Wedding Invitation Do's and Don'ts

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WEDDING INVITATION DO’S AND DON’TS

Posted by Rita Tatem on 12/2/2011 at 8:05AM | No Comments

Even though your wedding invitation should be as personal as the day itself — there are still three must-follow etiquette rules.

I love wedding invitations. Not only do they give you a chance to have some fun and be creative within any budget, but they also give guests the first glimpse into your big day. Your choice of card stock, fonts, and designs will help set the tone for your wedding and let your guests know if you’re going casual or over-the-top formal.

After you’ve selected the design, there are three main rules of etiquette to keep in mind before you send out your invites.

Timing
Once you’ve picked a date for the wedding, count back five months. That’s when you should start narrowing down the types of invitations you like and the vendors you may want to work with. Give yourself a month to make your final decision and to place the order. If you order invitations online from a site like Wedding Paper Divas, where you can personalize existing invitation designs, expect to receive your invitations within a few weeks. If you work with an independent graphic designer, the process may take longer to account for in-person meetings and custom sketches. Build in an adequate lead time, as many designers outsource the printing. When determining an RSVP date, most reception venues and caterers require a final head count at least three to four weeks prior to the wedding, so plan to send your invitations out two months in advance of your wedding date. READ MORE

NO KIDDING: ENFORCING YOUR ADULT-ONLY WEDDING

Posted by Rita Tatem on 11/11/2011 at 8:10AM | No Comments

iStockphoto

I had it easy. I knew early on that I wanted to include children at my wedding. Young relatives and children of close friends were all invited. Some had roles to play during the ceremony. I had not only one, but six flower girls. I planned activities to keep them occupied at their tables during the reception and seated them with their parents rather than a designated kids table so that their parents could look after them during the wedding.

There generally isn’t a gray area here: you either want children at your wedding or you don’t. And for those who don’t, scrutiny from wedding guests is a likely outcome. Many people assume they can bring their children to your wedding, but the good news is this is your wedding and you get to call the shots. The bad news is explicitly stating this to your guests without sounding harsh or rude can feel awkward. But here’s how to make it clear with three easy steps. READ MORE

FASHION PHOTO EXHIBIT ‘LOOK AT YOU, BOSTON!’ OPENS AT CITY HALL

Posted by bostonista on 9/21/2011 at 1:42PM | 1 Comment

Photograph courtesy of Beyond Boston Chic

Back in 2008, Martini Severin set out to document the unique style she witnessed on the streets of Boston with her blog, Beyond Boston Chic. In just three years, the blog’s popularity has skyrocketed — so much that she landed her own photography exhibit at City Hall, which opened this week. We chatted with Severin about her inspiration, putting together her first exhibit, and the best places to go in Boston for a heaping dose of chic.

What inspired you to create a street fashion blog?
I’ve always had an interest in fashion. I remember growing up and seeing how wonderful my mom and my aunts looked when they dressed up. And when I got older and lived in France, my interest in fashion really elevated because I realized I couldn’t just walk out of the house in pajama pants. I spent more time on my appearance. Then when I came back to Boston, I just kept looking for something else — something that wasn’t just magazines. I thought, well, I’m going to take inspiration from Bostonians, and I decided to just start taking photos of people. It’s been a really wonderful way for me to get to know the people in this city and talk to them about why they’re wearing what they’re wearing. READ MORE

STARSTRUCK: COSMIC CLINIC AT MARC BY MARC JACOBS

Posted by bostonista on 8/11/2011 at 10:40AM | No Comments

Photo courtesy of Marc by Marc Jacobs.

Forget OKCupid or speed dating; if you’re looking to spice up your love life, just head to the Marc by Marc Jacobs store on Newbury Street on Friday, August 12. Celebrity astrology consultants Stella Starsky and Quinn Cox will be holding a “Cosmic Clinic” from 4 to 7 p.m., signing copies of their bestselling books, Sextrology and Cosmic Coupling. Purchase one and get a frank five-minute astrology reading focused on romantic possibilities. READ MORE

THE CLOSET WHISPERERS: REINVENT MY WARDROBE

Posted by bostonista on 8/9/2011 at 2:38PM | 3 Comments

We’ve all been there: After trying to choose an outfit for Friday night, you end up with clothes on the bed, the chair, the floor — everywhere except on you. The classic “I have nothing to wear” bind is what Natalie Marie Erwin, founder of Reinvent My Wardrobe, is here to fix (well, that and Boston’s obsession with the equestrian boot). READ MORE

BEAUTY BATTLE: FLAT IRONS

Posted by Tanya Pai on 7/25/2011 at 11:30AM | 2 Comments

Welcome to the second installment of Beauty Battle, where Bostonista pits two beauty products — one high-end, one drugstore — against each other. This week I’m comparing the new John Frieda by Conair one-inch straightening iron against my veteran T3 version.

T3 one-inch flat iron, t3micro.com
Price: $160*
*I actually bought this flat iron a few years ago, and while it’s still available on Amazon.com, it appears that the company is no longer manufacturing them. To ensure accuracy, the price above is for a comparable model on the T3 website.
The hype: The plates are made of ceramic, which supposedly causes less damage to hair than metal plates. These also “harness the power of the tourmaline gemstone, known to impart ionic, infrared heat,” which eliminates frizz and seals the cuticle, according to the website. It carries a two-year warranty. READ MORE

DO THE ‘DO: SUMMER HAIR GUIDE

Posted by Anne Vickman on 7/15/2011 at 9:10AM | No Comments

Photograph by L. Vadimovna/123rf

Summer is in full swing, Bostonistas. And while we always love our beach waves, not even the extreme humidity will force us into a hair rut. We tapped a few of the city’s expert stylists to find out their picks for the chicest hot-weather hairstyles. READ MORE

TREND WATCH: UBIQUITOUS SUMMER STYLES

Posted by Tanya Pai on 7/13/2011 at 10:34AM | No Comments

While hoofing around the sweaty streets of Boston the past couple of weeks, we noticed two things. The first is that someone needs to invent a whole-body antiperspirant. The second is that a few trends keep popping up again and again on women of all types. While we’re not normally inclined to drop dough on something that makes us look like every other Jenny on the block, a few of these styles are too cute — and functional — not to embrace. Here, in no particular order, are our favorites: READ MORE

NAILING IT: THE NEWSPRINT MANICURE

Posted by Tanya Pai on 7/6/2011 at 6:15AM | No Comments

Recently while browsing the beauty blogosphere, I came across a tutorial for a newsprint manicure. I admit, it’s not hot-off-the-presses new, but it happens to pair perfectly with summer’s hottest polish trends — shiny nudes and sweet pastels — and is so easy that even someone with a case of extreme one-handedness like me can get cool-looking results. Click through the slideshow for our step-by-step photos, then tell us: Would you try this trend? READ MORE

SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING

Posted by Tanya Pai on 6/30/2011 at 6:45AM | No Comments

“Junior high called — it wants its fashion sense back.”

Location: The Colonnade rooftop pool

Crime Committed: Improper use of glitter, and nails that could take an eye out (we kind of wish they would).

Archive for the ‘Advice’ Category