Under the Moon- A Vermont Weddings Blog

Water for Elephants Photo Shoot

2012-01-16T14:53:00.000-05:00

Normally I stick to Vermont or New England weddings, and usually real weddings at that, but when I first saw this photo shoot I thought it was real so I had to feature it, it was that well done:

submitted via Two Bright Lights

From the photographer: Water for Elephants, an amazing story of a young lad who finds his way to a traveling circus, falls in love with a beautiful blonde and in the end, rescues her and then spend the rest of their lives together… Randi Marie Photography and Blue Door Creative teamed up to create a wedding that would be a lovely replication of this amazing book. Author Sara Gruen offers visual aids throughout the pages of her book to help Kate & I gather idea’s to incorporate in to this styled shoot. With warm tones and a rustic feel, what started as a mere idea turned out to be an amazing wedding brought about from the past; "Water For Elephants meets A Rustic Barn." Brides need ideas outside the blank ballroom to make their wedding one of a kind. What better of a way to do it then create a wedding perfect for the vintage rustic bride? Executing this idea was nothing but ease as we had the best vendors on board that anyone could ask for. We wanted to build this styled shoot to help give brides outside-the-box ideas for a fabulous wedding. Our amazing bakers, Juliana with 3.14 Pies and Megan with Eat Sweets Pastry, teamed up to make delicious treats and the yummiest goods. The fabulous “Print Your Party” did our custom paper goods. We gave her an idea and she turned it in to a dream come true. Sew In Love created the perfect dress for our bride. The florist took our idea and turned it in to a dream. Stemming from the very vintage past, we wanted to incorporate a hairpiece that would really compliment the style of our shoot along with our bride’s personality. Kira, a fun and outgoing lady, was more then happy to be our model. For the name of love, that girl would be up for anything! Daniel, a handsome fella with the sweetest personality, made the perfect groom with his gentle personality and striking good looks.

Custom Wedding Invitation Projects- VT Moutains and Pine Trees

2012-01-11T16:16:00.001-05:00

We worked on some really pretty projects last year, which I'll be highlighting over the next couple of weeks. First up is Devon's invite, featuring a sketch her mom drew on the invitation itself. The folder and green paisley backing were from Envelopments. The entire suite was closed with a coordinating belly band.

Real Vermont Weddings: Nicole and Brooke, Top Notch Resort

2012-01-10T10:46:00.000-05:00

I had the pleasure of working with Nicole and Brooke last year on their wedding stationery. From invitations to programs, table numbers to favor cards, everything coordinated with our Simply Sweet Designs in shades of pink and green. So I was super excited to see the photos from their wedding from photographer Kathleen Landwehrle. I love Brooke's expression at first seeing Nicole (top left).

Submitted Via Two Bright Lights.

Vendors:Top Notch Resort, Stowe
Vermont Country Weddings
Lasso'd Moon- Invitations, Programs, Favor tags & table numbers
DJ-HP Bands
Officiant Annie Alexander-Kramer
Cookie Cakes- Bride

From Nicole:Words of advice we'd offer: make sure to stay organized and communicate & confirm specific details with vendors...Take time to talk and thank each and every guest, and we really enjoyed seeing each other prior to our ceremony...Kathleen called it the "First Look" and it was a very private / emotional moment and helped take some of the nerves off. We also joke that our wedding day was literally "the calm before the storm" as Hurricane Irene came to town the following day. Kathleen got a couple of pictures of Brooke (the Weatherman) in his room watching the storm on CNN prior to the ceremony.

Vermont Bridal Shows-2012

2012-01-06T11:01:00.000-05:00

Our bridal show schedule for the year starts at the Rutland Bridal Show coming up on Jan. 22nd! Join us, and other Vermont wedding professionals at the Holiday Inn in Rutland.From the VWA press release:Join us for the excitement, fun and prizes at the 26th Annual Rutland Bridal Show Sunday, January 22, 2012 at the Holiday Inn Rutland/Killington. With tastes and styles for all budgets, paired with state-of-the-art displays, we offer the largest gathering of the area’s top wedding professionals all ready to answer your questions about planning your wedding. Prizes include an Overnight for 2 with Dinner & Breakfast at the Holiday Inn Rutland/Killington ($250. Value)Vermont Specialty Basket and 2 Lift Tickets from Mount Snow ($300 value) Honeymoon Package at Basin Harbor Club ($450 Value) $250 Gift Certificates from SuperSounds/Green Mountain Photobooth, Hannoush Jewelers and much much more. And the KNOT will be joining us with FREE magazines for all brides!Vermont Wedding Association Bridal Shows are the TOP RATED bridal shows in the industry voted by BRIDES, COUPLES and WEDDING PROFESSIONALS! Registration and tickets are available at Rutlandbridalshow.com With 4 paid tickets, Brides ticket is FREE!

Real Vermont Weddings- Jorie & Hal, private residence

2011-12-02T16:14:00.001-05:00

I'm loving all the details in this summer wedding! There were so many gorgeous photos from Studio SB, I had trouble choosing- and ended up with two inspiration boards.

Image submitted via Two Bright Lights.

Tweed River Video shared their wedding video with me as well!

Jorie & Hal - beautiful Lake Champlain Vermont Wedding from Tweed River Video on Vimeo.

Here's what the bride had to say about her day:
"Our wedding day was such a fantastic whirlwind! I spent the majority of the day getting ready with my lovely bridesmaids, laughing and occasionally walkie-talkie chatting with my husband-to-be who was getting ready in another part of the house. The most nervous I was all day was in the 5 minutes leading up to our "first look" - which is exactly why I would highly recommend the first look option to any couple. Hal and I had the opportunity to see each other and cry and be excited in the comfort of a gorgeous little wooded area before all the amazing chaos ensued. We both loved getting the chance to just stare at each other and let all that nervous energy out before the actual ceremony. And lest you husbands and brides-to-be out there are wondering: we still cried and laughed and were ten shades of excited once I was walking down the aisle and standing under the chuppah! It's all about taking a deep breath, being relaxed, remembering that you are marrying the person you love, and having a wonderful time. "

Black Friday/Small Business Saturday

2011-11-25T14:05:00.001-05:00

Be sure to follow us on Facebook to check out our deals!!
Black Friday:
Free Thank You Cards offer (over valid with code only- see details here)
Buy a Dozen Cupcake Wrappers, get 6 Free (this deal runs through 9pm EST)

Small Business Saturday-
Pay your retainer, get 100 Free Favor tags! Pay with your American Express and get a $25 statement credit from them- a great deal. For more information, please visit the American Express website.

Burlington VT Bridal Show- November 20th, 2011

2011-11-15T10:19:00.001-05:00

Come join us at the Burlington Bridal Show on November 20th at the Hampton Inn- tons of great prizes being given away by some of Vermont's finest wedding professionals.

For more details visit www.burlingtonvtbridalshow.com

See you there!

50% off Stationery Sale

2011-11-11T18:58:00.001-05:00

Sale!!

FOUR DAYS ONLY! Use code Take50 in this section of our Etsy stationery shop and save 50% off the listed price. Need more than what's listed? Just email for a special order and you'll still receive the discount. Offer is good until Tuesday or while supplies last.Please note that the discount is for that section only and the code will not be valid for other orders.

4th Annual Okemo Bridal Show!

2011-10-18T16:11:00.001-04:00

Get a jump start on planning your wedding! The 4th Annual Okemo Bridal Show is this Sunday, Oct. 23rd 2011, at the Jackson Gore Inn at Okemo Mountain Resort in Ludlow, Vermont. Join us and several other vendors and register to win some amazing(!) prizes. For more information, go to www.okemobridalshow.com.

Kids Stationery Sale! Elephant Note Card Sets

2011-10-13T07:26:00.001-04:00

Until November 1st (or until they are sold out) we're offering a terrific special on our "Hello" note cards for kids featuring Sweet Ellie and Peanut the Elephants! Buy 1 set, get 5 cards free. Buy two sets and you'll end up with three full boxes! No special codes or coupons needed, they'll simply be included with your order.

