Jean M Blog

It’s no trick! Order now and we’ll treat you to a FREE tote bag!

Tomorrow is Halloween and we want to treat you! All you have to do is make a purchase of $99 or more by November 4^th …

…and we’ll include a FREE, striped tote bag with your order.

 

No trick!

Order today and get your FREE tote in time for carrying all your wedding-day necessities.

Enjoy!

My ideas for saving money on your wedding invitations

For some brides, the invitation is everything and they’ll dedicate a large part of their budget for the expensive, lavish, professionally printed and assembled invitations of their dreams.

But for other brides, while having a beautiful invitation is still important, they don’t want to spend a fortune.

For brides in the second category, here are my best ideas for saving money while still having beautiful, unique wedding invitations guests will never forget.

Order your invitations unassembled. We can print all the elements of your invitation ensemble and provide you with all the pieces you’ll need, and you can put your invitations together. Make it a party! Invite your bridesmaids and friends over for a night of good food and refreshments and your invitation assembly with go smoothly and enjoyably.

Lose the layers. Wedding invitation cards are available in gorgeous colors and can be printed with great designs and in ink colors that will create a colorful, unique look. Guests won’t even miss the multiple layers and ribbons and you’ll save money.

  

DIY. Do it yourself wedding invitations can be a good thing - if you’re creative and have the time. We make it easy for you with pre-cut cardstock in the perfect sizes for you to create your invitations, place cards, programs, menu cards and more.  And, to add a little something extra, add a rhinestone, pearl or ribbon. Ribbons are sold on the roll, so you can use it for your invitations, and then use the rest for decorating!

Order it all together. You may think that price comparing and ordering different items from different sites will save you money, but in reality, it’s more of a hassle and a risk. You’ll end up paying for shipping over and over. You won’t be guaranteed that paper or ribbon colors with coordinate. And paper stock quality varies from company to company. Jean M guarantees your satisfaction and the highest quality — and beautiful items for your wedding at prices you can afford!  Plus - you can relax knowing that all the Jean M paper colors match the ribbon colors, perfectly.  Coordinate away ladies.

Enjoy!

Check out the NEW Designer Search invitation contest entries!

Tell us what you think!  Vote on these entries, and if you have more to say, leave a comment.  Enjoy!

1.     A three-layer cake and square designs gives this a very fun look.

2.     This look reminds me of a retro evening celebration – fun!

3.     What girl doesn’t love cake, and pink?  This fun look will let your guests know the fun will begin when they arrive!

4.     A traditional look that emphasizes the couple, with a touch of hydrangea.  Sweet.  

5.     Spring. Summer. Fun floral and color.

6.     White on blue. Fleur de lys.  And a cute band.  What more could you want in a simple yet classy and stylish look?

7.     Orange and pink are in – and this pattern is oh so cute.

8.     A little dressing up in pink to makes this wedding invitation a traditional one that says I still have style.

 

Be sure to come back on Friday to check out more new entries, and to cast your vote! 

Enjoy!

My unique holiday wedding decorating ideas

Can you believe that Christmas is less than two months away? That means it’s time to think about how you’ll deck the halls for your holiday/winter wedding and parties! Where do you start?

Use the colors of the season — traditional reds and greens or contemporary icy blues and silver — and work them into your winter wonderland look! Also think about ways you can use iconic holiday items in unique ways to delight guests and accent your seasonal theme.

Tuck candy canes in our stemless glasses tied with a ribbon. Guests will love the traditional treats presented in such a unique way!  Or tie personalized ribbon for a special touch with your names and wedding date, or a fun saying like - HO HO HO from the Smith's.

Send guests home with homemade treats packaged in cellophane bags and Santa hats. They’re sure to bring a smile to everyone’s face!

 

Wreaths are everywhere during the holidays, but you can spice yours up by decorating them in your wedding colors and adding a unique message spelled out in aluminum art. The art is great for announcing your new last name or for encouraging guests to “celebrate” or inspiring them to “enjoy!”

   

Ornaments aren’t just for trees anymore! Fill beautiful vases with ornaments in your wedding colors for striking centerpieces that won’t break the budget. Add sparkling crystals, strands of pearls and even feathers for a light, sparkly look that mimics the snowy world outside.

