The Do's and Don'ts of Reception Cards

I’ve received a fair amount of inquiries lately about reception cards and what purpose they serve as part of your wedding ensemble, thus I thought I’d share my reception card etiquette with my dedicated wedding bloggers.

When planning your wedding, you have two options for your reception – your reception will either be at the same location as your ceremony or at a separate location following the ceremony.  When your reception immediately follows your wedding ceremony at the same location, a simple “reception to follow” or “reception immediately following” at the end of your wedding invitation is appropriate, and you won’t need an enclosure card with additional details.

If your reception and ceremony are at two different locations you will want, (and likely need), a separate reception card, which you can include with your wedding invitation.  It should list “reception to follow” followed by the  time of the reception, (if not immediately following), as well as the name and address of the reception location.  You can even choose to include attire information, parking information or age requirements, (adult reception), at the bottom of the reception card.  The reception card is great because you can keep your wedding invitation about the ceremonial love, vows and commitment you’ll be making, and add any little extra important details to your reception card.  Just be sure that you don’t list wedding registry information on this card.

When you assemble your wedding invitations, your reply set will be placed ontop of your wedding invitation, and the reception card ontop of that, so that the reception card is immediately noticed by your guests.  You don’t want to put it behind the invitation in case they miss it.  Your guests may want to bring the reception card with them to your ceremony so that they are able to find your reception location easily.  Be sure it is a small card that coordinates with your wedding ensemble.

 

To shop my Reception Cards visit me!

Perfect Postage for Invitations

It’s what everyone fears.  You spend $200 on the perfect party invitations, another $75 on having a calligrapher hand-write your envelopes, and then you put the invitations in the envelopes and mail them and then realize later that you haven’t yet had one RSVP.  The next day you receive all your invitations returned to you with hideous markings all over them from the post office for insufficient postage.  Now not only did you waste money on stamps, you now have to re-stamp them, add extra postage and purchase new envelopes, putting you another week behind.  It happens to the best of us!

Make sure your next party mailing isn’t a postage catastrophe by checking the required postage requirements prior to mailing out your invitations.  At Noteable Expressions I do my best to alert customers when an item automatically will require postage, be it due to size, weight or bulk.  There are so many factors that go into postage that you may not think of.  It’s not just the size of the item.  It can be the size, for example, a square envelope, which adds 20 cents to your normal postage fee.  It can be the weight, which adds another 20 cents, or the size, which can start at 80 cents an envelope, plus 20 cents an ounce for weight.  Remember that things like rhinestones, bows or pockets also increase your postage costs due to the “bulk” of the envelope when mailing.  Many of these types of invitations may need to be “hand cancelled” at the post office, which means someone, (or you), hand stamp the envelope for mailing, rather than having the invitation envelope run through a machine, as with a normal bill or mailing envelope.

So how do you avoid a postage disaster?  I always say, if you are concerned or have the slightest feeling that your envelope may be too heavy or too large, go to the post office and have the postman check for you before you mail them – especially if you are sending multiple cards in one envelope, like an invitation with a registry card or a directions card.  Remember that even the slightest thing, like the humidity, can affect the weight of your paper, especially if you have a textured or particularly porous stationery.  When in doubt, add on an extra stamp or two, it may just save you from a return postage mishap. 

 

Stop by to shop my designer postage stamps!

Party Invitations vs. E-Vites

It’s the word that makes me cringe when I hear someone suggest it…the dreaded e-vite. Of course I understand the coolness factor of the e-vite, it’s convenient, quick and cost-effective. However, it also can be so impersonal. When did things switch from the hand-made, crafty and creative days over to the quick, need-it-now society that we all (self-admittedly) adore?

A printed party invitation is the perfect way to create a memento for your event, before the party, at the party and after. From the moment your guest opens their party envelope, your printed invitations say a little bit about you, the host, being that you took the time to find the perfect invitation to coordinate with your event. Your invitation will set the scene for your event by reflecting your party theme and being elegantly printed with your party details. Guests will post your invitation on their fridge to save the date and get excited before the party date arrives.

