ABC's of Printing (And Turning Text into Art)

I hope you enjoy this informative "guest appearance" on the Encantare blog from the ever creative Lucy Kozozian, owner of and designer for Saraphina Collection.

It was not long ago that Lucy and I got to have a discussion about the printing options in today's stationary business, and I asked if she would mind my putting that conversation into something brides and grooms could also look at to help them on the road to creating their wedding invitations. Lucy kindly obliged, and we're happy to share it with you!

A century ago printing on wedding invites served one purpose-to inform your guests about the upcoming nuptials. This was often done by hand and ink through a calligrapher. If it was done in print, it was done by formal script engraving.

A century later we live in a time where anything goes as far as wedding invitations. You can even have coconuts hand painted for your fun loving, tropical destination wedding. With the custom invitation craze sticking hard and fast, learning more about the options and actual processes is important as well as fascinating and will help you make an informed choice for creating invitations and stationary that reflects your own individuality.

Die cutting, embossing and de-bossing, engraving, letterpress, lithography, and thermography are just some of the options available to you as a consumer today. Below find these terms defined and a brief history to help you along the road to your own custom invites needs (and don't forget those "Save the Date" cards, your wedding announcements, "Thank You" cards, and personal stationary!)

• Die Cutting: The process of die cutting is a fairly new trend, and it cuts shapes into or out of your actual invitations. Many "scrap bookers" are already very familiar with this process, with their own small, at home die cutting machines. This can make your invitations into any shape imaginable, or cut a shape out of a (come to the Wedding Salon event at the Beverly Hills Four Seasons in September and pick up a sample of a "Bridal Doll Chain" at Encantare's booth!).
  
  TIP: This process is especially fun for themed wedding, making pumpkins or oak leaves for fall, hearts for a Valentine's celebration, star fish or sand dollars for the beach, parasols or fans or an Asian inspired theme...the possibilities are endless.
  

• Embossing/De-bossing: An embossed print is raised, while de-bossed is recessed. This process, particularly embossing, has become a more cost effective version of letterpress (more on that later). And it is also a process "scrap-bookers" and "stampers" are familiar with! Both embossing and de-bossing creates a dynamic effect with it's outstanding texture on paper.
  
  TIP: Some people use de-bossing to recess a rectangle around the edge of their invitation and print inside that, using more than one method.

• Engraving: The process of engraving has been, historically, most widely used process for printing wedding invitations. Etching words deeply into a steel or copper plate, begins the engraving process. Ink is spread over the plate and wiped down so just the inked recessed wording remains, which then gets transferred onto paper. This is what creates the wonderful raised texture of the printing. Because of the time and labor intensive process, engraving remains the "gold standard" in wedding invitations.
  
  TIP: It also takes several weeks to create, so if your budget allows and you're set on engraving, start early!

• Letterpress: Along with engraving, letterpress is a time intensive (and therefore costly) process, but the outcome is absolutely breathtaking. It is truly a bit of renaissance.
  
  Created by hand setting one raised letter at a time, or by making a plate, it then the inked letters get pressed deeply into the paper. Because of it's versatility, the printing looks amazing in just about any font a person could choose. You can even use light inks on dark papers. Remember again, plan in advance for this technique because it can take many weeks!
  
  TIP: If your budget is limited but you're set on letterpress, try just having your monogram in letterpress at the top of your invitations.

• Lithography: Known for being economical and readily available, lithography is also known as "offset" printing. It is cost effective because you can use portions of the large plate it is created on for different parts of you invitation suite, such as RSVP cards, programs, menus, etc. The limitation? You can only use one color for all of the different portions of your suite and the printing works best on smooth surfaced papers.
  
  TIP: Find a beautiful paper with a light texture, and with your savings on printing, add a fun or exquisite embellishment.

• Thermography: This technique has been recently created to be a cost effective printing option to engraving because it also has a raised surface. Beware though, the printing can (and most often does) bleed on the edges creating a little blur in the words and the ink has a high sheen to it.
  
  TIP: To save money on all the printing you'll need for your wedding, save thermography for your engagement party, wedding shower and thank you notes!

