Photo Walk

Back in September, I joined Scott & Jaime from Scott Gage Photography to walk some streets in Calgary taking photos. This photo walk was just that - walk and take photos. You don't have to even know what you were doing (I sure didn't!). It was so fun to see the photos that the other participants took and submitted to Scott to post on the Calgary Photo Walk blog.

It is amazing to see the different points of view, items and focal points that each person took a photo of. We were challenged to take an abstract photo as well. It was a great time, a chance to learn and challenge yourself if you are at all interested in photography.

Here is one of my photos from the first Calgary Photo Walk. Watch the Calgary Photo Walk for news on upcoming walks! And check out Scott & Jaime's site too - they do awesome work and are a great couple to work with!

Early Christmas

BRIDES & GROOMS...My friend, Terra Law at Inspired Occasions is having a fabulous sale that you just can't pass up! Terra & her staff are ah-mazing at what they do...so go check out what she is offering. I would.

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!!

A Double Welcome

Welcome to the Noteworthy Designs Blog. If you have landing on this blog, you might be a bride or a groom who is learning more about Noteworthy Designs’ (ND) wedding planning services, or stylish individual who is looking for some unique hand crafted stationery. Well guess what! This blog is meant to inspire you. The purposes is to share some photos from weddings that I am been a part of, share some paper crafting designs that I have created and anything else that inspires me.


Hummm….what shall we start with! My husband and I relocated to Medicine Hat not too long ago. Its amazing how many people I have met so far in the wedding industry. At first, I wasn’t too sure how many wedding related businesses there were (especially coming from a booming city like Calgary) but I’ve been pleasantly surprised.


Noteworthy Designs has been getting ready to have a booth at the Medicine Hat Bridal Showcase hosted by the Welcome Wagon. It is on September 30, 2007 at the Medicine Hat Lodge. It is a Free event for brides and a couple guests and each bride receives a great bag of gifts at the door. You have to register to attend, so visit their Welcome Wagon website to do so. Be sure to come by our booth and say ‘hi’.