At your party your invitation will come to life with your party theme, and afterwards you can save your party invitation for scrapbooking or framing to commemorate the event. Whether it’s your child’s birthday party invitation, graduation invitation or a wedding invitation, I know that just glancing at your invitation will bring back memories. Something tells me that a printout from your e-vite or facebook party page can’t do that.

Let your next party invitation stand out and grab the attention of your guests…years from now you’ll remember how much fun you had picking out your special invitation, the rave reviews you received from your guests, and how much fun it is to relive your party every time you glance at that party invitation page in your scrapbook.

Crown Regency in Gold and Ivory Wedding Invitations

This beautiful design, called Crown Regency in Gold and Ivory, is a regal way to set the tone for your modern but elegant wedding or event. The background is ivory and has a thin gold border. In the center at the top is a gold crown emblem.

Crown Regency in Gold and Ivory Wedding Custom Announcements by NoteableExpressions
Find more Wedding Invitations at Zazzle

Five Quick Tips: Wedding Invitations

There’s so much that can be said about invitations but here are 5 quick tips:

1.Personalize your invitations – Even if you decide to do something simple, perhaps even go to Michaels and do-it-yourself, you can still find ways to personalize by choosing the colours and font type you like best. I would also encourage you to choose wording that suits you both, and make changes until you’re completely satisfied. It’s your wedding and you’re setting the tone for your special day!

2.Order the correct quantity – Remember that you don’t have to order 1 invitation set per person, couples and families count as one wedding invitation set. Typically the rule of thumb is to order 60% of your guest list, or count the total number of sets and add on an extra 20 sets just in case, it’s always safer to have extras.

3.Give yourself ample time – Wedding invitations should be sent out 6-8 weeks prior to your wedding date. These days, many couples are sending them out 12-16 weeks in advance to give guests more time to make arrangements should they need to travel etc. Planning ahead and staying organized will also save you stress and rushing to print last minute. This is where your wedding planner can also stay on schedule!

4.Be sure to send an invite to everyone you’ve sent a save-the-date to – Keep track of everyone you’ve sent save-the-dates to, and make sure they also receive an invitation! It’s awkward if you suddenly reduce your guest count and decide not to send certain guests invitations, it pretty much implies they are no longer invited and will save you that awkward phone call, text, or email asking when your wedding invitations will be sent out?

5.Check for correct postage - Depending how many elements your invitation has, you may need extra postage. Take one set of your wedding invitations to the post office and have it weighed before you buy your stamps.
 
Like I said, this is just a quick intro! Stay tuned for more tips about wedding invitations in the future… in the meanwhile, what style and design have you decided for your wedding invitations?

 

If you need some inspiration, take a peek at Noteable Expressions

Tom James Wedding Trend: Custom Wedding Suits

For the 2013 wedding season, wedding celebrations are expected to be an opportunity for true expression of a bride and groom’s personality.

While there is always great interest in the traditional black and white, many of today’s weddings are an opportunity for the couple – not just the bride – to express their own style.

“We’re seeing strong trend in the groom being involved in the decisions.” said Catherine Conway, Director of Merchandising for Tom James, a custom suit retailer. “Perhaps it’s because today’s brides and grooms are often a bit older and able to pay for some of the wedding, or perhaps it’s because today’s couples are just more individualistic.”

Either way, trends show a movement away from the expected and may include a blending of formal décor perhaps with an outdoor setting. Eclectic is perfectly acceptable with many couples opting to dress attendants and groomsmen in attire that can be worn again.

“We’re seeing a movement toward groomsmen wearing neutral colored suits, with the groom in either the same color or in traditional black,” said Conway. “It opens up an entire new array of color options. And since we offer over 1100 different fabrics, a couple can truly ‘art direct’ their wedding in ways typically unheard of before.”

That gives the bride, said Conway, the option to match the perfect gray suit to the bridesmaid’s dresses, or to find the complementary color for the setting. A pale blue-gray, for example, is perfect for a beach wedding as it looks great with the sky and the water. “Photos last, so why not have something that looks like it came from a magazine?” asked Conway.

Black and charcoal are still the preferred colors for evening weddings, but you’re likely to see lighter colors, even seersucker, on a summer groom, especially in the south. The ever popular bow tie adds the perfect touch, especially when matched to the bridesmaids’ colors.