For more information and to create your custom invitations go to www.saraphinacollection.com, or call 818-653-0391 and let them know that Brynn sent you!

Bridal Party Bank Drain by Dresses

A recent trend has me gritting my teeth at night. Yes, I even dream weddings.

It is also a trend that has me sweating bullets on wedding days.

This trend is brides having their attendants either make their own dresses or have them custom made by either a mother, grandmother, friend, professional dress maker or tailor.

The hand made, home made dress trend started because someone spread around a rumor that it is more cost effective than purchasing dresses out of collections at retail stores, bridal chains or boutiques. Listen to me....this is, most often, a gross untruth.

There are a few exceptions to the rule on this one. For example, if everyone in the bridal party is a seamstress and they WANT to make their dresses, the fabric is inexpensive (even when you purchase a lining for it), and all of the undergarments, shoes and jewelery are purchased and the total overall cost is under $300.

However, most of the time it is more cost effective, less time consuming and less stressful for all involved if a bride and her attendants look at dresses together, deciding what option everyone can live with. Especially with all of the skirt and top separates out there now, it is easy to create the right look for individual body types while maintaining a color theme.

Here is my own "build it your self bridesmaid dress" horror story:

Five years ago I was invited to be an bridesmaid at my sister-in-law's wedding. She wanted each of us to choose whatever dress pattern we liked and have it made (as long as the skirt reached floor length) out of fabric she had hand picked. This fabric was beautiful....a dark burgundy, sueded silk with a small pattern in it. The fabric felt rich under your fingers (and it well should have at sixty-yes 60-dollars a yard). However, the fabric itself was very thin, especially for a formal wedding in Autumn in the Pacific North West.

The bride pre-ordered every attendant five yards of fabric, which we were to pay for ourselves. Now, at the time I rang in at a whopping 100 lbs. sopping wet, and I'm only a little over 5 feet tall. I needed no more than two yards to make my entire dress, but still had to pay for the additional yardage.

Now, she was getting "a great deal", for the bridesmaids that lived in her area, from a seamstress that would do each dress and top for approximately $100 each. I, however, didn't live in that area. Now, both of my grandmothers sew, but one lives in Hawaii and the other is in her 90's...not likely either could help. And I can't stitch a lick.

I had to search to find someone who could custom make my dress. On top of this, the fabric needed a backing (and no, you can't use the same fabric for that, it won't look right. There are special backing fabrics.). Plus I had to purchase a slip and undergarments. I, thankfully, was able to have my bra cups sewn into the top so I didn't have to worry about bra straps falling down or any peeking, but it came also at and additional cost. The woman who made my dress did a lovely job, but it was not a dress I was ever going to wear again.

There were other demands by the bride about our shoe type and the jewelry we could and could not wear, but the hardest part? The sueded silk had to be stroked by a hand glove made specially to lay the fibers in one direction so you didn't look like a patchwork quilt walking down the aisle. So, just before the wedding I had some strange woman running her "special" mit all over my body.

You'd think I was safe after I'd been smoothed down, right?

Nope.

My husband decided to give me a smack on the bottom right as I walked down the aisle (for good luck). And it left a giant hand print right on my butt. The print was completely visible because I was the last one in line.

But wait, there is more...I ended up standing over the air vent in the church, which was on full blast in an upward direction. So my dress, with a slit up the back to my knee, was floating in the freezing wind. I had to play "Marilyn Monroe" the whole hour long ceremony.

So, in the end, my dress ended up costing me approximately $700.

The other girls had problems too. One zipper didn't work. One middle seam along the bottom of a larger girl tore open on the dance floor.

I'm writing about this now because I recently had a bride come to me that wanted to do this for her wedding...and assured me all of the attendants are great seamstresses. Well, now her mother-in-law-to-be is sewing all of the dresses. Two are done, out of six. And there are two flower girl dresses to be made as well. And the wedding is less than six weeks away. Oh, and one of the attendants lives in another state (so they're just hoping the dress fits). And the mother-in-law-to-be also has a full-time job and a household to run on top that. That leaves plenty of time to make dresses, right?

