Ninnybride

The RSVP {FYI}

2011-02-08T10:46:00.004-05:00

Make responding to your wedding invitations easy and convenient for your guests: give them more than one way to RSVP!

On the response cards enclosed with the invitations, I printed at the bottom:

You may also reply via:
E-mail: ninnybride at yahoo
Telephone: I put my number here, but you may employ someone organized and helpful from your wedding party to take messages
Wedding Website: My awesome wedding website, hosted for free by TheKnot.com, allows guests to RSVP, saving you the time of updating your guest list!

My guests very much appreciate having more than one way to respond; the majority mailed in their response cards, but the flexibility of just going to the website, or simply e-mailing or calling me made it easy for everyone else, and easier for me; I don't have to make calls and track down any unanswered invites!

Besitos,
Vanessa

For the Love of Lockets

2011-01-10T19:01:00.002-05:00

Ever since I was a little Ninny, I loved lockets. There is something so secretive and magical about a beautiful piece of jewelry, with tiny pictures of loved ones hidden within.

I think lockets are the perfect wedding jewelry; keep a picture of you and your Ninnygroom by your heart during your special day. Brass is one of my favourite metals; it has a beautiful, antique feel.

Hope this jewelry post was inspiring and pretty. Happy Monday!

Besitos,
Vanessa

DIY: Wedding Invitations

2010-12-22T10:00:00.001-05:00

Decided to do-it-yourself (DIY) for your wedding invitations? Here is a list of some online resources for stationary supplies, software, printers and templates.

My Gatsby This is the site I used for my wedding invitations! They have both blank stationary sets you can purchase to print on yourself, and prefab-ed templates that you can customize online and have them print (the option I chose). *Helpful hint: Click on Discount Wedding Invitations (under Wedding Invitations) to find beautiful stationary for superlow prices, like the Jocelyn Wedding Invitations, which start as low as 92 cents a piece. 80-110 lb. stock.

A Printable Press I cannot say enough nice things about their designs. Browse all of their beautiful suites, then customize and purchase! All stationery comes as a PDF so you can print as many as you want! It doesn't matter if you need 50 or 200, it's all the same price.

The Aerialist Press They are hands-down the most affordable (and in my opinion, the most beautiful) letterpress stationers around. And thier customer service is pristine; double points to them.

Michael's The craft-store giant has a really nice wedding section, with lots of different wedding stationary kits, from brands like Martha Stewart Weddings, Brides and Anna Griffin. *Helpful hint: Create an account and receive coupons for up to 50% off to help you shop. Michael's also accepts competitor's coupons, so bring your coupons from A.C. Moore Jo-Ann Fabrics.

Need more suggestions? Let me know and I'll post some more!

For Your Ninnygroom: Ties

2010-12-21T10:14:00.001-05:00

While perusing Etsy, I found the most incredible shop: the Cyberoptix Tie Lab.

All ties are silkscreened by hand with great, original artwork; I'm in love.

They have a great assortment of colours, styles and materials, all at great prices (ties start at $30). Buying matching ties for your groom and groomsmen? Cyberoptix offers matching tie sets for any number in your party.

I love finding shops and pieces like this; shopping for suits could be less of a chore for the low-maintenance groom with great pieces like these.

Need more Etsy wedding shopping options? Check out my Etsy favourites in the right column!

Wedding Stationary Basics

2010-12-20T12:29:00.000-05:00

Wedding stationary can get pretty expensive; well over $600 is about the average for just the invites and reply cards (for about 150 invites). Invitations can run anywhere from $1 (if you make them yourself) to $10 (hand-engraved lettering on 120 lb. cardstock). Costs start to really add up depending on wat you want to include in the invitation package. Here is a full list of items you can (but don't have to) include:

*Invitations (sometimes preceeded by a Save the Date card)
*RSVP card and envelope
*Reception cards (if reception is held at a different site than the ceremony)
*Direction cards
*Accommodation cards (for out of town guests or destination wedding)
*Seating cards (indicating the guest's table)
*Placecards (indicating guest's seat at specific table)
*Menu cards
*Wedding Programs

My recommendations:
-Order invitations and RSVP cards only, and create a wedding website to direct guests to for every minute detail they need. Make another insert with the site address and all the features they can find there (I'll address wedding websites in the next posting).
-Create an RSVP postcard instead of card and envelope; this will make the invitation package weight lighter (thus making the postage less money), and cost you less in postage (postcard postage is currently only 28 cents).

