CopyKate #02

Invitations are the first thing your guests see for your wedding, unless you are having a Save the Date. You need to set the tone for your wedding through your invite - it helps guests decide if they are able to attend, what to wear, and what is expected of them (travel, costs, etc).

CopyKate #02: The Royal Wedding Invitation

I emailed my friend Sarah from Hip Ink to inquire about William & Kate's Royal Wedding invites, and how couples would be able to get the same look and feel of their invites for a whole lot less.


Here's what she had to say:

From photos I’ve seen, my guess would be that William and Kate’s invitation was likely printed on a 100% cotton, double-thick card, around 6×8 (which is oversize for standard invitations). I’m quite sure that the details were engraved, the royal crest stamped in gold foil and the edges of the card were gilded with actual gold. The invitation would have most certainly arrived in a double envelope.


$16-$20 per invite, plus optional personalization
The Royal Invite was an approx. 6x8 thick cotton card, engraved, with gilded edges and a foil stamped crest. You would probably expect to pay around $800-1000 for 50 invitations that were similar. The engraving - the most expensive printing method for invitations - and gilded edges are what really drive the cost up.

What was interesting about the Royal Wedding invites, at least to us in North America, was the lines where the guests names were written in (in this case it would have been the Royal Calligrapher who wrote them all). This is standard practice (personalizing invitations with guest names) in the UK and Australia, and adds a nice personal touch.

This is definitely something that you could incorporate if you're working with a custom designer. For example, I offer personalization on invitations or RSVP cards for around $.75-$1.00 each.

$9-$10 per invite
A mid-range but very similar invite that would look almost identical could be created using the same cardstock (a 100% cotton double-thick card), letterpress printing (still very chic and high-end) and a foil stamped gold crest (but skipping the gilded edging) for around $450-500 for 50 invitations.

$4-$6 per invite
The standout of this invite is the gold foil crest – keep that element and you’ve got the look. Combine a nice (but not super-thick) cardstock and digital printing, and you've got a more affordable item.

Did you notice that the RSVP information is printed in the lower left hand corner, asking guests to reply to the Lord Chamberlin’s office? As is traditional, and most formal, the reply is to be provided in writing – no email or phone calls here, no little mail back cards – old-school all the way. Also, no reception info. Separate invitations were mailed out for those invited to the afternoon reception held by the Queen, as well as the evening reception held by Prince Charles, and those invitations have not been made public.

So, there you have it. You can recreate Wills & Kate's invites at any price level and still get the same regal look. Contact Sarah for info on your wedding invites, or if you're working with us for Full Wedding Planning we will be able to refer you to vendors like Sarah that offer discounts to our clients.

Cheerio!

CopyKate #01

Since the Royal Wedding on April 29th, we've heard cries from Brides on Twitter, Facebook and in print on how can they add elements from the wedding, incorporate traditions and styles and sometimes outright copy the new Duke & Duchess of Cambridge.

How can you be a copycat, or as we like to say, a CopyKate? We'll tell ya!

For the next few weeks we will post how you can have your own Royal Wedding inspired day....

CopyKate #01: The Dresses

Kate's ceremony dress by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen is rumored that it will be the most sought-after dress for the next decade. You can get this look too by pairing a lace shrug ontop of a strapless sweartheart gown. To save money, look for your gown on sample racks, at clearance sales and on sites like Recycled Bride and Kijiji.

You can order a custom made lace shrug for just $25-35 US online, or you can get the similar look with a short sleeved version. The a perk for this look is that it's not only affordable, but can also be removed should you want to change up your style after the ceremony or your pictures.

Visit local Bridal Boutiques and tell them that you're looking for a dress that is "Kate inspired" - they will be able to help you naviagate through the options and stay within your budget. Simply put, you don't have to buy a courture gown like Kate's to feel and 'look' like a Princess.

Kate's second dress was a Sarah Burton design as well and was worn for the evening Reception hosted by Prince Charles. The second gown is similar to the first due to it's sweetheart neckline and subtle A-line skirt, but it's much more casual. It looks to be satin, and is embellished with silver diamante embroidery at the waist. To complete the look, and dress for the cool spring air, Kate wore a soft white angora bolero cardigan.

Designers like Alfred Angelo and David's Bridal offer dresses that are similar to Kate's and are often very affordable. David's YP322 (shown right) is only $649 US, a price your Prince Charming surely won't turn his nose up at! To add more bling to the gown, incorporate your "Something Old" or "Something Borrowed" by adding a large diamond or gem broach. Afterall, you don't want to copy Kate too much - you've still got to feel and look like yourself, even as a blushing "Princess" Bride.

*Blog post inspired by the Royal Wedding

*Images found on Google Search

 

Wedding Planners

Not really sure what a Wedding Planner does?

Here are the basics of what we, The Bride's Butler can do, and how we help you with your most special day.

• We're experts in the Wedding Industry and are in the know of todays trends. Our knowledge can help you save money, time and stress searching online, in magazines and with vendors.

• We've got connections. We can help you secure trusted professionals (Friendors) that often extend discounts to clients of certified Wedding Planners.

• We're there for you. A Wedding Planner works for you - not for your venue, or your photographer, or for your crazy Auntie Carla - we are working for you - the happy couple. Your wish is our command (within reason of course!)

• Wedding Planners will take time to discuss your needs, ideas and wants for your wedding. We help you problem solve, answer questions, point you in the right direction and help guide you through a fun, yet often  stressful planning process.

• We do not plan your entire wedding and make it our own. It is your wedding day, and we make sure that your personalities shine through in all of your decisions. There are lot's of choices when planning, in fact you will make over 177 decisions before you walk down the aisle.

• We're organized. We can provide you with spreadsheets and timelines to help you stay organized too.

• We can be your personal therapist. Like we've said, wedding planning can be stressful, and when other opinions are involved (mothers, sisters, cousins, bridesmaids, etc) it can get frustrating. We are here for you - for an ear to vent to, a shoulder to cry on and to play the role of 'negotiator'.

• Wedding Planners can be hired for Full Wedding Planning where we are with you every step of the way. We help guide your decisions, source vendors and resources and work towards saving you time, money and stress.

• Wedding Planners can also be Wedding Coordinators. This role is for Day of Coordination services - where you plan your wedding, but we make the magic happen. You can't be too places at once. We take care of all the details so that you can enjoy being a blushing Bride.

• We are affordable. Wedding Planners aren't as expensive as you think. Ask any Bride who didn't hire a Planner and they would tell you that they wish they did. Hindsight is 20/20. In comparison for what you pay for your photographer, florist, dress and cake - we are very affordable for the services we provide.

So, think you have a better idea as to what a Wedding Planner does? Still not sure? Check out our website, or come visit us tonight at the Ancaster Wedding Show.

Questions? We love meeting with Brides-to-be and their Grooms for a complimentary coffee & chat so we can discuss how we can work together and be your official "Bride's Butler".