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Telluride Wedding Invitation and Save the Date Ideas

10/30/2020

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Last month I visited Telluride, Colorado for the first time and I absolutely fell in love. There was inspiration everywhere I looked… the gondolas zig zagging through the quaint Mountain Village, the town of Telluride tucked between the towering San Juan Mountains, and the endless roads and hiking trails with breath-taking views. I thought, Telluride is an amazing place to get married! So if you are hosting a wedding there, take a look below at the custom Telluride-inspired wedding save the dates and invitations I designed recently. I hope these ideas will encourage you to create paper goods that incorporate your unique wedding location into your designs.
mountain gondola wedding invitation, telluride wedding invitation
One of my favorite experiences in Telluride was taking the gondola from the Mountain village to the town of Telluride. 
​
The views of the town when coming down from San Sophia station are stunning! This is a perfect scene to include on your save the date card or wedding invitation because it will no doubt get your friends and family excited about going to your wedding.
couple walking in the woods save the date
My husband and I hiked like crazy while staying in Telluride.
​We were there for peak fall foliage and our walks were surrounded by rows of golden aspens. Save the date cards are an opportunity to be less formal, so use your favorite “together activity” as inspiration. I’m finding many couples are now moving away from the typical engagement photo save the date and including a custom drawing or painting of themselves instead. Generate a little mystery for your guests by using latitude and longitude coordinates in lieu of the town and state. This will have them looking up your location and doing research online right away!
waterfall wedding invitation, bridal veil falls wedding invitation
Our final hike in Telluride was Bridal Veil Falls.
​It is the tallest free-falling waterfall in Colorado. What a fantastic location for a small wedding ceremony or elopement! Create a keepsake invitation suite or elopement announcement by including a wedding day story to coincide with the eye-catching imagery of your unique ceremony location.
gondola ticket wedding save the date, ski pass save the date
As mentioned, the Telluride gondola is a major attraction—and it’s free to ride!
​I get requests constantly for ticket themed invitations and save the dates. A gondola ticket save the date is a super fun idea that works no matter what Colorado ski town you are getting married in. Having a winter wedding and inviting friends and family who love to ski and snowboard? Design a ski lift ticket save the date. Customize the card even further by punching a hole in the top and tying some ribbon or twine around it to act as the lanyard.
telluride wedding invitation
There are memorable sites at every wedding venue or destination.
​Maybe you want to show off the town your venue is located in, or maybe your ceremony is on the balcony of an historic mansion overlooking the mountains. Pick your favorite and ask your invitation designer to paint that picture for your guests. I encourage you to also try some out-of-the-box verbiage for your invitation suite, like using roman numerals for the year instead of writing it out. There are endless ways to customize your wedding stationery to make it stand out from the rest. I know you have some awesome ideas—go get started!

Interested in creating custom save the dates or invitations for your wedding?

Contact Sarah
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Covid-19 Wedding Tips From the Pros

