Three Graces Design

History of Chicago Wedding Fashion on Display

2010-07-13T11:34:00.008-05:00

Did you know that Chicago brides in the early 1800s once donned wedding dresses that were brown, green blue or even black? They had to use their wedding gown as their special occasion gown as well!

If you are in the Chicago area, be sure to check out Chicago History Museum's "I Do! Chicago Ties the Knot." The exhibit showcases 150 years of Chicago wedding fashion, and includes wedding and bridesmaid dresses, accessories and men's attire.

The Chicago history museum is located at 1601 North Clark Street. Adult admission is $14, seniors and students 13-22 are $12. Children 12 and under are free. The museum is also free for everyone on Mondays!

Wedding Send Off Ideas

2010-07-09T21:21:00.028-05:00

We've had a short hiatus from blog writing (okay, 6 months) but we're happy to be blogging again! Hope you like this one...

The tradition of throwing rice at the bride and groom as a wedding send-off is almost non-existent today. Many churches and other ceremony venues have banned throwing rice because it leaves a huge mess for them to clean up. Also, people can slip and fall on the rice, which is a liability for the venue (and not so great for wedding photos). Here are some great ideas for sending-off the newly married couple without the mess!

Bubbles

Perfect for a warm, daytime wedding. Large selection in bottle/wand design and easy to coordinate with wedding colors.

Bells

Easy to handle, easy to decorate, and available in various types, bells are a great way to "ring in" the happy new couple! Appropriate for any time of the day and can be used at the reception to request newlywed kisses.

Ribbon Wands
Beautiful ribbon wands are new on the wedding scene and look elegant in white, or can coordinate with the wedding colors. Best for daytime weddings.

Dove Release

A long-standing tradition for weddings, white doves are symbols of love, hope, peace and the soul. They also mate for life and, according to superstition, if you see a pair of doves on your wedding day you will have a long and happy marriage.

Sparklers

Definitely a good choice for an evening wedding, sparklers create an atmosphere of fun and excitement. Just be certain of the weather; rain and wind could ruin this happy send off!

Glow Wands

Send off the young, fun couple (who are also planning a pretty rowdy reception) with glow wands! Clearly suited for the night sky, glow wands can really spice up a reception - and kids love them too!

Couture Envelopes

2010-01-20T22:18:00.004-06:00

As modern couples become more adventureous with their wedding invitation designs, wedding invitation envelopes are evolving as well. Plain White envelope? Plain Cream envelope? Nope. A couture envelope guarantees that your invitation will stand out in the mail!

Try a bright, bold colored envelope that coordinates with your invitation set ... make a statement with the invitation graphic printed on the envelope ... consider an envelope liner made from beautiful paper that has colors and patterns that complement the invitation design.

Incorporating couture envelopes into the invitation will help complete your custom wedding stationery set!

Marion Street Cheese Market

2010-01-05T13:05:00.011-06:00

If you are in the Oak Park area, stop in at Marion Street Cheese Market. They have an incredible selection of artisan cheese from local farms and renowned cheesemakers throughout the United States and Europe. Along with their expansive selection of cheeses, Marion Street Cheese Market offers fine wines and craft beers that pair well with their cheese offerings.

The Marion Street Cheese Market cafe also offers a small plates menu that celebrates farm fresh, organic produce from local growers. Special tip: visit on Wednesdays when they take 30% off their wine, beer and cheese flights!

Simply Elegant Bridal Event

2009-12-28T22:31:00.013-06:00

"Simply Elegant ... An Original Showcase of All Things Wedding" is being held at the beautiful Historic Pleasant Home in Oak Park, Illinois on February 19 and February 20.

Local wedding industry professionals will be showcasing their unique services in addition to Three Graces Design. From Parvaneh, an incredibly talented wedding dress designer - to Chris Guillen, a photographer that truly captures a moment - to the Becca Kaufman Orchestra (BKO) whose music will have our guests on their feet all night long ... this event promises not to be your typical bridal show!

Delicious hors d'oeuvres from 2MayToz, Maya del Sol, and Marion Street Cheese Market, pastries by Maggie Roeder Cakes and wine will be available for sampling. Brides who register for the event will receive a fabulous "swag bag." With a donation of an item of evening wear for The Glass Slipper Project the $10 admission fee will be waived. Space is limited so make your reservations now at weddings@greatestexpectations.com.

Suggested Attire on Invitations

2009-12-22T22:27:00.012-06:00

Have you ever stressed out over what to wear to a party? Is this outfit too casual? Will I be overdressed? Should I go with the safe LBD (little black dress)?

If you are having a theme party, or simply would prefer cocktail dress rather than casual jeans, it is helpful to mention the preferred attire on the party invitation.

Start by inserting a line at the end of the invitation that states the type of attire you are requesting. For example, if you are having a formal affair suggest "black tie optional." "Cocktail attire" or "dress to impress" leaves lots of room for interpretation, but will sufficiently leave out jeans and ball gowns! Lastly if you are having a theme party, something like "fabulous 50's attire" points guests in the right direction.

Following this invitation etiquette will save your guests the pain of the guessing game and will ensure the vision for your party is complete!

Client Focus: Ken's 21st Birthday

2009-12-21T07:00:00.002-06:00

VIP, baby! Ken had his 21st birthday party plans in full swing when he contacted us to design his invitations. He was pulling out all the stops ... a limo, multiple nightclubs with VIP attention and a hotel stay for the night. His first night out on the town was going to be a red-carpet event.

Black and silver were the colors for the evening, and we designed a sleek invitation adding a touch of red for a red-carpet effect. The invitation style accommodated the large amount of information he had to communicate to his guests. The last page included a tear-off postcard response device.

Ken's guests knew from the time they received their invitation that this was going to be one event they couldn't miss!

Not Your Typical Wedding Reception

2009-12-15T19:14:00.024-06:00

Receptions generally consume the largest portion of the wedding budget. If you are looking to trim your reception expenses, be open to trying something a little different. Cocktail and dessert receptions offer a fun, yet cost effective, twist on the formal reception.

A cocktail reception allows guests to move about more freely enjoying each other and the entertainment even more. No need to worry about table arrangements either! A smaller venue can be used as well like your favorite restaurant's cocktail lounge, a beautiful home or an outdoor garden. You'll want to offer drinks, hand-passed appetizers or buffet, and your wedding cake!

You won't hear any complaints about a dessert reception! Tables of a variety of delicious treats will keep your guests happy. This type of reception also avoids the need for table arrangements and a large venue. Remember to hold a dessert reception in the late afternoon or early evening, and be sure you make it clear on the invitation that a full meal will not be served.

Two unique reception options for couples wanting to offer a fabulous experience to their guests!

Shadow Boxes - preserving your memories!

2009-12-13T22:25:00.010-06:00

A beautiful invitation for a special occasion deserves to have a long life span after announcing your event. Amanda Koffski designs shadow boxes to attractively display invitations as a lasting reminder of your special occasion.

