Advice for the Nearlywed

2012-02-27T09:43:00.001-06:00

Check out the contest from DSW shoes by clicking the header above! Contest runs from 2/27/2012 thru 3/2/2012, and they are giving away FREE shoes for your bridal party!

Don't miss this opportunity!!!

This is a picture of their promotional email.

Go to THEIR website for more, and accurate details.

2012-02-26T12:35:00.000-06:00

Thank you notes vs Informal notes

Okay, I get this question all of the time! What is the difference? First, the paper used is the same! The difference is what it says on the the front of the note. If it says merely Thank You, then it is a formal, designated, can't-be-used-for-anything-else thank you note.

If it has your names on the front: Linda and Dave or Mr. and Mrs. Smith, then THIS is an informal note. It does not mean it's not a classy note, it means it is not formally saying thank you. It can be used for other things.

We, personally, like informal notes better. If you get one that is less wedding-looking, then you can get some extras for during your married life. They are merely stationery with your name on it. Thank you notes are clearly limited with what can be done with them.

Our vote is for INFORMAL NOTES and order extras for later!!!

2012-02-22T17:13:00.001-06:00

Thermography vs Press Printing

Are you one of those that wants to "impress" your guests with the expensive press-printed invitation? Don't know what it is? STOP READING THIS... I don't want to give you any wasteful money ideas.

Look, I, like others, sell the extremely expensive Press Print. I had an old friend tell me she had to have it. She wanted the plates that were made. I laughed at her and asked her if she was planning to serve dinner on them. She was mad, but my point was made. WASTE. OF. MONEY.

No one looks at the back to see if the words were etched into the back of the paper. No one cares, and if they do, they are shallow.

I believe you should save where you can. In the past 5 years, I believe that I have sold a total of 5 print press invitation sets. There were others, and most recent was my friend Amy's sister. I talked her and the rest OUT OF THEM. I told her to spend her money on poolside food on her honeymoon, or upgrade her rental car, or better yet, SAVE THE $$. For those of you who have not heard, we are in an economic crisis.

Sure weddings still go on, of course. We want life to continue. We just want you to do it in a smart and savvy way.

2012-02-09T21:56:00.006-06:00

SHUTTERFLY

If you don't know about Shutterfly, and its awesome services, then click the link above! We LOVE Shutterfly. If you really are on a true budget, buy yourself some 10px+ cameras, they are pretty inexpensive, and most people know SOMEONE that is good at phototaking... Give them (or two or 3 for what you are saving you can afford more than one camera) the cameras, take the pics (remember to get BIG cards for them to hold all of the pics) and then put together your own book for a fraction of the cost of a photographer!

Invitations4sale.com

Wedding Budgets.... a MUST!

2012-01-21T15:53:00.003-06:00

Online wedding budget planner!

Let's just start it all off with this handy link! Handy for sure! If you know how much money you have to start with, and please tell me that you do have a set amount... then please go to this site and register. (We are in no way monetarily linked to this site, just wanted to get that out there.)
There are other ways to budget, for sure. Take a peek at Excel and build a spreadsheet. I think that is time-consuming and THIS is a far easier choice.

Click on that link and start your life out knowing what you may be getting yourself into! Start your married life off correctly and start good habits before you say, "I do".

Note that I will also talk about planning for after the wedding on the next blog!
In the meantime, please go get your budget going!!! And don't waste money on things you do not need!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Invitations4sale.com

Real Moms Love to Eat

2012-01-05T21:04:00.004-06:00

All I can say, is check this book out!!!!!! If your local library , does not have this copy then ask them to order it! Chock full of great ideas and sounds advice!
Real Moms Love to Eat!

ISBN-13: 978-0451235589

Real Moms Love to Eat Trailer Promo

Happy 2012!

2012-01-04T17:49:00.007-06:00

Please click to start and listen to our podcast about wedding books!

Best wishes to you!

Linda

2011-03-08T12:09:00.003-06:00

http://gilenya-girl.blogspot.com is a new page on the oral medication for MS. My husband's cousin's blog, as she journals about her newest path with the Novartis drug.
Please share it with others that might be suffering. God Bless you all, and KATHY! I love you, Kath!

InsiderSecrets.com Interview...

2010-08-20T10:35:00.002-05:00

Check this out. It is an interview from InsiderSecrets.com with wedding author, Denise Fields. Great advice given out. You can either listen to it, or read thru it. I listened as I went thru my other business online.

http://www.insidersecrets.com/planning-a-budget-wedding/

Are you a money-conscious bride?

