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When you first sit down to create a basic wedding stationery timeline, it can feel daunting, tricky and a little bit confusing. Am I right? There are just so many moving parts when it comes to wedding stationery! From knowing when to inquire with a wedding stationer to knowing when to mail your invitations, it can be tough to keep track of everything.
Well, my friend, I’m here to give you an inside look at a basic wedding stationery timeline. That way, you’ll know exactly when to create all of your wedding stationery items, key places to pad your timeline, and how to create your own wedding stationery timeline based on your wedding date.
What To Include In Your Stationery Timeline
You will need all types of wedding stationery items for your big day. Save the dates, invitations, day-of stationery and thank you cards are the key stationery items you’ll need to create. All of these stationery pieces help to communicate important details with your guests throughout the entire wedding planning process.
Save the Dates
Inquire / Get Started: 12-16 months before your wedding date
Mail: 8-12 months before your wedding date
Plan to start designing your save the dates anywhere from 12-16 months before your wedding date. This will give you plenty of time to create a design that you love, get them printed, assemble them carefully and pop them in the mail.
It’s recommended to mail your save the dates around 8-12 months before your wedding date. This is the first announcement you’ll send to your guests about your wedding. So, it’s important to clearly communicate when + where your wedding will be taking place. That way, they can quite literally save the date and begin making arrangements to celebrate with you on your big day.
Invitations
Inquire / Get Started: 6-8 months before your wedding date
Mail: 10-12 weeks before your wedding date
Starting your invitations 6-8 months before your big day might sound super early. But, there is a lot to do to prepare your wedding invitations for mailing!
You’ll want to create a design you love and that feels like a reflection of you and your big day. This process can take approximately 4-8 weeks if you design custom wedding invitations.
From there, you’ll want to plan on around 2-3 weeks for your invitations to be printed and shipped to you. This timeframe may change depending on the printing method you choose (digital, foil stamping, letterpress, etc.)
Then, budget another week or so to assemble your invites with care so they are all ready to be mailed!
Mailing your invitations 10-12 weeks is ideal. The post office tends to take its sweet time delivering mail, so padding the timeline with that in mind is important. You also have RSVPs to collect, as well, so you want to give your guests plenty of time to respond.
Quick Tip: If you’re short on time, have your guests RSVP on your wedding website! QR codes are super handy for this. This will save your guests from having to mail back a response card and potentially getting caught up in the mail. This will also help your budget by saving you money on printing and postage. It’s a win-win!
Day-of Stationery
Inquire / Get Started: 6-8 weeks before your wedding date
In-Hands: 1-2 weeks before your wedding date
Once your invitations are officially in the mail, you’ll be ready to dive right into creating your day-of stationery.
Starting your day-of stationery designs about 6-8 weeks before your wedding is perfect. You may not have all of the details nailed down or finalized, but that’s okay! Start creating the designs and you can always flow in the final details right before printing.
Plan on printing to take anywhere from 1-3 weeks. Just like your other stationery, this timeline might change depending on the printing method you choose (digital, foil stamping, letterpress).
No matter what you choose, I recommend having all of your day-of stationery in-hand and ready for your big day about 1-2 weeks before your wedding, if possible. That way, you’re not worrying about your stationery right up to the day of your wedding—you’ll be all set!
Thank You Cards
Inquire / Get Started: 6-8 weeks before your wedding date
In-Hand: 1-2 weeks before your wedding date
Mail: 2-4 weeks after the wedding
As you design your day-of stationery, go ahead and create your thank you cards, too!
Having them in-hand around 1-2 weeks before the wedding day will be so nice. That way, you don’t have to worry about scrambling to create or purchase thank you cards when you return from your honeymoon. You can simply mail them to your guests once you’re home.
Plan to mail your thank you cards anywhere from 2-4 weeks after your wedding day. You can even send them sooner, if you want to! Just make sure to mail them pretty soon after your big day. Your guests will love that you thought of them and took the time to say “thank you”.
