Spoiled Opulence Fashion Show Invite

Hello Everyone!
Just started a new project and wanted to share some photos with you:

20% Off Your SAVE THE DATE Order!

Since I am in a giving mood, I have decided to give all you wedding planners an early wedding present.

Anyone who orders their "Save the Date" cards before October 31, 2009 will save 20% off their order.

Crazy, right? What can I say, call it my stimulus package to all those folks still determined to have the wedding of their dreams this year. It is not your fault our nation is in economic turmoil, why should you suffer? Go ahead, plan the wedding you daydream about. I will help you save money along the way!

In the mean time and in between time, I will daydream about my honeymoon. Oh how I would love to be on the beaches of Jamaica right now, sipping a glass of red stripe and soaking in the sun...

Tips to Make Your Special Day Cheaper!

Do you have champagne taste and caviar dreams, on a white bread and soda pop budget? Don't worry, you can still have a beautiful but cheap wedding. Check out these great ways to cut costs and save money.

1. Trim Your Wedding Guest ListEach time you add a name to your invitation list, you're increasing your budget significantly. It's not just the catering costs, but also the extra centerpieces, favors, rentals, etc. Don't invite anyone you haven't talked to in five years. Don't feel obligated to let single people bring a date. Avoid feeling pressured to invite all your work colleagues. And don't let your friends bring their children. You can also decide to eliminate categories like "relatives more distant than first cousins" or "friends from volunteer work." By not inviting anyone from that group, you'll help avoid hurt feelings.

2. Save Postage on Your Wedding InvitationsForgo the inner envelope and blotter paper, which are leftover relics from times when ink needed time to dry, and people wanted a pristine envelope. Rather than having a reply card, ask guests to reply online or by the telephone. Not only will you save money from the printer bill, it should also reduce your postage expense.

3. Shop Sample Sales and the Internet for Cheap Wedding DressesIf you wear a 6, 8, or 10, check out sample sales, which generally happen once a year. It's a great opportunity to get a designer dress at rock-bottom prices. You can also look on eBay, Craigslist and other websites for deals on used wedding dresses. Remember that cleaning the delicate fabric of a wedding dress may cost up to $250, so avoid the cheap dress with the filthy hem. And many towns have a shop where you can rent a wedding dress, saving you hundreds and hundreds of dollars.
4. Change the Day of the WeekHave your wedding on a weeknight or a Sunday. There is less demand for these dates, so vendors will often be willing to give you a better rate. Read more ways to save money on your wedding location.

5. Save Money on Church DecorationsFor religious weddings, consider having your wedding near a major holiday. The church will already be decorated, saving you lots of money on flowers. On other days, look for simplicity. A candlelit ceremony can be romantic, gorgeous, and inexpensive. Not having your wedding in a church? Check out these tips on saving money on your wedding flowers

6. Learn to Ask for Help to Save MoneyIf you want to have a cheap wedding, pool your friends' and family's resources. Think of musicians you know, well-spoken friends who could be your officiant, and crafty people who can help you assemble things. They will generally be honored to be a special part of your big day. Also look for money-saving tips everywhere. Check websites such as wedfrugal.com and frugalbride.com, and ask friends and family members for what they did to save money on their big day.

7. Look for Cheap Wedding Food and DrinkBe honest with your caterer about your need to save money. Ask them which are the least expensive entrees and whether a buffet is cheaper than a seated dinner. See if they'll let you provide your own liquor, or if serving only wine and beer will be cheaper than a full bar. Also consider only having the bar open during your cocktail hour, then serving an inexpensive wine with dinner. Especially if you and your fiance don't drink, consider having a dry wedding.

8. Make the Most of eBayeBay, eBay, eBay. It's a great source for everything from second-hand dresses to wedding favors, cake toppers, ring pillows and more. Be sure to allow ample time for the auction to end, and for shipping. Look for trusted sellers whose feedback indicates they have accurately represented what they have sold.
Courtesy of About.com

Baby Announcement!

Hello folks,

Sorry for the delay on posting. Full-time job has had me working long hours lately. I hope all are doing well! Above is the completed baby announcement for one of my friends. Photos to come soon!

What to Include in Your Invitations

More Tips for Invitations:

Name of the host(s)/hostess(es) or parent(s) giving the party
The purpose of the invitation: A birthday party, a wedding, a holiday open house.
Name of honoree (the birthday person, the mother-to-be, the bride and groom)
Day and Date of the party (Saturday, August 29th or if it is formal, Saturday, the twenty-nineth of August). Look at your calendar to make sure the as in this example, the 29th of August is really on a Saturday.
If a formal event, include the year and spell it out (two thousand and four)
Time (6:00 p.m., or for formal events, spell out the time such as six o'clock in the evening)
Name of Place (Opah's Restaurant)
Location of Place (street address, city and state if inviting out of town guests, but no zip code)
Appropriate attire if it is an issue with your party (do not use on formal invitations-the event should be the clue as to the appropriate attire).
Proof read several times for mistakes and/or forgotten information! Even have a friend read it.

Tips on Wedding Invitation Wording

To make things less complicated in an already complicated process I want to provide you with tips on how to personalize your wedding invitations with words. Something so simple as the wording on your invitations can be the introduction to your grand event!

When it comes to writing wedding invitations, there is no such thing as a blanket text that works for everyone. The reason is because writing wedding invitations has become an art and a creative way to express the desire of both the bride and groom that a particular guest join them in celebrating their special day. The most traditional way of writing wedding invitations is similar to the following:

Mr. & Mrs. John Smith
request the honor of your presence at
the marriage of their daughter,
Name of the Bride
to
Name of the Groom
Saturday, the tenth day of June
two thousand and six
five o’clock in the afternoon
Name of the Locations
City & State

With this being the most traditional example of writing wedding invitations, the wording can be changed and rewritten to make the invite more tailored to suit the ceremony. One common variation of the example above is the addition of the name of the groom’s parents. When it comes to writing wedding invitations, the best approach is to simply do whatever you feel will be best for both families.

In some situations, writing wedding invitations has become much less formal. An example of an informal invitation would be the following:

Today we will begin a new chapter
as we join together in marriage and
we would be honored if you would
attend our wedding ceremony.
Name of the Bride & Groom

When writing wedding invitations for your ceremony, keep in mind that this is the first announcement many will see with regard to your ceremony. Your invitations should reflect the theme of your wedding (i.e., formal or informal). If your ceremony will be formal, a more traditional wording is recommended. If the wedding is to be informal or casual, have a little fun with the wording and make it your own in terms of writing wedding invitations.

As the wedding invitations are mailed, it is common for the guests to be provided with an RSVP postcard that is to be returned to the couple. This card asks that the invitee confirm whether or not he/she will be attending and, if applicable, the name of their guest. It is a good idea to mail the wedding invitations at least two months prior to the ceremony, which will allow friends and family plenty of time to make their travel arrangements or request the day off from their place of employment.