Here is a list of printing methods for invitations, from most expensive to budget:

Engraving A metal die is cut with lettering and applied against paper, resulting in raised lettering and an indented back surface. This method can be hand or machine engraved.
Letterpress Letters are pressed deep into the paper, giving the invitations a beautiful texture.
Thermography Resin powder is added to wet ink and heated to form raised lettering; it's a way cheper alternative to engraving.
Lithography The inked image is transferred (or "offset") from a plate to a rubber blanket, then to the printing surface. The finish is completely flat.
Home Printer The least expensive way to go. Laser or inkjet printers only print flat (no raised letters).

I shopped around for quite a while, looking at different printers and stationers (both online and in person) to find the best priced services for each printing method. Then I decided what would be the nicest way to go while staying within my budget. What you decide to spend is completely up to you; just make sure you're comfortable with how much (or how little) you're spending, and that you're happy with what your invitations look like. After much deliberation, I went with thermographic invitations from a well-known online stationer.

My savings were phenominal (around $275 for 100 invitations & envelopes, RSVP cards & envelopes, and wedding website info cards), and they look great; but remember, you get what you pay for: the paper weight is pretty light (around only 100lbs.), so they feel just a little flimsy. But they look great, and the weight difference is negligible to anyone who doesn't know much about papers (i.e., most people). Anyway, the money I saved on the stationary can go to the things I really want (music, wine and food).

Thanks for reading, I hope this was a helpful intro to wedding stationary!
Have more wedding planning questions? Email me! ninnybride@yahoo.com

Save the Dates {and money}

2010-11-24T17:59:00.001-05:00

We {finally} mailed our Save the Date announcements this week! After compiling our large family lists, Ninnygroom and I sat down and started addressing our cards. We chose to send postcards; they're less expensive to purchase, and the postage for postcards is much cheaper (28¢).

Lots of online stationary sites have great postcard designs that can be customized to match your wedding theme. We used Vistaprint to create our postcards. They have lots of beautiful templates (they have a "Save the Dates" collection as well), and really great offers and promotional prices. Helpful hint: sign up for an account, and Vistaprint will start sending you promo offers via email; most of them will offer you 100 free postcards, shipping and more!

So here's the breakdown:
100 postcards: free
250 cards: $19.99
Image upload: $4.99/image (I only used one)
Backside text (grayscale): free
Coloured backside: $19.99
Shipping: free ($12.99 standard)
Tax: $4.78

My final cost: $63.74

For 250 Save the Date postcards, we were happy to spend under $75. But beware of buying way more than you may need; we thought we were sending out 155 postcards, which was why we purchased the next quantity up from 100, but after compiling our lists, we only needed the 100. Lesson: revise your guest list before purchasing anything in quantities, no matter how cheap!

But we did make out really well, and we love our Save the Dates. Hope this was helpful, and happy wedding planning!

Besitos,
Vanessa

Breakfast at Tiffany's

2010-06-11T12:52:00.000-04:00

In my search of breakfast reception inspiration, I found this beautiful wedding reception, inspired by one of my favourite movies, Breakfast at Tiffany's.

Besides the fact that I absolutely adore all things Audrey, these breakfast-inspired hors d'oeuvres are absolutely wonderful! I'm swimming in ideas:

{miniature blueberry pancakes}

Yes, the caterer made teeny square butter pats for each stack.

{scrambled eggs in bacon cups}

{smoked salmon & cream cheese with dill on mini bagel}

Everything is always better in miniature. Always.

