save the dates Archives - Royalty Planning and Travel, LLC

Posts Tagged ‘save the dates’

Printed Personalized Items For Weddings – San Antonio Invitation Services

September 30, 2015

As an invitation specialist, I am seeing most of my couples ordering Save The Dates approximately 8-12 months prior to the wedding date. They love to put their engagement picture on them and magnets, I would say, are the most popular style. Then, around 4-5 months prior, they are starting the invitation ordering process. I always tell my couple to order early so you don’t feel rushed to get them addressed, especially if you are hiring a calligrapher to address them. They usually require 2-3 weeks for this. So, what else should the couple start thinking about around this time, too? Adding personalization and special touches to your wedding really does get noticed and guests love it! Here’s a list of ideas you can incorporate for your wedding.

Personalized Napkins

I would say this is the most popular add-on to a reception that I see my couples ordering. I recommend you order 1 napkin per guest for the cake and 2 per guest for the bar drinks. Carlson Craft offers so many colors and styles. You can add your names, wedding date, special artwork and even a picture of the two of you. Napkins are pretty inexpensive and a great way to add a touch of personalization. Here are some examples.

Programs

Programs are very popular as well. I would say 70% of my couples are ordering programs for the ceremony. There are so many unique and creative ways to display your programs now. If you are having an outdoor ceremony when it is a little hot, the fan is perfect! A great keepsake is the bookmark program. On the Carlson Craft website, they have a huge selection of programs with lots of great ideas. Programs give the couple a chance to list all those in the wedding party, details about the ceremony, tell their guests thank you for coming, or even tell about a special memory or moment.

Menu Cards

For a more formal look to the table, couples are adding menu cards. This is also helpful if the guests will be choosing from a selection of menu items. The guest can simply circle his/her choice and hand it to the caterer. From my own past experiences as a guest, I always enjoy knowing what I will be served, especially if the dinner consists of multiple courses. You can add a special personalization by creating a monogram and even placing it on the menu card along with all your other printed items.

Coasters/Koozies

A popular party favor I have seen a lot lately is coasters and koozies. This is a very economical way of providing your guests with a keepsake they can keep and use again and again. Guests love them!

Place Cards & Table Numbers

About 50% of the weddings I have coordinated, I have seen assigned tables/seats. When a bride asks me if she should do this or not, I always say, “Yes.” I think this is a great opportunity to have two families meet and get to know each other. When would you ever have all these people together again? Most likely, never. To make it easier on everyone, I always recommend just assigned tables, not the seat. I love to see creative couples with their table assignments. Instead of using numbers, they might use locations of where they have traveled together, special names/animals/phrases/people that are important to them, themed names (ex. famous people, favorite foods/beers, music, etc.). I say the more you can be creative the better!

Other Personalized Items

There are so many ideas when it comes to personalizing. Here’s a list of more items in this category:

Personalized Ribbon – to tie around boxes, make streamers, tie your programs, wrap party favors with, etc.

Small picture holder for your bouquet to honor a deceased family member

Personalized stickers, stamps, seals, tags or labels for your invitations, thank you cards, party favors, or other correspondence

Personalized note cards and thank you notes
Personalized banners and signs – this is fun for the reception area (ex. the sign in table, directing guests where to go)

Small notecards for writing well wishes to the couple (usually placed at the sign in table)

Personalized Matchbooks, party favor boxes, bags (for candy or cookie bars)…get creative!

As you can see, there are so many options when it comes to personalizing your wedding. You can find everything I mentioned above at my 2 online storefronts with Carlson Craft and Printswell. Please go there to shop and order. If you would like my assistance with ordering please contact me and I would be more than happy to walk you through over the phone or we can meet one-on-one to order as well. I am here to help!

You will currently receive 10% off your entire order by ordering through Royalty Events Planning!! That includes your invitations as well. Please contact Trudy Scott at 210-595-9263 or Trudy@RoyaltyEventsPlanning.com to order.

