By Erin Frank

If you are looking for something a little non-traditional for your wedding invitations, you’ll definitely want to check out Bon Moment.  I recently talked with design duo Denise Stockman and Maureen Jann, a Berkeley and Seattle-based pair of artists who are pushing the envelope on wedding stationery.  Here’s a look at their desirable designs, plus a few tips on timing from these pros.

BABG: How did Bon Moment get started?

Bon Moment: We strive to create wedding stationery for the rest of us.  When we think about weddings, flowers and swirls never seem to fit. Pastels and petals seemed a bit too fussy for us and we don’t think we’re alone.  That’s why we’ve created wedding invitation suites that befits a couple that dances to the beat of their own drum.

As for how we got started…  Maureen was planning her wedding and she couldn’t find anything that really reflected what she was looking for in wedding stationery.  That frustrating experience inspired the idea for doing a wedding stationery business, but she knew she didn’t want to do it on her own. She needed a capable and inspired partner to make the business as amazing as she thought it could be.  She hooked up with her long time friend and crafting buddy, Denise.  Together we formed Bon Moment and built a product offering that we think will inspire other brides and suit their tastes, just like ours.  So far, we’re kicking butt and taking names.

BABG: What are some of your other favorite designs?

BABG: Do you have any tips or tricks you’d like to offer our couples?

Bon Moment: We love Save the Dates! They are helpful and informative. Generally we recommend them to couples who have guests coming from out of state or flying to remote locations for their destination weddings. It’s best to send your cards out between 6 and 9 months before you’re getting married.  If you’re getting married on a holiday weekend or you’re tying the knot in Ireland and your friends and family are from California, you might even want to send it a year in advance to give people time to plan.

A little Save the Date Tip: Be sure to include your location on your Save the Date!  It seems a little obvious, but when you’re getting caught up in the planning it would be an easy thing to overlook!

Invitations usually go out about 60 days before your wedding. Destination weddings invitations can go out 90 days before the wedding, but some couples opt to create a wedding website and include the web address on the Save the Date so guests can get up-to-the-minute information about lodgings and events.

The Manners Maven Emily Post recommends that couples send out Thank You Notes within 3 months of receiving the gift and we agree.  There’s nothing like waiting for the Thank You note that never comes, or maybe even worse, a Thank You note that comes too late.

A little Thank You Note Tip: When opening your gifts, be sure to designate a note taker. They can note the gift and who its from to make writing your thank you notes easier!