#TOP TIP TUESDAY – from InspiredByScript.co.uk #7

TOP TIP TUESDAY
#7 SHOP LOCAL!

There are many good reasons why you really SHOULD do this!
Here are just a few....an I'm betting my Wedding Industry colleagues will agree and can probably add a few of their own! 

1. Local businesses CARE! They care about their reputation, they care about their work and the services they offer and most of all they care about YOU!

2. They are usually small businesses and not part of some giant organisation! Small is beautiful.... any small business will tell you that :-)

3. Because they are local, they get to know YOU... as individuals and as couples and that way they can tailor-make their services to suit you. 

4. Local businesses need your support. We are doing what we love. If anyone is thinking about getting into the wedding industry to make big bucks fast... they can think again. We work hard to find our clients and each and every one of you is important to us.

5. Buying local can work out cheaper! It's all very well ordering things off the internet, but remember... import tax added when the item comes into this country and the extra expense of buying it again if it turns up shoddy, cheap or broken. By cheap, buy twice!

6. Value for money . Because the majority of us, depend on local Brides and Grooms we can often keep our prices low, while still offering great quality items. 

7. Buy local,  means the money stays local

8. Any time you need to chat about products or services you've booked means that things are ironed out fast! Try getting through customers services to any company if you change your mind or want advice on something... and you'll see why we are pushing shopping local as your first choice

9, We are familiar with the various venues round and about and we know the various logistics of each venue, what they provide and what we provide for that venue. 

10. We value YOU! because without YOU we wouldn't have a business... and that goes for every other local business out there... no matter where you live. 

BONUS TIP 11 - We are convenient! Right on your doorstep! 

Hope this helps,
Love Sue x

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SHARING IS CARING

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Studio opening times Tuesday - Saturday
10.30am - 4.30pm
Sometimes earlier, sometimes later,
depending on workload and appointments
01609 776 866

VISIT US

Nothing beats face to face communication
and we love to connect with our clients in real life, 
if you are visiting or live local to Northallerton, pop in to the studio, a cuppa and chat comes free!
288a Gigh Street, Northallerton,
 North Yorkshire, DL7 8DW

Not local but fancy a look round anyway?
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Tales from the Studio - How we design and create your foiled invitations and stationery

From the very first time I used gold leaf in my calligraphy work, I've been mesmerised by flashy gold and silver. Adding gold leaf to each invitation would be not only impractical but unaffordable.

Gold leaf was used throughout manuscripts since the very first time ink touched vellum.... but we rarely use ink these days.... never mind vellum. Calligraphers still use Gold Leaf.... but sparingly because of it's high price. 

I've been making invitations and stationery for around 20 years, but it wasn't until 8 years ago, I stumbled upon this machine.... and I was blown away by how much it changed the flat, lifeless printing of invitations into something worthy of Royalty.... and what's more... I could offer 17 stunning colours AND make it AFFORDABLE to almost every couple in the country!

I remember how I whooped 

and jumped for joy 

the first time I converted my plain black lettering...

 into bright, shiny foil, which jumped off the page 

as it caught the light....If you think 

'Mad woman on the loose' 

it's fair to say, you'd be pretty close 

The foil is exactly the same as used in a conventional plate made hot foiling... just the process is slightly different.

It's hard to explain to our couples the exact process that starts, once the consultation is over. the design agreed upon and we set to work on their order....so here it is.... in picture form.....

First is the drawing stage....my favorite weapon of choice is a fine line pen. 0.8mm seems to be the one I pick up most often. I think because the thicker the lines, the more the foil....if that makes any sense? We LOVE foil.... Lovely shiny foil....

Then, it's off to the scanner and photoshop 

to create some magic...

Once I'm happy, off we go to the printer...

(Did I mention the first printer didn't work

for this particular technique? 

EXPENSIVE mistake!)

And out it comes... Printed black....

From there each one is hand fed 

through the foiling machine

And comes out like this.....

Them the folding machine. If you've ever made your own invitation and tried to fold neat, clean and crisp folds, you'll understand why we love this piece of cleverness so much! 

Then each one is trimmed.....

And trimmed again....

And voilà.... there we go!

We are only one of a handful of companies in the whole of the UK offering this foiling service. The machine we use was bought from a company in the US and omits the need for expensive plate making that conventional hot foiling machines use..... which has a knock on effect and make the buying of foiled stationery affordable to even the most budget savvy Brides!

Foiling screams luxury, elegance, class and style!

Your guests will love it! 

But then.... we are totally biased ...

so don't take our word for it! 

#TOP TIP TUESDAY – PLANNING A BUDGET from InspiredByScript.co.uk #6

TOP TIP TUESDAY
#6 *B*R*E*A*T*H*E*!*

 Make sure to take a deep breath every now and then – or do what you can to really take in each and every moment. 

