Silhouettes of seagulls and a palm tree against a beach sunset is perfect for a destination wedding.

With it’s dark hues and clean sleek patterns, Decadence is the perfect design for the traditional bride and groom that enjoy a little drama.

The wedding invitation is meant to communicate the details about your wedding to your guests. The style, format and wording will also provide yours guests with the first hint of what kind of event your wedding will be. A traditional wedding invitation will be formatted using these guidelines:

Don’t abbreviate.
Spell out words like Street, Road, Doctor, and province names. The exceptions are Mr., Ms., and Jr.

Use Commas sparingly.
Commas only appear in 2 spots. Between days and dates (Sunday, the twelfth  of August) and between cities and provinces (Vancouver, British Columbia).

If the city is well known, you may choose to leave out the province. (Vancouver)

Employ British spellings of favour and honour.

Use the honour of your presence for ceremonies in a house of worship. Use the pleasure of your company for ceremonies in locations such as homes, hotels, clubs or other non-religious venue.

Write out times including the word “o’clock.” (three o’clock)

Use half after or half past instead of -thirty for half hours. (half past three o’clock, instead of three-thirty o’clock)

Write out years .(Two thousand and nine)

Always put the bride’s name before the groom’s.

Use military and professional titles. (Major, Doctor, Judge)

Whose name goes where? The placement of names is meant to convey who is related to whom as well as who is hosting the wedding.

Examples:

If you are hosting your own wedding:
The honour of your presence is requested at the marriage of
Miss Juliet Capulet
To
Mr. Romeo Montague
On Saturday, The Twenty-third of April
Two thousand and ten
at Half past three o’clock in the afternoon
Westwood Plateau Club
2756 Dewdney Trunk Road
Vancouver, Canada

Both parents hosting
Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Capulet
&
Mr. and Mrs. Bob Montague
Request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their children
Miss Juliet Montague
And
Mr. Romeo Montague

On Saturday, The Twenty-third of April
Two thousand and ten
at Half past three o’clock in the afternoon
Westwood Plateau Club
2756 Dewdney Trunk Road
Vancouver, Canada

Bride’s parents are hosting
Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Capulet
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Miss Juliet Capulet
to
Mr. Romeo Montague
On Saturday, The Twenty-third of April
Two thousand and ten
at Half past three o’clock in the afternoon
Westwood Plateau Club
2756 Dewdney Trunk Road
Vancouver, Canada

Now for some etiquette, it is considered rude to pointedly exclude anyone on an invitation. If you don’t want children at your wedding, leave their names out. Have friends and family members pass the word around that your wedding is an adult only affair. If you want to be more direct, add “Adult Reception” or (# of) seats have been reserved in your names to your RSVP card.

It is also rude to include details of where you are registered or to ask for “Cash Only Gifts”. Once again pass this information via word of mouth.

It is your wedding and you are free to adapt traditional rules to suit your own style. For example, you may choose to omit social titles. (Juliet & Romeo, instead of Miss Juliet Capulet and Mr. Romeo Montague) Or you might think about using first person (We cordially invite..). There is always plenty of room for creativity.

It’s no secret that we’ve been planning a party.  The launch of our website is coming up and to celebrate we are going to have a BBQ at Jericho Beach. In preparation, I’ve been looking for alternatives to paper plates and cutlery.   I came across a great product from Stalk Market, compostable and disposable plates made entirely from sugar cane fibers.  They stand up just as well as regular paper and are microwaveable and freezer safe.  I checked out the company’s website and they sell a variety of similar products made out of sustainable materials, including cutlery made from plant starch.  Check them out for more info!  www.stalkmarket.net

Sugar Cane Fiber Disposable Plates

Embrace is inspired by the heart fluttering romance of Japanese anime.

Soft colours and intricate heart patterns, Woven Hearts is the perfect design for the classic bride and groom.

Wedding under construction design, inspired by road signs used as decoration in my male friends’ apartments. Urban design.

A high fantasy themed card, designed especially for the couple whose fairytale dreams have come true.