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Forever has a nice ring to it - doesn't it?
When it comes to engagement season, the milestone months are all around the board. They range from a spectrum of incredible to simple, during or after holidays, on exotic vacation trips or at your favorite date spot. This makes popping the question not nearly as simple as an "I do". You and/or your partner may have been planning this for years or perhaps it's a last minute plan to tie the knot. Either way, here are some things to consider when planning or executing your proposal and engagement season. 1. The Ring You of course, can't flaunt some bling without your ring! Make sure to take your partner ring shopping well in advance before the proposal. This way, you obviously have an idea of what type of ring your partner is looking before getting down on one knee. Also, ring shopping ahead of time makes your plan less obvious. Check out a variety of stores and options before purchasing of course. Stay tuned for our later blog post in this series of engagement ring types and styles to browse through before hitting the stores.! 2. The Proposal One of the most important questions of your life! The proposal is such a beautiful way to move into forever together! The first thing to keep in mind, to which is extremely crucial, is to get an idea of what type of proposal your significant other is looking for. At this point in your relationship, you should have a pretty good idea of each other's personalities and comforts. If family is essential to your partner, think of a way to include them in the proposal or have an engagement party planned following the big question. If a private setting is necessary for the overall comfortability and intimacy, ensure that the place picked out will complement the two. These personality traits will, in itself, already begin to plan out the scope for which how you/your partner will propose. Lastly, this goes without saying - hire a photographer or entrust in a friend who can get some pictures/videos! 3. The Engagement Time Period After your beautiful moment is captured, your next steps to dive into the wedding planning process will begin! Hiring professionals is a crucial next phase where a wedding planner can help allocate your funds and vision altogether. Be sure to check out our blog post on why you should hire a wedding planner to see the benefits of a wedding professional. As you start to book vendors and carve out how the future plans will unfold, you can then determine how long of an engagement you desire to have. For some couples, the engagement season should be short and sweet, and merely a time to book what you need to while organizing your special day. On the other hand, a longer engagement could mean more time to devote to enjoying this pre-married life! Perhaps you wedding plan for half of the season and take the other half to vacation. Usually, these cases in which the engagement is a long period of time is due to the fact that the wedding is extravagant and very detail oriented where the more time the merrier! 4. Save the Dates When you finally determine a wedding date, you'll need to send out your save the dates to friends and family invited to the wedding. You should plan on hiring a photographer and choose your locations/outfits accordingly! 5. Celebration As you will be shrouded with all the love and attention possible, be sure to take it all in! Engagement season can be stressful at times which is why you must balance the organizational aspects of this time with the celebratory exciting part of this experience. An engagement party is always welcomed but not necessary. Based on budget and desires, you can figure out if you'd like a designated time to celebrate with your loved ones or simply celebrate more intimately and individually. Written by: Rebecca Richards
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 In this blog you will learn the different pieces of a wedding invitation suite, Wedding Invitation Styles and Sizes, different types of Enclosure Cards, and Assembly of your wedding invitations. PIECES OF A WEDDING INVITATION SUITEWEDDING INVITATION Your wedding invitation is the most important piece within your suite. It provides the names of who is getting married and who’s hosting, when the wedding will occur, what time the ceremony begins, and where the event will be held. Wedding Invitation Sizes + Details Classic Size: 5” x 7” + Envelope The traditional wedding invitation size is perfect for classic, upscale affairs, and typically come in the widest variety of designs, shapes, and styles. Petite Size: 4.25” x 6” + Envelope This invitation size is slightly less grand than the classic invitation size. Generally, this invitation size is great for a modern, savvy bride who like the differentiation of a compact invitation but still wants to include the standard elements of a wedding invitation. Four-Panel Size: 4.25” x 6” + Envelope A more casual format that allows for a more personable, storytelling wedding invitation. This invitation format is most personal of those available due to its traditional greeting card size. All-in-One Size: 5.76” x 