Engagement Picture Locations & Ideas In San Antonio

September 2, 2015

San Antonio Engagement Picture Locations &

Ideas For Your Save The Dates

As a wedding consultant in San Antonio who also offers invitation services, I have worked with all types of couples in ordering their save the dates. This is one of the hottest trends today and most couples are sending them out. Save the dates are normally sent out anywhere from 1 year to 6 months prior to the actual wedding date. Couples want to give their guests plenty of time to plan and prepare, especially those that will be traveling. View More: http://limelightsa.pass.us/sonterra save_the_date_chalkboard I must confess that I enjoy looking at the couple’s pictures for the save the dates the most. They are so creative and beautiful. Nothing like what it used to be when you went to a studio and got a posed picture taken…SO BORING! I get asked a lot from my couples where they should take their pictures and I always mention the traditional places of San Antonio, the Riverwalk, downtown San Antonio, The San Antonio Missions, the McNay Art Museum, and the San Antonio Botanical Gardens but I usually tell them to refer to their photographer for more unique locations. Most of the venues will allow their couples to have their engagement pictures taken there at no additional charge. Some couples choose this option too. I always remind my couples that they are going to get so many pictures there on the day of their wedding that it might be better to choose another location for a different look.

save the date

An actual Save The Date ordered through Royalty Events Planning

Local photographers know the special and unique places, the hidden gems of San Antonio and the surrounding area! Based on what their theme is, style or interests of the couple, the photographer will use that to make recommendations of where they could go to take the pictures.

T&N_14

T&N_12

Pictures taken by Ardore Photography

And then the fun begins! Normally, couples will take a change of clothes and have 2 different looks for their pictures…a casual and more formal look. Some will incorporate their pets or something that is special to the both of them or even just one. I have seen many a time the fiancé getting his car, motorcycle or other special “toy” in the picture. So funny! Their cars are like a child to them, they have to include them, right!

engage 3

Daniel W. Torres Photography

The way the picture is taken and edited is also important to the couple. I have seen many photojournalist photographers create beautiful images with bold color, using black and white with a touch of color, tilting the camera, using unique angles, using props, etc.

candice_exon Daniel W. Torres Photography

save the date_courtney Here’s a list of great engagement photo locations in the San Antonio/Hill Country (not listed from above):

Favorites of Ara Photography

(click on the name to see engagement pictures)

Bracken Village

Adkins, Texas

South Town and Blue Star

Vista West Ranch

Other Ideas

A field of bluebonnets

A ranch

Lambermont

Westin (large staircase)

Landa Library

Gruene (Gruene Mansion Inn and Gruene Hall)

Sunset Station

Pearl Brewery

Canyon Springs (waterfall)

La Escondida Celebration Center

I hope some of these locations give you a starting place on where you can have your engagement pictures taken. Ask your photographer, too. If you need help planning your wedding please contact me. I am here for you! Trudy Scott, Royalty Events Planning, 210-595-9263 or Trudy@RoyaltyEventsPlanning.com

How much should I budget for invitations? – San Antonio Wedding Consultant

August 27, 2015

Wedding Invitations & Printed Budget For San Antonio, Texas

For many brides, they consider the invitation selection to be a very crucial part of tying the entire look, feel and formality into the wedding. The more formal the event, the more formal your invitation should be. This encompasses the type of paper, the way it is printed (thermography, foil, letterpress, engraving, etc.), the size of it, the included items (pocket envelope, ribbon, brooch, enclosure cards, etc.) and the way it is worded (spelling of honour, favour, spelling out dates, etc.).

Invitations are works of art and are a memento of the special occasion that sometimes are framed and kept forever as a remembrance of the day. A lot of time should be spent deciding on the perfect one for you! So, how much should you spend on your invitations? With most, if not all of them, the price depends on how many you purchase. The more you purchase, the less you will spend per invitation. What I mentioned above is also determining factors on the price.

