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Creating a Wedding Guest List

May 1, 2020

Design by Southern Fried Paper

Calligraphy envelope addressing is one of my very favorite activities. There is something special about sitting down to a stack of envelopes and carefully writing the names of the most important people in a couple’s life.

Creating a Guest List

Something I hear from couples after their invitation is designed and going to print, is that gathering the guest list is the most difficult part of getting married. I’m with you. How to narrow down who you invite based on venue space, budgets, or travel can be so difficult. I do have a few helpful tricks though.

First, Start Early! You are going to need a quantity count to order invitations, pick a venue, plan table arrangements and florals, ceremony seating and catering numbers. Pretty much everything you plan for a wedding will be based on your guest count numbers. So, my recommendation is to start putting your must have invitees into a list right away when you are excited for the planning process.

Second, Get Organized! A well thought out spreadsheet will make your life easier as you go through the wedding planning process. I have a free template on my website. My preference is to use the advanced tab so that the guest list can be organized by last name… and sorted anyway you please depending on the information needed. Always, have separate columns for the street address, city, state and zip codes. This will allow more flexibility for information processing. Also, your calligrapher will be thankful so they can layout your list as they like.

Next, Pester your friends and family. Gathering addresses from your friends and family can be a challenge. If you start early and get organized you will have enough time to have a completed list by the time you need to send out invitations. When you see them for dinner, double check their address (including zip code!). Text or call those you don’t see as often. A great time to do this is when you are talking about your engagement with them.

Finally, Send Save the Dates. I promise, I’m not trying to get you to spend your whole wedding budget on paper goods! Save the dates serve many functions. First, they communicate your wedding is happening and your guest should should check their calendars. It also communicates they are invited! The mailing also serves as a test run for the wedding invitations which are usually more expensive to mail. Here is where you find out if someone has moved, had a relationship change, the address is wrong. All the things that happen when dealing with a guest list. Then you have time to make corrections before sending out the actual wedding invitations that are a bit more time sensitive.

I do hope this advice helps you make a guest list with a little bit of ease. Next time, I will discuss a bit more regarding the etiquette of sending a formal invitation and how to address your guests.

Filed Under: calligraphy, Calligraphy invitations, party politely, Pretty Paper, real wedding, vendor love, Wonderous Weddings Leave a Comment

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Change of Plans

March 20, 2020

Change of Plans

Goodness.  It has been a week.  A month.  It’s amazing how quickly we must pivot and readjust when everything is shut down. Change of Plans. I’ve been hunkered down here in Texas for nearly 2 weeks and processing and thinking and crying.  I’m heartbroken for my couples that are having to reschedule and postpone their celebrations.  I am heartbroken for my industry friends who are now looking at 3 months without and income. They are such good people to even consider returning retainers if the events can’t be re-scheduled on a date they are available.

These are unprecedented times and I wanted to let you know:  I am here.  I am listening.  Call me and talk and share and I will cry with you.  I know this is hard times.  But we can make it through together.  I will listen and be angry and sad and celebrate the little things for you.  I’m in your corner and your cheerleader.  You got this.  This is a change of plans.  You can do this.  I can help you.

I know this isn’t much.  But, communicating the change of plans to your guests is one of the most difficult time consuming tasks of a postponement.  I put together a few pretty graphics you are free to use.  Want something more custom.  Just email or call.  I’m here (and not going anywhere for at least 2 weeks!). xoxo

Just right click and save.  Want to share – please give me credit.

Filed Under: calligraphy, Calligraphy invitations, charity, Happening Events, party politely, Pretty Paper, real wedding, Surprises, vendor love, Wonderous Weddings Leave a Comment

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Hand painted tile pieces

January 13, 2020

Whether you are getting married in Italy or Mexico or at home, a hand painted tile pattern is so chic. Include it in your China, linens, or stationery! Blue and white is dreamy anywhere in the world, but what about another color scheme custom to your venue? These menus are a simple way to bring color and texture to the table. Finish them off with a calligraphy name in matching colors and your tablescape will be stunning.
Include a tile pattern on your envelopes or label and have the most stunning mail around. I like how this piece has matching stamps to up the impact.
And then love how this box has the pop of a large singular tile on the inside so you really notice it upon opening.

Filed Under: calligraphy, Calligraphy invitations, inspirational, Pretty Paper, real wedding, Wonderous Weddings Leave a Comment

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DIY monogram bookmarks

October 19, 2019

custom crest

These DIY monogram bookmarks were so quick and easy that I’m sure I will be doing this again.

Since I already had the artwork for this little crest, there was very little design to do for this project.

First, I determined the size of the bookmark. For this project, 7×2 inches was perfect and fit 6 bookmarks per letter sheet of paper with very little waste.

Then I pulled my art into the file and placed the crest where I wanted it. Be sure to allow room at the top for a hole punch that a tassel will feed through. Since this left so much space at the bottom, I picked six quotes that were from some of our favorite books to place below the crest.

custom crest bookmarks

Finish them off by laminating, putting a hole punch in the top and then lacing a tassel through the top.  These would be great for baby shower gifts, valentines day, or even girls book club!

Filed Under: calligraphy, Calligraphy invitations, Gifts Galore, how to, party politely, Pretty Paper Leave a Comment

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Dallas Fashion Event

August 19, 2019

Dallas Fashion Event

Fashion in Dallas, Texas is serious business and lunch events for fashion housed should be just as chic.  These printed acrylic menus with white leather were just the ticket.

Each was personalized with the guest name in a red italic capital hand.  A far was from my normal swirly scripts, it was a fun change of pace.

acrylic and leather menus

acrylic and leather menu

On-Site Calligraphy

I completed all of these menus on-site in a few hours before guests arrived. Dallas fashion events can have a fluid guest list with last minute additions and I like on-site calligraphy because it can ensure each guest is special and valued. This is the fun time when the caterer is buzzing around and the rentals are being carried in and set in place.  I usually work alone so this is big change of pace for me.  The key to working in a different environment is to be flexible and adjust to your situation.

acrylic and leather menu

acrylic and leather menu

Modern, Simple Table

I adore what Gro Designs did on the table design.  It’s stunning and has a nice pop of color with the red blooms that span the table. The white linens and plates, along with the clear acrylic chairs, allow the red menus to shine.

acrylic and leather menu

acrylic and leather menu

acrylic and leather menu

Filed Under: calligraphy, Calligraphy invitations, Happening Events, images, inspirational, party politely, Pretty Paper, real wedding, vendor love Leave a Comment

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nicole@thelefthandedcalligrapher.com

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