12.03” (No Envelope); Assembled 5.76” x 4.75” A modern and unique format that is as convenient as it is interesting. Many brides gravitate to this size and shape when they are looking for break out from the wedding invitation standard. Ultimately this type of invitation is a good option for balling on a budget! Square Size: 6” x 6” + Envelope This is truly a differentiated, new-age look that will stand out in any mailbox. Take note however that square formats will require extra postage to send. Mini Book Size: 7” x 5” + Envelope Often described as the offline version of a wedding website, the mini book, is a comprehensive guide for guests. RESPONSE CARD Your wedding response card is the second most important piece to your wedding invitation suite. The response card is meant to be sent back to the couple getting married with the accepts or regrets information for each guest invited to the event. It typically includes a reply by date for when the card needs to be returned, an m-line for the guests to fill in with their name(s), and an accepts/regrets line for which the guest will be able to fill in whether or not they’ll be in attendance. However, there are many variations to this card. Nowadays, couples are using their wedding websites for their RSVPS. If you choose to go this route, use your response card to direct your guests to the wedding website RSVP link. ENCLOSURES These enclosures are great for including additional information for your guests! We typically use them for either accommodation or reception details, but there are many things you can use them for. Below are more examples for each size that are commonly used. Small Enclosure A small enclosure is typically used for reception details, but is also great for wishing wells, registries, parking information, proper attire, or websites. Large Enclosure As for the large enclosure, we typically see this piece used for hotel accommodations, travel/transportation details, maps, or a schedule of event (may want to consider if there are more than one event happening (for ex. a welcome dinner or post wedding brunch) of if you have a break between ceremony and reception). However, we have also seen it used to combine smaller bits of information together or used as a map. The choice is completely up to you! ENVELOPES There are two envelope styles for your wedding invitation suite: single envelopes and double envelopes. Single Envelope Style For wedding invitations, the single envelope style is the most common. This style consists of one invitation envelope and one response card envelope. The names of all invited guests should be placed on the front along with the mailing address. Your return address should be placed on the envelope flap. Double Envelope Style This style includes an inner and outer envelope for mailing each invitation suite. Double envelopes are more formal and traditional. The outer envelope is meant for mailing and should list the household name and address on the front. The inner envelope is used to hold the invitation suite and list the name of each guest in order to eliminate any confusion as to who’s actually invited. The inner envelope is not gummed since it will not be sent through the mail. It also acts as an additional layer of protection during mailing and allows your guests to have a clean, unmarked envelope for holding their invitation suite. ASSEMBLYING YOUR WEDDING INVITATIONS During the assembly stage, we will be bringing every piece of the wedding invitation together! Let the assembly process begin! Below you will find a list of the exact order of how to assemble your invitation suite. The proper order for assembly is as follows:
HOW TO APPLY A BELLY BAND  If you’re using a belly band to wrap your stationery together, please follow the following steps: 1. Lay the belly band over your neatly stacked suite, centering the personalization. 2. Apply pressure with your thumbs to the top of the band and enclosures to hold everything in place. 3. Wrap your index fingers around the back of the invite – you should be able to pick the suite up without anything moving. 4. Flip the suite towards you, so all of your information is face down and carefully pull one end of the band over the back and crease it. Repeat with the other end. 5. Pull both ends of the belly band tight, without bending the sides of your stationery. 6. Adhere together with the included glue dots. Then viola! You’re finished assembling your first invitation suite. HOW TO APPLY A VELLUM JACKET AND WAX SEAL  If you have purchased a vellum jacket and wax seal please follow these steps on how to elegantly wrap your wedding invitation suite with the finest embellishments. 