 
 

Present favors in a fun and stylish way by hanging them from metal favor trees. You can set up a tree at each table or mass them together at the entrance to your event and encourage guests to take one as they leave. Go for treats in little gossamer favor bags or personalized ornaments in your wedding colors.

 

Don’t forget about the decorating impact of candles. I love the warm glow they create, and you’ll love how much atmosphere you’ll create for such low cost. Use traditional pillar candles or give a nod to your winter theme by using floating snowflake candles in glass bowls at each table.

 

Be sure to have plenty of necessities for guests to use during your celebration — and personalize them for a memorable touch! coasters, napkins and favors (printed with a design that coordinates with your décor and theme will help tie your event together beautifully). And be sure to order extra sets of personalized napkins and coasters to give as gifts.

 

Enjoy!

Jean

Vote on your favorite new Designer Search Invitation Contest entries

The invitation contest entries are rolling in...and we want to hear from YOU!  Vote on your favorites and tell us what you LOVE, like or would just leave.  If you have additional feedback to add, add a comment and sound off.   Enjoy!

      1. Mocha brown remains a very popular color for weddings, and this floral combination of mocha, teal and green is stunning, and right on trend.

      

      2. A twirl for a classic look.

    

      3. A beautiful fall, sweeping look and adorable layout.   

   
 

      4. Stylish, retro colorful diamonds and turquoise will help bring the fun out at this engagement party!

      

5.     Black and white. Modern and chic.  And butterflies are in.

 

     6. This sweet pink gerber daisy says simple, summer fun and floral!  

 

  

        7. Love the photo booth photo strip look. 

If you’re planning on entering – hurry!  Contest ends November 30^th.  Remember – you could win $1000 in cold hard cash!  And don’t forget to come back to see more new designs and cast your vote.

Enjoy!

Beautiful, money-saving alternatives for having the wedding of your dreams.

Saving money and paying attention to your budget doesn’t mean you have to give up all of your dreams. It just means thinking about things differently and working those dreams into realistic wedding plans.

1. The dream: a big, posh hotel wedding.

The beautiful, money-saving alternative: A celebration in a smaller, chic restaurant. You’ll still have a great dinner and superb atmosphere at great savings, versus holding your wedding at a full-service hotel banquet hall. You’ll also probably get more unique menu options and more personalized service if the restaurant is independent and locally owned.

And you’re more likely to be able to bring in items that are important to you, like a cake baked by the baker of your choice, special wine, personalized napkins and your own toasting glassware.

 

2. The dream: Riding with your entire party in a stretch limo from ceremony to reception.

The beautiful, money-saving alternative: Being whisked off, just you and your new hubby, in a friend’s sports car. The ride will be much more romantic — and it’s a great opportunity to surprise your new spouse with a special gift. Riding in a friend’s car or renting a small car for just the two of you will save you hundreds and hundreds of dollars over booking a top-of-the-line limo. Just be sure that everyone in your wedding party does have transportation to the reception site; arrange for family members and friends with cars to provide rides.

  

photo: Clark Art Photography • clarkartphoto.com

3. The dream: A wedding bash in the heart of the city.

The beautiful, money-saving reality: An elegant wedding with all the trimmings in your hometown. You can still have everything you want to make your wedding special when you host it in your hometown, but it will cost you a fraction of the bill you’d be presented with if you’d hold it in the city on a weekend. You'll also have the opportunity to take advantage of activities, services and products that make your wedding unique, like trolley transportation in a historic town, a getaway in a decorated boat at the lake or providing local treats for favors.

photo: Clark Art Photography • clarkartphoto.com
 

Enjoy!

A little help from your friends can save you lots of money.

When your friends and family find out you’re engaged and planning a wedding, they’ll 1) ask to see your ring, 2) ask when the date is and 3) ask if they can help in any way.

My advice? Take them up on their offer! They may just have a talent, skill or resource that will help you plan a unique wedding while saving you time, stress and money.

How can your friends help? Here are some ideas.

