A Legendary Affair - Redondo Beach Wedding Invitations - Wedding Thank You Note Etiquette

 Greetings Brides and Grooms!

A Legendary Affair specializes in invitations. Whether your style is creative and fun, formal and traditional, elegant and sophisticated or a variation of styles, colors, and design --- I am always delighted to assist you in finding just the right invitation and just the right words to set the mood for your event. When I receive your etiquette questions, I will share them on my blog, as I am sure that others will benefit from the answers. Here's a question regarding thank you notes...
 
Question:  Our wedding isn't until the end of the Summer, but we are already starting to receive wedding gifts. I've been seeking out answers online but am finding mixed reviews so I wanted your opinion on thank you notes etiquette.  I'd prefer to send notes as gifts come in; however, some sites recommend sending closer to the date of the wedding. It seems odd to me to wait to send a note for something I received last week ...can you confirm that I may send notes as gifts come in?
Answer: Your instincts are correct! Thank you notes should be sent as soon as possible. For gifts received up to 1 week before the wedding, notes should be sent out within 3 weeks. For gifts that arrive immediately before the wedding or on the wedding day, it is acceptable to send out notes within 4 weeks of receipt. Your note reassures the giver that you have received the gift and that you truly appreciate the time, money and thought spent on your behalf. Remember that the notes you send out before the wedding should be from the two of you - but you should not use your married last name or married monogram until after the wedding takes place.

I welcome your emails with etiquette questions - and will do my best to make the invitation ordering process very easy for you when you come in.  If it's easier for you to shop right at home, take a peek at the great designs in our ONLINE STORE!

Also --- after 20 years in Manhattan Beach, our Invitation Boutique has moved into the beautiful, fragrant, creative space that IS Jenny Barker and Magical Blooms in Redondo Beach.  If we can help you with anything, please set up an appointment and enjoy this fabulous environment with us!

Cheers...Cynthia

A Legendary Affiar Invitation Boutique makes a "Magical Move" to Redondo Beach!

MAGICAL BLOOMS!
LEGENDARY INVITATIONS!

It's a match made on May Day!

Dear Brides, Grooms, Moms and Friends!

Happy May Day - the Day of Flowers!!  At A Legendary Affair, business is "blooming" and I am excited to announce a fabulous move!  After 20 years in our Manhattan Beach location, A LEGENDARY AFFAIR - Invitation Boutique has moved to Redondo Beach and into the beautiful, fragrant, creative environment that IS Jenny Barker and MAGICAL BLOOMS!   In addition to our invitation boutique, where you can view thousands of actual invitation samples first hand and work with a friendly, caring professional to guide you through the process with ease ... now at the same time, you can enjoy the fragrance and exquisite beauty of fresh flowers at MAGICAL BLOOMS.  What could be better! Jenny and her staff of floral designers are most gracious and you will believe in magic again when you catch a glimpse of what they can create for your event.  I am looking forward to a fabulous, fragrant future and hope you will set up an appointment to experience this with me!

Here are our new contact details:

A Legendary Affair - Invitation Boutique
at Magical Blooms - 1417 S. Pacific Coast Highway
Redondo Beach, California 90277
www.ALegendaryAffair.com
cynthia@alegendaryaffair.com
(310) 372-5200

Photo Credit goes to the incredible mimiphoto.com

I look forward to seeing you soon! Let's coordinate!!

 Cheers!

Groom's Wedding Day Checklist

Hello Brides, Grooms, Moms and Friends!

For the groom who is ready to help but just needs to know what to do and when.... here it is!  The Groom's 12 month checklist, courtesy of our friends at Carlson Craft!

Hope this helps!!

Cheers and Have Fun!!

10 Wedding Invitation "Don'ts" - by A Legendary Affair Invitation Studio, Manhattan Beach

Dear Brides, Grooms, Moms and Friends...

We are nearing "Wedding Invitation Season".  This is the time when couples start the ordering process for Spring and Summer weddings.  We hear so much about what you SHOULD DO...that I thought I would "mix it up" and let you know what you should avoid!

 A Legendary Affair Invitation Studio

10 Wedding Invitation “Don’ts”…..

1. Don’t --- make new friends!  When you get engaged, keep a low profile and don’t commit to anyone that they will be an invited guest until you know that you will be able to accommodate them.

2. Don’t --- send Save-the-Dates if you want to keep your guest list down.

3. Don’t --- learn wedding invitation etiquette…unless you are doing your invitations online.  Trust your invitation professional to help you with this and save your time for other items on your list.

4. Don’t --- order invitations too early!  Things can change with your venue, time, guest list number. 4 months prior to your wedding date is optimal.

5. Don’t ---- order invitations too late!  Save yourself stress from the possibility of a necessary re-do and unnecessary express shipping.  4 months prior to your wedding date is optimal.

6. Don’t --- Order too many invitations.  Make sure you are ordering “per household” instead of “per guest”.

7. Don’t --- Order too few invitations.  The first 25 are the most costly because this quantity includes all of the set-up fees.  It is a minimal expense to increase the amount to the next 25, but expensive when you need more and have to start all over with printing costs.

8. Don’t --- Include Bridal Registry information with your wedding invitations.  Instead, include a wedding website that can provide registry information along with other wedding details.

9. Don’t --- Have guests RSVP to an email address to a formal wedding.

10. Don’t --- address your envelopes with labels!  Hand addressing by a calligrapher or someone with beautiful writing is ideal.  Also, your invitation printer may offer printing of your guest addresses in a matching font and ink. 

And --- Don’t forget to have fun along the way!  Cheers!!

