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One more peek of Bella Carta: The Studio Line before the big launch on Etsy.com tomorrow!

A Sneak Peek

We're excited to share some very big news with you today!

Announcing a brand new adventure for us... Bella Carta: The Studio Line.

A delightfully patterned and detailed collection of invitations and event stationery. Personalizable in 36 colors, and printed on tree-free paper that even makes mother nature happy. Coming this month on Etsy.com!

Be on the lookout for more teasers on Facebook, Twitter and here on our blog before the official launch!

Here's the first sneak peek.

It only happens once a year! You won't want to miss Wedding Band Weekend at Mann's Jewelers, March 18, 19 & 20! Come out an see us while you shop, sip champagne and sample wedding cake.

Every purchase is accompanied by a luxury gift bag full of money saving offers from attending wedding professionals including:

Arena's Florist
Bella Carta Studio
Brandon Vick Photography
Gourmet Goodies
Hank Parker's
Hedonist Artisan Chocolates
Parkleigh
Simply Beautiful Events
Stacy K
Sweet Fortunes
TableToppers of Rochester
Tammy Swales Photography
Van Zile Travel
Waterlily

Attendees will be able to browse offerings from some of the finest wedding professionals in Upstate New York. View fabulous floral arrangement, stunning photography, decadent desserts, perfectly coordinated linens, exotic honeymoon travel packages, beautiful custom invitations, creative rentals and flawless wedding planning all in a unique atmosphere.

The weekend kicks off with a happy hour catered by Dinosaur BBQ, Friday, March 18, 5:00-8:30.

Click here for more details!
http://www.mannsjewelers.com/AsSeenIn/EventsandPromotions/

Intertwined

in·ter·twine
in·ter·twined, in·ter·twin·ing, in·ter·twines
To join or become joined by twining together.

Often times, there isn't an accurate way to symbolize the love of a couple who is about to be married; a way to accurately show how intertwined two individuals are about to become when they say "I Do." For Josie and Nate's wedding, it was all about finding a way to do this.

A special custom-designed logo containing a grape leaf and a maple leaf with the stems intertwined with the initials "J and N" was created for the couple, representing the bride's roots in the wine country of the NY Finger Lakes and the groom's roots in Vermont, known for it's maple syrup. The logo was incorporated in everything from the save-the-date card and invitation through to a number of intricate details that made up the reception decor.

As an intimate affair with a modest guest list, tables were adorned with clean table number signs, and place cards containing only the first names of each guest.

The grape-and-maple-leaf-inspired logo was used in a variety of the creative elements, including the water bottles that sat on each table inside the tent.

Guests were greeted with our custom-designed logo flying high on four flags that topped the beautiful tent where the reception was held.

Custom-made blankets were dispersed throughout the lounge area with the well-known logo displayed.

The tent was decorated to perfection, ready to embrace the newly intertwined couple and their 90 guests. Bella Carta was happy to be a small part of ensuring Josie and Nate were joined together in the most elegant of ways.


"We've grown to be one soul - two parts; our lives so intertwined that when some passion stirs your heart, I feel the quake in mine."

-KR

The Mane Event

Sometimes you can't find a pattern that is the perfect fit.

So you just have to create a pattern from scratch.

These save-the-dates for EquiCenter's "Barn Raising" event to benefit their therapeutic equestrian program needed an extra special touch.

This custom-pattern mixed with browns, oranges and yellows, has set the tone for a fabulous fall event, and brought Bella Carta Studio's custom-designed invitations to a new level. The sky's the limit...and we like it.


EquiCenter, Inc. offers a number of therapeutic riding, hippo therapy, vaulting and horsemanship (equine facilitated mental health) sessions. Horseback riding is a progressive form of therapy for individuals with mental and/or physical challenges. The physical activities involved in horseback riding prove to be an effective tool for improving muscle stimulation, strength, coordination, flexibility, posture and balance.

-KR

Eco-friendly is the new black

The Zeller Corporation came to us with a unique need: create an invitation for our ribbon cutting event that supports the environmental goals of our company and celebrates their newly attained Silver LEED Certification and two other company accomplishments. Luckily, we were able to do just that.

The creation of these letterpress corporate invitations required thoughtful consideration when choosing printing practices and materials that are friendly to good ol' Mother Nature.