Find these and lots of other goodies in our custom wedding invitations and personalized stationery shop on Etsy.

Real Weddings- The State Room in Boston

2011-09-29T11:00:00.000-04:00

Loving these images from a wedding in Boston at the State Room (look at the little cutie in the kilt!):

The uplighting under the desserts?? SO cool.

This view is A--MAZING!

Images submitted via Two Bright Lights and are copyrighted by Relive Photography.

Real Vermont Weddings: Celia & Mike at the Inn at Mountain View Farm

2011-09-12T12:13:00.000-04:00

I just LOVE the colors in this wedding! Sunflower and Lemon Yellow and shades of Turquoise make the flowers and decor just POP to life.

All photos by Kingdom Wedding Photography Via Two Bright Lights.

From photographer Kingdom Wedding Photography by Kat :"Vintage Garden Party" is how Celia & Mike described their wedding plans when completing my little questionnaire before booking me as their photographer. We had met at another wedding a year prior, chatted, hit it off and so I was excited to photograph their wedding when they traveled all the way from Texas to Vermont. When I first saw Celia on her wedding day, I would not have guessed that she had been sick as a dog the night before ... she was smiling, beaming, crying ... so happy to be getting married to Mike. I believe she made it two steps down the aisle with her parents before crying. The ceremony took place in a secluded garden next to one of the barns at The Inn at Mountain View Farm, a harp was playing and Celia's granddad played the guitar from them during the ceremony - there were so many happy tears, it was fantastic. After the ceremony, we hiked up to the top of the hill for more photos and then headed to the reception inside the old stables, wonderfully rustic.

Has Your Wedding Been Moved Because of Hurricane Irene? Get the Word Out:

2011-09-02T11:51:00.000-04:00

If your wedding has been displaced due to Hurricane Irene, please feel free to down load this fill-in PDF. It's a fill-in postcard (sized to 4x6) that you can easily print and send to your guests.

Front:

Back:

Just follow this link here, http://lassodmoondesigns.com/postcardirene.pdf which will open the PDF in your browser- simply fill it in, and print or save it to your desktop and fill-in at a later time. As the postcard is set to size, you will need to have your paper size set to 4x6 in your print settings.

For those of you who'd like it-- here's a graphic for the back http://lassodmoondesigns.com/postcardireneback.pdf

You will need to select borderless print on the back to get your printer to print to the edge, otherwise it will just print with a .25" border.

Please note that while the graphic shows a bit fuzzy here, the printed PDF will be nice and sharp. We wish you all the best-

Real Vermont Wedding at VINS!

2011-08-30T10:00:00.005-04:00

All images courtesty of Authentic Eye Photography.

From Authentic Eye Photography: Nate and Stephanie met at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science. They love birds, animals and the environment! They released a wild bird as part of their ceremony. They donated their leftovers to a shelter in NH. They used seed paper for their placecards. Just so many details that kept true to their love for the environment. A very wonderful couple!

It's not everyday you get to see live, wild birds at a wedding. I love all the unique details this couple put together.

Images submitted via Two Bright Lights.

Burlington Evening Bridal Show- August 17th 2011

2011-08-16T11:49:00.000-04:00

Come join us tomorrow evening at the Echo Lake Aquarium and Science Center for the Burlington Evening Summer Bridal Show. Doors open at 6:30 pm- see you there! To pre-register, check out http://vermontweddingassociation.com/burlington/evening/index.htm.

Ombre Weddings

2011-07-29T13:23:00.003-04:00

Until a couple of weeks ago, I'll admit, I'd heard the word Ombre, and had NO idea what it meant (it means shading of gradation of the same color (typically). But it's a trend in weddings that's picking up momentum.


From Maggie Austen Cake

I love the texture on this cake from DC Baker Maggie Austen. It works perfectly with the purple shading.


from Once Wed

From Martha Stewart Weddings

I love the escort cards- which in that case was a DIY process of staining with tea, but you could easily achieve the same look with with cardstocks in different shades of the same color.


From Buds and Blooms

I love this hair piece- just the right balance of bling and softness to go with just about any dress style (and it's available in other colors too).

Just for fun- I created this invitation to go with today's theme:

Ombre Wedding Invitaiton from Lasso'd Moon

It's not listed for sale yet- but if you're interested, just use the "Contact Us" option under the header and we'll get you pricing and options!

Real Vermont Weddings- Kelli and Jesse at the Country Club of Vermont

2011-07-26T10:01:00.001-04:00

Photography by Kathleen Landwehrle

Kelli and Jesse had a beautiful wedding at the Country Club of Vermont in Waterbury, Vermont. Kelli contacted us for invitations, menus and table cards- the table names were famous golfers and hockey players. Purple was the dominant color throughout the wedding, including on their invitations, flowers, Kelli's gorgeous shoes and decor.

Garden Themed Vermont Wedding Invitation

2011-07-15T14:50:00.000-04:00

Anna and Gregory got married this past weekend at the Mountain Top Inn in Vermont and were having a garden themed wedding. So I created a simple silhouette garden along with a "two peas in a pod" graphic. The wording on the right began "Peas" join... so cute! Can't wait to see how it all turned out! Congrats you two :)

Rutland Summer Evening Bridal Show- 7-14-2011

2011-07-11T19:20:00.000-04:00

This summer is flying by and it's just about time for the Rutland Summer Evening Bridal Show- Join us for a fun night out with a wine tasting, fabulous apps and desserts and the latest in bridal fashions! Come shop the show with styles and tastes for all budgets and state-of-the-art displays paired with the best ideas from the most qualified wedding pros! I'll be giving away 2 $75 gift certificates good toward any custom invitation order, and prizes include Overnight for 2 with Dinner & Breakfast from the Holiday Inn Rutland/Killington, Overnight for 2 with 3 Course Dinner from the Middlebury Inn, $250.00 Wedding Travel Gift Certificate from Night Life Limousine, Ladies Night Out from Vermont Backroad Tours ($250 value) $250.00 Wedding Band Gift Certificate from Waldron & Rhodes Jewelers $250.00 Wedding Jewelry Gift Certificate from Hannoush Jewelers and more!

To pre-register, just go to www.rutlandbridalshow.com- hope to see you there!

Soft Green Pocketfold Wedding Invitations

2011-06-28T11:39:00.000-04:00

In continuing with showing you some of our new designs from this year- this soft Green Casaba Pocketfold from Envelopments, our popular tree motif and a lemon yellow backing made this a beautiful and light early summer wedding invitation.

Wedding Invitations for Mountain Top Inn

2011-06-27T12:33:00.001-04:00

I just love this suite we did for Jennifer and Jeffry's wedding at the Mountain Top Inn in Chittenden, Vermont.

Printed on linen cardstock, this custom wedding invitation featured touch of hot pink, a flying dragonfly and a vintage photo of the Inn for the RSVP. Jennifer's sweet and cheeky personality shone through on the headings for each card including: "Well, are you coming?" on the RSVP and "Now that you're here" on the wedding programs.

Custom and Personalized Cupcake Wrappers

2011-06-13T18:11:00.000-04:00

I'm thrilled to announce the arrival of our new cupcake wrapper line! Designed for traditional-sized cupcakes, we offer a number of matte colors, exclusive patterns and the ability to do personalized wrappers for any occasion- weddings, birthdays, bat and bar mitzvahs and more. Check out the Etsy shop to see our current offerings, with a few more coming this week!

Classically Icon- A New Mix 'n' Match Line of Wedding Invitations!

2011-05-09T10:05:00.000-04:00

I'm so excited about our newest line of invitations- Classically Iconic. Featuring a brand new palette of 32 colors and 12 classic icons- there's a combination that's sure to please.

Currently available in our Etsy shop!
What's your favorite combination?

2011-05-05T12:05:00.000-04:00

Source: thecsiproject.com via Beki on Pinterest

Don't you think these painted mason jars would make great wedding reception centerpieces? Group in threes+ easy white flowers=gorgeous colorful reception! Pair with coordinating linens and you're all set.

