One of my favorite things about the invitation process here is that there are so many options! She has printables for the DIY gal, she has flat printing, letterpress or you can chose from something already designed in the huge pile of example books as well as create something custom. You can find her paper products out and about and at places like Anthro but for the biggest selection and just to see all the stunning examples you should try and make it to the store. Her website is pretty good (and her blog is great!) but there is a much wider selection in store. Make sure you stop by and find that perfect paper piece!

Hope everyone had a fabulous Labor Day Weekend!

Cat Seto Boutique Studio
2406 Polk Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
415.749.1988

Paper Studio
2430 Polk Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
415.749.1988

mail: info@catseto.com

Photo source: Author’s personal collection

Just spotted on Etsy:  Bay Area stationery pro Inky Livie’s cute designs will add a splash of color to your big day.

Inky Livie offers both readymade and custom items for your wedding pleasure. Check out the shop here and get colorful!!

{Photos via Inky Livie}

Lately I’ve noticed an increasing number of party invitations arriving via e-mail.  I know it is cheaper and much less time consuming than creating paper invitations, but how do you make an evite classy?  The answer…Paperless Post!

Invitations sent by Paperless Post arrive via e-mail and look like a typical envelope you would find in your mailbox.  When you click on it, the envelope opens and out pops the invitation.  Clicking on the invitation generates an RSVP to the host.

I decided to give Paperless Post a try and created an invitation to a bachelorette party.  The choices for invitations seemed endless with a large variety of colors and backgrounds, font styles, and pictures.  For more personalized invitations you even have the option to upload your own photos.  In under ten minutes, and for about thirteen cents a card, I was able to create something environmentally and user friendly.

With Paperless Post you still have a classy invitation but at a much lower cost.  What do you think about going paperless?

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!