8/28/2020

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Weddings are stressful enough to plan without a global pandemic thrown into the mix. Friends and family will bombard you with opinions, but during this time, the best move you can make is to lean on the experienced wedding vendors you hired. We want to help you! The blog below is a compilation of Covid-19 wedding tips and advice (organized by vendor category) gathered from some amazing seasoned wedding professionals.
LGBT Downtown Denver Wedding
Photo by JMGant Photography
WEDDING PLANNING
Jessica McTaggart  |  Pink Champagne Events
pinkchampagneevents.com
  • First and foremost, be flexible! As we all know by now, the "normal" way of doing things is out the window. That also goes for wedding planning. The more flexible you can be with potential wedding dates, desired vendors, number of guests in attendance, etc., the better the planning process will be.
  • Don't delay in procuring those vendors you love. With a large majority of 2020 weddings moving to 2021 (some even into 2022), availability for in-demand vendors is dwindling. If you find someone you love, that also has your date available, don't drag your feet in booking them! 
  • Pay attention to contract language. With the Covid-19 pandemic, almost every single vendor made changes to their contract. Make sure you're up to speed with their policies regarding potential pandemic-related postponements and cancellations. Ask lots of clarifying questions to ensure you protect yourselves and your celebration, while also understanding that your vendor team is full of real people trying to survive too.
WEDDING VENUES
Stephen and Janelle Statham  |  The Woodlands Colorado
woodlandscolorado.com
  • Before committing to a wedding venue, consider asking what the venue has been doing or continues to do to assist couples during this Covid-19 season. Make sure you are comfortable with their rescheduling or cancellation terms before moving forward. Understand that most venues are unable to provide full refunds to stay in business, so try to keep an open mind. And most definitely look into cancellation insurance! Your guests love you and will celebrate you when the time is right.
Colby Rasplicka  |  Almagre
almagrecollective.com/wedding
  • Check the local guidelines. Some current guidelines can vary not only by state, but by county as well. Make sure you're informed on the current amount of guests permitted to attend and the rules that your event space is following due to their state or county legislation.​
  • Communicate. Reach out to prospective venues to ask specific questions about what you have planned in order to find our what will and will not be permitted. Most venues should work to accommodate your wedding requests, but it's important to let them know specifically what you have in mind. This way their event business is not jeopardized by guests or wedding vendors not following the rules and regulations. This can save you a massive fine and/or prevent you from losing your deposit.
Colorado winter wedding venue
The Woodlands in Morrison, Co | Photo by Caitlin Steuben Photography
modern colorado wedding venue space
Almagre Collective in Colorado Springs, Co
WEDDING DRESS SHOPPING
Mindi and Jordan  |  Something New Boutique
somethingnewboutique.com
  • The biggest tip to minimize Covid-19 exposure and make the process as seamless as possible is to eliminate the need for multiple stops. Make the decision at home of whom you want to share this special experience with. Read Google reviews to gather honest opinions from recent brides, look at pictures of the store, call the shop and ask about the dresses they carry and any current limitations they have. Check out each shop’s social media to see who they really are and what experiences they offer for their guests. Wedding dress shopping is so much more than buying a dress, it is creating lifelong memories!​
  • There can be delays in the manufacturing or shipping of your dress so don’t wait! Minimize your stress and shop right away. Ask the bridal store about shipping times. See if they have an in-store collection that you can purchase from directly. This option can possibly eliminate all worry as to whether the dress will arrive in time for the wedding. 


​WEDDING CEREMONIES & MARRIAGE LICENSES
Phil Gallagher  |  Colorado Wedding Officiant
officiantphilgallagher.com
  • You can obtain a Marriage License from any county in Colorado. The process used to be pretty straight forward, but with Covid-19 policies can be different from office to office. Whatever state you are in, I highly suggest finding the County Clerk and Recorder you want to use at least a month ahead of your wedding date. Call them to ensure you can do what is necessary to have your license in hand on your special day. And if the first office you call doesn’t work out, try more until you find a place that does. 
  • Some states, like Colorado, allow couples to self-solemnize. This means you can legally sign and file your Marriage License. In other words, friends or family members can perform wedding ceremonies without needing to sign anything. I understand that lots of couples are wanting to keep their circle small, which is why I offer Script Creation Services. I provide crucial wedding tips and advice to help coach those willing to stand up front and marry you. Don’t forget to grab the help and direction needed to make your ceremony even more unique!
  • Your wedding vendors are working with lots of other people, and are taking the necessary precautions to maintain your safety as well as their own. Right now many Officiants like me are hands-off, so definitely give your vows and rings to a responsible friend or family member attending the ceremony. Also, arrange to bring your own pen to sign your Marriage License. ​
colorado wedding officiant
WEDDING STATIONERY
Sarah Meyer  |  Designs by Sarah
designsbysarahmeyer.com
  • If you’ve postponed your wedding, but the original save the dates and invitations have already been mailed, there is absolutely no need to print a whole new invitation suite. Create and mail a wedding postponement card/save the new date card. Or simply send an email to your guests informing them of your revised plans and include a link to your wedding website. I do not recommend using social media to spread the word, it is very impersonal and posts/private messages can easily get lost.
  • Mail your invitations out as close to the wedding date as possible. We are learning more about this virus every day, so no one is going to make a decision in June whether to attend your October wedding. Ask your venue when they need a final headcount and create your timeline based on that. Give the post office about 10 business days for mailing and your guests 2-3 weeks to rsvp.
  • Since the post office is running behind, absolutely accept rsvps online through your website. Include a phone number on the rsvp card for the guests that are not comfortable with technology so they can text or call in their rsvp. This also gives them a way to contact you should they have more questions about your event.


​WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY
Alexa Jade  |  Alexa Jade Photography
alexajadephoto.com
  • It is so important for you and your fiancé to meet prospective photographers in person before the wedding. You should feel confident in knowing exactly who you are working with to ensure you are comfortable together on your big day. Although video calls are not ideal, I do them with all clients now. On these calls, my goal is to minimize any worries you may have. We review my Covid-19 policies and procedures and discuss in depth any specific requests you and your family have to secure the health and safety of the wedding party and guests. 
  • Photography is such an intimate part of your wedding. As your photographer, I am up close and right in the action. These days, I am using a longer lens that allows for more flexibility with zoom capabilities to still ensure I get those detailed shots while maintaining a safe distance. I am working hard to communicate clearly so that I can still pose my couples without touching them. I use this communication to help create those beautiful moments that the couple will remember long after the "I Do's". ​
Rocky Mountain wedding photography
Photo by Alexa Jade Photography
​WEDDING VIDEOGRAPHY
Jessica Ham  |  Runa Video
runavideo.com
  • If you've had to scale down your wedding day like many couples, there might be time for a longer couple videography session. We've captured some fun footage recently like a couple driving away from their ceremony in a vintage car and another couple stopping by a brewery and having a beer together in their full wedding attire!
  • When signing on with a videographer make sure you understand their policy for postponed wedding dates. Covid-19 and government restrictions on large gatherings are changing constantly. Fully discuss what will happen if you need to revise your date, and specifically how your retainer fee will be handled. Make sure it's all in the contract so there are no misunderstandings later.


​WEDDING BARS
Adam Douglas  |  Peak Beverage
peakbev.com
  • Set drink menus on tables for guests to review. This way they know what they would like to order ahead of time—avoiding the lingering and crowds at the bar. 
  • Champagne walls are very trendy right now and can eliminate the contact you get with tray-passed toasts.
  • For elopements or smaller intimate events you can remove bar service completely by purchasing DIY cocktail kits, canned "ready to drink" cocktails, and beer and wine selections from our liquor store.  ​
event champagne wall
Photo by Amy Caroline Photography
​WEDDING CATERING
Madhoo Seth  |  The Gourmet Kitchen
thegourmetkitchen.biz
  • Make sure the catering company you hire for your big day strictly adheres to the Covid-19 safe practice guidelines and recommendations set by the USDA and FDA.
  • We have seen an increased demand for individually packaged menu items. To promote health and food safety at events, we have created designer dinner boxes that come with an appetizer, salad, and main course!


