More and more people are debating whether to send a print invitation, and their reasoning differs: it will save money, it is better for the environment, it is faster, people just throw the invitations away, etc. All these reasons are valid, and sending an evite is an option for the tech savvy out there; but here is a quick vocab lesson and some tips for selling the printed invitations and navigating the process of being a dealer for an invitation company.

INVITATION VOCAB:

• Flat Printing is a printing style nearly identical to computer printing.
• Thermographic Printing is when the printed text is raised so it can be felt on the front of the invitation.
• Embossed Printing is similar to Thermographic Printing, but done without ink.
• Letter Press Printing is when the printed text is depressed so it can be felt on the back of the invitation.
• Engraved Printing is similar to Letter Press, but done without ink.
• Hand Calligraphy is written by hand rather than printed.

TIPS FOR AN INVITATION DEALER:

• It is important to keep an eye out for the monthly discounts many invitation companies email to you to – they often do not automatically credit them
• Consider providing clients with “online dealer stores”, or at least the products website so your client is able to view the invitation they are considering in the comfort of their own home. It makes the shopping process faster and smoother for both dealer and consumer
• Always be sure to get a formal quote from the company prior to providing the client with one; older books may still have current merchandise, but the pricing may have changed
• Make sure to have the client approve all proofs and acknowledge typos, grammar mistakes, spelling errors, and more that are visible on the proofs, are their mistake and not yours – this will protect you from blame
• Keep your eyes and ears open with regards to companies closing; some do so without a word to their dealers

If a client asks why a printed invitation is necessary, use this as your response; “So much of our lives are centered around the computer, smart phone, tablet, or another electronic device; which makes receiving an item in the mail is so special. There is something magical about feeling an invitation; it is a sensory experience that cannot be matched by an evite. It sets the mood for your party in a way that cannot be matched by the screen and it elicits excitement in your guests.”

SAVE The DATE, LLC events and promotions your way

In January of 2014, we at SAVE The DATE wrote a piece that was to be published in a local gazette. Sadly, as is the case with many forms of printed media and newspapers, the gazette closed. While we wish this piece could have been published for it’s original purposes, it’s simply too good to not share. Enjoy …

As of January 2014 same sex marriage is legal in seventeen states, including Maryland; as well as the District of Columbia. For event planners, vendors, and venues; the updated definition of marriage offers a new market to assist with making a memorable moment in their lives as couple. For us [SAVE THE DATE] it provided an opportunity to combine several new elements in the event world to help a couple say I Do!

Our final event of 2013, a wedding on December 29, allowed us to celebrate these new laws in a recently converted staple Bethesda restaurant, with do it yourself decor.  The two brides possessed creative ideas, and were able to show, with some organizing assistance, their commitment to each other in front of friends and family. The couple was a model example of do it yourself (DIY) Brides, an increasingly popular trend thanks in part to Pinterest. They found their own centerpieces, made their own programs, and created a warm and beautiful room for both their ceremony and reception. They accomplished all this while keeping their budget in check. For them, being involved in every element of the wedding process made for a more meaningful wedding. Many find comparable rewards in DIY décor.

Wedding decor doesn’t have to burn your budget as long as you have time and a truck. With stores like AC More, Michaels, Home Goods, Marshall’s, Ross, and dozens of online sources, it’s easy to do it yourself. You can simply pick your colors and/or theme, determine your perimeters, and then begin creating that special look to make your day unforgettable. DIY décor offers couples the opportunity to get creative and personalize their day by literally pouring their efforts into the creation of their event. While our brides were able to be DIY we found that they still really benefitted from a couple planning meetings and day-of assistance.

In the event planning industry, there are two real components: the planning leading up to the event, and the coordination of the plan on the actual day of the event. For brides who want to have a lot of control over the planning, the DIY bride, day-of assistance can really be beneficial. Day-of Assistance, or Day-of Coordination is having an event planner on site to make sure all of your specific desires are met. Some view this as an unnecessary added expense; however, it reduces the stress the bride feels because she knows there is a professional there to help her. For DIY brides it is arguably more important because they have eliminated the decorator so they need a professional to set up their décor. Even the best laid plans can fail if the execution is subpar. Our final event of 2013 is a great example of DIY working hand-in-hand with day-of-assistance.