“Since more grooms are getting involved in the planning,” stated Conway, “The custom suit or tuxedo makes so much sense. He’d rather put the cost of a rental toward something he’ll actually wear again and a custom suit fits that bill. Plus, with a rental, there are such limited color options appropriate for a wedding.”

Another touch, Conway tells of is the custom label underneath the inside left breast pocket. “The label can read how you like it, meaning some of our grooms have chosen personal sayings, or even the wedding date,” said Conway. “It puts a most meaningful message close to the heart.”

According to Conway, if custom suits are not in the budget for the groomsmen, grooms will often elect to purchase custom shirts or ties for their groomsmen. “A monogrammed tie can be the perfect way to make the groomsmen gifts more personal.”

“We know how important that special day is for everyone involved,” said Conway. “We have some great looks featured on our Facebook album, ‘Say Luxe to the Tux.’ These are photos sent to us by our clients. It’s the best way to envision the beautiful options custom affords today’s couples.”

Tom James has over 100 locations, internationally, with 500 clothiers and stylists who can assist every bride. Because they own the factories that fashion the clothing, Tom James controls the process every step of the way. Tom James was founded in 1966 and is proud to say that 95% of its tailored clothing is crafted in the USA.

For more information, consult http://www.tomjames.com

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/2/prweb10448679.htm

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1086603#ixzz2LdV3XzXl

2013 Graduation Announcements and Invitations

I've updated my Graduation lens on Squidoo so you can get a sneak peek at this years HOT announcement and invitation designs. Check it out here: http://www.squidoo.com/2012-graduation-announcements

Cool Celtic Wedding Invitations

This beautiful and elegant design, called Celtic Knot in Cream and Rust Wedding, has a beautiful rust striped background. There is a cream insert with a Celtic knot and medallion in the middle. This would be perfect for your Celtic or Irish wedding or event!

Celtic Knot in Cream and Rust Wedding Invitation by NoteableExpressions
Shop for other invitations templates from zazzle.com.

Celtic Knot in Cream and Rust Wedding Invitation by NoteableExpressions
Create unique customized invitations on zazzle.

Love in Any Language Wedding Invitations

One of my most popular designs for spring and summer weddings: This design is a modern touch on a vintage idea. A floral heart surrounds the word Love in several different languages including English, Spanish, French, and more! This design is available in red, purple, pink, green, black, orange, gold, and honeysuckle. This elegant design has a customizable background that you can set to any color you like.

Love in Any Language in Purple Wedding Invitation by NoteableExpressions
Create your own custom party invitations online at zazzle.com

Fun Wedding Table Names

At most weddings, guests consult a seating chart or escort cards to guide them to their seats when they arrive at the reception.

Rustic Country Cowboy Hats Barbed Table Number Postcards by NoteableExpressions
Look at Western wedding Postcards online at Zazzle.com

While you certainly can name your tables by number (1 - 15, for example) as is quite standard, it does nothing to add style or personality to your wedding.

Why not take the opportunity to do something a little more creative, fun, personalized or expressive?

Here are some terrific ideas for creative wedding table names.

Creative wedding table names will either tell a story about the bride and groom or fit in with the theme of the wedding (or at least the style of the affair, if there is no particular wedding theme).

Love in Any Language in Purple Table Number card by NoteableExpressions
Create custom greeting cards at Zazzle.

Even if you do not consider yourself to be a particularly creative person or you are having a very traditional wedding, the table names is one area where you can get creative and have a little fun doing something a little more interesting. If chosen well, creative wedding table names will help to establish the mood and atmosphere you are trying to create for your wedding.

If your wedding has a theme, choosing creative names for tables will come easily.

For instance, if you are planning an "Old Hollywood Glamor" theme wedding, complete with a red carpet, each of your wedding tables might be named after a famous movie star, such as Marilyn Monroe or Jean Harlow. Or they could be names after the names of movies such as "Casablanca" and "Gone With the Wind".

Or if you are having a tropical theme wedding, choose related names like luau, Pina Colada, and palms, pineapple, etc.

Once you get rolling, you'll find you can come up with more creative wedding table name ideas than you even have tables.

