedding look. This combo lends itself to graphic looks and dramatic designs.

In the wedding invitations below, we’re carrying the turquoise and red and using white to balance out the boldness of the design. Bold, vibrant, energetic … these invites have a sense of refinement but aren’t overwhelming in the least.

I hope you love turquoise and red even more now! Try it out yourself in Design Studio, any design could have the exact color combination you’re dreaming of.

Find more inspiration on personalizing with color, check out this post using color to transform your design. If you’re loving the turquoise, check out this post and see it with another one of 2012′s hottest colors … Coral!

What other specific color combos would you like to see?
Be warned, you might just get what you ask for!

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1. Color Monday: Silver & Pink
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Dear Truly Engaging Reader, we have the prettiest virtual snowflake for you to enjoy and easily download to your desktop today. Even though we’re in Minnesota, we’re thinking about our southern and western regional friends who don’t normally find themselves catching snowflakes on their tongues this time of year. This snowflake is for you–a pre-Valentines Day gift.

Did you know that we have a whole collection of free wedding wallpapers at MagnetStreet?

Have a wonderful weekend!

To download:  Click on the size below for your monitor. The image will load in your browser’s window. Right-click the image and select “Set As Background”

1920 x 1200

1920 x 1080

1280 x 1024

1280 x 800

1366 x 768

1024 x 768

Like free stuff? We’ve created a bunch of fun wedding resource tools at MagnetStreet. Find other wallpapers, wedding countdowns … plus wedding planning tools & inspiration… all for FREE!

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What are your thought on wedding programs? Are they necessary? Our thoughts below…

{click to enlarge}

We think Programs are an important part of your wedding stationery! Here’s why …

First impressions count! More than a pretty accessory, programs are pretty smart tools that help guests feel included and welcomed at the wedding–right from the start. Programs provide an important opportunity to care for your guests in unique, subtle ways. A timely tool, programs set the stage for joining families and friends {probably unfamiliar with each other} and for creating a warm and friendly atmosphere.

Wondering what to put on a wedding program?

8 Content Ideas for Your Wedding Programs

1. Order of events- Guests love to know what’s happening next! Create anticipation as well as keep your guests organized with an order of the service. 

2. Wedding party bios- Short and sweet introductions of your party will help create an air of familiarity and warmth, right from the beginning. Plus, guests are curious about these special people in your lives.

3. Fanfare+ Processional/Recessional Music- From Pachelbel’s Canon in D, to J.S. Bach, Vivaldi, The Beatles or Bryan Adams–your guests will appreciate knowing which songs you’ve chosen for those magical moments!

4. Special Readings- If there is a special reading, verse, or poem you’d like guest participation with, have it printed on your programs–so everyone can read along.

5. Acknowledgments- Use your program to give a shout of thanks to those special family/friends who performed a special service i.e. song, reading, playing the piano, etc.

6. Explain a Ritual- Is yours a multi-cultural wedding?Are you celebrating a custom that may be unfamiliar to most? You can put your guests at ease, comfortable and even get them involved with a brief explanation of the ritual.

7. Translations- Are there meaningful words or phrases that need to be translated into another language{s}? Add them to your program.

8. A beautiful keepsake A beautifully-designed program that coordinates with the rest of your wedding stationery, is a treasured keepsake–a souvenir for your guests and a detailed memento for you–of one of the most important days of your life!

Which Program Size is Best?

Choose the program size and type that fits your wedding style and ceremony needs the best. Do you have a lot of information to share–readings, wedding party bios, explanations … roomy program types like the Half-fold, Tri-fold, and Gate-fold Programs may be just perfect for you! Browse the Tea-length, Rectangle, and Square sizes too!

How Are Programs Distributed at the Ceremony?

Programs can be cleverly arranged in pretty containers–ready to for your guests to pick up themselves. They can also be handed out by your ushers seating your guests. Or, they can be sitting pretty in the seating areas–just waiting for your guests to sit down. It’s your choice!

