Damask Wedding Reception

Christina has one of my favorite invitations ever. I loved the black damask design, but I especially loved her fonts with the lower case text. When Christina asked me if I could do something new, I jumped at the chance. So I'm now introducing custom coat check tags! I am so excited about these and they turned out amazing. There are two perforated pull off tags;, one for a coat and one for a hat! We also did damask table numbers and a damask seating chart. I look forward to seeing the pictures on The Shooting Gallery blog too!

Ever wondered what 19,180 looked like?

I often get asked if I ever have "down time". Being in Michigan, there is a definite wedding season here. January through March is off season. Halls offer discounted rates and vendors are all looking for weddings to make it through those winter months. My own wedding was in March 10 years ago so I could take advantage of the discounted rates. And I knew that I wanted to go somewhere tropical on our honeymoon so leaving the cold chill of Michigan to go somewhere warm definitely had it's appeal. :)

I have the luck that I can work on weddings across the nation and even internationally. But still, February and March are slow months. But am I slow? No - right now I'm working on all of my April weddings, some logos for my favorite vendors and businesses, and on my 2010 client packages. Yes, you read that right, 2010. With 2009 nearly booked, I'm working ahead on my new marketing materials for clients in 2010. This squares project is part of the new marketing package! On my counter are 19,180 squares and it was too fun & colorful not to photograph and share. I also had so many boxes of marketing materials delivered that they spanned from the front door down the hallway and my son had fun running across the "box bridge" in the house. :)

Circle Invitations!

Joanie contacted me last summer. She had fallen in love with Tori's invitation but the custom pocket was a little out of her price range. She sent me pics of her cake and told me how much she loved circles. I had always wanted to do a round invitation. Not only did we do the invitations shaped like a circle, but also the RSVP! I love every single detail of her set. The circle pattern was inspired by her kitchen rug of all things and we first designed the pattern for her Save the Date postcards . My favorite detail though may be the RSVP envelopes - with the side flap and the design runs over the flap.

We also did circle table numbers! And her favor is also a photobooth and she is giving each guest a small frame for the photo booth picture. I made these pretty little inserts to go inside the frame and also the logo that will go on the bottom of every picture.

Thanks again to Joanie for letting me work on these awesome invitations. And now that her order is complete, I wanted to share with Joanie and you what her mother sent to me. :)

I had to write and let you know how beautiful your work is. Joanie is my daughter and she is beyond happy and excited to have her invitations, etc being created by you. Every step of the way, she has exuberantly told me of the details. The effort and design you have put into her wedding will be one of the most memorable for Joanie and Jon because they feel you are capturing the essence of who they are. Joanie doesn't know I'm writing because she might accuse me of bothering you....but I couldn't help myself! Thank you for making Joanie so happy at this very special time in her life.

Another year gone buh-bye

As I completed Elyn's wedding and moved her folder from Current to Completed, I realized that yet another year has gone by. I took just a moment to look back at one of the most dynamic years of my business.

I had some of the most amazing brides this year. From the ones that would do something totally different and trust me, even though I couldn't show them the end result, to the brides that ordered something so amazing, I couldn't wait to work on it. And especially my brides that splurged on custom invitations and sent me daily emails with the response from their guests. You guys are all the reason why I do this.

Even my bridezillas and momzillas all taught me something. From them I learned patience and looked at some of my business operations and changed them for the better. I was tested to my limit this year and made it through. Thank you to each of you for proving to me that I'm doing something that I love.

This past year saw big changes for me. I took a huge plunge and had "Gourmet Invitations" service marked. Now my name is mine - all mine. :) I took another huge step to advertise - but there will be more on that in the coming weeks.

In the last year, I relyed more and more on my support team. My three assistants prove to me daily that I have no idea what I would do without them. Each will go out of their way to help me - especially when I REALLY need it. Without them, I wouldn't be where I am and I cherish them and their friendship more than I can express.

My parents, in-laws, and more importantly my husband are always there when I need it. From my mom who often does ribbons and bows and detail work, to my in-laws who graciously take my son for overnighters. And my husband who is always supporting and suffering at Chuck E. Cheese with my son so I can get some time in. To all of you, I love you.

Looking ahead 2009 looks to be just as amazing. I have so many brides, grooms and mothers that I am already working with who are proving to be even more fun than last year. I have so many "invitations" that are far from the typical invitation, I'm busting at the seams to share them with you.

It was only 5 years ago that I had stated "if I could just have one order a month, I'll be thrilled". So thank you to everyone that has ever worked with me, thought about working with me or who I'll be working with in the future. This has been the most amazing ride of my life and I'm glad you were there with me along the way.

Elyn's Paris-Themed Wedding

Elyn's invitations are one of my favorite's, with the fun Eiffel Tower invitations and French postage theme that went throughout the pieces. The reception was also so much fun to work on. The table numbers are replications of street signs in Paris! Right down to the green and blue. We also did matching placecards that are a street sign. Her bar menu with the Soixant Quinze drink and her thank you cards with Merci Beaucoup are just adorable. Photobooths are becoming the biggest rage at weddings. I did small inserts that will go inside her photo strip frame favors. And I also designed her logo that will go on the bottom of each photo strip.

Seating Charts

Top 8 Reasons why you should do a Seating Chart instead of Placecards or Escort Cards

1. It is a piece of artwork that serves as decoration the entire night
2. Most of my brides hang them in their home after the wedding
3. Easier to read and at eye level
4. Placecards are messy - they are left all over the reception area
5. A placecard table looks good only until the first card is taken
6. Placecards are typically a smaller font and are harder to find your name
7. Seating charts are considered "green" - you aren't wasting all of the cardstock for placecards
8. Typically more cost effective for weddings over 125 guests.

