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5 Nov |
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10:53 pm Posted by Kristy |
Having a Christmas Baby presents great opportunities for baby announcement cards. Maybe your new little bundle will wait and ring in the New Year. But if you’ve got a December due date, you’ll need to decide whether to recognize your holiday baby by name–Noel, Nicholas or Jack Frost come to mind–or, celebrate the season with a picture perfect photo op.
Here are some popular poses you can try if you want to send holiday-themed baby announcement cards:
Giftbox Baby
Wrap up a large-sized gift box with the lid off and lay your new baby down inside a few blankets. A gift tag marked “From Santa” completes the shot.
Baby Wrapped in Lights
You’ve seen those pictures with baby wrapped in a string of colored lights. I just always wondered about the safety of such a prop, especially when plugged in. Maybe opt for a giant red bow instead?
Hats (or Antlers)
Santa hat, pointy red elf shoes, or an antler headband all look way more adorable on baby than on you. Try it out even while baby sleeps! Not much more is needed to pay homage to the fun of the holiday season.
Baby Announcement Cards to Avoid
Backsides
One popular trend is the artsy-fartsy “from behind at a distance” shot. You’ve seen this one; you see the children from behind, walking away, sometimes holding hands, sometimes running. Your holiday cards are not the place for this poetic shot. Frame it for your wall instead, and let us see their faces please!
Repeats
If you plan to send Christmas cards with photos, think about choosing the runner-up and not the same exact photo you use in your baby announcement cards. If you really want to re-use the same picture, do so but mix it up in a collage style design in your personalized Christmas cards.
You can find a huge selection of fresh designs to inspire your holiday-inspired baby announcement cards at www.looklovesend.com. Choose coordinating baby thank you notes so that you’re ready when friends and family respond with a baby gift.
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4 Nov |
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9:00 am Posted by Nicola |
A bridesmaid does it all throughout your engagement – from opinion-giving to bridal shower invitation addressing to bachelorette party planning. So do her a favor and let her wear a dress she truly loves on your special day. Of course, if she has a perfect shape then it’s an easy task to get an off-the-rack gown that will look stunning on your maid. 
But pay special attention to your choice for your full-figured bridesmaid and you will be given the tremendous reward of your maid looking and feeling her absolute best. Read on for some tips for plus-size bridesmaid dress shopping.
- Let bridesmaids pick their own dresses. The trend has moved away from matchy-matchy wedding parties so, unless the thought of letting your bridesmaids pick their own dresses makes you break out in hives, allow them to shop for themselves (and ask for your final approval before purchase!) This should guarantee all girls feel good in their dresses.
- A-line dresses look good on all body types with their seamless waist and slight flare. Add a cap sleeve for more coverage.
- Off-the-shoulder necklines are a great option of curvy women as this diverts attention from the lower to the upper body.
- Pick a deep color that isn’t black for something unexpected and fresh. Jewel tones like garnet, cobalt and plum are particularly appropriate for a fall or winter wedding.
- A deep V-neckline will elongate the torso, thus creating a slimmer look.
- Avoid satin and chiffon. Instead, try to pick thicker fabrics with lining for a smoother and more flattering fit.
- Consider a column or pencil skirt instead of a full pleated skirt, too much draped fabric can overpower a full-figured woman and add unnecessary volume.
- Add a sash around the waist or select a two-piece dress as a way to break up the waist area.
There are numerous bridal designers who offer stunning bridesmaid dress selections from size 0 to 26 and extensive online resources to find the perfect dress for any figure. And also look online for spectacular bridal shower invitations at LookLoveSend.com. Our fresh designs are printed on high quality paper stock with guaranteed customer satisfaction!
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2 Nov |
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4:16 pm Posted by Kristy |
While risk-planning and romance mix about as well as oil and vinegar, smart wedding planning at least considers the possibility that something big could go wrong. There are many things that could bring a long-planned wedding to a grinding halt. But once the wedding invitations have been mailed and the wedding venue deposit paid, none makes a couple feel as helpless as a weather-related disaster.