​WEDDING RENTALS
Joann Berrian  |  Pine Hollow Vintage
pinehollowvintage.com
  • Contact your rental company and talk heart-to-heart about your desires and fears. We have been exceptionally flexible with our couples and have value added packages that give our couples numerous ways to make their wedding exceptionally beautiful. From intimate gatherings to large groups—we serve our couples with service, integrity, and style. Look for that special connection because a fabulous rental experience is more than a crate of dishes or glassware.
  • Although this season has been so challenging for couples, we feel that there are some special benefits that we can provide as a small family-owned business. We are experts at creating an eye-catching wedding reception and include complete set-up and take-down, allowing you more time to just enjoy your day. ​
elegant and rustic wedding decor
colorado vintage wedding decor
​WEDDING ENTERTAINMENT
David M. Smith  |  Shindig Entertainment
myshindigdjs.com
  • Having an experienced MC with a commanding presence is significantly more important than most would think. The entertainer you choose, has to be well-spoken, well-trained, well-dressed, and charismatic enough to command the attention of your family and friends. An experienced entertainer will have no problem confidently directing everyone and leading your entire celebration. In fact, it is the DJ’s responsibility to do so!
  • It’s no secret that many venues are 86ing the dance floor. Therefore, we need to utilize our 2020 imagination to ensure the show goes on! Here are three ideas for alternate wedding entertainment:
    1. Trivia: everyone loves trivia! Find a company that will not only provide an awesome game, but will also customize the game around YOU.
    2. Music Bingo: this is a great way to social distance, yet still hear your favorite tunes throughout your special night, while entertaining a diverse crowd.
    3. The Shoely-Wed Game: This a quick one, but if it is done right with a great entertainer, it can please any guest list.


​​WEDDING HAIR & MAKEUP
Alexis Alba  |  Muse Modern Salon
musemodernsalon.com
  • Now that most of us are working from home and don't need to style our hair, I am very familiar with tying our hair back everyday. But be careful not to grab the scrunchie too often because it can lead to hair breakage. 
  • I know this pandemic is super stressful and plans are constantly changing day to day; however stress can relate to hair loss. My biggest advice is to try to do something to relax—if that is pouring a glass of cabernet and indulging in your favorite tv show or getting outside to get some exercise—this will save your precious hair!​ ​
Jade Darrough  |  Jaded Beauty
jadedbeauty.co
  • Make sure your beauty team follows DORA guidelines. This requires both clients and beauty service providers to wear masks during services at all times. When it's time for foundation, blush, contour, and lips during the makeup service, the client can then remove their mask. The service provider should wear a shield along with their mask for extra protection. Since that is the end of the service, the client is free to walk away, mask-less and gorgeous!
  • Book in advance for both 2020 and 2021 weddings! Since beauty isn't a massive vendor category, like venues or photographers, we typically fall within the middle or end of a couple's booking agenda, but with an immense amount of rescheduling from the 2020 season, our 2021 calendar is already at 70% capacity and 2022 is starting to fill up.
bride and groom dancing
Photo by Megan Blowey Photography
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Add These Paper Goods to Your Elopement Checklist

7/31/2020

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Since the coronavirus took hold of our world, more and more 2020 weddings are turning into 2020 elopements. Couples are opting for private wedding ceremonies at memorable and romantic locations. This means you can avoid the traditional paper goods like save the dates, invitations, rsvps, seating charts, etc. So what kinds of stationery and signage should be on your elopement checklist? I have some ideas below…
colorado mountain elopement
Photo by Gracie Marie Photo
1. ELOPEMENT SIGN
A small “we eloped!” sign is a great item to have for elopement pictures. It can be a simple poster print mounted on foam core with your names, wedding date, and location. This makes for the perfect image to post all over social media. My pick is the “just married”sign. Go old-school and have a fabric sign made to hang on the back of your getaway car. Then you can enjoy all of the congratulatory honks on the highway after you say, “I do”!
2. VOW BOOKS
These are the absolute best keepsakes from your wedding! Visit a local stationery store to inquire about handmade notebooks for you and your partner to write your vows in. Maybe ask a calligrapher to inscribe your vows on a scroll, handkerchief, or an antique mirror; or hire a graphic artist to design and print booklets that reflect your elopement day theme.
mountain wedding vow books
Photo by Alexa Jade Photography
3. ELOPEMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Share your beautiful wedding day with the friends and family who couldn’t be there to celebrate with you. Hire an invitation designer to create custom elopement announcements for you. This ensures your own personality and style will be included into the overall design. You could show off an image or drawing of your elopement site on the card or write a little story about the special day.
beach elopement announcement
4. THANK YOU CARDS
Even though you didn’t have a big fancy wedding with tons of guests, you may still receive gifts when everyone finds out you eloped. Have a handful of thank you cards created with your favorite wedding day pic on the front. Leave the back of the cards blank so you can write personalized messages.
custom wedding thank you card with photo
Photo by Silver Sparrow Photography
Interested in creating some fun paper goods or signage for your elopement?
EMAIL SARAH
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Wedding Invitation Tips During COVID-19

