We love maps!  Especially in this day of smart phones and Google, it’s always nice to see a custom designed and letterpress printed map that you can actually run your fingers across.  They’re a really great addition to your wedding invitation suite if your wedding festivities will be held at more than one location.  Or, if you just want to provide a nice little keepsake for all of your guests, they’re great for that too!

Should you find yourself in need of a map and would like us to design one for you, here is the key information you need to supply us with:

• Be sure to provide the name, address, and phone number of each important location.
• Please make a list of all major streets and highways that need to be included on the map.
• If guests will be flying into town, you may want to include major airports as well.
• Please include a list of any important monuments or landmarks that you would like to include on the map.
• If you wish to include any written driving directions or special instructions (parking, times, etc.), please let us know. (You can see an example of this in the photo above.)

Here are some other details you may want to consider as well:

• You can include a map title if you wish.  A title may include your names and wedding date, or simply the location of your wedding.  If you would like something a little more elaborate, or perhaps a monogram, just let us know!
• If your map is complicated, you may choose to include a legend to help make your map easier to read.
• If you would like for us to include icons or custom illustrations (such as a church, trolley, champagne bottle, etc.), please let us know.
• Also, if you would like any of the small portions of the map to be magnified in their own window – we can do that as well. (You can see a glimpse of this on the right hand side of the photo below.)

If interested in a custom map, but would prefer a looser, hand drawn style – we can certainly provide that for you!  If you have any questions about our custom map design, please don’t hesitate to ask.  Also, we’ll be adding some other images of custom maps to our website – so be sure to keep an eye out.

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I thought it would be fun to share this photo of an engraved wood favor tag we created for a couple last year. We’ve created tags in both paper and wood before, but these were meant to serve double duty. The whole point of making them out of wood was so that each family at the wedding could take one home and hopefully use it as an ornament later on. In this photo you see only the date of the wedding. We created a few in this style, but all of the others were personalized with the last name of each family or individual  invited to the wedding. I think this is a great alternative to using the names or monogram of the couple getting married – especially if you hope your guests will put the tags to use in the future. As you can see, these were attached to gifts for the guests using a ribbon. However, you could certainly skip additional favors, and use these as keepsake place cards instead!

Photo Credit – real wedding photo by Francesco Mastalia

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A common question around here is whether or not we offer wood table cards. Of course we do! We custom make all of our wood table cards to order. They can be engraved with a number or name, as well as a motif. As with any of our products, you can choose from the designs in our collection or request a full custom design.  Various styles and stands are available, so please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

By the way, we also offer table cards in paper that are letterpress printed with  a motif – leaving room for the numbers or names to be written by hand.  They’re a great way to show off some lovely calligraphy!

A few things to think about in regards to table cards:

• Be sure to place the cards so that they are easily spotted on the table.  If raised, make sure that they don’t block the view across the table.
• Table cards should be large enough to read from a distance.  Keep in mind that large numbers are more easily recognized from a distance, as opposed to small words.
• Using numbers is very common, though it is also popular to label tables using things such as song titles, names of significant locations, or movie titles.  As mentioned above, just make sure the words are large enough for your guests to read them from a distance.  If using long titles, you may want to consider giving the table a number as well.
• If you think that assigning individual seats is too time-consuming, you may want to consider assigning your guests to tables only. This will enable you to group together certain guests while still allowing them a little choice in the matter. It will also get everyone to their general location quickly so that when it is time to eat – everyone should already be seated.

Photo Credits – Clockwise from the top: small table number in walnut – real wedding photograph by Brandon Scott Photography / close-up of  a table number in cherry by me /  large table number in walnut – real wedding photograph by Cappy Hotchkiss

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Wondering  whether or not you need to include a reception card with your invitations?  Well, in general, if your reception will be held at a different location than the ceremony, then it is a good idea to include a reception card.  This way, you will have plenty of room to list the significant details without overloading the invitation with too much information.

Once you have decided to include a reception card, make sure you include the proper details.  First, announce the occasion.  Simply stating “reception” at the top of the card will work, or you can be more specific with something like “cocktail reception” or “black tie reception” or simply “dinner and dancing.”  Such details will  clue  your guests in as to what to wear or what to plan on for food that day.  Secondly, state when the reception is being held.  Something like “immediately following ceremony” will work if there will not be a break between the two events.  If there will be a long break after the ceremony, make sure to list what time cocktails or dinner are to begin.  Lastly, don’t forget to include the name and location of the reception site.

A few things to remember:

• There is no need to send the reception card separately.  Simply include it with the invitation.
• You don’t need a separate reply card for the reception card.  Unless you are told otherwise, if someone lets you know they will be coming to the wedding, you should assume they will be at the reception.  If it is crucial that you get a head count for the reception, then you can leave a designated space on the invitation reply card for the reception.
• Make your invitation suite consistent.  If your invitation wording is formal, then keep the same level of formality  for the reception card.

So, what if your reception is being held at the same location as the ceremony?  In this case, you can mention the reception on the invitation.  Just include a line near the bottom that states something like “reception to follow” or as seen in the above photo, “dinner and dancing to follow.”

With all this said, whether or not to include a reception card is ultimately up to you.  If your reception and ceremony will be at two different locations, you can still list this information on the invite instead of using a separate card.  This is a good way to save on both material and cost.   Of course, the reverse is true as well – you can certainly use a reception card even if both the ceremony and reception will be in the same location.

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Happy new year everyone!  Yes, we know, it’s been very quiet around here.  What better way to break the silence than by announcing this sweet little deal?  As stated above, we are offering free letterpress place cards or favor tags to anyone who orders 50 or more wedding invitation sets between now and Valentine’s Day.   To clarify, a set must consist of an invite (in wood or paper), plus an outer envelope and at least one insert.  In return, those who qualify will receive coordinating paper place cards or favor tags that are letterpress printed with a motif.  As long as the same design is printed on each card, there is no problem.  Please note that individual guest names can not be printed on each card.

We are happy to print the number you need up to double the amount of invitation sets ordered.  For instance, if you order 100 sets, then you may receive up to 200 free place cards or favor tags.  If you need more than 200, then a fee will be incurred.  Also, cards may be flat, folded, or have a hole in them – whatever suits your needs!

If you have any questions at all, please let us know.  Enjoy!

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July marks our 2 year birthday here at Oslo Press!  That’s right, our doors (aka this website) have been officially open for business for 2 years!  The past couple of years have been a crazy hectic time full of learning and a whole lot of late nights; but every minute has been an awesome adventure that I can’t imagine not having been a part of.  To celebrate, we’re participating in a little giveaway over on Style Me Pretty.  Be sure to head on over there for a chance to win 100 engraved wood place cards, escort cards, or favor tags.  Best of luck!!

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