{petite french toast}

I am just tickled by the idea of offering a breakfast-themed cocktail hour; to think, I was going to skip that portion of the reception all together! I really like this one:

{caviar & crème fraîche on parmersan bread-spoon, served with a shot of vodka}

Perhaps a bit too early in the morning for this one for my wedding, but fabuloso none the less.

I think I'm more excited about offering a coffee & tea bar than I am about the alcoholic libations!

{A selection of cheeses with chutney, fig jam, crostini, grapes, crackers, peaches, and figs}

There are so many great local farms in NY and PA to create a cheese table with, we won't know where to start...

{little pink-frosted doughnuts, key lime tarts, and caramel-covered apples, among other good things}

My one must-have for the reception is a dessert table; I'd really like to make all the confections myself, and have a colourful, sweet selection in leiu of a wedding cake.

Here's a few more good things from this wedding, hope you've enjoyed!

{ring pillow}

{gift baskets for guests}

{tiffany's-inspired champagne bar}

{petit fours}

Besitos,
Vanessa

Pink Pastries & Other Springtime Goodness

2010-05-26T13:17:00.000-04:00

While the weather is growing warmer and the days longer, it's easy to let your mind wander to barbeques, the beach, fresh-spun gelato and all the things that herald Summertime.

Before the days reach into the nineties, I'd like to share some more Springtime inspiration for any fellow Spring brides!

{via Sweet Designs}

This beautiful Spring guest dessert table was featured on Amy Atlas' wonderful blog Sweet Designs.

I know, I am such a sucker for pink. But it's just so vibrant! I almost don't know how I would justify cutting into these cakes' flawless fondants.

Just a few weeks until Midsummer! Enjoy the rest of Spring!

Besitos,
Vanessa

More May Flowers

2010-05-24T12:01:00.001-04:00

I found the prettiest DIY projects for a floral-themed Spring wedding on Martha Stewart.

This ring pillow is so sweet. Small amounts of pink can show hints of Spring and whimsy, without becoming over the top feminine.

I love how the images are lit up with tealights!

I cannot believe these are cookies; they're almost too pretty to eat! Almost.

I need to find a good excuse to print and use stationary all the time. Would it be a bit much to send beautiful formal invitations for a weekly brunch?

I'm perhaps imagining a scenario where Ninnygroom would pretend to consider this for himself; these aren't our wedding colours {lucky Ninnygroom :) }.

This apron is so sweet; I may be inspired to try my hand at a crocheted-appliqué version of this for my niece Bella. I'll keep you posted on that idea...

Hope you're enjoying the beautiful Springtime weather, and the flowers & colours that accompany it!

Besitos,
Vanessa

May Flowers

2010-05-07T17:44:00.000-04:00

It's a beautiful spring day, and between the flower shops, farmers markets and well tended front yards, all I can think about is colourful, wonderfully scented buds and blooms.

{via Dog & Bird}

{Crepe paper bouquet how-to at A Field Journal}

{My photo!}

Happy Weekend!

Besitos,
Vanessa

A Tea Party Reception

2010-05-06T16:18:00.000-04:00

Every time I hear of a tea party, I am always brought back to my childhood, and Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

Tea parties evoke images of pastel-coloured cups and saucers, dresses and hats, and all the finger sandwiches and scones with apricot jam I can eat. Yum. I knew it would be the perfect theme for a morning or brunch reception.

{Spring Plates by Pottery Barn}

{Photo byPerfect Outdoor Weddings}

A tea party-themed wedding reception can be simple, elegant and fun: consider this if you are thinking of hosting a morning, midday or brunch reception. Daytime receptions can be more cost-effective as well, as venues and food will be considerably less expensive than sit-down dinners (your alcohol tab will be lower, too; just stick to champagne, mimosas, wine or even a signature cocktail!).

The atmoshere can be either crisp-white formal, shabby-chic casual or anything in between; just have fun, it's your day!

{Photo by The Knot}

Besitos,

Vanessa

P.S.,

Why is a raven like a writing desk? Thoughts?