2010-08-03T12:50:00.001-05:00

If you are a smart "internet" shopping bride, great for you! Chances are you stand to save lots of $$. Just be careful to read all the FAQ pages and Terms of Service. Ask questions, too.

Check out this AMAZINGLY GREAT offer from Invitations4sale.com & Birchcraft!

2010-07-06T08:02:00.008-05:00

This is something to talk about! Invitation orders placed and paid for prior to October 31, 2010 will receive FREE ENVELOPE FLAP IMPRINT on your wedding invitation envelope if you request that service in your order! PLUS YOU STILL GET THE 40% DISCOUNT, TOO!

Check us out on Facebook. If you are not our friend on there you might be missing out on some announcements!

This offer does not include Carlson Craft products.

Invitations4sale.com is on Facebook!

2010-06-25T07:33:00.004-05:00

Check us out for tips and deals! Here is our latest....

Sharon Naylor (wedding guru, author and frequent guest blogger on wishpot),
has paired with Kodak to offer us 5 each of their new, top-quality, gorgeous,
one-time-use bridal cameras for a special giveaway!

Check it out on our Facebook page for the links!! Become our fan and stay in the LOOP!!

http://www.cafepress.com/5kmom

2010-06-25T07:28:00.001-05:00

Visit www.cafepress.com/5kmom for AWESOME running shirts for gals!

2010-06-07T17:42:00.000-05:00

http://www.cafepress.com/5kmom

You gotta check this out!!! Running Moms... you will LOVE these new 5k and marathon shirts!!!

FoodSavers...

2010-01-05T18:24:00.004-06:00

I fought against it, and put it in the attic when Jim, my brother, got me one. I tried it out 6 months later, and now I cannot be without it. I was talking to a friend today, and he heard it in the background and asked.... Foodsaver? Then he said, "I love mine".

Seems to be the consensus.

They do save money and time, no doubt, but the meat and fish come out completely fresh and no freezer burn. I used to waste money and toss the freezer burned stuff. NO MORE.

Think about asking for one for your shower or wedding gift. They are awesome!

2010-01-03T19:05:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year. Invitations4sale.com has a new web design for 2010! Let us know what you think!

Happy Wedding Planning and make sure you visit www.sharonnaylor.net for great ideas and tips and look for her books on Amazon.com and local books stores in your area!

~Linda

Books Linda LOVES!

2009-05-15T08:31:00.011-05:00

Amazon.com Widgets

Okay... First... Home from the Honeymoon is a LONGTIME coming. It should be read before you say I DO. Great things to think about.

The 2 new wedding planning books are just out, and not bad. Gotta watch when they talk about budgets, and then in the same book talk about where to buy wedding favors. Just does not work, in my opinion. But, overall, decent books.

Bridal Bargains... the orginal wedding planning book, and featured on Oprah. Whatever she touches turns to gold. And I mean 24kt gold. We are grateful to be featured in this book.

We recommend that you read these. You can get them here, by clicking the link OR get them from your local library.

Have fun reading and planning.

New contest alert on 4/20/2009 for Brides and Grooms...

2009-04-20T16:33:00.002-05:00

http://www.techsavvybride.com/

Enter to win the Nokia Tech Savvy Bride Sweepstakes One Lucky Bride Will Win a Seven-Night Luxury Included® Honeymoon Package to Sandals Grande Ocho Rios Beach & Village Golf Resort and a Pair of Nokia 7205 Intrigues to Share with Her Groom. Capitalize on the latest bridal trend this season and use technology to plan your wedding. Organization, efficiency and cost savings are just a click away. Sharon Naylor, bridal expert and author of more than 35 wedding books – including 'Home From the Honeymoon' to be released in May – has partnered with Nokia to help brides use technology to plan the wedding of their dreams, while minimizing the stress! From keeping in touch with far away bridesmaids to streamlining your R.S.V.P.s, Sharon will show consumers how to use technology to make the entire planning process a breeze!

(All text has been copied from the website above, and we have no affiliation with the site, just letting you know it's there if you are interested. )

I gotta vent about Save the Dates....

2009-04-20T08:52:00.004-05:00

Okay, they are a great little idea... I do think. I like them in the "magnetic form" only. And
I do NOT think they are for all of your guests. NO WAY.

