Rebecca and Robert, View on the Hudson

July 15, 2017

Wedding Planner:  Sandra O’Connell of Hudson Valley Ceremonies

Venue:  The View on the Hudson

Photographer:  Christophers Studio

Florist:  Mayuri Floral Design

Band:  Elegant Ensembles

Wedding Cake:  Home Style Desserts

Hair and Makeup:  Donna Puma

Transportation:  Ramstar Transportation

Invitations:  Printerette Press

“It was so helpful to have Sandra from Hudson Valley Ceremonies with us on the day of our wedding, but also in the months and weeks leading up to it. Sandra thought of the details, both big and small, that we didn’t even realize we needed to consider. She was always available to answer questions or offer her advice. Our day had a lot of moving parts, and Sandra helped to facilitate so that everything ran smoothly. She worked with all of our vendors to ensure we had a stress-free timeline and that our vision came to life. In turn, we were able to focus on our wedding without sweating the small stuff. Our wedding day was perfect, and we are so thankful for all of our vendors and Hudson Valley Ceremonies for their personal, hands-on support. ”  Rebecca C.

New Trends in Wedding Invitations

Country Elegance within the Jean M Mixation Invitations

3214_MM1322831025zm
Grand Celebration

Endearing Romance
Endearing Romance
Celebrate Marriage
Celebrate Marriage
Floral Chalkboard - Invitation
Floral Chalkboard – Invitation
Rustic Charm - Invitation
Rustic Charm – Invitation
Country Daisies
Country Daisies

Visit our online store for thousands of great invitations.

www.hudsonvalleyceremonies.carlsoncraft.com

All couples receive a 20% discount on the invitations.

All couples that contract a service with Hudson Valley Ceremonies receive a 50% discount.

Contact Hudson Valley Ceremonies for additional details

hvceremonies@gmail.com

845-244-1482

Designing Your Own Wedding Invitations

When you’re trying to cut costs on your wedding budget and decide to make your own wedding invitations, you’ll probably need a few helping hands. The hundred-plus guest list will have you busy for a few weeks-months, if you’re not the crafty type!-and you may need to be more resourceful with your time. Online wedding invitation websites are a great way to customize your own wedding invitations and send them off to the printer. All it takes is a little creativity and inspiration, and you’ll be well-prepared with a set of invitations that are truly one-of-a kind. As you get going on the design process, here are just six tips to making yours as special as the Big Day:

1. Use your own poem or quotes. Many online wedding invitation companies offer templates of different designs, but you can choose what you would like printed in the text. Look for a quote or short poem that has a special meaning for both of you; it’s an easy way to make sure your invitations really stand out!

2. Add some 3-D accents. This can take the form of leaves, raffia, shells, twigs, or even sequin embellishments for a completely customized look. Save some money by bulk ordering the printed text on the invitations, and then settle in for a weekend of pasting and sticking the accents yourself.

3. Design a unique logo of your names. You can do this with basic photo editing software, or work with a graphic designer who can design some stylish typography of your names.

4. Include a photo of the wedding venue. If the wedding is going to take place at a historical church or other attractive venue, consider adding a picture in the form of an artist’s rendition or simply a black and white cutout. This works well as a nice personal touch.

5. Add a link to your personalized wedding website or blog. You can include this as a small business card as a keepsake, and use calligraphy or other fancy script to write out the web address. Wedding blogs and websites are becoming increasingly popular for couples to share their insights and stories about their Big Day.

6. Seal them the old-fashioned way. Consider sealing each invitation’s envelope with a wax seal and imprint of your initials. This is a classic touch that won’t be forgotten!

Designing your own wedding invitations is a great way to cut a few costs and flex your creative muscles. Wedding invitations can be ordered in bulk from a printer, or you can even print them off at home if you have a quality laser printer. Whatever you decide to do, don’t settle for templates and basic designs-add a few customized embellishments and you’ll soon have a masterpiece to share!

Invitation Sale

Free Informal Notes When You Order Birchcraft Wedding Invitations by April 30th.

You can see the entire line of Birchcraft invitations here. Remember if you are a client of HVC you will receive 50% off the full retail cost. All couples not contracted will receive 20% off the full retail cost.

Birtchcraft has invitation styles for every bride, every theme and every budget. They have several new styles just added for the 2012 wedding season. Please let us know if you would like to set up a time to come in and view our invitation books and start your wedding invitation order.

Wedding Invitation Etiquette

Invitations customarily begin with:

Host(s) name
The request line
Name of Bride and groom
Date and time
Address Line
Reception Line
R.S.V.P.

Traditionally, the bride’s parents host the wedding and their names appear on the host line. However, with blended families, couples marrying later in life and varying economic situations, the hosts may not be the bride’s parents but a combination of hosts so follow the circumstances that fit your wedding.

If the groom’s parents are co-hosting the wedding along with the bride’s parents, it is customary for the bride’s parent’s names to appear first and the groom’s parent’s names to follow.

If the groom’s parents are not co-hosting the wedding but the couple wishes to acknowledge them, their name appears after the groom’s name.

In a situation where the couple is paying for their own wedding, I suggest the following:

Together with their families
Miss Mary Jones
And
Mr. John Smith

Names and spelling for wedding invitations etiquette

Titles are not spelled out, instead use the abbreviations for Mr., Mrs. and Ms. The title Doctor should not be abbreviated.

If the bride has the same last name as her parents, then only use her first and middle name.

The groom’s complete name is used with his title, Mr., Doctor, Captain.

