Jean M Blog

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!

Make all the elements of your wedding unique with Jean M’s DIY papers!

Jean M makes DIY easy for every element of your wedding, not just your invitations! All of our DIY folders and DIY cardstock pieces are expertly cut to great sizes and shapes, perfect to use for your…

 

donation cards.  Use DIY enclosure folders to highlight the donation made to your favorite charity in lieu of a favor...

 

programs.  Tea length or jumbo size DIY program folders and your stylish touch will make your programs unique!  Embellish with ribbon, design, rhinestones, scrapbooking papers....make it all about the you!

 

DIY menu cards… Be unique and mix and match colors, papers and embellishments to showcase your style.

 

and DIY social invitations!  DIY your rehearsal dinner invite, bridal shower invitation and so much more!  

Then be sure to accent your do-it-yourself items creatively with coordinating scrapbook papers, ribbons,  seals and other accents.

 

You can also use our papers, ribbons and embellishments to accent your centerpieces, gifts, decorations and more.

And don’t forget about your favors! Our scrapbooking papers and cardstock can be used as favor tags and accents for all varieties of favors, making them fun and unforgettable.

 

Enjoy!

Make guests feel right at home — at your wedding!

They've accepted your invitation, blocked time off their calendars, made travel arrangements, purchased a gift (and probably a fab new outfit...plus shoes and accessories, of course) and booked hotel rooms.

How do you make your wedding guests feel appreciated the moment they arrive? Pamper them by arranging to have a welcome gift waiting for them in their hotel rooms!

Here's where you get to have fun and be creative. Find pretty boxes, baskets or bags and start shopping for items to fill them. Think about your wedding theme, season, location and style. For instance...

...for a winter wedding, pack a box or basket with hot chocolate mix or coffee favors, biscotti or cookies, candles and matches, a thank you note and a pair of cozy slippers. Package the items in cellophane bags  and personalize with colorful place cards, ribbon and stickers.

 

...for a destination wedding, pack a colorful beach tote bag with a straw hat, bottled water, sunscreen, some beach toys and a fluffy towel. Personalize your water bottles with personalized stickers for a fun touch.

 

...for weddings in your favorite locale or close to home, fill a basket or box with local treats like locally brewed beer or other beverages, snacks the area is famous for and a map for sightseeing. Add a personalized thank you note with a handwritten message.

 

...for the bachelorette party, give all the girls fun and fancy treats they'll love! Fill your welcome box with a martini glass, wildly printed tissues, cute "diva" luggage tags, fun accessories and a personalized photo album for storing memories of the event.

 

Be sure to include a printed itinerary of the weekend in every guests' welcome gift so they know the schedule of events and feel included in your celebration.

 

Enjoy!

Halloween — a fun holiday AND a great wedding theme!

Halloween isn't just for kids anymore. Adults everywhere are hosting fabulously frightful parties and having a stylish good time on All Hallows Eve. And with the fall tones of spice and black gaining popularity as wedding colors, it makes the perfect theme for the autumn weddings of fun-loving brides and grooms.

 

Get guests into the spirit right from the start with spice and black invitations. We show party wording, but you can easily print fun wedding wording on spice and black paper. Consider this idea:

It's no trick...

We, John and Jessica,

will be joined in marriage

On Saturday, the thirty-first of October,

Two thousand nine

...it will be a treat

to have you celebrate with us!

 

Accent the invitation with spooky stickers for a party or with black stitched, grosgrain or satin ribbon for a wedding — it will be the perfect finishing touch!

 

Then set the scene. Fall gourds and decorated pumpkins work well for both parties and weddings. Save the carved scary faces for parties and add unique touches to the pumpkins for your wedding, like adding metal grommets, wire accents, carved patterns and even masquerade masks.

   

Arrange the pumpkins and gourds outside your ceremony or reception site for a great welcome (and if you can arrange for a little black cat to accent the scene, all the better!). Add a touch of light by adding printed sheets of sheer paper to clear glass candle cylinders. It's easy to create the sheets on your computer with words like "Witch Way to the Party" or "Eye of Newt" for a party or "Celebrate" and "Snuggle" for a wedding. Then print out the sheets on your printer, trim them and slide them into the cylinders. Light a tea light in side, and you've got a romantic glow.

 

Add fun touches throughout your celebration with décor items like aluminum art spelling out words. Think "Spooky" or "Boo!" for a party or "Welcome" and "Romance" for a wedding. Then use the art at home for decorating after the event.

