Advice and Ideas | Ann's Bridal Bargains

How to keep DIY wedding invitations fun and creative!

Jackie - Bargain Finder — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 11:00:08 +0000

Have you been searching high and low for the perfect wedding invitation? Do you want something truly unique, but for the right price? Think doing it yourself is the way to go?

If you have never DIY-ed before, this is a must-read! Consider the following:

1. Creating a design is just the beginning. You’ll also need to format the design with your wording for the invitation and all enclosure cards to make everything print ready.

2. You’ll more than likely have to buy extra paper and multiple ink cartridges — all of which can add up to more than the cost of professionally printed wedding invitations.

3. You may have to go to multiple locations to gather enough paper and embellishments.

4. Plan to print every invitation one-by-one, starting with lots of test prints due to possible formatting mistakes or printer malfunctions. And then it’s on to the enclosures!

It’s easy if you have us print your top layer for the invitation and enclosures. Plus you can get your ribbons and embellishments from Ann’s. Check out the 3/8” and 5/8”, 100-yard satin ribbon rolls, 7/8” 25-yard chiffon ribbon rolls, pearls, colored rhinestones and stick-on bows.

Request a free sample of your favorite wedding invitation, then decide how you’ll put your own masterpiece together. Consider the size of the embellishments you’ll be stuffing into the envelope, and be sure you have room! If not, you’ll need to find larger outer envelopes — or just give us a call before you order. We’ll give you a larger envelope than what the invite comes with. We can also print your return address and guests’ addresses! I can hear the rejoicing now…

Check back Thursday for DIY wedding invitation ideas from Carynn!

Money-Saving Ideas for an Affordable Wedding Reception

Carynn - Party Planner — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 11:00:17 +0000

About 50% of your wedding budget will be spent on the reception. Here are a few money-saving ideas to help Bargainista brides stretch those dollars.

1. Consider a buffet style service rather than a sit-down dinner. You’ll save in labor costs required for plated service, and guests can help themselves to food at their own pace.

2. Food stations are very popular. Select themed or ethnic foods like Italian, Chinese and Mexican, all of which are low-cost options for feeding larger groups of people. Plus, guests will enjoy mingling as they grab their favorites.

3. Avoid a Saturday reception. Wedding facilities, caterers and other services usually cost more on Saturdays, and you may have a hard time finding open dates and times to fit your needs. Avoid holidays and peak prom or wedding seasons, too.

4. Time of day matters. Choose the time of your wedding reception for late afternoon or after 7:00 p.m. so that a cocktail or beer/wine reception with hors d’oeuvres is appropriate. Based on the time of the wedding, your guests will not expect a full meal.

An early morning wedding and a brunch reception is also an alternative. Serve fresh fruits, pastries, quiche, coffee and juices.

5. Shop around for rentals. Some caterers or reception halls may provide rental table cloths, napkins, glassware, china, silverware and include them as part of their “full service” at a cost that would be no higher than obtaining them from another source.

6. Paper napkins or linen napkins? Cocktail and dinner sized paper napkins are an inexpensive way to add color to your reception without the rental cost. Some guests even feel more comfortable using paper. Order extra cocktail napkins for the bar, punch table, cake/dessert table and appetizer table for a cohesive look.

7. Create a signature drink. Instead of toasting with champagne or an all-night open bar, have your favorite mixed drink available for guests during happy hour.

5 LOVE-ly Ideas for Last-Minute Valentine’s Day Gifts

The 'A' Team — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 11:00:59 +0000

Still need a little something special for your sweetheart? Don’t sweat it! Here are some last-minute Valentine’s day gifts that are heartfelt, fun and affordable.

1. Mixed tape anyone?

Okay, so it’s not a mixed tape anymore, but just as thoughtful! Put together a playlist of your honey’s favorite songs themed around love.

2. Cupid’s Coupons

A throwback to grade school, for sure, but a handmade coupon book with things like 1 Free Massage or an IOU Dinner and a Movie is still adorable.

3. Love Letter

Everyone should receive a good old-fashioned love letter at least once. It doesn’t have to be sappy or filled with awkward poetry — although poetry is totally cool if you’ve got the skills. For the rest of us, try writing about your first date or a favorite song that reminds you of your sweetheart.

4. Baked Goodies

You know what they say: the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Same for girls, really, but in a low-fat, low-sugar, low-cal version please. Homemade with love is best, but if you’re not a baker you can certainly pick up some goodies from your favorite bakery and dress them up in a pretty package.

