It's all Polkadots!

Real Wedding - Meslissa & Mike

2012-01-25T23:00:00.000-08:00

Today we are sharing stationery photos from Melissa and Mikes June 2011 wedding captured by JDS Photography. A modern barn door invite with graphic damask ornaments was created in classic ivory and black with a hint of olive green. The invitation artwork was seamlessly carried through into their reception stationery including a custom hard cover guest book (which they included personal photos and unique questions for the guests), table numbers, seating chart, and a large menu sign for all the guests to view as they entered the reception venue.

This gorgeous bride and groom were featured on the Weddings In Alberta website and you can view the entire gallery of their beautiful wedding here!

Full invitations suite

Hardcover guest book

Interior view of invitation

Table number

Seating chart

Menu (large mounted sign placed on easel for all guests to view)

Event - Site6 Visual Solutions

2012-01-23T23:00:00.001-08:00

This post is a bit delayed, but I had to share the photos from the Site6 event I attended back in September 2011. Karin Hoogland is the Creative Director and Owner of Site6 Events, who hosted this fabulous event highlighting the visual solutions her company can offer for trade shows and any other special event. I especially wanted to draw this company to the attention of all the recently engaged couples who are in the beginning stages of planning a wedding. Lighting and drapery create big impact and Site6 can effectively transform your reception into a space with style and flair!

Vendors featured at this event include:
TransAlta Arts Barns – Venue: Westbury Theatre
Production Lighting – Lighting Design by Chris Baker
Mediaco - Video projection "Flower Timelapse"
La Piazza Dasee – Floral design by Janine Sebastian
Harman B & DJ Kwake - Music
Pinkpolka Wedding Design – Stationary design
Restaurant 27 Catering – Appetizers & buffet
Timewise Event Management – Flipbooks
enV Photography – Photos by Elizabeth van der Bij
Various event rental décor and product from Rivercity Event Rentals, Elegant Touches, Special Event Rentals, Etc Event Styling, ID Bohemia

Real Wedding - Anna & Morgan

2012-01-16T23:00:00.000-08:00

This couple was an absolute pleasure to work with. Morgan is such an endearing man who truly cared about the details of this wedding as much as his bride! Below are some gorgeous detail shots of my stationery captured by the wonderfully talented Kirstie of Orange Girl Photography. I especially love how this couple used the monogram I designed on their cupcakes! This beautiful wedding was also featured on Style Me Pretty Canada and you can see the full gallery of stunning images by clicking here!

Wedding Stationery Tips for Newly Engaged

2012-01-11T23:00:00.001-08:00

The new year is upon us, and that means all of the engaged couples are entering into full force wedding planning mode for their 2012 weddings! Being in the wedding industry, we know there are so many considerations when planning a wedding from booking the perfect venue, to picking the tastiest cupcake flavor! Having to learn the ropes of each vendor specialty can be a daunting task so we thought it would be a great time to share some basics of working with a wedding stationer.

Stationery Items to Consider

Save-the-date
A save-the-date should be used if you need to give your guests ample notice to attend your wedding. A save-the-date should always be used if you are planning a destination or out-of-town wedding to allow guests to plan for time off from work and to budget for travel expenses. See the time line below to find out when to start the order process and mail save-the-dates to guests.

Invitations
The wedding invitation notifies guests of the date, time and place of your wedding. The invitation should convey the tone and formality of the event. Included in the invitation package, is an rsvp which is a request for reply so you are able to plan appropriately for the number of guests who will attend. The RSVP can be in a variety of forms: a postcard, a phone number or email on the invitation, or a separate card and addressed envelope. See the time line below to find out when to start the order process and mail invitations to guests.

Reception Stationery
Reception stationery are small details that create big impact for your guests by continuing the tone of your invitations into your reception. These products also help direct and clearly guide your guests through the events of the day such as finding the venue location with banners and signage and identifying their seat for dinner with a seating chart, table numbers, and place cards. See the time line below to find out when to start the order process for reception stationery. Items to consider when planning your reception stationery include:
Program - Programs give guests an itinerary to the day’s events. It is also a place where you can provide information about the ceremony, your bridal party, and where you can thank special people who have contributed to your wedding.

Menu - List of all the items included in the meal during the wedding reception.

Place Cards - Indicates at which place setting each guest should sit at their assigned table.

Seating Chart - A diagram or list of tables that indicates where guests will be seated.

Table Numbers - Label each table with a number or name (be creative!) to direct guests to the correct table.
Favor Tag or Sticker - Complete a favor with a personalized message using a sticker or a tag tied with ribbon.

Guest Book or Guest Cards - Used for guests to leave the bride and groom best wishes and words of advice.

Display Banners - Create the perfect ambiance at your reception with custom display banners. A great way to show off those engagement photos!
Wedding Decal - Use these removable vinyl decals on your wedding day transportation, a wall or the dance floor! Wedding decals can be designed in any pattern, shape, or word that you desire!
Signage - Give directions or instructions to your guests so they can find their way around your wedding venues.

Thank-you Cards
Proper etiquette says you should always send a prompt thank-you card to your guests for attending the wedding, and for any gifts they have given you. What better way to thank them than with a customized thank-you card matching your wedding stationary? Pinkpolka Design can also incorporate photos from your wedding day into the design of your card.

Stationery Time Line

Local Wedding
8 Months - Start thinking about what pieces of stationery you need and inspiration for design
5 Months - Start collecting names and addresses for your guest list to confirm quantity
5 Months - Meet with us for your save-the-date consultation
6-5 Months - Mail save-the-dates at 6 months
6-5 Months - Meet with us for your invitations consultation (if you did not order save-the-dates)
5-4 Months - Finalize wording, dates, times and location for all stationery items
4 Months - Review the proof of your invitation and give final approval to go to print

3 Months - Receive your invitations
3 Months - Address your invitation envelopes or send to calligrapher
3 Months - Take assembled invitation to the post office to weigh for postage amount
9 Weeks - Assemble and seal invitations with proper postage
8-6 Weeks - Mail invitations
6-4 Weeks - Place reception stationery order
6-4 Weeks - Follow-up with guest who have not RSVP'd
2-1 Weeks - Pick-up reception stationery for the big day!

Destination Wedding
14-13 Months - If you plan to send save-the-dates book a consultation with us as soon as a venue and date is confirmed. If not planning on sending save-the-dates skip to 8-7 month step
1 Year - Mail save-the-dates
10-9 Months - Start thinking about what pieces of stationery you need and inspiration for design
10-9 Months - Start collecting names and addresses for your guest list to confirm quantity
8-7 Months - Meet with us for your invitations consultation
6-5 Months - Finalize wording, dates, times and location for all stationery items
6-5 Months - Review the proof of your invitation and give final approval to go to print

4-3 Months - Receive your invitations
4-3 Months - Address your invitation envelopes or send to calligrapher
4-3 Months - Take assembled invitation to the post office to weigh for postage amount
4-3 Months - Assemble and seal invitations with proper postage
14-12 Weeks - Mail invitations
6-4 Weeks - Place reception stationery order
6-4 Weeks - Follow-up with guest who have not RSVP'd
2-1 Weeks - Pick-up reception stationery for the big day!

Vendor Spotlight - Delica Bridal

2012-01-09T23:00:00.001-08:00

With a new year of wedding planning ahead I thought this was an opportune time to share some details on the hottest bridal boutique in Edmonton - Delica Bridal! All the recently engaged brides looking for fashion-forward gowns will love the selection of brands offered. We asked some questions to help brides understand more about this awesome boutique.

We also have an EXCLUSIVE OFFER in this post that you will want to take advantage of! Make sure to scroll to the bottom of the post for your Delica Bridal savings coupon!

What makes Delica Bridal a unique bridal boutique?

Delica Bridal is Edmonton's newest bridal boutique offering glamorous and exclusive bridal gowns for today's modern bride. All the designers available at Delica Bridal are straight off the runway and are exclusive and handpicked to ensure the highest quality and best fit! We have a great assortment of some of the most beautiful bridal dresses for today’s brides. Some of our exclusive bridal lines include Lazaro, Alvina Valenta, Jim Hjelm Blush, Hayley Paige, Lillen Collection, Jenny Yoo and our newest edition, Sarah Seven!

Can you explain the experience a bride can expect when she visits Delica Bridal.

Brides who visit Delica Bridal feel welcomed, relaxed and no pressure; the way they should feel when looking for their bridal gown. The store has an open concept making it easy to shop for our customers. We have three, large private rooms to ensure each bride gets the one on one attention that they deserve. Brides work with our educated bridal consultants in a private setting to ensure they find the wedding gown that makes them feel glamorous and look beautiful for their special day! We take pride in getting to know our brides and establishing close relationships with them. This makes us want to go the extra mile to make sure our brides feel beautiful and stress free before their big day.

What options does Delica Bridal have for bridesmaid dresses?

Delica Bridal offers bridesmaid dresses that will truly compliment your bridal party! The designs chosen are inspired by ready to wear fashions and are available in a variety of colors, fabrics and silhouettes. We are excited to be the exclusive Alberta retailer for the AMSALE bridesmaid collections (gowns are ultra-chic!). Our maids closet includes Alvina Valenta, AMSALE, NOIR by Lazaro, Jenny Yoo and Jim Hjelm Occasions. These gowns are modern, fashionable and fun; and we promise, our dresses that will make your bridesmaid feel and look fabulous!

What trends have you noticed for wedding dresses in 2012?

Since Delica Bridal is a fashion forward bridal boutique you will always find the latest fashions straight off the New York Bridal fashion runways in our store!

Here are some of our top three bridal fashion trends for Spring 2012:

Neckline Options!
Brides are looking to cover up skin that is typically exposed, with sheer, gentle fabrics. The illusion necklines are up and coming and unique from past collections. This look can appear conservative but at the same time, revealing (and super sexy!)

Two-tiered Skirts!
The past couple of years we have seen a lot of bridal skirts with three dimensional florals BUT this year it’s all about two-tiered skirts. These skirts focus on the hemline and are very flattering, as the top tier hides wider hips.

COLOR!!!
White and Ivory are the traditional colors worn by brides ever since Queen Victoria wore a white gown in 1840! However, designers are looking to add a little color to spice things up. In the past collections, we have seen touches of silvers, lilacs and greens in bridal gowns. This season, we are seeing that gowns look fabulous in other colors besides white…especially BLUSH!

What are some tips to help brides starting the search for the perfect wedding dress?

Don’t come in on your first visit with too many critics. We often see brides come in with a huge entourage making it hard for the bride because of too many opinions. Although it’s a lot of fun to involve the people that matter most with helping you find that special gown, it will be a lot easier for you to come with one or two people; These people should be the ones that give you their honest opinion and truly know your style and wedding inspiration. Our tip is to bring the entourage when your actual gown arrives in store, after you have already committed to it!

If you have a budget that you don’t want to go over, let your consultant know. This helps ensure you don’t fall in love with a gown that is out of your budget and leaves you disappointed. We have beautiful gowns in our store that range from $1000-$6500.00, allowing fabulous options for everyone! Our tip is to be honest and don’t be shy to express your true budget. We do our best to accommodate all brides.