1. Typically when you order vellum jackets, they are shipped flat and are ready for assembly when they arrive. We recommend folding the left side of the jacket along the pre-scored line to make it easier to slide your assembled suite into. 2. Slide your suite into the folded area of the jacket and pinch with your left hand. 3. After your suite has been centered within the vellum jacket, you may fold the right side along the other pre-scored line. 4. Once both folds have been made and your jacket slightly overlaps on the front of your invitation, you may place your wax seal to hold the flaps closed. Please note, you will need to expose the adhesive on the back of the wax seal before placing in place. HOW TO TIE YOUR RIBBON AROUND YOUR WEDDING INVITATION  Adding a silk ribbon around your wedding invitation will make your wedding invitation more romantic and elegant. If you decide to use this method to elevate your wedding invitations, there are a few things you should know. Tying your wedding invitations with any ribbon, whether that be by itself or accompanied by a belly band, it can be a little frustrating and challenging for the first few tries. Also, due to the delicacy of the wedding invite suite contents, the ribbon will have a little bit more room for your pieces to move around. Here is a step by step process of how to tie your wedding invitation suites with perfection: 1. Place your cut ribbon piece on the table in front of you, matte side up. You can then place your invitation suite in the middle on top. 2. Fold both ends across the front of the invitation suite and tuck the left end under the right end. 3. Pull both ends tight and place your right middle finger in the middle of the twist to prevent the tie from coming loose. 4. While you continue to apply pressure to the twist, use your left hand to fold the bottom piece upward, so it is parallel to the other end piece. 5. Next, fold the left end over top of the right and tuck it through the hole in the middle, like you’re tying your shoe. 6. Continue applying pressure to the twist while pulling the two ends tight. Please note, if you plan on using ribbon to tie around your wedding invitation suites, we highly recommend also using double envelopes. This will better protect your stationery when traveling through the mail to your guests. The beautifully tied invitation can be placed inside in the inner envelope, which is then put inside the outer envelope. This gives the beautifully tied invitation the protection that it needs. If you are using a vellum folder this would be considered as your inner envelope. Ribbon Purchasing Pro Tips:
 BEST WAY TO ASSEMBLE ENVELOPE LINERS + DOUBLE ENVELOPESENVELOPE LINERS  1. Grab the two things needed for this part of the process – inner envelopes (the ones without gumming on the inside of the flap) and your envelope liners. If your inner envelope flaps are closed, start by opening all of them up so they lay semi-flat to your table surface. 2. Stuff one of the envelope liners into the inner envelope (tape strip side towards the top). Before peeling off the glossy paper protectant, slide the liner into place (about a quarter inch from the top). Once in place, peel off the backing of the adhesive. Press firmly to stick the envelope liner to the envelope and fold flap over to crease liner in envelope. Please note, you may need to use your thumbs to hold the liner close the to flap, so the fold is made in the right location. Now that you have your envelope liners/inner envelopes are assembled, its time to put the finishing touches on your wedding invitation suite and get them in the mail! FINAL TOUCHES + ASSEMBLY  1. Make separate piles of all the things you need – invitation suites, assembled inner envelopes, and outer envelopes. 2. Rotate one of your suites to the left and stuff into an inner envelope. 3. Once the suite has been placed all the way to the bottom of the inner envelope, you may fold the flap closed. This image also shows what the front of the inner envelope should looks like. This is where the guests, actually invited to the wedding ceremony/event, will be printed. 4. Next you will place the inner envelope into the outer envelope. Each of your outer envelopes will have the gumming strip at the edge of the flap for sealing purposes. 5. Slide each inner envelope all the way to the bottom of the outer envelope. 6. Lastly, you may fold over the flap and seal it for mailing. Now, take a moment, and pause, while you look at your first fully assembled and sealed wedding invitation suite. Know that the next time this envelope is opened, it will be by a loved one who feels absolutely delighted to be receiving an invite to your amazing milestone. Congratulations! It’s smooth sailing from here. Wedding Invitation FAQhOW DO i CHOOSE MY WEDDING INVITATION SUITE?
Your wedding invitation suite should feed into your overall wedding design aesthetic, so when selecting your wedding invitation suite, think about all the design elements, the wedding feel overall.
When would I use a Four-Panel or Mini Book Wedding Invitation?
Maybe you want to include other details or engagement photos on your wedding invite. If this is the case and you would like to include these items, I would recommend using a four-panel or mini book wedding invitation.
Who do you want to feature on the host line?
Think about who you want to feature on the invite while keeping in mind that the more names you feature on your wedding invitation the smaller the font will need to be. Typically the featured names on the host line are either the following: both sets of parents, one set of parents, or just the names of the bride and groom.