Yeah, maybe the fabric is a great deal. Maybe someone you know is able to sew...but heed my warning, and picture in your mind all of the things that can go wrong by making your own dresses (because many of them will)...and then go to your local dress chains and pick something you can live with, that is in a price range your attendants can afford.

I've spent time researching the price differences in buying vs. making bridesmaid dresses, and the breakdown is as follows:

The low end purchased dresses are under $150.00
Middle End is $150-$250
High End is $250 and up.

Making those same dresses on your own will add anywhere from 30%-70% to the dress cost. The average is a 50% addition in cost for having dresses made.

Even if you have a family member making them, think of the time it takes them. If you are thinking a "thank you" card is enough, please think again. Paying them for their work, in some way, is essential.

It's really up the bride and her attendants with regard to making dresses versus buying dresses, but make sure you've considered all of the options, all of the pluses and all of the minuses before taking on such an onerous task.

And most of all...good luck in your search!

MAYDAY! MAYDAY! (or "Houston, We have a Problem")

There is always an emergency at a wedding.

They happen before the wedding...no make-up artist shows because an accident is blocking all lanes of the freeway 40 miles from the venue. The red lipstick grandma cannot live without makes it to the front of the wedding dress. A groomsman didn't get socks in his rental package, his pants are a little short and there is no tailor or tux shop near enough to remedy the situation is less than 50 minutes.

They happen during the wedding...mother-of-the-bride's ceremony shoes are too big. The three year old ring bearer refuses to walk down the aisle now that 200 people are staring at him (it wasn't that way at the rehearsal!). A groom, bride, or attendant faints and as a results, has a grass stain, cut or bruise (or, God forbid, worse!)

They happen at the reception...the boxes of favors, caricatures of the bride and groom driving their car that were custom made in Brazil, weren't opened until the reception hall set up and some heads were broken off, car wheels were missing and the tiny bouquets were already tossed out of the window! The groom steps on the brides dress and the seam splits during the first dance. And who knew Aunt Edna was allergic to shellfish? And who knew the server didn't tell her the tray passed appetizer was a scallop wrapped in bacon?

Because anything can happen, and something will, it is best to be prepared.

As a seasoned vet in the wedding war, I carry with me giant, fully equipped emergency kit. And, yes, I have used it at each and every event I've ever had. The instances above are not just fictional, each one has happened to me, and because of the kit I carry, each problem was solved immediately and easily.

Now, I don't suggest you try lugging around the kit I do, just one reason being the cost is prohibitive for only one event. But if you don't have a coordinator (or if you have one that doesn't carry a kit), here are the items most important to have on hand:

• One complete first aid kit that includes medicines such as: Tylenol, Motrin, Burn Gel, Benadryl, Rolaids Antacid and Anti-Gas (Yes, I did have to go there) and Pepto Bismol
• A basic make-up kit, like Sephora carries, make sure it has a small mirror, or get a compact (or at least they used to...even look for new ones on Ebay!)
• Scissors and safety pins
  
• Double Stick Tape (I won't even go into what I've had to use it for!!)
• Stain Remover as recommended by your bridal store
• Basic sewing kit, with invisible thread
• Pen and Paper
• Lint Roller, Static Spray and Wrinkle Release
• Crazy Glue
• 1 pair of panty hose
• 1 pair of black men's dress socks
• Fingernail kit
• Cotton balls
• Hair spray, bobby pins, rubber bands and a head band
• Bottled water and snack items that include protein
• Bribe for small child to get them down that isle (but don't give it to them until after they walk down the isle!)

I know it seems like a lot, but if you put it together in a small overnight bag, back pack or basket...believe me...you'll be glad you did! And take comfort in the fact that my list is quadruple (well, more than quadruple) what this one is!! You can always buy everything at Target and return the unopened packages of the items you don't use!

I also suggest that you do the following for your guests in respective restrooms:

Place a small basket in each restroom with items that guests might need such as dental floss, chewing gum, mouth wash, hand sanitizer, tampons and maxi pads, tissue, hand lotion, hair spray, and mini deodorants (after all that dancing! Someone might need it!)

Remember you have options, you can try to asses your needs and create your own kit from the basic list I've provided here...or do the easy thing...hire a prepare coordinator to help make your event emergency free!