When is a Marriage Announcement Appropriate

Celia is a bride I met only a few weeks ago. She has planned a very intimate and private wedding ceremony. She had already taken care of all of her wedding stationery, but had forgotten her wedding announcements. When we first spoke about her announcements she had the image of a Fleur de Lis in mind. She wanted the image as a soft background for the wording on her announcement.
This is the finished announcement for Celia to have mailed on her wedding day.

When is a marriage announcement appropriate:
1.  If you have planned a very small wedding and reception with only family and close friends, a great idea is to have an announcement prepared that your parents can issue to announce your wedding.
2.  If you have a very tight budget and are not able to invite all of the people you would like to your wedding, but would like to include them in this important event.
3.  If you and your new husband eloped.  If the elopement was planned, or if it was a last minute decision doesn't really matter.  Allow your parents the opportunity to announce your marriage to the world.
4.  A marriage announcement is appropriate at all times.  Just make sure to include all of the people you did not invite to your wedding.  This is a nice way to let those people know you are thinking of them.

  

Give the addressed and stamped announcements to your Maid of Honor a few days before your wedding day and allow her to drop them in the mail for you after your wedding.

Carol

What Does it Mean to Be Green - Your Paper

Going "Green" means so many things. It's really hard to explain everything in one post. So I am going to take several posts to try and dig a little deeper and explain a few specifics, and give you examples about how you can easily incorporate these changes into your wedding.
Let's start with your wedding stationery.
If you have followed any of my past posts you already know I am a wedding planner who specializes in environmentally thoughtful weddings. But you may not know that I also design and print all of the wedding stationery pieces for the brides I work with. This is what I look for in the paper I use:
Post Consumer Waste Paper: This is paper that has been recycled back into the paper making process by consumers. New paper is made and typically is noted by the recycling chain sign and notation-PCW. I look for paper that is at least 30% PCW. But there are papers out there that are as high as 100% post consumer waste.
Recycled Paper: Usually recycled paper is made of 100% recycled content. And this paper is usually paper that is recycled back into the paper making process by the manufacturer. The manufacturer simply puts its scraps back into the process.
Responsible Mill Practices: If you see this note on your paper it means that it has been produced by a mill that recognizes responsible, sustainable forestry, and is certified by a third party.
Renewable Content: This is paper that contains at least 20% renewable content, usually plant fibers or cotton.
Renewable Energy Sources: This is paper that has been made using renewable energy sources- hydro power or wind power. Think wind turbines.
PCF: Means Processed without the use of elemental chlorine. (Processed Chlorine Free)
USA: Means Made in the USA. This is paper that was created and produced domestically.
What can you do? It's simple. Look for these signs and words when you are sourcing your wedding stationery paper. Look for the companies and individuals who consider using these sources of paper an important part of their business practices.
Carol