“Where do I sit?”

Guests not having assigned seats can result in disaster: bodies roaming around the room while speeches are being made, adults throwing temper tantrums because there is not enough room at a certain table…we’ve heard it all.

That’s why place cards are such an amazing and essential element within receptions! Not only will they keep stress at a minimum, everyone enjoys having a special place setting especially for them.

There are endless ways to customize your place cards and display them on your reception tables:

Tented cards sitting on plates is a classic and popular option.

Attaching name tags to your guest favors and arranging them at their place setting is another great way to make a place card.

There are also flat place cards, which save paper and reduce waste. Prop them up or lay them upon their plate for guests to find their seat.

What are some creative place cards you’ve seen at wedding receptions lately?

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Written by Katie

Winter Cocktails for Signature Drink Signs

There are more than a few ways to keep your guests warm during a winter wedding. Mine, by far, is a signature cocktail! What will your signature drink be at your winter wedding celebration?

Here’s a few of my winter favorites, and drink sign inspiration to go along with them:

Poinsettia

Originally a poinsettia is made with champagne with a splash of cranberry juice, but I’d be tempted to substitute the cranberry with some pomegranate juice!

The Blizzard Cocktail

1 1/2 ounces Irish whiskey or rum
1/2 ounce hazelnut liqueur, such as Frangelico
1/2 ounce Irish cream liqueur, such as Bailey’s
Hot coffee
Dollop of Grand Marnier Whipped Cream

Preparation:
In a glass coffee mug, stir together whiskey, hazelnut liqueur, and Irish cream; top with coffee. Garnish cocktail with whipped cream and serve immediately.

Polar Bear Shooters

1/2 oz white creme de cacao
1/2 oz peppermint schnapps

Preparation:
Pour the liqueurs into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well. Strain into a shot glass.

Northern Lights

2 oz Yukon Jack Canadian Whiskey
dash of peach schnapps
orange juice
cranberry juice

Preparation:
Pour the Yukon Jack and peach schnapps into an old-fashioned glass filled with ice. Fill with equal parts orange juice and cranberry juice. Stir.

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Written by Katie

Custom tags for your guests’ wedding favors!

What are you giving away to your guests at your wedding as a favor? There are endless possibilities to show your gratitude to your guests, whether it is with edible goodies or a small gift in line with your motif. Some couples even make a donation to charity in their guest’s name.

No matter what you decide to do, be sure to let them know what the favor is for! A favor tag with your monogram, invitation motif, or wedding day details will remind guests about your lovely day, even after they’ve eaten your favor ; ).

Send Me My Free Samples of Favor Tags

Favor tags are great, whether letterpress or digitally printed. We’ve even seen some couples print their photos on guitar tabs as a favor tag. Precious!

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Written by Katie

Let guests know what they’re sipping on!

Will you and your sweetheart be featuring a signature drink at your wedding reception? Perhaps it was the drink you ordered on your first date, a concoction you both have made and enjoy together, or simply your favorite beer. No matter what your signature drink is, be sure to tell guests what they’re drinking!

There are several ways to let guests know just what is in that signature drink of yours! Here are a few:

Bar Signs

Displaying a sign at your beverage station is the easiest way to tell guests what they drinking. A story behind your cocktail or the recipe will especially warm their hearts.

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Custom Bottle Labels

Create custom stickers to stick onto bottles! Whether it is wine, beer or soda pop, guests will love your sneaky customization and just might even save a few bottles as keepsakes!

Custom Coasters

If your drinks will be pre-poured for guests at a beverage station, consider placing a custom coaster underneath each drink! A super cute 2012 trend.

Send Me My Free Samples of Lalita

What is your signature drink?

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Written by Katie

Let the season guide your reception menu choices…

What inspired you to be a fall bride over a summer bride? Did a certain flower sway you to schedule your wedding in the spring? For me, I know it will be the food that dictates when I say “I do!”

I have already mentioned this before, but one of the most exciting parts of a wedding for me is the food. It is always delicious, abundant and beautiful. That is why I am going to be sure to take seasonal harvests into account when creating my wedding menu.

Fall Menus

Fall foods, like pumpkin, pecans, cranberries and hot apple cider, would be the focus of my fall menu. I’m not talking about a Thanksgiving feast or anything, but those sweet and spicy flavors would be prevalent within all of my courses. I might just even step out of the wedding cake box and order some delectable apple pies.

Winter Menus

My winter wedding menu would showcase a variety of comfort foods. This would be the perfect time to break out the filet mignon, the roasted baby potatoes, and peppermint bark (or schnapps!). As for dessert, a red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting will definitely hit the spot.

Spring Menus

The spring season always has me craving lemonade and fresh fruit. Local lamb or pork chops would seriously satisfy me around that time of year, along with a fresh spinach salad adorned with walnuts, goat cheese and raspberry vinaigrette.

Summer Menus

Summer is one of my favorite seasons because you get to light up the grill! Grilled corn with splashes of lime, grilled fish, and even grilled fruit gets me excited about an outdoor reception with all of my favorite summer foods! Refreshing mint mojitos would cool down the hot day while a dessert of grilled ripe peaches and cream could bring in a night of dancing and fun.