Yes, they are a useful idea. They give your out-of-town guests a heads up notice, and usually they will have information such as a couple's website, hotel info, and things like that.

Why a magnet?? Because they can post them right on their fridge. No getting lost. Add a photo for a personal touch.

Why NOT for all of the guests? Are you KIDDING? WHY would you lock yourself into people that you might change your mind on later. Do you really need to send a Save the Date to your co-workers? Stick with buying enough save the dates for out-of-town and overseas relatives that are DEFINITELY part of your day.

Keep in mind, if your wedding is a ways away, and you send out save the dates to friends at work, and now either they no longer work there, or you don't... now what? Technically you are stuck inviting them. It's not a good situation. Don't send to anyone nearby. It's not a biggie.

Save some $$ and send to those out-of-town only.

No Reception card... is that okay??

2009-04-13T17:38:00.006-05:00

I get this question from time-to-time: Is it okay to forego the Reception card?

If I had a nickel for every time we are asked this question... well you get it... we are asked this a lot! Sure you can forego it. Not a problem as long as you know the following:

Do you have room on the invitation... or are you trying to pack 10 lbs of potatoes into a 5lb sack? Because if you are trying to do so to save money, you are going to cheapen your entire ensemble.

Are you having the Reception at the same location as the ceremony? If so, follow your invitation wording up with a simple line such as: Reception follows ceremony

You are NOT trying input response information along with the Reception card. A big no-no. Don't also ask people for their responses and have a phone number or website for responses. These are invitations.... use them for what they are intended.

Now, we have people that skip the reception card and don't bother to write anything about the Reception , YET they enclose a Response card. Keep in mind... most people don't RSVP to a ceremony. The guests RSVP to the Reception so you have a headcount for your caterer.

So, it is FINE to forego, as long as you have room and it's easier if the Reception is at the same place as the ceremony.

Happy Planning!!

Linda

PS: Make sure you check out http://www.sharonnaylor.net/, too for more blog information.

Please vote for Invitations4sale.com

2009-03-13T18:58:00.002-05:00

Please help us! Please vote. You can vote one time per day until 3/31/09 Thanks

worth reading

2009-03-04T10:51:00.000-06:00

Whether or not if Abe Lincoln said this, or not, I find it all to be true:

1) You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
2) You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong
3) You cannot help the poor man by destroying the rich.
4) You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
5) You cannot build character and courage by taking away man's initiative and independence.
6) You cannot help small men by tearing down big men.
7) You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.
8) You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income.
9) You cannot establish security on borrowed money.
10) You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they will not do for themselves.

Suze Orman on Oprah today, Wed, March 4th

2009-03-04T08:55:00.002-06:00

I just caught that she will be on Oprah today. She is supposed to discuss weddings, too. (The financial end of it, anyways.) I am going to watch it and see what she says.

Have a great day!!
Linda

Love Bets, by Sharon Naylor

2009-03-02T08:19:00.002-06:00

Here is a fun little book to keep the spice in any relationship. Author Sharon Naylor has come out with a new book called Love Bets. There are little ideas of things to bet on. Really a cute book, and one worth looking into. Would make an awesome Bridal Shower and/or Engagement gift.

Check it out. Go to our website and click on the books. You will be able to enter from there.
http://www.invitations4sale.com/planner.html

Way to go, Sharon Naylor!!

THIS is BRILLIANT!!

2009-02-22T07:57:00.002-06:00

FLOWER SAVINGS TIP

Here is a good one I got from a local article. If you live anywhere near a town called New Lenox, Illinois (and there are probably others that do this now, too we must imagine) there is a florist called "Country Florist". They offer to rent pre-made silk floral arrangements for those of you that feel the need to decorate with flowers. They claim to have pre-arranged centerpieces and altar pieces for rent for $10!! Now, there must be a delivery charge of some sort, so get all of the fees in writing in advance!

What a SAVINGS!!!

This should be the NEW hot question that you should be asking your florist when you interview!! If they don't do it, still get pricing, but move on. See if you can call around to find someone who does rent!

Remember to use your online resources, too!! Ask the Theknot.com, indiebride.com, or the boards at www.bridalguide.com. Ask the brides if they have ever used XYZ Florist and if they recommend there rental program.

USE THE BOARDS!!

Have a great day. Will you be in Darien, IL today? If so, look us up on Facebook for our Wedding Presentation today.

~Linda
www.invitations4sale.com
www.LindaZec.com

Look for INVITATIONS4SALE.COM on Facebook!!