What are your thoughts on Wedding Programs?

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Wedding Style Vintage, Southern, Rustic
Wedding Colors Mustard Yellow, Turquoise, Plum, Brown.
Ceremony & Reception Lindsey Plantation Taylors, South Carolina
Wedding Photographer Julie Izotov of My Forever Images

Highlights of the day The weather was perfect, but the day before it was really cold…but we prayed and God took care of it all. It went by very smooth and relaxing. It was like a dream!
Advice you’re glad you took Don’t spend a lot of money on your wedding! Spend more on your honeymoon. We saved money every chance we could and God blessed us abundantly with a beautiful wedding that we shared with our close friends and relatives.
Advice you’d like to give There’s no reason to stress, or spend lots of money. Think about what you’d want, not what others would like because you’ll never impress everyone.
Best part of the wedding day Riding in on the horse and seeing my now husband beaming with joy!

And what about all of your lacy details? Yes. Yes. Yes! I love lace! I think it makes any setting look romantic.

Can you tell us about the eclectic attire of your bridesmaids and groomsmen?
We let them chose their outfits. To the guys, we gave an idea and to the ladies, I gave colors. They wore what they wanted to wear! I never liked the idea of the bride choosing some dresses and everyone looking the same–and then after the wedding, you don’t know what to do with the dress. So, my bridesmaids wore what they had or something they could wear again.

And your cowboy boots? Yes–gotta love em. They’re just like lace… they complete any outfit.

Oh my! You rode in on a horse?  Yes, that was my dream, the whole barn wedding idea. I wanted it to be different–not something everyone is used to, and something that represented us. We both love horseback riding. My next dream is to live on a ranch with a view and horses.

How about your barn venue? A few years ago I fell in love with a barn wedding idea and told my parents about it. Funny, my parents got married in a barn too–not because they wanted to, but because that was the only place that could fit all their guests! But, yes I love everything country…the barns, the fields, the view, the hay bails, the wildflowers, etc.

Tell us about your Sweetheart Table In the Russian culture, they like to sit the whole bridal party with the bride and groom at the reception. The American weddings that I’ve been to, I loved the fact that the bride and groom were by themselves and it was all about them–and that’s what I wanted. And because of the way this barn was set up, we couldn’t fit the bridal party up there with us and I wanted it to be one long banquet table–which my husband and brothers built in 9 hrs! Yep …all those picnic tables!!

Your tablescape is so creative: burlap, books, buttons, and spools! My cousin (who was my wedding planner) had them or found them at the flea market. She came up with the idea and I loved it!

Birds & Nests I saw the idea for the cake topper in a magazine and thought it would so go for our wedding–two lovebirds! And, my other cousin made the delicious cake.

The Hanging Pictures I saw the idea online and loved it! I was going to just have pictures hanging, but one of my bridesmaids made us a slideshow too…so that was sweet.

2 Dresses = ceremony + reception I bought them both brand-new and online–one on ebay and the other one on Pre-Owned Wedding Dresses and both were less than if I would have bought one at the bridal shop! I liked the idea of 2 dresses–but I kind of  had to…because I really wanted a mermaid dress–but would not have been able to ride on a horse with one. So, I got an a-line dress too–I loved both of them!

Special Acknowledgements from Anna…

Nothing would not have been possible without our Amazing God that took care of every little detail. My husband–who was willing to do something different and be there by my side through it all! My cousin, Irina Murzagildin–for running around town and searching Craigslist and eBay and going to flea markets and garage sales to find us the best deals on everything. And, who put the whole thing together days before and day of the wedding. My amazing friend Nadia Grigorchuk–for doing our flowers and going and picking wild flowers the day before the wedding. My dear friend and bridesmaid Marina Bachinskaya–for doing my hair and makeup. My Aunt Galina Arbatskiy–for altering my dresses. My cousin Julia Rovinsky–for baking the delicious cake. My best friend and cousin Julie Izotov–for capturing the day with her camera. My cousins David and Dima Zaytsev–for capturing video of our wedding. And because of all our friends and family who helped out, the list would be endless if I start. But God knows who they are because He sent them to us.