Amanda started creating shadow boxes for friends and family, and as the word spread about her work she decided to start selling them. She has created shadow boxes for many different occasions ... weddings, special birthdays, showers, anniversaries, birth announcements, and graduations. Amanda can be reached at manda524@sbcglobal.net or (773) 612-2395.

Forever in Bloom, Inc. is a shadow box company specializing in floral preservations. They use a silica process to keep your flowers looking fresh long after your wedding day has ended. Check out their website to view a short video on the process!

Pantone Announces Turquoise as the 2010 Color of the Year!

2009-12-09T14:04:00.006-06:00

Evoking thoughts of paradise … warm wind gently blowing on your face and a cool, tropical drink in your hand … turquoise has been named Pantone’s 2010 color of the year!

Pantone is the industry authority directing color trends for fashion design. Fashion trends translate into bridal wear and influences all the other color choices for wedding details - flowers, linens and, of course, wedding stationery.

We look forward to incorporating beautiful turquoise hues into our custom invitation designs!

Read Pantone's press release about the color of the year - turquoise!

Q&A: How do I request that guests do not bring gifts to my husband's 50th birthday party?

2009-12-02T21:56:00.010-06:00

Many people choose to request no gifts when hosting parties for adults. I am assuming your husband has everything he needs already and you just want your friends and family to enjoy celebrating this milestone birthday with him.

There are a couple ways you can go here. You can include on the invitation a simple "No gifts please," or something a little jazzier like "Your presence is your present." This clearly lets the guests know your wishes, however don't be surprised if you still get some presents from guests who still feel a social obligation to bring a gift.

You might consider having guests make a donation to an organization that your husband supports. On the invitation write "In lieu of gifts, please make a donation to Heifer International in Mike's honor." This option is nice because your guests feel that they are still gifting, you don't have a bunch of presents to deal with and others in need are benefiting from the donations.

Andrew's 16th Birthday Party Invitations

2009-11-30T16:53:00.005-06:00

Becky is a creative gal who would usually craft her own invitations for parties. However, she realized time was getting away from her and decided to contact us to design a custom invitation for her son Andrew's surprise 16th birthday party.

When we met to discuss the invitation, Becky shared a poem she drafted and some solid thoughts for the invitation. She described her son to us and even showed us her son's bright multi-colored gym shoes as inspiration. We felt very confident that we could create something would fit her son's vibe.

The resulting invitation in purple, green and fuchsia was a fun and funky way to announce the birthday party for a hip skater boy!

Maggie Roeder Cakes

2009-11-24T11:01:00.006-06:00

Scrumptious. Delicious. Delectable. There is no other way to describe the tasty offerings of Maggie Roeder Cakes. Each bite of Maggie's work is a treat for the taste buds. You'll be visually pleased as well with her attractive creations.

Maggie recieved her Associates in Pastry Arts and a Bachelors in Food Service Management from Johnson and Wales University's College of Culinary Arts in Providence, Rhode Island. Returning to Chicago, Maggie worked her way up from pastry assistant to pastry chef at J&L Catering. In early 2007, she started her own business -- Maggie Roeder Cakes -- specializing in wedding and celebration cakes. She also enjoys creating pastries, truffles, and other mini bites of heaven.

"I strive for quality in taste and design," says Maggie. "I work hard to make the design process enjoyable and easy for the couples."

Budget-friendly Wedding Wear

2009-11-18T20:24:00.012-06:00

How wonderful it is that modern weddings have shed so many wedding wear traditions. Bridesmaids and groomsmen have so many options other than spending a couple hundred dollars on never-to-be-seen-again dresses and rented tuxedos.

For those who are willing to take some risks, there are elegant alternatives to the typical bridal party wear. Bridesmaids can find some incredibly gorgeous dresses off the rack at department stores. Rather than selecting a universal dress for all of her attendants, brides can suggest her girls wear their favorite dresses in coordinating colors.

The bride can forgo the expensive designer gowns and purchase off the rack or even previously-owned gowns that may have originally cost hundreds. And don't forget the bridal accessories! Shoes, jewelry, hairpieces and handbags can all be borrowed, saving a lot of money.

Most men already own a simple black or tan suit, they can simply purchase shirts and ties to coordinate and wear their own comfortable shoes!

Now more than ever, people are really making their wedding day about them -- not what other people or tradition say their wedding day should be like! Straying from the norm with wedding wear can prove to be budget friendly and fashion forward!

Autumn Wedding Invitation Ensemble

2009-11-16T07:00:00.002-06:00

Nature's own colorful display and the crisp, fall air make the perfect backdrop for a wedding celebration! Invitation designs can mirror the warm tones found in fall.

This invitation ensemble includes a shimmery copper paper as well as brown and cream accents. Copper skeleton leaves add a beautiful and textural element to the coordinating pieces. The invitation, reception card, and response card are tastefully nestled into an elegant Thai silk copper pouch enclosure.

Also displayed are the table number and escort card, finishing off the entire look.

Involving Children of the Bride and Groom in a Wedding Ceremony

2009-11-12T18:09:00.015-06:00

Q: I am a single mother who is getting married for the second time. My fiance and I both have children and would like them to have a special role in the wedding. How can we do this?

A: Congratulations! Well to start, you can incorporate the children in the wording of the invitation. They can actually invite your guests to the wedding, "Amber, Ashley, Carter and Connor invite you to share in joy of the marriage uniting their parents, etc."

You can also have the children participate in the wedding ceremony. During the ceremony, you can mention their names, add a family vow, or present them with a gift like a family medallion.

Client Focus - Halloween-themed 40th Birthday Party Invitations

2009-11-10T21:32:00.008-06:00

Esther was planning a surprise Halloween-themed 40th birthday party for her husband and was looking for someone to design a unique invitation that creatively arranged the information she wanted to share with her guests.

She told her husband that she was having a birthday party for him in November, but she was surprising him by having the party in October and by making it a Halloween costume party (his favorite holiday!). That information had to be communicated creatively on the invitation. We also created a "decoy" invitation with the November date for Esther to show Neal!

Since the party was Halloween-themed, we chose a black, orange and purple color scheme for the invitations. We didn't find a decorative paper that we loved, so Heidi designed a spider web graphic that was perfect. Then we finished the invitation with a purple ribbon embellishment. The end result was a fun, Halloween inspired invitation that they both loved!

Computerized Envelope Addressing

2009-11-08T19:54:00.009-06:00

Hand addressing envelopes is a traditional form of sending invitations, but not everyone has pretty handwriting! Hand calligraphy is beautiful, but can be too pricey for some budgets. Computerized envelope addressing is a happy medium for wedding invitation envelope addressing! Fonts that coordinate with your invitation are used on the envelope, which gives a very complete, polished look to your invitation set.