Table names which relate to the bride and groom give your wedding personalization. If you have no particular theme, why not name all the tables after your favorite books, movies, songs, or places. These sorts of creative table names create a terrific conversation starter for your wedding guests at the reception.

You can build your wedding around a theme without naming the theme, and see how long it takes your guests to piece it together. Before you know it, your Aunt Mildred and old college roommate will be happily chatting about whether Grace Kelly was better in Hitchcock's "Rear Window", "To Catch a Thief", or "Dial M for Murder".

Some couples like to tie their wedding table names into their honeymoon destination. For a honeymoon to Paris, choose from Parisian landmarks or names such as the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe, The Ritz, The Eiffel Tower, or The City of Lights. Or use words related to French food or dining like patisserie and croissant.

Or come up with creative wedding table names that celebrate your roots; a pair of newlyweds from New York could name their reception tables Statue of Liberty, Broadway, and 42nd Street. To make it even more entertaining, print a picture of each location under its name on your seating chart, and place the same picture in the center of the table by the same name.

One last idea for creative wedding table names is to name your wedding reception tables in honor of family members. This idea is even better when images are posted at each table of the honorees. If you can find old wedding photos, showing your favorite relatives on their wedding day will add even more meaning and personalization to the wedding, and provide guests with another great conversation starter. What's really special about this way of coming up with names for your wedding tables is that you will be honoring and including your loved ones in your wedding in yet another way, even those who cannot be there in person.

I would happy to customize your table number cards from my shop, just email me at noteableexpressions@gmail.com

To shop my wedding invitations and wedding stationery **CLICK HERE**.

Noteable Expressions: Featured Business

I am so excited - Noteable Expressions is being featured today on the Bittinger Team blog! What an honor - thank you!

Noteable Expressions - Couture Stationery in Canton, MI

Modern Blue Butterfly on Blue Wedding Invitation

Last night I got the sweetest request - a bride emailed me, thrilled because one of my butterfly designs was close to a tattoo she had that means a lot to her. Her request? Would I mind recoloring it to coordinate with her tattoo and wedding colors? Blue and white. Of course I was happy to help her out and they went 'live' this morning. And I must say, I almost like them better in her blue shades!

 

Modern Blue Butterfly on Blue Wedding Invitation by NoteableExpressions
View more Wedding Invitations

Here is the original in pink that had:

Modern Pink Butterfly on Pink Wedding Invitation by NoteableExpressions
Browse more Butterfly wedding Invitations

Which color do you like best?

A Modern Twist on Beach Wedding Invitations

Lime Green and Turquoise Seashell Wedding Invitations

This beautiful and elegant design, called Lime Green and Turquoise Seashell Wedding, has a bright lime green background with a thin turquoise blue border. At the top are three seashells in lime green and turquoise.

 

 

 

Lime Green and Turquoise Seashell Wedding Personalized Announcement by NoteableExpressions
Learn about ordering invitations online at Zazzle.

Nautical Compass Navy Yellow Wedding Invitation

This beautiful and elegant design, called Nautical Compass Rose in Navy and Yellow Wedding, has a bright white background with a navy blue bottom. At the top there is a blue compass rose. The text is set to yellow but can easily be changed to white. This would be perfect for your classic, naval, or ocean side themed wedding or event!

Nautical Compass Navy Yellow Wedding Invitation by NoteableExpressions
Check out Wedding Invitations online at zazzle

Brown and Turquoise Band Starfish Wedding

This beautiful and elegant design, called Brown and Turquoise Band Starfish and Sand Dollar Wedding, has a brown background. There is a turquoise blue band on the left with starfish and sand dollars. This would be perfect for your wedding or event!

Brown and Turquoise Band Starfish Wedding Personalized Invitation by NoteableExpressions
View more Beach wedding Invitations at zazzle.com

Footprints in the Sand Wedding Invitation

This beautiful beach design has a sand background with a dark brown border. In the middle is a white square for your text with a brown ribbon design stretching across it. Centered on the ribbon is a sand dollar. On either side are a line of footprints in the sand.Your names are placed near the ribbon in aqua blue - feel free to change this color to match your theme! This is a great option for your beach theme, destination wedding, or even any time you'd like a more relaxed mood for your event.

