FREE Wedding Invitations...

How much do you like this invitation suite. How much more would you like it if I told you that it was FREE! Don't you love this country! This absolutely awesome and FREE invitation suite came to me via The Wedding Chicks. Check it out.

Read below on download instructions and how to see this invite in your color palette for Free.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Download Navy Damask Zip Wedding Suite Here (The file includes an invites, response card and Thank You card.

2. In order to avoid cutting the invites purchase Flat Card Stock from Paper Source
Invite Card Stock, Response Card Stock and Thank You Card Stock

5. You can download the Calligraphy style font for free here. You have to then install the font on your computer. Or use any fancy font that you like.

4. Open up the document you wish to print such as the invite. Print out your desired amount. We recommend a few extras. The invite will simply have the design on it and have a blank middle.

5. Open up the word documents that are in the word documents folder and type in your personal text. You may have to fiddle with it to get the correct spacing since everyone’s wording will vary.

Creating your own wedding photobooth...

I loved this post from Green Wedding Shoes. In about a year I will do this at my 5 year vow renewal. And to think there are so many inexpensive ways to do it. Calling all readers...calling all readers, you have to let me know which one you liked the best. I am all for the brilliant yellow. The ideas are endless. Hey, if you have done it we would love to post your pics.

The photo booth is one thing I wish I had done at my wedding - I really love this idea. It's such a fun way to get some great photos of all your guests - you are much more likely to get photos of all the guests at your wedding, and I can guarantee they'll be enjoying themselves! I think using fabric as a background is a great idea for an outdoor photo booth in your backyard. I love these photos from Chelsea and Tec's and wedding photographed by Jose Villa.



A bold, bright pattern can really make a fun statement. Photo on the left from Lena Corwin's wedding and the right from this wedding photographed by Steven Mastroianni.



Urban Outfitters has some great patterned sheets that would work great (all swatches above from Urban). You could even get a few to mix things up. Other great places include IKEA, your local fabric store, or the LA Fashion District.

I love the photos from this next wedding. The bride's father and sister painted the wedding logo on the side of the house! It allowed for some great photos using it as the backdrop. Probably not doable for most of us - but still love it!! Photography from Cheri Pearl via Snippet and Ink.



Maybe fabric isn't your thing. Check out this amazing wood structure this couple made for their wedding! They had a bunch of them spread out around their wedding location.


{More photos from this amazing wedding photographed by Kyle Hale here via Design Sponge}

Props also help your guests have more fun. These could be: fun hats, glasses, mustaches, a sofa, umbrellas, something that fits with your wedding theme ... the ideas are endless! You can have your photographer's assistant work the camera - or set up a tripod with your own digital camera and a self timer.

Anyone planning to make your own photo booth for your wedding?

Sweet Biscuit Paper and Press Giveaway!

Are you in the mood for another giveaway? I love giveaways. They remind of what I will never win. But I hope you do! Click on the Southern Weddings Blog link to enter.

How adorable are these ring bearer pillows and garter sets? Lucky for you, our latest contest will give one lucky reader the chance to add a fanciful touch to their dream day with one of these gorgeous designs from Sweet Biscuit Paper and Press! We love that {Sweet Biscuit Paper and Press} provides unique, hand-made, personalized announcements, invitations, and assorted products that add an element of whimsy to your event. From luxurious ring bearer pillows and garter sets to custom boutonnières and stunning jewelry, Sweet Biscuit Paper and Press has so much to offer to make your special day even more special!

Win: A ring bearer pillow and ribbon flower garter set!

To Enter: In honor of the arrival of spring on March 20th, leave a comment on this post describing your favorite thing about this time of year. Yay for birds, blooms, and blue skies! Winner will be chosen at random.

Contest Ends Tuesday, March 31st at midnight! Good luck everyone!

Update: Photoshop Invitation Workshop

This is such a great opportunity for all of your West Coast Brides. You can win the opportunity to be in the audience of a Martha Stewart Show. Not just any Martha Stewart Show but a Martha Stewart Wedding Show! ....I know! This post came to us via The Martha Stewart Weddings Blog. Click on their link to see the full details.

Posted by Darcy Miller, Editorial Director

It's that time again. On April 15th, Martha is hosting an hour-long episode dedicated to weddings. where we'll be discussing the latest trends in preparing for your big day. The entire studio audience will be filled with brides-to-be, and we want you to be in it! Enter for a chance to win 2 VIP tickets to be part of the live studio audience at The Martha Stewart Show by emailing your name, address, phone number, and email address to bridesguide@marthastewart.com.