To see lots of samples of my seating charts, visit my website

Ashley's Striped Invitations and Wedding

Ashley has another one of my favorite invitations - mostly because I've never seen anything like them anywhere else. :) And also because I love stripes on wedding invitations. Her wedding reception - my first at The Colony Club in downtown Detroit - has the same striped pattern on all of her pieces. I did striped menus and programs. Her striped table numbers will be going in picture frames on the tables. I also did bar menus and this gorgeous seating chart with stripes and their monogram. I can't wait to see the photos from this event. Misty from Bells and Bliss is the coordinator and I'll be sure to pass on the photos from Jessica Johnston's blog once they're posted.

Matt & Ellie

This tea length invitation is printed on a handmade petal paper with a pine tree design printed in dark green. The dark green panel is wrapped with an ivory satin/organza ribbon. Adding a graphic design to your invitations is another great way to really customize your wedding stationary.

Swatches!

Most you who have contacted me know that I send you swatches specific to your wedding colors. But are you not sure what colors you want to use at your wedding? This is the perfect oppurtunity to get an entire Envelopments swatch deck - for FREE! You can order the swatch deck here - at the Envelopments website. They will send you the deck for $20. But the best part? You get a $20 rebate that you can redeem with me for $20 off an order of $200 or more! It is a limited offer so don't wait.

Spring 2009 Wedding Trends

Hope you find some inspiration from these 2009 Spring Wedding Trends. Remember we can custom match your invitations to your exact color scheme. Take a look at what's in this Wedding Season! We would love to hear what your colors are this Spring or Summer. Please leave us a comment.

Pink and Blue - Lots of Pastels!

Bright Blues & Greens -
Think Tiffany Blue & Lime Green!

Tangy Yellow - Mixed with gray,
brown and other monotones!

Black Flowers & Accessories -
Black and White is oh so classic!

Gray is the new Brown -
Brown took over Black and now Gray is in!

Justine's Monogram

This is another wedding that I am doing with Laura Davis Events . I designed her monogram that will be used everywhere at the wedding - even on her chocolate menus!

Julie and Steve's Wedding Video!

I just love Take1 and stalk their blog. I was thrilled to see that Joanne and Don posted Julie and Steve's trailer. Love all of my things featured in the video. :)

And even more posts!

Dream Damask Wedding II


Dream Damask Wedding III


Wedding Invitations by Gourmet Invitations

I can't even tell you how excited I was this morning to see that Style Me Pretty had not only featured Marcy and Matt's wedding, but also a profile on my website. Thank you Style Me Pretty! I have a smile on my face that just can't be erased this morning. :)

I'm on Style Me Pretty!!!

I've been so excited to announce that I am now a member of the very elite Little Black Book on Style Me Pretty! I've been an avid reader of the Style Me Pretty blog for months now and knew all about the "list". You have to be asked on be on this list and I was thrilled when I got the call a few weeks ago. Abby is someone that I truly look up to professionally. She used to own her own custom design invitation business and now she is the founder of SMP - a blog that Martha Stewart reads daily. :)

So I was even more thrilled when one of my weddings was chosen to be featured on the new Little Black Book blog in it's first week! Check out Marcy and Matt's wedding. There are more posts to come so be sure to check back later for more fabulous pictures from Dionne at the Shooting Gallery!

Nicole's Save the Dates

I love these - everything about them. From the side flap envelopes, to the contemporary fonts and the layout, to the fun mix of greens. Can't wait to work on the wedding invitations, Nicole!

Melissa's Damask Wedding Reception

Melissa's brown and green damask is so amazingly striking. I've had two 2009 weddings change their colors to brown and green after seeing her invitations! I did her seating chart, table numbers, thank you signs, and candle.

Come see us at the Big Event Bridal Fair!

November 15, 2008
10:00 a.m. — 3:00 p.m.
SEL Event Center
1825 Schweitzer Drive
Pullman, WA 99163

Prizes throughout the day!
Free Admission!

Planning a wedding can be a daunting task. Join us to meet the right wedding professionals, and set your mind at ease. Consult with our professional wedding exhibitors.

• Guest Accommodations
• Wedding Facilities
• Bridal Fashions
• Reception Music
• Photographers
• Florists
• Catering
• Invitations
  
• Wedding Accessories
• Live DJ
• Food Samples

Kellie's Save the Date Magnets

I've got a ton of new products coming out and this is one of them! I can now do my own save the date magnets and other magnets! Kellie is another bride from It's a Shore Thing . I love Kellie's entire package. Kellie will have quotes all over her entire wedding. This one, from when "Harry Met Sally" (one of my all-time favorite movies), is so fitting on the pocket. We did three shades of blue on the pocket and the magnet inside uses one of the blues with a grey and goes perfectly with her black and white photo taken by Samantha Alday Photography .

Alyssa's Extras

Alyssa contacted me about making the extra items for her reception. She sent me an inspiration board and she wanted her table numbers to be the inspiration for all ofher pieces. Inspiration boards have been used by interior designers for years and now they are making their way into the wedding world as well. After locating the font (my new favorite) everything fell in to place. Her table numbers are all custom with each letter custom to achieve the look we were going for. The monogram "R" is in the background on all pieces, except the programs. For the programs, I designed a premarried monogram that was then put on the seating chart.