The Little White Dress

2010-03-26T21:03:00.000-04:00

I think I knew who I wanted to be since I was a little girl: Audrey Hepburn. She epitomized, to me, New York glam; she could wear a beautiful ball gown or swank beatnick garb and still be fabulous without breaking a sweat. And the bangs. Gotta love the bangs.

She showed us the importance of the little black dress, and the standards of the little white one:

I found some beautiful dresses that remind me of her; who wouldn't want one of these beauties?

{via Unique Vintage}
I love how sunny and casual this dress feels. Sunday wedding in Central Park, perhaps?

{via Unique Vintage}
How about high tea at The Plaza?

Or take the party uptown for a ritzy cocktail reception at the Guggenheim. I think Holly Golightly would approve of them all.

Besitos,
Vanessa

Springtime Inspiration

2010-03-25T22:31:00.000-04:00

Oh, how I love, love, love the wedding blog Postcards & Pretties. Their inspiration boards are so pretty, they make me wish I could get married twice a month. Ahem.
This week's theme is inspired by my little home away from home, Washington, DC! The National Cherry Blossom Festival starts this weekend, and a beautiful pink and white collage was created to capture it's wonder: If I decided to have my wedding here in DC, this is exactly how I'd want it to be!

Besitos,
Vanessa

The Dream Dress

2010-03-20T13:29:00.000-04:00

With no exceptions, I absolutely adore the dresses of Stephanie James Couture. More specifically, the Josephine:

Oh how I'm willing to beg, borrow and steal to have this dress. And not just for the Wedding. I'd pretty much wear this beauty whenever I'd get a chance: brunch, afternoon tea, going to the library, shopping, yoga. Everywhere. If I can't get my hands on an original, i can always go the tailor route, and use Ms. James' whimsical 50's-retro inspiration to make a dress of my own!

Besitos,
Vanessa

Engagement Ring Advice

2010-02-03T10:03:00.000-05:00

Luckily, I had a wonderful friend who has a degree in gemology who was more than happy to advise me and Ninnygroom about how to find the right ring for us.

Photograph by Jim Murphy

Of course the chances of having one of these handy professionals in your social circle isn't very likely, I can offer all of the advice she gave me. I found the article below on About.com: Weddings, and it pretty much covers everything that my friend advised me while I was considering purchasing a diamond engagement ring.

Now, Ninnygroom and I went the non-tradtional route and went shopping together; the article below is written for the groom-to-be who would shop alone and suprise his gal. Honestly, I loved shopping for my ring together; it was fun, as I'd already did lots of research and had an idea of what I wanted. No, it didn't ruin the romance! It was actually really romantic picking my Forever Ring out with Ninnygroom; he even had really great insight, so I didn't get overwhelmed with the choices, and he's the one who found my ring amongst a sea of beautiful gems.
However you decide to do it, it will still be special; remember, the whole point of getting Engaged isn't the ring, but being with the one you love.

Determine Your Budget
When a guy's shopping for an engagement ring, salespeople often do a sneaky thing – they make him think that the amount of his love is tied to how much he spends on a ring. Better to figure out how much you can afford to spend before you step foot in a store. The standard rule is two months salary – but – this is also a rule that the diamond industry created! However it's still a decent place to start, but then figure out your personal budget.

Pay Attention
You're going to have to make a lot of choices – platinum or gold? Modern or traditional? Flashy or understated? It's easier if you've done your homework beforehand. Look at the jewelry your sweetheart wears on a daily basis – if it's all silver with intricate designs – look for a platinum engagement ring with intricate designs (often called filigree). If it's just a few heavy gold pieces, well, then go in that direction.

Choose a Stone
While jewelers will sell you a preset ring, you can often get a better deal if you choose the diamond separately. It helps if you know what shape your sweetheart wants – round, pear, marquis, etc. The most classic shape is a round solitaire. Another money saving tip – look for a diamond with high color and cut, but with slightly lower clarity. Make sure you look at the stone with a jeweler's loupe (like a magnifying glass) – but most flaws (or "inclusions") can barely be seen even with a loupe.