5/29/2020

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During this crazy time some wedding invitation formalities and traditions will have to bend a bit to simplify the process. I hope these invitation tips will help ease your mind and the minds of your guests.
new wedding date, save the new date, wedding postponed
You've postponed your wedding, but the save the dates/invitations have already been mailed...
  • There is absolutely no need to print and mail a whole new invitation suite. Create a “wedding postponement card”. It can be a 3x5in postcard (recipient address and stamp on front, new date info on the back). If you want it to feel more formal, simply include an envelope.
  • Compose an email to your guests informing them of your new plans and include a link to your wedding website, but only do this if you have everyone’s email addresses. I do not recommend using social media to spread the word—it is very impersonal and posts/private messages can easily get deleted or lost.

Here are some verbiage ideas:
  1. No matter the situation our love stays strong. Our wedding hasn’t been cancelled, but has been moved to NEW DATE. Please visit our website for updates.
  2. Good things are worth the wait. Due to unforeseen circumstances, we made the difficult decision to postpone our wedding to NEW DATE. We will be in touch when we have new plans.
  3. Same party, different date. Due to the recent global pandemic, our wedding has been postponed to NEW DATE. More details coming soon or Please visit our website for updates.
  4. Save the new date. In light of recent events, our wedding will now take place on NEW DATE. More details coming soon.
  5. Distancing now to celebrate later. In order to celebrate safely with you, we have chosen to postpone our wedding celebrations to NEW DATE. For more information and to stay updated on our plans, please visit our website.
elopement announcement, we eloped card
You’ve decided to elope...
  • ​Let friends and family know you tied the knot by mailing an elopement announcement. Many photographers are offering reduced rates for elopements right now. Include a favorite photo or two on the announcement card and share a few little details about your special day. There’s nothing better than a love story!
rsvp online card, rsvp card, wedding website card
You’re having this wedding no matter what...
  • Mail your invitations out as close to the wedding date as possible. We are learning more about this virus every day, so no one is going to make a decision in June whether or not to attend your October wedding. Ask your venue when they need a final headcount and create your timeline based on that. Simplify the process by putting rsvps online (see below for rsvp tips). Give the post office about 10 days for mailing and your guests 14-21 days to submit rsvps.   
  • Normally I am a huge advocate of rsvp cards via mail. This year though, I am recommending couples take the time to setup an online rsvp system on their wedding website. I think we have all noticed that the post office is running behind, so this solution will expedite your invitation timeline. If you know some guests will not be comfortable with this, include a phone number on the rsvp card so they can text or call in their rsvp. This also gives them a way to contact you should they have more questions.​
  • Add a details card with COVID-19 related information to your wedding invitation suite. The safety and health of our friends and family is so important. Provide them with a list of the precautionary measures to be implemented at your event. This shows guests you are taking the current situation very seriously and could be the thing that changes a “no” rsvp to a “yes!”.
Please reach out if you have questions or need any assistance with your wedding stationery. You do not have to be my client—I'm happy to help!
CONTACT SARAH
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The Best Wedding Trends in 2020

4/20/2020

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I asked some of the top wedding planners in Colorado to share the wedding trends they are loving this year.

