Wedding Monogram Etiquette Revealed!

I think we all remember the days when we were in grade school and we were totally crushing on someone (probably us girls crushing on the boys...since girls were 'icky'), and we would spend the better part of the day writing out what our new name might be, how our initials looked together, adding little doo-hickies like hearts and happy faces...ah, wasn't life easy back then???

Maybe it was these little games we played as kids that has brought us to today, where it has become acceptable to use a married monogram prior to the wedding ceremony. I think everyone knows what I'm talking about...maybe we'll get a Save-the-Date for the couple's upcoming wedding or maybe the wedding invitation itself will have an exquisite gold-foiled monogram at the very top...while stunning, in reality it is an etiquette no-no, as a married monogram should be used only after the wedding ceremony has taken place.

"What?!?!?", you exclaim. "But I've already printed my ceremony programs and have a custom aisle runner ready to go!!!". While the etiquette rule I mention above is technically correct, modern monogramming etiquette accepts that couples may use their new married monogram for such things on the wedding day, so you're in the clear.

Now that you have this useful tidbit of information, tell all of your friends before they send out their invitations!!!

The National Stationery Show (aka "Oh My God, what do I buy???")

This past week was such a blur, starting on Sunday, where I arrived bright and early at the National Stationery Show which took place at the Javitz Center. I eagerly await this event every year, and as always, this year did not disappoint.

I took a slightly different approach this year, in that I established relationships with several printing houses with whom I absolutely knew I wanted to partner with prior to the show, and spent my time on Sunday looking for the best things to complement my current offering. There was much less "snap" decision-making to be made, as I had most of the things I wanted prior to the show, so I was waaaay less stressed.

Some notable NEW relationships:
-Emily Post Weddings: such cute designs and REALLY affordable.
-Little Lamb Designs: coordinating invitations and programs (I was looking for really nice programs)
-BT Elements: Okay, I was so tempted to buy EVERYTHING they had, but fortunately, my companion held me back (thanks Lorie!!!)

I promise to post pics of all of these new things ASAP. In the meantime, indulge yourself in this spectacular invitation suite from Gwyneth Paige Couture Letterpress: