Weddings

  • Hiring a custom wedding invitations designer is worth the money, but isn’t the right choice for everybody

    Blue invitation with white text, all script wedding invitation with traditional monogram in calligraphy - Custom wedding invitations designer - Leah E. Moss Designs

    In these uncertain times, it’s even more challenging than usual for engaged couples to decide which vendors they want to have for their special day. Considerations about every aspect come into play! Hiring a custom wedding invitations designer is worth the money, but it isn’t the right choice for everybody. I’ve always known this and would never try to convince a couple who may not be a good fit, but in today’s climate, I’m especially sensitive to this. With that in mind, I’m breaking down why having a custom wedding invitations designer is truly so valuable, as well as the reasons why it may not be the best fit for the two of you. Ultimately, I want you to be able to make an informed decision about what will be the smartest investment for your situation!

    (more…)

  • Tips for reception invitation wording after a private wedding in 2020

    postponement announcement with same love new date - reception invitation wording after a private wedding in 2020 - Leah E. Moss Designs

    So, we all know that 2020 has been the year of the postponed wedding. Couples navigating this pandemic have been faced with tremendous hurdles, and it’s been amazing seeing the individuality shine through with each couple’s answer to the inevitable “what the heck do we do now” question. For some, a complete postponement has been in order – and that’s amazing. I know your day will be worth the wait! Other couples want to get married now and are opting to make things official privately this year and postpone their larger celebration until next year – for lots of reasons, this is my personal vote! But this begs the question… what does this mean for your reception invitation wording after a private wedding?

    (more…)

  • Wedding Stationery Checklist

    Ceremony program, table number, escort card, cocktail napkin, invitation suite all coordinated - Wedding stationery checklist - Leah E. Moss Designs - photo by Blaine Siesser

    When most people think of wedding stationery, the first item that comes to mind is the invitation. And that makes sense – usually, the invitation suite is the star of the stationery show! But, the invitation isn’t the full picture. In fact, it’s only one piece of a much bigger puzzle. Working with a stationer allows you to have cohesion from your save the dates all the way through to thank you notes. Plus, having one vendor for all of these items saves the headache of cobbling it together (and hoping it sort of matches) from multiple sources. Let’s dive into this wedding stationery checklist from start to finish!

    (more…)

  • 3 Types of Wedding Invitations Postage

    Vintage postage, Spencerian calligraphy, gold ink calligraphy, charcoal envelope - 3 types of wedding invitations postage - Leah E. Moss Designs

    When we were newly engaged, my grandparents took me and Adam out for a congratulatory dinner and surprised us with a gift. We opened a beautiful silver and crystal serving set, designed for a decanting bottle of wine and four glasses, all on a tray. It’s an heirloom piece that was theirs as newlyweds. It sits in our display case in the dining room, and it hearkens back to a time long ago – I love it every time I walk by. I think the exact same way about postage – there’s something deeply nostalgic about stamps. I can’t be the only one who thinks this (uhhh tell me I’m not alone, please!). But at any rate, stamps are the final important detail to consider with your stationery; you’ve got options for your wedding invitations postage. If you’re not working with a custom stationery designer to help you with this step, I’ve explained each category here in this blog.

    (more…)

  • Christina and Tristan | Preppy Spring Wedding at Zingerman’s Cornman Farms

    Bride and groom under large tree - Preppy spring wedding at Zingerman's Cornman Farms - Leah E. Moss Designs - photo by Katie Grace Photography

    When Christina first reached out about helping with stationery for their upcoming preppy spring wedding, she mentioned she wanted to keep the focus on their love, the natural beauty of the property where they’d say “I do,” and their two golden retrievers. Needless to say, I knew she’d be a dream bride! Hint, I was right. Fast forward and today is their one-year wedding anniversary. Congratulations to Christina and Tristan! Let’s celebrate their milestone by walking down memory lane and taking a look at their beautiful day, captured by Katie Grace Photography.