  • Sustainability is top of mind
    From things like recycled paper invitations with a digital RSVP, compostable china and flatware, reusable silk florals, and locally sourced catering, the future of the world can start to be saved with one event at a time!
  • ​Color, color, color! Don't be afraid of color!
    While we still swoon over a blush and pink and greenery filled design, we love it when our couples really want to bring in some personality to their wedding with bright and bold colors. We are thrilled that a few of our couples this year have embraced the happy and warm classic blue Pantone Color of the Year for their celebrations!
Aimee Palifroni  |  Owner, Prisma Events
​​
prismaeventsllc.com
colorful wedding flowers
  • Floral wedding gowns
    Some brides are choosing to wear dresses that are completely floral, while others are wearing white dresses with colorful flower appliques.
  • Adding bold textures and colors to your decor
    The days of basic color palettes like the standard white and green, all blush, or neutrals-plus-metallic weddings are GONE! 2020 is expected to bring pops of color, new palettes, print mixing, and statement hues that weddings haven't seen before. This is really tapping into couples' personal style and not what everyone else is choosing. You will start to see a wide range of shades and tones get highlighted and mixed. If you love one particular color, go for it and bring in patterns, colored glassware, linens, etc.
    ​
Kelly Karli  |  Owner, Kelly Karli Weddings + Events
kellykarliweddingsandevents.com
​
​
  • Mixing table size, shape and type
    Couples are creating far more interesting floor plans, mixing wood farm tables with rounds covered with tablecloths, or arranging the head table in the shape of an X or a "winding" table.​
  • Micro Weddings
    ​I am booking more and more small, intimate weddings of 40 or less guests. Brides are spending more on the guest experience by providing a custom upscale menu, fine wines, a champagne wall and gorgeous centerpieces.​
Wanda Bonner  |  Owner + Founder, Blue Linden Weddings + Events
bluelindenweddings.com
micro wedding
  • Cocktail style receptions
    ​
    We are seeing weddings that feature open seating and casual food service. Guests are still having dinner portions, but in a variety of foods served over a longer period of time—combining passed hors d’oeuvres, themed food stations, and late-night snacks.
  • Variety with guest seating options
    In addition to a standard dinner table, you can play with cocktail tables, lounge setups, and even cool floor seating with rugs, low tables, and floor pillows. This is for the couple that is really into the experience of the reception by allowing guests to dance, mingle and have a good time all night.
Natasha Tuccitto  |  Owner + Creative Director, Sugar Willow Events
sugarwillowevents.com


  • Out-of-the-Box Tosses
    ​Want a more modern or fun version of the bouquet and garter toss? In 2020, look to see fun alternatives to these traditions, like a garter or bouquet pinata (garter/bouquet inside the pinata, first person to break the pinata gets it!), football garter (instead of taking the garter off of the bride, it's on a football that the groom throws into the crowd), or a scattering bouquet (instead of being tightly wrapped, the bouquet scatters into the crowd, allowing multiple flower recipients!)
  • Pop-of-Color Bridal Wear and Patterned Bridesmaid Dresses
    ​In 2020 we expect to see a lot more color, and not just in the flower arrangements! Whether the bride has colorful details on her dress (or veil!) or the bridesmaids are rockin' bright floral or vivid geometric patterned dresses, 2020 is sure to be a treat for the eyes!
Adrienne Coffey  |  Owner, A Touch of Bliss Events
touchofblissevents.com
Picture
  • Charity Donations in lieu of a gift registry
    A lot of our couples are choosing to give back through their registry versus receiving wedding gifts. 
  • No wedding party
    We have seen an increased trend of our couples choosing to not have bridesmaids and groomsmen or just having one person stand up with them on either side (usually a sibling).
Meghan Sibert  |  Owner, The Collective Events
thecollectivevents.com


  • Funky florals
    Couples are ditching the traditional rose bouquet to incorporate funky florals that allow for more texture and create a really fun look. This even extends to incorporating grasses, greenery, and even feathers.
  • Dessert alternative that reflects your own personal style
    If you're not a fan of cake, why serve it at your wedding? From handheld fruit pies to donut walls, assorted dessert bites (ranging from sweet to savory, or even ice cream (be it rolled or scooped)—providing something that YOU enjoy as a couple s a way to easily personalize your event and be an easy crowd-pleaser.
Patricia Zutman  |  Owner, All Four Seasons Events
allfourseasonsevents.com
wedding desserts
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