Many of our clients who use our computerized envelope addressing services enjoy that it is one less thing for them to do during such a busy time. When they receive their invitations from us, all they have to do is put on the postage and drop them in the mail. Three Graces Design's computerized envelope addressing is $1.50 per envelope and includes your choice of font and your return address.

Seamstress Linda Hill of Oak Park

2009-11-06T13:07:00.009-06:00

I was overjoyed with the prospect of being a bridesmaid in my brother's wedding, however I was not overjoyed with the shape of my body after giving birth to my twins 6 months earlier. My soon to be sister-in-law had selected a lovely chocolate brown, floor length strapless gown with a contrasting sash for us. When I first ordered the dress, I was still wearing my maternity jeans and had no idea what size I would be for the wedding.

Skip forward to two weeks before the wedding and I am in serious distress. The gown was too big (not as big as I was hoping, but...) and needed some serious tailoring. LINDA HILL TO THE RESCUE! Linda was recommended to me by neighbors and she truly saved the day. She had a lot of suggestions on how to make the dress fit (including the strapless top - miraculous) and went out of her way to design the bustle so it would hang beautifully.

Linda works out of her home in Oak Park and is skilled in tailoring women's clothing. She works on a lot of dresses - bridesmaid, prom, wedding, you name it - as well as suits and other clothing. Her quick turn-around time is helpful, and her prices are more than reasonable, especially considering the quality of her work. Linda takes pride in her work and sincerely wants her clients to love the results. If you are in the Oak Park area, please contact Linda at linda.hill@gmail.com.

Q&A - Is it polite to have an adult-only reception?

2009-11-04T13:20:00.006-06:00

"I am unsure if I want children at my wedding reception. If I decide against it, what is the polite way to request that no children attend?"

Before you make a decision about cutting children from the guest list, remember there are positive ways to incorporate youth in to your celebration. First, question why you are considering not having them at the reception. If you are worried about keeping the little ones entertained, you might consider having an on-site babysitter, a crafts table or a photo booth. Some entertainers will also play music to cater to the children like the chicken dance and the hokey pokey.

If cost is an issue, remember to ask your caterer for children’s meal prices, which are considerably cheaper than an adult meal and more enjoyable for the children as well!

After taking these things in to consideration, if you are still leaning towards an adult only reception proceed with caution. This decision has to be all or nothing. It is rude to invite some kids and not others. Also, there is an age range to consider. Typically, ages 16 and over are considered "adult" for receptions. Family and friends can potentially get upset about these issues.

If you are having a destination wedding or the reception is a location only suitable for adults, just make certain this information is clear on the invitation itself. As for the wording on the invitation, we suggest "adult only reception" printed on the response device or you can rely on envelope addressing to the parents names only. You can also pre-print or handwrite guests' names into RSVP card so there is no confusion.

Custom Designed Birth Announcements

2009-10-30T13:44:00.006-05:00

It's those magical first months of your new baby's life and amongst all the new and wonderful experiences you ... are ... exhausted. But you must get out your little one's birth announcements and spread your joy to your friends and family!

While we all agree the photo cards by TinyPrints and Shutterfly are so cute and affordable, maybe you want something a bit more unique, creative and handmade to announce your bundle of joy.

As moms ourselves, we understand the importance of getting your baby's birth announcement just right. Three Graces Design loves custom designing birth announcements to declare your new arrival and helping to take some of the work off your hands.

Now, try to get some sleep!

Do I need programs for my wedding ceremony?

2009-10-28T07:00:00.000-05:00

Wedding programs are helpful for your guests, especially if they are not familiar with your religious or cultural traditions. Beyond listing your scripture and music, the wedding program is also a means to share other information with your guests. Many couples choose to include a listing of the members of the bridal party and those involved in the service. Sections to remember loved ones, share words of thanks with the guests and provide your new address information can also be included in the wedding program.

Churches will often provide a standard wedding program at no additional cost to you. There are also DIY materials out there to work with. If you would like to leave it to the professionals, a custom designer can create your wedding program. For a wedding program that has one piece of paper with an embellishment (like a ribbon), our charges start at $2.00 per piece.

Wiberg Family - First Holy Communion

2009-10-26T07:00:00.001-05:00

When we first meet a client, we show them a portfolio that contains samples of our work. This serves a dual purpose – one, it shows clients the caliber of our work and two, it is a starting place for design ideas. Clients often gravitate to a certain style of invitation, color of paper, or decorative embellishments.

When Michelle Wiberg contacted us about doing a First Holy Communion invitation for her son Nick, she could not find what she was looking for in a pre-designed invitation online. She wanted the invitation to have a graphic that included the bread and chalice, and to have a masculine feel.

Our portfolio did not have samples of this exact type of invitation. However, when reviewing our portfolio together, she was drawn to a color combination used in a wedding invitation sample. We started with that idea, and took it from there. Her son’s invitation design was just what she was looking for.

Q & A – Can you seal my invitations with wax seals?

2009-10-21T06:58:00.008-05:00

Well, kind of! We can provide faux wax seals for your invitations. True wax seals can crumble, and will not make it through postal delivery. Faux wax is slightly rubbery, which makes it ideal for mailing because it bends. There are a variety of seals with designs and monograms, and the faux wax comes in an assortment of colors that will complement your envelope.

If you’re interested in a little history, wax seals were not always just a decorative embellishment. Originally they were used to actually seal the envelope, because envelopes did not have glue on the flap. This also let recipients know that no one had tampered with their mail.

Event Managers to Invitation Designers

2009-10-19T06:41:00.002-05:00

Before Three Graces Design, Heidi and I both worked for a local not-for-profit running their special events. We feel that our experience in special events management has taught us a lot about client/vendor relations, managing timelines, and adhering to budgets.

We know how important it is to be a good vendor because we were the clients working with multiple vendors on events! We realize our clients are busy planning their events and we want to make their invitation order as effortless as possible. Heidi and I provide excellent customer service to our clients, meeting at locations convenient to them and returning calls and e-mails promptly.

Timelines are very important to managing events. With each event we led, there were multiple deadlines and details that had to be followed closely. So now, we create a timeline for each invitation order. We share it with our clients as well, ensuring that the invitation design and production goes smoothly.

Our special events were operated on tight budgets … we wanted to raise the most money as possible for our charity! When we have a client that has a strict budget to work with, we are very sensitive to their needs and design a beautiful invitation within their budget.

Our past special event management experience helped shape our work ethic and business today.

Becca Kaufman Orchestra

2009-10-16T07:00:00.003-05:00

Whether you are looking for someone to play your favorite oldies, or a Russian vocalist to sing some traditional folk songs, Becca Kaufman Orchestra (BKO) will get the party started and keep it going all night long. BKO can play small intimate affairs to large events. They are also flexible in ensemble size, which allows them to work within most budgets.