Before you ask your closest gals to stand up for you in your wedding, it’s a great idea to inform them about the financial costs involved. The average bridesmaid dress in Canada ranges between $225.00 and $400.00. The financial commitment can become quite large with a dress, shoes, hair and makeup! Your girls will appreciate it more knowing the costs beforehand, then finding out after you chosen their bridesmaid dress! Our tip is to involve your bridesmaids in picking their gowns to make sure everyone is happy with the look and the cost.

Vendor Spotlight - Bluebird Cakes

2012-01-04T23:00:00.000-08:00

I first discovered Bluebird Cakes through the wonders of social media. I noticed other industry vendors talking about this new company and when I checked it out I first loved their adorable logo and then fell further in love with all the beautiful sweets! I got a chance to work with Amanda of Bluebird Cakes for my best friends baby shower where she created custom sugar cookie favors. Because I am such a huge fan of their work I wanted to share some details of there business on the blog. Next time you need any specialty sweets, cake, or cookies make sure to contact Bluebird Cakes !

Who is the owner behind Bluebird Cakes and what is your baking experience?
I am essentially a business of 1! My name is Amanda Van Unen and I am the owner and lead baker at Bluebird Cakes.

I studied cooking at the Dubrulle French Culinary School in Vancouver. My apprenticeship years were spent with Fairmont Hotels & Resorts working at the Banff Springs Hotel. It was my time in the pastry department of the Springs that really fuelled my love of baking. After receiving my Red Seal certification in 1997 I moved to Edmonton and joined the kitchen at the Fairmont Hotel MacDonald. When my daughter was born I left the industry to concentrate on family life but really missed the kitchen. It took me until after the birth of my son to realize that my baking talents could be developed into a successful business. Soon after that Bluebird Cakes was born.

What type of products does Bluebird Cakes specialize in?
Bluebird Cakes specializes in one-of-a kind, special occasion cakes but we also make signature cupcakes, hand decorated sugar cookies, and whatever special requests come my way.

What is your favorite pastry to make? To eat?
My favourite pastry to make would probably be sugar cookies. I love decorating cookies and have amassed a fairly impressive (and constantly expanding) cookie cutter collection.

As far as eating goes, I am more of a salt/savoury person so just give me the cheese plate and you can have the cake.

Do you have suggestions for unique event or wedding pastries?
I am a big fan of individual desserts. No muss, no fuss and everyone gets a portion. Whether it be cupcakes, individual “shots” of tiramisu, tartlets, cake pops, or whoopie pies I love them all. Bear in mind that you can still have a ceremonial cake for cutting so you won’t miss out on the tradition.

What are some tips for ordering event and wedding pastries?
At Bluebird we book up fast! The best tip I can offer is to confirm your date with your preferred baker and get your deposit in.

Credit: Capture it! Photography (Photography) A Modern Proposal (Planning)

Credit: A Modern Proposal

Credit: Bluebird Cakes (Facebook page)

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-22T06:00:00.000-08:00

Pinkpolka Wedding Design wishes all our clients, collegeaues, friends, and family a wonderful Christmas! It was an amazing year for us and it wouldn't have been possible without the support of our amazing clients and vendors! We look forward to seeing you all in 2012!

Stylized Shoot by High Culture

2011-12-05T23:45:00.000-08:00

As a designer it is always fun to have full creativity when creating stationery and this project was no exception. Rebecca of High Culture coordinated and designed this beautiful shoot which combined some glamorous decor with a vintage flare.

The stationery featured a natural ivory stock layered with a wood grain texture cover stock. The design and typeface mimicked the outdoor barn location giving this invite a touch of country charm. Other details such as wood post signs and a wood table number attached to a book added to the charm of this shoot.

This stylized shoot was also featured on Style Me Pretty Canada, and you can view the full post by clicking here!

Models: Anastacia Koper & Blair Dolynchuk / Location: Fort Edmonton Park / Photography: Eternal Reflections Photography / Gown Boutique: Bridal Debut / Gown Designer: Allure Couture Collection / Bride’s Shoes: Christian Louboutin / Formal Wear: Calvin Klein / Tuxedo Rental: Derks / Jewelry: Stella & Dot, Lily Mannarino / Stationery: Pink Polka Wedding Design / Cake Shoppe: The Art of Cake / Floral Designer: Janine Sebastian, La Piazza Dasee / Design & Décor: Rebecca Fisher-Swarbrooke, High Culture / Rentals: Elegant Touches / Make-up Artist: Dominique Rivera-Koshuta, Rivera Make-up Artistry / Hair Stylist: Jennifer Rivera-Preston, Rivera Make-up Artistry / Hair Accessories: Sara Laurence

Real Wedding - Jay & Joe

2011-11-28T23:00:00.000-08:00

This was a romantic yet modern affair pulled together beautifully with the help of some amazing vendors including wedding design by Jennifer Bergman Weddings. We created an elegant set of stationery in cream, taupe and black for this couple who I never had the pleasure of meeting because they live in South Africa! This beautiful wedding was also featured on Style Me Pretty Canada! To see the full feature of gorgeous images captured by Sharon Litchfield Photography click here!

Wedding Photography: Sharon Litchfield Photography / Event Planning + Design: Jennifer Bergman Weddings / Floral Design: Laurel’s On Whyte / Ceremony + Reception Location: LUX Steakhouse & Bar / Stationery: Pinkpolka Wedding Design / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Wedding Dress: Essense of Australia via Pure Bridal / Linens: Arlene Yam Decor / Dueling Pianists: Lindsey Nagy and Jesse Peters

Freebie! Printable Christmas Cards

2011-11-21T23:00:00.000-08:00

As our gift to you this holiday season we are posting a free download of DIY Christmas cards! With all the electronic correspondence in our lives many of us have forgotten the value of a hand-written note. Don't let this Christmas pass by without sending holiday love to your family and friends!

Click here to download the PDF for your printable holiday cards and follow the directions below.

What you need:

1. Desktop printer

2. White card stock (Letter-size)

3. Scoring tool (the dull side of a butter knife works well)

4. X-acto knife

5. Cutting mat

6. A2 envelopes

Directions:

1. Print the PDF file, using your desktop printer;

2. Use a scoring tool to score along the dotted blue lines;

3. Use an X-acto knife and cutting mat to trim along the solid black trim lines;

4. Carefully fold the card in half along the score line once it is fully trimmed;

5. Finally, write a personalized message, address your envelope and put it in the mail with a stamp!

Design 1 (Page 1 of PDF)

Design 2 (Page 2 of PDF)

London's 3!

2011-11-14T23:00:00.000-08:00

It seems like just yesterday I was designing the invite for my niece London's 2nd birthday! My how time flies and little ones grow so quickly. This year I created a girly invite with doodle flowers in black, white, and pink. Check it out below!

We've Moved!

2011-10-31T23:45:00.000-07:00

Please update your address book as we have moved!
Pinkpolka Wedding Design is now located in the trendy 124 Street area!

10632B 124 Street (2nd Floor)
Edmonton, Alberta T5N 1S3

Please click here for a printable map with directions and parking information!

Seeking Studio Intern

2011-09-26T19:34:00.000-07:00

Pinkpolka Wedding Design is a boutique design studio specializing in custom wedding invitations and stationery. We are seeking a talented designer to intern at our design studio in the Edmonton area.

The internship is a 3-6 month, non-paid position that is best suited for graphic design students with a passion for paper art and a genuine interest in the stationery industry. We offer interns a variety of design projects that can be used in a portfolio (with credit) along with real work experience for a resume. Depending on performance during the internship, a part-time contract position
as a Junior Designer or Studio Assistant may be offered.

DUTIES
An intern’s duties will include a variety of special projects including:
•    Design of corporate promotion material
•    Scan invitations and create layered Photoshop images
•    Concept development for catalogue design
•    Create digital image files for catalogue from native InDesign files

SKILLS
Applicants must possess the following skills:
•    Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop
•    Proficiency with Macs and Apple software/hardware
•    A design aesthetic and style which compliments our work
•    Exceptional typography, layout, and illustration skills
•    Ability to effectively manage and organize digital files
•     Good communication skills (written & verbal)

TRAITS
We are seeking students who are:
•    Outgoing and eager to learn
•    Meticulously organized
•    Creative thinker and problem solver
•    Enthusiastic about design and stationery

If this sounds like you, please complete our online application at: www.pinkpolkadesign.com/intern

We thank all applicants for their interest. All applications will be reviewed to determine which candidates’ education and experience best meets the needs of the position. Only individuals selected for interviews will be contacted.

Personal Project: A Charming Country Baby Shower!

2011-09-14T08:21:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday I had the honour of hosting a baby shower for my best friend who is due with her first child later this month. The shower turned out beautifully so I thought I would share some of the photos. I need to thank all our friends and Réanne's family for helping me bring all the shower details together.

I wanted to make this an elegant brunch affair with some cute and tasty breakfast treats! We had some yummy appetizers including fruit cups, yogurt cups, maple bacon skewers, mini quiche, french toast bites, mini ham & swiss croissants, and assorted pastries. I also had Bluebird Cakes create custom favor cookies for guests to take as they were leaving.

The simple typographic invitations had a country flair with the incorporation of petite floral fabrics sewn in the shape of a flag banner. I used the same fabric throughout the decor for table runners, a banner, and even on the favor packaging.

I had a wonderful time planning this shower and can't wait to meet her little boy!
Congrats to the Lobay family! Lots of love, Jenelle

Real Wedding - Jenelle & Terence

2011-09-01T12:28:00.000-07:00

The approaching long weekend will be my first wedding anniversary! Saying that, I thought there was no better time to finally share the very special wedding photos captured by JDS Photography. My husband and I had such a wonderful day and looking back we both agree we wouldn't have changed a thing! We were lucky enough to be featured on the main page of the ultimate wedding blog, Style Me Pretty. You can view the Style Me Pretty feature here.

The day would not have been possible without the amazing vendors who helped create our special day:
Wedding Planning :: Nuance Occasions
Photography :: JDS Photography
Stationery :: Pinkpolka Wedding Design
Catering :: D'Lish Urban Kitchen & Wine Bar
Venue :: Latitude 53 Visual Culture
Dessert :: Whimsical Cake Studio
Decor Rentals :: Elegant Touches
Dress Design :: R O O Y Couture

Puzzle Guest Books

2011-07-11T17:00:00.000-07:00

I discovered bella Puzzles this year when a client asked me to create a custom illustration for her guest book puzzle. This is such an unique way to preserve the wishes from your wedding guests. You can put pretty much anything on the puzzle including photos (as show below) or in the case of my client, custom artwork. I seen the final product and the quality is phenomenal. You can view all their products on their Etsy store here.

New Head Shots by Jennifer Williams

2011-07-06T16:00:00.000-07:00

I couldn't be happier with my new professional head shots! With a burst of spring fever back in April, I decided new professional head shots were long overdue. I have always admired Jennifer Williams photography style, so I approached her to do a stylized shoot. I wanted to reflect the pretty and sweet nature of the wedding stationery I create, so I used a light pink backdrop adorned with paper poms! My wardrobe, hair, and make-up was completed by an awesome team of professionals who made me look and feel fabulous!

