Bridal Gift Registry 101

The season of Weddings is almost upon us, and if you’re a bride planning a Summer wedding and you haven’t registered yet, now is the time to get moving on it.

Where, what and how you ask.  Do I need to include my groom?  It’s a lovely gesture to register as a couple.  Afterall you may be picking out your formal China that will serve possibly for generations to come.  Wouldn’t it be nice if he felt like he was a part of your traditions?

Heading to Macy’s might seem a bit overwhelming when you step into the housewares section.  Sheets, towels, formal china, informal dinnerware, pots and pans, stemware and flatware- Oh My!  To make sure that you are not overwhelmed here are a few tips for your registering experience-

• Make an appointment.  This makes it easier to get the help you’ll need when navigating through your store of choice.
• Make a list.  Many stores now offer you a scanning tool, but just going up and down each aisle like kids in a candy store many lead to scan happy hands. You’ll end up with a mish-mash of items that don’t necessarily coordinate.  Sit down and together decide the color scheme of your home.  Whether it will be traditional or modern, and what you love, and dislike.  This will streamline your registering experience and keep you focused.

 

• Never register for something  just to see if someone will actually spend the amount to buy it for you.  You just may end up with something that you aren’t that thrilled with, and that doesn’t go with anything else you have.  Stick to your list.
• Don’t go hungry!  Hunger leads to anxiety which can lead to grumpy verbal exchanges.  Remember this is a happy time in your life.  Set aside a day to do this.  Start with a beautiful breakfast or lunch out together, and make a day of it.
• And whatever you do, never mention your gift registry on your Wedding invitation.    That’s a no-no according to Emily Post.  With all the technology at our fingertips these days, guests will easily find your registry, or will opt for either a cash gift or gift card instead.

And whatever you do, remember that a timely “thank-you” note is a MUST. Preferably within 30 days of receiving a gift, but definitely within the 90 day period. And always keep in mind, that if you have delayed a thank you, a late thank-you is better than no thank you at all!

 

Wedding Invitations Unveiled

The love of your life popped the “big” question, you said yes, and now you find yourself in the middle of Bridalmania.  Venues, dresses, flowers, catering, and photographers oh my.  So much to do, so many decisions to be made.  

Our specialty lies with your invitations, which will be the first impression you give to your guests.  They won’t only announce your wedding, but will give subtle hints about the style of your wedding- formal, informal, casual etc.   So keep a few things in mind when choosing your invitations:

• Keep them appropriate to your theme.  Your invitation should complement your day.  A backyard BBQ celebration would not call for a formal invitation with script writing, but rather a more relaxed invitation.  A formal ceremony and evening cocktail party should not be announced with a whimsical cartoon drawn invitation.  So your first step is to make sure that your invitation coordinates with your setting.
• Many brides like to choose invitations that coordinate with their wedding colors, but keep in mind depending on your colors, this can get tricky.  If you have chosen wild colors or a rainbow of colors to use for your decorating, go with a simple, classic White or Ivory invitation with black or gray printing, which will lend an elegance to your announcement.      
• Make sure to allow plenty of time to choose your invitations, have them printed, addressed and mailed so they arrive 6 weeks before your Wedding Day, 8 weeks if your Wedding Day falls near a holiday as many travel at those times.
• Avoid sending your invitations out too early just to announce the date.  If you have been engaged and are planning your wedding for a future date, consider sending a ‘Save the Date’ card 12 months before your Wedding day so your expected guests can mark their calendars.  However, don’t get so excited that you send ‘Save the Date’ cards to everyone in your address book prior to making your guest list.  A major faux pas would be to send a ‘Save the Date’ card to someone who doesn’t get an invitation to the big event.
• Lend an elegant personal touch to your invitations by hand-addressing them. If you don’t have the nicest hand-writing, consider hiring someone to address them for you.  Either in a fancy script or calligraphy style. or someone whose penmanship you admire.  A hand addressed envelope adds a very personal touch for that first impression of your big day. 

June brides, it’s almost time to start the invitation process, so stop in soon so we can lend our expertise to your wedding planning.  We have been specializing in Wedding invitations for over 25 years, and our team of experts will make sure that your invitations reflect the spirit of your day.  From the very first announcement of ‘save the date’ to the final thank-you note, we will make sure you have set the tone of elegance with all of your wedding communications.

Diana Dee’s 

Good Employees Aren’t That Hard to Find!

Here at Diana Dee’s we consider ourselves blessed in many ways!  We’ve been serving the community of San Marino for 27 years.  Small businesses rarely last more than 10 years these days, but to be still going strong in our 27th year, humbles us.

What makes us a success?  We would like to say talent, but we believe that it truly belongs to the staff that we have assembled.  They have the same passion that we do for delivering quality products, with supreme customer service.  They take the time to get to know our customers personally.

Jo, Nancy & Diana

Last week marked a big milestone here at Diana Dee’s.  Our faithful “go to” girl, Nancy celebrated her 20th year with the Diana Dee’s family.  And we mean family! We feel like family, and Nancy has been with us for what feels like a lifetime.  We cannot thank her enough for blessing our business with her dedication and loyalty the past 20 years.  

Happy Anniversary Nancy- here’s to another 20!