South Dakota Wedding Style » SIOUX FALLS

South Dakota Wedding Invitation Importance

admin — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:00:35 +0000

A few months back, I was in a meeting with a client. We were chatting about wedding plans and ideas. I asked, “Have you made your invitation selection?” The brides response was, “Oh, we are doing something cheap, everyone throws them away anyways.” As a wedding professional, and someone who whole-heartedly enjoys weddings, I was crushed with this response. The words “CHEAP” and “THROW AWAY” are two words that should never go together when discussing wedding invitations. I smiled politely and responded with this, “You are spending all this time and energy on the ‘feel’ and ‘ambiance’ of your wedding ceremony and reception, why wouldn’t you give the same consideration to your invitations? Don’t they set the tone for your entire event?” The long pause and “thinking” look on the brides face told me I had made a valid point, a point every bride should reflect on.

A wedding invitation is the first sneak peak into your big day. It is the prelude before the big performance.

The dictionary states the PRELUDE is:

1. An introductory performance, event, or action preceding a more important one; a preliminary or preface
2. A piece or movement that serves as an introduction to another section or composition and establishes the key, such as one that precedes a fugue, opens a suite, or precedes a church service.

When you look at this way, doesn’t it validate the importance of the invitation? Knowing the role it plays, why would you throw something together, keeping it cheap?

The invitation should do a handful of things. The most important, share all the details of the big day. Your names, dates, times, locations (ceremony & reception), directions, etc. If you work with a professional wedding planner or wedding printer, they will guide you on these selections. Next, it should mimic the style you plan to implement on your wedding day. If your invitation is formal and carries traditional elements, that should be carried through to your ceremony/reception. Look at this way, if your guest opens your invitation and says, “Wow, this is fancy”, then they should have the same response when they arrive at your ceremony/reception. Finally, this one is a must, ask for a proof (or make one if you are doing them yourself) and ask multiple people to read through the invitation to assure all is spelled correctly (as well as dates are correct, locations, etc.). I once received a wedding invitation and the word “love” was spelled “lvoe”. I was mortified for the couple and it made me question their level of commitment to the wedding; if they didn’t care to spell check then do they really care about getting married?
Classic spelling error from the movie MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING. Toula (the bride) has no idea her wedding invitations have been ordered (by her mother without her approval). Not only have then been ordered, they are all printed done and ready to go. Everyone is reading the invitations for the first time and an error is caught.

Ian (Toula’s groom): My parents’ names are Rodney and Harriet.
Toula (bride): [horrified, reading the inviation] Oh God, Rodney and HARRY!
Nick (Toula’s brother): We didn’t notice, so maybe they won’t.

In general, brides look at invitations as a “budget-eater” but instead, they should be allotted a reasonable budget. I have heard brides say, “these invitations are going to cost me an arm and a leg!” Really? You are willing to spend $25 a plate for meals, $23 a bottle for wine and even $1700 for the wedding dress of your dreams…but you won’t estimate $5.00 per invitation? Do the leg work, do the research, and find something that encompasses all the important elements of your wedding day…and remember, keep the words “CHEAP” and “THROW-AWAY” out of your invitation vocabulary!

Happy Planning!

Tina is a South Dakota resident with many ties and years in the SD wedding industry. Tina brings her passion for weddings to South Dakota Wedding Style in her monthly editorials and Do-it-Yourself Project Tutorials.

Sioux Falls, SD Wedding Cinematography – AJ Production Company

Style 2 — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:00:13 +0000

This month we would like to introduce AJ Production Company. AJ Production Company is a premiere cinematography company specializing in Sioux Falls, SD weddings. “We aren’t just documenting what is happening,” says owner Adam Jungeman. “We are telling a story. So many people get caught up on getting everything that they are actually missing so much of the real moments.”

AJ Production Company is leading the way of a whole new approach. “When I first started, it was just me and there wasn’t a market for what I wanted to do,” says Jungeman. “After a year or so, people started to realize what was possible and started to connect with the stories I was capturing. Now we have more shooters and we are reaching so many more people than I had thought possible.” In fact his staff of three has been busy shooting weddings across the country. It was just recent that AJ Production Company moved into The Bridges building off Western Avenue in Sioux Falls, SD.

Jungmean states that his favorite part about capturing weddings are the stories that are so much bigger than the “I do’s”. “There is so much more to a couple and their love than just vows. Finding those smaller facets that are actually huge pieces of our subjects and unveiling that is one of the most rewarding aspects of a wedding.”

You can reach AJ Production Company on their website at www.ajproductionco.com

Or by phone at: 605.354.0364 or e-mail at: info@ajproductionco.com

Sioux Falls, SD “Fierce” New Wedding Designer

Style 2 — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:00:45 +0000

If you were an advid watcher of Project Runway then you will know who I’m talking about when I say the word “fierce”. That’s right, Christian Siriano now has a bridal collection full of great details and lots of volume.

Sioux Falls, SD Wedding Cake

admin — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 12:00:28 +0000

We think we want to design a wedding around this cake. The Cake Lady’s coordinated the blues perfectly and we can just envision this wedding with it’s hints of yellow near the water. A flowing dress on the bride…. Ok we’ll stop now and maybe make a concept board with this one. The detail on the lily is gorgeous. Contact The Cake Lady’s for your Sioux Falls Wedding Cake creation.