Where + Why To Pad Your Timeline
When I create wedding stationery timelines for my couples, I always add a little extra padding here and there. I highly recommend you do this for your stationery timeline, too!
Why? Because, we’re all human! Life happens, things come up and plans will shift and change along the way. You’ll be planning your wedding most likely for a whole year — if not longer. There’s a lot that can happen during that time and it can be hard to know exactly what might come up along the way.
Here are some key places I like to add a little wiggle room to the stationery timeline:
Printing + Ordering
If you plan to do digital printing for your invitations, this process can take anywhere from 1-2 weeks to complete. So, rather than planning on just 1 week for printing and ordering time, go ahead and plan on the full 2 weeks. That way, if everything is ready sooner — awesome! You’ll be ahead of schedule.
It’s easier to enjoy the extra time instead of stressing that there isn’t enough.
Assembly
Let’s be honest, this is most likely your first time assembling invitations. It’s definitely not hard to do, but there are a lot of steps involved and it’s very hands-on. If you already have a busy schedule or aren’t very confident with “crafty” projects, I recommend padding this time a little!
Usually, I like to give my couples 1 week for assembly time. This is usually plenty of time to assemble invitations and get them ready for mailing. Even if you have 200 invites to assemble!
Mailing + RSVPs
Mailing is one of those things that once you drop off your invites it’s completely out of your hands! You’re sort of at the mercy of the post office to mail your beautiful invites. That can be a little bit stressful.
To help ease the stress, plan to mail your invitations as soon as possible. I love mailing invites around 10-12 weeks before your wedding date. This is a good amount of time for your invites to be delivered to your guests. It also gives you time to re-mail or hand-deliver any invitations that may not arrive at their destination.
This timeline also gives your guests time to respond with their RSVP cards. I mentioned this above, but if you’re short on time or a little concerned about receiving all of your RSVP cards, go ahead and have guests respond on your website! This is such a fast and easy way for guests to let you know if they’ll be at your big day or not.
When it comes to padding your timeline, I recommend adding a little extra time anywhere in the process that gives you stress! This will help easy some of that for you and make the process that much more enjoyable every step of the way.
How To Create Your Wedding Stationery Timeline
Now that you know how long the stationery process can take and where to add some wiggle room, let’s create your wedding stationery timeline!
The simplest way to build your timeline is to work backwards from your wedding date.
From there, you can plan when you need to have your day-of stationery in-hand, when to mail your invitations and when to also mail your save the dates. You can even look forward and plan when your thank you cards should be delivered to your guests after your big day.
The other important thing to know is what printing methods you want to do. This will help you determine how long you need to plan for printing. If you’re unsure, just pad your timeline! That way, no matter what method you choose, you know you have plenty of time already planned for in your timeline.
To help you get started, I’ve built a basic stationery timeline below as an example:
Wedding Date
— October 26, 2024
Save the Dates
— Get Started / Inquire: June 26, 2023 (16 months before wedding)
— Printing: October 2, 2023 – October 16, 2023 (2 weeks; digital printing)
— Shipping: October 16, 2023 – October 23, 2023 (1 week; padded just to be safe!)
— In-Hands for Assembly: October 23, 2023 (1 week before mailing)
— Mail: October 27, 2023 (12 months before wedding)
Invitations
— Get Started / Inquire: February 26, 2024 (8 months before wedding)
— Printing: July 1, 2024 – July 22, 2024 (3 weeks; letterpress)
— Shipping: July 22, 2024 – July 29, 2024 (1 week; padded just to be safe!)
