What exciting news! One of our new vendors, Stubborn Press & Company recently had their project featured, and it is SO thrilling for several reasons. If you are not familiar with Kickstarter, it is in essence a way for start up businesses to become funded. Patrons can fund them in any denomination, and it is also a way to “prepurchase” items so that a business can earn the funds they need in order to get started and grow.

Well, Stubborn Press is actually a letterpress company (who can design wedding invitations, save the dates and just about anything for your wedding paper needs!) run by Tiffany Smith and her husband, who purchased a 1930s letterpress. They are ready and waiting to create beautiful things for you!

If you would like to read more about Stubborn Press (and actually SEE the press), just click HERE. I am so excited for them and the potential for the project.

Also do not forget about Bliss, a fine wedding fair happening on Sunday April 1st, and just click here for more information… I can’t wait!

If you are really crafty (or can print) this may border on DIY, but for me, this just has fun and uniqueness written all over it! Vintage hankies are readily available at flea markets and antique shops for just a few dollars each, so you may want to start making your collection now if these strike your fancy. I found these cuties at Bird and Banner, and I thought that brides who love vintage things (as I do!) may find this a great idea starter!

I also adore how they used flea market style price tags for their labels… so cute! For more photos of this project visit Bird and Banner.

Have you been worrying yourself to pieces about how to get your guests to your wedding location? Worry no more. These 5 different ideas of making a wedding map for your guests will be a simple navigator for your wedding guests, and they are all available on weddingmapper.com, which we recently discovered. Take a peek at the different types of maps they offer, and then head on over there to see if one suits your wedding day needs. The maps are free, but some styles aren’t for the faint hearted, so if you decide to do one grab a latte, put on some music and design away (or pass this job on to you tech savvy fiance!).

1. Quick and Easy – This DIY map is very easy to create in just 6 easy steps and takes little time. This simple map will provide your guests with the most important locations on your wedding day.

2. Quick and Easy with Zoom - This DIY map will let you show a large area and then zoom in to highlight a few key wedding locations. This map will give your guests a good perspective of the local community that your wedding is taking place.

 3. Hand Traced - This DIY map is a bit more challenging and time consuming because you are using traced lines. This map will let you showcase a small area and main roads to guide your guests to/from a few special locations.

 4. Hand Traced with Zoom - This DIY map, like the Quick and Easy with Zoom, will let you show a large area and then zoom in on a couple blocks or small town with a few important wedding locations. But, like the Hand Traced map, tracing is involved so this is time consuming and a little more complex.

5. Half Page -Like the Hand Traced Map, this map is more challenging and time consuming because you are using traced lines. This map will let you showcase a small area on one side of a piece of paper/cardstock and list directions on the other side. You can adjust the paper size to meet your individual needs.

This is such a neat DIY project that would be very beneficial to your wedding guests. To have a template to make one of these Wedding Map Guides visit weddingmapper.com.

Aaahhh, summer is here, and in an attempt to sit back and enjoy summer, I am introducing Throwback Thursday, which is a collection of oldies but goodies that need to be revisited since Hill City Bride’s humble beginnings. I use Paperless Post a TON, and I also hope that you find it useful, too!

A while ago I received an invitation … a beautiful invitation, in fact. It was professionally printed, came in a lined envelope and levitated itself out of the envelope once it was opened. Sound crazy? Well, once you check out Paperless Post, you will become a believer, too … especially because you get to test it out for FREE just for being a Hill City Bride reader!!

Today’s bride wants to do things a step above and creatively, too, so I am pleased to introduce you to the new wave of invitations that end up in the inbox instead of the mailbox. Before you formulate your opinion, you simply must see them! Other online companies have offered e-mailable invitations, yet these are definitely the “upscale” version of the traditional online announcement. I am excited to share them with you and how simple the process is.

Here goes …

First go to the Paperless Post website and choose your type of card that you want to send. You can send a batch of cards as announcements, invitations or save the dates, or you can send cards singly for birthdays and other occasions.

Once you have chosen your design, you will be able to customize it. I love how this looks like “save the date” was engraved on the invitation!! Some of the cards let you choose the color motif.

If the invitation has an image, you can choose the image, its placement and its color. Amazing!!

Yay! You have the option of preset wording (whew!), or you can come up with your own. You can also customize the font style, font size and even its color. Isn’t this great?!?!?! This is probably the most time consuming part … decisions, decisions.

Once you decide on the final look for your invitation, you can choose an envelope (or not … they also offer “casual” invitations without the envelope). In my opinion, half of the fun is receiving the invitation, seeing the envelope open and have the card slide out for you all on your computer screen … I would definitely not skip the envelope, but that is just me.

There is an easy system of creating a guest list, and once the e-mails go out, the responses roll in. Guests can RSVP and add comments if they would like, and the site keeps track of it all for you. So simple! You can also send reminders to your guests and update them without using additional “stamps” from your account. What are stamps? See below, and you will receive stamps just for being a HCB reader … lucky you!!

