LEXI & JAKE

THE WEDDING OF

PHOTOGRAPHER: LEXIE MIKAYLE PHOTOGRAPHY

PREMIER VENDORS

photographer / LEXIE MIKAYLE PHOTOGRAPHY venue / HIGHLAND GARDENS cake / MRS. MADI MAKES floral / POPPIES FLORAL CO catering / CALEYS CATERING & EVENTS dress / ELEGANT GOWN STORE videographer / MADISON JANE FILMS balloons / LOU BALLOONS decor / POPPIES FLORAL name cut out / CARPENTER FARMHOUSE

A Guide to Wedding Invitations

by Rebecca Brebberman of Rose Blossom Design

Photo by: Meghan Hess Photography

Wedding invitations are often an undervalued component in the wedding planning process. To some, the invitation may be less important or low-priority.

But consider: the wedding invitation is more than just a piece of paper. It is the first impression your guest will receive of your wedding, and will set the tone and expectations for the entire event!

Yes, once the wedding is over, the music ends, the flowers wilt, and the food and cake is gone. But often, the invitation will be displayed on a guest’s fridge for several months, leading up to, and even after the wedding. If you send your guests something extra special, they may even want to keep it forever, as a reminder of the memories from your special day!

These days, there is so much creativity and handmade care that goes into crafting the perfect wedding invitation, to match the personality of the couple and theme of the event. As someone who lives, breathes, and looks at pretty paper all day, I can tell you that invitations don’t have to be boring anymore! There are endless possibilities and combinations of print methods (digital, letterpress, foil, and thermography, to name a few) colors, textures and shapes. Even adding on one or two embellishments such as wax seals, ribbon, vellum, tassels, gold leaf, hand-torn edges and envelope liners can really take your invitations to the next level and add that wow-factor. So what are the different print methods available? Here are a few of the most common ones:

• Digital: this is what most people probably think of as flat printing, using traditional printers. This method offers the most color variety in a design, and is the most budget friendly. • Letterpress: uses a metal stamp, called a “die” to impress ink into a soft paper. The cost of the die, plus the hand-stamping makes letterpress a bit of a pricier process. A new die is needed for each color of ink used, so usually letterpress designs are one or two colors. • Hot foil stamping: similar to letterpress, a die is used along with heat to press and adhere foil into the paper. Foil comes in lots of different colors and can be shiny (metallic) or matte. • Thermography: uses a powder that melts when heated, creating a raised ink effect on the paper. • Embossing: a bit pricier than letterpress, because it uses two dies—a die and counter die—to press into the paper from both sides.

This creates a raised, three-dimensional look.

With so many options, it all can get a bit overwhelming. Consider hiring a professional wedding stationer who can help you navigate the options that are best for your style and budget, and who has experience to create something beautiful, unique, and memorable!

A wedding stationer is a professional designer whose focus and expertise is on the paper goods for a wedding. A wedding stationer usually offers a wider range of high-quality papers, materials, and print methods than you might otherwise have access to. We’re always researching and learning new techniques to keep up with current trends. And since we do weddings all day, every day, we also have extensive wedding knowledge and can offer our advice on etiquette and wording. We can also do all that assembling and handmade stuff for you, if crafting and DIY isn’t your thing!

Photo by: Meghan Hess Photography

A few invitation do’s and don’ts when working with a stationer:

DO: be up front about your budget. If your budget is very strict, or if there is some wiggle room, let the stationer know. Certain print methods, materials, and handmade items cost more than others, due to the time, difficulty, and expense that goes into it. Decide on your one or two “musthaves”, and anything else that would be nice, but not essential. If you are honest about your budget, your stationer can make suggestions and set realistic expectations that fit within that budget, or let you know if it’s not going to be a good fit.

DON’T: ask someone to copy an exact design for you. If you like a particular design, buy it from the person who created it! Pinterest can be a great place to find inspiration and ideas, but don’t show someone else’s design to a stationer and expect them to create an exact copy. It’s not fair to the original creator, not to mention against copyright. Find inspiration images and tell the stationer what you like about each one, so they can give suggestions. When choosing a designer to work with, look through their portfolio (hopefully they have a website, Instagram, Pinterest, etc.) and make sure you like their style to be confident they can deliver on your vision.

DO: hire the same stationer to do your invitations and wedding day items, such as menus, place cards, programs, signage, etc. so that everything goes together for a flawless, cohesive look. This isn’t always possible, as some designers might be fully booked and some might not offer day-of items, but it’s a good idea to ask! DON’T: wait until the last minute to hire a wedding stationer; ordering materials and creating handmade materials takes time! The amount of time it takes can vary greatly depending on the stationer, and several other factors, including how responsive you are to communications and how many revisions you require. But plan on anywhere between two to eight weeks. We can give you a better estimate once we know what you’re looking for!

DO: read the contract. A professional wedding stationer should have a contract for you to sign, just like any other wedding service you hire. It’s there to protect both you and the stationer. It will set up all expectations with timeline, proofs, and payments.