Photos: Jennifer Williams (Jennifer Williams Photography)
Stylist: Lazina McKenzie (L Squared Style)
Hair: Bailey Gartner (Jigsaw Hair)
Make-up: Crystal Nham

4 Ways Stationery Can Transform a Reception Venue

2011-07-04T16:00:00.000-07:00

When a couple is looking for a wedding reception venue many factors influence the decision of what type of venue they will choose. Each venue has pros and cons (which a wedding planner can help you evaluate), but one of the major complaints of many banquet halls is that the décor and ambiance is boring. By adding a few simple stationery elements you can disguise a banquet or reception hall that at first glace might be dull and boring. These are our top 4 suggestions:

Printed Fabric Backdrop
Create a backdrop for the head table or ceremony with a custom pattern or monogram coordinating with the rest of your stationery. These fabric backdrops are also great to frame a cake or candy buffet table. If you are having a photo booth use printed fabric to customize the backdrop of the picture. The backdrop can be a pattern and color from your stationery or get creative and use a special scene that reflects your personality.

Banner
Banners can be used for both decorative and functional purposes. If your venue is difficult to find or is it in a building with multiple floors, banners can help point your guests in the right direction! Set the tone for your guests as they arrive by placing banners at the entrance of your venue and at the guest book table. Banners are also a great way to utilize your engagement photos. Look for spaces in your venue that you could cover a boring wall with a row of banners displaying multiple engagement photos and your monogram and stationery design.

Dance Floor Decal
Create a gorgeous photo opportunity for your first dance by adding a removable vinyl dance floor decal. These decals can be made in any custom size including a full dance floor cover! Display your monogram, names or stationery design in your wedding colors to create a focal point on dance floor!

Framed Graphics
This option is great for couples willing to take on a D-I-Y project to personalize their wedding décor. Have a custom poster-style print created with a monogram, message, or pattern and frame it to create a focal point in your decor. There are lots of places to find simple or unique frames that can easily be spray painted to coordinate with the colors of your wedding décor. My favorite place to start looking for frames is flea markets, antique stores, and Goodwill. Ikea is also a great place to find frames in a variety of shapes and sizes on a budget.

Vendor Spotlight: L Squared Style

2011-06-27T17:00:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to share this feature spotlighting L Squared Style. I worked with Lazina, from L Squared Style, to develop wardrobe for professional head shots, and absolutely loved the experience. I could immediately identify how these services would greatly help brides. Read below to find out more information about L Squared Style and how they can help brides coordinate wardrobe and accessories for their wedding day. Also check-out the website: www.lsquaredstyle.com.

What is the premise of L Squared Style?
The short version is: I help people look amazing! I believe that when you look amazing, you feel amazing and when you feel amazing you exude more confidence, feel more attractive in your own skin and – this is no small thing – share a “better” you with the people around you!

I always have people think about and articulate the answer to the question “what do you want your style to say about you?” It’s not an easy question to answer and one that I believe most people have not taken the time to answer.

Who is the lovely lady of L Squared Style?
I’m really just a person who is creating an opportunity to help people, ALL people – regardless of shape, age, budgets, style preferences, or anything else – find appropriate garments that work best for them. There are SO many people out there that just simply don’t understand that the image that they are presenting to others really does say A LOT about them. This brings me back to my question: what do you want your style to say about you?

What services do you provide to brides and wedding parties and what would be the benefit of hiring a stylist?
The main service that I provide for brides is to help them find the dress (and accessories) that make them look gorgeous – all while keeping within their budget. Shopping for a wedding dress is often times a very stressful undertaking. But it doesn’t have to be; based on the client’s budget, body type, and vision for their big day, I help the bride-to-be pick the shopping options where she is most likely to have success – and fun. Some of the key benefits of working with a style consultant to find your perfect wedding look are:

a. Style advice and guidance – Sometimes, ok oftentimes, a bride thinks she knows what she is looking for in the perfect wedding dress. She’s looked through magazines, she’s bookmarked photos of dresses she loves and, sometimes, she is REALLY insistent on the shape of the dress she wants. Does she consider things like her budget, her body type or her overall vision for the wedding? Sometimes, but not always. That’s where I come in. I help guide her to find the perfect dress that ‘fits’ with her vision – this could include helping her to select the right dress options for her wedding party (and/or groom).

b. Support for the bride – With all the excitement of finding the perfect dress, the bride’s vision for her wedding can get lost (i.e. – sometimes a bride’s entourage does not have her best interest at the forefront… usually an unintentional, honest mistake). To be perfectly honest, my job is to focus on my bride and make sure that finding her dream dress is a fabulous experience.

c. Tracking of the bride’s dress options – With all the dress options available and all the discussion that takes place about each dress, it’s important to keep track of the pros and cons of each dress, and how the bride felt when she tried each one on. I’m able to do this for a bride which relieves her of A LOT of stress! I mean, can you imagine passing up on your dream dress because you forgot how fabulous it looked on you and how special you felt in it??

What would be the best advice you could give to a bride when starting to think about wedding attire and accessories?
The best advice I can share with any bride is to identify and articulate your vision as EARLY AS POSSIBLE. There is nothing worse than a bride who has waited until the so called last minute to find that perfect dress and has no idea what she wants the whole day to be… talk about stress. Yuck! My second piece of advice to all brides-to-be is to book a consultation with L2 Style so I can help guide you towards finding the perfect look (dress, accessories, shoes, etc) that fits with the overall vision for your wedding.

Tips on making your wedding stationery unique

2011-06-15T18:00:00.000-07:00

I was asked by Canadian Living Magazine to provide some tips and tricks that I offer my clients that are trying to create unique wedding stationery. Below are three tips I would suggest to clients that want to have distinctive wedding invitations & stationery.

1. Infuse your personality into your wedding stationery.
I feel it's important for couples to be true to themselves throughout the entire process of planning a wedding, especially when it comes to their wedding stationery. Too often, I have clients that have a strong preference to certain colors and styles of invitations, but want to make sure they conform to conventions they think are proper. Social standards have evolved greatly and it's more common for wedding invitations to be creative and customized with the couple's personality.

2. Use color, texture and shape in your stationery to standout.
The beauty of paper is that it comes in so many colors and textures. To create a distinct invitation mix different styles of paper such as metallic with matte to create texture between all the pieces. A simple way to create impact is to use a colored sheet of paper which is less common than standard white. If you have the budget, there are endless production methods like die-cut, laser-cut, embossing, and letterpress that will stand apart from standard digital printing.

3. Little details make big impact.
There are small stationery details that can be added to a wedding invitations that create big impact. Try adding a envelope liner that reveals a color or pattern when your guest pulls out the invitation. Using a return address sticker with a details of your invitation design will intrigue your guests for what they will find inside. Another special touch is creating custom postage from www.picturepostage.ca that coordinates with your invitations.

Delica Bridal Exclusive Trunk Show!

2011-06-13T18:52:00.000-07:00

We have some more exciting news from Delica Bridal! They will be having an exclusive Jewel by Priscilla of Boston & Reverie by Melissa Sweet Trunk Show on June 25&26. An expert from New York will be in-store for this exciting event. I was at the new store last weekend and it is a gorgeous environment for any bride looking for a designer wedding gown! Make sure to call and book an appointment for this event as space is limited. More information can be found at their website and Facebook fan page.

Real Wedding - Sherri & Kam

2011-05-23T01:00:00.000-07:00

Sherri came to me to create reception stationery for a multi-day celebration including their western wedding reception, which was held in one of my favorite venues, an art gallery. The talented Buffy Goodman captured this unique wedding and you can see the full post on her blog. Below are some of the stationery pieces we created including a custom hardcover guest book, entrance banners, signage and favor tags.

Grand Opening of Edmonton's newest Bridal House

2011-05-16T07:21:00.000-07:00

Attention all brides-to-be! If you are looking for a wedding gown, you do not want to miss checking out the newest bridal house in Edmonton! Delica Bridal carries some of the most exclusive bridal lines including Jenny Yoo, Reverie by Melissa Sweet, and Jewel by Priscilla of Boston. A grand opening celebration will be held on June 11, 2011 with an open house from 12 - 5 p.m. showcasing their amazing line of dresses with two in-house fashion shows at 1:30 and 3:00 p.m. Below is the invitation with all the event details – make sure to mark your calendars!

If this announcement wasn't exciting enough, Delica Bridal will also be having an exclusive trunk show in June! I will be posting details of that event very soon!

Spring is Here Contest!

2011-05-02T06:35:00.000-07:00

Spring is here and that means summer and fall weddings are fast approaching! The invitations might be sent, but don’t forget the reception stationery details that will set your wedding apart from the rest!

Click HERE to enter to win one of the two fabulous reception stationery prizes:

Grand Prize ($700 value)
Add some Pizazz Reception Stationery Package
Package is for 100 guests and includes:
1 Menu per table (12)
Table Numbers (12)
Seating Chart (1)
Table Signs (3)
Small Banner or Small Guest Book (1)
Favor Tags (100)

2nd Prize ($195 Value)
Large Hardcover Guest Book

For more information on the products in our prizes and information on our company visit our website www.pinkpolkadesign.com

Terms and Conditions: Entries accepted from May 2 - 22. Contest closes on May 22, 2011 at midnight. Winner will be announced on May 24, 2011 by random draw. This contest is open to Canadian residents only. Prize does not include shipping cost is winner is located outside of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. No cash value. Prize value can not be used as a credit for other products. Not to be combined with any other offers. Prize must be claimed before July 1st, 2011. We will not share your contact information.

NEW! Exclusive Retailer of D-I-Y Products!

2011-04-25T22:00:00.000-07:00

I am thrilled to announce we are now an exclusive retailer of an exciting line of D-I-Y stationery products. This product line has everything from invitation pockets to favor boxes. Some of the more unique items include box invitations and die-cut resealable labels (great for a save-the-date's where guests can mark their calendar with the sticker!)

Our custom designs clients have the option of incorporating any of these items into their wedding stationery. All the items can be viewed on the website (www.doitwithmoreoptions.com) and orders can be placed in person at our studio, over the phone, or by the order form on our website. (click here to download an order form now!) We also be using some of these products for clients who would like to incorporate custom design.

Happy Easter!

2011-04-21T17:47:00.000-07:00

Edmonton's Royal Wedding Event

2011-04-17T20:00:00.000-07:00

Celebrating the nuptials of Prince William & Catherine Middleton
Friday 29 April 2011 | 3:00 am - 9:00 am

Wake up early to watch the royal wedding in your finest attire for an early morning high tea inspired wedding event! You will enjoy a fashionably designed event, complete with the style of a wedding reception, an English inspired breakfast, and a divine wedding cake. Guests are invited to experience a venue transformation, learn about the local wedding industry, acquire a brief knowledge of Royal Protocol, and be a part of the wedding of the century.

Together, High Culture and MS Productions, wedding and event specialists, will be working with some of Edmonton's leading wedding vendors in order to bring to you an event inspired by the royal wedding celebration and supported by Edmonton’s local wedding industry. Beyond the festivities of Edmonton’s Exclusive Royal Wedding Event, the event sponsors are proud to donate all proceeds in support of the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation and the Edmonton Food Bank.

For further information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.edmontonroyalwedding.com
Please direct all inquiries to Milena Santoro
780.999.5799 | milenasantoroinc@gmail.com

Facebook - Edmonton's Exclusive Royal Wedding Event
Twitter - yegroyalwedding

Real Wedding - Erin & Rob

2011-03-14T12:00:00.000-07:00

Erin and Julianne of A Modern Proposal approached me last summer to create some finishing details for this eco wedding reception. The wedding was held at the Country Lodge in Edmonton, which is a beautifully rustic outdoor location. The best part of this wedding... a puffed wheat cake! Oh ya! Enjoy the images captures by Erik Hornung!

