Bring on the BLING

Diamonds are a girl's best friend, but we can't mail them to our friends and family.  Instead, how about rhinestone buckles and Swarovski crystal accents on your invitations?  These two newest designs from Staccato's Signature Collection are awe inspiring.  While they're pictured here in a very classy black and ivory color scheme, there are many other color options.

To Match? or To Coordinate?

Color, glorious color!  I love it!  I love that invitations to formal events no longer need to be on ecru paper.  Wedding invitation designers are doing beautiful things with colors, patterns, and textures.  Here's a little advice for the custom bride, though.

Remember that your guests will not be carrying the wedding invitation in to the ceremony and comparing them to your maids' dresses.  You want the invitation to foreshadow the "feel" of your wedding, but an exact match is not a must.  In fact, an exact match might be boring!

I have had several couples fall in love with a particular invitation of mine and ask if it can be done in their colors.  YES!!  We can convert almost all of our designs to coordinate with your theme.  Note - I said coordinate, not match.  Don't get me wrong, sometimes we can match!  But other times, the materials are simply not available in the exact color.  And here's a big disappointing factor: when you do try to match and and need to substitute a different material in order to do so, the invitation almost always "loses" something.  For instance, if you fell in love with a design that used linen paper, but in order match we had to use matte.  Or the envelopes were metallic, but now we're using crest in order to match - it's not the same look with which you initially fell in love.  So -- here's some tips when planning out your stationery:

DON'T be afraid to ask your invitation designer to coordinate with your colors.
DO make your invitations uniquely yours and have them speak to your special event.
DON'T get hung up on the Pantone number.
DO let your designer work with you to create a piece that compliments your wedding.
DON'T settle for something less pretty in order to "match" your colors.
DO use the design you love, even if the colors aren't a perfect match.

Inexpensive Beauties

At Staccato, we LOVE couture wedding invitations -- bring on the layers and ribbons and rhinestones (oh my!)  But for those planning a more casual affair, looking to save a little money, or simply wanting to reduce waste by keeping things simple, we're happy to oblige!  We've recently added to our "Simply Affordable" collection.  A series of invitations designed with a bit of a contemporary attitude.  As always, these invitations are printed on heavyweight recycled cards and envelopes.  Don't just think of them for weddings!  They make beautiful stationery for birthday parties, cotillions, save-the-dates, anniversaries, graduations, and religious events!

Eco-Friendly Event Planning

Last night, I had the great pleasure of meeting Maria of Naturally Chic Events.  This Arlington-based group plans parties and events with a thought for the environment and will work with you to create an elegant, eco-friendly affair by making small changes your guests may not even notice.  Visit their website for more information, but I hope to be able to bring you more features on this innovative group as I get to know them better.


www.naturallychicevents.com

More Resolutions

Is your resolution to keep in touch more?  Our personalized note cards are perfect for sending little notes to say "thanks" or "thinking of you".  Treat yourself to something special and know that your recipient will love opening mail that isn't a bill or catalog! 

 

 

Available in gift boxes of 10 or 20, they also make perfect gifts for teachers, hostesses, pet-sitters, or...anyone!

Happy New Year

The new year is here and I'm dreaming of all the wonderful possibilities ahead!  It will be a busy year for sure -- but I do have a resolution.  One you all might find a bit ridiculous since I do own a stationery company.  I need to be better about remembering birthdays.  It's true -- I'm terrible!  Even my Godchildren didn't get cards on their special days in 2009.  My mom's was late, my dad's was non-existent, my twin brother didn't get one, but then again, he didn't send one to me either.

That's all going to change this year.  I'm going to spend a few hours today hunting down all the misc. calendars that hold all my loved ones' special dates and consolidate them into one that I might actually check.  Do you have a great secret for never forgetting a birthday?  A software program you like?  A web-based service that automatically sends a card and gift?  Share your tips by writing a comment below or e-mailing blog@staccatostationery.com.  You'll be rewarded with a discount at www.staccatostationery.com.