Aww, how sweet and thoughtful. Anna & Valik’s wedding is proof that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to have your dream wedding come true! But, with the love and support of family and friends, you can accomplish just about anything! Congratulations to you both–thanks so much for letting us in on your big day–so full of personality and creativity! Here is their wedding video–watch it. you’ll love it. I promise!

See more eye candy and glean more ideas for a country-rustic wedding at My Forever Images! By the way, Valik & Anna are photographers themselves–you can check out their site here.

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Wedding Style – Traditional
Wedding Colors – Sage green, Gold, Ivory
Ceremony St. Andrews Episcopal Church, College Park, MD
Reception Martin’s Crosswinds Greenbelt, MD
Photographer Michael Clark Photographers
Videographer: Video By Design
Wedding Thank You Cards- MagnetStreet Weddings

Highlights of the day – Seeing my husband to be standing at the altar, waiting for me with a smile on his face was priceless!
Advice you’re glad you took – Take your time planning!
Advice you’d like to give – Take your time and enjoy every moment of the day because there are no do-overs!
Best part of the day – The reception and seeing all my hard work come together…seeing how beautiful everything looked was amazing!

Perfect for their color scheme, George & Katina personalized “Eternal Roses with picture” Save the Date Mini Magnet and “Green Hue” fold over Thank You Cards. And, music to our ears, here are a few sweet words from Katina regarding her experience with MagnetStreet …

“Shopping MagnetStreet for our Save the Date magnets and Wedding Thank You cards was one of the easist tasks while planning my big day! Being able to personalize our magnets & cards was a great touch! Our shipment arrived within days and they looked fantastic! I will definitely use MagnetStreet again and encourage any Bride to shop here first! It’ll be your first and last stop! Kudos!!!”

Such a beautiful and stately wedding! Congratulations! Thanks George and Katina for sharing it with all of us. We wish you every joy and happiness … always!

xo

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Color is such a mood enhancer–so think about the color attributes as you set the tone of your wedding. If it’s more elegance you’re after, {in this case} add silver–if you want to play down the grown up side to the silver in your palette, add pink. Here are four options to illustrate the flexibility of silver and pink.

Elegant & Playful

“Paris Appeal” wedding invitation

Delicate & Sweet

“Elegant Vines” Save the Date Magnet

Sophisticated yet Charming

Daisy Companion Save the Date Magnet

Soft & Graceful

“Majestic Connection” Wedding Invitation

Which color combination{s} would you like to see featured on Color Monday?

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2012 has a lot of fun looks in store for today’s bride–and for every wedding style. As you put your personality on paper with your Save the Dates and Wedding Invitation Suite, we hope you’re inspired by these 10 stationery trends for 2012, but certainly not defined by them.

It’s your wedding…design your stationery your way!

Translating the Trends

1. Personalization

Personalize your wedding look to let your personality shine through! The runway is your oyster, but remember to go for the design that makes you smile and inspires your style. Whether you’re a classic bride, love all things trendy, or prefer all things unique and non-traditional, set the tone and create a signature wedding stationery look through colors, photos, fonts, and your own special wording to depict your style.

2. Pocket Invites

Dramatic, fashionable and fun, pocket wedding invitations take pretty and practical to a whole new level. Not only do pocket invites create visual interest, they also keep your wedding enclosures neat and organized. Perfect for the modern bride, pockets have panache and are a stylish addition to any wedding style—from country chic to urban fairytale.

3. Rustic Charm

Couples are craving what nature is so readily offering—casual elegance in warm, earthy tones. Natural-looking textures and memorable motifs that reflect the beauty of a natural setting, are what set a rustic wedding apart. Charming accents include handmade signs, eclectic flowers, and burlap table runners. From an intimate garden ceremony, to a barn venue or picturesque vineyard, personalize your stationery to mirror the mood.