Real Wedding - Jacquelyn & Mike

2011-03-07T12:00:00.000-08:00

I was ecstatic when I saw the photos from Jacquelyn & Mike's wedding day because everything looked so beautiful, including Jacquelyn! Erik Hornung captured all of these precious moments and brilliantly bold details! I especially love the photo of Jacquelyn in the snow, how cute is she? Jacquelyn is no amateur, as she is the owner and lead designer of Hitched Wedding Design. I enjoyed working with her on all these perfectly coordinated stationery details!

Personalized favor tag which doubled as a place card

Tented menu card

Complete table setting

Introducing Letterpress Invitations!

2011-03-01T12:00:00.000-08:00

We are ecstatic to be offering this classic printing method! Before we take a look at our recent letterpress design we should explain what letterpress is by answering some common questions that couples have when making the decision if letterpress is the right option for them.

What is letterpress?
Letterpress printing, also called relief printing, or typographic printing, in commercial printing, process by which many copies of an image are produced by repeated direct impression of an inked, raised surface against sheets or a continuous roll of paper. Letterpress is the oldest of the traditional printing techniques and remained the only important one from the time of Gutenberg, about 1450, until the development of lithography late in the 18th century and, especially, offset lithography early in the 20th. (Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica)

How does it work?
From digitally created artwork a "relief" metal plate is created. The operator will press each sheet with the plate to make an imprint and ink the paper.

How much does letterpress cost?
Letterpress wedding invitations have a much higher cost than digitally printed invitations (flat printing). Because each invitations is individually pressed this process is extremely labor intensive. We have to custom quote this process based on the quantity, design, size, and paper, but you can expect cost to be more than double of digitally printed invitations.

Why would I want to use letterpress?
The final product is luxurious, high-end, and simply brilliant. The historical reference and hand-crafted nature of this printing method will leave your guests with a lasting impression.

Below is the most recent letterpress design we for Stefania & Todd. The picture really does no justice, as this invitation is best experienced when you feel the tactile texture of the cotton paper and imprinted design.

R O O Y Couture Fashion Show

2011-02-28T12:00:00.000-08:00

Pinkpolka was a proud sponsor of the R O O Y Couture fashion show in November 2010, and I also wore my gown as a "real bride"! My maid of honor, Réanne, joined me as we strutted our stuff through the Rutherford house and had a blast! I has more than happy to be a part of the show after Lani, the owner and designer behind R O O Y Couture, had provided me with such an amazing experience by having my gown custom designed. I knew Lani had amazing talent, but was blow away by the vast range of designs she presented at the show. It was so hard to pick a favorite when all the gowns were unique in their own way! Below are some photos of the show.

Invitations & Stationery :: Pinkpolka Wedding Design
Hair :: Alexander Daniel Salon
Decor & Rentals :: Elegant Touches
Make-up :: MG Artistry
Flower arrangements :: La Piazza Dasee
Cupcakes :: Whimsical Cake Studio
Shoes :: Mayfair Shoes
Photography :: McMaster Photographers
Venue :: Rutherford House

Fall Themed Photoshoot by Highculture Events

2011-02-21T12:00:00.000-08:00

Feast your eyes on some gorgeous eye candy shot by JDS Photography, designed by Rebecca of Highculture Weddings & Events and featuring Pinkpolka Wedding Design stationery! All the amazing sweets which included cinnamon apple crème brulée, sugared pears, chocolate petite fours, and chocolate dipped ginger snap biscuits were made by Gloria of The Art of Cake. This shot was even featured on the wedding blog Style Me Pretty!

Julianne's Baby Shower

2011-02-16T21:00:00.000-08:00

I was honored when Julianne asked me to create the stationery for her baby shower event! Julianne is a wedding planner and owner of A Modern Proposal. She is meticulous with details and the photos from the shower captured nothing less than perfection! We created invitations, custom signs, wish cards, and favor tags.

Credits:
Event Planning + Décor Design: A Modern Proposal Event Planning (www.amodernproposal.com)
Photos: Capture It! (http://captureitphotography.ca/)
Stationery: Pinkpolka Wedding Design (http://pinkpolkadesign.com/)
Cookies + Cupcakes: Bluebird Cakes (http://www.bluebirdcakes.ca/)
Fresh Flowers: La Piazza Dasee (http://www.dasee.ca/)

Part 2: Vintage Fishing Dock Stylized Photoshoot

2011-02-14T21:00:00.000-08:00

And now, the continuation of the luxurious stylized rustic glam photo shoot that was featured on Style Me Pretty!

Part 1: Vintage Fishing Dock Stylized Photoshoot

2011-02-07T21:00:00.000-08:00

Last fall I had the pleasure of working with some amazing local vendors to create a truly unique stylized shoot! With the help of La PIazza Dasee and Eternal Reflections Photography Jennifer Bergman of Jennifer Bergman Weddings and myself created a rustic glam table setting on a fishing dock! This shoot was even featured by the popular wedding blog Style Me Pretty! Enjoy the photos captured by Radelle of Eternal Reflections Photography.

Share the Love - Valentine's DIY Download

2011-02-06T20:11:00.000-08:00

Remember the excitement in elementary school when classmates and even secret admirers would send Valentine's notes? I do, and it was so much fun! I thought I would bring back some old school tradition and create a Valentine's card that you can surprise someone with! Maybe you can leave one of these notes for an unsuspecting co-worker or deliver one to your best friends mailbox! Have fun and share the love! Click here to download the PDF.

Directions:

1. Use a thick card stock paper;

2. Print the PDF file, using your desktop printer;

3. Use an x-acto knife and cutting mat to trim along the dotted lines;

4. Finally, leave this card as a surprise for someone special on February 14th!

Beach Themed Photoshoot by Highculture Events

2011-02-01T01:00:00.000-08:00

This gorgeous beach themed photo shoot was created by Rebecca of Highculture Weddings & Events and makes me dream of a much warmer destination as we are in the middle of winter here and Edmonton. Enjoy the eclectic, cool and breezy photographs shot by Erik Hornung featuring sweet treats by The Art of Cake, flowers by Off Whyte Floral Studio, linens by Elegant Touches, and stationery by your very own, Pinkpolka Wedding Design!

Saveena & Rodnie's Pre-wedding Party

2011-01-20T01:00:00.000-08:00

I had to share these amazing images by Katch Studios of a Pre-wedding party (Sangeet) for one of our September 2010 clients. The amount of detail and consideration that went into the planning of the Sangeet is mind-blowing. All the coordination and design was executed by Jennifer Bergman Weddings. I jealous I was unable to see the party in person, but I happened to be getting married the say day! The custom stationery for this party included an entrance banner, directional signs, table numbers, and the bride & groom chair signs.

Using Your Wedding Invitation as Cake Inspiration

2011-01-18T01:00:00.001-08:00

Yes that's right, you can use your invitation as a starting point for the design of your wedding cake. Obviously, I adore this idea and have seen it done with an amazing end result. I had the opportunity to collaborate with Gloria of The Art of Cake for a stylized photo shoot organized by Rebecca of High Culture Weddings & Events, where Gloria used my artwork as inspiration for her marvelous creation. I absolutely love the final product she came up with!

This is the hand-painted watercolor design I created for the invitation.

A close-up of the design from the invitation.

This is the marvelous cake Gloria design using my invitation as inspiration. So beautiful!

Style Me Pretty Feature - Autumn Photoshoot

2011-01-12T09:43:00.000-08:00

It is such an honor to be featured again on the fabulous wedding blog Style Me Pretty. This autumn feature was coordinated by Rebecca of High Culture Events with photography by Julie of JDS Photography and sweets by The Art of Cake. I am in love with the rich color and texture of the decor, sweets, and stationery, which is complimented by Julie's unique eye for composition. Thank you to Style Me Pretty for featuring our work!

Save-the-Dates

2011-01-06T01:00:00.000-08:00

With the new year finally here I thought this would be the perfect time to remind engaged couples getting married in 2011 about save-the-date stationery!

Save the dates should be sent at least 6 months in advance with the invitation to follow 6-8 weeks in advance. If you are planning a long-haul destination wedding I suggest sending save-the-dates up to 12 months in advance so guests can make travel arrangements, schedule time off work, and plan financially. You don't have to send save-the-dates to everyone. If you only have a few guests that will be traveling from out of town you can send them to those guests only. Remember, local guests only need 6-8 weeks notice in the form of a wedding invitation.

The information included on a "save the date" card is the couples name, the wedding date and location, "formal invitation to follow" and a wedding website if you have one. Some of the most popular formats are a small insert in an envelope, magnets and postcards.
Here are a couple of guidelines and tips when considering your save-the-date:

Keep it consistent
I know it's tempting when your in a time crunch to quickly throw something together for your save-the-date, but you should make sure this piece is just as considered as your invitation. Keep in mind this will now be the first glimpse into your wedding and it should have a consistent "look" with the rest of your stationery. It might seem like a small detail, but doing it right will make a big difference!

Be creative
Are you getting married in a unique location or venue? Are there certain aspects of your wedding that you can link to your save the date? Below is an example of a couple getting married July 2011 on Pender Island, B.C. The bride decided to incorporate a ferry ticket since all the guests will be taking a ferry to the Island. I designed the ticket similar to a photo she found of an actual ferry ticket and used a heart hole punch to note the month and day of the wedding.

Make a Statement
Even though save-the-dates usually come in small packages there is no reason you can't wow your guests. I love the idea of creating something usable that your guests can interact with. What about doing a mini calendar that the guests can use at the same time as counting down the days until your wedding!

Utilize Engagement Photos
If you have engagement photos that you want to feature in your wedding stationery, save-the-date cards are a great way to do so.

Contest - Jennifer Bergman Weddings

2011-01-03T22:00:00.000-08:00

If you are recently engaged you need to check out this contest! Jennifer Bergman Weddings is giving away FREE planning consultations to three lucky + in love couples! Visit her blog for details on how to enter!

Merry Christmas from Pinkpolka!

2010-12-20T01:00:00.000-08:00

Wishing everyone a safe and happy Christmas season! We will be closed for the holidays from December 20 - January 3. Thank you to our amazing clients and vendors for a fabulous 2010! We look forward to seeing you all in the New Year!

Christmas Gift Tag Template

2010-12-14T18:41:00.000-08:00

For all of you that missed it last year, I wanted to re-post the link to our Christmas download from last year. These DIY gift tags may come in handy as you are feverishly wrap all your presents with only 10 days until Christmas! Click here to access the post.

Relax & Treat Yourself this Holiday Season!

2010-12-14T01:00:00.000-08:00

The holidays can be hectic so I decided to share a couple of my favorite recipes (courtesy of Martha Stewart) to help you all relax & treat yourself! Below are the recipe cards for these scrumptious treats! ENJOY!

Mardi Gras Masquarade Christmas Invitation

2010-12-06T01:00:00.000-08:00

I am in love with these Christmas party invitations! Not only did the party come with a fun Mardi Gras theme, but also a budget for some spectacular finishing details! This invite is printed on a metallic stock with a custom die-cut, embossing and gold foil. Believe me when I say the picture does not do this piece justice! I also had the opportunity to design a coordinating welcome package which included drink and photo booth tickets along with a raffle ballot.