Written By: Ariel Anderson
 Written By: Rebecca Richards
Don’t get me wrong, wedding season can be such a blast BUT there are endless options of what is truly necessary to pack/bring. Your wedding guest experience should be simple and enjoyable, all while preparing you for everything you need. With wedding season continuing on, you want to look and feel prepared for it all! Think of this as your personal wedding emergency kit (whether you are a bride or a guest). Glam Necessities: Since your hair will be looking amazing, you want to ensure that it stays that way! You should be sure to pack bobby pins, hair spray, clips, hair ties, and any other accessories that will complement your look. These are perfect since they can fit in a small purse or clutch and can, even, shift your look to a whole different level. Maybe it can be down for ceremony and an updo for reception! Have fun with it! Weddings, especially ones in the heat, tend to wear off the beautiful makeup that you put on. From ceremony to cocktail hour to dancing, you’ll most likely be in need of some minor touch ups. There are tons of different travel size makeup products such as oil blotting sheets, concealer, mascara, powder, and the most essential of all: lipstick/gloss! A quick trip to the bathroom or with a small makeup mirror can ensure you are ready to take some more pictures and party! Another underrated wedding guest must have a makeup remover for the way home. And for my guests that are like me, crying is basically inevitable for a wedding day, pack some tissues or a handkerchief to give your undereyes some love. My fellow ladies, we all hate taking off our makeup (especially when you’re drunk and tired), so save yourself some time and pack a wipe to get a head start on heading to bed! Of course we all hope that our dresses stay perfect all day and all night, but there are those rare instances where we go a little too hard on the dance floor and a rip/tear is bound to happen. Again, no fear there! Pack a mini sewing kit and/or fashion tape. This way, you can guarantee your dress and pride stays in place. Another must have for my red wine lovers (or maybe the friend who always spills), is a tide to go stick! I swear by these little magic sticks! No stains and undone seams cause for a stellar wedding season! Fresh to Death: Let’s be honest, with drinks and dancing, the sweat is bound to follow. Not to worry, deodorant and perfume are your two best friends for a mid-wedding freshening! There are roll-on perfumes that are suitable for small bags and purses, while also having some deodorant on hand. Be sure to pack some lotion as a quick fragrance and soft skin fix. With mixed company, your guests will surely thank you for thinking of this step! While face and body care is important with weddings, making sure your breath is fresh is key in all the socializing that you’ll be doing! We know a true friend is the one that tells you if you have spinach in your teeth, but if you want to guarantee your pearly whites are looking great, pack some floss, mouthwash, or even a toothbrush if needed! And of course, gum and mints are a must! Bathroom Kits: I hope that this has even slightly helped you in some potential ways to prepare for wedding day essentials. The most common, and helpful in my opinion, has been the bathroom kit trend by bride and grooms. Having a bathroom kit for the girls and guys is a great way to make your guests feel comfortable and cared for. This can be placed in a cute box or basket with some fun signage! Fill it with the above contents and/or add some tums, advil, tylenol, etc. to be sure your friends and family are catered to as guests!  Written By: Rebecca Richards Our feet take us to many different places, but one of the most important places they will guide us is down the aisle! This is the time where you find your “solemate!” As much as you want to look incredible on your wedding day, comfort also matters. But how are you able to balance style, comfort, landscape barriers, and versatility? Look no further than along these lines! Wedding dress shopping usually comes to mind first thing once the ring fits, but in fact, the key factor in your wedding dress shopping is your shoe choice. Shoes help develop the palette, height, style of your dress, and everything in between. This is precisely why time is of the essence here. At Ariel Ashton Events, we like to categorize shoe choices to our brides by literally “walking” them through the following 5 ways to find your solemate: 1. Your Solemate as Your Something Blue We all know the 19th century “Something borrowed, something new” rhyme, but oftentimes it can be a bit challenging to fit them all seamlessly together. Your shoes can be a perfect way to incorporate your something blue! Maybe you want include this wedding day tradition on the bottom of the shoe or an inner decal. Perhaps you want to channel your inner Carrie Bradshaw and rock a blue pointed pump! Depending on the season, you can play around with a darker royal or navy blue or lighter shades of pastels and pale blues. Have fun with it and accessorize accordingly! 