Kids or No Kids

Many couples opt to have no children at their wedding. And that is perfectly fine. Many clients ask how to make that clear with their stationery.


While it isn't proper ettiquette to write the clear message right on your invite, there are several ways to make your decision known.

First off, guests should hopefully know that who is invited is who is listed on the envelope. Whether you are doing a double envelope or not, the outer envelope should clearly be addressed to who is actually invited

ie. Mr. & Mrs. Robert Smith or The Smith Family

But sometimes, couples don't think that will be enough for their guests to get the message. Some write, "Adult only reception"

Finally, the response card also serves as a clue for guests as to who is invited. Some couples opt to write

We have reserved _______ seats for you

And then they write on each RSVP card to how many seats are reserved.

Really, these rules don't just apply to kids who aren't invited, but also those unmarried friends that you prefer to come solo rather than with a date who is in a committed relationship.

P.S Guests over the age of 18 should receive their own invite, whether they live at home or have moved out.

Naturally Chic

I was so thrilled to get the mail today. I love mail at this time of year with all the Christmas cards, letters and family photos that come rolling in. Today I got an envelope thicker than most and couldn't wait to open it. Sharon, from Naturally Chic sent me the most amazing gift.



Sharon is amazingly talented and engraving on wood is one of her specialties. When my daughter was born, she made her a beautiful keepsake box with her name and birthdate on it. We use it to keep cards my daughter has been given. Today, we received a precious ornament, made by Sharon with a photo of my baby girl on it. It is truly a precious keepsake that we will treasure forever. I was just talking with a friend today about wanting to buy Grace a "First Christmas" ornament - and this one is better than anything I would have found.
Thank you, Sharon for being so thoughtful and thinking of us this holiday season. You are a great friend, inspiration and colleague in the wedding industry. Naturally Chic is going to go great places because of who you are and what you can bring to other people's lives. I cannot wait to see your website go live in 2010 and wish you all the best. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I am sorry the photo doesn't do it justice - I have to try again in the daytime. I was just so excited to share it with all of you!

Update

Just because I've been awful at blogging, doesn't mean lots hasn't been going on! I haven't done an "official" post, but our last 3 months have been amazingly different. Back in May, we welcomed our new baby girl into our family and haven't been more happy since. She is a great baby and is started to do so much. Love her!

Noteworthy Designs is still in full swing and still taking clients to do unique custom stationery with. For weddings, greeting card, baby announcements (have a few to show you soon!), thank you cards....and of course, Christmas Cards! We have some news to launch about those soon!

For now, here is a booklet wedding invitation that we did recently. It included pages and photos about the couple, how they met, the wedding and important people in their life. The mother-of-the-bride had these done and worded it perfectly - like mini scrapbooks of memories. All about making memories! We also created custom Thank You cards that coordinated perfectly.

Beloved Fotos

The other day, I stumbled across a friend's new business venture. I haven't seen Shannon since we were in our friends wedding party together, so didn't know what she was up to. I was giddy with excitement (seriously - I was thinking about what I saw on her blog all night) and had to share with all of you.


Shannon is a photographer, but I think you will sense from her site (newly launched, I might add) and her blog that she is more than that. Her personality shines through in her writing and I am certain that any photo shoot with Beloved Fotos would be memorable and fun.

Check out her website at www.belovedfotos.com and her blog here to get to know Shannon and Beloved Fotos more.

And you HAVE to see this project she is working on...I LOVE the idea and wish I would have thought of something like that for my first baby. You won't be disappointed. Check it out here.

Here is some of her work, borrowed from her blog.

photo courtesy of www.belovedfotos.com

photo courtesy of www.belovedfotos.com

photo courtesy of www.belovedfotos.com

What I Love

Andrea and I had a great client follow up meeting the other night. I love these clients - they are fun, super nice and are going to have a lovely fall wedding. My favorite part of doing stationery is seeing people's reactions to them...and these guys did not let me down! Sent chills up and down Andrea and my backs. The bride said something that I love...

This couple came to me with an idea they had, but the thought of creating the entire thing, gathering the supplies, etc was too overwhelming. Noteworthy Designs is so custom, we were totally willing to work with them. As we showed them the sample last night, she said she loved that they were a part of the design process and making choices. They didn't just look through a book and pick which sample number they liked amongst many. She was pleased to be able to tweak what she wanted, colors, wording, layout, etc...and that was music to our ears. I'm looking forward to seeing your reactions when you see your finished stationery! Here is a sneak peek at what we are working on.