— In-Hands for Assembly: July 29, 2024 (1 week before mailing)
— Mail: August 2, 2024 (12 weeks before wedding)
Day-of Stationery
— Get Started / Inquire: August 26, 2024 (8 weeks before wedding)
— Printing: September 23, 2024 – October 7, 2024 (2 weeks; digital printing)
— Shipping: October 7, 2024 – October 14, 2024 (1 week; padded)
— In-Hands: October 14, 2024 (2 weeks before wedding)
Thank You Cards
— Get Started / Inquire: August 26, 24 (8 weeks before wedding — with day-of)
— Printing: September 23, 2024 – October 7, 2024 (2 weeks; digital printing)
— Shipping: October 7, 2024 – October 14, 2024 (1 week; padded)
— In-Hands: October 14, 2024 (2 weeks before wedding — with day-of)
— Mail: November 8, 2024 (2 weeks after wedding)
Feel free to copy this template to create your own stationery timeline! All you have to do is fill in the blanks and you’ll be all set.
Troubleshooting Your Stationery Timeline
If you run into trouble planning your stationery timeline, or if it’s just a little too overwhelming for you — that’s okay! If that’s how you feel, I recommend working with a professional wedding stationer to help guide you through the stationery process.
Hiring a wedding stationer can be really helpful when it comes to relieving some stress and anxiety from your big day! They’ll work with you from the very beginning to plan all of your stationery needs. And guess what? They’ll even help build your stationery timeline for you!
As you think about working with a wedding stationer, don’t be shy about asking them if this is something they can do for you. Most stationers will be happy to help! If not, maybe they just aren’t the right fit for you, and that’s okay.
Let’s Create Your Wedding Stationery (and Timeline) Together!
So, take your time and feel free to reach out to wedding stationers whenever you’re ready. I know I would be more than happy to help you with your wedding stationery needs. (:
If that feels like a good fit for you, you can learn more about how we can work together on my website! I offer custom and semi-custom wedding stationery for engaged couples across the country. No matter where you are located, I’d love to create wedding stationery that is the perfect reflection of you. Plus, I’ll create your timeline for you, so you don’t have to worry about a thing!
You’re getting ready to graduate and begin a new phase of your life, what a great moment to capture! Senior sessions are a great way to commemorate your time in school and announce what your plans are for after graduation.
Some people choose to continue their education, some take time off to experience the world, and some jump right into a new profession! Regardless of what path you choose, it’s an exciting time in your life – one you will want to look back on. Senior sessions are typically tailored to the graduate and include memorabilia from their past and future! They can be a minimal or extravagant as you’d like them to be. There are a few different things to consider when booking a senior session.
Location
I recommend going to a location that holds importance or somewhere outside with good scenery. A location that holds importance could include: an athletic field, a museum, a theater, family land, a bookstore, etc. It could be anywhere! Some of my favorite places in Kansas City to capture senior sessions are the Nelson Atkins Museum, Shawnee Mission Park, and Downtown.
Outfits
Choosing what to wear can be a daunting task but I recommend staying true to yourself! Wear something you feel comfortable in. If you are doing multiple outfit changes, I would suggest picking one outfit that is relaxed, and one that is more dressed up. You could also wear something that commemorates your time in school or your future plans. This could include: a jersey, a t-shirt from a club or university, or a uniform for a new job.
Props/Memorabilia
Another thing that can help personalize your photos is memorabilia. Anything from your past or future that is meaningful to you. This could include: books, sports equipment, awards/medals, or your graduation cap and gown. Memorabilia is not necessary, you can definitely have a great session without it! But, it is just another thing to help set your session apart.
If you are interested in scheduling a senior session, I recommend reaching out to your photographer 5-6 months before you graduate. This may seem like a long time in advance, but photographers can book up quickly and the earlier you reach out the more flexible they may be with their availability! This also gives you plenty of time to decide on a location for the session and for you to choose outfits and let your photographer know if there is anything specific you’d like captured.
Your wedding style, at its core, comes down to what you and your partner want your day to look like. Your style can be an overall “feel” or a compilation of multiple different themes you love! It is defined by your choices in venue, color scheme, florals, invitation suite, textiles, table settings, etc.
If you aren’t sure what you want your wedding style to be, I would suggest talking with a wedding planner, browsing Pinterest, and/or using a free quiz from Zola or The Knot to get an idea of where your interests lie. This will help determine what styles and themes you and your partner naturally gravitate toward.