Becca has fifteen years of wedding experience, combined with over twenty years of being a professional vocalist, and will create the perfect musical entertainment for your wedding day. She takes time to listen to brides and grooms requests, helping them make the event truly theirs. Since we at Three Graces Design take a similar approach with getting to know our clients personally, we appreciate other industry professionals that value personal client relationships.

From a solo pianist to a 15-musician orchestra, BKO can provide just the right fit for your musical entertainment needs. Visit BKO at www.beccakaufmanorchestra.com or call Becca at 800-634-0014.

Couture Silk Invitation Enclosures

2009-10-14T07:00:00.003-05:00

A lavish event calls for a lavish invitation. We love our couture silk invitation enclosures. They are the ultimate luxury in invitation design. Silk pouches, pocket folios, book folios or boxes adorned with gorgeous ribbon and jeweled buckles and broaches exude sophistication.

While these enclosures are stunning, they are better suited to a higher-end budget. Silk enclosure invitation sets can range from $25 for a simple pocket folio design to over $50 for a more elaborate silk box design. Keep in mind there are additional considerations for mailing these invitations including an exterior shipping boxes and charges.

Impress your guests with these elegant invitation enclosures!

Can I also order additional items such as ceremony programs and escort cards from you?

2009-10-12T06:56:00.004-05:00

Absolutely! A complete set of custom-designed wedding stationery gives a consistent message throughout your wedding, resulting in a more sophisticated and polished event. Three Graces Design can create a full-line of wedding stationery that will coordinate with your invitations. In addition to ceremony programs and escort cards, we can design bookmarks, favor tags, table numbers, menus, seating charts, and thank you notes. We can pretty much create anything paper related for your special day!

Client Focus: Jenny & Alex

2009-10-09T13:08:00.005-05:00

When Jenny first viewed our invitation samples on our website, she was unsure if we were the right fit to accommodate her needs for a primarily graphic designed piece (no embellishments!). Although it was outside of our typical design requests, we were excited to have the opportunity to collaborate with her. We moved forward with the design process confident that we’d be able to achieve her vision.

Jenny gave us some ideas to work with: fireworks, burst of sunshine, inspired by nature, clean and simple – organic looking with a contemporary edge. She wanted a graphic to be the main focus of the invitation.

Using Queen Anne’s lace as inspiration, Heidi jumped right in and created a beautiful, fresh custom graphic that had levels of gradation in a sunshine yellow and chartreuse green. Coupled with a clean chocolate font, the graphic fulfilled Jenny’s requests and made for an eye-catching invitation.

Winter Party

2009-10-07T07:00:00.000-05:00

A winter wonderland awaits the guests of this formal party!

This crisp multi-layered panel invitation with custom designed monogram is tucked in an exquisite Thai silk pocket folio enclosure. A wide satin ribbon with square rhinestone buckle adorns the pocket folio providing the perfect finishing touch.

This look is appropriate for any formal occasion, such as weddings, quinceaneras or bat mitzvahs.

Women-Owned Business

2009-10-05T14:02:00.008-05:00

Three Graces Design is a women-owned business and we have embraced all of our feminine qualities as business owners. Here are a few that we feel make us better at what we do:

Social and Emotional – Yep! We are social and emotional creatures. These traits help us to serve our clients better. When we meet a client and learn all about them and their event, we make an emotional connection. We honestly want to create beautiful work for them and want their events to be successful.

Organized and Structured – We live life at a hectic pace. In order to keep the chaos to a minimum, we have learned to be very organized and structured in our homes and at work. This benefits our clients as well, because we stick to tight timelines and are able to meet our clients’ needs.

Driven and Determined – Possibly because we feel like we have more to prove, we have a lot of drive and determination. We work very hard to achieve our goals and don’t give up when the going gets tough. Amidst busy home lives and careers, we persevere.

Support a women-owned business! You’ll see what makes us special.

CarefulPeach boutique

2009-10-02T07:00:00.002-05:00

If you are in the Oak Park area, be sure to stop by CarefulPeach boutique. A local gem, CarefulPeach has a beautiful array of life's little luxuries. They sell products from around the world that are made with quality materials, in an eco-friendly fashion. Influenced by the European way of thinking, Karen of CarefulPeach believes that less is more, and that is reflected in her quaint shop.

The CarefulPeach also offers a full wedding registry and a wide variety of items that make perfect wedding and shower gifts for couples starting a new life together, from Juliska dinnerware and glassware to Sabre dinnerware, home decor items, and Michael Aram and Michael Michaud tableware.

Visit CarefulPeach at 128 Harrison Street in Oak Park or at www.carefulpeach.com.

Announcing Our Etsy Semi-Custom Line

2009-09-30T06:58:00.000-05:00

In response to requests from our cost-conscious couples, Three Graces Design is happy to announce the launching of our semi-custom invitation line on Etsy. With the current state of the economy, many couples have had to trim their wedding budgets. Although we pride ourselves on our custom, one-of-a-kind designs, we realize that not everyone can afford this luxury during times like these.

So through our semi-custom line, you will receive the same quality, beauty and detail as our custom products for a lesser cost. These invitations are pre-designed, but you still can choose from a selection of fonts and paper colors.

Three Graces Design hopes to help you stay within your budget without sacrificing the elegance of your special day. Visit our Etsy shop soon to see what we can do for you!

Wedding Invitation Wording

2009-09-28T07:00:00.002-05:00

Choosing your wedding invitation wording can be surprisingly difficult. Many couples want to include divorced parents, children from previous relationships, or deceased parents. Then there are the issues of who is doing the inviting.

Traditional Wording
When a bride’s family is footing the bill for the wedding, they will be the ones inviting the guests:
“Mr. and Mrs. John Doe invite you to the marriage of their daughter …”

Alternative Wording
Many brides and grooms pay for their own weddings sometimes with contributions from their parents. They might opt for:
"Together with their parents, Jane Smith and John Doe invite you to share in the joy …”

Couples with Children
Couples that have children going into the marriage usually want them to be included in the invitation in some way. Some brides and grooms will have their child/children announce the wedding or have the children invite the guests to attend:
“Michael and Matthew cordially invite you to the wedding of their parents …”

What wording should you choose?
Review your options and decide based on what feels right for you. Tradition is important, but ultimately you’ll be happiest with the wording that best fits your situation. Custom wedding invitation designers, such as Three Graces Design, can help guide you through this process and create the perfect wedding invitation wording for you!

Client Profile - Tammy & Ryan

2009-09-25T14:07:00.020-05:00

Our friends and family were and still are some of our best clients! Ryan, Heidi’s younger brother, and his fiancée Tammy, received the royal treatment from Three Graces Design.

We began with the bridal shower invitation design highlighting their European honeymoon destinations, which tied right in to their shower theme. Then we moved on to the save the date and wedding invitation design inspired by their vintage style wedding theme and color scheme (chocolate brown, taupe and orange tones). Ceremony programs, menus and escort cards rounded out the stationery set.