Real Wedding - Allison & Alan

2010-11-23T01:00:00.000-08:00

Allison came to me to me for non-traditional and fun wedding invitations and reception stationery. The teal and hot pink assemble was so endearing and a blast for me to design! Check out these sweet shots from Just Married Photography taken from Allison & Alan's September wedding!

Entrance Banner

Table Number - Front

Table Number - Back

Dance Floor Decal

Black is Back!

2010-11-16T01:00:00.000-08:00

This last summer black was an extremely popular color for our invitation designs (including my own!). Seeing this trend I thought I would share some of these beautifully bold, black designs!

My Wedding Featured on Style Me Pretty!

2010-11-11T01:00:00.000-08:00

I am totally swooning over the fact that my wedding is featured on one of the most prestigious wedding blogs! Since being engaged, I always knew I wanted our wedding to be featured on Style Me Pretty. Like a little girl that dreams of her wedding day, I dreamed of the day my wedding would grace the blog pages of Style Me Pretty along with the extraordinary weddings that exude style and beauty! Without further ado the day is her and I am excited for our family and friends to see all the amazing photos taken by JDS Photography. I am forever grateful to all the amazing vendors who helped create the atmosphere of a wedding worthy of Style Me Pretty, including my trusted Wedding Planner, Jolyn, of Nuance Occasions. To view the full Style Me Pretty feature Click here!

Real Wedding - Crystal & Gareth

2010-11-04T01:00:00.000-07:00

Crystal & Gareth are truly a fun-loving couple that everyone loves. It was apparent how much they are loved by the vast bridal party they had with 8 attendants on each side! I was honored not only to design the invitations and stationery for these two friends, but also attend the wedding celebration on 10.10.10. While at the wedding I snapped some photos of the stationery to share, but can't wait to see the pro photos of the wedding by Objekt Photography. The day ran perfectly thanks to the expertise of Jennifer Bergman Weddings who also was a bridesmaid in the bridal party! Thank you Crystal & Gareth for trusting me with your vision and allowing me to be part of your special day!

Monogram Frame

Monogram used for gobo light

Hardcover guest book

Place cards

Ceremony program

Seating chart

Real Wedding - Rebecca & Brad

2010-10-26T01:00:00.000-07:00

I was delighted to discover the lovely Jen Williams of Jen Williams Photography was the photographer for a mutual client. Below are a couple of Jen's gorgeous images of the dance floor decal and menu I designed for Rebecca & Brad's wedding. The wedding was held at the Oasis Conference Center in August of 2010. Rebecca's sister-in-law decided to surprise her with the dance floor decal I installed on the the day of the wedding without Rebecca knowing. Rebecca & Brad, I hope you enjoyed the surprise and had a fabulous wedding day!

Make sure to check out this gorgeous couple's full set of wedding photos on Jen Williams Photography newly designed website!

R O O Y Couture Fashion Show - An Invitation to all Brides

2010-10-13T01:00:00.000-07:00

If you are a bride, you do not want to miss this exclusive fashion show by R O O Y Couture! Come take in the luxurious one-of-kind gowns created right here in Edmonton, Alberta. Owner, Lani, is a talented designer whom I had the pleasure of working with for my wedding gown this year. Pinkpolka Wedding Design is not only sponsoring this fashion show, but myself and my matron of honor will be showing off the unique gowns we had created by R O O Y Couture at the show. Make sure to RSVP early as space is limited. See the below image for details.

2nd Birthday Party Invite

2010-10-08T01:00:00.000-07:00

Never mind the cute design I created, this is the cutest 2-year old I have every seen! I might be a little bias since London is my niece! I was happy to create a girly, yet vibrate birthday invite which included the sweetest picture of the birthday girl. I can't wait to celebrate with this little one next month!

Real Wedding - Danielle & Chris

2010-09-29T01:00:00.000-07:00

This past June Danielle & Chris had a whimsical fairytale wedding, that came together beautifully! Danielle admits she had to use Pinkpolka Wedding Design for her stationery simply because our name had her favorite color in it.... PINK!! I had such a lovely time working with Danielle to not only create her Cinderella inspired invitations, but also the variety of reception stationery that accompanied it. I was so impressed with Danielle's consideration of every little detail in the wedding decor that was executed by Jennifer Bergman Weddings on the day of. Especially impressive was the extensive and elaborate candy table...yum! Below are some fabulous photographs of their reception stationery taken by Shandro Photo.

Beautifully considered candy table with 3 customs framed signs

"How sweet of you to join us" framed sign

"Please help yourselves" self-standing table sign

Table names which used famous and celebrity couples

Favor tag

Die-cut butterfly place cards

Gift opening invitation

Ceremony programs

Custom hard-cover guest book

Seating Chart with gorgeous tassel, crystal and wood details that the bride created herself!

Erin & Rob Sneak Peak

2010-09-24T01:00:00.000-07:00

I created reception stationery for Erin & Rob's eco-friendly wedding, which was held in early September and was coordinated by Julianne of A Modern Proposal Event Planning. I got a sneak peak at the favor stickers and can't wait to see the other amazing shots taken by Erik Hornung. You can see the full post of Erin & Rob's bridal and formal photos on Erik's blog.

My Wedding Invitation!

2010-09-21T01:00:00.000-07:00

For my wedding I created bold graphics in a black, white and yellow color palette. I was inspired by deco Palm Springs interiors and my favorite designer, Jonathan Alder. I challenged myself to create a simple package that was compact and tidy. My solution was a custom die-cut pocket which, from the front, appeared as a standard 5"x7" postcard style invite, but had a pocket on the back which housed the rsvp insert and reply envelope.

All pieces were printed on Classic Crest's duplex in solar white and epic black. To create a subtle black on black pattern on the back of the invite and rsvp insert I printed a double hit of black using a UV printer, which gave the effect of gloss foil. While majority of the printed invitation and rsvp were black and white I decided to make a bold statement by using a bright yellow outer envelope, complete with a 4bar reply envelope.

Instead of using a monogram I decided to use the word "LOVE" as our wedding logo which was applied through out the reception stationery. Keep checking back, as I will reveal more of the unique reception stationery details I created!

Get Creative with Guestbooks!

2010-09-10T01:00:00.000-07:00

With all the customization happening now in weddings there is no exception to the guest book. I find a lot of couples are deciding to prompt guest to respond with more than just "name" and "message". By using unique page layouts in custom hard-cover guest books or using wish cards with a specific question guests are required to dig a little deeper for meaningful messages. See below for some examples of recent guest books pages and wish cards.

Custom page layout from a hard-cover guest book, including photo insert

Single guest book page on 8.5"x11" sheet of paper

Custom wish card

Travel Packages for Destination Weddings

2010-08-31T01:00:00.000-07:00

One of my clients this year had a destination wedding in Mexico. The groom was from Mexico, but all of the brides guest were traveling from Edmonton. They decided to add a very special touch and create a travel folder with useful information for all of the guests coming from Canada. The thought and planning involved in this package was spectacular and if I was a guest at this wedding I would have felt pretty special. Since the groom was an "insider" on the culture they provided the travelers with useful Spanish translations, along with Mexico traveling tips. They had also arranged numerous activities aside from the wedding which were included in the wedding week itinerary. The bride kept one side of the folder for the inserts I designed and then put a pocket on the other side so they could put in brochures from the hotel for other activities that were available! Genius! I loved getting to work on such a unique project!

A Twist on the Pocket-fold Invite

2010-08-17T01:00:00.000-07:00

As a graphic designer, I am always trying to figure out how I can create new formats for invitations. The pocket-fold invitation is a traditional format sold in virtually every stationery store. Trying to be different, I generally steer away from this type of invitation. It also bothered me that I was unable to print on these pre-formatted pocket-folds, which made me feel completely limited when creating a design! I do however like the fact that a pocket can keep multiple pieces of information together in a tidy package. So voila.. I created my own version of the pocket. I created this custom die-cut that can be used with any graphic artwork. Having the invite on the front and the pocket directly attached to the back also uses less paper than the traditional tri-fold pocket invitation.

DIY Cake Decorating

2010-08-10T01:00:00.000-07:00

I had to share this super cool product line I came accross the other day. It's called Duff and it's a cake decorating line by Duff Goldman who is a baker and food artist. He founded and owns Baltimore's Charm City Cakes bakery, and stars in the hit Food Network show, Ace of Cakes. Duff's work has been featured on Food Network Challenge, Iron Chef America, Oprah, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and more. The product line has everything from baking essentials to prepackaged fondant and my particular favorite, cake tattoos! See some of the exciting images below or visit the website: at www.duff.com

Cake tattoo in animal print!

My favorite - sprinkles! And how chic is black, white and silver!

Prepackaged fondant for those of us incapable of making it!

Latest Laser-Cut Design

2010-08-03T01:00:00.000-07:00

All I can say is WOW! This invite turned out to be amazingly gorgeous. The laser-cut on the front panel adds a sophisticated element of detail and the elegant color choice of purple, silver, and ivory makes this a rich and classic invitation. Enjoy the photos below of our latest creation!

Children's Carnival Birthday Invitation

2010-07-27T01:00:00.000-07:00

I was ecstatic when Ailynn of Whimsical Cake Studio asked me to create a carnival style birthday invite for her daughter's 1st birthday party. I had fun using over-the-top circus themed fonts and graphics, and even shaped the invite like a ticket with inverted corners. This birthday party will have everything from a petting zoo and face-painting to a good old-fashioned ring toss game. I was also asked to create a coordinating poster along with signs and sweet table labels. I'm sure all the children and adults will have a blast at this party and I can't wait to see the photos!

The complete package came tied in a coordinating blush pink and fuchsia ribbon
with a Razzleberry envelope and a fun envelope sealer

A coordinating map helped guest find all the fun!

Bridal Party Invitations

2010-07-22T07:35:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for a creative way to invite your besties to stand-up for you on your wedding day, look no further. We've created a super cute free download for you to use as a Bridesmaid and Matron of Honor invite! You can either attached the PDF to an email or print them out and place them in a envelope (5.5" envelope). Check out the images below.

To download the MOH invite click here.

To download the Bridesmaid invite click here.

Pinkpolka is now in Style Me Pretty's Little Black Book!

2010-07-15T08:51:00.000-07:00

A couple weeks ago my inbox was graced with an exclusive invitation from Style Me Pretty's Little Black Book! Being a huge fan of the gorgeous wedding blog, I was beyond excited. Today, the Pinkpolka Wedding Design profile is live on the site! You can view the profile here. We still have to add a portfolio and other tidbits so check back next time you are enjoying the beautiful eye candy on SMP!

Bridal Stationery Trends: Martha Stewart Weddings

2010-07-05T01:00:00.000-07:00

I was one of the attendees of the National Stationery Show who were the first to hear these exciting new findings delivered by Darcy Miller, Editor of Martha Stewart Weddings. These trends were determined from a survey done by Martha Stewart Weddings in partnership with the National Stationery Show.

Trend 1: Personalization
This is a continuing trend for the past few years. Couples are bringing more unique and personalized details to their wedding so why wouldn’t they do the same for their wedding stationery. The invitations set the tone for the wedding and this is the perfect opportunity to reflect the couples personality and style.