Bella Carta Studio was happy to be involved in Zeller Corporation's ribbon cutting that included a celebration of 50 years in business {hence, the gold ribbon}, the grand opening of their new offices and the huge feat they accomplished when attaining LEED Silver Certification. We were even happier to be a part of making the world, and our community, a little bit greener. And a whole lot more stylish while doing so. Eco-friendly is the new black, after all.

-KR

A Sweet Touch

Candy buffets have become an attractive trend for wedding receptions, often in the place of favors. Couples are getting rid of the traditional tulle-wrapped almonds and searching for ways to make their receptions memorable. More and more brides are leaning towards a mishmash of sweets & treats. I mean, what better way to leave a lasting impression than to send your guests off with a bag full of goodies? A bag, no less, designed specifically for your special day.

For Sarah and Jeffrey's wedding, the idea behind the custom-designed chocolate triple panel folder tied up with a pink ribbon was relevant from the save-the-date all the way through to the last couple leaving the dance floor. When guests received their invitation in the mail, they knew they were about to open something special. Like a box of unopened chocolates. Guests got their wish at the reception, getting the chance create their own box of chocolaty goodness on a table labeled with its own Bella Carta touch: Love Sweet Love.

Now that's sweet.

-KR

What an amazing wedding show... A Wedding Affair by Well Wed NY

Last week we were so honored to take part in Well Wed New York's A Wedding Affair show! Honestly, it is on a plane of it's own. The decor, the details, the quality of vendors, simply stunning. Brides and their guests were greeted with glasses of champagne, martinis, and the most yummy passed hors d'oeuvres. They mingled with each other and with wedding experts from custom invitation designers (like us!) and photographers to caterers and wedding venus. Fiddlehead Concepts Catering was at the next table to us and OMG, the food was spectacular (there were these butternut squash shooters that we to die for!)! There were beautiful table scapes, several of which for whom we were proud to provide menus, placecards and the like...a big thanks to Simply Beautiful Events, Stacy K Floral and Flower Power Decor for including us in your designs!

We had a great time and are looking forward to taking part next year, too! We don't do a lot of wedding shows but this is one we'll always be thrilled to participate in. Without further adieu, here are some pictures from the big event...These next two photos are by Brandon Vick
Table decor by Simply Beautiful Events (menu by Bella Carta Studio):
Table design by Stacy K Floral: I wish I'd taken the time to take more pictures of the event as a whole, but I'm sure you'll be able to find more pictures on their website soon.

Guide your wedding guests with a seating chart

Tight on space at the entrance to your reception? Looking for something other than the sea of escort cards that usually greets guests at a wedding? Then maybe you should consider using a wedding guest seating chart instead. They can be beautiful, and are certainly useful, plus they're a big space saver.

If you have 2 of them flanking the doors to your dining room, tent or reception hall, your guests won't find themselves in a traffic jam searching for their names on the chart.

What's the cost, you ask? Actually, depending on the size of your wedding and the frame size, they can actually save you money compared to the cost of individual escort cards! A seating chart sized to fit a 24" x 36" frame is just $150 for a design in your wedding colors. Escort cards often easily surpass that price for medium to large sized weddings. Smaller sizes are available for even less cost! We recommend that you buy your frames at one of those big craft stores (Michaels, JoAnns, Hobby Lobby, etc.). They have great sales, plus if you plan well enough, you can use the frame in your home after the wedding. Maybe you even have one at home now, and can switch out that lovely Degas for the seating chart, and replace it again after the wedding!

Take a look at these examples. More can be added to the design...do you want your wedding party listed? Maybe a larger design on top...the sky is the limit. We can design it to fit your style and wedding design.

Enjoy!! Happy wedding planning!

Well Wed in New York, Fall-Winter 09 issue

We're SO excited to be featured in three (yes THREE) places in the newest issue of Well Wed in New York! Go pick up a copy from your local newsstand if you're in Upstate New York.

Grace and Chris' wedding, coordinated by Kelli Berg of Simply Beautiful Events, was a featured wedding...we did their full letterpress stationery suite. Plus, we provided menus for 2 of their photo shoots. It was so much fun!

What a beautiful magazine and we're so THANKFUL to be a part of it!