Heidi enjoyed the many compliments she received firsthand at the wedding!

"Heidi and Leslie’s invitations and save the date cards really helped raise our guests’ level of awareness for the type of event to expect. Their expertise enhanced the wedding experience while at the same time made the decision-making and planning processes much more efficient."

~ Ryan & Tammy

Spring 2010 Color Trends

2009-09-23T07:00:00.001-05:00

Vibrant brights and practical neutrals! The color trends for Spring 2010 were announced by Pantone -- the world renowned authority on color – at New York Fashion Week, September 10-17. Why do invitation designers care about fashion color trends? Well, fashion color trends translate into popular wedding colors (bridesmaid dresses, floral designs, and linens) and those colors are often the inspiration for our wedding invitation designs.

So for all of you Spring brides and our other fashion conscious friends, check out the top ten colors for women's fashions below, shown with jewelry that reflects the Spring color palette. To view the entire Fashion Color Report for Spring 2010 visit Pantone’s website .

Oak Park, Illinois

2009-09-21T07:00:00.001-05:00

Three Graces Design operates out of Heidi’s home in Oak Park. We just love it here! As small business owners, we cannot think of a better place to be. We love it so much we want to share some of the amazing things about Oak Park with you:

* Diverse Population – Oak Park prides itself on its wonderfully diverse population (race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, etc.). Everyone feels welcome and at home in Oak Park!

* Proximity to Chicago – While Oak Park is full of suburban charm, it is extremely close to the excitement of the city. Two El trains and the Metra keep Oak Park conveniently connected to the Windy City.

* Locally-owned Businesses – There are a wealth of small, locally-owned businesses in the heart of Oak Park’s shopping district. You can find everything here from restaurants, to bookstores, to boutique shops, plus you have the benefit of knowing your purchases are helping support local merchants.

* Fascinating Architecture and History – A vast array of architecturally unique, expansive homes line the streets of Oak Park. It is also the birthplace of Ernest Hemmingway and the home of Frank Lloyd Wright. How cool is that?

Come visit Oak Park soon! Shopping, dining and walking the pedestrian-friendly streets of Oak Park makes for a lovely day.

Rosemary Hall Calligraphy

2009-09-18T12:43:00.006-05:00

The word calligraphy is derived from a Greek word meaning beautiful writing. How true! Calligraphy is an art form, and Rosemary Hall is an incredible artist. For over thirteen years she has been creating works of art for social events, corporate clients and weddings.

We agree that the ultimate finishing touch to an elegant invitation set is an envelope adorned with hand calligraphy. So, if you are looking for fabulously addressed invitations or other custom calligraphy work, give Rosemary a call at 312-433-9003 or e-mail her at rosemary@calligraphyfonts.com.

Halloween Party - Murder Mystery

2009-09-16T06:50:00.000-05:00

Halloween is falling on a Saturday this year, so it’s the perfect time to host a Halloween party. Forget the typical ghouls and goblins costumes; instead plan a get-together your friends will be “dying” to attend … a roaring '20s murder mystery dinner party.

You can purchase an instant download of “Murder at the Grand Gatsby Speakeasy” from My Mystery Party. The download includes host instructions, character lists with suggested costumes, name tags and other optional themed activities in addition to the actual mystery.

To set the tone for the gathering, have a fun yet elegant ‘20s themed party invitation designed! Guests will know to come dressed to kill. Women can wear flapper or evening dresses with long pearl necklaces or feather boas. The men can wear zoot suits, fedoras or other gangster gear.

Set a swanky scene by decorating your room in black and white. Be sure to have a speakeasy bar, or have a large metal tub filled with ice and drinks and have some jazz playing in the background. Serve some Italian food for a sit-down dinner or you can always go the hearty appetizer route instead. The typical murder mystery party will last about 2 ½ hours if played as suggested. The guys and dames will remember your Halloween party as the cat’s meow!

Do I need an inner envelope for my wedding invitation?

2009-09-14T06:56:00.009-05:00

Historically, house servants hand-delivered invitations before the postal service was created. The outer mailing envelope was used to keep the inner envelope unsoiled. The servants would then remove the outer envelope before giving the invitation to their masters.

Cue the new postal service - not the most refined method of transferring mail initially, the dual envelope continued to serve as a protective piece from dirt and handling. Since then, the practice of using an inner envelope continued over the years but without good reason.

Today, the decision to use an inner envelope is completely up to you! If you are a follower of tradition, you may want to use the inner envelope, listing the adult guests' names first, with their children (if any) listed below. The inner envelope does add weight, so make certain you have the entire invitation set weighed before purchasing stamps.

We find that most of our brides chose to forgo the inner envelope nowadays. Three Graces Design is happy to design wedding invitations either way, but if the client is uncertain we recommend skipping the inner envelope … it saves trees, money and the labor of addressing the extra envelope!

Client Focus - Ann and Frank

2009-09-11T07:00:00.003-05:00

Ann found the perfect wedding dress and that dress set the tone for the rest of her wedding plans. It was head to toe lace, and it had a romantic, vintage feel to it. The venue for the wedding and reception was a beautiful old mansion in Chicago. The ceremony was held in a lush outdoor courtyard, with the reception inside the rooms of the mansion.

When Ann contacted us to do her invitations, she knew she wanted something to fit in with her romantic, vintage theme. Antique gold, cream and wine colored papers, floral accents, and a vintage brad brought everything together. She also had us design her ceremony program, favor tags and thank-you notes to coordinate with her invitation.

Years have past since Ann and Frank’s wedding, and they are now the proud parents of two beautiful boys. We have had the pleasure of also designing baptism and birthday invitations for their family. It is great to continue working with our clients and creating invitations for their most important life events!

Personalized Postage Stamps

2009-09-09T07:00:00.002-05:00

If you are looking to add a special touch to your invitation mailing, consider using personalized postage for your envelopes. A child’s birthday party invitation can be delivered with the birthday boy’s or girl’s sweet face on the stamp or a wedding invitation can have a picture of the happy couple or a wedding monogram.

Picture It Postage and Zazzle are a few websites that offer personalized stamps. The minimum order is a full sheet of stamps (20 stamps per sheet). As far as pricing goes, the standard price for a sheet of 44¢ stamps is about $ 18.95 + $3.99 shipping from the various vendors. Money well spent if you are looking for that "something extra" to set your invitation apart!

Getting to Know Our Clients

2009-09-07T10:12:00.004-05:00

Designing custom invitations provides us with the opportunity to meet our clients face-to-face and hear all about their upcoming events. We often find ourselves learning about our clients’ lives as well. While some businesses would find the time we take with each client unnecessary, we pride ourselves on the personal connections we make.

At our initial complimentary consultation we discuss our clients' plans for their event in great detail … theme, color scheme, and other event elements (floral design, food, etc.). Frequently we talk about their likes and dislikes as a way to narrow down the invitation design. By the end of the hour we feel like we've made new friends as well as clients!