Above: Travel was a key characteristic of this couple’s relationship leading up to the wedding as the bride was from Texas and the groom from Calgary. Not only did the bride want the invitation to reflect a boarding pass, but also wanted to include a collage of items that defined their relationship. Items in the leaf collage include popcorn, a camera, suitcase, along with many others!

Trend 2: More Colour
Using more colour in stationery is something brides indicated was important. This trend definitely did not surprise me, as the majority of my clients are enthusiastic to incorporate lots of colour in their stationery. Traditionally, invitations were only created using white paper. As tradition and etiquette evolved with culture, it was no longer a faux pas to use colour in wedding invitations. Today we see bright and vibrant colours used to emphasize the couples personality and tone of the wedding day.

Above: The first thing this bride told me was that the invite had to be bright pink and blue. She had a clear vision for the invite and was not afraid to use bold colour. She also loved polka dots (just like me) so I had so much fun using a varied scale of polka dots with the bright vibrant hues.

Trend 3: More Crafty
Brides are looking to give stationery a personal touch without sacrificing quality. The term crafty does not necessarily mean brides want to make their own invites, but rather add a crafty element as a final touch. This could be using a ribbon as a cigar band or adding a metal brad to the final professional printed invitation. This trend is something I have experienced with a few of my clients this year where I collaborated on a crafty detail they wanted to include. These couples wanted their invites to look professional and polished but still be part of the process by adding a do-it-yourself element.

Above: This peacock inspired invite was designed specifically for a ribbon and peacock feather the bride had brought to me in the first consultation. I made a single-fold perforated invite that was sealed closed with the ribbon and finished with the single peacock feather on the front.

Trend 4: More Customized
Similar to infusing personality into the invitations, couples want to give a sense of place that the wedding will take place. Tailoring the invitation to match the tone and theme of the wedding is an increasing trend.

Above: Lily and James wanted a fun and light-hearted invite for their destination wedding in Jamaica. I used a postcard style format with over-the-top animations and display typeface to reinforce the playful headline of "Jamaicus Happy & Come to our Wedding!”

Trend 5: More Wow
This trend is right up my alley! I am always trying to come up with unique printing, paper and construction of invitations. The wow factor for brides means that their invitation is more sophisticated, considered, arresting, and beautiful.
Recently, I produced a laser-cut invitation that has refined details unlike anything most people have seen. I am also working on providing more die-cut invitations, which means the shapes are unique and unexpected. I also like to work with coloured and textured papers and envelopes that can create unique effects.
A variety of sizes can also create a wow factor. The standard invitation size fits in an A7 envelope which measures 5.25” x 7.25”, but many couples have been using square and long rectangle shapes to create a modern and contemporary feel.

Above: The sample shows the use of a rich emerald green translucent envelope revealing the bold black and white artwork underneath. The couple was inspired by a pattern on a duvet cover they owned. We used the duvet cover as reference for their wedding invitation design.

Smart Phone Technology

2010-06-30T01:00:00.000-07:00

While at the National Stationery Show in New York I attended a presentation by Stacie Francombe, the Founder and Editor in Chief of Get Married media. One of the facets of the multimedia company includes a printed magazine. After receiving a copy of the magazine at the presentation Stacie drew our attention to the latest use of the Microsoft Tag technology. The Tag technology allows brides to take a picture of the tag printed in the magazine, using their smart phone, which will automatically link the user to video, websites and any other information from the page which the tag appeared.

To get started all you have to do is download a free application. This technology will help brides-on-the-go get information faster. If they see a dress they like, all they have to do is click the tag which will take them directly to the designers website. Wow, I thought this was pretty cool. Below is a picture of what the tags look like in the magazine. You can read the full Get Married press release here.

Parisian Garden - Reception Stationery

2010-06-28T01:00:00.000-07:00

I was thrilled when Jolyn of Nuance Occasions asked me to do the stationery for her Parisian Garden wedding. She transformed a banquet room at the Fantasy Land Hotel into an eloquent blue, silver, and white french quarter!

This wedding is a great example of how you can use stationery to create a finished and polished look. Jolyn took the stationery a step further by framing place cards for the head table, framing table numbers in petite antique frames, displaying place cards on a custom built display frame, and even framing the couples monogram above the head table.

The details were Detail shots below were provided by Picture That Photography. Enjoy!

Plans have changed...

2010-06-23T01:00:00.000-07:00

So it turns out I'm going to be getting married sooner than expected! Like early this September....yes this September! As life generally goes, things have changed and we've made the decision to go for it! I'm sure it will be a whirlwind, just how I like it. I have hired planner extraordinaire, Jolyn Saramaga, of Nuance Occasions to be my right-hand woman.

We have booked Latitude 53, a quaint local gallery nestled in the historic Creamery Building in downtown Edmonton. The venue is booked, but the rest of the details are yet to come! I do know that it will be a bold and chic evening ceremony and dinner. I have been inspired by the Deco Palm Springs interior design and will be using a lot of black, white and yellow patterns! I can't wait to share more of the exciting plans as they develop!

Bridal Etiquette for the Modern Couple

2010-06-21T11:53:00.000-07:00

When you think of etiquette do you think of a set of rigid rules that society feels obliged to adhere to? Actually, etiquette is quite the contrary. Etiquette gives us structure to makes things run smoothly and make others feel comfortable. I was able to attend a session with Peggy Post of the Emily Post Institute at the 2010 National Stationery Show and she provided great insight into etiquette for the modern couple. Below are some of the key points she discussed.

Invitation Wording
The invitation wording is a personal decision and I try to guide my client in the writing process, but ultimately leave the decision to the couple and their family. To my surprise, Peggy did say that RSVP by email was an acceptable method. There are a number of important key points to think about when writing your invitation wording.

A major consideration of invitation wording is affected by who is paying for the wedding. Traditionally, only those paying would issue the invitation. But in modern weddings there are usually multiple contributors including the couple and both the bride and groom's parents. There are various ways of including "families" or parents into the wedding wording and I suggest my clients visit www.verseit.com for ideas.

There are also finer details to wording including grammar! A few of these examples include:
1. always spell out any numbers under 10
2. use "half after four o'clock" for times half past the hour
3. spell everything out completely including addresses, cities and provinces or states

Registry Information
This is a tricky topic that many clients ask me for advice. I discourage clients from including registry information, but some couples are comfortable doing so. According to Peggy, registry information should never appear anywhere on the formal wedding invitation. The invitation should strictly serve the function of inviting, focus on the gift can come later. The couple can use their family and bridal party to spread word of mouth details of where the couple is registered. If the couple has a wedding website, Peggy did say this is an appropriate place to include the gift registry information.

Guest Dilemmas
Adult Only: It's ok to have an adult only wedding, but Peggy says it is not alright to bluntly state "Adults only" or "No children" on the invite. She says to make a clear set of rules regarding children and to stick to those guidelines. Will you only allow children that are immediate family? Or children that are in the bridal party? Whatever the case, you need to be firm on your decision. The envelopes should be clearly addressed and if there are sticky situations they should always be resolved with a polite call explaining the situation.
Guest of a Guest: You are required to invite a guest of a guest if it is their spouse, fiancé, or live-in romantic partner. You are not required to invite a guest of a guest if it is their boyfriend/girlfriend or they are single. When inviting a guest of a guest you should always use their name whenever possible.
A & B List: It is acceptable to send "B list" invites if you receive declined responses from your first set of invitations sent. You do however, have to ensure the "B list" guests receive the adequate notice of 6-8 weeks.

Tradition
Peggy says we look to tradition because we know it works, and it gives people comfort because they know what to expect. Peggy further explained how traditions change and evolve and that it's alright to leave a tradition behind. We do however have to realize how our decision to depart from tradition will affect someone else. Peggy also suggests to only choose traditions that are meaningful to the couple. Traditionally, wedding invitations could only use white paper, but this tradition has made a departure with current trends that suggest couples are looking for lots of colour to be incorporated into their wedding stationery.

Like tradition, etiquette has changed over time and will continue to do so. For example, it wasn't standard to send RSVP cards until the 1980s! I found that hard to believe! Just as trends change, etiquette evolves with culture. Will the inclusion of a registry card be next? Peggy hopes not!

Thank You Notes
Peggy shared key points on the anatomy of a thank-you note:
- send within 3 months of receiving the gift
- write at least 3-5 sentences
- thank for the specific gift and be sincere
- should only be written from one person (thank on behalf of your other half)
- always find something nice to say about the gift even if you don't like it!

Candy Table Stationery

2010-06-01T01:00:00.000-07:00

Shandro Photo had grand opening to reveal their new studio space and as part of the celebration Whimsical Cake Studio created a custom teal and white treat table which I created cute stationery for! Below are some pics of the sweet treats! To view more pictures of the Shandro grand opening visit their blog.

Vendor Spotlight: Jennifer Bergman Weddings

2010-05-27T13:14:00.000-07:00

I have had the pleasure to work with Jennifer of Jennifer Bergman weddings on a couple of occasions and I truly admire Jenn's precise nature in everything she does. Jen has the perfect mix of qualities for a wedding planner. She is thorough, sharp and creative. She has helped me style a reception stationery photo shoot when I couldn't be there and I feel any bride and groom can trust her with the details of their wedding. I got Jenn to answer some questions about Jennifer Bergman Weddings as well as some of her observations of current wedding trends. I love her thoughtful answers! For more information you can visit her website at: www.jenniferbergmanweddings.com

What makes Jennifer Bergman Weddings unique?
I have a background in marketing, and this helps me to truly “brand” a wedding from start to finish. I believe your theme and wedding style should be infused throughout the entire event – no detail is too small!

Who is the perfect client for Jennifer Bergman Weddings?
Couples who are excited about the planning process. I love to share in their enthusiasm, and it’s great when the couple has some idea what they want but are still very open to adding unique elements to their special day.

Why is it important for couple to hire a wedding planner?
Your wedding is probably the biggest party you’ll throw in your lifetime. You’re likely going to hire several vendors and spend a significant amount of money on the event – it only makes sense to hire a professional to oversee it all.
Even if you do have the time to put into the planning process, it’s advisable to budget for a wedding day or wedding month coordinator. There are so many details and logistics to take care of leading up to a wedding – not to mention the coordination required on the day itself. You don’t want to burden yourselves, your mothers or your bridal party with that task.

What is your favourite part of planning a wedding?
I really love getting to know my couples and working with them to design the wedding of their dreams. Each couple is so unique and I’m quite lucky to share such a personal journey with them.

What are your sources of inspiration?
Everything beautiful and interesting in this world. I love looking at architecture, nature, fashion and art for inspiration. I also love traveling and experiencing different cultures – I think it opens my mind to new and creative ways of thinking and doing.

What are some of the current wedding trends this season?
1. Angled flower arrangements: think Jeff Leatham.
2. Over-the-top candy buffet tables: they’re becoming more of a décor element than dessert!
3. Paying more attention to accessories for the bride, groom and attendants: from statement jewelery to stylish socks.
4. Unique entertainment: some of my clients are in love with the idea of having dueling pianists at
their reception to entertain guests. I’m also doing a wedding with live caricature artists who will sketch guests and the drawing will be their take-home favour.