2. Your Solemate as Your Glam Girl It is your wedding day after all, so why not go all out? Your glam heels can be the absolute best way to tell the story of who you are on your special day. Part of the process in finding your wedding shoe is having fun with it. Are you the kind of bride who wants to feel her most glamorous self? Are pearl platforms too casual? Let your passion and desires be your guide in choosing the most YOU shoe! 3. Your Solemate as Your Comfort Confidant Stilettos look absolutely fabulous for your wedding day, and who doesn’t love to feel the endless effects of a razzle dazzle heel? But maybe the glitz and glamor wears off all too soon for you and you desire a more comfortable shoe to last all evening. No worries then! There are a plethora of wedding flats or sandals to choose from that will allow you to walk, talk, and dance without pain. Wedding flats can be extremely classy and actually enhance your look even more. Whether you’re wearing a nice pair of espadrilles or a strappy sandal, either will complement your dress and overall look. Beauty doesn’t have to mean pain on your wedding day! 4. Your Solemate as Your Style Sidekick Maybe heels and flats aren’t your thing and you want to stand out by embracing your sneaker game! Wedding sneakers are such a stylish way to represent your personality while also keeping your feet comfortable as you party. It can be simple and sleek or decked out with pearls and bling to the nines. You can even customize your wedding sneakers to match with your hubby! Check out Etsy for some sneaker decals that could make for the cutest picture and allow you to dance with ease! 5. Your Solemate as Your Balanced Bestie If you’re anything like me, the thought of which shoe to pick gives you a slight sense of anxiety of “what if I choose the wrong one?” or “what if I end up uncomfortable?” Guess what? You can do both! Your solemate can potentially be a combination of one or two of these options. A quick shoe change after the ceremony or half way through your reception is more than acceptable. You can get the best of both worlds and have fun choosing two different styles! Hopefully you have gained a better understanding of where to go from “what wedding shoe do I want?” and allowed yourself to take a step back in evaluating your personal desires and style. Be sure to check out Lulus, Nordstrom, and Revolve for the most fun and beautiful wedding shoe choices!
  Written By: Rebecca Richards You’re invited to a wedding! How fun! Now, the most important question: What do you wear? Some wedding invitations will spell this out for you. Black tie, vibrant colors, dark hues, or formal chic; Yet in most cases, the bride and groom will leave it up to you to decide. Although every wedding is unique and different in its own way, the time of year and location play a role in your guest attire. There are many factors that contribute to your outfit of choice such as: Is it inside or outside? Is the ceremony on grass if outside? Are there any themes to the wedding? Will my outfit wrinkle easily if it’s humid? Yet these questions stem further than just the wedding details to extend to questions such as: What colors complement my skin tone? What type of purse goes best with each dress style? What hairstyle works best with my neckline? Let's begin to unpack the potential ways in which you can determine what to wear, starting from one of the most important factors: Time of day. Time of Day Morning - Early Afternoon: If the wedding ceremony time is earlier on during the day, the dress code is usually less formal. A flowy pastel dress, sleek jumpsuit, or matching skirt and top will do! The lighter the colors are, the better. The key is making your appearance known without standing too much with intense bold colors or distracting patterns. Accessorize with some jewelry and a cute purse and you’re good to go! With an earlier ceremony and reception, you can capitalize on the daylight to complement your look. Evening - Night: Most wedding ceremonies that take place during the later hours of the evening and night tend to accompany a more formal dress code. This is where you can slightly explore your color palette, embrace your hem lengths and heels, and experiment with a more enhanced cocktail attire. Since the evening will most likely extend into the later hours of the night, be sure to pack some trendy sandals or flats for dancing. You