Winc Vermont: A New Guide to Getting Married In Vermont

2011-03-26T15:30:00.000-04:00

About Winc from site's creator, photographer Paige Hiller:

The ultimate wedding source in Vermont devoted to the modern day couple. We are your go-to site when planning a destination wedding in Vermont, free of clutter and chaos filled with style and function. As a photographer, I wanted to design a site that visually stimulated your senses with exquisite photographs from real weddings. You will be introduced to a network of seasoned professionals, who aspire to make your wedding day unforgettable with their unparalleled attention to detail. You will discover Vermont’s exquisite venues, off-the-beaten-path locations and majestic landscapes that will create a background for your wedding day. Come…celebrate your love with us!

Winc is a beautiful resource for planning your Vermont wedding- Paige has created gorgeous inspiration boards, tapped some of the best vendors Vermont has to offer,and showcases real weddings. Be sure to join her on Facebook and register at the site to start planning your vermont wedding.

Middlebury Bridal Show 3/27/2011

2011-03-16T11:59:00.000-04:00

Come join us at the historic Middlebury Inn on 3/27! With tastes and styles for all budgets paired with state-of-the-art displays and the most creative ideas, it's a convenient and unique opportunity to meet and greet the wedding pros all in one day! Taste amazing apps, desserts and wedding cake samples, try out the Green Mountain Photobooth and see the latest in bridal fashions. The doors open at 11:30 am and prize drawings will be at 2:00. Prizes include a $250 Wedding Travel Gift Certificate from Milne Travel American Express, $250 Gift Certificate from Green Mountain Photobooth/SuperSounds, $550. in Wedding Gift Certificates from Night Life Limousines, an Overnight Stay at the Middlebury Inn and 2 $75 gift certificates toward your wedding invitations!

To pre-register-

Burlington Winter Bridal Show at the Davis Center!

2011-02-24T18:23:00.000-05:00

Storm or no, if you're getting married then the Burlington Bridal Show on 2-27-2011 this weekend is the place to be! Chat with vendors, taste cake and apps, explore venue options and more. For more info, check out the Burlington Bridal Show website.

See you there!

Guest Post: From Alison Ellis of Floral Artistry: Honeysuckle Flowers!

2011-02-21T11:12:00.002-05:00

Whether pink will be a leading player in your color palette or an accent tone there are many beautiful flowers available in honeysuckle to light raspberry-pink tones. They mix nicely with oranges, greens, yellows and look beautiful with other shades of pink as well. Honeysuckle flowers would be a beautiful complement to gray, navy or slate blue dresses or suits.

This floral inspiration board includes (from top right): pink and orange callas with pink dahlias and orange ranunculus; bouquet of pink, peach and red roses with seeded eucalyptus-photo by Daria Bishop Photographers; centerpiece of orange mokara orchids, raspberry spray roses, green mums and grasses in a moss container; wooden box with locally grown blooms including echinacea, phlox and fresh herbs; mason jar with gerberas, zinnias, roses, sweet William and freesia; faux stone centerpiece with garden roses, spray roses, snowberry and geranium foliage; (center photo) bouquet of pink callas.

For more of Alison's beautiful work and floral tips follow the link below:

~Alison Bucholz-Ellis, Floral Artistry

It's a DIY Paper Carnival!

2011-02-16T09:01:00.000-05:00

If you're in the market for some DIY invitation deals or just some great paper- check out the shops on http://www.facebook.com/papercarnival.

This "stop" in the Carnival bring you to my shop, Parts 'n' Parcels and Bride Designs shop- Bride Supplies. Erin of Bride Design has some beautiful Coral colored Lokta paper at a steal!

Today's deal from our shop is these beautiful pocket folds in a textured cream paper with a gold paisley print:

These pockets normally retail for $2.60- but you can get 90 these pockets and coordinating pale gold metallic envelopes :

for only $150.00 plus shipping! Whether you're a fellow stationer or a DIY bride- there are great deals to be had from the Paper Carnival participants.

Sunburst- A Mendhi/Vintage Invitation & Save the Date

2011-02-10T12:04:00.001-05:00


Sunburst, © Lasso'd Moon

It defies definition- reminding one of a stained glass window, a menhdi design and certainly vintage in its combination of fonts. Whatever it looks like to you- it's a striking combination of Honeysuckle Pink, Yellow and lavender. Available as wedding invitations and a save the date! Currently on Etsy, but coming soon to our online shop as well.

See all of our signature wedding invitations here

Mason Jars and Carnival Wedding Invitations

2011-01-31T11:54:00.001-05:00

Brand spankin' new for 2011- Our "On the Ball" Blue Mason Jar invitation and "At the Fair" a Carnival themed vintage invitation.

Both are currently available at our Custom inviations website, with more to come!

Real Vermont Weddings: Jon and Mollie

2011-01-26T11:47:00.000-05:00

Vermont photographer Victor Pellicier emailed me about Jon and Mollie's wedding that he shot at Scott Farm in Dummerston.

I love all of the detail shots! To see more (and there are MANY more gorgeous photos) please visit Victor's blog!

Vermont Bridal Shows 2011- BCA Center January 22nd

2011-01-17T11:47:00.000-05:00

Searching for an intimate, urban venue for your next event? Get a sneak peek of the options the BCA Center (formally the Firehouse Gallery / the Firehouse Center for the Visual Arts) in downtown Burlington,VT and meet some of our favorite vendors at our first ever ‘Art of the Event’.

Join us for music, hors d'oeuvres, and cocktails and preview your future event. Some of the vendors who will be featured at this years ‘Art of the Event’ are:

Bevo Catering
Vermont Tent Company
Burlington Bay Catering
Piper Designs
Cynthea’s Spa
Lasso’d Moon
Just Weddings
Little Purple Cake Shoppe
Sugarsnap Catering
Dayve Huckett
John Anderson Photography
and The Scuffer will be offering signature drinks at our cash bar.

This event is invite only so please be sure to RSVP to jennapipervt@gmail.com to get on the guest list.

Real Vermont Weddings: Dan & Omar

2011-01-11T14:47:00.000-05:00

I had the pleasure of working with Dan & Omar last year on their wedding stationery- invites, programs and placecards. They were married at the Stowehof Inn and Resort Stowe, Vermont. They had so many great personalized touches- jelly jar favors, a Bert and Ernie cake topper, pinatas and more!

Photos courtesy of Landwerhle Photography- see more here.

Vermont Bridal Shows 2011- 25th Annual Rutland Bridal Show

2011-01-10T14:07:00.000-05:00

Join us, and dozens of other vendors at the 25th annual Rutland Bridal Show! For more information and to preregister, please visit www.rutlandbridalshow.com

Happy New Year!

2011-01-03T13:35:00.000-05:00

So many things are happening this year- be sure to connect on Facebook and stay up-to-date on new products, designs, specials and more.

First sneak peek of the year? Custom cupcake wrappers!

see more at our Facebook page- www.facebook.com/customweddinginvitations

Pantone's Color of the Year...Pink?

2010-12-13T10:07:00.000-05:00

For those of you not in the know, Pantone is THE color system that all designers use. This isn't just for print media- this color system influences fashion, home decor, paints...the list goes on. Each year Pantone selects an "it" color and this year, it's...

The other colors are part of Pantone's Spring Fashion report.

I can't say that I love it-I'm not a super pink girly girl, but I do love what Pantone says about the color:

"... Honeysuckle emboldens us to face everyday troubles with verve and vigor. A dynamic reddish pink, Honeysuckle is encouraging and uplifting. It elevates our psyche beyond escape, instilling the confidence, courage and spirit to meet the exhaustive challenges that have become part of everyday life.

“In times of stress, we need something to lift our spirits. Honeysuckle is a captivating, stimulating color that gets the adrenaline going – perfect to ward off the blues,” explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “Honeysuckle derives its positive qualities from a powerful bond to its mother color red, the most physical, viscerally alive hue in the spectrum.”

Would you use these colors? What do you think of the color combinations up above? I'm 110% positive we'll see these colors translate into invitation design (heck- we've already got a "Honeysuckle" invitation, we've just called it Morganite), making for some interesting design.