What’s on your wedding menu?

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Written by Katie

New, Lower Prices on Thank You Cards and Programs

Hey fall bride! I bet your letterpress wedding invitation was a hit with all of your guests. Now you need your day of wedding stationery!

Most day of wedding stationery is absolutely essential to a stress-free ceremony and reception. Table markers, place cards, seating charts and more are going to work to keep your big day flowing smoothly and everyone sane.

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Programs are an item that is sure to keep everyone on track. Letting your guests know the details of your traditional or religious ceremony will keep them from wondering when the food is going to be served, and focused on your beautiful nuptials.

Another necessary item you might want to consider is thank you cards. Whether printed flat or tented, sent out to guests after the wedding or laid upon their reception place setting, everyone will be truly delighted with your appreciation for their presence.

We’ve lowered the prices on our day of wedding programs and thank you cards, ensuring you’ll impress guests with your etiquette. And winter brides–don’t forget–you’ll receive 10% off your day of wedding stationery if you order at the same time as your invitations!

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“THANK YOU! The invitations are beautiful. I would confidently recommend Ajalon to anyone looking for letterpress printing. You couldn’t have been nicer or easier to work with and your work is lovely.” ~ Fallon

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Written by Katie

BRIDES.com features our Day of Wedding Stationery!

If you received the September 2011 issue of BRIDES magazine, you probably saw our menus, table numbers and escort cards featured within their Ultimate Guide to Table Stationery!

Our day of wedding items have been receiving a lot of attention, and most recently BRIDES.com released an online version of the guide!

We’re so honored to be a part of last month’s issue, and so thrilled that the inspiration was posted for brides everywhere online!

Check out BRIDES.com to see all the ideas and inspiration!

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Written by Katie

Go to the Invitation Gallery

Check out our special on letterpress invitations and save!

Pantone predicts the color trends for Spring 2012

Check out the other colors chosen for Pantone’s Spring 2012 Fashion Color Trends!

Sweet Lilac

I cannot imagine a sweeter color for 2012 wedding celebrations. Sweet Lilac is a pinkish hue that will look amazing paired with colors of all kinds! Those glittery gold and pink color schemes from 2011 will only get better in the upcoming year.

Send Me My Free Samples of Jessica

Perfect for fresh, garden ceremonies, this delicate color will have guests falling in love with your wedding celebration at first sight.

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Written by Katie

Go to the Invitation Gallery

Check out our special on letterpress invitations and save!

Day of Wedding Items No One Will Forget!

There’s little that we love more than printing letterpress wedding invitation designs for hip, modern brides. One thing that brings us great joy is being able to design and print your day of wedding stationery as well! There is nothing more luxurious than a cohesive wedding theme that runs through your invite all the way to your favor tags and thank you notes.

Our most recent real wedding footage comes from Jennifer and Nick’s big wine country wedding day. We foil stamped their gold monogram onto luscious brown paper, making a perfect napkin embellishment for their tablescapes.

We love the bright orange 2^nd paper layer that helps the embellishment stand apart from the beautiful brown napkins! Using brown as a base color is an excellent choice, as it gives bright colors a chance to show off without being blinding or offensive.

Jennifer and Nick opted for brown escort cards placed within customized wine corks–such a good idea for a wine country wedding!

Congrats Jennifer and Nick! And thank you to MA5EN Photography for capturing the gorgeous couple and the lovely details on their special day.

Send Me My Free Samples of Jennifer and Nick’s Day of Wedding Items!

“The only thing that worries me about these EXQUISITE invitations is that now that we have set the precedent with these, I don’t know that we can fulfill everyone’s expectations by presenting a likewise beautifully executed wedding. My sincere admiration and thanks for the Sterling Customer Service and Design Skills we received from Trish and ALL the staff at AJALON PRINTING ! ! !” ~Angela (MOB)

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Written by Katie

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Check out our special on letterpress invitations and save!

Wedding events need letterpress invitations!

Are you having an elaborate winter wedding weekend? If you are, there are probably more than a few fun events that guests want to get in on: rehearsal dinners, morning brunches, sangeets and mehendis, and so much more. Let guests know which gatherings they are invited to with individual event cards.

Send Me My Free Samples of Calliandra

Mailed with your letterpress wedding invitation (maybe even gracefully displayed within a pocket folder!), event cards are wonderful organizational tools for guests. Knowing where they have to be and when they have to be there will keep stress at an all-time low.

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Don’t forget to keep a consistent theme running through your wedding invitation stationery! A cohesive wedding invitation suite is sure to impress anyone who lays eyes on it.

Send Me My Free Samples of Victorian

“Our invitations turned out fabulous! Trish was unbelievably helpful and accommodating – thanks Trish! We received so many compliments. Hands down one of the easiest parts of the wedding planning process! ~Diksha”

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Written by Katie

Go to the Invitation Gallery

Check out our special on letterpress invitations and save!