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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As a reminder to myself (and anyone else reading!) to notice all the little things that surround us in our daily lives, I’ll be posting another regular monthly feature. Everyday Things will focus on just that – the everyday items  that we sometimes take for granted or fail to notice. I stumbled across some interesting uses for buttons the other day while browsing on Etsy, which got me thinking about doing this sort of post.  The colors, textures, materials, and patterns available  are really just endless.  Here is a sampling of images from around the web that caught my eye:

First row on the left (from top to bottom): Sweet Plum Vintage, Country Living, SpareButton / Second row: Pavi Yarns, SpareButton, Tumbled Shards / Third row: momentinthesun, SpareButton, Stelma Designs, Polished / Last row on the right: Brizel Supplies, Lillian Olive, SpareButton

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This time in color!   I’ll try and post some photos of this particular job next week.

Clockwise from top left:  close-up of aluminum furniture used to fill in the empty areas between the base and chase, gripper arm releasing a printed sheet of paper onto the out-feed table of a Heidelberg Windmill,  close-up of a photopolymer plate on an aluminum base

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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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As mentioned in the previous post, we had snow for the first time this winter. It’s a rare occurrence in this part of North Carolina; and while some may dislike it, I always welcome it. Unlike a rainy day where things are constantly in flux from all the rushing water, snow brings a stillness along with it. Even if just for a moment, there is always that sense of things being at rest as the white blankets the ground. Once the clouds have passed, the fallen snow boldly brightens up a winter day – the sun reflecting off of its surface, the partially browned grass and decaying leaves briefly hidden from view. For this reason, snow will always be a favorite of mine.

I’m happy to say we officially took some time off in honor of the snow.  When you run your own business, taking a break does not always feel like an option. So, we enjoyed a day off. We shared a couch with sleeping cats and warm blankets while remembering to enjoy the view.  It was very needed, much deserved, and most definitely appreciated.

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A bit late in posting today – but I’m totally blaming it on the weather.  Snow has arrived and since we rarely get any here it’s all I can think about at the moment. I can’t wait to get outside with the camera tomorrow.  Have a great weekend everyone!

Left to Right:  stacks of cotton paper, large roll of Geami paper – our preferred packaging material, stack of cardboard shipping boxes

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