Our couple came to us in the spring of 2013 asking for suggestions for venues, vendors, and expert advice. They also came with a Pinterest page of carefully collected images they wanted to use as inspiration. They were very organized, so we agreed that four meetings (including a site visit) spread evenly throughout the year along with day-of-assistance would provide more than enough support for them to have their dream wedding. They kept up with their planning in-between meetings and everything went smoothly. With that said, they really appreciated the day-of-help because it meant that their wedding vision could be executed without a family member or friend having to set up the space. Knowing that they could walk into the room and it would look exactly the way they envisioned it was comforting. Day-of-Assistance with one or two meetings as opposed to full package planning is a rising trend, and event planners must being willing to alter their packages, paperwork, and mindset in order to change with the times.

This wedding was a new experience for our company. We were unsure of the couple’s personal preferences on how they wanted to be referred to. We needed to adjust some of our paperwork; changing the words bride and groom and husband and wife to spouse and spouse or partner and spouse, or bride and bride to ensure we were accurately representing the couple. These types of changes put us more in sync with today’s current wedding world.

The Important thing we learned was same sex marriages really are not very different from heterosexual weddings.  Same ceremony. Same schedule. Same event. Same Love. Just, in this particular case, no man directly involved in the planning or the wedding. Marriages are ultimately about two people joining together to form a unit built on love, trust, and understanding. Weddings are for showcasing a couple’s dedication to each other while celebrating and having fun. The participants may be slightly different, but the motivations and desires are ultimately the same.

As previously said, there are seventeen states, plus the District of Columbia, that have legalized same sex marriage; however, there are also thirty-three states that currently have same sex marriage bans through either state law or state constitution. Couples are currently suing their states, including Virginia, to obtain the right to join in marriage; hearing about these lawsuits makes us proud to live in one of three states that legalized same sex marriage through popular vote, but also reinforces our understanding that change takes time. We are happy to help effect the change we want to see by assisting all who are planning their wedding. We were honored and humbled to be hired by our clients who trusted our experience and knowledge of events, despite knowing there might be a learning curve in terms our understanding of same sex marriage. We [SAVE THE DATE] hope to reach out to, and assist all couples, regardless of sexual identity, in the planning of their events. We want to treat each couple and event as individual while understanding they really are all the same.

Since the original writing of this article, the Supreme Court ruled that it is unconstitutional to ban same-sex marriage, so the conversation about which states have legalized same-sex marriage is less relevant than at the time of writing the original piece. Hope you enjoyed

Check out this article http://ow.ly/Q0l8E
New York Times endorses party planner/day-of coordinator so you’re a guest at your event!

This year we applied for The Spotlight Awards. Part of that process was explaining what makes SAVE The DATE unique. While many of you may know certain elements about the company, this piece provides insight into why we might just be the PERFECT Planner for YOU …

SAVE The DATE, LLC events and promotions your way was founded in 1995 on the belief that event planners should educate their clients on planning their own event rather than the planner making all the decisions without input. This concept stemmed from President Cara Weiss’ own experiences with her wedding planner. By including the client and sending the client home with “homework” – projects to work on by themselves – SAVE The DATE has continually provided clients with affordable planning and day-of coordination options.  While SAVE The DATE certainly does offer full-planning options where our staff handles everything on behalf of the client, we have found that our unique approach attracts clients looking for guidance who still want to be involved; this works especially well for Social Events, which is our primary business. More specifically, we have recently specialized in B’nai Mitzvah planning. We feel this has become our bread and butter because we love everything a Mitzvah celebrates, boys and girls striving towards becoming caring and giving adults in the world. For Mitzvahs, we recommend our clients show how their children are giving and doing “Mitzvah Projects” in the hopes that celebrating community service will encourage the next generation to be givers rather than takers. Our goal is to act as the “eyes, ears, and voice” for our clients during their party, allowing them to “be a guest at their own event.” This helps the clients to relax and enjoy knowing that everything will be to their taste.

We have all seen the big, beautiful floral centerpieces dozens and dozens of times. They always look amazing and take people’s breath away; however, they do not necessarily convey a personal message about the couple. Adding that personal touch, or what we at SAVE The DATE call the “Eye Candy” of the event can really take it from average to unique; this typically begins with making a logo.

The idea of creating a personalized logo and incorporating it into various elements of the event is a growing trend in weddings and other social events. Traditionally, couples kept it simple with just a monogram; however, couples are now including photographs, full names, and images of things that are significant to them. The logo typically contains your colors and/or theme and says something about you; a traditional cursive monogram says something different than a modern, sleek font, so choose something that speaks to you as a couple. Once a custom logo has been created, it can be used for items like: personalized cocktail napkins or guest towels, favors, dance floor stickers, and more.