What are your favourite color combination's?
What a tough question. I definitely have a lot…but a couple of my favourite combination's right now for weddings are:
Pink + Peach + Cream + Gold (romantic and feminine) and
Charcoal + Turquoise + Silver (modern and streamlined)

New Blog for the Urban Inspired Bride

2010-05-21T01:00:00.000-07:00

Atlas! An amazing blog that caters to the Urban Bride. I have recently discovered theurbanbride.com I have a certain soft spot for these types of weddings as I myself yearn for everything modern and urban. I always enjoy the beautiful and romantic weddings featured on Style me Pretty and Wedding Chicks, but there is something that excites me when I see a sharp and edgy wedding. I am excited to follow this new blog and hope to get some ideas and inspiration! Enjoy! I know I will!

Vendor Spotlight: Whimsical Cake Studio

2010-05-19T01:00:00.000-07:00

Whimsical Cake Studio is "a unique cupcake and cake design company in Edmonton owned by husband and wife team, Ken and Ailynn. [They] cater to clients who have a clever sense of taste and style. [They] think of each cupcake and cake as an original work of art designed just for you!" Recently, they have moved their cute studio to a trendy little spot in Garneau. I had a chance to ask Ailynn some questions about choosing a wedding cake and other options available for weddings.

1. Can you give me a brief description of Whimsical Cakes and the services and products offered.
Products that we offer include custom 3D cakes, cupcakes, and cookies. We also provide styling services for events and weddings for sweet tables.

2. Are there any limitations when it comes to cakes or are the possibilities endless?
Endless...almost! :) Icing and fondant are very versatile so depending on the request, just about anything can be created.

3. What has been your favorite wedding cake to date?
I don't think I have one favourite, but I do enjoy creating cakes for Indian weddings as the cakes are always so unique and colorful!

4. What are the most important things for couples to know when choosing a wedding cake?
Couples should try to make their cake exciting and meaningful! Anyone can select a cake from a catalog, but in order to make it special, the cake should reflect something more personal and be memorable.

5. Can you identify some current trends in cakes and/or wedding treats.
Most current trend comes from fashion. We recreate a lot of cakes that are inspired from haute couture! Cakes include some bling, ruffles, patters, lace, pearls, etc.
Couples are also wanting sweet tables...mini sweets that surround their wedding cake! This makes for some serious eye candy.

6. What is the most popular flavor of cake?
Our chocolate buttermilk cake with real raspberry buttercream is our most popular, but we have a new flavour: chocolate and vanilla with a skor buttercream...YUMMO!

7. How far in advance should couples place their order?
Because of the care put into wedding cakes, we take limited orders and seem to book up about 4-6 months ahead of time. The more notice that is given, the better the chance for us to fill their order.

8. What is one thing most people don't know about Whimsical Cakes?
That we can do it all! YES! We do cakes, cupcakes, cookies, chocolates, and more!!! The oddest question that we get (at least once a day) is "do you make cakes?" WE ABSOLUTELY DO! LOL.

All Images from Whimsical Cake Studio's website

NEW! Laser-cut Invitations

2010-05-17T01:00:00.000-07:00

I am happy to announce that Pinkpolka Wedding Design now has laser-cut invitations. I have always gushed over the couture designs of Ceci New York and now we can have a little taste of that luxury in Edmonton! Our first ever laser cut invitation turned out beautifully. Here is a sneak peak of the Hollywood glamour inspired invitation using a laser-cut folder. Wait until you see the fabulous full invitation set to come!

Gone to NYC

2010-05-14T01:00:00.000-07:00

Today I am on a plane to NYC! I am thrilled to be attending the National Stationery Show and will be ready to come back with tons of inspiration for my couple's planning their invitations for fall weddings!

The office will be closed from May 14 - 23. If you are interested in booking an appointment please use our online appointment scheduler and I will get back to you as soon as possible. Bye for now!

Vendor Spotlight: Eternal Reflections Photography

2010-05-13T07:00:00.000-07:00

I love making new connections with other wedding industry vendors. My latest connection is with Radelle of Eternal Reflections Photography. I had a chance to ask her a few questions about her craft and business of photography. After the post enjoy some beautiful eye candy of Radelle's provided images! For more information visit her website at: www.eternalreflectionsphoto.com

1. Where are you located?
Edmonton, Alberta. We serve the local market, but also photograph tons of Destination Weddings (we even offer 3 free ones/year )!

2. How did you decide to become a photographer?
As cliché as it sounds, I have always loved photography & used to dress my sisters up as brides (when I was a little girl), using a table cloth for their dress & another one for their veil & make them pose! I went to university & got my psych degree, but while doing that my photography company took off! Being a photographer was far more fun then being a psychologist for me, so I ran with it!

3. How would you describe your style of photography?
Romantic, Passionate & Stylish.

4. What sets you apart from other photographers?
Firstly, my passion. I only photograph couples (engagements & weddings). I don't do babies or families, etc because I am not passionate about them. As such I am a specialist in weddings & love. Clients always comment on how much fun the shoots are, and I think that is because I genuinely love my job! Love it! People tease me about being such a romantic, but its working' for me!

Additionally, I give my clients the DVD of high resolution images, with EVERY single image touched up. I think this is key. Modern, sophisticated brides want their weddings images & they don't want the hassle of seeing tiny low resolution proofs and then having to order every single images that they want at a very inflated price from their photographer. I empower my clients & treat them the way that I would want to be treated. With ALL of my wedding images, looking perfect.

5. Tell me about your team of partners at Eternal Reflections Photography
There are 3 of us at Eternal Reflections Photography. We are all partners & have the same shooting style. Adam (my husband) is beyond talented and has a huge fan base! Kari (my sister) is a fan favourite as her work is fabulous and she is a total bubble to be around!

6. What other products do you offer once the photos are taken?
ALL of our clients get ALL of their images (highest quality resolution) on a DVD. All of the images are perfectly touched up. In our upper two packages, brides also receive the most fabulous album! We are the only company in Canada that carries this type of album and it is a huge honour! We also carry prints, slideshows & Large stunning Gallery Wraps.

7. Who is your perfect client?
A stylish confident woman who is madly in love. Who values Fabulous photography & Chic albums.

8. What should I bride look for when making a decision on who to hire as a wedding photographer?
1) You need to make sure that you are receiving your HIGH RESOLUTION digital files (negatives). This is key for facebook, blogs, emailing. This enables you to print whatever you want, whenever you want, for whomever you want. Your bridesmaids will no longer have to order a $40 8x10 from your photographer, as you can get your own printing (at a professional lab, recommended by your photographer). This empowers you with your own images & changes the way your photographer photographs your wedding.

The other thing to think about is that photographers whose focus is selling prints are gearing their shooting only towards shots that you will for sure buy. So they are mainly focusing on the family formals (as moms and dads will for sure buy them!, posed images of the two of you & certain ceremony moments. Thus knowing that Brides and Grooms have a budget, and can only purchase so much, they don’t capture the small details, the stolen glances, the laughter, the Brides shoes, the groomsmen goofing off, the Bride being silly and sweet! They don’t capture the day in full, because they are shooting to sell, and not shooting to capture. We shoot to capture. We want to you have too many images, too many memories, too many details!

2) Additionally, make sure that your photographer is touching up every single image on your disc. The last thing you want is images (no matter how great they are) straight out of the camera. You deserve beautifully hand touched images. (see more about that here: http://www.eternalreflectionsblog.com/archives/3265

9. What is the most important thing you want couples to know about Eternal Reflections Photography?
That we are Internationally Award winning photographers who are fun and know how to make you feel fabulous & look glamorous on your wedding day!

Recent Work - Edmonton Wedding Invitations

2010-05-10T01:00:00.000-07:00

In case you missed our feature posts on Wedding Obsession we have some of our recent work to show-off! Included with the images are a brief rationale of what the couple wanted and how I created their design. Enjoy!

This invite was a true labor of love. I created all the ornamental details on this invite with careful consideration. The couple came to me with a very clear vision for their invites, wanting a very polished and refined invitation set. They also wanted a distinct monogram which could be used throughout their reception stationery including a gobo light for the dance floor. This was also the first wedding where I created a menu selections card, where the guest had three choices of entrée and were required to enter their selection on the rsvp card. The paper used was a uncoated white cover accented with a white gold envelope and champagne cigar band (not shown) and envelope liner. This is one of my favorite pieces yet!

This bride wanted something very classic but also with a bold sense to it. To create this we used very traditional script typefaces and a damask pattern. To create drama the damask pattern was used very large to create a bold contrast of black against the white metallic paper. To create further drama a deep purple envelope was used. The combination turned out to be gorgeous!

For this couple the bride used the words modern and urban when describing what she wanted, but I could tell from her venue and the invitations she gravitated towards she had elegant and traditional choices in her wedding. I ended up using a more traditional stripe pattern mixed with a victorian floral pattern contrasted by a modern layout placing the text left aligned on the lower half on the invite. The black contrast on the ivory uncoated stock and ivory metallic envelope and cigar band made this invite feel truly classic!

Die-cut Invitations - MaeMae Paperie

2010-05-07T01:00:00.000-07:00

Being a graphic designer, I love using printing and paper techniques to create interesting invitation sets. I came across a beautiful invitation set using die-cuts from MaeMae Paperie that I had to share. It was a set created for a Style Me Pretty shoot, how cool! Enjoy the inspiration and think about how you might like to use die-cuts in your wedding invitation set.

Images from the MaeMae Paperie Blog.

Vendor Spotlight: Rooy Design & Consulting

2010-05-06T01:00:00.000-07:00

I've recently discovered a local couture designer that I had to share! The owner of R O O Y Couture & Consulting is Lani van Rooyen. She has an impressive background in design and construction of garments and her passion is evident when you see her designs. Lani offers services ranging from full design to bridal party attire consulting. Below are some gorgeous images of Lani's work taken by Borsellino Photography.

You can see more of R O O Y Couture & Consulting's fabulous work on the Popik Photography blog or visit their website at www.rooycouture.com

Classic Escort card Template Freebie!

2010-05-04T01:00:00.000-07:00

From the same series as our Classic Table No. template we have added escort cards!

Instructions:
1. Download PDF file HERE!
2. Print on your color inkjet or laser paper using letter sized card stock.
3. Score (dotted line on template) using the dull end of a butter knife.
4. Crop (solid line on template) using a sharp utility knife and trimming mat. (carefully of course!)
5. Write your guest's name and table number in your best hand writing. (Remember to purchase a ink flow pen in black).

Enjoy!
If you love our template, but need it in another color just email us the color and we'll send you a pdf file via email.

Vendor Spotlight: Nuance Occasions

2010-04-29T01:00:00.000-07:00

I have had the pleasure of working with Nuance Occasions for the past couple of years and from my experience, Jolyn (Lead Planner) and her team, are nothing short of exceptional. The creativity and organization that goes into every wedding is evident by the carefully planned details. Jolyn can make anyone feel at ease with her experience and knowledge of weddings. Nuance Occasions is sought after by couples who choose to plan a lifestyle wedding. According to Jolyn, "a lifestyle weddings is for those who want an extraordinary wedding day that captures your distinct personal styles. It incorporates your hobbies, your interests, your loves into your wedding day and it shares with your guests a story about your relationship. Finally, it creates an atmosphere of fun & enjoyment for your guests and is memorable." Check out some of Nuance Occasions work below or visit the website for more information.

Photo provided by Picture That Photography

Photo provided by Kelsy Nielson Photography

Photo provided by IAWAR Photography

Classic Table No. Template Freebie!