Cyber Monday Deal! Save 15% on Note Cards and Get Free Thank Yous with Your Wedding Invitations

2010-11-29T07:24:00.001-05:00

Anyone can send a text- but only the recipient can send these:

Save 15% in our Etsy shop on these super cute, personalized note cards and more (designs for boys available too). Enter code save15 at check out- www.lassodmoon.etsy.com

It's also the last day for our amazing invitation deal- book your spot for next year and get free coordinating thank you cards! The details can be found on our site. www.LMDinvitations.com

Black Friday Offer!!

2010-11-26T09:15:00.000-05:00

Check out our offer for FREE thank yous when you book your spot in our production schedule! Check out the details here: FREE THANK YOUS!

There are only 30 spots available- so don't hesitate!

New in the Shop!

2010-11-16T18:01:00.001-05:00

In case you haven't seen- our website went under the HTML knife and has a slightly new look- but the best part is that our signature vintage line is available to order online! You can choose to pay by Paypal or by MC, VISA or Discover! Also available to order are a select group of print-your-own invitations and some note cards too. We'll have more designs coming soon- and of course, new additions to our signature line in early 2011!
Check it out!! Lasso'd Moon

Holiday Invitations and Cards

2010-11-11T15:53:00.000-05:00

Now is the perfect time to order your holiday party invitations and cards! These print your own invitations will be up on Etsy soon- or you can contact us now to order! Custom designs are also welcome!

Burlington, VT Fall Bridal Show 11/14/10

2010-11-05T19:23:00.000-04:00

Join us at the upcoming Burlington, VT Fall Bridal Show at the Hampton Inn in Colchester. To pre-register, please visit http://www.burlingtonvtbridalshow.com and select "Fall". Lots of great prizes, food samples and vendors to start your wedding planning!

We also have a limited number of free tickets available- if you'd like a pair, please pre-register and then send an email (info@lassodmoondesigns.com) with your names and wedding date. We'll match them with your pre-registration and have them waiting for you at door.

Holiday Cards

2010-10-25T18:43:00.000-04:00

If you're thinking about sending out holiday cards- why not do something custom? Envelopments has created these great new "Twist" cards- so when you pull the ends, the middle flips around.

Or do something cheeky and fun!

Whatever your holiday style- we're happy to help. Keep an eye out over the next week or two for our new holiday photo cards as well- great for showing off the family or sending out a "just married" photo.

Dutch/Vintage Inspired Wedding Invitation

2010-10-13T10:00:00.004-04:00

I often get asked if I'll work with supplied artwork, and the answer is always a resounding, YES! I love to. I don't think an invitation can get any more personalized than including artwork made by someone special to the couple. In Matt and Erin's case, Erin's Made of Honor, Kristina Daignault, created this sketch:

from which I created this:

Print Your Own Invitations!

2010-10-12T12:40:00.000-04:00

I recently uploaded some new invitation designs- we'll take care of the setup, you print your own at home! There are four wedding invitations, two boys birthday and two Halloween designs ready to go! Girl birthday invitations and more designs coming soon!

Lasso'd Moon Goes...baby?

2010-09-09T16:46:00.000-04:00

Here's a sneak peek at the vintage-y baby announcements that are coming to the site:

Stay tuned for their official launch, but if you have to have them RIGHT NOW- then just email :)

Holiday Sneak Peeks!

2010-08-26T12:39:00.000-04:00

This year, I'll be offering some cute print your own holiday designs- some will be Imprintables- meaning you print and fill out the info with a pen- others will be set up for you and ready to print. Keep an eye out for their launch!

Crayola Inspiration

2010-08-18T10:00:00.003-04:00

When bride to be Jo contacted me about her invitations, she loved our Vintage Chic design (one of our most popular) but was using Green, Orange and Yellow for her colors. No shades- the actual "Crayola" colors, I think she called them. So, I changed up the colors and was delighted to pair it with a custom designed gingham yellow envelope liner when she asked if we could make one.

Fresh Picks

2010-08-17T10:39:00.000-04:00

My posts lately have been a little garden center- most due to the fact that I'm waiting for a bunch of weddings to go by so I can posts some really neat invitation designs. But I was really excited to not only get some heirloom tomatoes this AM (the first vine-ripened ones we've gotten) and mini-sunflowers this morning, but some Japanese lanterns as well:

Burlington Evening Bridal Show

2010-08-13T13:10:00.000-04:00

The fall bridal show season starts next week on August 19th, 6:30 pm, at the Echo Lake Aquarium and Science Center! Tons of prizes and GRAND prizes to be won. For more information check out http://www.burlingtonvtbridalshow.com/. If you're interested in a pair of tickets, please pre-register and contact us (see the above link under the blog header) with your names- we'll have your tickets at the door!

View to the Garden- Busy Bee

2010-08-05T14:03:00.000-04:00

View to the {Vegetable} Garden

2010-07-26T15:46:00.000-04:00

It's been a while since I've posted any "Views to the Garden", so I thought I'd start off with a view to our vegetable garden. This green beauty will actually turn a brilliant yellow- they're called Lemon Boy Tomatoes.

I can't WAIT until they ripen.

Kick Up Yer Heels & the Simply Sweet Collection

2010-07-21T14:49:00.000-04:00

Check out these two new designs!
First off, "Kick Up Yer Heels":

A fun floral and plaid invitation- perfect invitations for a country reception!

The "Simply Sweet" Collection:

From left to right: "Spumoni", "Neapolitan" and "Mint Chocolate Chip" - three yummy designs combining fun color schemes and a vintage floral monogram.

You can follow the links to see more images and to order right from our Etsy shop (I'm happy to set up a custom listing for you). If you have questions, please use the contact link below the header.

Now Eat This- a Cook Book Review

2010-07-21T13:37:00.000-04:00

You might just be thinking- Carey, why on Earth would you do a book review on this blog? The answer is pretty easy- see, I remember what it was like when I first got married. Recipes were pretty limited, and I won't lie, as our backyard then was connected with my mother-in-laws, we ate dinner with her a lot (and my husband worked nights a few days a week). The Food Network had not yet exploded over the internet and cable, so I was stuck making what dishes I'd grown up with. So if you're going to be a newlywed soon, you might not be as experienced in the kitchen, and this book will help save your recipe doldrums and it's good for your waistline as well!

I'm sure many of you have heard of Rocco DiSpirito- the chef who cleans up fattening dishes on the Biggest Loser, has been on numerous talk shows. Well, this cook book takes your favorites- Onion Rings, Fettucini Alfredo, Beef Wellington, General Tso's Chicken, and 145 other typically fattening recipes and shrinks a typical serving size to under 400 calories. It was with some intrepidation that we made the Shepard's Pie not with mashed potatoes, but mashed "cauliflower" and the results were surprisingly good! The Onion Rings are delish- the only bad about what we've tried is the General Tso's chicken- following the recipe it was soooooo stinkin' spicy, it was nearly inedible. Honestly, we probably only ate it so that the chicken didn't go to waste.The next day it was better, but when I make it again, I'd use 1/2 of the spice called for, maybe even less. I haven't tried all of the recipes yet- but so far, so good!

So, if you're looking for something to "spice" up your kitchen and save your waistline from the newly-married 15 (kind of like the Freshman 15), you can't go wrong with this book. Just be warned, the recipes do take a bit of time and preparation, but you'll enjoy the fruits of your labor together, promise!

Two New Vintage Designs- Aquamarine and Tourmaline!

2010-07-09T18:43:00.000-04:00

Here are two brand new vintage designs that will be added to the website shortly:

"Aquamarine"

Brilliant blue background, white text, vintage graphics and a simple monogram- you can't go wrong!

"Tourmaline"

Light gray stripes and a bright pink vintage graphic really make this invitation pop. Both are printed on super heavy linen stock and come with white envelopes (alterative colors or envelope options available). For pricing information, use the contact link above the header. Cost will depend on number ordered and how many enclosure cards you'll need.

