Postage Rates

Did you know that on January 22 the cost of a stamp for a standard envelope will be once again increasing from $.44 to $.45?  Are you one of the many couples who will be mailing out Save the Dates or Invitations in the next few months?  Maybe you are hosting an Anniversary Party, Birthday Party or even a shower of some kind.  If so it is important to know what your postage fees will be.  Check out our tips below.

1. Yes we all love the wedding stamp but it is not a FOREVER stamp.  Buying the FOREVER stamps now saves you money, it can be used FOREVER at the current postage rate.  Example - If you are getting married in August you will be mailing out your invitations in June.  If you buy the FOREVER stamp now at $.44 you are saving $.01 per stamp versus buying the stamps in June at $.45 a stamp.  Think that $.01 is not much? Multiple it by your number of Invites, Reply Cards and Thank You Cards. Adds up doesn't it.

2. Did you know the size (shape) of your invitation can change your postage cost?  Remember to check into what it will cost when working on your invitations.  Some square and over sized envelopes cost more to mail.  Ask your consultant if yours fall into the "normal sized" rates or if they will require additional postage.  If additional is needed you may want to check into your budget to see if it is possible.  The added cost to some may add an extra $10 - $40 just to mail (total budget increase not individual invite increase).

3. Did you know the weight of the materials used may make it cost more to mail?  Make sure that you take a sample in to the Post Office (or ask your invitations/stationary consultant) and check the weight and cost to mail them.  Many couples forget that their invitation will be heavier then standard mail.  Thus resulting in higher postage fees (often times not even realized till after they were sent out).

In general be prepared.  Work with a Wedding Planner or an Invitations/Stationary Specialist who knows what your invitations will cost to mail.  And PLEASE save yourself a little money and go get those FOREVER stamps now.  You know now that this is an area where your wedding costs will increase.  So why not be proactive and not let it increase. :)

Happy Wedding Planning.

Lisa Marie, Alycia, Summer and Taylor

Events by Lisa Marie

www.eventsbylisamarie.com

503-830-7779

Professional Event & Wedding Planning Specialists, Portland Oregon

Terminology

Since 2009 we have been using the term "Wedding Specialist" and "Event Specialist" instead of coordinator or planner.  Sometimes people ask us why we use the word Specialist.  So I thought I would write a post about it and explain why we have chosen to use one word over another.

Specialist - Per the Websters Dictionary means - One who specializes in a particular occupation, practice or branch of learning.

Our Specialists are just that.  We specialize in knowing how to plan and organize your wedding or event, how to work with your budget so that you have a realistic view of what is important and where to splurge, we KNOW the professionals in the industry that will mesh well with you and your personality as well as fit within your budget, we can take your vision and know without much research how to make it happen.  We keep up to date on trends, finds, ideas and styles so that you can rest assured that your wedding or event will be all you want it to be.

We Specialize in knowing where to go to find the unique items you want to help make your vision come true.  We are true Professionals who have committed time and energy into learning the things we need to know so that we can be a Specialist in our field.  We are NOT photographers, florist, caters, filmmaker, we are your wedding Specialist or event Specialist. You work with the above professionals as they are the specialists in THEIR field.

Yes we do Plan your wedding or event and YES we do Coordinate your wedding or event however, we Specialize in doing this in the absolute best possible way, as well as, making your vision become a reality.  Do we plan or coordinate a wedding or event we see?  No we plan and coordinate a wedding or event YOU see.

While the term Specialist is not widely used in the industry it is one we have been using.  And yes on our marketing material we also use wedding coordinators/planner and event coordinator/planner.  But we prefer Specialist.

The right type of Guest Book for you.

The days of the traditional guest book have come and gone.  Couple want something that is distinctively different, something practical and something they will really enjoy for years to come.  So with our quest to constantly be your resource to planning, tips and fun ideas this blog post is dedicated to you.  Our clients, wedding, party, business function or just social gathering.  We have lots of fun ideas for you, some more traditional and some more outrageous.

First things first, lets make sure that your idea flows with your theme of your wedding.  Having a beachy/summer event or wedding?  Try a message in a bottle for your guest book.  Get a clear bottle, a cork, custom label and some colorful strips of paper that match your wedding colors.  Have guests write you a message and drop it in the bottle (tip make sure the pens are acid free to prevent fading).  At the end cork it and you can have messages in a bottle from all your closest friends and family celebrating with you.

 

Maybe you are a very outdoorsy couple?  You are using very natural decor and items that remind people of how beautiful the great outdoors are?  You can do wishing rocks.  Get a beautiful basket and fill it with smooth rocks.  Make sure they are not too small as people need room to write on them.  Get some fine tip permanent markers and let people write you a message on the rocks.  You can display the rocks in a glass bowl or basket in your house where you can read and reread the messages daily.  Another option is to get a tree and have your guests write on leaves (made out of heavy paper) and hang the leaves on your tree in your house.  A great way to add decor to your house and be able to read and reread messages from your family and friends.

Having a vineyard wedding?  Order a magnum of their wine, create a custom label with a picture of the two of you on it. Then get some silver pens and have all your guest sign the bottle.  This is something you can display in your house for years to come and will be a constant reminder of how wonderful your special day was.

Are you and your husband the artsy/creative type?  Maybe you would like to have a photo booth at your wedding.  Have this double as your guest book.  Your guest can take fun pictures and leave half the sheet for you.  Leave them some colored acid free paper in different shapes.  They can write you a message on those sheets and later you can put them all together with the pictures in a scrapbook.  A super fun way for guest to really get involved and have fun.

 

Are you a couple that always has flowers in the house?  Maybe you like to entertain?  Have you thought about having your guest sign a vase or maybe a plate?  Create a unique way to display your memories from your guests and a way to be able to see it everyday.  the vases can be used in many functions throughout you house.  And the best part is when you have your friends and family visit they can see that you are proudly displaying your wedding guest book for all to see.






Looking for something a bit more traditional?  You can always have guest sign a photo frame, picture album or a traditional guest book.  The important thing to remember is that this is YOUR wedding.  You are the ones who will take the "guest book" home and display it, read it or utilize it in a way you feel the most significant to you.




Still need help with coming up with something that is specific to your and your wedding?  Give us a call.  We have lots of great way to incorporate your theme and personality into your wedding.  Initial consultations are always complimentary.

Events by Lisa Marie

Lisa Marie

Owner/Specialist

www.eventsbylisamarie.com

503-830-7779

info@eventsbylisamarie.com