Thinking Outside the "Pocket"

As I mentioned a few blog entries ago, I will be hosting a mixer for the Greater Palm Springs Wedding Association in a couple of weeks. The mixers are a way for local vendors to meet and mingle, and an opportunity for the host to showcase a location and/or work.

I never had the opportunity to host a GPSWA mixer, because I work out of my home based studio. It wasn't until recently, when one of my aunts purchased an hacienda style home, which she intends to market as a vacation rental and reception site for special events. She offered me full use of it, as a way to give her newly acquired property a bit of exposure, and give me a place to showcase my work for an evening.

The GPSWA mixers are open for all members, and to vendors who are interested in joining the association. But because there are many members I haven't seen attend a mixer in a while, I designed and eye-catching invitation that will hopefully spark their interest and will entice them to make an appearance.

The invitation consists of a combination of velvet, embossed, and traditional ivory and khaki colored paper, neatly layered, and accentuated with rhinestones. I included 3 separate inserts, a map, a note with admission rates for members and non-members, and my business card. These three items were secured with gold cord, placed behind the invitation, and everything was mailed in sparkly gold envelopes.

I agree that pocket invitations are beautiful, but this is just another example of how we can further customize an invitation by applying the budget toward textured paper and embellishements, rather than pockets.

Below are a few images of Casa Del Sol, the place where the mixer will be held at. These are only temporary images, a new photo shoot will take place in the coming weeks, to fully illustratate the home's features.

Photography

Prior to starting my own business, I held a position as senior graphic designer in the Spa Resort Casino's marketing department for over half a decade. We were always in need of new images to include in menus, collateral announcing upcoming slot/poker tournaments, nightly entertainment, etc. Since purchasing stock photography was always a pain, and photo shoots were not easy to organize and execute, we used the same images over and over again. We'd angle them in one direction, then another, change them to black and white, sepia, crop them in a circular shape, then square, rectangle....we used a variety of techniques to make the same pictures look like new ones. But you know, it worked!

It was there that I gained an interest in photography, and started paying special attention angles, color, and shooting styles. When it was time to plan my wedding, I knew that photography was the one thing I would reserve a decent budget for.

Now that I'm in the wedding industry, I catch myself browsing through various photographer's web sites a couple times a week, in search for inspiration. One of my favorite web sites to visit is Red Lantern Photography, a husband and wife wedding photography team based out of La Quinta, California. I met Donna and Nader (photographers) at a Greater Palm Springs Wedding Association mixer about a year or so ago. They have the friendliest and most pleasant personalities, and I am a big fan of their work. I have also designed for a few a of their past clients, who have nothing but great things to say about them. They are definitely the one's I'll call if we ever renew our vows!

I actually had the pleasure to work with them early this year, when they hired me to design a logo, stationery, and a mailer announcing their business name change (formerly Photography by Nader Coobtee). It was their input, creative eye, positive feedback and suggestions that allowed my initial sketches of the logo to evolve into what it is now. But rather than writing about it, I invite you to visit their blog where you can see more of their work, and a few more images of the mailer I designed for them.

Enjoy!

We're on a Mission

Things seem to slow down for everyone during the month August. My mother and sisters all work for the Palm Springs Unified School District, and school's out for the summer (at their schools at least), and well...August is also my slowest month of the year, so I had a chance join them on a little trip that my mom organized to the Mission at San Juan Capistrano. Unfortunately, my husband had to work Friday evening, so he stayed home, but I took many cool pictures to share with him...and you =)

Courtyard view.

Lots of beautiful flowers and religious images.

Me, my daughter Andria, nephew Damian, sister Melina, and sister Cynthia. Melina is going through the credential program to become a grade school teacher and Cynthia will be transferring to Northridge next year to become a Sign Language teacher. Andria and Damian mean trouble! Hee, hee. (I'll delete this before they're old enough to read)

Bed and stove of the 1800's.

Cynthia, Andria and my crazy brother Erik.

Mom, Erik & Cynthia resting in the corridor; to the right is what appears to be a GIANT gold fish swimming inside a gorgeous waterfountain located near the entrance.

We had a great time! I would love to go back and attend some of the envents listed on their website, such as concerts, arts and crafts for children, art exhibits and the mariachi festival.

Pocket invitation trends vs. stationery budget

Envelopements and box invitations seem to be today's hottest trends. I wish I would have known about them when I designed my wedding invitations! They would have been my first choice as well.

Although Envelopment's ever popular Pocket Folds are beautiful and a great way to keep your enclosures organized, they may not always be the wisest choice.

I have come across many brides who seek these Pocket Folds simply because they come in a variety beautiful papers, and they are still considered to be more unique than traditional invitations. The downfall is that the convenience of a pocket does come with a higher price tag.

They start at about $2 each, and on top of that you still have to pay for the stock to print the invitations on, the stock for the enclosures, stock to create a seal for the outside cover (optional), envelopes, printing, assembly, design and postage. The more layers there are, the higher the cost because you are paying for more materials and manual labor.

Although I too am a huge Envelopments fan, I always speak to my clients with the truth. Yes, these are beautiful, but if you're only going to tuck in the RSVP card (which will be mailed back to you) you're paying and extra $2.00 per invitation for a pocket that will remain empty once your guests have mailed back the RSVPs.

On the other hand if you are including inserts, such as an RSVP card and envelope, driving directions, a map and a list of local accommodations - Pocket Folds are definitely worth your investment!

My advice is, rather than feeling deprived or limited by a modest budget, keep in mind that there are many other ways we can enhance and create a one of a kind invitation set for you. An $800 budget may seem very limited for an order of 100 pocket fold invitations with all the bells and whistles. But this same amount can come a long way by using the same card stocks as the pocket folds you love, in a different design with a variety of embellishments. From rhinestones and photo images to sealing wax - the possibilities are endless!

Pictures of alternate, yet equally stunning designs, coming soon.