Choose the Setting
After you've got your stone, then comes the setting. You could go for simple with a solitaire setting, or you could add filigree, extra side stones, and other details. You can choose gold, white or rose gold, platinum, or even titanium.

Maximize Your Budget
Ask for a stone with more surface area – it won't sparkle as much but it will look bigger. Ask for stones that are slightly less than the next carat (0.8 instead of 1 or 1.9 instead of 2) – the almost indiscernible difference can add up to big savings. Instead of a diamond solitaire engagement ring, consider a less expensive center gemstone (such as tourmaline, blue topaz, sapphire) flanked by two small diamonds. Choose white gold instead of platinum. And consider an antique engagement ring.

Get a Buddy
Don't go into a jewelry store alone. They're scary places full of way too many choices. If you can, bring your sweetheart's best friend or mom along to help you choose. But if you're worried they'll spill the beans, bring a trusted buddy of yours. Make sure they have taste, or you'll be trying to propose with a ringpop. Also, assuming they like the person you're buying it for, this is a great moment to bond with your parents and get their advice.

Think About Bringing Your Sweetheart With You
You'll lose the element of surprise, but you'll be sure that she likes her engagement ring. More and more couples are doing it this way.

Get a Quality Jeweler
Ask for recommendations from friends and family. My advice is to stick to the mom and pop jewelers and try to avoid the national chains – they often sacrifice quality for mass marketing. But make sure the store is accredited by the Jewelers of America or is a member of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Before you buy, find out what the return policy is so that you can exchange it if you didn't do your homework properly.

Plan Ahead
You may not be able to just walk out of a jewelry store with a ring. Not only will you need to save up for it, but depending on what you order it could take a couple weeks for them to set the stone, do any engraving, or even custom design your ring. So if you want to propose on a certain date, make sure you start working on the ring early.

Get it In Writing
Don't buy a diamond without an independent diamond-grading report from the GIA or the American Gem Society. It should include the 4 C's of color, cut, clarity and carat, as well as the shape and size. And don't forget to get the ring insured.

I hope this was helpful!

Besitos,
Vanessa

The Engagement

2009-12-21T11:37:00.001-05:00

Ninnygroom and I announced our Engagement during Thanksgiving weekend.

Both my parents and his mother planned to visit us that weekend, and since we have been discussing an engagement for a month or so, we decided that weekend would be the perfect time!

We made a very impromptu run to some local jewelers to see if we can find the Ring. Of course with only four days before our big announcement, that puts a lot of pressure on us! I was a little nervous that I was going to feel rushed to buy a ring, and not end up with The Ring.

I had a very good idea of what I was looking for:
•No diamonds; I wanted something with colour, and not run-of-the-mill.
•Yellow or Rose Gold; no white band.
•Emerald or Princess cut; I love the geometry of these cuts.
•Solitaire; I not interested in guilding the lily.
•Vintage style: I love Edwardian filigree and Art Deco geometry.

And luckily, I had my wonderful friend Sierra the Gemologist onhand with us, excited to help us pick the Perfect Ring. And to make sure we got the Perfect Price.

We came home that day with The Ring. And I absolutely love it and cannot stop looking at it.

Princess-cut Green Amethyst, 24k Yellow Gold band, 3 Chocolate Diamond chips on either side.

It's colourful, feminine and very modern-vintage. And very Ninny. The Holidays will be extra celebratory this year.

Besitos,
Ninny

An Introduction

2009-12-18T12:14:00.000-05:00

Hello!

My name is Vanessa, im 28, and me & my wonderful boyfriend of eight years just announced our Engagement this Thanksgiving.

I thought, in leiu of pouring girly-brideyness all over our Wedding site, I'd make a little blog about all things frilly and fun about planning our Wedding right here. Let all the formal stuff be about us; this Little White Blog will be all about me :)

I love to craft, cook and bake; Ben (who as of now will be referred to as Ninnygroom) and I would like to plan a casual event, where we can do as much of the planning ourselves as possible. I will document all the little details here for your behind-the-scenes viewing pleasure.

Thanks for reading!

Besitos,
Ninnybride