Custom Save the Dates, Unique Wedding Invitations & Personalized Stationery

{Hand painted pastel watercolor stripes by Michelle Mospens}

Time flies.

Recently my family and I traveled to visit my grandmother in the nursing home. We helped her celebrate her 91st birthday.

She wore her favorite princess cut (as she describes it) dress with pastel stripes.

Frail and lacking the color she once radiated, she couldn’t stop telling us that she loved us ALL so VERY much. And how very much she appreciated all of us being there.

A simple life she led. Most of the time wearing this pastel striped dress. She tells the story of growing up with an 8th grade education in a family of 10 and with one dress.

During her recent birthday celebration, we all took turns telling our favorite memory with her. Of course mine was how she would make me sit down at her small kitchen table made of dark wood and draw. With a glass of freshly made cold chocolate milk at my side, I drew. “Draw Michelle. Go ahead. Draw!” She was one of my biggest cheerleaders in my life, and she still is today.

Among her gifts were at least four new pastel dresses. My guess, they will all be given to her new friends who are now her roommates. And she will continue to wear her favorite pastel striped dress. Proudly.

Time flies. Embrace today. And enjoy your weekend friend.

Shelby and Garrett’s invitation with hand painted seahorses is perfect for their beach theme destination wedding! Check out their wedding colors and inspiration! They are vibrant and truly tropical. My resource for the seahorse art was magical. Next up, hand painted watercolor stripes incorporating all of these fabulous colors for the information card.

Today James and I finished hand-tailoring Elena and Michael’s handmade custom invitations.

Ingredients: 50 gold metallic pocket folders, 900 glue dots, gold satin edged hand-tied ribbon,  50 purple and 50 citron (inside 3 layers) cardstock, hand painted watercolor grapes and olive branch designs on 50 layered cards with monogram and 100 Swarovski crystals.

View a short video of this handmade invitation. This design is so gorgeous in person. I just LOVED when the bride-to-be HUGGED her box of custom invites right before leaving. xo

{Custom shoes from Converse, Bride and bridesmaids photo by La Vida Creations Photography}

It’s official! I work with the most creative clients everrr! As Shelby emailed me her and Garrett’s tropical beach wedding ideas and inspiration photos, I built her custom tropical invitation design in my mind. Wow. I can not wait to share the final design with you very soon. Kissing seahorses and some of the goodies shown above and more! I am loving her choice for wedding colors, perfect for a tropical beach destination wedding. Don’t you think? If you are in the planning process of your traditional or destination wedding, remember … be creative, have fun, and enjoy the process. There are truly no RULES to choosing your colors. Just use what you LOVE. Be YOU.

Are you having a tropical, beach, destination wedding this year or in 2012? What the the color combos you are leaning toward? I can’t wait to hear from you. Ready, set, comment now…

Photo Credit: Yitzhak Dalal/Hilton Media Group. Source: People Magazine

Happy Monday! I was delighted to learn this morning that Nick Lachey and Vanessa Minnillo were married in a tropical location! {one of my favorite wedding themes ever!} I was even more excited to learn they used plane ticket inspired invitations for their tropical ceremony on Friday. Noting to guests the attire was “Island Chic.” Don’t miss their wedding which will be televised on TLC on July 30, 2011 at 9PM ET.

We’re celebrating at My Personal Artist by offering a limited time coupon code for 25% off your entire order! Just type in coupon code TROPICAL starting today!! Enjoy now because this coupon expires on July 29, 2011 at 5PM ET!! Details on this sale can be found on our TODAY’S SPECIAL page.

Photo Credit: Michelle Mospens, My Personal Artist. Source: Plane Ticket Inspired Wedding Invitations

Who said a July 4th inspired wedding must use red, white, + blue colors? When a client asked me to create an ELEGANT custom wedding invitation with fireworks, I have to say I thought it would be a challenge. Hand painted fireworks and elegant script framed with sparkling metallic cards made this handmade invitation a BLAST (pun intended) to design. Months ago I gathered lovely pairings with this invite design to share with you on this very day.

Fireworks photo by the awesome Gia Canali Photography \ Elegant fireworks wedding invitation by My Personal Artist \ Bridesmaid dress and shoes at BHLDN

Have a delightful July 4th holiday weekend and as always… ENJOY!

Sparkle and Smiles. It’s all I can think of when I first laid my eyes on the wedding engagement photo shoot by the lovely Platinum Photography in Ohio! This is only ONE of many fun wedding engagement photo ideas I will be sharing with you in July! For obvious reasons *the July 4th holiday weekend* this one came first. Enjoy!

I met with Elena in the studio today and she is IN LOVE with her invitation! I am so delighted to share a video of the front of her design with you. The crystals sparkle even MORE in person!

Handmade invitation ingredients: gold metallic pocket folder, gold hand-tied ribbon, crystals, purple and citron (inside 3 layers) cardstock, hand painted watercolor grapes and olive branch designs.

Enjoy.

When a client commissions me to paint a motif for their custom invitations, first I do a little research on the subject to be painted. Shelby and Garrett want two seahorses kissing on their starfish wedding invitations. After watching the Seahorse Dance, I just had to share this video with you. They are truly magical creatures. I must say I am now a huge fan. Wow!

