Mindy Weiss and Wedding Paper Divas get you married in style

Getting her start in the industry working at a stationery store, Mindy Weiss has always had a passion for paper. As a style partner for Wedding Paper Divas and a go-to wedding trends expert, Mindy has also designed an exquisite new bridal stationery collection that is striking, yet affordable, and appeals to a broad range of styles.

For her collection, Mindy combined years of experience in the wedding industry with her style and creativity to draw inspiration from all facets of life including fashion, art, nature and her forecasted trends for the year. From brilliant color blocking to delicate lace details, the collection features nine designs in a variety of bold and beautiful themes.

“I designed this stationery collection for Wedding Paper Divas to be versatile and elegant enough to match a wide variety of wedding themes and motifs,” said Mindy. “I can’t wait to help couples personalize these designs and add their own flair.”

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• Simple Allure – Color blocking is modernized and this time it’s all about full-bodied, jewel-toned colors.
• Modern Splendor – Inspired by watercolors, there is magic in the carefree flow of darks and lights, creating a vibrant yet peaceful ambiance.
• Floral Trellis – Emulating Chinoiserie’s whimsical style and Asian influences, the design adds a worldly and dignified statement.
• Lasting Lace – This design pays homage to the classic fairytale love story and all things romantic – and what says romance more than lace?
• Natural Lattice – “Let Love Live,” says Mindy, who believes elements of nature and green living walls will be the focus of many wedding celebrations this season.

 Not limited strictly to invitations, the suites also feature save the date cards, response cards, enclosure cards, thank you cards and more. Mindy’s bridal stationery collection is completely customizable, and available at www.weddingpaperdivas.com/mindyweiss

Wedding Paper Divas new stationery collection

Wedding Paper Divas’ exciting new Premium Collection for brides-to-be. Debuting brand new offerings such as laser cut, letter-press, custom postage stamps and foil stamped invites, newly engaged couples can now have access to luxe embellishments at an affordable price.

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With an array of trimmings modeled after the latest trends, Wedding Paper Divas is allowing couples to incorporate high-end elements with the ability to customize their stationery to fit their unique personalities and love story. Seeing how most of these premium offerings usually cost a pretty penny, Wedding Paper Divas offers these options at prices that won’t break the bank or push you past your budget. For a set of 100 foil stamped wedding invitations, Wedding Paper Divas prices each invite at $1.69 – similar solutions in the market can cost upwards of $60 per invite, in comparison.

 

Wedding Paper Divas Celebrity Invitation Style

Wedding season is here, and celebs are clearly feeling the love! With many recent star-studded engagements, Wedding Paper Divas experts used their vast design collecion to share their vision of our favorite celebrity couples and their upcoming nuptials. You can bring a bit of this Hollywood flare to your wedding celebration.

Amber Heard and Johnny Depp

Wearing a girl’s engagement ring isn’t the strangest thing we’ve seen on Johnny Depp, and we predict his upcoming wedding to model Amber Heard will be an affair as unique as they are. For their invitation design, we see them going for something similar to this simply stated gold foil design. Metallics are a hot trend, perfect for that couple looking to add a touch of drama to any design.

Ashlee Simpson and Evan Ross

If we take a cue from their lavish engagement party and her one-of-a-kind ring, we’re thinking Ashlee Simpson’s wedding to Evan Ross will be a vintage affair. This design perfectly illustrates the Modern Vintage trend, featuring classic shapes and patterns reinvented.

George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin

The shock that one of our favorite bachelors is off the market is still wearing off, but we’re already looking forward to what is sure to be a wedding to remember. We’re swooning over the emerald cut rock that the actor gave his British human rights attorney, Amal Alamuddin, and if it’s any indication, the nuptials will feel as stunning and classic as this powerhouse couple is.

Haylie Duff and Matt Rosenberg

This design from the new Marchesa collection (available exclusively at Wedding Paper Divas) is simply chic like the actress, singer and blogger, Haylie Duff. It’s sweet and feminine, but the dark undertones will also appeal to her entrepreneur fiancé, Matt Rosenberg. Whether it’s an outdoor summer wedding or an intimate wintertime affair, this design is perfect for any season.

Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher

After keeping their engagement (and pregnancy!) a secret for some time, Mila Kunis is finally sharing all the joyous news and we can’t wait to see what the bride-to-be and her actor fiancé Ashton Kutcher are planning for their big day. This design would be perfect for the couple, who is famous for their laid back style. It adds a touch of elegance and romance, but is still fun and playful.

Olivia Palermo and Johannes Huebl

The wedding of style icon and former reality star Olivia Palermo, who is engaged to her long-time boyfriend, model Johannes Huebl, is definitely one that every fashionista will be waiting for. Olivia recently revealed that she will be wearing a sleek dress (no ball gowns for this tastemaker!), which makes us think that the wedding will be romantic, feminine and timeless. This elegant design with just a touch of whimsy perfectly complements such a stylish occasion.

Spring fashion colors help determine Spring bridal looks

What can the fashionable set and of course brides planning their wedding expect for next year?  Placid Blue, like a picture-perfect, tranquil and reassuring sky, induces a sense of peaceful calmness, while Violet Tulip, a romantic, vintage purple, evokes wistful nostalgia. Similar to the verdant shade of springtime foliage, Hemlock, a summery, ornamental green, provides a decorative touch that’s very different from the greens of recent seasons. Pair any of these versatile pastels with a bolder hue for an au courant look.

Sand, a lightly toasted and amiable neutral, conjures images of the beach and the carefree days of summer. Paloma serves as a quintessential neutral, interesting enough to be worn alone or combined with any color for new poise.

Cayenne, a high-pitched red, adds a dash of spicy heat to neutrals, and heightens the excitement when mixed with Freesia, a blazing yellow that is sure to illuminate wardrobes this season. A tropical, floral-inspired shade, Freesia’s warmth and energy help set the stage for Celosia Orange, an optimistic, spontaneous hue. Pair Celosia Orange with Violet Tulip for a captivating vision, much like the setting summer sun.

The palette is brought full circle with Radiant Orchid, a bold counterpart to Violet Tulip, and Dazzling Blue,a scintillating, polar opposite to Placid Blue. Surprisingly, these strong, vibrant colors also pair well across the palette: They are perfect companions to pastels, and add confidence and vivacity when mixed with other bold colors.

Thanks to the Pantone Color Institure for this report and if you’re in the planning stage, here are some colors to help you and inspire you.

 

 

What no mail on Saturdays?

The US Postal Service has just announced that starting August 5, 2013, it will stop delivering letters and other mail on Saturdays, but continue to handle packages, a move the financially struggling agency said would save them about $2 billion annually as it looks for ways to cut cost.

The news comes as the agency continues to lose money, mainly due to a 2006 law which requires it to pay about $5.5 billion a year into a future retiree health benefit fund. Last year, for the first time, the agency defaulted on two payments after it had reached its borrowing limit from the Treasury Department. The Postal Service also continues to see a decline in mail volume as more people shift to electronic forms of communication like e-mail and online bill paying services. Packaging is one of the few areas where the agency is seeing growth.

While many business and postal unions have generally opposed ending Saturday delivery, most Americans support the move. Material prepared for the announcement by Patrick R. Donahoe, postmaster general and CEO, says Postal Service market research and other research has indicated that nearly 7 in 10 Americans support the switch to five-day delivery as a way for the Postal Service to reduce costs. It also reported that the post office continued losses of up to $36 million a day and is headed for projected losses of about $21 billion a year by 2016.

How will this impact you as a couple as you mail your wedding invitations? Keep in mind that with the recent price increase in postage, it will cost you more to mail your invitations especially if they are heavier than one-ounce which we all know they are.  You should give yourself extra time to make sure that your wedding invitations reach your guests.

This change should not be a reason to begin emailing your wedding invitations.  Let’s keep something’s traditional and remember, not all grandparents have email and want to keep the invitation from your special day.