can spice up your look with gold or silver jewelry accents and coordinated makeup/hair. Location Once you’ve determined your grid for what time of day you’ll be showing off your look, you can then develop the framework for how the location will contribute. There are a myriad of different types of wedding ceremony and reception locations. They can be at a private residence, church, venue, or a combination of those! Just as the wedding month and time matter to your attire, the location also has an influence. Rustic Farm Style: If the wedding is located at a farm, barn, or rustic themed venue, you’ll most likely want to tone down the formality, while still remaining chic. A flowy dress with color or patterns is always a go-to! Keep in mind that many farm weddings may not have a perfectly flat landscape or walking path. You’ll want to stray away from heels or stilettos and instead choose a fun and funky wedge! Summer Destination Dream: Summer weddings can give you the opportunity to explore bright and bold colors! Floral patterns or vibrant styles are your best friend for summer and/or destination weddings. You can also enhance your casual look by adding a fun clutch or purse. A flowy maxi or bohemian dress is perfect for summer weddings. Although black dresses are a wedding style staple, try to avoid dark colors for a beach wedding. You want to elevate your style by embracing the beachy breezy atmosphere around you! Black Tie Formal: Black tie affairs are all about avant-garde meeting elegant formal wear. So how can you find the right balance between over-the-top and not enough? Evening gowns and formal cocktail dresses are perfect! If you choose a cocktail dress, it shouldn’t be too far above the knee; The longer the dress is, the more formal your outfit becomes! In regards to color choice, you can wear anything that isn’t white or would take away from the bride. Diamonds and pearls are indeed a girl’s best friend with black tie! Cocktail Party Chic: Cocktail party chic is a common wedding guest style. A simple ensemble can be invigorated by the way you accessorize and style it! Although your cocktail dress isn’t serving a red carpet look, the length can still range from floor to mini dress and can be altered to fit the level of formality. Looking to add a dramatic flair or just wanting to keep it classic? Then cocktail dresses are your best bet. You want to look fab while remaining classy and comfortable for dancing. And when in doubt, throw on a little black dress! Places to Shop So you’ve gained a better understanding of how to dress but now the question is, where do you shop? For starters, Nordstrom is having their Anniversary Sale right now which is the perfect opportunity to snag some amazing deals for your summer wedding guest style! If you don’t want to spend the money on a dress that you don’t think you’ll wear often, check out Rent the Runway for some trendy and even designer pieces. This way you can rock a summer staple without breaking the bank. All this to say that as long as you dress appropriately and DON’T WEAR WHITE, you’ll have a wonderful time at each wedding while looking sensational! Written By: Rebecca Richards “What color dresses should I do for my bridesmaids? That has to match the flowers, right? Do we want to be married at a venue, a farm or a church? What is our budget? What reception do we want? Should we have a first look?” These are all valid questions that many brides-to-be are asking. Once the high of the engagement settles in, it’s time to get down to business to plan your special day which is often very stressful. The ease of wedding planning has certainly shifted over the years. What once was a simple process between a bride, a groom, and their vows has become mass chaos to ensure their most perfect day goes according to the plans they have spent months coordinating. Extravagant floral arrangements must tie in with the dresses/décor, the seating chart must accommodate all guests, the venue must emanate a fairytale brought to life, and every seemingly insignificant detail must fall into place (as it should). However, to say that managing all of this is difficult would be a large understatement when it comes to wedding planning. This is precisely why wedding planners have made this process ten times easier! Here are 5 reasons why hiring an event planner will benefit you, your fiancé, and basically every guest attending the wedding: 1. Industry Expertise Having someone with expertise on décor, logistics, and the overall wedding process will save you time and headaches to bring your vision to life. The benefit of hiring a wedding planner is that we understand how the industry works, how to foster good relationships with vendors, and how to intertwine your beautiful