Wedding Save the Date Cards - FAQ

Hello Brides, Grooms, Moms and Friends,

By this time of year in Southern California, most weddings for the year have taken place.  Brides are sending out thank you notes, getting their dress preserved, completing paperwork for changing their name, and selecting wedding photos to incorporate into their holiday cards.  (Notice that I included some links that will help if you happen to be one of these happy newlyweds!)

Then, there are engaged couples with wedding plans that are in full swing!

Once you have solidified the location and the date, you can start thinking about sending out Save-the-Date cards.  When I first opened my business in 1996, only a few people did this.  Now, nearly everyone sends out some form of notice to those on their guest list.  A Wedding Planner suggested that if you want to keep your guest list down, don't do it...as this advance notice is sure to encourage a larger turnout.  It is optional, but serves as a courtesy so that guests can plan ahead.

(When you are ready, check out the cute designs found in our ONLINE STORE!)

Here are the most common questions that I answer when helping brides & grooms with their order:

Q: Why do I send them?
A: So that guests, especially those who will need to make travel arrangements to join you, will know that the date and location of your wedding are solid and that they are definitely on the invitation list.

Q: To whom are they sent?
A: Send them to everyone on your list of definite invitees.  If you send them just to those from out-of-town, then your in-town guests might hear about it and think they will may not be invited.

Q: When do I send them? 
A: Anytime from 3 months to a year before your wedding.  Be sure your guest list, date and location are set.
 
Q: Do they need to match my invitations and wedding "theme"?
A: This is a personal preference.  Some couples are very organized and decisive.  They have their invitations picked out and create a card that perfectly matches.  Others know the colors and style of their wedding and make a selection that coordinates.  Then, there are those who want it to reflect the season or area and have fun with it...without worrying about the formality of the invitation that follows.

Q: Is it a good idea to incorporate an engagement photo into these cards?
A: Once again, it is personal preference.  If guests haven't met either the bride or groom, it is fun for them to see both of you together.  It could be an engagement photo from your photographer, a picture on the day you became engaged, or a fun photo that shows you doing something you enjoy together. 

Q: What information is included?
A: Keep it short and to the point ... Names, Date, City/State, Wedding Website and the phrase, "Invitation to Follow"

Here are samples to show wording and to get your creative juices flowing:

Have fun!  Cheers...

Beach Wedding Do's and Don'ts

Beach Wedding Do's and Don'ts

by Mary Dann and Holly Lefevre

Many couples are enticed and thrilled by the prospect of an ocean front wedding, and you can't get much closer to that dream than by having your wedding ceremony on the sand. What better way to say "I Do" in Southern California? But before you send out you the invitations think about what it really takes to pull off a surf and sand wedding celebration.
Planning for Your Sea Side Celebration

Casual or Formal: Getting married on the beach is really best suited for a casual affair. For a more formal affair, select an ocean front home or special event venue with an ocean view. Find the perfect sand space: Call the Parks and Recreation Department or Special Events Department in the city you wish to get married. These offices will be able to discuss what is necessary for a sand wedding in their particular city. Watch out for those special events: Ask the Parks and Recreation, Special Events Department, and/or Chamber of Commerce about other public events taking place. The beach is host to many volleyball tournaments, surf competitions, and street fairs. Check into restrictions: Do you need a permit or is the beach available on a first come first serve basis? Can chairs be set out? Ask these and other questions before you proceed with the planning. Call again: Before invitations are ordered (3-4 months prior to wedding) call the city again to reconfirm rules, regulations, and schedule of public activities. Have a back up plan: Rain, wind, or an unexpected (public) special event scheduled can upset your plans. Ask your reception site if they have back-up space. Crowds and Uninvited Guests: You will attract passerby's who like to be distant witnesses to your special wedding celebration. Also, try not to plan a sand wedding on a holiday weekend. Be clear on the invitations: Indicate your wedding site on your invitation. Make it clear to your guests that the ceremony takes place on the sand. Parking: Secure a parking lot and/or hire a shuttle service for guest transportation. "Do's and Don'ts" - Helpful Hints from the Experts DO: Be aware of special needs of older or disabled guests DO: Provide some chairs for family and older guests (10-12 chairs is adequate) DO: Consider using a pedi-cab to get these guests from the hotel/parking lot to the sand DO: Acoustical guitars, flutes, and other "portable" instruments work for beach ceremonies or have a friend operate a (battery operated) CD player DO: Keep the decor simple...Pre-decorated arches and aisle markers and a few chairs for older guests and/or family DO: Hold off bringing out dÈcor until 30 minutes prior or have a friend watch over your items DO: Use a pedi-cab to get you from the hotel to the sand DO: Hire a Wedding Coordinator DO: Stake out your spot with towels & sheets to reserve your space in the sand DO: Have water with plastic glasses and emergency kit available to your guests DO: Have a basket of towels available, post-ceremony for wiping off feet DO: Think about golf umbrellas for shade (especially on hot days) DO: Use walkie-talkies and cellular phones for Strand to sand communication DO: Have the photographer/videographer bring a sand wagon to carry and secure their equipment DO: Have a person to secure all the shoes that are left on The Strand (sidewalk that lines the beach throughout the South Bay). DON'T: Keep guests waiting without seats in the sun. Start the ceremony on time DON'T: Hire a keyboardist, harpist, or DJ's to provide music or sound for the ceremony DON'T: Use candles (i.e. a unity candle) DON'T: Use a (fabric) aisle runner DON'T: Plan a ceremony longer than 20 minutes DO: RELAX, TAKE IN THAT FRESH SEA AIR, AND ENJOY EVERY MINUTE OF THIS AMAZING DAY!