Defining your wedding style early in the planning process will help save time in the long run! If you know what you want your wedding to look like it will allow you to be more decisive when picking out decor, textiles, linens, etc. It also helps your wedding team when making your vision come to life! If you can explain to them what you want and give them a distinct wedding style, they will have an easier time putting together your dream wedding day.
A few wedding styles that are common include:
- Classic
- Rustic
- Romantic
- Natural
- Glamorous
- Vintage
- Coastal
- Modern
- Industrial
- Boho
- Alternative
- Art Deco
Regardless of how you define your wedding style, it’s the job of your photographer to capture the essence of your wedding day! I love being able to help couples document all the memories from their big day so they can look back and relive every single moment.
Moments after you say “YES” to forever and you come down from all the feels of that exhilarating moment… reality hits you! There is now an impending list of ‘to-dos’ that need to be checked off. After careful consideration, we task the things that we deem most important to least and move accordingly. Depending on who you ask, some might suggest that the cake isn’t high on the list of importance; but I beg to differ and that might be a slightly biased opinion.
I’m Taylor Elizabeth, owner and lead designer of Taylor Elizabeth Cakes. I’ve been baking and designing cakes for eleven years and over that time I have learned a thing or two about helping couples bring their dream wedding cake to life. In my experience, I find that people can overlook or underestimate the possibilities that couples can create with their cakes. The possibilities are endless and the earlier you decide on the vibe or aesthetic that best fits you as a couple the better chances you have for the design to come to life!
Upcoming Trends
The wedding industry is constantly changing, trends never stop! In 2023 there are a few showstopper trends that couples are making their own and we are here for it! I always like to tell my couples when trying to figure out what their cake should look like, create something that reflects the both of you, your style. Never be afraid to be bold and unique in the ideas that you have. Communicate with your cake designer and give them as many details that you can represents what you are looking for. Then allow them to use that to bring your vision to life. The more information they have the better they can design a custom masterpiece for your special day that you and your guests will never forget.
With trends, come traditions and there’s one that is slowly declining, the groom’s cake, traditionally a southern custom. Recently, a few of my clients have been ordering a small after-party cake to share once they’ve made it back to their hotel. Book your photographer for an additional hour, or recruit a bridesmaid to snap some fun, chic pictures of you two enjoying the cake to commemorate the night.
The bride’s cake is traditionally cut at the reception for dessert. This is the cake that everyone will see. This year’s trends are making sure that it is one to remember. A few styles that I’m looking forward to this season are subtle yet bold. I think they will truly be around for the years to come!
PEARLS PEARLS PEARLS!
There is nothing quite as chic, elegant and beautiful as a tiered cake covered in pearls. Pearls are such a timeless and romantic staple that enhance any reception.
MONOCHROME
There is something so bold and understated about a MONOCHROME moment!
Whether you’re loving greens or pinks, creating a wedding cake that’s all one color is a decision you can’t go wrong with. It will stand out in the best way and be an absolute dream at any modern wedding.
FLORALS
Florals and weddings have always gone hand and hand; and your wedding cake is no different. I will say that florals may be my all-time favorite! There is nothing like adding some fresh flowers to accompany your cake. Ask your florist to create a beautiful wreath that your wedding cake can sit in. If you want to take it up a notch, a monochromatic cake will set it off perfectly!
These are just a few of the trends to make your special day unique and tailored to you and your partner. Always remember that this day and the memories are what’s important. At the end of it all do what ultimately is going to make YOU happy!
XO TAY E
Kansas City has a lot to offer when it comes to date night ideas! As Spring approaches and everyone is antsy to get outside I love to recommend mini golf. It is such a fun way to get out with your significant other and do something outside of the typical bar hop, dinner, or movie date night.