Strawberry Shortcake

2010-07-02T15:37:00.000-04:00

There's nothing better this time of year than macerated strawberries on ice cream, biscuits or both together, yellow, pound cake...you get the point. So how amazing would this be in lieu of a wedding cake?

image from MarthaStewart.com

I LOVE cake, don't get me wrong- but I think this would be perfect for a summer time wedding.

To go along with the cake- I made up this invitation to go with:

It would also be cute for a bridal shower theme as well.

These would make beautiful centerpieces:

From Simon Lycett

Or even just strawberries in a vintage milk glass dishes:

From Green Gardenista

It could get expensive if you had to buy the berries in the store or from your caterer- so this would be a perfect DIY project with bridesmaids- strawberry picking!

The only downside would be that this would be ideal for an earlier to mid June wedding, at least in Vermont as that's when our best picking season is. And, you'll have to be prepared for empty centerpieces by the end of the night- no one can resist a ripe red strawberry!

I need a snack...

Paper Carnival Day 3 - DIY supplies, Overstocks and more

2010-06-30T07:50:00.000-04:00

Everybody loves a carnival- hand cut fries with salt and vinegar, puffy fried dough with powdered sugar, candied apples. Well, this isn't a carnival with all of those yummy foods - it's a carnival of yummy paper! Stationers from around the US have banded together to bring you an amazing selection of papers, envelopes, and all kinds of DIY goodies. My overstock Etsy shop, Parts and Parcels, features envelopes, pocket folds and all kinds of paper goodies to make programs and invitations.

Fellow stationer mmm...paper® has beautiful Japanese Yuzen papers which work well as backings, wraps or other fun embellishments you may come up with. If you're a stationer just starting out, check out mmm...paper's blog Sage Wedding Pros- chock full of excellent advice on how to (or how not to) get started in the wedding industry. She'll have a great post tomorrow about becoming a stationer.

Aren't these papers gorgeous?

I'll continue to stock Parts and Parcels with paper goodies after the carnival ends- who knows what wonders you might find!

For more information about Paper Carnival and its participants, check out our Facebook page!

"Tourmaline" Sneak Peek

2010-06-24T22:15:00.000-04:00

I created this invitation for a photo shoot- and while I wait for the samples to come back from the printer, I thought I'd show it off ahead of time. Bright pink and silver jewel tones with vintage floral graphics.

Easily paired with a silver cardstock backing- this invitation will be printed on #100 white linen cardstock, but can be recolored to match your color scheme.

Stowe Mtn Lodge Wedding

2010-06-21T11:20:00.001-04:00

I had the pleasure of working with Jessica and Jeffery on their wedding at Stowe Mountain Lodge with nearly all of their paper needs. First up was their invitation- a gorgeous pale gold and paisley invitation with black thermography:

I also made the place cards, table cards, favor tags, programs, napkins, door hangers and thank yous (and the monogram which was featured throughout the wedding, including the lighting!):

(I love how these are set up!)

Carrie at Storied Events did the amazing design for this wedding and it was great working with her and Jessica . You can see more images on Storied Events Facebook page. Congratulations to Jessica and Jeffery- I wish you both the best!

Ch-Ch-Changes!

2010-06-21T10:33:00.000-04:00

Are a good thing, well, I think anyway. Over the next few weeks, we're going to be making some changes around Lasso'd Moon that will increase our turn around times all while offering our printed pieces on a new #118 cotton, tree free stock, a #107 pound white metallic cardstocks (other stocks will be available as well) or a #100 white linen cardstock. So what do those numbers mean? It means these papers are HEAVY, gorgeous stocks. The cotton cardstock gives the soft texture and substantial feel of letterpress paper.

Keep an eye out for new images on the website/and or Facebook of these papers in action!

Recent Invitation Projects

2010-05-28T08:59:00.000-04:00

May has been a crazy, whirlwind of a month. Here's some of the recent projects we've worked on:

"Aquamarine" was created for a photoshoot:

"Lilacs"

Plenty more coming soon! Neither of these are on the website yet- so feel free to contact us (via the link under the header) and we'll get back to you with more information.

Bow Ties!- Tie One On

2010-05-12T10:40:00.001-04:00

My first post-grad job was working for Vermont company Beau Ties Ltd. Bow ties are a great way to add a vintage feel to your wedding. Imagine the groom and his men in seersucker suits and snappy paisley bow ties:

"Gulf Breeze"

Or with this super cute nautical themed tie:

"Hornblower"

The best thing about Beau Ties is that they offer their ties in 5 different widths and styles- so you can get the proper size for your wedding party. You can also get them "freestyle" to tie your own, pre-tied or clip on.

And yes, I do know how to tie a bow tie :)

Show and Tell- Etsy Find Whimsidoodle

2010-05-06T09:39:00.001-04:00

Etsy is such an amazing treasure trove of arts of every kind. Today's find- origami lights- which I think would make amazing wedding decor. Here's a picture from her shop:

Image from Whimisdoodle.

I think this would be wonderful put up around a tent- or in the metal cage like she's shown up above up on tables (though they'd have to be near an outlet).

View to the Garden

2010-05-05T15:45:00.000-04:00

The weather this past week has been absolutely crazy (see last week's view to the garden). We've had snow, followed by 80+ degree weather, and last night 1/2" hail and thunderstorms. My poor flowers have been through quite a bit! I almost never plant anything before Mother's Day, but got a little duped by Momma Nature. Still, I don't think we'll get any more snow storms, so I think these pretties will be safe (keep your fingers crossed).

Amazing Peacock Themed Giveaway !!

2010-04-29T08:31:00.000-04:00

Are you having a Peacock themed wedding? Then you do NOT want to miss this amazing giveaway with prizes totaling over $1000 in value. We're offering up 75 invitations and RSVP postcards (see below) but head on over to Brenda's Wedding Blog to see all of the amazing prizes that are included.

Here's a peek at some of the prizes:

In order to win, just follow the link above to Brenda's blog and follow the instructions for entering- and good luck!!

View to the Garden

2010-04-28T07:47:00.000-04:00

"dude, I am soooo glad we didn't get planted Sunday."

A Sneak Peek at our New Plantable Invitation Line!

2010-04-22T15:19:00.000-04:00

This line has been a long time coming! Plantable paper is tricky to print on and even trickier to cut, but thanks to our new die-cut machine, problem solved!! We'll be pairing these invitations with coordinating cardstocks and envelopes from Green Paper Co- whose papers are either 30% or 100% recycled with PCW, as well as milled in eco-friendly ways. You'll have about eight colors to choose mix and match anyway you want. Below is a peek at three of our new designs, with 2-3 more on their way. You'll also be able to choose between scalloped edges (shown) or regular straight edges. I love the pairing of the vintage illustrations with the plantable paper. Unlike some of our other invitations, these are more simple in design so that they'll use less ink, but still have a beautiful and elegant look.

"Dogwood"

"Pear Blossoms"

"Oak"

Fuschia and Pink Bat Mitzvah Invitations

2010-04-16T09:22:00.000-04:00

I love when I get a chance to flex my wings, so to speak, and design something besides wedding invitations (not that I don't love wedding invitations, but I don't know that there's a groom alive who'd be cool with the colors above ;) ). These super bright Bat Mitzvah invitations utilize all eco-friendly papers and were printed with our eco-friendly Xerox printer.

I've seen some of the other pieces her mom has been working on, and it sounds like she's going to have one amazing party (or two). Congrats Emily!

If Your Name is Sarah...

2010-04-12T18:09:00.002-04:00

And you called needing invites in a hurry, please call back :) . You forgot to leave your number and your number was blocked.

Thanks!

Invitation Sneak Peek #2

2010-03-29T20:56:00.002-04:00

Here's a second sneak peek at our new invitation line. I was going to name it after an ice cream, like the other, but am having trouble figuring out what flavor. Peaches 'n' Cream maybe?