Our working relationship with clients is longer than most invitation vendors as well. A client may contact us six months to a year before their event. From the initial meeting, to sample designs and handmade production of an order, we are in touch with our clients every step of the way. We often hear back from these clients for other invitation needs including birth announcements, party invitations and thank you cards.

Every invitation we create has a story … with not only a name, but a face attached with that story! Our clients are truly a part of the Three Graces Design family.

Baby Shower Invitations

2009-09-04T07:09:00.004-05:00

A baby is on the way and you are in charge of planning a fabulous shower for your dear friend or family member. Where do you begin?

Format and Venue Selection – Will it be for women only or a couples’ shower? Will there be a theme? What time will you hold the shower and what type of food will you serve? Do you want it to be more casual in the comfort of a home, or a little more formal in a restaurant or banquet hall? Keep in mind the amount of people you’ll be inviting, which may also guide your selection of a location.

Food and Dessert - If it’s a home shower being held in the early afternoon keep it simple with some mini tea sandwiches and a couple of sides. Cake is always an enjoyable dessert, but you could also opt for assorted mini pastries or an ice cream bar for some tasty fun! If you’re planning an evening get-together, more substantial food is appropriate. Idea for couples’ showers: barbecue is always a hit for the guys!

Games and Favors – Some people look forward to shower games while some people can do without. Most shower guests do expect to play some type of game at a baby shower. The trick is to find games that will engage your guests (especially if the dad-to-be and other men are at the party). Don’t forget to buy a few prizes to give to the lucky winners! Click here for some fun game ideas.

You’ll also want to select a party favor as a small token of appreciation for your guests. Choose something practical that your guests can use, or something edible. Some ideas include handmade note cards, candles, truffles or personalized candies.

Stationery – Call Three Graces Design! From the invitations … to favor tags … to thank you cards - we can design coordinating pieces that will fit any baby shower theme.

Eco-Friendly Invitations

2009-09-02T12:38:00.006-05:00

Eco-friendly invitations:

There is a lot of buzz today about going completely paperless for wedding invitations. Through the use of papers and embellishments made from recycled, biodegradable or natural materials you can be eco-friendly without sacrificing a paper invitation. The invitation does not have to look unfinished either; a refined and stylish invitation can still be green!

Eco-friendly materials:

Seed paper (which can be planted)
Papers made of natural cotton fiber that are tree-free with no added chemicals
Rock paper (premium quality, alternative paper made from stones)
Ribbons made with 100% vegetable dyes
Pressed or dried flower

Other Eco-friendly tips:

Cut down on paper usage by not layering as many papers
Go with a smaller sized invitation
Ditch the inner envelope for the invitation
Have a postcard reply - it saves another envelope and cuts down on postage, too

Three Graces Design can accommodate earth-friendly invitation orders from our eco-conscious brides and grooms!

Caribbean Birthday Party

2009-08-31T07:00:00.003-05:00

Pauline Gray was throwing a Caribbean-themed 50^th birthday party for herself. This celebration wasn’t really about her as it was a thank you to her closest friends and family for helping her through the unexpected loss of her husband. She was pulling out all the stops to make her guests feel extra special, including transforming her lower level into a tropical getaway and serving the guests a gourmet four-course meal.

When we sat down with Pauline at her home to discuss her invitation needs, she shared that she wanted something that spoke to the Caribbean theme without being too casual. She also loved the colors red and orange. We found a beautiful hand-painted sheer European paper and a hand-dyed silk ribbon to coordinate. Pauline’s invitation offered a stylish glimpse of what was yet to come for her guests.

"The invitation was the beginning of a successful party that my guests continue to talk about. A few guest have used parts of the invitation into their gift. My most memorable part was the photo album put together with the invitation as the cover." - Pauline Gray

Monograms in Wedding Stationery

2009-08-26T07:00:00.003-05:00

The use of monograms in weddings is still a trend today because it is a visual symbol of a couple’s new life together. Some couples choose to use a monogram sparingly, while others carry the monogram through as their main wedding theme.

The definition of a traditional monogram is a design with one or more letters (typically initials of a name) that is used as an identifying mark. Today, many couples today use both first names and their last initial or just their first names and wedding date in their monogram design.

Interestingly enough, etiquette states that you should not use your married monogram initial before the ceremony. The bride's family initial would be used for all pre-ceremony stationery while the married name initial gets introduced at the ceremony and thereafter.

However, as invitation designers, we often have couples request the use of a married monogram on their save the date, invitation and other coordinating pieces. Whether our clients choose to follow traditional etiquette or chart their own course, we are happy to design their wedding stationery to suit their needs!

Yin and Yang: Heidi and Leslie

2009-08-24T07:00:00.001-05:00

Written by Leslie ...

When we decided to start our business -- Three Graces Design -- Heidi and I realized we really balance each other well. Heidi has a great eye for design. She often pulls together papers and embellishments that I would never thought of pairing. The end result is always amazing! Now when it comes to the text of an invitation, Heidi is mostly at a loss for words. Somehow catchy phrasing and creatively arranging the text comes as second nature to me. As we both take the time to learn about our clients, I am quickly thinking of how to express their event in words that are thoughtful and creative.

Our education and professional experience are also different, yet complimentary to our work together. Heidi has a BS in Interior Design and Art and a minor in Art History from Valparasio University. She has over 10 years of experience in the combined fields of interior design, social services and special event planning. I received my BA in Communications with minors in Psychology and Sociology from Concordia University, Chicago. I have over 10 years of experience in public relations, marketing, special events and fund raising.

While we truly share most of our work … from meeting with clients ….to writing and designing … to producing the invitations by hand, we each bring a unique perspective and set of talents to every job.

Denise & Kevin's Wedding

2009-08-21T07:00:00.002-05:00

Denise was in the early planning stages of her wedding when she and her mother met with us for a complimentary consultation. When reviewing the portfolio of our work, they were drawn to our booklet style invitation – an all-in-one design incorporating multiple layers of paper bound with a ribbon. Many brides prefer this layout because they like all of the information (invitation, reception, lodgings and response postcard) to be included in one neat little package.

After discussing the wedding details, they requested a tone-on-tone color scheme incorporating Denise’s love of calla lilies and crystals. After no luck in finding the perfect calla lily paper, Heidi designed a piece of artwork using multiple graphics to accomplish the theme. Denise and Kevin were thrilled with their custom invitations and had us design a unique seating chart to coordinate.

"These ladies truly went above and beyond my expectations. They understood the image I envisioned and brought it to reality. I would definitely recommend them to my friends and family." ~ Denise Marquez Shuttleworth

Mark Brewer, Harpist

2009-08-19T07:00:00.001-05:00

If you are looking to set your wedding ceremony apart from the rest, consider hiring a harpist to play your ceremony music. Mark Brewer is a harpist with 30 years of experience playing weddings. In addition to his wedding performances, Mark has played concerts, special events, restaurants and hotels. He is also well regarded as an orchestral harpist and choral accompanist. Mark is extremely talented and dependable, which is why we highly recommend his musical services!

Harp music is also appropriate for intimate wedding receptions, pre-reception cocktail parties and engagement parties. If you are interested in learning about Mark’s services, visit his website where you can hear samples of his work or contact him at 708.383.6609.

Use of Tissue in Invitations

2009-08-17T07:00:00.002-05:00

Q&A: What is the purpose of the tissue in invitations, do I really need it in my invitation?

Years ago, when formal invitations were written with quill and ink (and then when the printing press was invented), a piece of thin paper similar to modern tissue paper was placed on top of the invitation to prevent ink smudging. This practice continued well after new printing processes were invented and there was actually no need for the tissue. Currently, you may still see some formal invitations sent with a thin piece of rice paper; however, it is just a formality and does not serve a practical purpose.

As custom invitation designers, we see the vast majority of our clients choosing to go rice paper free. It will cost the client less and is more tree-friendly!

onewed.com blog feature!

2009-08-14T07:00:00.000-05:00

We were happy to be featured on onewed.com blog "Keeping track of your wedding RSVPs" - they enjoyed our tip about numbering postcards...

Three Graces Design Featured on Career Focused Blog

2009-08-13T07:00:00.001-05:00

We were happy to be featured on Alexandra Levit's blog "Water Cooler Wisdom" describing our experience as busy small business owners and mothers. Please take a peek and while you're at it, browse through Alex's thoughtfully written blog containing loads of career advice:

http://alexandralevit.typepad.com/wcw/2009/08/dream-job-profile-heidi-ruehle-may-invitation-designer.html

Numbering Response Cards

2009-08-12T07:00:00.001-05:00

You’ve sent out your invitations and the responses are starting to roll in. Each day a new batch of responses arrives in the mail. How exciting … until the mystery card arrives!

M______________
Number of guests: 2

Oh, no. Someone forgot to write in their name. Who are these two people attending your wedding? The last thing you want to add to your “to do” list is to start calling your guests.

This situation could have been easily avoided by numbering the response cards. Before sending out the invitations, you need to create a list of all your invited guests with a corresponding number. This number can be written lightly in pencil on the back of the response card in small print. Or if you are working with an invitation designer like Three Graces Design, the number can be printed directly on the response card in an inconspicuous place.

When one of your wedding guests forgets to fill in their name on the response card there is no need to stress out. Simply cross-reference the number on the response card with your master list to determine who is the guest. Mystery solved!

Home Sweet Work

2009-08-10T07:00:00.001-05:00

These days, working from home is a much sought-after situation. It does seem like the ideal workplace - convenient location, flexible hours, no dress code, and no commute. However, there are some quirks involved …

We work out of Heidi’s home office in Oak Park – a bedroom transformed and equipped as an office. We have ample storage, design space and room to move around. It is also located right next to her twins’ bedroom, requiring us to watch our noise levels and tip-toe past their room during naptime. Also, random personal items that have no place seem to find their way onto our workspaces (how long has that bottle of hairspray sat on our bookshelf?).

Most home-based professionals admit that the housekeeping chores, personal to-do lists and the allure of the television can keep them from staying on task. Fortunately, we are able keep each other honest when working together which keeps our valuable time productive.

As with everything in life, there are pros and cons to working at home. However, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to run our business this way and see no need to alter it anytime soon. That said, we saw a vacant studio space the other day, wonder how much the rent is…

Fairy Godmothers Wedding and Event Design

2009-08-07T07:00:00.001-05:00

Patty, owner of Fairy Godmothers Wedding and Event Design, is a talented woman who has been working in the event design business for 11 years. She loves to help her clients create the special event of their dreams – making it even more lovely and memorable than imagined. She goes above and beyond for her clients handling all the details, greeting family and the wedding party, pinning boutonnieres and corsages, even helping with small last minute emergencies that may arise. Fairy Godmothers make sure everything falls beautifully into place!

If you are looking for someone who can handle it all … from floral design to party favors … draping and displays to stationery … give Patty a call 708.848.0179 or visit their website at www.eventsbyfairygodmothers.com.

Monkey-Themed Child's Party

2009-08-05T07:00:00.001-05:00

Why not throw a fun-filled monkey-themed party for your little one’s birthday this year. Here are some ideas to get your party started:

Location – host the party at somewhere monkey themed such as Go Bananas, Monkey Island or for older children lunch with a few friends at the Rainforest Café.

Cake – a monkey cake would be a tasty themed treat! Ask your local bakery what they can do or try your hand at a homemade cake. You can find examples of monkey cakes at this “cool” birthday cake site.

Goodie bags – have a monkey shaped piñata and let the kids stuff their own bags with candy. Or if you want to have some candy-free goodie bags look at Oriental Trading and search for monkey. They offer plenty of fun monkey themed items such as temporary tattoos and bubbles.

Don’t miss the opportunity to announce this party in a fun, creative way, too. A custom designed invitation will let your guests know that this party is going to be B-A-N-A-N-A-S!

How many wedding invitations should I order?

2009-08-03T19:00:00.002-05:00

The first and most important step in figuring out how many invitations to order is to take some time working on your guest list. You should send one invitation per single person, couple or family. Remember that each guest over 18 should receive their own invitation even in if they live at the same address. Be sure to review your list with other family members so you don’t forget Great Aunt Gertrude, or cousin Steven that lives out of state.

After you have a solid number of invitations to order, we recommend adding 15% more to that total number. These extra invitations will come in handy if you have inadvertently left someone off the guest list, if you have a “b-list” for guests, or if you want to keep some as keepsakes for yourself (scrapbooks, shadow boxes, etc.).

As custom invitation designers, we do not have quantity increments for invitation orders. If you want to order 109 invitations that is perfectly fine with us! Just remember to keep the above information in mind when determining your quantity of invitations to order.

Client Focus - Cari and David

2009-07-31T07:00:00.004-05:00

Cari, a city gal, and David, an Alaskan fisherman, were having a lovely ceremony and reception at the W Chicago Lakeshore. For their wedding stationery, Cari wanted something elegant to reflect her lifestyle while incorporating David’s love of the ocean.

We found this beautiful Japanese Yuzen paper with a subtle wave pattern incorporating light aqua and shimmering gold to tie their styles together. When combined with a gorgeous gold ribbon and coordinating papers, the invitation set came together perfectly.

"I loved the invitations and received a number of compliments on them. You ladies were a delight to work with."
- Cari, Bride

Being Moms & Business Owners

2009-07-29T07:00:00.001-05:00

Being mothers and small business owners has its advantages as well as its challenges. It’s great to be able to work our schedule around our families’ needs. Right now, we are working summer hours and when the kids are back in school we adjust our schedule. When one of our children is sick we don’t have to panic about calling in to work. We simply shift our hours to work in the evening when dad is home.