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.

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."

Noteworthy's Update

It's true! Noteworthy Designs has moved. There are lots of changes for us in the near future and one of them has been moving back to Calgary! It was bittersweet - sad to leave Medicine Hat but also glad to be 'home' in Calgary.

Thank you to our Medicine Hat past clients and fabulous vendors that we had the privilege to work with. I appreciated your support and encouragement during our time in Medicine Hat.

Past clients - I do look forward to continuing to hear updates on your lives! If you are ever in Calgary, I do enjoy a coffee catch up!

Past vendors - I will continue to check your blogs (those that have them, of course) and see what is happening with your endeavors as well. I believe it is an exciting time for Medicine Hat's wedding industry and look forward to watching it grow from afar.

Another Noteworthy Designs update is a little more personal. My husband and I are expecting our first child in May. We cannot wait!

photo from duematernity.com. And no, it isn't me in that photo!

With that, things with Noteworthy Designs will be evolving and changing...for the better. Stay tuned for an announcement soon.

Blog Schedule

As per our post here, there are nothing in the works for Noteworthy Designs and I can't wait. One of the things I would like to implement is regular blogging. It is going to look something like this:

Manners Monday - send in your etiquette, manners, awkward situations questions. I will answer them on Mondays. If not questions are to be had, then look for a helpful tip here in that department.

Whatever Wednesdays - everything can't be structured and scheduled, can it? Here is a chance to just write whatever I want!

Favorite Things Friday - humm, could that be favorite things? Yes, I will share things that inspire me, things I love, great ideas for your wedding and anything that falls under my favorites somehow and someway.

Then of course, maybe a surprise post here and there just to keep you on your toes! So come back tomorrow and see some of my favorite things (don't get your hopes up - it isn't Oprah here - we aren't giving away great stuff, just some ideas!)

Why Do I Do What I Do?

How many "do's" can you put in a title? Anyways, onto the purpose of this post.

Yesterday was a great reminder for me and one of the many reasons I am a Wedding Coordinator. I was at a tasting with a client (and no, although that is definitely a perk of my job, not a main reason!). The venue manager asked my client if they were stressed and the bride answered "no, I've got Laura for that!". It's true! One of the benefits with having a coordinator is we worry about the details and getting things done (with the bride & groom, of course).

I was so elated to hear that they weren't stressed and that they were enjoying the wedding planning process - the way it is supposed to be! Plus I am super excited for their wedding - cannot wait!!

Twittering

I had to check out Twitter to see what it is all about. It is quite funny and I am still trying to figure it out, etc. Come find us on there - under laurahit and let me know if you use Twitter so I can add you. I haven't really figured out how to search for people yet, so let me know if I can find you! The fun and interesting things in technology!

You can sign up for free at twitter.com See you there!

Dreams & Updates

Since Noteworthy Designs has been in business, I have always continued to think, get inspired, plan, explore, discuss, and dream about what I want it to look like. I love my business and how we are doing, but as most businesses, continuously looking how to improve, change, stay current and ultimately, give our clients the best service that they can imagine.

All this to say that Noteworthy Designs will be making some changes in the next few months, updates and new packages to serve our clients better. After all, Noteworthy Designs strives to have your event get noticed - whether it be in Wedding Coordinating on one of the biggest days of your life or in stationery to set the tone of your event. Keep checking back - one of my changes includes blogging more!!

Madchen Studios

I was doing my regular daily blog surfing checks to see what has been updated, etc and imagine my surprise when I visited a wonderful local photographer highlight Noteworthy Designs on her site. How kind!! I was so surprised to see Rachel blog about our past visit and link to my site. See it here.

Rachel does some amazing photography and has a blog that she updates regularly. Check her out at Madchen Studios.

Photo taken from Rachel's blog.

All About Cakes

I have always wanted to take a cake decorating course. I knew nothing (before this course) about cake decorating and thought it would be fun to know for our (future) kids and also for Noteworthy Designs.

It was 4 weeks long at Michael's and we made 3 cakes to decorate. Here are mine (please remember, they are my first 3 cakes I have ever done). Oh, and crappy photos I took to boot! Good thing I am a wedding planner and not a cake decorator or photographer, isn't it!?!?