I had a great time with KT and Ryan at Lone Summit Ranch for some mini golf fun! Couples often think that a session with me needs to be at a park or rooftop. Those are great options if that is the aesthetic you want for your session! One of my favorite ways to capture a session is to tag along on date night.
Following along to some of your favorite date night spots allows me to capture you and your significant other in a natural, fun, and comfortable state. It creates a unique experience that is very specific to you and your relationship! For people who aren’t comfortable being in front of the camera, this is a great alternative to having a session at a park or somewhere downtown. There is typically less posing involved because I hang out in the background and capture you hanging out!
Some other fun date night ideas that are great options for sessions are: stopping by your favorite brewery, walking the Plaza, going to the River Market, and grabbing a coffee. But I am up for pretty much anything! I am here to help you preserve special moments, however we do that is up to you.
“There is no magic in magic, it’s all in the details”
– Walt Disney
Detail photos are a great way to capture the magic of your wedding! They encapsulate the special sentiments, feelings, and mementos of your big day. Planning for your detail photos should be very personal to you and your spouse, so it is a perfect representation of you and your relationship. There are a few things I recommend making sure you pack, like the invitation suite and the rings. But there is so much wiggle room for you to add your own personal touches so your detail photos are unique to you as a couple.
What to Pack:
- The rings (wedding bands and engagement bands)
- Ring box
- Shoes
- Jewelry for the day (earrings, necklaces, bracelets, additional rings, cufflinks)
- Accessories for the day (ties, veils, hair pieces, hats, handkerchief, garter)
- Perfume or cologne
- Family heirlooms
- Wedding dress/suit jacket
- Letters exchanged between couple
- Invitation suite
- Extra florals (please ask your florist to bring some)
- Trinkets that represent you as a couple (ex: vinyl records, movie tickets, postcards from past trips)
- Custom clothing hangers
Stay True to Yourself
These are just a few ideas! Include anything that is personal to you. I recommend you start thinking about which items you’ll want in your detail photos at least a couple months in advance. Start a list so you know what you need to purchase or find. Gather everything a couple days beforehand and double check to see if there are any additional items you want to add. Don’t feel like you have to include something from every category in the list above! Some of the best detail images have minimal items in them. Stay true to yourself and add whatever is important to you. Put all your detail photo items into a small container or shoe box so they are all in one spot. You can hand me the box when I arrive and I will make the magic happen!
You’re significant other popped the question, you’ve set the date, and the planning has begun! Once you’ve found and booked your DREAM photographer, it’s important to build the perfect wedding day timeline to ensure the day runs smoothly.
Before creating a timeline you’ll need to decide if you want to have a first look! If you choose to have a first look you’ll have plenty of flexibility in your timeline. If you choose not to have a first look you’ll want to make sure your ceremony is earlier in the day. This will allow enough time before your reception, and sunset, to capture all the special moments.
In this blog post I’ll discuss how to plan the perfect wedding day timeline, with or without a first look! For the sake of this post let’s say you are planning a Summer wedding in the Midwest – that means the sun begins to set at 7 and is fully set by 8pm.
THE PERFECT WEDDING DAY TIMELINE- WITH A FIRST LOOK
When creating a timeline it is important to set your ceremony start time and then build off of it. If you choose to have a first look you’ll be able to have your ceremony later in the evening. An hour or two before sunset is a golden hour that provides golden light, and amazing photos! For this beautiful imaginary Summer wedding we are planning the ceremony will start at 5pm.
TIP: non-religious ceremonies typically last 10-30 minutes and religious ceremonies tend to last 30-60 minutes.
BEFORE THE CEREMONY
Once you’ve set the ceremony start time you’ll plan backwards and set a time for everything that needs to be captured before the ceremony begins.
To start, you’ll want to be hidden away at least 30 minutes prior to the ceremony. As guests begin arriving you don’t want any sneak peaks of your beautiful dress!
