Pin your wedding plans!

Are you addicted to Pinterest? So are we! Don’t worry, we won’t tell. But you should get your bridesmaids in on the fun and get some wedding planning done at the same time!

We’ve seen so much wedding inspiration on Pinterest; there is surely something for every wedding theme. If you already have a Pinterest account, you may already know how to create and pin to a board.

Allowing others to pin to your boards is e a great way to get your bridesmaids’ (or groomsmen’s!) input on your big day.

Begin by creating a board, and hitting the “Me + Contributors” button. It will prompt you for your contributors’ email addresses, ensuring that not just anyone can butt in on your planning

You should include anyone you trust to help you plan your big day. It could be all of your bridesmaids, only your maid of honor, only your mother…just make sure it is someone whose opinion you want and respect, none of those show-stealers or wannabe-wedding planners.

How are you using Pinterest to plan your wedding day?

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Written by Katie

Affordable letterpress and digital invites for everyone’s budget!

Are you and your love obsessed with letterpress printing but in your research have found that it is entirely out of your wedding planning price range? Look no further! Invitations by Ajalon has an awesome letterpress wedding invitation deal just for you!

Place your order by April 30, 2012 and receive 100 one-color letterpress printed wedding invitations with 110 blank envelopes, and 100 one-color letterpress enclosure cards for only $559!

This is an awesome deal not to be missed. Even if you have more than 100 guests, the price of adding on a extra cards STILL seriously beats the competition’s high prices!

And if you haven’t yet been charmed by time-old tradition that is letterpress printing, perhaps our digital wedding invitations will strike your fancy!

Place your order by April 30, and receive 100 one-color digitally printed wedding invitations with 110 blank envelopes, and 100 one-color digitally printed enclosure cards for only $350!

The crisp, clean aura of our digital wedding invitations will be adored by guests, while our letterpress is truly a sight to see. If you are having a bit of trouble deciding which print method is best for you, be sure to order samples!

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Written by Katie

Congratulations on your engagement, and let’s begin to plan the most incredible Celtic wedding that anyone has ever seen! 

Show Me the Money

It would be a good idea to explain the importance of the Irish Wedding Coin. For those who are not familiar with this important Celtic custom, the groom presents his bride with his family’s heirloom coin. The words “I give you this as a token of all that I possess” are spoken by the groom as he hands it to his bride. Those who are just starting this as a tradition needn’t worry. They can use a brand new coin bearing the year of their marriage and start their own tradition with the Irish Wedding Coin.

Show Me the Bling

No wedding ceremony is complete without an exchange of rings. A Celtic wedding simply wouldn’t be traditional without Celtic wedding bands. There are a wide variety of styles to choose from which hold true to Celtic jewelry styling. Be sure that you and your betrothed know your proper ring sizes so that you won’t be disappointed or embarrassed at the altar.

Honor the Hand-fasting Tradition

The hand-fasting ceremony was originally something like a trial marriage which ended one day after the one year anniversary. Although we no longer have trial runs for tying the knot, this is how it started in the Celtic culture. You can still employ the hand-fasting into your wedding ceremony. Simply purchase some thick ribbon that coordinates with the color scheme of your bridal party. The priest or other celebrant will wrap the ribbon around both of your hands after the exchanging of the rings. It is a beautiful way to incorporate your Celtic culture into your big day.

The Two Shall Become One

Many religions and cultures use the Unity Candle in their wedding ceremonies. The truth is that this was originally a Celtic tradition that was adopted by many other cultures. This symbolizes the new union between husband and wife as well as between the two clans. You will need to purchase a large pillar candle and two smaller taper candles. The tapers will be joined to light the larger candle. Nearly any venue will allow this practice.

Pennies from Heaven

Once the happy couple has been pronounced husband and wife, it is a Celtic tradition for the groom to throw coins to the guests. Today’s society will not allow that to happen inside of a church. In present day, this tradition takes place outside of the church. The coins have been swapped out for chocolates wrapped like coins. It is a much tastier and safer thing to throw for your guests.

Let Them Eat Cake

Finally, we get to the traditional Celtic wedding cake. Most cakes are made of fruit and frosted with fluffy, white icing. It is customary for a brother of the groom to hold the cake over the bride’s head as she sits in a chair. One of the bridesmaids, more often than not the maid of honor then cuts the first slice of the cake. Many brides don’t want to take the chance of something bad happening so most forego this Celtic tradition.

This guest post was written for Invitations by Ajalon by Sine Treanor and Steven Forsyth of www.celtic-weddingrings.com.

Planning the Most Incredible Celtic Wedding

Congratulations on your engagement, and let’s begin to plan the most incredible Celtic wedding that anyone has ever seen! 

