Thursday 18 July 2013

THE IMPORTANCE OF AN INVITATION: MAKING A FIRST AND LASTING IMPRESSION


The importance of an invitation can never be underestimated. A small manifestation of the event itself, the invitation sets the tone for what is to come. It is the first impression given of the event and, as the saying goes, first impressions last.

The same level of consideration given to choosing your cocktails and canapés should be given to designing your invite. If it’s lacklustre and blatantly cheap, your guests will expect the event itself to follow suit in the same manner. Bespoke, charmingly worded, intimate and aesthetically delightful, and your invitation will rouse the anticipation that your event deserves. With the invitation acting as an expression of the event itself, you need to decide on the general gist of the event’s colour tones and themes, and how formal or informal your guests should anticipate the event to be.  



Your invites - or rather, the style of your invites - are also an important dress code cue to your guests. You wouldn’t send out an ivory card with formal black calligraphy unless you’re expecting guests to dress to the nines for your wedding.

Make your invite notable by being unique. Grant your guest the joy of untying a bow that holds their invitation. A clever and chic design will help bring extra anticipation to your event. Use stock card or better yet materials that are entirely unique and exciting. At Marilyn Grace we love this rustic invite printed in chic black font onto a wooden board. The writing style too is fun and creative, and the mixed fonts stamped onto the wood is a great design feature.


There is no shortage of materials that can now be (inexpensively) printed on. Leather, fabrics, recycled materials, woods, are all feasible options. Customised boxes, silk bags, stationary items, swing tags: all quirky ways to stamp your event niceties onto something memorable. Explore your choices beyond paperies, though they’re definitely a solid starting point, and don’t be afraid to be as creative as you feel appropriate.



Textures are important too. Pressed lettering and blind embossing are a simple way to create an invite that looks and feels expensive. Never underestimate how much influence is held in simply being tactile - strength and weight of materials and embossed font are all major factors in creating an invitation that looks sophisticated. Also, explore the idea of ditching the standard envelope. The post office will send out coconuts if they have stamps attached, so be clever with the packaging of your invitations. Trinkets inside an invitation are always a treat for the receiver, and also a great way to involve the theme of your event into the invite.




Invitations also need to include relevant information. It works to pigeonhole the particulars (Who? Where? When? Dress code?) but that usually seems a tad stagnant. Be creative with your wording, but remember that your language largely reflects the tone and formality of the event, so keep it appropriate. If it’s a birthday party for you and your closest comrades, be personal and intimate; use first person tense.

Be aware that you don’t have to DIY your own invitations. We certainly recommend considering the help of a professional invitation designer. Papier D’amour is always good place to start. 


Once the invitations are sent out and slid under the doors of your nearest and dearest, you’re committed! Stay true to the essence of the invite and go forth planning your party in the same fashion.

Thursday 4 July 2013

SPRING/SUMMER WEDDING TRENDS 2013


Though your wedding is ultimately a reflection of the bride and groom du jour, there are certain touches that are on trend each wedding season. This Spring/Summer season, we predict more weddings to become a little bit more down to earth yet still stylish and chic of course.

Here are some key trends that will play into this Spring/Summer:

FOOD & BEVERAGE
In-season and locally produced is the most common request for food this season. Brides want boutique bounty on the menu and boutique food that is both local and fresh. It’s very on-trend to boast that the menu is predominantly grown and produced down the road. Party favours, too are a great way to give a nod to local and seasonal produce. 



Beverages follow suit. Cocktails are in with spring themed garnishing - mint and berries and citrus, even flowers tucked onto the side. Have a signature cocktail for your event that is appropriate. And as the wether warms make sure  it’s refreshing. We’ll be seeing lots of tequila and fruit-infused vodkas thrown into the shaker with fresh fruits and berries and St. Germain elderflower liquor is huge this year.
For a bit of fun, don’t be afraid to trust your guests with self-serve beverage bars. Piled with fresh garnishes -buckets of mint bunches, dishes of brownsugar - and unique glasswear, the idea of making your own cocktail will be a fun treat for your guests.


The dessert bar is here to stay. Treat the morsels as though they are part of the décor of the wedding. They should be as aesthetically delightful as they are delicious. Keep them seasonal and fresh too, and again try to source local sweet-makers.


DECOR
For your décor, hire companies are being complemented by prop hire and antique rentals. Mismatched and one-of-a-kind pieces are big this wedding season. Of course your decor and furniture must be complementary. Rustic, with touches of vintage, mixed with simple contemporary throw cushions are popular choices.

Think soft color palettes. Emerald Green may be pantone’s colour of the year, but spring and summer weddings are opting for softer pinks, mints and guava tones.

The most important trend this season is to personalise. More and more we see couples opting for a ‘blank canvas’ for venue so they can create a space that is all their style. Gardens, beaches and large contemporary spaces are proving more popular than the more traditional grand ballrooms and dining rooms.

A touch of the handmade, ‘I-did-it-myself’, is a simple way to give the illusion that your wedding is a product of your own creativity, and your own bare hands, which is very in this season. Handwritten name cards and menus, bows tied around napkins and jug handles – are all simple and elegant touches that prove your handy work has been involved.  
Be sure to give a nod to the environment with simple and tasteful touches such as recycled paper, and opting for a predominantly organic menu.



FLOWERS
Brides are opting for English beauties this spring and summer - opulent and classical garden roses, hydrangeas, peonies, and camellias. To create a modern and lush arrangement, the trend is textured bunches, organically, almost roughly assembled, with buds still on the brink of blossoming tucked tight between bloomed roses and greenery. 
The look is very soft and romantic.


Beyond the bride’s bouquet, the floral decorations follow suit in the same soft, organic, lush fashion. Floral cascades are very in-vogue this wedding season, alongside few succulents and pastel-toned fruits.

Take a look at Saskia Havekes of Gradiflora Sydney for inspiration in floristry. Havekes isn’t afraid to hang flowers in garlands, to create chandeliers of cascading hydrangeas and roses, or wrap storm lanterns and candlesticks in wreaths of buds.


THE CAKE
Clean and modern with simple embellishments that parallel the theme of the day are very much the way forward this wedding season. Simply eye-popping block colour or a very contemporary, all-over applique, is the perfect level of embellishment this season. However, hold true to the classic, humble silhouette of deep, rounded tiers.
Find inspiration in these simple, ethereal Maggie Austin Cakes.