Paperless Post has their own currency in the form of “stamps” that you purchase. My most recent purchase was for 150 stamps for $10.00, which would be $66.00 if you actually mailed invitations (not to mention the cost of the paper invitations themselves). So for a small price, you have custom invitations. I do have to say that I was impressed when I received my first Paperless Post!! Custom coins on Paperless Post can be used to upgrade things like envelope liners, and businesses can even add their logos to their cards … wouldn’t that wow someone?

Again, a VERY special thank you goes out to Paperless Post for letting me feature them, AND for offering 35 free stamps to the readership of Hill City Bride. Just click here to go straight to Paperless Post. Whether you need save the dates, are hosting a bridal shower or just want to send some birthday cards, be sure to put your free stamps to good use. Oh, and I would love it if you would comment on this post letting me know how you used your free stamps.

I also want to give a shoutout to the sweet ladies at Paperless Post … thank you Aya and Jill for helping me put this together. I wish Paperless Post much success in the future, and I know it is a service that I will be using for a long time.

Once again, I am pleased to present The Exclusive, written by Rachel McLean of the duo of RS Exclusive. Part One of this posting can be viewed by clicking here, and we hope you enjoy this look into wedding etiquette.

Wedding Etiquette (Part Two)

As event planners, we are constantly asked our opinion on what is and isn’t permissible when it comes to the details leading up to, and surrounding, the wedding day. While there are innumerable questions that can be addressed when it comes to the topic of wedding etiquette, we’ve compiled of few of the ones we get asked most. We hope they provide you with some added insight and direction when making decisions for your big day.

Invitations

Wedding invitations are the first opportunity you have to show your guests your personal taste and style, and proper etiquette continues to dictate they are tangible, never virtual. If money is an issue, there are many budget-friendly printed invitation options available, as well as some great DIY projects for those who enjoy the opportunity to get crafty.

If you’re really on a shoe-string budget, sending out an electronic Save the Date is acceptable, but be sure to send a hard-copy of your invitation to anyone on your list who may not be web-savvy, and remember that anyone who receives a virtual invite must also be sent your official invitation.

If your RSVP date is rapidly approaching, and many of your guests still have yet to reply, don’t panic. Enlist members of your family or bridal party to make “courtesy reminder calls” about a week out from your RSVP date. As it is not unusual to have a few last-minute guests show up, it is wise to plan accordingly with your wedding planner and caterer for adequate seating and food.

Adult Only Wedding

Whether for cost or to create a more formal atmosphere, many couples opt for an adult only affair. The most successful way to communicate this to your guests is to print “Adult Reception” on your invitation, and list only the names of those guests invited.  However, be prepared to field calls from friends and family asking for exceptions. If you make the allowance for one family, be prepared for the possibility of hurt feelings from others where an allowance wasn’t made.

Bridal Escort

Today’s families come in all shapes and sizes, and no one has to feel left out, or alone. Close to both your father and step-father? It’s perfectly appropriate (should you desire) to include both in the wedding ceremony. Based on your situation, a brother, special friend, or close relative can also stand in this position. Your decision comes down to what is most meaningful to you, and what is most honoring to the ones you love.

Receiving line

While many modern brides forego a traditional receiving line in an effort to save a large chunk of time, we do encourage you and your new spouse to make time during the reception to make brief visits to each guest table. Your guests will no doubt appreciate the opportunity to congratulate you in person, and it allows you a moment to thank your guests for making the effort to attend and support you. This can also be a great way to hand-deliver your wedding favors to your guests!

Seating Chart

For small, intimate weddings, seating charts aren’t necessary. However, with a larger guest count, arranged seating can alleviate the awkwardness of table shuffling and help you to avoid any sticky situations (i.e. divorced parents).

Alcohol

For couples who don’t drink, there is nothing wrong with foregoing liqueur. If money is the concern, consider featuring a signature drink and forego the expense of an open bar. In any case, having a cash bar is never okay at a wedding. There are many ways to save money (without sacrificing style or taste) when it comes to your beverages, however, asking your guests to pay isn’t one of them.

Wedding Cake

Not into cake? Serve something else. The sky is really the limit when it comes to your featured dessert. Be creative and have fun finding the right dessert that says “you.” Should you still want to include a traditional cake-cutting element, you can always opt for a personal-sized bride and groom cake to have in addition to your other sweet selections.

Again, many thanks to RS Exclusive, who will also be presenting a session on being the bride and really enjoying your wedding day at Bliss, a fine wedding fair on Saturday … it’s coming up soon, so be sure to register!

Photos are all from Flickr from the following sources from top to bottom: lacey.h, jaydaonline, blush**, C@tch, normadeanphotography, claireken, YouDidntDidYou, Albee’s Garden Parties, and mr & mrs griffiths.