Sioux Falls, SD Wedding Cake

admin — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 12:00:05 +0000

Seriously is there anything The Cake Lady’s can’t do? This cake has it all; hand painting, quilting, different colored tops, bling, squares, octagons and even a bow. Contact The Cake Lady’s for your Sioux Falls Wedding Cake creation, this is proof that they can turn your dream into a reality.

Sioux Falls, SD Wedding Cake

admin — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 12:00:01 +0000

The Cake Lady’s created this modern cake. Well we think it’s modern with it’s smooth fondant, bright red ribbon and slick red flower blooming just right. The crossing ribbon draw the eye to the flower centerpiece. Contact The Cake Lady’s for your Sioux Falls Wedding Cake creation.

Sioux Falls Wedding Law Theme

admin — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 21:38:43 +0000

South Dakota Wedding Style pulled together a number of Sioux Falls vendors to bring you this Law themed concept to creation. They took this concept board and made it a reality at the Old Courthouse Museum with Jeff Sampson Photography to document it all. When thinking about law we thought of books, courtrooms and robes and selected rich deep colors. Gold, burgandy, blacks and browns.

A formal affair was in order that meant a full length dress from Lasting Impressions and a tux and bow tie from The Men’s Warehouse. The beautiful gold jewelry was on loan from the always wonderful Faini Designs and Hair and Makeup from Platinum Imagination. While Envision Wedding Studio, Brookings Hy-Vee Floral and Ideal Wedding Center combined to put together the reception and cake tables. It is great to see our wedding vendors come together.

No event or even shoot is complete with out food. We were fortunate to have hors d’oevres from Chef Dom’s and not one, but two cakes. The brides cake from The Cake Lady’s and the groom’s cake from Chef April Austin. Of course we had to consume the hors d’oevres after the shoot and we can all vouch for how wonderful they were.

Please enjoy the many wonderful images that our Sioux Falls wedding vendors can supply for your wedding day.

To view more images from this concept to creation watch the slideshow.

Sioux Falls, SD Wedding Caterer – Chef Dominique’s

admin — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 21:10:26 +0000

We are very proud to feature one of our Sioux Falls wedding caterers Chef Dominique’s Catering and Banquet Facility. Chef Dom’s Banquet Facility has been located in the Shriver’s Square in downtown Sioux Falls for 5 years, and has catered events for over 25 years. All of their full-time and seasonal staff have a real passion for weddings. “Weddings are so fulfilling! Just being a part of such a special day and making the couple and their families’ day “worry free” is such a great feeling. It’s so fun to run into past wedding clients 5-20 years after their big day and they still talk about how wonderful the food and whole experience was.” states Jessica, Catering Direction/Event Coordinator.

What sets Chef Dominique’s apart is their certified chefs, professionally trained event coordinators and wait staff. All of their food is made from scratch, including their gourmet sauces, salads, appetizers and desserts. They only use the finest ingredients to create original, diverse menu choices that are a direct reflection of their client. Their attention to detail is phenomenal and creates an amazing food presentation. Along with catering, their banquet facility is perfect for a downtown Sioux Falls wedding ceremony, cocktail hour, reception and dance. A word of advice, ” Enjoy every minute of your wedding and don’t sweat the small stuff. Everything will come together in the end. Book the caterer you have the biggest connection with and the one who shows the most passion and excitement about your special day.”

You can reach Chef Dom’s on their website at: www.chefdomscatering.com
by phone at: 605.336.0455 or e-mail at: jessica@chefdomscatering.com

Red and Teal Bridal Shower Favors

admin — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 22:11:06 +0000

At a recent bridal shower I hosted, I tried to think of something unique for the favors. The color theme of the shower was teal and red, so I set out to Jo-Ann Fabrics to see what I could find.

I ended up finding red and teal polyester and knew I could use it to make flower broaches.

Items needed for flower broach:
Thick polyester (like red shown above)
Sheer polyester (like teal shown above)
Button (color of choice)
Embroidery Floss (color of choice – shown above in teal)
Metal Broach Pin Back
Glue (I used a hot glue gun)

I choose the thick polyester for the red (probably like the fabric in your Grandma’s pants) and a thin sheer polyester for the teal.

Then I started by cutting four different sized circles. The size doesn’t need to be exact, just generally what size you want the final product to be.

I then took a lighter to singe the edges (Be careful with this! I started out doing it over the sink to make sure I had access to water if needed. However, it’s pretty safe if done correctly – just barely touch the edges with the flame). You can use the singeing to adjust the shape and size of the petals. If you look at the bottom photo in this post you will see that I didn’t keep the circles perfect, but rather made them asymmetrical.

Once you have used the singe method to create the size and shape of flower petals you want, stack them on top of each other, from biggest (on bottom) to smallest (on top). Then place the button on top and begin sewing them together with the embroidery floss you chose.

Now that you have it sewn together, glue a broach pin onto the back of the flower:

I made enough of these to send one home with each shower guest and everybody loved them. They were pretty quick to make and definitely worth the effort!

South Dakota Wedding Style – Bridal Shower Favors

admin — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 15:09:25 +0000

For a unique, but simple bridal shower favor, we love the idea of wine bottle holders. You can find the pattern in the book “One Yard Wonders.”

It was an fairly easy project for a beginner sewer. Start by pre-cutting all the fabric and ribbon you need for each bottle holder.

They will look like this before sewing:

Then with a quick stitch of the machine, you end up with these completely adorable wine bags.

Use the same pattern inside and out or use different, but matching fabric.

Depending on how much time you have, you can sew this for each guest or just make a couple and give them as prizes to the games.