vision and budget together. We handle everything from communication with ceremony and reception on-site staff about venue guidelines. At Ariel Ashton Events, we have the best vendors including our own in-house florist and photographer. We absolutely love being able to utilize our passions and skills to ensure your special day is everything you dreamed of! 2. Budget Allocation Having a wedding planner helps keep you accountable for your given budget. We desire to be transparent with clients by giving them realistic expectations while also satisfying their vision. We will help you plan the wedding of your dreams at your personal investment level. As your inspiration and ideas increase, your budget will also increase respectively. This is exactly where wedding planners come into play to allocate funds properly and efficiently. Most couples feel that the budget is where they face the most stress during the wedding planning process so, we are more than happy to take that stress away. 3. Safety Net Although beautiful and momentous, wedding days can also be very nerve wracking. We strive to be the safety net for you when/if you feel anxious or out of control. At a wedding we did in June of 2021, the bride approached our team stating that she felt safe whenever she saw us. These are the moments that make our job so rewarding. Beyond the décor and beauty of the wedding, your mental health is our number one priority. We want to take care of all your potential worries so that you can enjoy your day! 4. Attention to Detail Another benefit of having a wedding planner is that you are literally hiring a perfectionist to coordinate your event. Our keen attention to detail is advantageous for couples and clients alike. We will be sure to utilize our extensive knowledge for every finishing touch and minor detail. There are so many areas within the industry that you would never think of that we cover. For example, we always bring a mini toolbox filled with all the answers to the small detail questions the day of your wedding. Attention to detail is absolutely essential for Ariel Ashton Events and overall event planning success. 5. Personalized Dream Team Your wedding day coordination is not only covered by your planner, but you also receive a hands-on team to ensure everything runs smoothly. Handling everything from unloading the truck with your décor to fixing your dress before you walk down the aisle, we make it all happen. The benefit of having more than one planner on the team is that you have multiple friendly faces that are eager to help any bride/groom or guest on the wedding day. Our Ariel Ashton Events dream team aspires to be the literal hands and feet for your wedding to ensure everything is exactly what you envisioned. What Sets Us Apart? Hopefully you have learned some valuable information regarding the benefits of hiring a wedding planner. However, the next question to ask is: who? At Ariel Ashton Events, we work for the client, not the venue or the parents or any other voice. Solely focusing on the client allows us to develop a loyal and personal relationship with our couples. We strive to generate that trust so that when your wedding day arrives, you feel more than comfortable and confident in our services.  Photography: Rebecca Richards Photography Florals: Jessie the Florist
  SAVE THE DATES CAN BE SENT OUT AS EARLY AS 12 MONTHS BEFORE YOUR EVENT (recommended for a destination wedding). FOR A LOCAL CELEBRATION, 6-8 MONTHS SHOULD GIVE YOUR GUESTS PLENTY OF TIME TO PUT YOU IN THEIR CALENDAR.   IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO START LOOKING FOR INVITATIONS ABOUT 3-4 MONTHS BEFORE YOUR WEDDING, IF NOT SOONER. INVITATIONS SHOULD NOT BE SENT OUT UNTIL 6-8 WEEKS BEFORE WEDDING DATE. IF YOU ARE ORDERING FROM A STATIONER, CONSIDER LEAD TIME. NOW WOULD BE THE TIME, TO ORDER ANY ENVELOPE CALLIGRAPHY, RETURN ADDRESSING, OR ADDRESS STAMPS   DAY-OF DETAILS SUCH AS CEREMONY PROGRAMS, MENUS, PLACE CARDS, SIGNAGE, AND SEATING CHARTS; SHOULD BE ORDERED 1-3 MONTHS IN ADVANCE, OR AS SOON AS YOU HAVE ALL OF THE INFORMATION READY. DISCUSS WITH YOUR CALLIGRAPHER THE ITEMS THAT YOU WISH TO HAVE (EVEN IF YOU HAVEN’T RECEIVED YOUR RSVPS) ASAP!   YOU SHOULD PLAN TO RECEIVE A FINAL GUEST COUNT 4-6 WEEKS BEFORE THE WEDDING. THIS WILL GIVE YOU TIME TO CREATE THE FINAL SEATING CHARTS AND LET YOUR VENUE AND CATERER KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE YOU SHOULD BE EXPECTING.   THANK YOU CARDS SHOULD BE SENT ONCE YOU RETURN FROM YOUR HONEYMOON. YOU WANT TO SHOW YOUR GRATITUDE TO YOUR LOVED ONES BY THANKING THEM FOR ALL THEIR LOVE AND SUPPORT, AND IT’S BEST TO DO THIS RIGHT AWAY BEFORE ALL THE EXCITEMENT OF THE NEWLEWED-LIFE TAKES OVER!
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