Wedding Party Photos
Before hiding away you’ll want to be done with all of your wedding party photos. This includes bridesmaids, bridesmen, groomsmen, groomswomen, guests of honor, flower girls, ring bearers, or anyone that is standing up with you during the ceremony. Depending on the size of your wedding party, I suggest having 30 minutes to an hour set aside for these photos. If you have a large party and you know you specifically want multiple photos with each of them individually, you might need more time. For a majority of my couples an hour is plenty of time!
Couples Portraits
You’ll need to set aside 30 minutes to 45 minutes for couples portraits! This day is all about the two of you and it is important to capture some moments together before saying “I do.” This can be before or after photos with the rest of your wedding party, but you’ll want a little extra time alone together.
The First Look
Before you can take any photos together you’ll need to have your first look! This is such an intimate moment between the two of you. I usually suggest setting aside 15-20 minutes for a first look. But if you know one or both of you will cry… you might want to allow for an extra 5-10 minutes.
Getting Ready
This part of the planning process includes the input of multiple different people: your wedding party and your hair and makeup stylist (if you’re using them). You have to decide how long it will realistically take for everyone to get ready. For some people it takes an hour and for others it takes four! It’ll really depend on the size of your wedding party and how many people will need their hair and makeup done.
AFTER THE CEREMONY
Since you’ll be having a first look, there won’t be too much to capture after the ceremony. This will allow you to be able to make it to your cocktail hour or reception earlier and get to spend more time with your guests!
Family Formal Photos
Most likely, the only photos that will need to be captured after the ceremony will be family formal photos. I recommend setting aside an hour, this allows plenty of time to make sure every family grouping on both sides is captured. I’d rather add more time into the timeline than have to rush through these!
Sunset Couples Portraits
After family formal photos are done I recommend sending everyone into the reception for cocktail hour while you and your spouse take a few more photos, just the two of you, during sunset. This is the perfect time for you to soak in a few moments as a newly married couple and it typically only takes about 10-20 minutes!
Reception Time
Now it’s time to party!!! Enjoy your first dances, eat a delicious meal, cut the cake, and celebrate with your closest friends and family.
SAMPLE TIMELINE (WITH A FIRST LOOK)
Getting Ready!!
2:30pm- First Look
3:00pm- Couples Portraits
3:30pm- Wedding Party Photos
4:30pm- Hide Away While Guests Arrive
5:00pm- Ceremony
6:00pm- Family Formal Photos
7:00pm- Sunset Couples Portraits
7:20pm- Reception Time!
THE PERFECT WEDDING DAY TIMELINE- WITHOUT A FIRST LOOK
Whether you have a first look or not I still suggest starting with your ceremony when you plan the perfect wedding day timeline.
If you are not doing a first look I recommend having your ceremony earlier in the day to guarantee enough daylight to capture all of your photos after the ceremony. This is easier to accomplish during the Spring and Summer months because the sun sets later in the day. If you are planning a Fall or Winter wedding it becomes a little more difficult because the sun sets much earlier in the day. For the lovely imaginary Summer wedding we are planning, let’s say our ceremony is beginning at 3pm.
TIP: For a ceremony earlier in the day, consider choosing a location indoors or a shaded area outdoors. The closer to noon the harsher the sun. Not only will the shade or indoor setting help with lighting for photos, but your guests will appreciate not having to squint into the sun!
BEFORE THE CEREMONY
To start, you’ll want to be hidden away at least 30 minutes prior to the ceremony. As guests begin arriving you don’t want any sneak peaks of your beautiful dress!
An Alternative First Look
Even though you aren’t having a first look with your soon to be spouse you might be interested in having an alternative first look. You could have a special “first look” moment with a parent, grandparent, or anyone that has made a significant impact on your life (even your dog!). I’d plan about 15-30 minutes for each person you’d like to do a first look with.
Getting Ready
Without having a lot to capture before your ceremony there will be plenty of time to get ready- you might even have enough time to sleep in a little! Take this time to bond with your wedding party, relax, and get pampered!
AFTER THE CEREMONY
After you say your, “I do’s” all of the wedding party, family, and couples photos will be captured!