Months ago Meris Grantt wrote to me and requested permission to post details from my blog. She was so kind and with a few exchanges of emails I became quite fond of her. She has so much knowledge regarding North Carolina Weddings I asked her to write a blog post to share with YOU! I’m hoping we can help at least ONE wedding couple planning their big day the mountain way! Have fun! …

Tips you need for planning your perfect mountain wedding

By: Meris Gantt

Congratulations on your engagement and your choice to tie the knot with the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina as your backdrop!!!

Whether you’re a local or planning your wedding from afar, I’m here to listen to what you have in mind, make sure that you pick the venue and support staff to make your vision a reality. After that I’ll go to work taking care of the details so that you can relax and ENJOY your big day.

Here are some important tips to remember when planning your NC mountain wedding. Feel free to contact me directly if you have specific questions.

5 Tips for planning your NC Mountain Wedding:

1) The weather can be VERY unpredictable in any season in the mountains. Make sure that your your guests are aware of this and bring appropriate attire and accessories, ie wraps, sweaters, umbrellas etc. On a side note, some of the accommodations do not have air conditioning in the so if you’re planning a summer wedding, inquire ahead of time and tell your guests so that they can be prepared.

2) The Blue Ridge Mountains make for an epic back drop. Be sure to work with nature and not against it. Whether you’re planning an indoor or outdoor event, brainstorm ways to tie in the natural setting with your overall theme.

3) Get Local!!! Use local food, flowers and favors to make your wedding unique and authentic. There are local nurserys for flowers and many of the caterers are able to incorporate local produce into your menu. As far as favors, the possibilities are endless. Local handmade soaps, jellies, candles, honey or baked goods can enhance the overall theme of your wedding and make it a memorable experience for your guests.

4) This may seem like a silly suggestion but leave the stilettos at home! Even if you’re having an indoor event, the terrain here is often times rocky and uneven. I know that you and your guests want to look your best but opting for wedges or flats (or at least packing them) is always a good call.you’ll thank me later. You can always provide a bucket of flip flops by the dance floor as a courtesy for your bridesmaids and guests.

5) Scope out unique places for pictures before hand and if you’re not a traditionalist, consider taking field trip pictures with the wedding party before the ceremony. There are so many little nooks, crannies and vistas close to whatever venue you pick that can make for amazing memories. Take a day to explore the sites and see which ones are the best fit for you and your wedding party.

Seasons and Best Time of Day:

The Boone area of the Blue Ridge Mountains have 4 distinct seasons and each of them add a different flavor to your High Country wedding.

I’m partial to September. If you’re dead set on Fall leaves, best to plan your wedding during one of the first 3 weeks of October but September provides you with a lot of depth in color and the weather is typically amazing. The other up side is that September is not NEARLY as crowded in the NC Mountains as October. Once Leaf Season gets here make sure that your guests book their lodging WAY ahead of time AND be sure to give everyone a heads up on longer travel times because of the heavy traffic.

As far as the best time of day to get married, I would sat late afternoon simply because of the great light for pictures.

Weather wise if it’s a summer wedding you have a lot more flexibility with warm weather and longer daylight. For a fall wedding around 2 or 3 is a good time to have the ceremony especially if it’s outdoors because once the sun goes down it gets chilly fast!

{ Mountain Wedding Invitations by My Personal Artist }

Favorite 3 Mountain Wedding Venues:

There are so so many amazing venues in the Boone area of the NC Mountains but if I have to narrow it down, here are 3 of my favorites.

The Inn at Crestwood

Located between Boone and Blowing Rock on Shulls Mill Road, Crestwood is a beautiful Inn with an expansive lawn, terrace and dining room overlooking the mountains. They can accommodate up to 150 guests inside. Their catering and alcohol is all done in house but you bring in your own cake. Their event staff is amazing and well versed in events so your wedding and reception should run like a finely oiled machine. The Inn at Crestwood is one of the most popular wedding venues in the High Country so be sure to book this venue as far in advance as possible.

The Taylor House Inn

I’m partial to this venue because it’s where I held my own mountain dream wedding. This beautiful B and B in located in the heart of Valle Crucis makes it easy for the wedding party and close family to all stay together and not have to go anywhere! Wedding and reception can both take place on site. Also, they have a wonderful kitchen with lots of room for the caterer you choose to work. Another plus is that you can bring in your own beer and wine which can be a huge budget saving tool. Innkeepers Tessa and Bernard Russeau are wonderful to work with and provide top notch professional service that your guests will not soon forget!

Camp Sky Ranch

Camp Sky Ranch a beautiful 140 acres that has has been family owned and operated for 60 years. It was originally a camp for disabled children and adults but in more recent history, they have shifted their focus to weddings and special events.

They have also teamed up with the legendary staff of The Gamekeeper restaurant who will listen carefully to your budget and overall theme in order to concoct a menu that reflects your personal taste and style. If you have your heart set on your own caterer that can be worked out as well. The sky really is the limit with this historic rustic venue that offers with both indoor and  outdoor options. Camp Sky Ranch is located between Boone and Blowing Rock off of Flannery Fork road.