Photo Friday- Before and After and a Cute Little Cowboy

2010-03-26T08:04:00.001-04:00

Photography is an amateur hobby of mine. I have photographed a wedding for a family friend, which I really enjoyed doing, but it also made me really nervous (thankfully I learned there'd be a second shooter that day, so he made them do all the poses and I got to do all the fun stuff like candids and details shots). If I had more training, I think it's something I'd definitely look into doing as a profession. Here's a photo from Halloween that I was playing around with-

As you can see, it's a little fuzzy and the colors are muted. Here's the after:

Is he not the cutest cowboy ever?

If I Could Do it Again...

2010-03-19T13:15:00.000-04:00

Being in the wedding industry, I see all kinds of very cool ideas for weddings that, if I could get married all over again, I'd have to incorporate into a wedding today. I would still keep my tented reception and split-rail fence that surrounded my dance floor, but I think I'd have to have these items too:

First up, a sno-cone machine. Oh yes, a sno-cone machine.

Imagine it's a hot summer day- what better, refreshing treat to have than shaved ice topped with blue-raspberry sugary goodness?

I found this one above at HTMart for $48. Wedding or no, I might just have to get one. My mouth is watering, and I bet yours is too.

I'd also have a popcorn bar- because I have a serious popcorn addiction and I think it'd be cool-

Image from ellyB Events Blog, via the Knot. I'm so hungry!

I also think I'd do a photo booth:

Image from Vermont Photobooth. Along with some cool props like moustaches and some funky hats. I love that each guest gets a 4x6 photo that you can personalize with your names and date.

Centerpieces- at the time, I loved the tall blue glass cylinders that I used, but I think today I'd go for something low, bright and colorful, like a gerber daisy centerpieces in blue bell jars, and just for fun, I think I'd sprinkle a ton of Starburst candies around it- the colors would match well, don't you think?

And who doesn't love Starburst? People get so excited when I put them out at the bridal shows.

So if you're already married, what's a few things you would do as a wedding do-over- and if you're getting married, what's something you're having at your reception that you're super excited about?

View to the Garden- First of the Year!

2010-03-17T16:02:00.000-04:00

As I was waiting to meet the kids off the bus just a few minutes ago, I thought I'd do a little garden leaf clean up and was surprised to see these little shoots sticking up:

I had to say I was surprised for two reasons- one it's only March 17th- and two I had forgotten I'd transplanted them there last Spring- so I'm glad they survived.

Paperie Monday

2010-03-15T13:47:00.002-04:00

A little sneak peek at some upcoming designs, "Neapolitan"-

I'm loving the pale brown and pink combo- reminds me of ice cream- and who doesn't love ice cream!

Also coming soon- wedding website blogs to match some of our selected designs!

Wedding Wednesday: Etsy Finds!

2010-03-10T09:19:00.001-05:00

I love Etsy for a number of reasons- there's amazing artwork, craft supplies and gorgeous things for your wedding that you just wouldn't find in a typical bridal store. Here's some of my recent favorite goodies:

I think this bolero from Etsy Seller SweetKnitting is just gorgeous.

These butterflies are edible!! Available from SugarRobot. I think they'd be great on a wedding cake.

This peacock headpiece is just beautiful. Available from OlasDreamWorld.

Sherlock Holmes and the Photo Shoot

2010-03-09T14:59:00.000-05:00

Back in November, I worked with wedding planners Weddingistas in Connecticut to create an invitation, menus and favor tags based on a steampunk/vintage theme (think the new Sherlock Holmes meets a today wedding). Wanting to wait until the shoot was published, I've held off showing the pictures of the invitations and menus until now- but here they are!

Images courtesy of Michael Maler. To see the entire photo shoot- check out the Weddingista's blog and see Part 1 and Part 2.

Middlebury Bridal Show 3/14

2010-03-06T12:39:00.000-05:00

If you're searching for information for your Vermont wedding- the next upcoming bridal show is at the Town Hall Theater in Middlebury Vt on 3/14. Unlike other shows, this one has revised hours- 10:30am-1 pm so be sure to come early. The Town Hall Theater recently underwent extensive renovations making it a unique and beautiful spot for a wedding! For more information check out http://www.middleburybridalshow.com/ or http://www.townhalltheater.org/.

I also have a limited number of free tickets available, so if you're interested in a pair, please pre-register and then email me (hit the contact us link above the header) and I'll have them waiting for you that day with your pre-registration form.

Tax Free Day March 6th!

2010-03-03T08:24:00.000-05:00

If you're in Vermont and are looking for wedding invitations, Saturday is Tax Free Day, which could net in a nice little savings. Orders have to be paid in full on that day- but we're happy to oblige! Please contact us before Saturday to get your order in Tax Free.

Paperie Monday: Love Bird Wedding Invitations

2010-02-22T14:55:00.000-05:00

Without meaning to, I realized at this weekend's bridal show, as I was setting up, that I have a lot of invitations with birds on them. A lot. It's a super cute theme, and my love birds invites are some of my most popular designs:

And that's not all! So if you're looking for custom invitation design with a love birds theme, I can definitely help.

New in our Etsy Shop- Digital Print Your Own Invitations!

2010-02-17T09:00:00.000-05:00

Over the last few days I've been rolling out a few digital designs in our Etsy shop. I'll set up your invitations, and all you have to do is print (paper supplies are also available!). Everything will be ready to go- taking all of the guess work out of it. I'm also offering some of our Signature Graphics as part of this new collection (our Gingko Invitation is shown above). Because it's a new product, and we may yet need to work out a few kinks, we're offering them at 1/2 price until March 30th, after which they'll go up to their regular pricing.

Interested in a custom digital design? Shoot me an e-mail (use the Contact link above) and I'll see what I can do :)

Check out our digital, print your own, wedding invitations.

Wedding Invitation Spotlight

2010-02-13T14:44:00.000-05:00

These are some of our recent additions to our site- the bottom two are part of my signature Vintage Line, and the top is a bespoke wedding invitation we did. The bride and groom were first married at Shelburne Farms and then traveled to Nairobi for a second reception.

What'cha Wanna Know?

2010-02-12T08:11:00.003-05:00

So I recently signed up for Formspring- a get to know me type site, where you can ask questions, anonymously if you want, and I'll answer them!

So, go on, follow this link ask me a question and I'll do my best :) Just go easy on me, ok?

Wedding Wednesday- Romance at Riverside

2010-02-10T07:46:00.007-05:00

I'm delighted to share some images from photographer Susan Stripling (first shown over at Green Wedding Shoes). The rainy day wedding took place at Riverside Farm in Pittsfield VT. And if you're curious about the eggs- the bride and groom surprised their guests with breakfast for dinner- brilliant!

See more fabulous images from this wedding at Susan's blog.

And the winner is...

2010-02-08T13:13:00.003-05:00

Commenter #2- Amanda!! Send us an e-mail at info{@}lassodmoondesigns.com. Can't wait to help with your invitations.

Congrats to everyone who entered :)

It's Our Anniversary!

2010-02-01T08:24:00.008-05:00

Today marks Lasso'd Moon Designs end of our fifth year in business, and the start of our sixth- no small feat when you're primarily internet based. So to celebrate- we're giving away a- wait for it- $100 gift certificate!!!

That's right...

to enter- you must be 1) getting married 2) need invitations (only our custom invitations are eligible) and 3) be sure to become a fan on Facebook or a blog follower so you'll be updated when we choose the winner 4) you must leave a comment below with your wedding color scheme ('cause I'm curious!)

The giveaway will be open until noon on 2/8/2010, at which time we'll use a random number generator online to choose a winner.

Some small print: this contest is open to new clients only, and you must be a US resident to enter. cannot be combined with other offers or gift certificates.

Wedding Wednesday- The MUST Have Kitchen Utensils

2010-01-28T08:33:00.005-05:00

Last week, guest poster Dawn Viola clued us in as to the bakeware and cookware we should have in our kitchen. This week, I bring you her list of the must have utensils.