Footprints in the Sand Wedding Invitation by NoteableExpressions
Get a custom printed announcement from zazzle

Sneak Peak: Discover Your Wedding Style

This week I am working on a "quiz" that will help you narrow down your wedding style and colors according to your personality - it is difficult but so cool!

Once you answer just a few questions, you will get a suggestion to the type of wedding - classic, modern, destination, etc - and some ideas about color palettes, as well as a style board to help inspire you!

Here is a sneak peak at just one of the style boards -

To shop my wedding invitations stop by Noteable Expressions

Valentine's Day is Coming Soon :)

This fun St. Valentine's Day invitation is perfect for anyone you'd like to share your love with. This invitation has an ivory background with a rainbow of hearts in graduating sizes. The hearts are done in honeysuckle pink, orange, teal, and lime green. Edit the text to fit your party!

Rainbow Hearts Valentine Party Invitation by NoteableExpressions
Create your own invites at Zazzle

Art Deco Tower Ray Wedding Invitations

Art Deco Tower Ray Wedding Custom Announcement by NoteableExpressions
Look at other Art deco wedding Invitations at zazzle.com

This beautiful and elegant design, called Art Deco Tower Ray Wedding, has a black background. In the center there are rays of sunlight and an art deco tower in a bronze color. Below that on the front is a diamond to frame your initials. Your text goes on the back. This set has invitations, save the date cards, response cards, thank you cards, table number tent cards, envelope seals, wine labels, binders, and return address labels available. Use the envelope seal stickers for any of your DIY gifts - these are available in both large and small sizes!

Looking Ahead to Spring Weddings

It is just too bloody cold out there - 9am and it is only 1 degree and about -15 with the windchill! Can you say BRRRR?? We haven't had a ton of snow this winter but we have been so cold it is ridiculous! So, I've decided I'm skipping ahead to Spring! Take that Old Man Winter! (so what if it is only in my mind - at least for 10 minutes I will pretend to feel the sun on my face and the warmth on my skin - like a lizard I just want to bask on a rock!)

So what do I think of when it comes to spring? A gentle sun, green grass, baby animals, sweet bird song and flowers! What better inspiration could you have for your own special day? A spring wedding has so many possibilities - an outdoor rustic theme, an English Garden, Love Birds, or even your favorite flower.

Here are a couple of my favorites:

 

 

Vintage Birdcage in Brown Aqua Wedding Invitation by NoteableExpressions
Design invitations online at Zazzle.

What are your favorite spring wedding inspirations? Flowers? Birds?

Butterfly in Lilac and Purple Custom Invitations by NoteableExpressions
Shop for Butterfly wedding Invitations online at Zazzle.com

Vintage Pink Rose and Robin Wedding Invitation by NoteableExpressions
Create an invite at Zazzle

How to Plan a Beach Wedding Theme: video

How to Plan a Beach Wedding. Beginning with your beach or destination wedding invitations, your theme can help you pull together your whole chic look. Learn more at www.NoteableExpressions.net

 

How to Choose Your Wedding Colors

Your wedding color scheme is one of the first major decisions you need to make for your wedding. Keep in mind that your wedding color scheme is going to show up everywhere throughout your wedding. The flowers, bridesmaid dresses, table linens, decorations, invitations, even the favors will all be influenced by the wedding color scheme you choose. Your wedding color scheme will help establish the mood for your wedding. You can even build a entire wedding theme around the wedding color scheme.

With so much riding on this decision, it is really important to put careful thought into your wedding color scheme very early in the wedding planning process, and select a color scheme for your wedding that really reflects who you are, or what mood you are trying to convey.

This guide will help you find the perfect color scheme for your wedding.

Your wedding color scheme should be in keeping with your overall personal style. If you're like most people, though, trying to define your personal style may not be straight forward. Unless you work in fashion or design, chances are that when you shop for clothes or decorate your home you simply buy what appeals to you, without giving much thought to the overall aesthetic that guides your choices. Subconsciously, however, most of us do have fairly consistent style, and once you learn what that is, picking the perfect wedding color scheme for your wedding will be much easier.

