Jean M Blog

Get FREE invitation samples for a limited time only!

For a short time, we’re giving you the opportunity to order FREE samples of our wedding invitations so you can see and feel the quality of our designs for yourself before you place your order!

Any of the invitations with the “JM” icon are included in this offer. Ready to order your samples? Click here for instructions and get started!

 

Remember — custom samples of our invitations are available for $2.50. Ordering custom samples is easy and you’ll get to see how your color combination will look to help you make your decision. Just follow the directions for part 2, and shop custom wedding invitations to find the perfect style & shape for your wedding.

Still playing with color combinations? Order a color kit!  It’s just $5.00 and you get to choose 4 paper colors and 4 ribbon samples for mixing, matching and coordinating to get your look perfect before you order.

Order your FREE samples today — this offer won’t last long!

Enjoy!

               

P.S. Our Semi-Annual Sale starts tomorrow, but we’re letting you know today so you can start shopping and get ready for savings!

FREE Wedding Websites as stylish as you are!

Wouldn’t you love to have a personalized wedding website that’s as stylish as you are? One that even matches your invitations? One that’s FREE?

We have good news for you: Jean M has just partnered with Weddingwire.com to bring you FREE wedding websites that match six of our invitation designs in a variety of colors! Just look how great these website designs match our…

Taupe Floral Wedding Invitation Cards

Hibiscus Wedding Invitation Card

 

Brown Damask Wedding Invitation Cards

Black and White Damask Wedding Invitation Cards

Now you can keep your guests, friends and bridal party up to date with all your exciting wedding plans while giving them a peek at your wedding style. You’ll get a custom URL, you can create as many pages as you like and choose from great applications like the custom gallery, flash intros for an added splash, an online RSVP service and set up registries. You can even store your photos to share with everyone!

You can also access easy-to-use wedding planning tools to help keep you on track during the process. Check out budget tools, seating charts, checklists, guest and vendor organizers and even an inspiration board to keep all your great ideas in one place.

Once you’ve set up your website and gotten your first Jean M order, be sure to give Jean M a review so other brides can hear about your experience: http://www.weddingwire.com/reviews/jean/8c46855901f2c5a5.html (you’ll see a link on the left below the star ratings to write a review.)

 

Enjoy!

Jean answers your top invitation questions

I get so many questions from brides about how to make their invitations unique and perfect for their weddings. Here are my answers to the top questions you've been asking!

Q: How can I make my wedding invitation wording look more interesting?

A:  It's all in the layout you choose! You can choose left-justified or right-justified wording or a layout that incorporates a design or pattern in the wording for flair. Choose your wording layout under "Personalize Your Item" when ordering. Then choose up to two ink colors and two fonts for a unique look that matches your wedding style.

Q: I love the popular invitations you feature on your blog and website. But I want my invitation to be totally unique, something my guests have never seen before. Help!

A: The way we show invitations on our blog and website isn't necessarily the way you have to order them! If you love an invitation style we show, you can make it your own with your choice of paper color, ink color and ribbon color. You can also add a unique look with our colorful envelopes — guests will be impressed the minute they receive your invitation in the mail.

Q: It's great that you offer an unassembled option so I can save money on my invitations. But won't assembly take forever?

A: DIY brides are loving putting together their own invitations with our unassembled option. If you're worried about being overloaded, why not throw a little party and invite friends and bridesmaids over for snacks and beverages and ask their help in assembling your invitations. It will be a fun and memorable night for all of you.

Q: When should I order my invitations and how long before the wedding should I send them?

A: Your invitations should be mailed so guests receive them at least six to eight weeks before your wedding so they can make travel arrangements and plans to attend your celebration. I always recommend getting your invitations order three to four months before the wedding so you have plenty of time to assemble the invitations (if you choose the unassembled option) and address the envelopes.

Q: How do I assemble my invitations into the envelopes? Do I put the RSVP card into the RSVP envelope?

A: It can get confusing with all those pieces! Here's what I recommend: set your invitation down on, face up. Put all your enclosure cards on top of the invitation, face up. Then tuck your RSVP card into the flap of the RSVP envelope (don't put it inside the envelope) and put it on top of the other enclosure cards. Pick up this stack and slide it into the inner envelope so the front of the invitation is facing the opening. Then place the filled inner envelope into the outer envelope with the addressed side facing the opening. Easy!

 

Q: I get what an RSVP card is, but what are "enclosures cards?"

A: Enclosures are cards filled with information for your guests and they're "enclosed" in your invitations. They can be reception cards printed with wording inviting guests, direction or accommodation cards telling guests how to get to your celebration and where to say. "Informal cards" or note folders aren't included with the invitations, but they're important things to have. Print your names on the front and use them as thank you notes after the wedding, or for correspondence anytime!

Q: How am I ever going to find time to address all these invitations?

A: While hand-addressed invitations are always personal and beautiful, we all know that it's time-consuming. That's why Jean M started our Customized Envelope Addressing Service! You just send us your guest list, and we address your inner AND outer envelopes in the font and ink color you choose. It's beautiful, economical and easy on your sanity!

 

Hope that helps! You can find out more information and read more FAQ here!

 

Thank You for voting Jean M as a Bride's Choice Award™ Winner!

We are excited to announce that Jean M has been chosen to receive the Bride's Choice Award™ 2010! This award recognizes the top 5 percent of wedding vendors from the WeddingWire Network who demonstrate excellence in quality, service and professionalism.

And it's all because of YOU!

The Bride's Choice Awards™ are determined exclusively by recent newlyweds through surveys and reviews, which means you have selected us to receive this honor.

Find out what other brides are saying about Jean M on WeddingWire  — and leave us a review if you haven't done so already. We'd love to hear from you.

Thanks again!

Here's everything you'll need to create a beautiful invitation ensemble!

Even before they see the dress, or the décor, or the flowers, guests will have an idea of what your wedding is all about. How? Because you'll have sent them an invitation and coordinating enclosure cards that capture your wedding style perfectly!

So think about the style you want for your invitation, then check the following items off your list to make sure you have a complete, coordinated invitation ensemble that's totally YOU!

 

Save the Dates: First things first — once you've set your wedding date, ask guests to save it by sending a fun and eye-catching save the date! Choose a design that matches your wedding style, or go fun and fanciful with save the date magnets or clever designs sure to get guests to mark their calendars right away. Choose a style that is a good representation of the event to come. Also, any of our invitations may be printed with save-the-date wording.

 

Calendar Save the Date Card

 

Wedding Invitations:  They’re what introduce your wedding style to your guests, and they’re the first communication guests will receive about your wedding. So make sure your invitations capture your wedding style and hint at the formality of the event. The wording you choose for your invitations informs guests of the date, time and location of the ceremony, and most importantly reflects who you are as a couple.

 

Invitation Envelopes: Envelopes are more than just a way to mail your invitations— they can be customized to become part of the style of your ensemble. Colorful inner and outer envelopes that match your invitation paper are included with most invitations.

Printed Envelopes: Introduce your wedding colors in a unique and fun way by selecting "ooh la color" outer envelopes with colorful linings that peek from the edge. The envelopes are printed with your return address and a design or monogram on the outer envelope flaps.

PLUS - save the hassle and have us address your envelopes with our Customized Envelope Addressing Service!  It will look great, and save you the hand cramps.

Reception Cards: You’ve worked so hard to create a reception look that will reflect your personalities and will make guests feel welcome. Show your excitement about the celebration that will continue after the ceremony by inviting guests to join you. Reception cards are just the thing to accomplish this. The cards list the times and locations of the reception, dinner, dance and other events.

Cream Reception Card with layout JM220

 

Respond Cards: These practical little cards become fun when you start receiving them in the mail from guests, tallying their responses and reading their little notes about how much they’re looking forward to celebrating with you. You may also include menu choices on the respond card to provide accurate information to your caterer. Jean M offers you the unique option of ordering colorful envelopes for your respond cards. The price of respond cards includes printing the envelopes with your return address. Be sure to place a coordinating stamp on each envelope for guests’ convenience.