Family Formal Photos
I recommend starting the family formal photos right after the ceremony. This is a good way to make sure you capture everything before any relatives have the chance to wander off! I recommend setting aside an hour, this allows plenty of time to make sure every family grouping on both sides is captured. I’d rather add more time into the timeline than have to rush through these!
Wedding Party Photos
Now it’s time to gather up your wedding day crew and all the special guests that stood by your side. Depending on the size of your group I’d plan for around an hour. A smaller party can get by with less time, but the general rule of thumb is the more people the longer it can take!
Couples Portraits
FINALLY!!! It’s time for the happy couple to have a moment to yourselves. Plan to have at least a few minutes of peace and quiet together as a married couple (YAY!!). This time is so special and it is so much fun to capture the intimate and fun first moments as “Mr. and Mrs.”!
Reception Time!
After the couples portraits have wrapped up it’s time to party! Chit chat with guests, grab a bite to eat, hit the dance floor, and make it a night you’ll never forget!
SAMPLE TIMELINE (WITHOUT A FIRST LOOK)
Getting Ready!!
3:00pm- Ceremony
4:00pm- Family Formal Photos
5:00pm- Wedding Party Photos
6:00pm Couples Portraits
7:00pm Reception Time!
Now that you know how to build the perfect wedding day timeline (with or without a first look) you’re ready to take on the big day!
The wedding featured in this post is The Powers, who got married in downtown Kansas City! I captured beautiful rooftop photos with the wedding party and their couple portraits near the World War I Museum and Memorial. It was a beautiful day!
There are so many ways to bring your style into your wedding day. One of the easiest ways to make your wedding stand out is through your wedding stationary. No matter your vision; Basic invite has a wedding template for you!
There are a lot of different wedding stationary websites out there, but none compare to Basic Invite. I highly recommend checking them out when comparing all the different stationary sites. They offer tons of amazing semi-custom options for save the dates, invites, menus, and even thank you cards.
Basic Invite
Basic Invite is one of the few websites that gives you almost unlimited color options. All you have to do is select a design, and then you can change the color of each element on your card. Your wedding stationary can match any vision; you’re able to choose from over 180 colors. That’s so many more colors than other online stationary companies! If you want to add a little extra pop to your stationary; Foil cards are available in gold, silver, and rose gold. Customers can choose flat or raised foil on all of Basic Invite’s foil designs. Even though you are choosing a Basic Invite wedding template, it is so easy to customize it to be fully unique to you.
As you are designing, Basic Invite offers instant previews online so you can see the final look throughout your design process. With Basic Invite you can even order a printed sample of your invitation before you place your final order. You are able to feel the paper quality and check that the the colors printed the way you wanted. Ordering a sample of your design can be such a lifesaver because you’re able to double check the print and even spell check without ordering hundreds of copies first.
Elevate Your Wedding
A great way to elevate your wedding experience for guests is by providing a printed wedding ceremony itinerary or by choosing a place cards wedding template to use. Basic Invite allows the opportunity to carry a design throughout so many little details of your day to truly tie it all together.
Usually these are items couples skip because they add an additional cost, however Basic Invite is currently offering 15% off with coupon code: 15FF51
For more info on Basic Invite connect with them on Pinterest or Instagram.
The saying time is a thief can really start to resonate as families grow. Family photos are a great way to capture different phases of life and freeze those moments in time so you can revisit them later! The process can seem daunting, especially when it comes to figuring out how to plan for a family photo session. I’ve compiled some tips and tricks to help make the process as smooth as possible!
COORDINATING OUTFITS
The best way to coordinate outfits is to pick a pallet with 3-4 different colors and mix up textiles and patterns that use those colors within your outfits. A good rule of thumb is to only have 1-2 people wear a pattern of some kind. This will keep the photos from looking too busy! Layers are a good way to add texture and variety to photos.