5. So Fortunate!

Show how fortunate you feel to be with your sweetheart! Get a bag of fortune cookies from your local grocery store and replace a few of the fortunes with your own. Place the cookies anywhere: in a coat pocket, on the car seat, with lunch, on the pillow, etc.

Have any other great ideas?

What does a wedding program include?

The 'A' Team — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:00:04 +0000

You have two months to go before the wedding, ceremony details are coming together and you need to get a wedding program created and printed. What does that include? Take a look at our overview below to find out, and feel free to change it up wherever you like.

Front Page

• Normally the front page will include the names of the couple, the wedding date and the place in which you are being married.

Inside Panels

• A thank you message to guests or memorial note for loved ones who have passed are often placed on the first inside panel.

• Continue the program by identifying the officiant, parents, members of the wedding party, and friends or family who are serving as soloists or readers. Include each person’s role, name and relation to you.

• List the titles for all ceremony music, including the processional, service and recessional music. Programs also offer translations if needed.

• If applicable, provide wording for group prayers or readings for guests to follow.

Back Page

Blessings, prayers, favorite poems, literary excerpts, etc., are all commonly placed on the back page as a nice conclusion to the program. You may also use this space to request no photography or video be taken during the ceremony.

More Tips

• Finalize and print programs about one month before your wedding

• Have ushers or designated children hand out programs as guests enter the ceremony venue. Or, place programs in baskets beside the doors for guests to grab as they enter.

Unique Wedding Program Ideas

• Consider adding a personal touch to your wedding programs with photos, a short story of how you met, or how the groom proposed.

• Tell guests more about your attendants — how you know each other or why that person was selected. Maybe add a humorous quote from each attendant.

• Create two wedding programs — one for the adults and one for the children. The children’s program could include a coloring sheet, word find or dot-to-dot. Include crayons tied with coordinating ribbon and children are sure to stay happy!

• New Idea: Create a reception program. Today’s couples are doing all they can to be gracious hosts, and reception programs are great for letting guest know how long the social hour will last, when the cake will be cut, when the dance will begin, etc.

Read Monday’s post on how to make wedding programs your own!

Wedding Program Options: How to make it your own!

Robin - Style Expert — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:00:50 +0000

Your wedding programs should be just as much a reflection of your personalities and style as your wedding invitation. That’s why we’ve created wedding programs that coordinate with our popular wedding invitation designs. And we offer each design in two styles so you can choose which one best fits your needs.

Style 1: DIY Wedding Programs

Our DIY wedding programs are personalized on the front and blank inside so you can do your own printing at home. We print the front with your choice of beautiful design and up to eight lines of personalization, which leaves both inside panels free for you to print your ceremony details. Add a few DIY accents with our embellishment ideas below.

Style 2: Double-Sided Wedding Programs

We print it all for you! This includes eight lines on the front and up to 25 lines on both the right and left inside panels. This is the best option for saving yourself time and effort before the wedding, especially if you find you’re down to the wire and need to get quality wedding programs created quickly and easily. We may print it, buy you can still add your own unique touches with our embellishment idea below – and for only $20 more if you need 100! It’s a steal.

Make It Your Own

• Add colorful satin ribbon or chiffon ribbon for a luxurious look without high cost.

• Add stick-on satin bows or chiffon bows for a charming accent that’s easy to apply and perfect every time!

• Accent elements of the design with sparkling rhinestones — a touch of glamour that’s sure to get attention.

• Create the ultimate in DIY wedding programs by giving it a scrapbook feel with patterned layers, textured ribbons, charms and more.

• Add an insert to make your wedding program longer. Your local hobby store will have matching paper you can print at home. Secure inside the program with ribbon along the binding.

Check back Thursday for tips on what to include in your wedding program.

You can buy now with BillMeLater!

Jackie - Bargain Finder — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:00:43 +0000

Keeping up with wedding planning, and the finances needed to do so, can be difficult to say the least. That’s why we’ve partnered with BillMeLater, so you can buy now, and pay later — and it couldn’t be easier!

Get what you have your heart set on today and pay later, just like hundreds of other brides.

See if your other favorite stores offer BillMeLater, and use it there, too. Just click BillMeLater, sign in and you’re on your way.

Happy Wedding Planning!

No related posts.