DON’T: put your registry info on the invitation. This is biggest faux pas I see all the time. You’ve probably seen your friends do it, and for some reason this has become very common to Utah weddings. But it’s really not good wedding etiquette to put registry, Venmo, honeymoon fund, or any other gift requests on the invitation. Instead, create a wedding website (many can be created for free) and link your registry and any other related details there. Your website address can be shared within the wedding invitation suite. Registries may also be shared by word of mouth, and it is more appropriate to share on a bridal shower invitation—that’s what the bridal shower is for! Of course, if my client insists on it, they’re the boss, but I try to steer them toward better alternatives first.

DO: have your photographer photograph a flat lay of your invitations along with your other wedding details. This is so often forgotten! You should always order a few extra invitations in case of last minute additions, but make sure to save an unused set for your photographer to style. You’ll be glad you did! Don’t forget to tag and credit your stationer when sharing photos of their work on social media!

www.Hiddenorchards.com

Hidden Orchards is Utah’s newest wedding venue that offers a unique setting unlike any other in the state. With a stunning ambiance of orchard trees, you and your guests will feel like you are the only ones around as you are surrounded in our beautiful orchard. Hidden Orchards is inside of an active working orchard. This means the trees will have the most stunning blossoms in the spring, along with beautiful fruit during early fall, which absolutely adds a magical touch to any wedding!

@hiddenorchards | E: Weddings@hiddenorchards.com

• CAKE •

Makel McCracken

@bakemyday_makel

BAKE MY DAY

• HAIR & MAKEUP •

Photo: @katelynflowersphotography

Karla Riffle

@karlarifflemakeup

KARLA RIFFLE MAKEUP

• PHOTOGRAPHY •

Photo: @sarah.jane.photo

Sarah Jane Zenger

@sarah.jane.photo

SARAH JANE PHOTO

WHEN AND HOW TO BOOK YOUR WEDDING CAKE? HOW MUCH TIME SHOULD I ALLOW FOR HAIR AND MAKEUP?” WHAT SHOULD MY WEDDING TIMELINE LOOK LIKE?

For most weddings, 3 to 6 months of notice for your baker is optimal. If you are getting married during peak wedding season (June - September), it’s best to contact your baker with as much notice as possible so they can accommodate your schedule. In addition, when approaching a baker, make sure you have a good idea of what kind of cake you’re hoping for, as well as any additional information you can provide - the more information you can give your baker up front, the better! This helps with the design process, price estimates, and securing your date!

This answer depends on the artist and how long they need. Most makeup artists will tell you to block out about an hour in a half to two hours for hair and makeup. The day of the wedding can be stressful and full of chaos! Having your bridal party around, or fixing last minute things for your wedding can happen and In my experience can cut into your getting ready time! I also suggest having about an hour between the time you need to be ready by the time you need to leave in case you go over time for hair/makeup or want to take pictures before you leave! Also having a timeline of the day will help keep you on schedule, especially if you have members of the bridal party getting hair or makeup done.

Every wedding timeline looks different depending on the needs of the couple, and you should plan your wedding in a way that fits your needs! Wedding planners can help a lot with the timeline of your wedding, but it is also a really good idea to consult with your photographer. Letting your photographer know about certain events of the day, family and other group pictures that are wanted, or even some bridals during the wedding day take a certain amount of time. Be sure that you and/or your wedding planner are consulting with your photographer to allow for adequate time for the pictures you want aside from the candid event photography. It is also always smart to add some buffer time so you can have time to relax and enjoy your day. Not only is it wise to consult with your photographer about the amount of time needed, but photographers know what times are best for light at your exact venue or location. It could even be fun to break away from your reception and snag a few photos while the light is the best!

Q&A from your LOCAL PROS

• DRESS •

Shelley Grose

@sweetheartbridal

SWEETHEART BRIDAL

• VENUE • • CATERING •

Photo: @hightsphotography, @christophercook.co

Johnson Family

@thewildoak Corinne Beenfield

@landmarkcateringutah

WILD OAK VENUE LANDMARK CATERING

HOW DO I KNOW WHEN I FOUND THE RIGHT DRESS? WHAT SERVICES DOES YOUR VENUE OFFER? HOW DO I KNOW WHICH MENU TO ORDER OFF OF?

Before going shopping, have an idea of what you want your wedding to look like. What kind of feel or vibe are you going for? Also, think about the most important factors for you in a dress. Is it important to be able to dance? Do you love a certain neckline or fabric? As you are shopping, reconsider all of the things that you have put on your list and more than likely one dress will fit your criteria. Once you find the dress that checks off the most important things on your list-stop looking and get it! Commit to your dress and focus on planning the rest of your wedding details. Choosing a venue is one of the most important decisions you will make when planning your wedding. Knowing the kinds of services the venue offers is a great head start! It’s good to ask your potential venue if they have package deals, wedding planning services, in house catering, set up/clean up, and more. This can save you time and money from coordinating multiple vendors if the venue provides some additional services. These initial questions will be the framework of a stress free planning process.

Most catering companies will have extensive menus, far more than you’d expect from a restaurant. You can chose something casual, like Street Tacos, or elegant, like Tri Tip Steak with Pomegranate Balsamic Reduction, or Hors d’Oeuvres. Oftentimes there will be a Reception Menu, which will have a high group minimum. By cooking for large groups, they can cut their costs and this may be the best deal for you. Dinner Menus typically include several sides, a drink, and dessert, making for a lot of bang for your buck! At the end of the day, it’s all about your vision. That’s why they call us “caterers!” We look forward to creating that for you.