View More: http://limelightsa.pass.us/sonterra

Option 1: Let’s go with a wedding of 200 guests and an average budget of $25,000-$30,000. I have found that the bride has a smaller budget for invitations and wants to normally stay within a $400 budget. This includes everything: the invitation, RSVP card with return addresses on envelopes and shipping/tax. This bride usually will not have a separate reception card but rather include it on the invitation to save money. She might make it a little more formal by the type of wording she uses on it (a free option).

NYSS-Booth_20x20_4-2014.indd

Option 2: For the more extravagant wedding with a budget over $40,000 for 200 guests, the bride is wanting to spend a little more for her invitations. I have seen some spend over $2,500. The invitations are very important to this bride and everything from the type of paper and printing process is looked at very carefully. An average amount for invitations would be closer to $800-$1000. She might order the pocket and additional inserts such as the reception and accommodations cards.

So, what about all the other printed items? Here’s a list of what else you could order:

Save The Dates
Programs
Menu Cards
Place Cards
Thank You Cards
Party Invitations – Engagement/Bridal Shower/Bachelorette/Bachelor/Rehearsal Dinner
Party Favors – customized boxes, bags, coasters, koozies, matchboxes, & other containers
Napkins, banners, tags, stickers, labels, ribbon, etc.

NYSS-Booth_20x20_4-2014.indd

In the 2015 Wedding Report, the average amount that couples spent on these other items ranged from $83-$119. However, it didn’t list for how many guests. From my own experience with ordering these type of items for my brides, I would say that cost is a little higher in the San Antonio market. Programs, for example, start around $180 for 200.

View More: http://limelightsa.pass.us/sonterra

I’m sure you’re asking yourself, “Are all these other printed items necessary?” It really is based on your preference. Save the dates have become very popular recently and almost all brides are doing them. They want to ensure their guests know way in advance of their special day so they can plan accordingly. Programs are about 50% – half of the brides I have helped have used them. I see either menu cards, place cards or other personalized favors at almost every wedding. Personalized napkins and koozies are very popular as well.

If you have questions about your budget and what you can afford please contact me. If you need help ordering all your printed items I hope you will give me the opportunity to assist you. You can schedule a one-on-one appointment to view invitations in person or you can go to my two online stores and look around there or even purchase them online. When you are ready to order contact me and I can order them for you too! You will receive 10% off your order by going through me! If you use my consulting services as well you will receive 15% off your entire order! Call me at 210-595-9263 or email at Trudy@RoyaltyEventsPlanning.com. Here’s a link to my invitation page on my website with links to my stores: http://royaltyeventparties.com/services/invitations/

Personalizing ideas for your wedding

December 19, 2014

As a professional wedding coordinator, I have seen today’s couple really want to incorporate special & unique touches throughout their wedding that really gives off a “WOW” factor to their guests. For some it starts with the save the dates or even how they tell everyone, “We’re getting married.” Eighteen years ago when I got engaged I did it the old fashion way, I called everyone. Now couples might take a cute picture with a caption “I said yes!” (Photograph from Brit+Co) and share on Instagram or Facebook.

I said yes_engagement

Save the dates can be really creative too. Carlson Craft carries hundreds of choices. Some of the most unique I found were puzzle save the dates, save the dates made out of wood and a streamer save the dates. Too cute!

Another way couples can show their personalities, have some fun & be creative, keep organized, and inform guests about wedding news is with their wedding website. Many of the wedding websites such as The Knot, mywedding.com and weddingwire.com offer wedding websites for their couples to create and have fun.