Cream Respond Card with Espresso Respond Envelope 

Note Folders: Attention to detail is everything in making your wedding a success. When you choose folded note cards that coordinate with your stationery ensemble and use them for pre-wedding correspondence and thank you notes, you’ll be carrying through the tone of your wedding style. Notes may be ordered with your maiden name monogram (for pre-wedding notes and bridal shower thank you notes), with your married name monogram or with your names. Note folders are available with your choice of our unique colorful envelopes.

Cream Note Folders with Monogram

 

   

Cream Direction Card and Espresso  Accommodation Card

Direction and Accommodation Cards:

You’d hate to have chosen the perfect ceremony and reception sites and have your guests not be able to find them, or not be able to book a hotel room for the weekend of your wedding. So make it easy for out-of-town guests to book hotel rooms and find your ceremony and reception sites by enclosing printed direction cards and accommodation cards with your invitations. Direction cards are printed with the directions you provide. For accommodation cards, include the name, address and telephone number or website of the hotel at which you’ve reserved rooms for guests, and the date by which they need to reserve rooms.

 

Here are some great ideas for putting together your invitation ensemble style!

Our "Piper" invitation in pink, espresso and a damask pattern.

 

Our "Lindsey" invitation in midnight and margarita.

Enjoy!

All about monograms — and how to use them to add personal style to your wedding!

Nothing says style, class and elegance like a monogram. They've been used for centuries to mark property, denote status and personalize everything from bed linens to fine stationery.

So follow in this tradition with a beautiful monogram on all your wedding items, from invitations to favors!

The traditional couple's monogram is made up of three initials, set up in this order:

1. bride's first name initial

2. groom's last name initial

3. groom's first name initial

A three-initial monogram for an individual is set up like this (remember this when ordering monogrammed gifts for your bridal party):

1. first name initial

2. last name initial

3. middle name initial

Sometimes the last name initial (#2) is larger than #1 and #3, and sometimes it's the same size, depending on the monogram style and your personal preference.

And, of course, you can always take the more modern approach and go with a single initial that represents your last name, or with a monogram style that incorporates your first names or both first initials.

Jean M offers more than 80 monogram styles to choose from. Some are beautifully traditional, some are whimsically designed, some are theme based (with hearts, holiday and destination motifs) and some are ultra-trendy. You're sure to find the style that suits your wedding perfectly! Check out all our options...

Once you have your monogram style chosen, think about all the ways you can use it throughout your wedding! Here are some great ideas...

Set a classy and stylish tone for your entire celebration with a monogrammed invitation and coordinating enclosure cards.

 

Create a unique, personal atmosphere at your ceremony with a monogram on your wedding programs and aisle runner!

Carry your look through with monogrammed favor boxes and favor tags!

Create a sophisticated reception with your monogram printed on menu cards, napkins and ribbon favor tags!

Enjoy!

Your new year’s resolution: to plan a beautiful wedding!

It will be fun and easy with help from Jean M.

Check out all of our wedding planning accessories under "Wedding Stationery" at MyJeanM.com for great ideas and products to help you along the way!

Order a Jean M Color Kit to help you narrow down your color selections.  Select the paper and ribbon colors you want to see and order - super easy!

 

Order custom invitation samples so you can see how YOUR wedding colors will come together on your invitations with the paper and ribbon colors of your choice.  To see an ink color on a particular paper color, please contact a live chat consultant, or give us a call - 1-800-766-8595.

 

Once you’ve set your wedding date, let everyone on your guest list know about it by sending a custom Jean M save the date card or unique save the date magnet. Save-the-dates are especially important when you’re planning a destination wedding that requires making travel plans well in advance.

Then think of creative ways to ask those special people to be in your wedding party! Order Jean M’s “Will You Be My Bridesmaid” cards and let the cards do the talking for you. Give the cards to your future bridesmaids over a special luncheon or during a fun girls’ night.

You might also want to give them a small gift like a cute compact as a symbol of your friendship.

 
Don’t forget to celebrate! Plan a romantic engagement party and invite your families, friends and wedding party members. Send custom Jean M invitations (like the Katy invitation we show here with a festive toasting glass design and a pretty ribbon) to create excitement about your party the moment guests receive the invitation in the mail.  Or send DIY invitations, using Jean M colored cardstock, pockets, envelopes and ribbons.