Flower Children

If your friends are gardeners or talented floral arrangers, you’re in luck! Instead of paying top dollar for professional floral arrangements for your ceremony and centerpieces, buy bulk flowers in your wedding colors and ask your friends to create loose, casual bouquets. Be sure to have plenty of vases and bulk ribbon on hand for accenting the vases.

The Sound of Music

Ask your musical friends to pool their talents and provide unique, beautiful music for your ceremony and cocktail hour. Also use the services of a friend who plays in a band or works as a DJ to get the music rolling for the dance. Someone just starting out in the music business or who DJs for a hobby may charge you much less than an established service will all the bells and whistles. Fun favor idea? Compilations of your favorite tunes on a CD and packaged in cute, personalized CD jacket and ribbon!

 

Heavy Lifting

When you’re having an outdoor wedding or a celebration at home, there will no doubt be hours of set-up involved. Recruit some of your brawniest buddies to help with table, chair and tent assembly instead of hiring the rental service to do it. Make it a party with food, beverages and great music from your own playlist and the work will become fun.

Sweets for the Sweet

You know that friend who makes the best brownies in the world? Or your grandma who has supplied you with her secret-recipe cookies your whole life? Ask if they’d be willing to bake desserts for your dessert bar and cookies for wedding favors. Provide them with the ingredients and the cake boxes, cake bags or cellophane bags for packaging — and give them a beautiful gift for their help.

 

Lights, Camera…

These days, almost everyone has a digital recorder. Ask a creative friend to bring his or hers along to the wedding to capture fun, candid footage of your event so you don’t have to pay your professional videographer overtime to stay through your reception.

Enjoy!

Tell us what you think about the newest Designer Search invitation contest entries!

The Designer Search invitation contest entries are rolling in, and we're dying to hear what you think about them!  Cast your vote, and add a comment to this post to give us more of your feedback.

1. This blushing blue wedding invitation sets the tone for a soft and sweet wedding. 

2. An elegant, yet simple, wedding invitation.

3. Beach weddings are so popular.

4. Pink and brown are still a popular color combination - and the light sweeping and dots design give it that soft feel.

5. I heart save the dates!

6. This holiday card collage design says Merry Christmas with flair.

Watch for another post next week to see even more adorable designs!  Keep 'em comin'!

Enjoy!

How do you stay in touch?

In this highly digital age, I want to know how techy you are!  Tell me what kind of mobile device you use.

And if you use another type of smart phone, or cell, add a comment and tell us what you use.

Thanks!  Happy Planning!

My latest ideas for saving money — PLUS don’t forget to save during our Rolling Discount Sale!

When it comes to your wedding budget, it’s all about balancing. There are big decisions to make and priorities to set. Here are some of my ideas for trimming costs in certain areas so you can free up some funds for items on your dream list!

1. Keep the bubbly for yourselves.

Alcohol is expensive, and champagne is the most costly of all. When you skip the bubbly altogether or only serve it to the head table, you’ll save hundreds of dollars. Your guests won’t miss having champagne when you’re already providing a well-stocked bar; they’ll be happy to raise whatever is in their glasses in honor of your marriage.

 

 

Just be sure that YOU raise stylish toasting flutes, whether you’re toasting with champagne or not!

 

2. Let’s do brunch.

Who says your wedding has to be in the evening? If you’re not night owls and you don’t plan on having a wedding dance, consider having your wedding on a Saturday morning and serving a lovely brunch afterwards. You’ll be almost guaranteed to get the wedding date and venue you want since evenings are the most popular times for weddings, and you’ll certainly save money serving a brunch rather than a full dinner. And having your wedding earlier in the day means you get to leave on your honeymoon that much sooner! Gotta love that!

 

3. Keep the party small.

One of the most important decisions you’ll make is who will be in your wedding party. It may be easiest to just throw up your hands and invite ALL your friends to stand up for you, but think about the costs associated — for you and for them. When you have only one or two attendants, you’ll save money on bouquets, boutonnieres, accessories, hotel rooms and bridal party gifts. Use the money you saved to throw an even better party for all your guests.

 

Photo: Clark Art Photography • clarkartphoto.com

PLUS There’s still time to save during our Rolling Discount Sale! Now you can save 10% on your order.  But hurry, this offer will roll on...  Click here for the details!

Enjoy!