New Designer on the Block

As mentioned before on our blog, we have some changes coming up and getting ready to be announced. One of those is adding a fabulous designer to our team. Meet Andrea Bye.

Andrea has been a great friend for years (we just discovered yesterday its been about 13 years). She has been an encouragement to me and Noteworthy Designs throughout the whole process - from the initial brainstorming sessions, to moving to and from Medicine Hat to now - where we currently are at. Andrea is kind and sensitive and super creative. I am so excited to be working on projects with her and using her talents and skills.

Noteworthy Designs welcomes Andrea to our team with open arms. We got together yesterday for a business meeting...including her photo shoot. You can get to know Andrea a little more on our website as well.

A couple of "outtakes" from our session. Sorry, Andrea, I couldn't resist.

Beautiful Bride

Check out this bridal gown sale in Calgary:


"Beautiful Bride" Bridal Boutique is having a Spring Sample Sale on April 2, 2009 from 11:00am-8:00pm at their Macleod Trail location. If you have not already purchased your dress this is the perfect time to start looking. They will be marking down a lot of their sample dresses, making in store draws and offering incentives for ordering new gowns and ordering from their new couture line Martina Liana. There will be food and beverages on hand and it should be a great day!

6700 Macleod Tr SE
www.beautifulbride.ca

Canada's Superstore

Yesterday, my husband and I ventured out in the snow (yes - Calgary got a huge snow fall on the weekend after several days of actually nice weather) and slush to The Real Canadian Superstore. I gotta say...I love that store. Especially the newer or renovated stores.

There is so much there and I love the stuff for the home, their clothing line and all the "fun stuff" (i.e. not the grocery shopping part - that's never my favorite). As we were walking around I was reminded what a great store it is for wedding shopping as well.

Sometimes they have great deals on things in that back home section - vases, candles, other decor items. Their website isn't very helpful, so no photos to share unfortunately. Just keep it in mind when you are looking for miscellaneous wedding or party supplies and decor.

That's all. Just had to share!

Unique Table Numbers

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE unique and special elements in a wedding. One of my favorite ways in stationery to do this is with the table numbers for the reception. Brainstorming with clients on what is special, unique, meaningful to them is such a joy.

While consulting on a wedding, it was obvious to me how important this couples dogs are to them. I suggested incorporating them into their table numbers (can be elegant, fun and memorable) and the bride loved that idea.

What is something that stands out in your relationship or personalities that you can incorporate into your table numbers?


photo courtesy of theknot.com. "Pictures of the couple during recent trips (Tokyo, Vancouver, etc.) served as the table cards. Each card sat on a bed of salmon and pomegranate rose petals surrounded by three pillar candles."


photo courtesy of theknot.com. "The bride drew table numbers on white-framed chalkboards that were propped up against the mason jars. Red pails were also on hand to collect the shells from lobsters (the main course!)."

Consults

I thought I would touch on what is involved in a Noteworthy Designs Consult. When possible, I enjoy meeting with my clients face to face at least once. It is a great time for me to get to know the clients, their interests and desires in regards to their stationery. In addition, they can get to know me as I believe that connection is key when designing something so custom.

Top Ten Things to Know for a Noteworthy Designs Consult

1) It is a free initial meeting so that the client and designer can meet

2) Expect to see samples, if you would like

3) Come bearing gifts...I mean samples of anything you have planned so far if your stationery is for an event. If you have color swatches of fabric, dishes, decor or other elements in your wedding, it is great to bring those.

4) Be prepared to talk colors, textures, design elements, all things to do with your unique paper products. And if you aren't sure - no problem. Our samples can help you to decide.

5) As we are based out of our home, we do the initial meetings at a coffee shop, etc and we are willing to travel to one near you.

6) It is a no obligation consult. If you don't think it will be a good fit for you, no problem.

7) Don't be scared if you don't know what vellum, grosgrain ribbon or the difference between an escort card and a seating card is. We will help you through it all!

8) We pride ourselves on doing things custom. If you don't see something you want, just ask.

9) Feel free to bring 1 or 2 people along with you to the consult.

10) Be prepared to have fun and enjoy the process!

A Focus on Stationery

As mentioned in our last post, Noteworthy Designs is in the process of making some changes. February was a busy month for us as we have been working on and implementing the new focus for our company.

photo courtesy of www.flarephotography.ca

Being apart of our clients special wedding day has been a joy and privilege to have. Its a honor to work with a couple on such an important day - from booking a venue, to picking out the perfect bouquets and all the running around on their day of wedding is what I have been able to call my "job".

But in all honesty, my favorite part about doing wedding planning is working with the couple. Getting to know them. Finding out what really makes them tick, what made them fall in love and walking through the process of wedding planning with them. The fact that it pours into my desire to be creative and need to be organized never hurts any either.

With changing cities, we have decided to also change our outlook for Noteworthy Designs. As you might notice on our website, Wedding Coordinating services have been removed. This has been a hard, long and emotional decision. I am going to miss weddings. Miss working with great vendors. Miss the day of excitement.

photo courtesy of www.madchenstudios.com. stationery courtesy of www.noteworthydesigns.ca

However, I do get to keep doing the other part of Noteworthy Designs that I love...custom stationery. You see, the best part is it sticks with what I love about working with couples. I still get to know them in our consults (as it is imperative to the custom design process). I still get to find out what makes them tick to try and make the stationery as unique and personal to the couple (after all, the more personal the wedding, the more memorable it will be for all). And I still get to be a part of the wedding planning process (plus have lots of knowledge on weddings to share). I see it as a win-win.

So bare with us as we continue to share with you our hopes, dreams and changes for Noteworthy Designs. In the next few weeks we will share some of the new DIY packages for stationery, introduce you to another one of our designers and who knows what other goodies we will throw in! After all, Noteworthy Designs' mission statement does state:

"We are a company who adapts to our clients needs while staying fresh and trendy in the stationery industry."