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#110 If it’s forecasted to precipitate on your event date, have two designated people armed with golf umbrellas to usher guests (mainly of the female variety…) from their cars to the door. If valet is your parking of choice, then have umbrella coverage start at the car drop-off point.
And now, a public service announcement straight out of 1941... on the tardy guest:
The hostess will usually wait dinner 15 minutes for a tardy guest but it would not be fair to the others to extend the delay much longer. When the late guest arrives he should go directly to the hostess, apologize simply, and take his seat unobtrusively as possible. The hostess extends her hand to the guest without rising and graciously accepts the apology with a smile...The tardy guest starts his dinner on the course being served to the others. He loses any dishes which have already been removed from the table.
Wallace, Lily Haxworth (Consultant on Social Arts and Home Making). The New American Etiquette. Books, Inc., New York. 1941.
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April 2008
Tissue Paper Flowers Spring Eternal: A Favorite Retro How-To
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Be A Hometown Tourist, Set the Summer to Music
May 2007
How to be a Trendsetter (Hotteset Trends Fresh from the National Stationery Show), Going Postal: Surviving the New Postage Rate Hike
April 2007
Better Late than Never, Celebrate May Day
March 2007
De-Winterize Olfactory and Sensory Systems, Upstage Your Siblings on Mother's Day
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Chinese New Year, Party On: Unusual Holidays, Prettifying with Papers
January 2007
Funny Valentine, New Year's Resolutions that are Fun and Games, billet-doux Tutorial
December 2006
Signature Drinks 101, Baby New Year,
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Picture-Perfect Festivities, Give Thanks,
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Don’t ask us…read what others are saying about billet-doux:
I can't thank you enough for the beautiful [wedding] invitations as well as the many calming messages in your emails. I can't even begin to tell you the rave reviews (from across the country) that we received on the uniqueness and attention to detail. Thank you for making our guests' first impression of our wedding so extraordinary!
P.S. The ex-wife even saw one and loved them, though I'm sure she turned as green as the paper! It's a girl thing!!! [yes, it is!!]
Our [wedding] invitations are gorgeous. Thanks so much for being part of our day in such meaningful way. I am looking forward to working with you again.
JUST opened your [wedding] invitation, literally sitting in front of me and it is BEAUTIFUL!! So unique and well done... Now I am even MORE excited about your big day (if that is even possible).
I just wanted to say thank you for all your hard work and patience with us! We appreciate your terrific work and we just love our invitations (and our save the date cards). You made this project so easy and fun! It was a pleasure working with you.
Thank you for the beautiful and creative (New Year's] cards - they are perfect!
I just received the [holiday] cards. They are beautiful! Thank you again for all of your hard work on these.
Thank you so much for taking on my save-the-date card project! The cards turned out beautiful. In fact, my mom and I have been getting calls and emails from friends and family who just love them! Thanks for your design suggestions, wording and everything.
Congratulations on putting on a fabulous bridal shower party for your sister. Starting from the creative invitations down to the details of the menu and the drinks, everything was custom made to fit just right. We thank you and look forward to the wedding.
Thank you for creating beautiful, fun invitations for our wedding! They went perfect with the whole theme. I will definitely recommend you to everyone I know.
Thank you very much for the [bridal shower] invitations. They came out exactly how I wanted them. You do great work.
Your [birthday] invites are fantastic. They are just perfect. Thank you. |
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Dear Melinda,
I've been so focused on every other detail for my wedding that I completely forgot about the dreaded assigned seating.
I know that clever place cards are a way to make this project fun, and another opportunity for my fiance and me to express our personality - and weave in our theme.
What suggestions do you have for stand-out place cards?
Signed,
Finding Her Place
Dear Finding Her Place,
Oh, girl, there are gobs and gobs of ideas that will put your guests in their place (sorry, I couldn't resist).
You are sooooo right that place cards are a great way to weave in a theme and express yourself. Give yourself a gold star compliments of billet-doux (which translates to a glass of wine!).
Here's just a few billet-doux do's for your place card conundrum. Remember in all cases to keep in alphabetical order to the best of your ability. You don't want guests to have to work for their dinner deets.
- Secure a bunch of twigs (yes, twigs) and stick them in a vase, and place on a table that guests can't miss before making their way into the main event. Punch a simple hole in the corner of a flat card with guests names and table numbers printed neatly. Thread through a ribbon (mix up colors and patterns if you like) and dangle from branches.
If within your budget, then attach some fleurs to your naked twigs (you get the same effect without this added expense tho!).
- Make your own flowers with tissue paper! See how in the April edition of the "couture wire."
Attach a tag at the base of the flower so guests know which is theirs to keep - oh, yeah, and where to sit too! Mix up the tissue colors and floral lengths (both optional), and stick them in vases. Twenty-six is a magic number - one for each letter of the alphabet (stand a tent card in front with the right letter on it).
- Take your typical (or atypical) place card - as elaborate or simple as you like. Yep, that includes an easy folded card.
Add a blank line for guests to jot down song requests and drop off at the bandstand. It will keep your party going and direct guests in the right direction.
Have fun!
Your BFF
ask melinda your dilemma du jour at melinda@couturestationery.com
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