A Simple Stitch

Let’s face it; most brides either purchase readymade gowns or hire someone to make it for them. Few have the time or know how to sew their own wedding ensembles. A very important Celtic tradition is for the bride to make the very last stitch on her gown on her actual wedding day. This is supposed to bring the couple good luck in their new life together.

Heavy on the Horseshoe

The Irish Horseshoe is a very old Celtic tradition. Many moons ago, the bride would carry a horseshoe on her walk down the aisle. This had to be a little unsightly as well as uncomfortable. The tradition has changed a bit over the years. Now, the bride usually has a horseshoe inconspicuously embroidered somewhere on her gown or on the tulle of her bouquet.

Beautify Your Bouquet

Flowers are a very important part of any wedding. This is also true when someone is planning a Celtic wedding. A wee bit of shamrock in the bouquet is said to bring the couple luck and some lavender will help to ensure a happy and long life together. Of course, these can be hidden inside of the other flowers should you so choose.

Let the Music Move You

Many Celtic weddings aren’t complete without bagpipes. One of the traditions that your guests will not forget is the sound of bagpipes leading the bride down the aisle. It is also acceptable for the piper to stand beside the groom and play. Either way, this is a Celtic tradition that people will remember for years to come.

Barefoot Is Beautiful

A really cool Celtic tradition is that the bride and groom be barefoot during the ceremony. Although it isn’t followed much anymore, this tradition celebrates Mother Earth and the natural world. You should check with your venue to see if being barefoot would be allowed as many places will deem it to be against the rules of the Department of Health.

Let the Circle Encompass You

The drawing of the circle is a very old Celtic wedding tradition. Once the bride reaches her groom, a circle is drawn around them to symbolize the union that they are entering into that day. Nowadays, couples will have to improvise and use a circle of rose petals or a long strand of ivy unless they are having their ceremony outdoors.

Stay tuned for part 3!

This guest post was written for Invitations by Ajalon by Sine Treanor and Steven Forsyth of www.celtic-weddingrings.com.

Planning the Most Incredible Celtic Wedding

There is no better feeling in the world than when your one true love proposes to you and gives you a beautiful Celtic Engagement Ring or Celtic Wedding Ring. Perhaps the feeling of actually getting married is better, but since you are still in the planning stages, you’ll have to decide later. So Congratulations and let’s begin to plan the most incredible Celtic wedding that anyone has ever seen.

Setting the Date

The first thing that you will need to do is decide on a date for the wedding. It’s really best to sit down with both sets of parents as well as your betrothed for this important decision. You should try to avoid major holidays for the big day as many people will have other obligations and be unable to attend your nuptials. Ultimately, the happy couple will have the final say but take the time to listen to the opinions of your parents and future in-laws. You will be glad that you did.

The Guest List

It is really important that you have a fairly accurate idea of how many people will be invited to witness your ceremony and celebrate the day with you. This will help you decide on the right venues. A small and intimate church that seats one hundred people would not be suitable for the couple inviting two hundred and fifty guests. Knowing the number of guests will help you with all of the planning stages for your Celtic wedding.

Finding the Right Location

As soon as you have your date selected, you will need to decide on the venue for the nuptials. Some churches require you to book your wedding two years in advance. Naturally, most happy couples opt to have their wedding at their family church while others opt for a more natural setting such as a park or even the backyard of their family homes. There is no right or wrong place to have a Celtic wedding ceremony.

Once you know where you’ll be having the ceremony, you will need to find a reception hall for the celebration. Most people reserve their reception hall well in advance so this should be done as soon as possible after booking your ceremonial site. Visit several locations and take pictures as well as bring home the information about the venue. This will help you to compare prices, amenities and styles of each and finally decide on the best one.

Obtaining Someone to Officiate

Those who are having their wedding ceremony inside of a church will more than likely have one of their parish priests officiate but not all priests understand the ways of Celtic tradition. Other couples might seek out the services of someone who is schooled in Celtic ways. You can always speak to the priest, other clergy or person who will lead the service about the traditions that are important to you.

Stay tuned for Part 2!

This guest post was written for Invitations by Ajalon by Sine Treanor and Steven Forsyth of www.celtic-weddingrings.com.

Let guests know where they are sitting!

Are you having difficulty figuring out where to seat your guests at your wedding reception? If you do not have a wedding planner helping you sort out all of the little details, you might be overwhelmed with everything to be planned.

That’s why we love the internet. I CANNOT imagine how much effort it took to plan my mother’s wedding without Pinterest or Social Tables! Social Tables is an amazing, and free event planning resource to help you figure out your reception seating arrangements. Take a look at this video to see how it works:

Once you know who is sitting where, be sure your guests can find their spots. A seating chart is a great way to inform people of where to go…

…while escort cards make finding their seat like playing a game. Who can find their spot first?