In a situation where there is a divorce the parent’s names should appear on a separate line without the word “and.” If the Mom is remarried use her married name. In years gone by it wasn’t proper to include a stepparent’s name, however, if the bride or groom wishes, they may add their step parent’s name.

In cases where a parent is deceased and the bride or groom wants to include their name, they should make it clear that the person is deceased by including the word “late.” An example of this wording is John Jones and the late Mary Jones. Omit titles as they would appear awkward.

If the ceremony is being performed in a church, synagogue, mosque or any house of worship then the phrase “the honour of your presence” is used. There are many variations of wording that are acceptable and proper for the couple to choose.

Additional tips and ideas for wedding invitations etiquette

When the ceremony and reception are in separate locations, then a separate reception card is customary.

If you are inviting some guests only to the ceremony, then a separate reception card is necessary.

Some couples are choosing to have a scaled down party after the ceremony. This is perfectly acceptable however; it’s courteous to inform your guests of such. You may phrase your invitation to read, “cocktails to follow” in place of, “reception to follow.”

Couples wishing to have a reception with casual attire or a black tie affair, they should place that information on the reception card or on the lower right hand corner of the invite.

Bridal registry information should not be placed anywhere on your wedding invitation.

Wedding Invitations Etiquette for Additional Guests

A bride is obligated to invite engaged friends, and relatives with a guest. This is also true for guests that have a live in romantic partner.

If your friends or family members are just dating it is not mandatory to include a guest for them.

If your guest is in a long term relationship then the decision is up to you; you do need to be careful to be consistent with your invites as not to insult any of your friends or family members.

Some unmarried guests may be insulted if they are not permitted to bring a guest, so be prepared with a stock answer. Something in the line of, “I’d love to have everyone bring a guest but it just isn’t possible because ….. ” and then give your reason. Perhaps your church or reception room is too small, or too costly, or if I permit you to bring a guest then I will have to allow so and so to bring a guest also.

Couples are not obligated to permit their bridesmaids and groomsmen to bring a guest, however it is a nice gesture since they are doing so much for you.

Hand written envelopes are a must; please do not use labels to address your invitations. You may handwrite your own, have a friend help you or if your budget permits, hire a calligrapher to address the wedding invitations.

Wedding Invitations Etiquette timeframe

It is best to send all your invitations at the same time.

Tradition has it that a bride should send her invitations about six to eight weeks before her wedding, with an R.S.V.P. date of three to four weeks before the wedding.

If a guest lives out of town or in another country and you would like to give them more time to respond, then send them a letter ahead of time. This way you won’t have two sets of invitations going out giving your guests the impression that you have an A and B invite list.

Wedding invitations etiquette is a little tricky so in addition to this blog you may wish to consult Martha Stewart’s or Emily Post’s web sites for further information.

Wedding Giveaway

Sign up to win a

FREE Wedding Photo Booth Backdrop

Many different designs available

or

FREE Personalized Aisle Runner

Many different designs available

Drawing will be on 12/31/2011

Invitation Etiquette

  • If you don’t want children to attend your wedding do the following:  When addressing your invitations, leave the children’s names off it and also don’t mention them in the invitation.  Have friends and family pass the word around that you don’t want children there. State on the invitation, “Adult Reception.”
  • If someone hasn’t responded to your invitation, 1 week past the “Reply by” date, call him or her and confirm over the phone.
  • Children over the age of 16 get their own invitations.
  • Your officiant and their better half get an invitation
  • Send your parents and wedding party invitations, as a keepsake. They don’t have to reply.
  • You have to put return postage on your RSVP’s.
  • Write out names in full, including middle names. Omit a middle name if necessary, rather than using an initial.
  • Spell out all words, including the hour, the date and the year. Spell out all words in the address, including Street, Road and Avenue. The two exceptions to this rule in an address are Saint (St.) and Mount (Mt.)
  • Use Roman numerals in names, rather than “the third” or “3rd.”
  • For ceremonies taking place in a house of worship, use “request the honor of your presence.” Ceremonies taking place in a non-religious setting should say, “request the pleasure of your company.”

Hudson Valley Ceremonies Receives the Carlson Craft Excellence Award for 2010

We received something very exciting in the mail today and are anxious to share the good news with you…

Hudson Valley Ceremonies has received a Carlson Craft excellence award for 2010.  Each year Carlson Craft, the nation’s leading wholesale printing company presents only a few select businesses with this prestigious award for outstanding performance and exceptional sales achievements.

Hudson Valley Ceremonies line of Carlson Craft invitations can be viewed here.

Please join us and visit our booth at the Winter 2011 Bridal and Fashion Show

Please join us and visit our booth at the Winter 2011 Bridal & Fashion Show, sponsored by the Southern Dutchess News Group

&

Advertised on HudsonValleyWeddings.com
Hosted at the Dutchess Manor
Sunday, Jan. 30 from 12 Noon – 4 p.m.

Plenty of appetizers and door prizes

Fashion Spectacular, plus demos on exercise, hair & makeup and ballroom dancing

Pre-register now by sending an email to sdnbridalexpo@yahoo.com and receive an article on Bridal Show Tips from hudsonvalleyweddings.com.

Please do not respond to this E-mail to pre-register.

 

Win FREE Invitations!

Each year we have one big contest.  This year the contest is for FREE Wedding Invitations.  Your choice of any invitations with a retail value of up to $600.

Pocket Invitations, Themed Invitations, Save the Dates and so much more.

Submit your information by 12/31/2010.  Winner determined by 1/1/2011.  Good Luck!!

Click Here to go to our Webform

Hudson Valley Ceremonies

845-266-6076