Category Archives: Wedding Invitations

Choosing Your Wedding Invitation Style

Aug 26, 2011 PMCustomWeddings Posted in Advice, Wedding Invitations, Wedding Planning , ,

black and red damask wedding invitation
Are you a real traditionalist? For instance, will you be sending out the hefty and classic wedding invitations that contain all of the different reply cards and details for the wedding day? Maybe you’re a bit “alternative” and prefer a totally unique mailer that limits the amount of paper and/or postage used for the wedding invitations?

Whatever sort of style you have, there is going to be an enormous array of different wedding invitations to match your taste. This is because weddings are becoming a far more personalized and customized issue and it is rare to attend two weddings that are alike.

Generally, the uniqueness of a wedding day is established with the first mailing connected to the event. For some it is a save the date card or the invitation to an engagement party, but for many more it is the actual wedding invitation. This is the set of documents that provides guests with all of the information that they will need to know what to expect on the wedding day.

For example, if your wedding is going to have some sort of “theme,” the wedding invitation is going to have to reveal it. This might be something as simple as the color scheme for the entire day, but it might also tell people whether the affair is casual or very formal. This is most easily expressed through choices in card stock and inserts.

Consider that a wedding with a “beach” theme will have some sort of indication of that on the actual invitations, envelopes, etc. The wedding with a “black tie” format, on the other hand, will be able to be easily recognized by the format of the invitations used as well. When a wedding is this formal, it is essential to be sure that all of the subsequent mailings match, but a good supplier is going to have everything necessary and will make this very easy to achieve.

At PM Custom Weddings, we have a variety of wedding invitations to fit your wedding theme and show your own personal style!

The Wedding of Your Dreams (On a Budget)

Aug 22, 2011 PMCustomWeddings Posted in Advice, Save the Date, Wedding Invitations, Wedding Planning , , , ,

planning your wedding on a budget
One of the major tips on wedding planning concerns a subject every couple must confront, like it or not, and that is the wedding budget. In a perfect world, every couple should have the wedding and honeymoon of their dreams, without regards to cost. Now, back down to earth.

In the real world, especially in these tough economic times, it is important to be realistic and avoid taking on a long term debt that may end up affecting a couple’s life together due to the financial strain it can cause.

You want to spend your married life basking in love’s glow, not burdened with debt and stressing over money.

Tips on Wedding Planning – The Guest List

Every wedding planner will advise that there is a cost per guest, and this will vary depending on many factors. The main expense is the reception, which includes not only food and beverages, but a caterer (optional), rental space, furnishings, decorations, entertainment, etc.

When making the guest list, it is important to remember that every name on that list adds to the wedding cost. You don’t want to leave anyone out, but you must also be selective. How close are you to this friend? Do you stay in touch with them? The guest list involves compromise from both bride and groom.

Since this is a major portion of the budget, around 45% of the total, it is easy to see this is an area where overspending should be avoided.

Tips on Wedding Planning – Research is Essential

Before any Save the Date Cards or Wedding Invitations go out, before even the first check is written, a budget should be determined. An inaccurate and unrealistic budget is about as worthwhile as none at all. It is important to research what items actually cost in order to create a reasonable and realistic budget.

Make calls to caterers for estimates; find out the rental cost for the ceremony and reception venues; decide if you can afford a wedding planner; price out wedding stationery, your wedding dress, decorations and flowers, the wedding cake, and the honeymoon.

Once you have the budget set, stay within it. If you spend more in one area, make up for it in another. Also, have a “contingency” in the budget for the unexpected things that arise, and there will be unplanned items that were omitted from the original budget.

Tips on Wedding Planning – Estimated Percentages

Keep in mind these are just estimates, and they can easily vary based on many different factors.

– Ceremony, license, entertainment, parking, transportation – 5%
– Stationery – 3%
– Entertainment (ceremony, reception) – 6%
– Reception (venue, food, beverages, cake, rentals, party favors) – 45%
– Flowers (ceremony, bouquets, corsages, boutonnieres, reception) – 8%
– Photography, video – 10%
– Gifts for bridesmaids, maid of honor, groomsmen, parents – 3%
– Rings (bride and groom) – 3%
– Attire (bride, groom, jewelry, hair, makeup, shoes, accessories) – 9%
– Contingency fund – 8%

When you budget, don’t forget the special little touches that make your wedding unique. Check out the impressive collection of Wedding Invitations and Save the Date Cards at PMCustomWeddings.com, your source for personalized and stylish wedding stationery that will remain a treasure keepsake throughout your lives together.

Tips for Planning Romantic Beach Weddings

Jul 26, 2011 PMCustomWeddings Posted in Advice, Save the Date, Wedding Invitations , , , , ,

beach theme save the date cardsIf you love the romance and splendor of the beach, you’ll enjoy planning a lovely beach wedding. Beach weddings can combine simplicity with elegance to create a beautiful wedding in a gorgeous setting. Romantic beach weddings do require some forethought. The weather plays a big role in the beachside wedding. Research the weather patterns and prepare for any possible alternative.

When planning a wedding on the beach consider the area. Some parks and beaches have special areas such as gazebos that are designed specifically for these types of events. There may be the need to reservation and there may be special fees involved. A rental company can provide and set up the chairs and tents if required.

There is usually a breeze blowing at the beach, so keep this in mind when planning the ceremony. If the waves are loud, you may need microphones to allow the guests to hear the wedding vows. A beach wedding can be a more simplified affair than a traditional church wedding. The wedding attire may be streamlined and the couple may walk barefoot.