Be present. Your day is going to fly by at rapid speed, so do your best to enjoy every bit of it – from getting ready to the grand exit!

and this goes for the planning stages too. Don't get wound up over the small details. Everything will go perfectly on the day. Using local suppliers, you've got to know and connect with them and trust me, they won't let you down! We know what we are doing and that's why we're in this business in the first place.

We have thick skins and can for the most part, cope with stressed out Brides. Sometimes all you need is a little reassurance that you're doing just great.

Getting stressed will get you nowhere, except sleepless nights and bags under your eyes. Just relax, sit back and go with the flow.

when it gets too much, put it all away and do something completely different. You'll be surprised how much easier things will be if you take some time out. 

Remember: We're always here to help!  

HELP OTHERS & SHARE...
SHARING IS CARING

WHAT'S YOUR TOP TIP?

Leave a comment by clicking the comments tab, we'd love to hear about them.

FIND THIS USEFUL?

Hit the share buttons in the box below.

CONNECT WITH US
However you use social media......we're with you all the way.....

Facebook

Pinterest

Instagram

CALL US

Studio opening times Tuesday - Saturday
10.30am - 4.30pm
Sometimes earlier, sometimes later,
depending on workload and appointments
01609 776 866

VISIT US

Nothing beats face to face communication
and we love to connect with our clients in real life, 
if you are visiting or live local to Northallerton, pop in to the studio, a cuppa and chat comes free!
288a Gigh Street, Northallerton,
 North Yorkshire, DL7 8DW

Not local but fancy a look round anyway?
TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR
Use your mouth to navigate 

Monday musing

It's been lovely to sit in the sunshine today and look at the grass that needs cutting. The fruits of my labour are still hanging on for grim death to my pear tree. Despite hundreds of flowers the total yield was..... 1! I don't think Alan Titchmarsh has anything to worry about do you?  

#TOP TIP TUESDAY – PLANNING A BUDGET from InspiredByScript.co.uk #5

#5 PLAN A BUDGET AND STICK TO IT! 

I can't believe it's over a year since I wrote this! So I'm reposting for those of you who are struggling while trying to work out a budget.

If you find it useful... please SHARE on social media. There's a link just after the end of the post.... (on the little bluebar). 

And please LEAVE US A COMMENT! We love hearing from you!

I deal with a regular flow of Brides and Grooms to the studio, asking me to make and create their wedding stationery. I try to offer a service to fit ALL budgets. One thing that always amazes me is the answer to my question 

"OK.... so what's your budget?"  

At this point I usually get one of 2 answers.

1) "We haven't got one"

or 2) "We don't really know"

When probing further I realise that most couples 

have no idea where to start. 

I've promised to write this article for some time and today I feel I really MUST get round to it.... I hope it helps in some small way.

Couples would do best to see what they can afford and work from there, instead of working on what they want, costing it all out and then having to postpone their wedding when the harsh reality of EVERYTHING COSTS kicks in.

Remember: £35 a meal can sound like a bargain, but it can be a real eye opener when you times it by the number of guests you have coming!  And that's just the 'food side' of things. 

Far better to work out a final budget and work it like this, then at least you will know where to cut back if you need to and f you save money on one thing you have more to spend on another.... SIMPLES :-) 

So.... to make it easy for me to work it out for you.... lets say you have £10,000 to spend.

Reception 45% (£4,500)

Your food and beverages will eat up the largest percentage of your budget. This category includes:

• Site fee, if applicable
• Catering costs 
• Bar and non-alcoholic drinks, punch, shots, etc.
• Drinks for toasts
• Wedding cake and sweets

*Don't forget to haggle on price here. If you don't ask, you don't get! You have nothing to loose. If you find that the cost is far more than your budget and you are determined the venue is the absolute place you want to get married and there's no way you are going to shop around for somewhere cheaper.... consider 1 of 2 things.

1) Cut down on your daytime Guest list
2) Have a late Wedding and 1 buffet evening receptio

Transportation 5% (£500)

If you are on a strict budget, this is one place you can save. Transportation should be one of the smallest percentages of your budget. This category includes the following:

• Limousines
• Speciality cars, etc.

If your Wedding is at a venue and you are staying there over night, there's no reason why you shouldn't get ready at the venue itself. If the venue is 50 yards down the road, it's quite a saving if you get a friend with a posh car, to add ribbons and get you to the Church on time. Do you really NEED this?

Entertainment 10% (£1000)

This category includes the following:

• Ceremony music 
• Evening reception buffet
• Reception Music (DJ or band)

Flowers 10% (£1000)

Be very careful. It is easy to get "carried away" ordering the most "visual" aspect of your wedding. This category includes:

• Ceremony - site flowers
• Bridal bouquet
• Wedding party flowers
• Parent's flowers
• Reception centrepieces and floral displays

Attire 10%  (£1000)

This is another category that is really easy to go wild on. While selecting your "gown" keep your "bottom line" in mind. This category includes:

• Dress
• Headpiece/veil
• Lingerie
• Jewellery
• Shoes/wrap
• Hair and make-up
• Grooms tux or suit

Photography 10% (£1000)

Your memories will eat up another 10% of your budget. This category includes:

• Photography
• Videography
• Engagement portrait
• Wedding - album package

Stationery 4% (£400)

This is another category in which you can save by choosing a simple invitation. This category includes:

• Daytime and Evening Invitations
• R.S.V.P and other enclosures)
• Announcements
• Menus
• Order of Service
• Guest Book or Wishing Tree Tags
• Seating Plan
• Wedding Post Box
• Place Cards 
• Thank You Cards

You can cut down a little on this budget, like having only 1 Order of Service per couple for instance. Talk to the person who is designing and making all your Invitations and On the Day stuff and negotiate a discount.