Tackle your to-do list and make sure all the important things are reserved and purchased for your wedding date:

ceremony site

officiant

musicians

florist

reception site

caterer

baker

dance band of DJ

photographer and videographer

Also be sure to shop for and reserve these items early!

wedding gown and accessories

bridesmaids’ gownsmen’s formal wear

wedding invitations

wedding accessories

Keeping on top of your wedding planning resolutions will allow you to enjoy being a bride and to focus on the little details that will make your wedding unique. It will also give you more time to spend with your future husband!

 

Happy New Year — and happy wedding planning!

Enclosure Cards: The rest of your stationery ensemble

Your invitation is the thing that introduces your wedding style to your guests. It's tells them the who, what, when, where and why of your wedding.

But how do you let guests know about the "how do I get there?" and the "where do I stay" and the "what's for dinner"?

Enclosure cards! They come in every Jean M paper color to match your invitations, and many enclosure sets were created to match our new invitation designs. They can be printed in a variety of formats to coordinate your entire wedding stationery look. Here's a breakdown of the types of enclosure cards available and why you need them.

Reception Cards: You’ve worked so hard to create a reception look that will reflect your personalities and will make guests feel welcome. Show your excitement about the celebration that will continue after the ceremony by inviting guests to join you. Reception cards are just the thing to accomplish this. The cards list the times and locations of the reception, dinner, dance and other events.

 

Respond Cards: These practical little cards become fun when you start receiving them in the mail from guests, tallying their responses and reading their little notes about how much they’re looking forward to celebrating with you. You may also include menu choices on the respond card to provide accurate information to your caterer. Jean M offers you the unique option of ordering colorful envelopes for your respond cards.The price of respond cards includes printing the envelopes with your return address. Be sure to place a coordinating stamp on each envelope for guests’ convenience.

 

Note Folders: Attention to detail is everything in making your wedding a success. When you choose folded note cards that coordinate with your stationery ensemble and use them for pre-wedding correspondence and thank you notes, you’ll be carrying through the tone of your wedding style. Notes may be ordered with your maiden name monogram (for pre-wedding notes and bridal shower thank you notes), with your married name monogram or with your names. Note folders are available with your choice of our unique colorful envelopes.

Direction and Accommodation Cards: You’d hate to have chosen the perfect ceremony and reception sites and have your guests not be able to find them, or not be able to book a hotel room for the weekend of your wedding. So make it easy for out-of-town guests to book hotel rooms and find your ceremony and reception sites by enclosing printed direction cards and accommodation cards with your invitations. Direction cards are printed with the directions you provide. For accommodation cards, include the name, address and telephone number or website of the hotel at which you’ve reserved rooms for guests, and the date by which they need to reserve rooms.

 

See? It's easy to keep your guests informed, included and welcomed to your wedding with enclosure cards! Decide which cards work best for your wedding style, select your paper colors and formats, and have fun sending those invitations!

 

How to throw a fun and energized wedding reception

You have planned every last detail for what will undoubtedly be a beautiful wedding reception, but have you given any thought to entertaining your guests? Here are a few tips to help you throw a fun and energized reception that all of your guests will enjoy.

Lounge areas set apart from the music and the dining area are all the rage. Provide couches, chairs and floor cushions for guests to gather and relax and visit with each other.

• Set up a gaming room for gambling fans to try their luck and take a break from the reception action. Provide billiard tables, casino games and a poker table with a dealer.

• Have the videographer set up a stationery camera so guests can record their own messages to the bride and groom throughout the evening.

• During cocktail hour, consider offering a dance class. Guests will have fun learning and it will get them in the mood to dance later on. It also might help coax a few of those shy closet-dancers out onto the floor.

• Place a card with the words to your first dance song at each place setting so guests can serenade you during that magical first dance.

• Try candy instead of cake. Set up a candy buffet that is sure to entice every taste bud. It adds to your wedding décor AND it’s a fun way for guests to mingle and satisfy their sweet cravings.

• Write place cards with a few words that describe each guest. They will appreciate the thought and you will have a blast describing your friends and family with words like “super mom” or “wildly entertaining.”

Now, use your creative side and come up with some unique-to-you wedding reception ideas for your fabulous reception!

 

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!