Guests at beach weddings can dress more casually than when they attend church weddings. Be sure to provide some special instructions to guests so they understand the attire that they should wear. Provide some flip-flops so guests can take off their shoes to safely walk on the beach.

When planning your wedding on the beach, find out the rules that govern the area. If a permit is required, obtain one. Find out if you can bring in seating and tents, even just for the ceremony. It is essential to have a backup plan in case the weather doesn’t cooperate. Provide directions to the site along with specific information so guests know what to expect at the wedding site. A beach wedding is a lovely option and one that will provide you with beautiful memories.

Shop our selection of beautiful beach wedding invitations and beach theme save the date cards, and your guests will look forward to your special day on the beach!

Planning Fall Weddings

Jul 25, 2011 PMCustomWeddings Posted in Advice, Fall Weddings, Wedding Invitations, Wedding Stamps , , ,

fall in love postage stampsThe autumn season is one of the best times of year to have a wedding. Fall weddings allow you to choose from a variety of colors and themes so you can truly have the wedding of your dreams. The weather in the fall is better than any other time of the year. The days are warm, yet the evenings are crisp and clear. The rainy season is usually over, so you can expect good weather for your wedding.

Fall weddings lend themselves to wonderful floral arrangements and table centerpieces. Choose dried arrangements as a more interesting variation on flowers. You can also combine a variety of natural items to create affordable and appealing displays. Straw and pumpkins make attractive options and can be placed in groupings that are quite stunning to look at.

When planning fall weddings it isn’t necessary to keep the colors neutral. In fact, it is nice to have a burst of color. Don’t feel as though you need to stick to dark colors and heavy fabrics for the bridesmaids dresses. You can easily choose lightweight fabrics and soft colors if you choose. The décor can be done tastefully by using natural materials of fall including leaves, straw, pumpkins and gourds. These materials are very affordable yet allow you to make a nice setting.

Autumn nuptials are becoming more popular. Because there is less demand for venues, catering, flowers, and other wedding necessities in the fall, you may be able to have better choices and lower prices than if you had your wedding during the peak wedding month of June. If you’re planning a wedding with a short time-frame, consider an autumn wedding. You’ll likely be able to choose the venue you prefer without having to wait a year or more as you must do with summer weddings.

Shop our selection of beautiful fall wedding invitations and fall wedding stamps to really set the theme for your perfect day!

Planning a Halloween Wedding

Jul 13, 2011 PMCustomWeddings Posted in Advice, Fall Weddings, Wedding Invitations , , , , ,

halloween wedding invitations
Halloween weddings are fun and exciting occasions. For those who truly enjoy the holiday, having your wedding on this day can be a really great adventure. Halloween weddings combine the excitement of a wedding with the fun of a costume party. The result is a fantastic celebration that is fun for kids and adults of all ages.

When planning Halloween weddings you can go as simple or extravagant as you like. There are no set rules for throwing a wedding on Halloween. If you like, you can choose to have a full costume party reception. This can be a fun and lively party where guests are expected to dress in costumes. Of course, the bride and groom as well as the bridesmaids and groomsmen can also dress in costume. The best part is that the bride and groom can determine the costumes that they prefer.

Halloween weddings are great fun to plan. The décor is not like that of a typical wedding. You can determine how far you want to take the Halloween theme. You can get very creative in your decorations and room design. From start to finish, the theme can be carried out very well. Choose Halloween themed invitations and include instructions to guests about how they should dress. Have some extra costumes available for those who come unprepared.

The setting can be eerie and unique with all types of special effects. Create a mood that gives people the feeling that they are walking onto a movie set. You can choose to have a more elegant Halloween theme by toning the decorations down a bit. Use carved pumpkins with your married names as table centerpieces. Give out trick or treat bags as favors. There is almost no limit to the fun and interesting options that you have when you choose a themed wedding.

Browse our great selection of Halloween Wedding Invitations, with great Halloween themed designs. Whether you’re looking for pumpkins, skulls, or cool goth designs, we have the invitations you’ll want to set the tone for your Halloween wedding!

A Look at Modern Wedding Invitations

Jun 13, 2011 PMCustomWeddings Posted in Advice, Wedding Invitations , ,

modern wedding invitations
Though the whole world seems to going “paperless” there is really one set of documents that will never convert entirely into the electronic domain, and that is wedding invitations and wedding related mailings.

Just consider a wedding without a big fat envelope full of pretty cards and envelopes relating to the day… it is not possible. Wedding invitations are the only way that people can easily get the full details of the event to their guests. For example, it is not uncommon for a modern invitation to contain the actual formal invitation, a reply card with a stamped envelope, a bit of information about the bridal registry, and any information related to hotel accommodations or directions.

This is why wedding invitations are usually quite heavy and why they just cannot be replaced by a paperless option or a simple email.

Of course, they cannot be replaced because they also serve as a physical reminder of the day. Many people love to keep copies of the formal invitation with their photos or scrapbooks, but this also means that they have to be chosen carefully.

Why? An invitation tends to “set the stage” for what the guests can expect. For instance, most modern brides and grooms will choose invitations that reflect their style or the theme for the day.

Consider that the bride who is dressing their party in the famous “Tiffany Blue,” will also pick wedding stationery that reflects her choice. This can mean that the engagement announcements, save the date cards, invitations, and thank you notes all have that color scheme, and this “cues” the guests to expect it when they arrive at any of the wedding related events. It also allows them to know that the bride and groom have opted for a bit more formal approach to their wedding, and it is good to allow guests this sort of clue.

PM Custom Weddings offers a beautiful selection of wedding invitations and wedding stamps to set the tone for your special day!