Just picked up the Spring/Summer issue of Seattle Bride Magazine, and we’re delighted to be featured in it! Amy and Jon’s tropical letterpress invitation is featured in their article “By Invitation Only”. Be sure to pick up a copy, which is on newsstands now.

Speaking of Amy and Jon, be sure and check out the blog of their fab event planner, Kelly Simants of Sweet Pea Events, for all of the destination event details, including beautiful photos from John and Joseph Photography. You can view the blog post here.

It’s that time again - time to prepare for the Seattle Wedding Show. This year’s show will be our fourth! While we always have a lot of fun, I’m counting on this year being a lot better than last year - last year we were both sick and I completely lost my voice. I’m looking forward to actually being able to chat with prospective clients, rather than smiling and waving at them from behind the table!

This year, we’ll be in a corner booth, rather than a traditional booth. We’re excited to try out a different look and feel this year, which will include a hard back wall, instead of curtains. I can’t reveal all the details - you’ll have to come and see it in person (or watch our blog for photos). We’ll have two fab helpers with us - Kristin and Karien, so be sure to pop in and introduce yourself if you’ll be there!

If you are planning on going, be sure to visit the show’s website ahead of time. If you purchase your tickets online, you’ll save $2 off the admission price, receive a voucher for a free copy of Seattle Bride Magazine, receive a “just married” pair of flip flops and be entered in the Macy’s Grand Prize Giveaway. In addition to all of that, you won’t have to wait in a long line to get your tickets. Be sure to pop by our booth (#1428) for a 10% off coupon for custom orders.

Keep an eye out too for some exciting changes to our website that we plan to launch before the show! We’re in the process now of updating it with new photos of last year’s projects. We can’t wait to share with you some of our favorite projects - even some that we haven’t posted here on the blog!

Finally, as 2007 comes to a close, we’d like to thank all of you who read the blog. One year ago, our website and blog were being visited by less than 1,000 unique visitors a month. Now, we’re being visited by over 7,000 unique visitors every month! We receive thousands of hits every day from repeat visitors. Thank you all for keeping up with us, for putting us on your blogroll, for recommending us to others, and for commenting on our posts. I’d love to hear from you: how can we make our blog better? What do you want to read about? Who is out there reading regularly?

If you’re a regular reader, please let us know! We want to hear from you! And again, thank you!

We’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Seattle is home to some seriously brilliant photographic talent.

John and Joseph Photography is no exception - in fact, I never cease to be inspired by their work. Several of our clients have highly recommended them, including Kelly and Shane, whose engagement photos are pictured below. Be sure to follow their blog to see recent projects - simply too beautiful for words. They definitely capture the feeling of a moment.

Visit their website: jkhphoto.com and their blog: jkhphoto.com/blog

I know, we’re not supposed to, but I can’t help myself. How are you not supposed to judge this book by its cover.

Of course the fact that the book New Vintage Type’s author is Steven Heller helps!

Being obsessed with good typography as well as neurotic about its proper use, we were immediately drawn to this book….especially since it’s on the subject of vintage typefaces.

I have always loved vintage typography, from the old propaganda posters of the world wars, to Saul Bass’ mastery of the letterform to fun campy 50’s style advertising and packaging.

With vintage type being so popular in the wedding invitation industry (and in a lot of other design areas) it is always good to take a look at how it has been done well by looking to the past. The research can be invaluable for those who work with such fonts to help choose the correct vintage font and to use it with maximum impact.

Try and not to drool when looking through the book.

photos courtesy of Starr Photography

Some of you will remember this post about Heather and Shan’s save the dates, invitations, and reception decor. Heather was sweet enough to share some of their stunning photos, taken by Seattle’s Starr Photography. The details that Heather incorporated into their celebration are so special, personal, and instantly reflect their style as a couple.

from top to bottom, left to right:

placecards by, well, us :: cake by hollyhock cakes :: table card by us, floral centerpiece by garden party flowers :: mountain springs lodge :: bride’s bouquet by garden party flowers :: the bride and groom :: handbag by luly yang couture (also Heather’s “inspiration piece” for planning the wedding)

Heather also incorporated some eco-friendly elements into their wedding. While planning a “green” wedding was not ultimately her goal from the start, she started to notice some ways in which she could make eco-conscious choices without sacrificing style. Here are some of the “green” elements she incorporated:

• Their cake, designed by Aimee of Hollyhock Cakes, was made with mostly organic ingredients. She even delivered the cake in a Flexcar!
• Mountain Springs Lodge, their venue, created a menu using seasonal ingredients from local farms. Heather and Shan recommended that most guests stay there at the lodge, in order to avoid driving to multiple locations for the rehearsal dinner, ceremony, and reception.
• In lieu of a guest book, Heather and Shan had guests put warm wishes, advice and thoughts on ribbon which doubled as decorations for the reception. Guests attached their ribbons on hoops that were then hung on the surrounding trees. It added a very romantic, whimsical look with the wind at night.
• The bridesmaids all picked their own dresses from Jenny Yoo’s line which ensured they’ll wear the dresses again. The mens tuxes were rented.
• Heather’s dress was custom designed by local designer Luly Yang which saved having to have the dress shipped.
• Both Heather’s engagement and wedding rings came from the fabulous Alexandria Rossoff. They are both vintage rings with original stones which alleviates the issues of where the stone originated.
• Finally, they chose to use postcard save the dates and rsvps to save paper, and their save the dates and invitations were printed with soy inks.

images via alittlehut.blogspot.com

We’ve long been admirers of Patricia Zapata’s work (she’s the talented designer behind A Little Hut) and I especially love her commitment to use what you have on hand to create some fun and useful artwork.

She’s created a really cool calender template that you can purchase and download on her site. I love how she incorporated fabric scraps, and this would look really great too with patterned paper swatches (not that we have any of those lying around, ha ha). I also think these could look striking up against a brightly painted wall, with nothing inside the monthly cutouts. Hmm…may be just the thing to cover our blank wall in our home office!

Download the template here and be sure to check out Patricia’s blog here.

The wedding is all about the bride. It is her job to stress over that big event that will take place in the near future. The bridal shower, on the other hand, does not demand the constant attention of the bride. It is her time to relax and not worry about that massive “to do” list that she has. All she has to do is show up.

Now, this is where it’s the bridesmaids’ time to shine. As mentioned before, the Maid of Honor has the primary role of heading up the bridal shower, but this does not mean the fellow bridesmaids cannot help in their supporting roles.

Start by choosing a date and time most convenient for the bride and her family, as well as for the bridesmaids. Ask the bride for a guest list and talk a bit about her expectations. She may have some ideas about the size of gathering she’d be most comfortable with. If possible, avoid inviting people that are not invited to the wedding.

The next step would be brainstorming, collaborating, and purchasing! Get with the other bridesmaids and decide what needs to be done and who can own that task. Dry of ideas?! Purchase a book to help w/ the process. Here’s some good ones I found: Bridesmaid Handbook by Sharon Naylor and The Bridesmaid Guide: Etiquette, Parties and Being Fabulous by Kate Chynoweth and Neryl Walker.

Planning a shower is similar to planning the wedding itself: a budget needs to be set and followed, location needs to be secured, decor to be decided upon, invitations sent, food prepared, etc. Don’t stress! Work together with the bridal party and family and you’ll be able to plan the shower of your friend’s dreams!