Letter Perfect Designs recently had the pleasure
of designing and printing Place Cards, Favor Cards,
Menus and Table Cards for the wedding of
Yana & Leonard at the Peninsula Hotel in
Downtown Chicago.

When guests arrived at the reception, they were greeted by a table card arrangement that we created.









The crystals were a nice touch that added to an already elegant wedding.











For the place settings, Letter Perfect Designs provided Menus and Favor Cards.







We also produced table cards that featured creative
names like, "Let It Snow".













The wedding and reception were both absolutely beautiful and the bride was
very happy with our service. We look forward to providing the same great
service for you on your big day!

Pictures courtesy of Ray Pryor, Emotia

WOW! Can't believe an entire summer just flew by!

Well, I guess summer was busier than I thought.....it's been tough (as you can tell) to get in here and write. Been very busy with weddings....even with the economic downturn, many people are still spending money to have the wedding of their dreams. I am grateful I can be a part of each and every one I work on.

I recently worked on a program order for a couple here in town. It was a quick order but I had great fun working on it. I haven't been able to put together too many designs for programs, so the ones I get to do, I relish. It was a simple z-fold with their logo as the centerpiece. This was one of my early versions so it isn't quite as formatted as the one I actually printed up for her, but you get the idea:

I am currently working on a Cherry Blossom design that I hope to incorporate into my Gratuity Envelopes. I should have something to post shortly on that!

On another note.....I am thinking about those affected by Ike. I am in the Chicago area and we have gotten anywhere between 3-10 inches of rain in the last 18 hours. And I know we don't have it nearly as bad as those down in the Texas/Louisiana area. I hope everyone stayed safe and that things return to better times soon in that part of the country. Our thoughts and prayers are with you!

New Monogram Gratuity Envelope

Well, it has been so busy around here with weddings, that I haven't had a moment to create anything new for the website. Well, finally a lull (not for long, though!), so I created a new monogram for the gratuity envelopes. It is the Byron Monogram Personalized Gratuity Envelope, something a little different as it isn't quite as fancy as the others, but still stylish. The colors on this design, as well as on my other monograms are totally customizable, so you can have the colors of your wedding if you'd like.

I think one of these days I might just create a picture page where you can choose the type of monogram you'd like on the gratuity envelope; that will keep the page from looking too crowded and give some of the other designs a chance to shine!

I've got some great ideas mapped out and hope to put them all up before the end of summer. I also want to try and put them on my own place cards, menus and maybe programs, for a matching reception set. We'll see how that goes.....

Love Birds by Carlson Craft wins Louie Award!

Love Birds by Carlson Craft took home the Louie Award at this year's National Stationary Show in New York. This award recognizes the best greeting card and stationery products of the past year. Out of the more than 1,000 entries, a total of 193 made it to the final round of judging. The entries, in 63 different categories, were submitted from more than 150 publishing companies from all over the world.

Featuring the popular gate-fold design with shades of teal and brown, this invitation is sure to turn heads of anyone receiving this in their mailbox!



This design is from Carlon Craft's Something Different catalog, a collection of unique and one-of-a-kind invitations that truly escape the ordinary.

Inflorescence Invitation by Carlson Craft

Wow! I just can not believe how popular the Inflorescence Invitation by Carlson Craft has become this year! The inquiries and orders for it just keep coming. It really shouldn't be a surprise though....it is a beautiful invitation ensemble with 2 features that keep bringing people back....it is a Pocket style invite. This style has become the hottest trend in wedding invitations to hit the market in some time and I expect will continue to draw traditional as well as modern brides alike.

The second feature is the design.....cherry blossoms. Asian-themed designs are much sought-after for their beauty, simplicity and the wonderful life lessons they stand for.

Take a look for yourself and tell me if you don't want to just fall right into this invitation:

What are some of the other poplular styles are there? Do you have a favorite? Let me know, I'd love to post them here.

Stamps and Wedding Invitations

Well, the post office has done it again....raised the price of sending something via the USPS. And since their last raise, just over a year ago, things have really gotten complicated in terms of sending things thru the mail. Take your #10 envelope. Just plopped on a .42 cent stamp and you should be good to go....as long as it is 1 oz or less and is less than 1/4" thick. If any of those variables change....say your sending something bulky or multiple papers that make it thicker than normal, they charge additional postage for BOTH the weight increase AND the fact is a "non- machinable" envelope (basically someone has to hand cancel and code it).

So why bring this up? Well, I can't image a more complicated envelope to send thru the PO these days than wedding invitations . With bows, wraps, bling and other items affixed to modern invitations, trying to figure out and budget for the postage is quite the job! Since most people figure out their wedding budgets soon after they get engaged, buying an invitation some 6+ months later can completely throw your budget completely out of whack!

I just recently had a client come by to pick up their envelopes that I had addressed. She gave me some stamps to send some envelopes out that needed to be re-done and I commented on the .90-some cents it was costing her on each envelope. She said "We needed additional postage because the envelope was considered large AND non-machinable. On top of the response envelope stamp, it cost her OVER $1.40 per invitation to mail them. With 169 invitations to mail...well, I think you get the picture.

So, a word to the wise when creating your invitation budget....plan for the most amount of postage possible. Remember to keep in mind that square envelopes, over-sized envelopes (anything larger than 6.25" in height) and over 1/4" thick will trigger additional postage costs. If you end up going with the traditional invitation, at least your budget won't have suffered. But if you go with a fancier, less traditional style of invitation, your budget can allow for it and everyone will be happy!

2nd Location open in Naperville, IL!

We are pleased to announce the addition of a 2nd office located in Naperville, IL. Jackie, my SIL and the one I originally started the business with has re-joined the team and will be working out of her office in Naperville. We are incredibly excited to have her back on board! LPD originally started in Naperville and was a HUGE success there, servicing the growing West and South suburban population. Having this new office location will allow us to once again provide computerized calligraphy, printing and invitation services to this large section of Chicago suburbia.

Our phone lines will remain the same, with the Fox River Grove office fielding all calls and inquiries. If you are interested in dropping off or shipping your envelopes to us, give us a call and we can set up the best location suited to your needs.

WELCOME BACK, Jackie! We are happy to have you here!