The winner will receive two seats in the audience, a meet and greet with me, and a backstage tour. MARTHA tapes at the Chelsea Television Studios located on W. 26th Street in New York, NY. The winner is responsible for their own transportation and lodging.

Good Luck!

Wedding Photographer Giveaway!

More Wedding Photography Giveaways. Check it out. This giveaway comes to us from the Bridal Inquirer Blog and is for the Southern Cali bride. If this is you, don't hesitate to enter. Make sure you pay close attention to the contest rules. Good luck!!!

It’s GIVEAWAY time!!! This is our biggest giveaway to date! Sean Schofield…who was my very own wedding photographer has offered one VERY LUCKY Bridal Inquirer reader a FREE engagement photo session!!! This giveaway includes 1-2 hours at your desired location (within San Diego County), 50 of the best high resolution images on a disc AND if you book him for your wedding, he is going to throw in a 20 page leather bound guest book with photos from your e-session (valued at $415.00)! To see more of his work, make sure you check out his full website here. This giveaway is worth a roadtrip if you live in OC or LA!

(Congrats to Amy & Alex who are getting married in July ‘09. Photos by Sean Schofield, of course!)

How to Win: All you have to do to win is join the Bridal Inquirer Forum (fast, easy & free), and post a photo of you and your fiance and tell us how he/she proposed!

BONUS entries: for each additional wedding related question you ask on the forum (make ‘em good girls), you can get an additional entry!!! (limit/max 5 entries) Must be new questions starting from today’s date (03/13/09).

This contest starts today 03/13/09 and runs through 6:00pm PDT on 03/31/09. Winner will be chosen by random drawing and announced on 04/01/09. THANK YOU and GOOD LUCK!!!

P.S. BIG THANKS to The Relentless Bride for sharing this giveaway with her readers! xoxo

More wedding flowers on your budget

Here is another wedding flower workshop for the Southern Cali Bride. You just might see me there! Thanks to Grey Likes Wedding Blog for sharing this news.

Here are the details and sign-up information for our workshop! Spaces are limited, so be sure to register as soon as you know you can attend!

{w h e n} March 28, 2009 from 1:00-3:00 in the afternoon

{w h e r e} Lake Park Clubhouse at Lake and 12th Street in Huntington Beach

{f i n e p r i n t} The DIY Floral Workshop has two price options: one attendee or two attendees. One attendee option is $120 and includes flowers to create one bouquet and one arrangement (each worth much more than $200 at retail price) as well as materials, instruction and champagne, of course. Two attendee option is $140 and allows for a share project. Partners can choose to split their flowers (resulting in much smaller final products) or work together on the arrangements. Additional materials are provided for added attendee.

{r e g i s t e r} to purchase your reservation click HERE. Add the one attendee or two attendee option to your cart. You’ll be directed to paypal for secure payment. Payment is NON-refundable.

{q u e s t i o n s} email greylikesweddings@gmail.com

Affordable Couture Wedding Invitations

I heart Kelly Ashworth Designs. She is actually redesigning our business cards and postcards. I can't wait to show them to you. So when I heard that she is making couture invitations affordable for the everyday bride, well...you know I just had to spread the word. Thanks to Blue Orchid Designs for sharing this news!

While I consider myself creative, I am not exactly the world's best do-it-yourselfer, especially when it comes to crafting things with my own hands. See exhibit A: the Martha Stewart tissue pom-poms gone wrong. And when it comes to invitations - forget about it. My pocketbook however, often reminds me that I just can't forget about it.

Cutting the right strips of paper, getting the layers and margins correct, and determing just how much ribbon I'll need is a tedious task and one I do not enjoy. By the time it's all said and done, it looks like a project that my 18 month old nephew worked on. And I give him full credit when anyone asks who created my current masterpiece.

That is why I am so thrilled that the forever talented Kelly Ashworth of Kelly Ashworth Design released her signature invitation kits this week! That's right - everything you need to make a gorgeous invitation - the ribbon, the paper, the layers, etc - all right in one place. The kits include all the goods for 50 invitations and all you have to do is run the invitation paper through your printer, assemble and then wait for the rave reviews to come in from your guests when they open their envelopes.

Not only are the first designs Kelly has launched super cute, but they are affordable. As a rule of thumb, an invitation generally runs the same price as a nice greeting card. So for an entire invitation to be less than $2 each is a serious deal. Bonus: her designs are perfect for any fete you need to throw: baby showers, bridal showers, you name it.

You can learn more about Kelly on her website and blog, and you can purchase your invitation kits through her Etsy store.