LOCATION DECISION
Pick a location that offers multiple different locations to take pictures. This will give everyone space and will offer a good variety of backdrops for photos. Being able to move around will allow the photographer to capture some good candid’s along with the portraits, if that’s something you’re interested in! Kansas City has so many great locations to choose from.
FULL BELLIES
I know rounding everyone up and getting them out the door on time isn’t a small task! But making sure everyone has a full belly will help you get the most out of your time with the photographer. You could even bring some snacks along that aren’t messy and are easy to quickly distribute between photos to keep everyone happy!
PREPARE FOR OUTFIT CHANGES
If you are in the “babies” phase of life, it is a good idea to have an extra outfit on hand in case you experience a diaper blowout or they spit up on their original outfit. You can do a quick outfit change and keep going! You know your kiddos better than anyone else. If you have littles that are prone to spitting up in the car, I recommend putting them in their outfit after you arrive at the location.
I hope these tips on how to plan for a family photo session make the process less stressful! The point of family photos is to capture the phase of life you are currently in! If that means you are wrangling toddlers and wiping spit up off of little cheeks, that is what you should capture. You will be able to fit some good portraits in between and there will be years in the future where you will be able to get everyone to sit still. Every moment is precious and I would be so grateful to capture whatever phase of life you are currently in.
Picture this: you’ve found your person, the special someone you want to spend the rest of your life with. You can’t wait to ask this person to marry you! They keep dropping hints about wanting to be engaged and you’ve picked out the perfect ring. But how?! How do you plan a day that is deserving of the one you love? Don’t fret! I’ve got 5 tips for planning the perfect proposal.
ONE – FIND THE RIGHT MOMENT
First, make sure you are both ready for this next step. It’s a big one and something you should discuss in depth before getting down on one knee! Once you’re both ready, wait and find a time that feels right – don’t rush the proposal. Whether you wait until your anniversary, a date that is special to you both, a big life event, or just an ordinary day, make sure it feels right!
TWO – PICK THE PERFECT LOCATION
Take them back to the place you first met, a childhood home, your favorite park/trail, or your go-to restaurant. Pick a place that is sentimental or meaningful to your relationship! If you don’t have a special place, don’t worry! Wherever you choose your purpose will end up being a special place in the timeline of your story. Choose somewhere pretty- a garden, a rooftop, a city landmark. Stumped for ideas? I can help with that too!
THREE – HIRE A PHOTOGRAPHER TO CAPTURE THIS MOMENT
This moment is the next big step in the story of your lives together. You and your significant other will likely both be nervous and/or surprised and your adrenaline may leave you in a foggy haze. Hire a professional to capture all the details so you can look back and remember every second. Photos of this once in a lifetime event are priceless!
FOUR – SURPRISE THEM
If you’ve discussed wanting to get married chances are your significant other has given you some tips for the proposal. If not, give their friends and family a call! This will allow you to plan something that will really knock their socks off! Keep it a secret so the moment is a surprise. Even if they start picking up on what is going on, don’t spill all the details!
FIVE – HAVE FAMILY WAITING AS A SURPRISE FOR A CELEBRATORY PARTY
After you’ve popped the question and the adrenaline has settled a bit it’s time to celebrate!! Coordinate with you and your significant other’s family and friends to hide at the location you are proposing at, or to meet you at the next location for a second surprise! What better way to celebrate your engagement than with all your closest loved ones. Engagement parties are so much fun!
SAL + GABI
Sal and Gabi are high school sweethearts! They had been together for almost 10 years when Sal decided it was time to pop the question. They had talked about getting married, so Gabi knew it was coming but she had no idea when it was going to happen! Sal enlisted the help of his family in planning the perfect proposal. He got them all in on the secret and they disguised the proposal as an ordinary family dinner at The Bowery. Gabi had NO idea what was coming! The decorations were beautiful and the couple’s family and friends were there to help them celebrate! This was such a sweet and special moment to capture. Thank you so much Gabi and Sal for allowing me to be a part of your proposal!