Take a look at these four types of style, and see which one sounds the most like you:

Classic: Women with classic style tend to like things which are timeless, as opposed to trendy or very vintage. You would define your style as classic if you tend to gravitate towards clothing with clean lines - the types of pieces which are available year after year. So if your closet is filled with polo shirts, twin sets, and A-line skirts, you can safely call yourself a classic bride. You are the bride for whom pearl bridal jewelry sets were created. The best wedding color scheme for you will be the most traditional - pale, subdued or muted colors like white, pale pink and ivory, or pale blue and white. Preppy girls would also fall into this category, and their perfect wedding color scheme would be pink or mint green (with plenty of patterns like stripes, polka dots, or plaids) or blue, white, and yellow (with a nautical flair).

Dramatic: You carry only one shade of lipstick in your purse: pure red. You like strong perfumes with warm and spicy notes. You own at least one article of clothing with an animal print (and possibly a whole zoo!). If this sounds like you, consider your wedding style to be dramatic. Rich dark colors like eggplant and blood red are ideal for a dramatic bride. Your wedding color scheme needs to make a splash and have a high "wow" factor. The high contrast pairing of deep red and pure white (think red roses and a white bridal gown) will be right up your alley. Another excellent wedding color scheme for a dramatically inclined bride is deep purple combined with regal gold.

Eclectic: This can cover a range of styles. There are brides who love all things vintage, those with earthy or natural tendencies, and women who appreciate a good dash of whimsy. If you find yourself spending more time in vintage shops than the mall, you will like dusty color palettes like cameo and ivory or mauve and dove gray. If you are planning an eco-wedding or consider yourself most at home in the great outdoors, opt for a wedding color scheme inspired by nature. Moss-green and mushroom-brown, slate blue with taupe, or sage green and ivory will all appeal to your inner naturalist. The whimsical bride is one who gravitates towards things like letterpress invitations with a retro bird motif or shops like Anthropologie. If chunky hand-knits are more your style than buttoned-up pearl bridal jewelry sets, then you will like wedding color palettes such as red and pink, apricot and robin's egg blue, or mustard and aqua.

Festive: How do you know if your wedding style is festive? You probably find yourself saying, "I just want everyone to have a great time" when anyone asks you what type of wedding you want. The chances are that you like relaxing with friends or going out to clubs more than almost anything. The best wedding color scheme for a festive wedding is one which is bright and cheerful, never stuffy or pretentious. Color scheme like fuchsia and orange, hot pink and chartreuse, or sunshine yellow with orange will create the upbeat party atmosphere that you want for your wedding. Eat, drink, and be merry!

To shop my wedding invitations and wedding stationery **CLICK HERE**.

Wedding Trends: Emerald Green

The 2013 Pantone Color of the Year is a color of elegance and beauty that enhances our sense of well-being, balance and harmony. It is PANTONE 17-5641 Emerald, a lively radiant and lush green. One of my favorite wedding themes is the peacock - timely and trendy at the same time since birds are so popular Here is a little round-up of a few of my favorite emerald green picks that could easily be incorporated into your wedding.

Modern Taupe Aqua Peacock Wedding Invitation by NoteableExpressions
View other Peacock wedding Invitations

Peacock Feather Glamor Postage by NoteableExpressions
You can sell greeting cards , invitations, stamps and more on Zazzle.com!

Peacock Feather on Teal Moroccan Tile Thank You Greeting Card by NoteableExpressions
Shop for a card with zazzle.com

Emerald Green Shoes: Photo by Kate Headley
Calla Lily & Peacock Feather Bouquet by Urban Earth Studios. Photography by Louise Conove
Bridesmaid Dress: Alfred Angelo dress style # 7073
Wedding Dress: http://www.jaksflowergirldresses.com/Bridal_gowns_with_color.htm
Jewelry: http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/product_view/yjdesign/4698286/emerald_green_b...

Art Deco Arches in Orange and Teal Wedding

One of the top wedding trends for 2013 is an Art Deco theme. Art deco represents elegance, glamor, functionality and modernity. Geometric curves and motifs are key details in an art deco themed wedding. Capturing all that was great about the roaring twenties, an art deco theme compliments the current Great Gatsby and vintage wedding trends.

Whether you are looking for the elegance of black and white or the whimsy of lighter colors - you can find a wedding stationery theme that's perfect for you!