2010-04-22T01:00:00.000-07:00

Everyone deserves to be stylish, even on a budget! If you were thinking about using the generic numbers your venue provides we have the cure. You can download up to 26 fabulous table numbers from our Classic series by clicking on the link below.

Instructions:
1. Download PDF file HERE!
2. Print on your color inkjet or laser paper using letter sized card stock.
3. Crop using a sharp utility knife and trimming mat. (carefully of course!)

Enjoy!
If you love our template, but need it in another color just email us the color and we'll send you a pdf file via email.

Stay organized! Google Docs & Style Me Pretty

2010-04-05T13:01:00.000-07:00

If you are getting married there is now an easy way to keep your information stored and organized in one place. Google docs now has a Style Me Pretty template which includes everything from "Guest List" to "Budget" and "To-dos". I was completely impressed with the comprehensive documentation available along with "Tips" on the bottom of the spread sheets from event designer extraordinaire Michelle Rago and Style Me Pretty. It's easy to get started and you can save all your information online which means you can access the info anywhere! Check out the templates by going to google docs.

$100 Reception Stationery Credit!

2010-03-30T18:45:00.000-07:00

If you've been holding off booking your wedding invitations, now is the time! For all of April we are offering a $100 credit towards reception stationery with any invitations purchase over $500. This credit can be used towards a guest book, table numbers, seating chart, dance floor decal.... well you get the point! Visit our website at www.pinkpolkadesign.com for a complete list of products, services and contact info!

Gorgeous Eye Candy!

2010-03-25T13:02:00.000-07:00

I am absolutely in love with Amy Atlas! Based out of New York city she is renowned for her amazing desert tables. I am drawn to the clean, crisp, and colorful designs! I'm oozing with inspiration from these images and even have used the yellow, black and white table as a source of inspiration for my own wedding. I love the precise details including, of course, the stationery! She uses the cutest tags and candy bar wrappers that co-ordinate perfectly! Check out her site of other amazing events here: www.amyatlas.com

Images via Hostess With the Mostest

The Question of Seating Guests

2010-03-19T10:44:00.000-07:00

There are a couple of options available when directing guests to their seat at the dinner reception. A couple things to consider before you make your decision is your venue space and the flow of traffic as guests enter, as well as if you want to have assigned seating at each spot of the table or just assigned tables. If you have a large space or cocktails before dinner it nice to have guests circulate around a table to find their escort card. One problem with seating charts is they can cause a crowd of guests trying to see where they are sitting. To avoid this I suggest displaying two seating charts or positioning the single seating chart in a position where there is lots of room for the flow of traffic.

The first option is using a seating chart with coordinating numbers at each table. If you choose to have assigned seating at the table you will also need to include place cards at each setting. Below is an example of a seating chart courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings.

The next option is to use escort cards with coordinating numbers at each table. Again, if you want to have assigned seating at the table you will also need to include place cards at each setting, but this can be a bit redundant having two cards with the guest name on it. I really enjoy this option because you can get totally creative in the shape, size and presentation of the escort card. I had a couple double their favor of wine glasses with the escort card by getting me to design wine bases which had the guests name and table number on it. Below are some creative escort card examples courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings.

Thank you Card Ettiquette

2010-03-10T19:41:00.000-08:00

Although it is often neglected, a thank you card is one of the most important wedding stationery elements. A lot of couples get busy organizing budget and preparing for the wedding that they often forget or leave thank you cards to the last minute. According to Emily Post, all thank you notes should be sent within 3 months of receiving the gift. As of late, I have been encouraging my couples to add thank you cards to their invitation order so they can budget accordingly and aren't scrambling to get them done amongst all the post-wedding activities and organization.

There are a few options for the format of a thank you card including: a small folded card that is blank inside, a note card (similar to a recipe card), a picture card folder with slits for a 4x6 photo, or you can do a picture thank you. You can also carry through the theme of your invitations or make personalized stationery with your new initials as a married couple.

The Emily Post website stresses that it is not acceptable to send pre-printed cards, make phone calls or send emails. Each thank you cards should be personally written acknowledging the gift given. For more tips and helpful forms, including a "wedding gift record" visit www.emilypost.com

Pinkpolka is heading to the Big Apple!

2010-03-07T19:34:00.000-08:00

That's right! I am going to New York this May! I'm so excited to take in the big city for my first time and experience the National Stationery Show. Along with checking out new industry trends and getting some major inspiration I will also be attending educational sessions by Darcy Miller, Editorial Director of Martha Stewart Weddings and Peggy Post, Director at The Emily Post Institute Inc. I can't wait to come back and share all the exciting information and ideas with all my clients!

The Value of a Wedding Planner

2010-02-25T14:40:00.000-08:00

Last Thursday I was at an event when I was talking to Jolyn Saramaga of Nuance Occasions and fully realized the value of a wedding planner. The room we were in had been transformed into a chic and modern cocktail venue and it was Jolyn who drew my attention to how they created the ambiance with something calling lighting gels. Well, I had no idea these gels would create such a dramatic difference in the light and mood of a room, nor would I have thought to use something like this for my own wedding.

Because I generally think in two dimension format I often can get a little confused by the three dimension stuff. I will have amazing stationery at my wedding, but have no idea how to create ambiance in a room, organize tables and seating, keep a flow of events for the evening, etc, etc. I am a details person, and want all these details to be perfect for my guests. The thought of having to research and have knowledge of these items seems overwhelming and exhausting. As Jolyn and I continued to talk we were discussing aisle runners and she told me a story where the aisle runner was not secure to the floor and the bride had a huge train. Jolyn had the expertise and foresight to know the aisle runner would have ended up at the alter with the bride if it wasn't held. She had two of her assistants on each side to secure the runner from moving with the bride. That is impressive!

So saying all of the above, I am convinced that a wedding planner is well worth the money! There are many qualified planners in the city, along with Jolyn, that wold be happy to meet with you to give you an idea of what they can offer!

The Winner is...

2010-02-16T17:06:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Lori, the winner of the russell + hazel wedding planner! I hope this awesome organizer helps her with all the craziness of planning a wedding!

Pinkpolka is Getting Married!

2010-02-16T05:33:00.000-08:00

So I'm getting married! It's kinda a weird thing for me and my partner (now Financé), Terence, because we're not really interested in making a big deal about it. Since we've been together 6 years this weekend I thought this would be an appropriate time to share the news.

I'm definitely not your typical bride, and being in the wedding industry makes me a lot more critical of what I would want for a wedding. I was hoping to slip away for a chic Palm Springs wedding, but Terence insisted we have a wedding in Edmonton so all our family and friends could share the day with us. The compromise is a small cocktail party for approximately 75 - 100 guests. We also decided to spend a few weeks in Europe this summer so we aren't going to set the big day until sometime in August 2011.

Now that I am on the other side of the table, I think it will be an interesting journey for me to fully understand what all the couples that come to see me are going through. I think planning this wedding will be a great opportunity for me to get out and meet all the exciting vendors Edmonton has to offer. I'm going to journal my experiences, stresses, and revelations as I go through this process–and of course, I'll share with you all the best local vendors I come across. We aren't going to start looking for venues until later this spring so I'll post more of the exciting details as they come! Of course, the major requirement for my wedding is the stationery has to be absolutely fabulous!

Charlie's 50th - Sneak Peak

2010-02-13T09:24:00.000-08:00

Last night I was at the venue installing the floor graphic and table numbers for this over-the-top vintage football themed 50th birthday. I have to say, Charlie is one lucky guy! The party featured all of my stationery along with a concession stand, balloon goal posts, a photo booth, editable foot ball arrangements and custom bobble heads of the birthday boy! WOW! Renée from getwed planning & design did an awesome job, as usually. Susan from Picture that Photography took professional photos of the event and I'll hopefully be able to share those wonderful photos soon!

Last Chance to Enter Wedding Bells

2010-02-12T12:18:00.000-08:00

For their 25th Anniversary Wedding Bells is giving away 5 awesome wedding packages (one of which included yours truly!). The package which included Pinkpolka has already been given away, but there is still one package left and you have until February 15th to enter! Make sure to get your enter in on their website. You can view the prizes here.

Vendor Spotlight: Get Married in Banff

2010-02-09T19:23:00.000-08:00

I'm happy to share with you Get Married in Banff, a fabulous planning company based out of Banff! I first met Angie at Calgary Bridal Fantasy where were we were both exhibiting. Since I met her she has moved from Calgary to the town of Banff to specialize in spectacular Banff weddings! Herself and her partner/husband, Reg, are assisted by a talented team who know Banff inside and out! They are clearly passionate about both weddings and Banff and you can see them glowing in the team photo shoot below! Please visit their website at www.getmarriedinbanff.com to find out more information. All images are courtesy of Julie Williams Photography.

Studio Pictures

2010-02-04T20:00:00.000-08:00

Some of my clients get confused when they first come see me, but don't be fooled, we work out of a house! A little over a year ago we moved into a cute semi-bungalow close to Oliver Square and made it the studio for Pinkpolka! I posted some pictures of the house when we moved in, but never did get around to posting some updated shots. I always have interior design projects on the go–whether it's refinishing a vintage sideboard or creating art–the list never seems to end. Saying that, I have to make a point to take more shots of the studio....when I do, I will post more pictures. Enjoy the sneak peek for now!

Last Chance - Enter to Win!

2010-02-01T20:33:00.000-08:00

Just one more week until I will chose a winner for the fabulous russell + hazel deluxe wedding planner. Enter to win at: http://www.pinkpolkadesign.com/contest.htm

Creative Table Numbers

2010-02-01T20:26:00.000-08:00

There is lots of opportunity to be creative with your reception stationery, especially with table numbers. Think of how you can tie your theme or personality in with these functional tools. Below is an example of how I created table numbers that were designed like a deck of cards–including all 4 suits!

Wedding Planner Giveaway!

2010-01-07T20:45:00.000-08:00

Enter to win a fabulous russell + hazel wedding planner valued at $75! Link to our contest page and tell us what is unique and creative about your wedding plans. We will announce the winner at the end of January!

This stylish wedding planner is the perfect tool for all the newly engaged couples needing to keep track of vital planning and vendor information.

Set includes:
- Signature Binder
- 12 Section tabs with pockets
- Planning notebook
- Organized adhesive note set
- Sheet protectors
- 2 business card pages
- 10 8-1/2 x 11" pages
- 5 Multi Format pages (holds 11 x 17" or 8-1/2 x 11")

Thank You Card Folder

2009-12-01T21:06:00.000-08:00

I'm excited to now offer thank-you card folders. These are a great way to include your wedding photos in a traditional card format. Write your special message on the inside left and pop in your favorite wedding photo in the slots to the right! The cutie shown in my photo is Ari, my Yorkie who is also employed as the studio greeter and some times tries to get my clients to throw toys for him!

DIY Holiday Gift Labels

2009-12-01T17:54:00.000-08:00

This year Pinkpolka Design sent out holiday gift labels as a corporate greeting. I am happy to share the design with anyone who would like to use this template for a DIY project.

What you need:
Cutting Mat
X-acto knife
Avery label paper

Directions:
1. Download the provided pdf template file here!
2. Purchase Avery label paper (from Staples or Wal-Mart).
3. Use your desktop printer to print the pdf file on to the Avery label paper.
4. Use an X-acto knife and cutting mat to trim labels along the dotted lines.
5. Attach the stickers to all the special gifts you are giving this season!