We at Inspired by Script give our customers up to 20%  discount on our couples ' On the Day' items IF they have come to us for their Invitations. 

It's our way of saying a big THANK YOU for choosing us in the first place :-) 

Talk to whoever is making your Wedding Stationery

and see how they can help!

Extras 6% (£600)

This is where you put all the miscellaneous items that can really add up to BIG MONEY!! If you choose all of the little extra touches, you will go way over your allotted 6%. You need to make a choice on how important each category is to you and "borrow" percentage points from other categories which may be less important to you. Items usually needed:

• Attendants gifts
• Wedding gifts for each other
• Favours
• Wedding rings
• Rehearsal Dinner (not usually included in budget)
• Marriage license
• Church/ceremony site fees
• Officiant fees
• Speciality linens
• Chair covers
• Other reception or ceremony decorations

I hope you have found this budget planner useful.

If you have, please share with your friends...

if you haven't or need to know more,

contact us... we can only improve with your help :-)

Don't forget.....

You can FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK!

CLICK HERE!

If you need any help or advice 

regarding your Wedding Stationery

Email Us

or phone the studio on 01609 776 866

We're always happy to give advice :-)

(c) Sue Simpson x 

Have you any useful hints and tips on saving money? 

We'd love you to share them with us.

Leave a comment by clicking the comment box

It's in the blue box below :-)

Now available from Inspired by Script, personalised Pocket Fold Wedding Invitations

Busy day today, working on the new pocket fold invitations. With the need to add accommodation, travel & RSVP Cards, these pocket fold invitations offer a perfect solution 

#TOP TIP TUESDAY from InspiredByScript.co.uk #4

#4 WHEN ORDERING STATIONERY –

 PLEASE DON’T ASK YOUR WEDDING STATIONER TO COPY SOMEONE ELSE’S IDEA/DESIGN

Yes, believe it or not….this does happen.

I suppose with all the inspirational boards and Pinterest out there it’s understandable that Brides set their hearts on something and then that’s all they focus on.

By all means, show ideas or flavours of things you have found, but if you ask for a direct, blatant copy, from a reputable designer or maker their answer will be NO!

There are some good reasons for this, the main one being, it’s HIGHLY ILLEGAL! 

The second good reason for me is: I have hundreds of my own designs… why would I want to copy someone else’s.

When people come to me for invitations and stationery, I am assuming they are coming because they like my ‘style’ of designs or at least know that we can work together to come up with something suitable.

Of course, you can’t copyright something generic, like a pocket fold with a piece of ribbon across the top for instance or a folded card with some ribbon or pearls glued onto it. There are always exceptions to the rule. However, from a design point of view whether you WANT to make something like this and put your name to it… well that’s another matter.

By all means…. Bring to me your inspiration boards. Tell me what you like/don’t like about what you have pinned on it. That way, we’ll get to understand your essence and style and come up with something unique to you.

HELP OTHERS & SHARE...
SHARING IS CARING

WHAT'S YOUR TOP TIP?

Leave a comment by clicking the comments tab, we'd love to hear about them.

FIND THIS USEFUL?

Hit the share buttons in the box below.

Wedding invitation or thank you. Card?,

Wondering whether to turn this graphic into a wedding invitation or thank you card. What do you think? #wedding invitation  #thankyou  #card

Bridesmaid gifts at Inspired by Script, by Steve Smith Jewellery

First job of the day, making insert cards for @stevesmithjewellery  #personalised #bridesmaid #gift #handmade #jewellery 

#DEAL OF THE MONTH! - FREE WEDDING RSVP CARDS!

DON'T MISS OUT!

*THIS MONTHS DEAL!

 *FREE 1 x c6 PRINTED RSVP CARD PER INVITE *FOIL CAN BE ADDED FOR A SMALL CHARGE
*THIS OFFER APPLIES TO DAYTIME FOLDED INVITATION ORDERS ONLY
CLICK HERE

FOR MORE DETAILS!

At Inspired by Script we are committed to offering  the best possible 1 to 1 service.   WE REWARD our LOYAL customers!

TAKE ADVANTAGE of

THIS MONTHS DEAL! CALL Sue on 01609 776 866  or call into the studio at 288a High Street,  Northallerton, DL7 8DW
or FILL OUT  our no obligation  quotation form CLICK HERE! REMEMBER TO  Use the words: "I want the deal!"