Checking it off the list! 10 Things You Should Know About Respond Cards

Shanna – Etiquette Consultant — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:00:01 +0000

Wedding Planning Checklist: Section 6: Part 3

Respond cards are the most common way for couples to tally an accurate guest count, which is essential for the caterer and for seating. Although a small part of the invitation ensemble, respond cards are an important part. They save you money on food and they save you the embarrassment of not having enough seating. Here we’ve compiled a few things you should know about respond cards before sending them with your invitations.

1. Respond cards are most common, but R.S.V.P. services are also available. You are given an account with a phone number, which you include on your invitations. Guests respond via the phone number and the service manages your guest list for you. To learn more about this option, check out the original R.S.V.P. service, www.rsvpservices.com.

2. Respond cards are usually sold separately from the invitation, although Ann’s does offer value sets that include a respond card or respond postcard with the invitation, like this Dramatic Accent Invitation in Amethyst with Free Respond Cards.

3. Consider response postcards. They’re simple and economical. With postage always on the rise, the savings can really add up.

4. All respond cards include a simple verse, such as “Please respond on or before [date here],” and a place for guests to write their names. You will often see this in the form of “M” with a blank line after it. The “M” begins the guest’s title (Mr., Mrs., or Miss) and the name goes after. Many of today’s respond cards include a space for number of people attending, or number of “accepts” and number of “rejects.”

5. Menu choices are included on the respond card if you decide to go that route.

6. The respond-by date should be three to four weeks before the wedding. You will need time to contact guests who have not responded and to create a final guest list. The caterer will need the head count two weeks before the wedding.

7. Respond cards come with printed respond envelopes for no extra cost at Ann’s. The respond envelopes should include the return address of the person keeping track of the guest count. This could be the bride and groom, or the task could be assigned to a relative or close friend.

8. Respond envelopes should be pre-stamped, always. This is for your guests’ convenience and your own. You want to make responding as easy as possible since your food and seating depend on it.

9. Keep track of the responses by maintaining a numbered guest list. Write a number on the back of each respond card that corresponds with the appropriate guest on your guest list. This allows you to verify that you’re marking the correct person just in case you can’t read their handwriting.

10. Once it’s time to assemble your wedding invitation ensemble — respond card and all — read, Helpful Tips for Assembling/Addressing Your Invitations.

Wedding Invitations & Respond Cards: Get 2 for the price of 1

Jackie - Bargain Finder — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:00:07 +0000

Need to maximize your invitation budget? We hear you! Our Style Expert, Robin, created a few invitation options that allow you to get more for your money.

Option 1: Wedding invitations with FREE respond cards. Yep, you heard us right! These invitations are bundled as value sets so you get the invitations with blank outer envelopes and respond cards with respond envelopes all for one great price. This peacock-inspired wedding invitation is just $99.99 per 100. You can spice it up a little by choosing two fonts (shown below) for free, or change the wording color (just $7.00 per piece). Add a colorful lined inner envelope for a snappy finishing touch. Value sets are even available with matching thank you postcards. With postage rates increasing, postcard thank you notes add up to big savings.

Option 2: Wedding Invitations with FREE Respond postcards. In this bundle, you get invitations with blank outer envelopes and respond postcards all for one great price. Not only do you get FREE respond postcards in this bundle, you also save money on the postage you have to include with your respond cards. Again, you can spice it up with combination fonts, changing the wording color or adding a lined inner envelope. Matching reception cards are also available.

Gotta love 2 for 1s!

Presenting… Ann’s NEW Mobile Site

Jackie - Bargain Finder — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 14:00:37 +0000

Does the busy bride really have time to shop? She does now! Ann’s mobile site allows you to shop easily, anywhere at any time.

Like when you’re…

waiting at the gown fitting.

at the baker’s and inspired to find the perfect cake top.

having coffee with your moh, you can both shop bachelorette stuff.

in the travel agent’s waiting room — check out destination wedding invites!

listening to your mother-in-law discuss her guest list additions, at length. (did we say that?)

What other nifty things can you do on the mobile site?

Save your favorites when you create an account.

Check back daily to see what’s new.

Request a FREE catalog.

Okay gals, it’s time to get on the phone and shop!

As Featured in Bridal Guide Magazine

The 'A' Team — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:00:56 +0000

This purple floral coordinated look is featured in the March/April issue of Bridal Guide!

Go treat yourself to a beautiful glossy wedding magazine and look for our ad with a special offer! If you like browsing the pages of a magazine, you’ll love our FREE catalog! Request yours today.