Assess Wedding Date and Location Risks
Weddings today cost on average $20-$35 thousand dollars, depending on where you live. This kind of investment makes risk-planning pretty important. To start with, every couple (and wedding planner worth their fees) should think through the seasonal and regional risks based on their wedding date and location, including such things as:
- WINTER WEATER – Winter weddings in a snowy or ice-storm prone region?
- HURRICANES – Coastal or Caribbean wedding during hurricane season?
- WILDFIRES - Southwestern wedding during the dry season?
- TORNADOS – Midwestern wedding in the springtime?
- EARTHQUAKES – West coast wedding in earthquake territory?
- POLITICAL TURMOIL ABROAD – Destination wedding in a volatile region or one prone to strikes (Greece, anyone?)
The vagaries of recent U.S. weather patterns, earthquakes in unexpected places, and deepening political and economic crisis abroad are signals to protect your financial wedding day investment. Here are 3 steps you can take as part of your wedding planning process:
Know You Vendor Cancellation & Refund Policies
Get your vendor cancellation and refund policies in writing. Ask specifically about cancellations and refunds for unplanned natural events, including crediting deposits for postponements, or the possibility of a full refund (most do not).
Purchase Event or Wedding Insurance
Since most vendors will have some limits on refunding deposits and other paid monies to protect themselves, an important option is to purchase wedding event insurance. One example we’re familiar with is WedSafe from Aon, which can reimburse you for cancellation or postponement due to weather, illness, or unplanned military leave, and more, and cover things including:
- Lost deposits or vendor bankruptcy
- Damage to your wedding gown, wedding photographs, jewelry and more
- Nonrefundable deposits if you are forced to postpone the entire event for other reasons
An average $25K wedding can be covered for less than $300 in most states, covering you at a level you choose for non-refundable deposits as well as major, event-related expenses like attire and video-photography.
Have a Back-up Plan
It’s not a bad idea to have at least discussed the practicality of what you would do as a couple should your wedding day be cancelled for any reason. Ask yourselves, do you have an alternate date and/or location that works if needed? You’ll rest easier by taking these simple steps early on. Then focus your attention on finding those unique wedding invitations for your special day at www.looklovesend.com. Take the chance to win $500 in our monthly Wedding Invitation Sweepstakes to use towards your favorite wedding invitations. 
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1 Nov |
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9:02 pm Posted by Nicola |
Reception site booked, guest list done, Save the Dates ordered…now it’s time for the fun of bridal gown and wedding ring shopping. We’ve shared hints on bridal gown and veil selections, but what about the one of the few pieces of jewelry you will buy as a couple and wear every day? Read on for some wedding ring buying hints.
Have an idea of what you are looking for beforehand. Before you shop, get an idea of whether you are looking for yellow or white gold, platinum, two-tone, wide or narrow.
Shop early. Allow yourself plenty of time to select this most symbolic piece of jewelry. Remember that custom engraving may take several weeks.
Set your budget. Prices range considerably so know your limit before you start trying on.
Suit your own own taste. My husband has platinum, I have diamonds. There is no written rule that wedding bands need to match. Instead, opt for a matching inscription (suggestion: wedding date is always a great no-excuse reminder!)
Think ahead. Opt for a classic style rather than a trendy ring that you may not love on your 10-year anniversary.
Choose the right size. Most people wear their rings at all times even though finger size varies due to heat, cold, water retention and weight gain. Therefore, fit your ring when your body temperature is normal and never in the morning (when you retain salt from the night before!)
Check for quality marks. A wedding band should have two marks engraved inside the band: the manufacturer’s trademark and the quality mark (ie: 24k or PLAT). Just like any piece of quality jewelry, make sure your ring contains both marks.
Years ago, many engagement and wedding rings were sold as a set – sometimes even with a groom’s wedding band included! Thankfully those days are over and engaged couples today can tap into their individuality for this most symbolic piece of jewelry. And after the rings, it’s time to start thinking menus, registries and wedding invitations. For stunning wedding invitation designs that can be easily customized, checkout the growing selection at LookLoveSend.com. All orders ship the next business day and quantities over 50 ship for free!