Here is one of my more popular designs:

Art Deco Arches in Orange and Teal Save the Date Custom Invitations by NoteableExpressions
See other Art deco wedding Invitations

How to Throw an Anti-Valentine's Day Party

Not every Valentine's Day party has to be sweet. Whether you have a broken heart or are just celebrating being single. Why not have an Anti-Valentine party?

 

As these parties are becoming more and more popular, there are some fun decorations and ideas out there!

Start with some fun invitations -

 

Love Bites Anti-Valentine Party Invitation by NoteableExpressions
View other custom printed invitations at zazzle.com

Love to Hate Valentines Day Party Invitation by NoteableExpressions
Design printable invitations online at Zazzle.

Singles Awareness Anti-Valentine Party Invitation by NoteableExpressions
See other Valentine Invitations

I'm not Yours Anti-Valentine Party Invitation by NoteableExpressions
The best custom invites online

Throw in some fun anti-Valentine games:

Make it black
The best color for an Anti-Valentine's Day get together is black. Make black broken hearts with black poster board or construction paper and hang them from the ceiling and on the wall. Then place lone black candles throughout your home.

Although the tone should remain upbeat, don't hesitate to modify some Valentine's decorations to serve your party's theme with some dark, albeit whimsical, humor. Aside from the obvious ripped-heart image, a decapitated cutout of cupid, for example, may be the perfect theme to use as your party's motif. If you have the resources at your disposal, you may also combine Valentine's and Halloween decorations together. Illustrate your home with random scenes of bats attacking cupid, vampires biting hearts, or even Frankenstein's Monster and his bride attempting some sad attempt at swapping Valentine's gifts. If you're willing to make an even more demonstrative I-refuse-to-take-this-so-called-holiday-seriously statement, leave two jack-o-lanterns on your front porch, pseudo-facing each other, grinning maniacally, with heart shapes cut out for eyes. Bottom line: Put a tongue-in-cheek spin on the clichéd Valentine's images.

Lay down the rules

An Anti-Valentine's Day party isn't the place to cry with all your single girlfriends about why you don't have a man in your life. It's a time to celebrate being single with both your guy and gal pals. So lay down some ground rules -- no talking about your ex or being in love, no wearing red or pink and no consuming chocolate, champagne or roses.

 Feast with (sensible) abandon

An Anti-Valentine's Day party wouldn't be complete without a buffet of comfort food. Serve a variety of "bad for you" foods like cookies, ice cream and cupcakes, and "bad for a date" foods like garlic bread or onion dip. Don't let this anti-love occasion be the ruin of your waistline, however; enjoy your eats in moderation.

Anti-Valentine's Day Party Recipes
Garlic Knots

Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:
1 (11-ounce) package refrigerated breadstick dough
1 tablespoon butter, melted
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon rosemary

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

2. Shape dough into 12 knots and place them on a baking sheet. Brush butter on the dough and sprinkle with garlic powder and rosemary.

3. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until golden.

 Onion Rings

Makes 4 to 6 servings

Ingredients:
1 quart oil, for frying
1-1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 cup milk
1 large onion, cut into 1/4 inch slices
3/4 cup bread crumbs

Directions:
1. Heat oil in a deep skillet to 365 degrees F.

2. In a shallow dish, combine flour with baking powder and salt. In a second shallow dish, whisk egg with milk. Place breadcrumbs in a third shallow dish.

3. Dip onions in flour mixture then in milk mixture then in breadcrumbs.

4. Place onion rings in hot oil and fry until golden, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Remove and let drain well. Serve with Blue Cheese and Garlic Dip (recipe above), ketchup or another condiment of your choice.

Do you have any other ideas that would be great for an anti-Valentine's day party?

2013: Happy New Year and Western Weddings

I would like to wish all of my wonderful friends and fans a Happy New Year! Thank you for making 2012 my best year ever!

And on that note, I've spent the last few days updating my Country/Western/Rustic wedding invitations and there are some real beauties! If you or someone you know is getting married this spring please take a look :)

To see my Country Weddings **CLICK HERE**.

One of my most popular designs is this one,

Rustic Barn Wood Graffiti Heart Window Invitation by NoteableExpressions
See more Western wedding Invitations