Friday, February 13, 2009

RSVP Dates + Giveaway Contest


This week it seems we have truly entered the wedding season. I've been talking to a lot of brides about invitations and I've been thinking back to how fun and exciting wedding planning can be. Yes, it takes over your life, and yes you get worn out by it, but it is nice to look back once the big day is over and remember how all that effort turns into a day you will remember forever. Above is a photo from a few years ago of me with my mother who helped me plan my big day and who was ever so patient with me. God bless her - I was so nitpicky about everything that I would have driven most people crazy!

I've had a lot of questions from brides these past few weeks about how to pick your "RSVP by" date. Here is my simple rule: for local weddings, at least one month before (and for destination weddings, one to two months before (or earlier, depending on special travel requirements, etc.).

You'll want a month's notice for a variety of reasons:

  • The coordinator at your venue (reception hall, country club, hotel, etc.) will need to order food for your event at least two weeks before your event, and will probably want confirmation of your final numbers. Asking invitees to get back to you a month before gives you lots of time to figure it all out.

  • Not everyone will reply, let alone reply on time. Yes, in a perfect world all of your invited guests would have manners like Emily Post - but in the real world you'll be lucky if 50% of your guests answer you. Be prepared to make phone calls to track people down and see if they are coming and if they are bringing a guest (if invited). A month gives you the time to sort the non-responders out!

  • The earlier you get your RSVPs, the earlier you can figure out seating for your reception. "Meh...", you say, "I can do that the week before the wedding". Why stress yourself out? Get started early. I have a friend who left it until the night before her wedding day and stayed up until 2am trying to get everyone organized – not a good idea. Besides, you know Aunt Evelyn and Uncle Mike can't stand each other, and the groom's parents are divorced and shouldn't be within earshot, and someone needs to sit beside Grandpa to make sure he doesn't help himself to too much vino, and...You get the idea.

  • Knowing how many people are coming earlier in the game will also allow you to figure out how many favors you will need, how many programs and menus to print, and you can get a head start on place cards and other details.
If you are hoping to book for letterpress wedding invitations for this summer, I strongly urge you to contact the studio as soon as you can to avoid disappointment. We are currently booking press time into March 2009 with a turnaround of 3-4 weeks.

LETTERPRESS GIVEAWAY CONTEST!

I have a few items from our ready-to-wear stationery line ready to be given away...All you need to do is leave a comment below and list a gift/stationery/florist or other retail store in your area (anywhere in the world!) that you would like to see carry Sunlit Letterpress products. We are trying to build our retail network and I am looking for suggestions of stores that would be a good fit. Please leave the name of the store below (and website if you know it!). Bonus points (extra giveaway stuff!) if you know the name of the store owner :)

Contest closes Friday February 20th 2009 at 12 PM Pacific time!

Happy letterpressing!

17 comments:

  1. Do you they sell your products at Broadway Paper in Milwaukee? I love that place!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Joan's Papers ● SE. 236 Commercial Boulevard - Lauderdale by the Sea - FL 33308 -- 954-491-3577

    PaperNiche--10089 Cleary Boulevard
    Plantation, Florida 33324
    Store Owner: Tammy

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ohh, I have one for you. The Papery in Victoria. No website.

    669 Fort Street
    Victoria, BC V8W 1G6
    (250) 382-1669

    And my fav which is right up your style alley: Nicholas Randall (can't find a website for them either!)

    2180 Oak Bay Avenue
    Victoria, BC V8R 1G3
    (250) 592-1789

    ReplyDelete
  4. Of course Flowers & Company and Langley and White Rock. Anywhere on the beach! Fort Langley!

    ReplyDelete
  5. There is a great stationary shop in denver that your stuff would be perfect for. It's called watermark... the website is www.cleverpapers.com.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hello from New Jersey, USA.

    Paper Capers
    119 W. Mount Pleasant Ave, Livingston, NJ. 973-994-3130.
    Owner: Leslie Mayesh
    Website: N/A

    Noteworthy
    24 S. Fullerton Ave
    Montclair, NJ 07042
    (973) 783-1522

    Good Luck All!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Paper On Pine...
    ...in Philly!

    124 South 13th Street
    Philadelphia, PA 19107

    215 545 5434

    info@paperonpine.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. My suggestions would be the following:

    Paperwhirl -- 230 University Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301

    Watercourse Way (a wonderful spa that carries products by several letterpress outfits in their gift section)-- 165 Channing Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301

    Union Street Paperie -- 2162 Union Street, San Francisco, CA 94123

    ReplyDelete
  9. My suggestions would be:

    Paperwhirl - 230 University Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301

    Watercourse Way (a wonderful spa that carries a variety of letterpress stationery in their gift shop)- 165 Channing Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301

    Union Street Papery - 2162 Union Street, San Francisco, CA 94123

    ReplyDelete
  10. I would recommend:

    #01-00 Wheelock Place
    501 Orchard Road
    Singapore 238880

    website:
    http://www.borders.com.sg/home.asp

    They carry paperchase products too so it'll be great to see some letterpress!

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    Cheers,
    Melody
    mel_88_88 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Weddings, Etc. Birmingham, AL
    Owner~Melissa Hill--sweet woman who is pregnant with twins right now, so she's in and out a lot. I think that there is a manager, but I'm not sure of that name.

    2843 18th St S
    Homewood, AL 35209
    (205) 870-5299

    ReplyDelete
  12. My favourite paper, pens (& quills) & ink stores in Sydney & the Blue Mountains (Australia):

    Website: http://www.elizabethrosa.com/

    Sydney, Australia -
    Shops 4 & 5 Hunters Arcade
    16-18 Cross Street
    Double Bay NSW 2028
    T. +61 2 9328 4499 F. +61 2 9362 4285
    E. sales@elizabethrosa.com

    153 The Mall
    Leura NSW 2780
    Blue Mountains
    T. & F +61 2 4784 1022
    E. sales@elizabethrosa.com

    Paddington Artist Market (every Saturday)
    Oxford St, Paddington, Sydney Australia

    ReplyDelete
  13. In Singapore, there is this awesome paper/craft store where they have a huge following of their creative products.

    Check out
    http://www.woodwould.net/ and http://woodwould.wordpress.com/about/ for photos of this incredible place and her story. You can email the owner at info@woodwould.net

    You can reach me at epicurative.blogspot.com if my email doesn't show up for whatever reason! I'm so thrilled about the prize you offered...

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi Erin,

    It's Natalie. I love those invitations you pressed for us. They're wonderful!

    Saw you're looking for new places for your products. I recommend the following:

    The Japanese Paper Place (owner: Nancy Jacobi)
    77 Brock Avenue
    Toronto, Ontario
    Canada M6K 2L3
    Phone:416-538-966
    Fax: 416-538-0563

    Or the Paper Place (formaly known as the Japanese Paper Place)
    887 Queen Street West
    Toronto, Ontario
    M6J 1G5
    Phone: (416) 703-0089

    ReplyDelete
  15. try schacht & westerich in germany

    http://www.schacht-westerich-online.de/content/home/

    Ramona

    ReplyDelete
  16. You should contact Lunalux in Minneapolis, the buyer's name is Kitty.
    www.lunalux.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. I have been married for 21 years and when i look back I just remember how picky I was and am totally thankful. The details shine forth. You have such great advice for brides to go forth with confidence.

    ReplyDelete

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