Send Me My Free Samples of Escort Cards

How are you taking the stress out of your wedding planning?

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Written by Katie

Avoid confusion with custom table markers!

Send Me My Free Samples of Devi Day of Wedding Items

If you are like other brides all over the world, you are trying to keep your stress to a minimum before and during your wedding day. If anything, you can be sure to keep your calm at your reception with custom-printed table markers!

Send Me My Free Samples of Allison Day of Wedding Items

Unless your seating situation is an informal one, table markers are essential parts of your wedding reception. Groups of guests will be arriving from your wedding ceremony and anxiously looking for their reception seats. Avoid confusion and make sure they can find tables easily with table markers!

Have fun with your table markers. If you are throwing an intimate destination wedding celebration in Hawaii, consider using the island’s names instead of numbers.

Send Me My Free Samples of Oahu Day of Wedding Items

Don’t forget to incorporate your wedding theme into your table markers. Invitation designs, ceremony motifs, dress details and more can all be worked into your reception table markers!

Send Me My Free Samples of Allison Day of Wedding Items

“Great, thanks so much, we are really looking forward to getting the invites, it has been great working with you, I will definitely recommend you to all my friends here. The letterpress options in Australia are so amazingly expensive!! Thanks again, Kate”

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Written by Katie

Go to the Invitation Gallery

Check out our special on letterpress invitations and save!

Give Your Guests (and Yourself) Time to Plan Ahead

If you despise last minute wedding invitations, you are not alone. Most wedding guests really appreciate several weeks notice before the big event. If you send your letterpress wedding invitations out to friends and family at the appropriate time, not only will they be more able to prepare for your big day, but you will be too.

Some couples cannot hold back their excitement and send out a save the date card to friends and family. Save the date cards are appropriate to send out months or, in the case of a destination wedding, even a year before the proposed event.

The wedding invitation itself is usually sent to guests about two months before the ceremony, and definitely no later than six weeks before. Giving your guests enough time to fill out and return your letterpress printed RSVP cards will help you attain a final count, thereby making other planning duties, such as meals, seating charts, etc., a smoother process.

Send Me My Free Samples of Kira

If you are planning a destination wedding, give your guests another four weeks (at least) to make travel and accommodation arrangements.

Plan ahead with affordable letterpress wedding invitation deals, including Ajalon’s November 2010 special of 100 letterpress invitation cards and envelopes and 100 RSVP postcards! If you haven’t already, all you Spring 2011 brides should be sending out your save the dates right about now…

Written by Katie

Invitations by Ajalon
View our letterpress wedding invitation gallery.

San Francisco Wedding and Event Faire at the City Club

Free Wedding Planning Event Open to the Public

For all you spring brides, tis’ the season for bay area wedding planning faires. This October the 3^rd 2010, The Wedding & Event Faire is being held at the City Club of San Francisco. Join us Bay Area bride’s from 11 am until 3pm for fun day of wedding planning preparation.

At the City Club Wedding and Event Show in San Francisco, Invitations by Ajalon will be hosting an amazing wedding invitation exhibit. There we will  be offering our fabulous October special: 100 letterpress invitations and RSVP postcards. Also, check our custom letterpress wedding invitation designs that are new for Spring 2011!

The San Francisco City Club Wedding and Event Faire is a one-day event that will bring together an exclusive selection of wedding vendors. If you are a Bay Area bride looking for a wedding planning event, make sure to mark your calendars for October 3^rd from 11am-3pm. You can pre-register by clicking on the graphic below:

Click here to RSVP

Invitations by Ajalon
View our letterpress wedding invitation gallery.

San Francisco City Club Wedding & Event Affair

Free Wedding Planning Event Open to the Public

For any California bride, this Bay Area wedding event is not to be missed. Just in time for all you spring brides that are planning to say ‘I do’ in 2011, this San Francisco Wedding and Event faire will be a great day for shopping. Join Invitations by Ajalon on October 3^rd 2010, from 11 to 3pm and come to the Bay Area bride’s haven for wedding planning preparation.

Appearing at the City Club Wedding and Event Show in San Francisco, Invitations by Ajalon will be displaying an exquisite array of wedding invitations. Here we will be offering our fabulous October special on affordable letterpress printing: 100 letterpress wedding invitations and RSVP postcards. So come and check out our new for Spring 2011 range of custom letterpress wedding invitation designs.

City Club of San Francisco is hosting a one day Wedding and Event Faire that brings vendors from all across the country. If you are a California or Bay Area Bride that is looking for a wedding planning event, mark your calendars for October 3^rd, from 11 – 3 pm. Click here or on the graphic below to register:

Click here to RSVP!

Invitations by Ajalon
View our letterpress wedding invitation gallery.