Utensils: Stainless steel is the best choice whenever possible. If using non-stick cookware, then silcon or rubber should be used.
1 spatula
1 wire whisk
2 sets of tongs
1 set of large wooden spoons
1 large mixing spoon
1 large slotted spoon
vegetable peeler
box cheese grater
manual can opener
manual bottle opener
manual cork screw
cutting boards - wood or plastic (never glass; it damages knives)

Knives: A good set of knives is worth the investment. If kept sharp, they'll last a lifetime.
8" chef knife
1 steel (for honing, not sharpening)
1 pairing knife
1 bread knife
6 steak knives
Kitchen shears

Ten + years into marriage and I still don't have a pair of kitchen shears, and I can't tell you how many times I wish I did! A good pair can be used for cutting up a chicken (no joke, I saw Alton Brown on the Food Network do it), chives, green onions and all kinds of things- but just keep them separate and don't use them for paper.

What kitchen item could you not live without? For me, it's a 12" non-stick skillet from Hoffritz. It's seriously amazing. Scrambled eggs, no sticking, no butter or margarine. We got it when a kitchen outlet was going out of business and got a tremendous deal on it- I only wish I'd gotten a smaller 6" or 8" too. But we can also put it in the oven as well because it's got a metal handle (great for making things like frittatas).

For more goodies from Dawn, check out her blog, Wicked Good Dinner. Next week, Dawn will be sharing must have cookbooks!

Take 5 Tuesdays! The Cost of Custom Invitations

2010-01-26T08:17:00.003-05:00

"Why does this cost so much??"

One of the most common questions or concerns I tend to hear about in the wedding industry is why does this cost so much? And while that seems to be asked of every wedding service, I'd like to address the cost of custom stationery and invitations.

When you order a custom invitation, your stationer isn't taking a stock design, dropping in your wording and shipping them off to a printer. Typically, there is an in person meeting if you are close in geography, a flurry of e-mails, rounds of proofs and perhaps a number of phone conversations or in person meetings. This doesn't even take into account the time your designer might spend on creating or altering graphics to suit your particular wants. So before you even get to printing, your designer could be any where from 3-10 hours into your project.

Then there is the cost of paper. Metallics are more than matte papers, and patterned and specialty papers are even more. Just upgrading your paper, adding a specialty item like pocketfold or box, can easily make a couple of dollars difference in your invitations. Specialty items=specialty machines=more labor and cost.

Now, we're at the printing stage. Flat printing is the most economical and your stationer might do most of their printing in house. This means, most of the time, that we're carefully watching and constantly performing quality checks to make sure your invitations are perfectly printed. But certain textured papers can only be either outsourced or printed on a professional ink jet, which can be a little more costly and very time-consuming (for the ink jet method). If you choose thermography and get custom colors, this will cost you more as the inks aren't stocked and must be mixed for your project (again, more time for the printers, and more cost for you). For letterpress invites, not only does the ink have to be mixed, it's a labor intensive and timely process. Each piece is printed one at a time, often in a manual process.

Last stage is assembly. We're perfectionists- and assembling layers and cutting small seals is a timely processes. Depending on how much paper you have, your invitations may take several hours to put together. And don't forget the tools we need to put them together- lots of glue, tape, tape guns and the like.

When all is said and done, your stationer could easily have 20-40 hours into your project (aside from project materials). And that's just for your project- remember that we've also spent time and money advertising so that you could find us as well. We have business bills to pay and like you, like to make some money too. So while initially it may seem like a lot of money, consider the time and materials spent to make your invitations/food/photos and the expertise to get it done. Remember that we're working as hard as we can to make something beautiful that you and your guests will forever appreciate and won't be able to stop talking about.

Wedding Wednesday- The Newlywed Kitchen: What to Register For in Cookware and Bakeware

2010-01-20T09:00:00.000-05:00

I'm so excited for today's guest poster, former stationer Dawn Viola, who owned Anna Bella Stationery before turning to a career in food. Dawn switched her writing focus to food when a soy and peanut allergy diagnosis forced her to change the way she purchased, cooked and enjoyed food. She enrolled in culinary school and began teaching others how to cook with creativity, passion and purpose using sustainable, local and organic ingredients whenever possible, with an improvisational approach to cooking.

Dawn has written original recipe articles, food features, cooking instruction documents and commentary for a variety of publications and blogs such as Chef2Chef, Recipe Lion, and Examiner, handling all aspects of research, photo styling and editing. She has also appeared on Food Network, Fox News, Martha Stewart Radio, and was recently featured in Desserts Magazine. Dawn is also the 2009 Crisco National Apple Pie Champion (professional division), and has also placed in the California Table Grape Commission and Faces of Contadina recipe challenges.

Dawn has graciously offered up a (HUGE) list of what engaged couples should consider stocking their kitchens with- the must haves, if you will, of the basic kitchen. This week we'll be focusing on bakeware and cookware, and next week utensils and knives.

Cookware: I recommend a good stainless steel set that can go from stove to oven, preferably with lids for everything, even the skillets. One of each will suffice, but if you love to cook, you'll want to double up on the skillets.
3-quart covered sauce pan
10-quart covered sauce pan
6-quart covered stockpot
8" or 10" skillet
1 large roasting pan

Bakeware: nonstick is a great choice, but watch for grooves and places where food can get stuck -- they're impossible to clean sometimes. Select items that are seamless whenever possible.
2 cookie sheets
1 muffin tin
1 square 9x9" glass baking dish
1 rectangular 5-quart baking dish
Casserole dishes that can also double as serving dishes
1 set of mixing bowls

Small appliances: an up-front investment in quality
appliances will be well worth it. These can sometimes last
20 or more years.None of these are essential, but will make
food prep much faster and easier.
Some possible appliances to consider:
Consider:
hand held mixer
standing mixer
food processor
blender
immersion blender
slow cooker
Dutch oven
And, to serve all of the food the newlyweds will be
cooking, they'll need some snazzy plates, serving
platters, barware and utensils!

After the wedding, I recommend the couple make their own wish list, where once a week or once a month, whatever they can afford, they purchase an "adventure ingredient," such as a spice, or food they've never cooked with before. And also a new kitchen gadget - something they've always wanted. It can be anything from the top of the line food processor, or an inexpensive wooden citrus reemer. By keeping a wish list even after the wedding, it will keep them inspired to learn new cooking techniques and try new recipes.

Keep an eye out for even more posts from Dawn over the coming months, covering all kinds of kitchen and cooking related goodies! You can also follow her cooking journey over at Wicked Good Dinner.

Take 5 Tuesday- A Peek Into the Studio

2010-01-19T13:26:00.005-05:00

I'm always curious about where others work, so I thought I'd post a few pictures of my studio. It's nothing fancy- and I'm still trying to decide where to hang things (just moved into a new home studio), but you might see a few surprising things:

One of the shelves of paper- the ball jar "vase" is full of lavender buds- and flowers, made of paper!

Yes, that's Eeyore on that mug. On the board is some inspiration in the form of vintage postcards, some cute Cartolina notebooks and pictures of my eldest (to the right, unseen, is another board with more kid pics)

A small part of my collection. People are always surprised to learn I collect Barbie dolls- it started when I was a kid, and just never stopped. Most are collectibles, and one, had the box not gotten ruined through several moves, was at one time worth $600. The shelves wrap around 2 walls of my office, but there are other spots in my home that house different collections of dolls (Wizard of Oz, Alice in Wonderland).

What surprising things would someone find in your office or work space?

Papeie Monday- 3-D Save the Date

2010-01-18T19:28:00.003-05:00

I can't remember how I first came across this, but thought it was a pretty interesting idea and great for a fun save the date- especially with a movie or theater themed wedding:

You can get more details from Etsy seller EliminateUgly.

Free for all Friday- A Peek Into my Kitchen

2010-01-15T08:56:00.007-05:00

If it's not totally apparent by now, I'll say it again. I love vintage. A lot. I have a lot of tins and trays, ball jars in turquoise and old fruit labels serving as wall art. As we're in the process of remodeling, I find myself trying to rid myself of clutter. Our kitchen/open dining room is fairly big- 12 x 24, but severely lacking in cabinet space. So I found myself looking for other ways to either display the tins that I have, or *gasp* consider getting rid of them. I really didn't want to get rid of them, so I found new life for them:

These are obviously holding my cooking utensils, replacing the ugly plastic container they came with.