 

It's easy to treat your guests right at a Halloween party and wedding. Start with hot, spiced cider in classy, flared glasses to warm them up in the crisp autumn air...

 

...and then warm their hearts with a fun candy bar where they get to choose their own favors! Choose candies in spice and black to match your theme and personalized favor bags and favor boxes or guests to use when helping themselves.

 

Spice and black, two-piece favor boxes also look great with mix-and-match lids and tied with black personalized ribbon. Fill the boxes with seasonal candies to satisfy guests' sweet cravings.

 

And send guests home with packages of goodies for the road. Mix together sweet cereal, mini marshmallows, M&Ms and peanuts, fill cellophane bags with the treats, and top the bags with spice place cards printed with “Ghoul Fuel”. Tie with black stitched ribbon and your guests will leave with smiles on their faces and great memories of your celebration!

 

Enjoy!

Watch my TV segment about DIY!

GetMarried on Lifetime TV interviewed me about my best ideas for how brides can add a unique, special, custom DIY look to all the paper elements of their weddings.  

Watch the segment now and get great ideas for accenting YOUR wedding!

Shop our DIY Wedding Invitations and Cardstock and see what you can create!

Enjoy!

Fabulous tips for using Jean M’s beautiful ribbons!

Here's one of my favorite decorating secrets: bulk ribbon! 

Our ribbon is available in great quantities — some on huge, 100-yard rolls — for great savings AND endless decorating possibilities.

 Ribbon is so versatile. It can be used throughout your entire wedding, from accenting your save-the-dates and invitations right down to adding the last detail to your favors.

 You can choose the same color ribbon you selected for your invitations to use when decorating your entire event, add in complementary color to mix and match and give your look a splash, or choose an entirely new color for a fresh look at your reception.

 With more than 300 ribbon options to choose from, you're sure to find the perfect accent for your wedding.

Here are some of my favorite tips for decorating with ribbon:

• accent the chairs or pews at your ceremony with beautiful bows

• tie ribbon to tree branches outside your venue for a fluttering welcome

• wrap ribbon around wedding programs to bring in your wedding colors

• provide your florist with rolls of ribbon for tying around centerpieces, floral arrangements, corsages and boutonnieres

• use ribbon to add a splash of color to your centerpiece candles, table number stands, menu cards, place cards and other printed items at the reception

• ask your baker to include colorful ribbon in your cake top or to wrap it around the layers of the cake for extra beauty

• accent favors with knots and bows tied from layered colors of ribbon

• create colorful sashes for your wedding gown and your bridesmaids' gowns to change the look of the dresses for the reception

 Be creative — and enjoy! 

Announcing The Jean M Designer Search — we’re looking for your best ideas!

Do you have great ideas?

A flair for design?

A talent for trend-setting?

Then the Jean M Designer Search is for YOU!

We’re looking for creative, fresh, fantastic new invitation designs to be added to the Jean M line — and we want your best ideas. If your invitation design is chosen, you’ll win a cash prize of up to $1,000 PLUS have your invitation featured in the Jean M product line.

We encourage you to submit as many designs as you like. All design specifications and details for the Designer Search are included in the application and the official rules. The winning designs will be selected by a panel of Jean M judges.

Top Design Prize: $1000

First Runner-Up Design Prize: $500

Second Runner-Up Design Prize: $250

All other designs selected will be purchased for $100 each

 The Jean M Designer Search

runs from July 15, 2009, through September 30, 2009.  

Winners will be contacted by October 15, 2009.

 All designs will be posted to this blog and all readers will be able to select their favorites. Visit the blog often to see what other designers are submitting and to find out what readers are loving.

 Good luck. We can’t wait to see your designs!

Getting with the program — wedding programs, that is!

Frequently asked questions I’ve overheard at wedding ceremonies:

“What song are they singing? Should I sing along?”

“What was the name of the recessional music? I want it at my wedding!”

“Should I read this prayer out loud with the officiant?”

“Who IS that cute groomsman?”

 

Obviously, the brides at these weddings didn’t provide their guests with wedding programs

 

       

 

Wedding programs have an important job to do. They welcome guests to your wedding, allow them to follow along with and participate in your ceremony, introduce the parents and bridal party, list the important elements of the service (music, prayers, etc.) and even provide you with an opportunity to  send a message of thanks to your guests.

 

Creating personalized programs is fun and easy!

• First, find the style that will work best for your wedding. You can opt for one-piece programs

if your ceremony is short and your bridal party is small, or you can choose two-piece programs for large wedding parties, complex ceremonies and lots of information. You can even have your programs printed on fun and handy fans perfect for warm-weather or outdoor ceremonies.