Pantone sets 2013 colors for stationery

Since trends in the stationery and gift categories tend to follow trends in the fashion industry, it’s important to be aware of the upcoming season’s color directions. Here are Pantone’s top colors for women’s fashion for spring 2013:1. Tender Shoots – The prevalence of green this spring is undeniable. Similar to the many shades in our natural surroundings, this season’s greens offer a stunning foreground or the perfect backdrop for all other hues. Like the first signs of spring, Tender Shoots, a vibrant yellow-green, is invigorating, active and cheerful.

2. Grayed Jade – A subtle, hushed green with a gray undertone, Grayed Jade brings about a mood of quiet reflection and repose.

3. Emerald – Sophisticated Emerald, a lively, radiant green, inspires insight and clarity while enhancing our sense of well-being. From one extreme to the other, combining all three greens presents an intriguing choice much like Mother Nature intended.

4. African Violet – Exotic African Violet is a statement color that brings a touch of intrigue to the palette, as purples often do, and can be incorporated into many unexpected combinations, including paired with exuberant Poppy Red.

5. Poppy Red – This is a seductive, sensual and celebratory shade. Whether it’s a knockout dress or a kiss on the lips, every woman’s wardrobe and beauty essentials should include this spirited, true red.

6. Nectarine – A bright, effervescent citrus orange with coral undertones, Nectarine provides a tangy burst of flavor.

7. Lemon Zest – Cheerful Lemon Zest brings out a piquant taste with its refreshing, spritely greenish cast.

8. Dusk Blue – Signifying the time of day when everything starts to wind down, Dusk Blue offers a calming sense of serenity akin to its green counterpart, Grayed Jade. Both of these colors act as the season’s newest neutrals. For an unexpected mix, pair Dusk Blue with the intensity of Nectarine.

9. Linen – A warm neutral, Linen is light and airy, providing a nude-like basic that is a must have for spring. Try pairing Linen with Grayed Jade or Dusk Blue.

10. Monaco Blue – Anchoring Monaco Blue is a classic shade that offers both stability and depth to the entire palette. Combine Monaco Blue with Poppy Red and Linen, or Monaco Blue and Emerald for a fresh collegiate look.

“The expression ’balancing act’ is something we all relate to as we strive to find harmony in the frantic pace of our everyday lives,” says Eiseman. “The same can be said for fashion as we look for balance between light and bright, classic and new. This season’s color palette emphasizes this need for balance, while at the same time allowing for individuality, self-expression and excitement.”

I wonder if these will have any impact on your wedding stationery choice?  Do share.

2011 Wedding Cost Update 3.4% decrease from 2010

We all know that the economy has changed the way couples look at their wedding and where they choose to spend their hard earned money.  It’s not about keeping up with the Duke and Duchess or even the Kardashians. It’s more about, how can I get the most for the money I’m willing to spend?  In 2011 the average cost spent on a wedding was $25,631, a 3.4% decrease from the 2010 total of $26,542. While that may not seem like a lot, the cost of wedding had steadily increased over the last decade and this tightening of the belt was felt across the industry.

The areas that saw the biggest decrease were rehearsal dinner, engagement announcements, gifts for your bridal party and even wedding bands.  However getting a wedding planner, an engagement photo session, the wedding dress (or the number of change dresses you had) and your wedding location saw a large increase in spending.

So what does this tell you? All of the things that you see in wedding magazines and blogs, all the stylized photo shoots cost BIG BUCKS and aren’t necessary. Now everyone will have their wedding on TV or can afford to invite 500 or your closest friends to eat drink and watch you get married. More couples are cutting back and I anticipate this trend will continue for the near future.

This isn’t to suggest that you can’t have a beautiful wedding if you choose to limit the extras. It simply means have a wedding that will be meaningful to you and your future spouse.  There’s nothing stopping you from making due with what you have other than you.  Remember in the end, it’s your wedding and just because someone else had a marching band doesn’t mean you have to have an orchestra…unless your wallet is that big.   If however it is, please invite me, I give good gifts.

All stats were obtained by the Wedding Report and you can see the entire breakdown in their article.