However, we still struggle with balancing our time between family and work. There is no question in our minds that family is first, but we also have a business that we love and are still growing. We find that multi-tasking and time management both at home and at work is second nature to us now … and we thought we were really productive before being moms!

We recently joined a local meet-up of “Momtrepreneurs.” This group is made up of moms that are starting or already own their own business. It is interesting to network with this group of women that are in situations very similar to ours.

Even though our lives are crazy busy, we wouldn’t have it any other way. We love being mothers and we love our work with Three Graces Design.

Trends & Tips - Leftover Invitations

2009-07-27T07:00:00.002-05:00

It is always a good idea to order approximately 10% more of your invitations from your guest list for the "just in case" moments. However, what if you're left with a bundle of invitations after the wedding? Rather than throwing your leftover invitations in the recycling bin, here are some ideas for putting them good use:

- Save one for a scrapbook or just as a memento of your big day
- Create a shadow box of the entire stationery set and include pictures, fabric swatches, dried flowers, etc. for display in your home
- Cut and use as tags for wedding party gifts
- Reuse ribbons and embellishments for gift wrapping or scrapbooking
- Use as matting for photos
- Shred and crinkle for your 1st wedding anniversary confetti

If you are not a crafty bride, no worries! Someone out there may want to rework the materials from your invitations. Give them away at a site like www.freecycle.org.

Chris Guillen Photography

2009-07-24T12:05:00.001-05:00

Art …one word that sums up Chris Guillen Photography. They believe in meeting people and creating stories through pictures. Their photos capture real moments. They photograph in mostly black and white film and print archival fiber base prints by hand in their own darkroom. They are truly invested in each and every photo from start to finish.

In an age where everything is digital and computerized, Chris Guillen Photography stands apart from the crowd. We at Three Graces Design appreciate and identify with their process. If you are looking for someone to photograph a special occasion, wedding, or family portraits, we highly recommend Chris Guillen Photography. You won’t be disappointed! Visit them at www.chrisguillen.com or give Chris a call at 708-488-1824.

BBQ Invitations

2009-07-22T07:00:00.000-05:00

Now is a good time to plan your Labor Day BBQ to say farewell to the lazy days of summer. This is a popular weekend for gatherings, so be sure to send your invitation out soon. Don’t forget to include RSVP information so you know how much food to prepare.

Most people like bringing a dish to share, so request that your friends and family bring an appetizer, side, or dessert. With you providing the main dish and drinks, the food preparations are shared and there will be a great variety of food to enjoy!

Decorations can be simple, yet festive. Capture that summer feeling with fresh-cut daisies, brightly colored linens and citrus-scented candles. Labor Day is a great excuse to get everyone together and enjoy a day of friends, family, food and fun!

When should I begin thinking about custom designed invitations?

2009-07-20T07:00:00.003-05:00

For party invitations, depending on the nature and size of your event, you should consult your invitation designer one to three months prior. Each invitation design starts from scratch, so this allows time for discussion about the event, as well as the design, assembly and addressing/mailing of the invitations.

For wedding planning, there are multiple pieces and timeframes to keep in mind. Following is the amount of time before the wedding date that you should ideally begin working with your invitation designer:

- Save the dates - 10 to 12 months
- Wedding invitation set - four to six months
- Ceremony program, reception menu, escort cards, and customized guest favors – two months
- Thank you cards - one month before the wedding

Three Graces Design is able to fulfill invitation orders in shorter periods of time, but we do appreciate as much lead-time as possible!

Client Focus - Jenny and Frank

2009-07-17T07:00:00.000-05:00

1940’s … Hollywood glamour … Jenny and Frank had a definite theme in mind for their wedding and were having a hard time finding the perfect wedding invitation. After hearing about our custom designed wedding invitations from a friend, Jenny contacted us to try our hand at designing something special for her.

Jenny was a fun bride with a great theme for her wedding. She gave us creative control with her invitation text and layout. We researched the period and found materials that would speak to 1940’s Hollywood glamour while maintaining the sophistication of the day. In the end, we designed a fabulous invitation with coordinating pieces that brought her guests back in time.

“I was extremely pleased with my experience with Three Graces Design. They exceeded my expectations with their creative outlook to suit the needs of my 1940's theme wedding. On nearly half of my response cards there were comments about how beautiful the invitation was. I will definitely be recommending them to anyone who is looking for a beautiful invitation for any occasion.” -- Jenny

Coordinating Pieces

2009-07-15T07:00:00.008-05:00

Brides-to-be are inclined to give a ton of thought to their flowers, dresses, and food, while wedding stationery coordination is often overlooked. The wedding invitation is only one piece of the wedding stationery set. Coordinating items include save-the-dates, orders of service, escort cards, table numbers and menus. Designing these items to flow together is important because they are seen throughout the big day.

I know what you are thinking. “My church/venue has those pieces under control!” Be sure to check with the ceremony and venue locations to see what they offer in the way of orders of service, escort cards, table numbers and menus. Usually what is provided is very standard, which can detract from the elegance of your day. Coordinating pieces of custom-designed wedding stationery is like the cherry on top of the wedding sundae. It adds that finishing touch!

Registry information on invitation?

2009-07-13T07:00:00.001-05:00

We are often asked if it is proper for bridal registry information to be placed on the wedding invitation or for registry cards to be included in the invitation. Simple answer: No! Doing so implies that you are requesting gifts from your guests and is in poor taste.

Understandably, brides-to-be want to communicate their registry information to their guests; however, there are more suitable ways to do this. Bridal shower invitations, word-of-mouth through the family/bridal party, and wedding websites are all great ways share your wishes.

If you have a wedding website, our recommendation is to include the web address within the invitation set or save-the-date in an inconspicuous area. Yet another reason to work with an invitation designer ... flexibility in content and design!

Our first blog post

2009-07-09T12:33:00.005-05:00

Here it is … Three Graces Design’s first official blog post! We tend to over-think everything we do, which is good in many ways. However, at a time like this -- jumping into the blogosphere -- it can be paralyzing. We did it though! We are finally live with our blog. Our hope is that this will be a place to share tips, trends and other information from the wonderful world of custom designed invitations.

Quick clarification – There are only two owners of Three Graces Design! We chose the name because we loved the history behind the mythological figures of the Three Graces. According to Greek mythology, the Graces were goddesses of beauty, charm, and joy. They were known to preside over banquets, dances, and all other pleasurable social events, and brought joy and goodwill to both gods and mortals. The Graces were often associated with the arts, and were believed to endow artists and poets with the ability to create beautiful works of art.

We live for our work. We absolutely love what we do. We love singing 80’s music while we work. We love being our own bosses. We love getting to know our clients personally and creating invitations that truly set the tone for their events. Work isn’t really work if you love what you do, right?