wedding_website_template

For the ceremony, I have seen many brides incorporate special brooches, charms, candles, and pictures of loved ones that have passed away. This past bride of mine added a charm to her bouquet with a picture of her grandmother. This was so special to her. She was very emotional the first time she saw it. Programs are another idea to really say whatever you like and thank those that helped with the wedding planning (or in life). Why not turn your program into a bookmark, that way your guests will save it and use it over and over again. Carlson Craft offers lots of great program ideas as well. (top photo provided by Mint Photography)

bridal_bouquet_brooch - Copy

What about the reception? Where do I even begin. There are so many personalized touches you can do throughout the reception. Since I have a marketing degree and love to design, I’ve personalized candy labels for candy bars, water station personalized signs, Mr. and Mrs. signature drink signs, table numbers, place cards, invitations, etc. for my couples. Most of the time I didn’t even charge them. I just love doing it! Here are some other great ideas to personalize your reception:

Create your own monogram and display it through a gobo (a large lighted image on the wall or ground)
Use a special picture that is meaningful to you for your gobo (I recently had a bride use stars for the ceiling of her tent to symbolize the stars in the sky on a family ranch where she had the reception)
Instead of just using numbers for the tables incorporate words, phrases, food, etc. that is meaningful to the both of you. One of my past couple’s used cities that they have traveled together to as their table designation.
Party favors have become very personalized these days with koozies, coasters, favor boxes, candy labels, cookies, ribbon, tags & seals used for bags, etc. With every wedding I coordinate I always see so many different and create ideas. Here are a few from my past brides.

cake table mcnay gold

unique table number idea san antonio

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With a little creativity, a special memory you want to share with others, and websites like Pinterest, you can easily personalize your wedding in extraordinary ways. It is endless! You can go to my Pinterest boards to see lots of great ideas there too! If you need help planning your wedding please contact me. I am very creative and we could work together in creating special personalization throughout every aspect of your wedding. Trudy Scott, Royalty Event Parties, 210-595-9263, http://www.RoyaltyEventParties.com

Save the dates for your wedding – San Antonio Wedding Invitations

October 21, 2014

Congratulations! You’re getting married and you now want everyone to know about it, right? Save the dates are the perfect opportunity to do this and let your guests know well in advance about your wedding date so they can start planning accordingly. My invitation online stores through Royalty Event Parties, carry a huge selection of save the dates and is the perfect starting point in your stationery wedding needs. Click here to see more!

Here are some pointers about save the dates:

They should be fun! Show your personality and style with the look you choose. Even if you are having a formal wedding you don’t have to show so much formality in your save the dates! Magnets, chalkboard designs, fold out notes, etc. are really popular!
Send them out six to eight months prior to your wedding. There should be no excuses for those guests to not plan on coming! This will give the out of town guests time to plan for destination wedding & holiday travel.
It is ok to select a style different than what will be on your invitation. Most of the time you won’t have your invitation picked out 8 months prior so go with maybe a style that incorporates the same colors of your wedding or image (rustic, traditional, modern, etc.).
Do I need to put the venue location on them? No. The important information is your names, the fact that you’re getting married, the date and city in which your wedding will take place and that there will be a formal invitation to follow.
You need to make sure that whoever you send a save the date to will also receive an invitation. That would be kinda rude if you didn’t. How awkward for the next time you saw them too.
There is an advantage to sending out save the dates…you will get a feel for the turnout of who will and won’t be able to attend. However, even if your guest says they will not be able to attend you must send them an invitation.
DO NOT send Evites as save the dates! Yes, this might be a cheap way of doing it but I feel that the proper & formal way is the traditional way, through the mail. Your guests will appreciate it more too.
Don’t forget to mail save the dates out to everyone including your wedding party and parents. You’ll also need to decide on which of your guests can bring a plus 1 if they don’t have a significant other before mailing them so you address the envelope the proper way.

I hope these tips about save the dates has helped you with your wedding planning. If you would like to order save the dates or if you have any other questions for me please do not hesitate to contact me. Remember, you’ll receive 10% off orders and 15% off orders if you are using me for my consulting services as well. The code for Printswell is 10%OFFSPECIAL (Carlson Craft automatically takes 10% off). 210-595-9263, info@royaltyeventparties.com, http://www.RoyaltyEventParties.com.