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I hope that I’ve helped to demystify some of the in’s and out’s surrounding a mountain wedding and assure you that there is certainly not a shortage of picturesque vistas, memorable venues or qualified local vendors in and around the Blue Ridge High Country of North Carolina.

If you have more questions or would like to speak with me regarding your High Country Wedding or Special Event, please give me a call at 828.719.9171 or shoot me an email at [email protected]

Thanks for reading,

Meris Gantt

Events By The Whole Shebang!

HOW TO WRITE A RESPONSE CARD

One of the many questions I get asked as a custom invitation designer is, “What wording should I use for the reply card?” There are many options you can use to personalize your response card.

1. The first line of wording will request a response from your guest. This line will also give a deadline date. Make your deadline date about 1 month to 3 weeks before your wedding day OR when you feel most comfortable receiving the final count. There are many traditional, fun, or casual ways to word this section. Following are a few examples:

Kindly reply by Month Day, Year

We look forward to celebrating with you!
Please respond by Month Day, Year

We look forward to seeing you in {State Wedding is in}…
Please respond on or before Month Day, Year

The favour of a reply is requested by Month Day, Year

2. The next line on the reply card often gives your guest an area to handwrite their names. Sometimes a guest will send back their reply card with NO NAMES. Now what? No worries! Here is a fun tip! Make a list of your guests and assign a number to each guest household that will be replying. Using a sharp pencil write a tiny number on the back of each reply card to correspond with that guest. This way when they send the response card back, and if they forget to write in their names, YOU will know WHO they are by the number on the back! Waahhhlah! Often you will see the line where your guests are suppose to handwrite their names like so:

M_________________________________

Name(s)____________________________

3. The third line on a reply card requests your guests’ response if they will attend your wedding or not. Most of the time you will give your guests an area to check off.

___persons will attend

or

____wouldn’t miss it   ____can’t make it

A special note for Taylor and John:

or

____Accepts ____Regrets

or

_____Wouldn’t miss it! Number attending_____
_____Not able to make it, but we’ll be thinking of you…

4. Sometimes you will need to know what food choice your guests prefer. Be sure to ask your caterer if they need a head count for food and what date they need the final count by.

Please initial each guest’s entrée choice:

____ Filet Mignon    ____ Island Snapper     ____ Vegetarian

or our fun entrée motifs!

5. You will want to address the reply card envelope with the name(s) and address of the person who needs to keep track of the head count. This may be the bride, groom, family member, or wedding planner.

Questions? Feel free to ask me!

Oh my goooodness! I just adore this wedding engagement photo by fabulous photographer Sheena Jibson! Perfect.

Ahhhh… the perfect place. On a still lake smooth as ice, just embracing life and love. Perfection!

Hats off Sheena!

Today, I have a very special beach wedding ideas, inspiration, and advice post with the help of my friends at Paradiso Weddings. Their photo below, caught my attention immediately. The ocean is breath taking! The pop of aqua blue and splash of red is fun and still elegant! I created the inspiration board for you below, featuring a lovely blue Melissa Sweet Bridesmaid gown (Style MS215) and our popular beach wedding invitations in a box.

I asked Annie to give me their most popular FAQ for beach weddings. She was kind enough to do so…

~~~

THANK YOU KINDLY Annie!

Paradiso Weddings offer intimate all-inclusive beach wedding ceremonies from Panama City Beach to Pensacola, including the Destin area and all along 30A. Contact them today for the perfect destin beach weddings experience!

[In the photo above, I was getting ready for a date with James. He took this photo. You can see the photos of him on the wall. I snapped them and personally developed them in my college photography class.]

Today, I am reflecting on my past. In 1991, I was a 20-year-old young lady at art college in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania studying graphic design, photography, advertising, marketing, art history, watercolor, fine art, and more.

One day, while taking a break back in my home state of Ohio, I was hand painting lettering of services on a dry cleaner’s window to make some money. I had to stand on top of the counter painting the large windows most of the day. Suddenly, a 21-year-old man with gorgeous jet black hair walked by the window. He immediately CAUGHT my eye. I asked my boss about him and he said funny! James asked about YOU also. Woweee!

So, the young man walked into the cleaners and stood there talking to me while I painted and painted … and painted for the rest of the day.

When I had to go back to college, James flew out to see me. Every weekend, he would drive from Ohio to Pittsburgh to take me on dates in the city, for walks in Point State Park and on Mount Washington.

Today, I am delighted to share we’ve been married 19 years. We work together at My Personal Artist everday and he can sometimes be found in the studio …

watching me paint.

I am so excited to see my top wedding color picks in Beverly Clark’s Elite Wedding Collection Magazine. I always enjoy working with them! They requested my wedding color opinions based on the wedding couples I work with and the several months of research I do on wedding colors. Also, I hand painted in watercolor the fun spot color illustrations per their request. So much fun! Now go out and pick up Beverly Clark’s Elite Wedding Collection Magazine and see what my top wedding color picks are!