Engagements Lead to Weddings!

It's now October -- boy how time flies! Followed shortly by the fall season -- football, school starting and leaves falling -- comes the sometimes never-ending winter season (at least if you're in the midwest region) -- Thanksgiving, Christmas, burning fireplaces, hot chocolate, snow falling and shovelling and Engagements!!

During the many years we've been in this industry, the engagements during the holidays are inevitable and we love them! The soon-to-be brides are excited to set a date, pick out and order their wedding gown and really have fun planning a blow-out wedding!

So, I thought it beneficial to point out something and give you a few tips to help you too! This is just the beginning! You have so much work ahead of you to plan this event. And a lot of special details will go into it. The decisions are endless, and there are more to be made than you ever thought possible. Now, I'm not trying to dampen the mood, but just want to point out that you may need some help and to suggest that in trying to get that help you visit your local stores for bridal gowns, wedding stationery (save the dates, invitations, thank you notes, programs, menu cards, table/place cards, etc.), favors if you prefer, photographers, dessert confectioners, caterers, facilities, event supplies and florists. While it can sometimes be advantageous to shop online, this is one of the biggest times in your life where etiquette will be important so that you don't offend someone by accident and therefore have to start a new relationship off in an unfortunate position because all you had to do was ask for help to begin with. In addition, you can do a lot for your local economy and for the environment too! In the end, this benefits you. Your local vendors can also help you in ways you can't imagine by presenting you with all the options and helping you stick to your budget. They will be knowledgeable about all the products available and help to educate you along the way. Our goal isn't simply to make money -- it is also to develop rapport with you so we can help you in the future.

As a stationer, we've had many couples who have never sent out invitations before and don't know the first thing about doing so. We help them navigate the necessities of what they'll need, what the printing methods are that are available and why you would select one over the other, understand pricing and etiquette, placing their order and taking care of any issues that may arise. Our customers make the decisions and we do the work. As a result, we have many customers return to us for their paper needs for 1st Anniversaries, their children's birth announcements, baby and wedding showers for friends and families, occasion cards, wrapping presents for their special occasions, holiday entertaining and gift needs, and ordering their personal stationery! In turn, we aim to support them when we can should they ask for a donation to the charity they support as well as by having staff available and well trained to help with the personalized service they've come to appreciate.

Here are a few tips when working with vendors:

• If a vendor has spent a lot of time with you, place your order with them. It shows that you appreciate their help and value the services they provide. Likewise, if you don't intend to order from them, do not continually use them as a resourse. There is nothing more discouraging to a small businss owner to help someone, find out later they placed their order elsewhere and not know why. 
• If you know what you want, or at least have an idea, be able to communicate those ideas. If you need to bring pictures or samples to help you do so, that is absolutely fine and much welcomed! 
• Know what your priorities are, but be willing to work with your vendor. What you have your heart set on may not be available at the price you want, so know whether price or what you want is more important; and if price is more important, provide them with a budget and be open to other ideas so they can make suggestions.
• Don't expect to match colors across vendors and products (i.e., bridesmaids dress swatches need to match the ink color you're incorporating into the invitations or table linens). You will make yourself crazy as well as whomever you are working with. Coordinate colors so they look nice together. You'll achieve a nicer effect and remove some of the stress from your life.
• Don't expect discounts. In the world of online shopping, a lot of people have the expectation of getting discounts for the same product. If you are shopping at a retail store, have the understanding that they are providing you with a place to review the options in person, helping you to narrow and make a decision, place your order, in addition to helping you with the proper way to do things and taking care of problems if and when they arise, each of which take a lot of time, both with you and in educating their staff to be able to assist you. But, in the majority of case, you will be happy you had the help (believe me, we've heard horror stories)!
• Remember that each piece of your event is just as important as the others. Your guests will keep mementos of your wedding; the invitations/programs/menu and placecards for their friend or child who will be getting married or just because you're that important to them; the photographs of you dancing the night away; the restaurant and confectioner you used to cater the event for their next party. It is all important and serves to give them a cohesive experience as your guest. Remember as well that this doesn't have to be over the top. The wedding speaks as much about the day/night you will remember for the rest of your life as it does about you as a person and a couple. 
• Most importantly, enjoy this moment!!! You will never do it the same way again, but you will remember and share the experience for the rest of your life, whether with each other, your children or grandchildren.