Carte Blanche

Country Boy Meets City Girl

MJ — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 03:34:19 +0000

Krystal and Cameron definitely made sure their stationery reflected their style, interests and personalities. Cameron
a guys guy from Meaford who loves hockey and skiing. Krystal a total girls girl from Etobicoke who wanted to add a certain elegance to the mix. After developing their colour palette, our focus was creating a timeless and memorable wedding monogram. A country chic design soon came together… from the invitation package to day-of menus, table numbers and escort cards.

Choosing Fonts

MJ — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 03:48:11 +0000

Of course I love fonts. But if you don’t look at them on a daily basis… yes these stylish little letters can be very overwhelming items to choose from. I would say there are 3 categories… 1. the classic combo… 2. the casual duo… 3. the modern solo. Fonts are very important as they relay your message; so make sure they gel with the overall style of your wedding invites. Choose fonts just like you choose your shoes and handbags. They are one of the most important accessories.

Thoughts on Reply Cards

MJ — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:32:10 +0000

When it comes to reply cards I always prefer to go with a simpler approach rather then a busier looking card. But on the other hand I’ve also designed reply cards that needed to include menu options, or dietary restrictions, shuttle bus options as well as next day brunch reply. Yes probably a bit overwhelming. Well for starters make sure to include a proper reply date. Reply cards are usually expected back one month before your wedding date. Below are design options as well as various wording examples you may want or need to consider.

Formal
The favour of your reply is requested by March 2, 2012

M_________________________________

Attending________ Regrets________

Numbers attending________________

(the letter “M” stands for Mr., Mrs., Ms., Miss.)

Simple
Kindly reply by March 2, 2012

Name(s)____________________________________

Attending/Regrets__________________________

Simple Casual
RSVP by March 2, 2012

Yes_______ Sorry______

Casual
Please send in your reply by March 2, 2012

Happy to attend__________________________

Sadly won’t be attending_________________

Menu options
1. Please circle/indicate your meal choice
2. Please advise us of any dietary restrictions?
3. Do you require a vegetarian meal?
4. Please indicate a meal for each guest

Additional options
1. We will be taking the complimentary shuttle yes_______ no_______
2. We will be attending Sunday brunch yes________ no__________

Thoughts on Invitation Wording

MJ — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:55:05 +0000

I feel your wedding invitation wording is a very personal thing. This is why I usually leave the bulk of the message up to each of my couples and their families which I review and perhaps edit prior to adding to the invitation card design. It’s best to keep your wording basic, not necessarily formal, simple and easy to understand. Too wordy = too complicated, confusing and perhaps cheesy? Below I’ve included examples starting with formal and on to more casual and fun…

Both parents inviting…

Mr. and Mrs. George Wilson
and
Mr. and Mrs. Myles Sanders
invite you to share in the joy
of the marriage uniting their
children
Susan Amy
and
Nicolas Barron
on
Saturday, the nineteenth of May
Two thousand and twelve
at two o’clock in the afternoon
Saint Basil’s Church
50 St. Joseph Street
Toronto, Ontario
~
Formal reception to follow
Royal Ontario Museum
100 Queens Park
Toronto, Ontario

Bride’s parents inviting…

Mr. and Mrs. George Wilson
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Susan Amy
to
Nicolas Barron
son of Mr. and Mrs. Myles Sanders
Saturday, the nineteenth of May
Two thousand and twelve
at two o’clock in the afternoon
Saint Basil’s Church
50 St Joseph Street
Toronto, Ontario
~
Formal reception to follow
Royal Ontario Museum
100 Queens Park
Toronto, Ontario

Casual wording with both couple and parents inviting…

Together with our parents,
we invite you to share our joy
and support our love,
as we exchange vows and
celebrate our marriage
Susan Amy
and
Nicolas Barron
Saturday, May 19, 2012
at 2 pm
Royal Ontario Museum
100 Queens Park, Toronto, Ontario
~
A celebration with dinner, drinks
and dancing will follow

Couple inviting…

Susan and Nicolas
request your presence as they get married
Saturday, May 19, 2012
at 2 pm
Royal Ontario Museum
100 Queens Park, Toronto, Ontario
~
Reception to follow

Casual and fun…

Susan & Nicolas
are tying the knot
Saturday, May 19, 2012
at 2 pm
come celebrate with us
at the Wilson Family Farm
13682 Heart Lake Road
Brampton, Ontario

Casual and fun…

First comes love, now comes marriage!
Come celebrate with us as we tie the knot
Saturday, May 19, 2012
at 2 pm
at the Wilson Family Farm
13682 Heart Lake Road
Brampton, Ontario
~
Festivities will begin at 3pm
dinner, dancing, with
happily-ever-afters to follow

Love,
Susan & Nicolas

Casual and outdoor fun…

No church, no aisle, no chairs…
just two lovely people in a field
vowing to each other a lifetime
Saturday, August 18, 2012
5 o’clock in the afternoon
Wilson Family Farm
13682 Heart Lake Road
Brampton, Ontario
~
Outdoor dinner party will begin
immediately after ceremony

Love,
Susan & Nicolas

Save the Dates

MJ — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:27:53 +0000

I’m posting Fiona & Keith’s save the date cards. These were beautifully letterpressed using two colours and a thick Strathmore off white cardstock. Fiona sent her save the dates out 8 months prior to her wedding date. We basically started working on concept and design 12 months before. I feel save the date cards should be a simpler version of your invitation design. Perhaps not as formal with a fun twist. Design elements should be carefully chosen so your guests only see a hint of your upcoming invitation design. Save the date cards also give you the perfect opportunity to expose your guests to your wedding website, hotel information or other important tips you may want to communicate very early on especially if you have many out of town guests.

Style Me Pretty

MJ — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 19:11:45 +0000

I am proud to announce that Carte Blanche has been selected as a recommended wedding stationery company on Style Me Pretty in the “Little Black Book” listing. Style Me Pretty is a fresh, innovative and creative wedding blog based out of the US. Voted as Martha Stewart Wedding’s favourite wedding blog! Be sure to visit stylemepretty.com for your wedding inspirations.

Great Show Wedluxe!

MJ — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 02:33:03 +0000

We want to thank the full Wedluxe team for putting on such a top knotch show at the Ritz Carlton early January.
I’m posting photos of my mini booth… looking forward to returning next year!

Hot off the Press

MJ — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:43:03 +0000

Our brand new “Hot off the Press” collection is here! Specially designed for the 2012 bride. Carte Blanche is dedicated to keeping design fresh. From Valentino to Kate Spade and Mother Nature this collection was developed with love and care. From eco-friendly materials to disco papers… texture plays an important role in this collection. I also have a new love for frames! Traditional, classy and so fun. Weather you need save the dates, invitations, traditional reply cards or a postcard style reply you can customize any of these new designs into your very own.

Happy New Year!

MJ — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 16:55:10 +0000

2012 is going to be a great year! Start thinking about your invitations. Make sure to contact your wedding stationer at least 4-6 months prior to your wedding day. Remember your invitations need to be sent out 6-8 weeks before your big day. The entire process can take 2-4 months depending what type of style and printing you are after. Choosing can sometimes be overwhelming so make sure you give yourself plenty of time in order to make this right. After all these should reflect your up and coming wedding!

Wedluxe Wedding Show

MJ — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 16:51:44 +0000

Come out to the very first Wedluxe Wedding Show next Sunday. It runs from 10am to 6pm. Drop by my booth to say hello and talk about ideas for your wedding stationery.