Oh, what's that one hiding? Well, let me tell you! Caps and tops to baby bottles and cups.

What about these? :
The tray has been known to appear in some product shots. The tins are holding other "things" like check books, a pocketknife...you know, that stuff that there's just no other place for.

And these baskets that are on the bottom shelf of our bakers rack:

Are hiding trashbags. We buy them in bulk and the orange boxes they come in are hideous. What's that? You can't see them? I know!! LOL

So what creative uses for your space and goodies?

Show and Tell Thursday

2010-01-14T09:59:00.005-05:00

Here's some favorites from around the web this week:

29 Part Guide to Royally Messing Up Your Wedding Invitations A humorous look at what not to do with your invitations. To quote Jon Stewart- it's funny, because it's true :)

On Snippet and Ink- a very pretty Lemons and Paperwhites inspiration board. Clean and simple for a winter wedding! I wouldn't have thought of it for winter, but it's super pretty! Image via Snippet and Ink via Martha Stewart Weddings:

Inspiration boards at My Kate Parker Wedding- With over 6000 images and tons of inspiration eye candy, not to mention signing up is free, what are you waiting for??

Wedding Wednesday- My Kate Parker Weddings

2010-01-13T09:17:00.005-05:00

My Kate Parker Weddings, a new planning site created by wedding planner Kate Parker, launch January 1st. This amazing free resource caters to your budget- here's what Kate wrote about her site: "Coming from a wedding planning company, myKPW shows you the industry standard breakdown of your overall wedding budget: under 25k, 25-50k, 50-80k, and 80k and up. As you book your vendors you can input their total costs and see how your budget lines up with the industry standard. Every wedding is different and let's face it, you're going to make priorities and splurge in one or more areas… Our simple bar graphs will show you how your budget is stacking up to keep your priorities and your wallet in check."

You'll also have the option to change up your priorities, so if you want to spend less on your catering and more on your photography, you can reallocate your funds and see vendors in other budget ranges! But MyKPW isn't just about budget- it's also an amazing photo resource featuring inspiration and images from real weddings, searchable not only by color, but wedding style as well. And soon, you'll be able to create your own inspiration board using vendors in your budget. I encourage all newly-engaged to sign up and check it out. Currently it features wedding professionals in the Northeast (RI, VT, NY, ME, etc), but will soon be expanding into other markets.

Sign up for free today and start planning!

Paperie Monday- Some Design Updates

2010-01-11T11:10:00.005-05:00

Image from our Etsy shop.

I've been working hard behind the scenes to bring you better, clearer and larger images on our website without taking up too much "room" and slowing things down. I think I've found a fairly good solution that's been getting lots of great feedback. So far, I've updated out custom Envelopments page and our signature Vintage Wedding Invitations page (and there's more designs coming soon too). I'm hoping to have the other pages done in the next couple of weeks. Check it out and let me know what you think!

Free for All Friday- My Secret Obsession

2010-01-07T09:55:00.014-05:00

Ok, well not so secret after this post, but here it is. I have an obsession with dishes. I currently have three sets- one antique set that I partly purchased/partly got from my Grandmother (they were what she used as I was growing up, and love the childhood connection). In the end, I think I ended up with over 20 dinner plates among tons of other goodies too.

Then I have the settings that we picked when we got married. While not quite my style anymore, there is a sentimental connection to those too.

Then there's my holiday dishes (LOVE these, and in fact, are in the dish rotation all year around).

I have to try and stay out of the dishes section at TJ Maxx (which can be a great place to find deals on normally pricey dinnerware), because I find things I start obsessing over:

These aren't quite what I found the other day, but thankfully I didn't write down what they actually were (as I might be tempted to see what deals I could find online), but the design was similar only the lines of the pattern had a distressed grey look to them. Seriously, though, I might have to go back and get some. They'll go with ANYTHING...and how pretty would they be at the holidays with a deep red table cloth?

I've also been tempted to buy some multi-colored dishes in Target too-

So there you have it! My {not-so} secret obsession. Don't tell my husband. What's yours? Post below- your secret is safe as long as your SO doesn't read this blog :)

Show and Tell Thursday: Vintage Finds

2010-01-07T07:19:00.005-05:00

The vintage look is still running hot- and here were some of my favorite links from this past week around the web:

Green Weddings Shoes
Not only was it vintage, it was Alice in Wonderland inspired photo shoot(one of my favorite books of all time). Here's a sneak peek:

Photo by Jessica Claire, see more here. I love the use of pomegranites (go on- check it out!)

Ruffled Blog

When city hall looks like this, how could you not take advantage of that gorgeous architecture and do something intimate (and vintage!)

Photo by Jerry Yoon Photography.

See more over at Ruffled.

Brenda's Wedding Blog:
Posted just this morning, I had to come back and add this in. This Cotton Fields and Coca Cola engagement shoot by Heather H Photography is just beautiful, and the sensuality is this first photo is palpable.

See more at Brenda's Wedding Blog.

When I got married, engagement shoots weren't a thing like they are now. Are you doing an engagement shoot? Just for fun or for a purpose?

For some incredible inspiration boards, check out Snippet and Ink , Lucky Designs and The Perfect Palette (especially if you're newly engaged and considering a holiday wedding this year- her 25 days of Christmas boards are wonderful!)

Wedding Wednesday: Vermont Wedding Props

2010-01-06T10:00:00.003-05:00

I can't remember how I stumbled upon this site, but if you're looking for unique, vintage and rustic items to spruce up your wedding, this is a great place to start. Vermont Wedding Props has everything from sap buckets, pottery and old skis to wagons and Adirondack chairs and bag pipes to make your wedding day extra special. Here are some images from their web site:

For more information, check out the Vermont Wedding Props website.

Take 5 Tuesdays! Gearing Up For High Wedding Season

2010-01-05T09:00:00.002-05:00

If you're in the business of weddings, you know that come January, things start to get a little crazy. If you're not in the business, you might be thinking, why? It's January? My wedding isn't until June. Well, this time of year, the wedding business tends to get a little crazy. Everyone with summer weddings is suddenly realizing that half of their year of planning is gone, and time seems to be moving quicker. Wedding pros are gearing up for a busy season with their couples, as well as attending bridal shows which can take a great deal of prep too. As with many things for your wedding, your custom invitations need to be ordered months in advance to really allow for a stressfree experience. Here's a calendar that'll help you figure out when the best time is to order your invites:

If you need your invitations in a rush, there may be rush charges no matter what company you go with. This means your order is put ahead of others and usually some overtime is involved in making sure that your order gets to you when you need it. But the more time you can allow for your custom invitations, you'll have less stress and find that you're having more fun with the design process.

Paperie Monday: Grammarphile Note Cards

2010-01-04T10:00:00.001-05:00

Following on the heels of our popular Vowel notecards, I designed these to go with them:

They come as a set of 10 and are a great gift for a writer, teacher or yourself! Get more information at our Lasso'd Moon Etsy Shop.

We're Throwing a Change Up!

2009-12-30T09:00:00.001-05:00

In an effort to make this blog a little more, well, me, I've given the old Ink Spot a new name- Under the Moon, which will not only showcase Vermont Weddings, but give you a glimpse into the inner workings of Lasso'd Moon Designs, a peek into my design inspirations, and all kinds of other goodies. I'll be trying better to stick to an editorial but think it will help to make it a more cohesive place to find inspiration for your wedding. And if there's something you'd like to see as a reader- leave a comment or shoot me an e-mail and we'll see what we can do.

Here's what I'm considering for our 2010 Editorial Calender:

Paperie Mondays- Paper- spotlight on invitations and other paper goodies
Take 5 Tuesdays- behind the scenes and upcoming goodies
Wedding Wednesday- Weddings! Featuring Vermont Weddings and Wedding Vendors
Show and Tell Thursday- Links from around the web
Free for All Friday- Learn more about me, my inspirations, family, photography and more!