• Next, choose your paper color or colors, and decide on the monogram or design element you’d like to incorporate.

• Then, determine your wording. You can go very simple and just give a basic list of the order of service and names of the bridal party. Or you can tell a story by mentioning how you know your wedding party members, listing the texts of the prayers and words to the hymns, and explaining unique rituals or symbols you are incorporating into your ceremony.

 

• Also think about any extra wording you’d like included on your programs, like a thank you to your family and your guests for celebrating with you or a note about the person for whom you’ve lit a memorial candle.

 

• Finally, embellish! Use rhinestone or pearl embellishments,  stamps or ribbons to add the perfect finishing touch to your programs.

 

Important Note! If you are ordering printed programs, be sure to place your order at least 4 weeks before your ceremony to allow for printing, delivering and assembly / embellishing, if necessary.

 

Enjoy!

 

Putting your inspiration all together — DIY style!

 So you have your ribbon, your patterned scrapbook paper, your embellishments and your favors. Now what do you do? Get creative! It’s fun to take your inspiration and put it all together yourself into invitations, enclosure cards, favors, envelopes, accents and more that will make your wedding a unique reflection of your style.

 

 

 

 

Let’s say espresso and spice are your colors…

 

…add bits and pieces of patterned paper, bright ribbon and fun shapes to every element of your wedding!

 

• Order our “Jean” invitation printed and select the option of assembling it yourself, then add patterned paper and two complementary ribbons for a great effect.

• Back your printed menu cards with matching patterned scrapbook paper.

• Add some patterned scrapbook paper to your place cards for a coordinating look.

• Wrap your favor boxes in scrapbook paper and ribbon and top with a leaf-shaped tag.

• Go the extra mile to impress your guests by hand-lining your envelopes with patterned papers.

 

 

 

If your wedding has a fresh and breezy feel, think about shades of blue for your inspiration…

 

…and use those shades creatively!

 

 

• Order our “Casey” invitation printed and select the option of assembling it yourself. Wrap the invitation with pretty ribbon and add a unique buckle or charm for pizzazz.

• Make your own place cards out of patterned scrapbook paper and tie with ribbon for a great look.

• Wrap your favor boxes in patterned paper and tie with ribbon to coordinate with your place cards.

• Create a unique look for your unity candle by wrapping it in patterned scrapbook paper, tying with ribbon and adding a charm or buckle.

• Dress up your tables with clear acrylic placemats featured patterned scrapbook paper.

 

 

 

When you love the color combination of espresso and aqua, but don’t know how to pull it all together…

…use our ideas for inspiration!

 

 

• Order our “Piper” invitation printed and select the option of assembling it yourself. Back the card with patterned scrapbook paper and tie two ribbons around the printed card for a unique look.

• Edge your place cards in patterned scrapbook paper for a touch of originality.

• Top your favor boxes with a square of patterned scrapbook paper for just a touch of prettiness.

• Create great favors by making fans out of patterned scrapbook paper, adding ribbons to the handles and personalizing the front with printed stickers.

 

Let your imagination run wild and then have fun putting it all together!

 

Enjoy! ~ Jean

DIY is beautiful and fun with Jean M cardstock!

Are you a do-it-yourself bride? Jean M has everything you need to create invitations, menu cards, place cards, programs and so much more!

 

Our cardstock comes in so many shapes, styles and colors. Choose pockets for a unique presentation, then go with colorful scrapbook papers to add the perfect accents.

 

Take a peek at this idea — I think it’s absolutely adorable! We took a flat card and printed it with each guest’s name and seat assignment, added a sweet bird cut from our scrapbook papers, then made little leaf-shaped tags for drink tickets from our imprintable sheets.

 

Join them all together with a sweet little clip, add some rhinestone or pearl accents and you’ve got a unique look that’s so stylish!

 

 

 

 

And don’t forget the ribbon!

Jean M offers so many colors, widths and styles.

Buy ribbon by the rollfor great savings and endless decorating options.

 

Enjoy! ~ Jean

 

p.s. Here’s another great way to boost your budget:

What would you do with $4,000 in Jean M products and other prizes?

Enter the 2010 Jean M Bride Search for your chance to find out!

Find out more details here: 

 

You could win:

• a honeymoon in your choice of 9 HOT destinations

• $4,000 in Jean M wedding invitations and accessories

• an all-day consultation with me and my staff

• a feature of your wedding in the Jean M catalog and website

• PLUS, your wedding will be featured on Get Married on Lifetime TV