    (more…)

  • How mom can help with wedding planning – Happy Mother’s Day!

    Bride and mom, buttoning her wedding dress - How mom can help with wedding planning - Leah E. Moss Designs, photo by Casey Brodley
    Photo: Casey Brodley

    Mother’s Day is this weekend, and it will look different than any other year’s celebration. Our usual “plant sale and meal together” combo isn’t happening, and I’m sure your family tradition is also getting adjusted. Leading up to this, I had planned to write a post honoring our moms and outlining ways they can be invaluable during the wedding planning process. However, I realize planning weddings looks vastly different right now, too. With that in mind, this blog will outline how mom can help with wedding planning, even in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Your mom is a powerful lady who loves you a lot – use her strengths as an asset, now more than ever! Chances are good she’ll be honored to be on board to help in any way she can.

    (more…)

  • 3 easy steps to writing heartfelt wedding thank you notes

    Modern calligraphy monogrammed stationery for wedding - 3 steps to writing wedding thank you notes - Leah E. Moss Designs

    Growing up, my parents never set a time requirement for thank you note writing after a birthday – they left it up to me. I could take as long as I wanted to write my thank you notes, but I couldn’t use the item until the thank you note had been written. The sneaky little rule was *brilliant*, now that I look back on it. Obviously, like any other kid, I wanted to use the fun stuff, so I wrote my thank you notes right away! Fast forward to my thirties, and I’m still someone who sends a handwritten note for just about everything. My take on it is that if someone went out of her way to do something nice for you, a note of gratitude is always appropriate. Writing your wedding thank you notes is commonly viewed as a chore. Being gracious shouldn’t be a pain; remind yourself how thankful you are for your loved ones’ thoughtfulness and generosity! (more…)

  • Your wedding affected by the coronavirus?! Here’s a game plan for your stationery.

    Wedding affected by the coronavirus - bride and groom portrait from first look by Casey Brodley - blog by Leah E. Moss Designs

    I remember when we were planning our wedding and I was really stressed about some drama that came up due to our “adults only reception” policy. I had a good cry about it – and a glass of wine, too. Even though you’re getting ready to have an amazing day, the logistics to make that happen are complicated! In hindsight, this feels so minor. Planning a wedding is always stressful, but in the midst of a global pandemic?! It’s… a lot. Your vendors feel your pain. If you’ve had to reschedule, our hearts ache alongside yours – but we’re already getting ready to help you celebrate down the road! If you’re feeling uncertain about what’s to come and how that will impact your event, so are we – but we’re here to navigate the course for you. In this blog post, I’ll outline my expert tips for your wedding affected by the coronavirus, with different suggestions based on the date of your scheduled event.

    (more…)

  • Wedding Invitation Wording Etiquette

    Many years ago, my grandma gave me her copy of “Emily Post’s Etiquette,” from the 1950s, as a gift. She had inscribed the front cover with her maiden name, since she had clearly gotten the book as she worked through her own wedding invitation wording etiquette, and is the queen of manners and all things proper.

    The well-loved volume showed signs of wear and tear. I read it cover to cover, fully engrossed in it. It’s one of my most prized possessions and it sits on the top shelf of a bookcase at home, in a rightful place of honor. My friends know me as a sort of Miss Manners, or maybe the Grammar Police. Depends on the day. Nerd alert, but here we are.

    Continue reading
  • Mariel and Adam | Greenery-filled Planterra wedding

    Bride and groom just married - Greenery-filled Planterra wedding - Leah E. Moss Designs

    Connecting with Mariel was a joy from the beginning, so it was no surprise to me when their Planterra wedding photos came back and she was literally beaming. She and Adam were such a delight to work with, and their paper goods were my favorite kind to work on: cohesive from save the dates all the way through to thank you notes. Getting to relive their special October day with these gorgeous images from Brian at BTW Photography is a treat!

    (more…)