4. Captivating Colors

Love color? 2012 is the year for you…from soft blushes like pastel pinks and spearmint green, to the beachy and nautical blues, to anything bold and saturated. Choose the hues that make your heart sing and leap for joy! Your wedding stationery will be on trend in 2012–whether you love the elegance of a soft neutral or shades that are daring and unexpected.

5. Distinctive Theme

Thoughtful themes are reigning supreme in 2012! Hot topics include the look of Old-Hollywood, where you can get your movie star on, to an event that’s more royally inspired—where the fairytale really does come true. Carry the look of your favorite theme—be it an era, a destination, a hobby, your culture, a season or motif … Take your favorite elements and carry them to your attire, décor and wedding stationery items.

6. Fabulous Flowers

Graphic flowers are all the rage this year—from bold and daring, to soft and sweet! Planting your wedding stationery with a sweetly-rendered floral design, is sure to plant a smile on all of your guests. From a whimsical illustration, to those flowers with the romantic and hand painted look of watercolor, pick a floral beauty for a memorable wedding stationery look. Change the colors to suit your suite!

7. Pretty Patterns

Have a favorite pattern? Here are a few of the most popular patterns in style and on trend for 2012: animal prints, classic damask, chevrons, ikat, geometric color-blocking, and mix and match patterns. Whether your pattern outlines the details of your big day, or used all-over in the design—carry the pattern to each of your stationery items to help you create a unified look.

8. Darling Details

Details. Details. The beauty is definitely in the details! Impress your guests and invite them to discover the little embellishments that add punch and pizzazz to your wedding stationery. Layer your Invitations with sheer Vellum Bands, decorative Seals and colorful Envelope Liners to create dimension and visual appeal. Beautify your suite with the small details for a big impact!

9. Timeless yet Trendy

Graphic white, metallic neutrals and royal combos like black paired with yellow, pink or white, have once again proven themselves to offer a classic look—that’s ultra modern at the same time! Crisp, clean and stately, personalize your wedding stationery with an enduring look—that’s lovely, romantic and timeless.

10. Creative Typography

A creative and unique typeface on a simple design has the ability to take the look of your wedding stationery anywhere you want it to go. From setting off your names in a fanciful font on your save the date, to introducing your guests to your Great Gatsby-style theme on your wedding invitation, play with the fonts to fit the style and the tone of your event.

What is your favorite fashion trend gone wedding stationery?

Visit MagnetStreet Weddings to see these trends translated onto stationery!

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Below are black and white photos from a few of our most recent weddings and engagements. Try lingering over each for a while … notice the richness, depth and textures within each photo–very powerful.

Marisol & Juan’s Old-Hollywood style wedding

Rebekah & Jeremiah’s gorgeous countrified proposal/e-session

Gina & Brandon’s California casual wedding

Many people want full-color photos to “capture the moment” or beauty of their wedding, the happiest day of their lives. Black and white photography gets set to the side as a change that can be made once editing is done later. But with the distraction of color eliminated in black and white photos, the true focus and personality of a photo can shine through! A simple white smile is so much more meaningful and bright with a background of muted details.

Michele & jay’s Australian Beach Wedding

Capturing the happiness of a wedding by using black and white photography can portray the true emotions of your special day. A crystal-like tear or a stunning white glare from the sun … your moments are captured with raw beauty and meaning.

By using light and perspective, simple portraits can be made into so much more. Highlighting eyes or a kiss can make the picture more revealing, interesting, and intimate. The simple details of your wedding elements (the intricate beading of your dream dress, the simple sparkle of your wedding bands) are shown much more clearly with the distraction of color taken away. Without the color, the fabric details and the unblemished textures add so much more to a composition.

What do you think of incorporating black and white photography into the wedding album and into your wedding stationery?

Lili & Davide’s Italian-Persian Wedding

Much thanks to Kathryn, our intern, for her contribution to this article.

source

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