i do monograms

Alex, the brilliant Creative Director for Belle The Magazine, always turns out the most AMAZING covers. Her concepts are so fresh and modern and inspiring... well guess what lovely readers... one of our parasols will be on the December cover! I know... huge right?! Check out these behind-the-scenes pics that Alex was nice enough to send over...
I'm just crazy over the styling... the gown, the red lips, the darling hair accessory... and of course the 'Merry Christmas' parasol we created special for the shoot, held by the gorgeous Miss El Paso Texas 2010. This issue will be out the first week in December and is certain to be full of fresh inspiration. Be sure to check out Belle The Magazine's Blog for yummy bridal fashions, stunning real weddings, great practical advice, and swoon-worthy event planning and design ideas. A huge thank you to our friend Alex at Belle The Magazine for this incredible opportunity!

(oh and PS- see that pretty little model on the yellow cover? That's one of our former client's Michelle... isn't she gorgeous?!)

So in love with these two custom verse banners we created for the future Mr. & Mrs. Abraham! Our "Here Comes the Bride" banners are super popular, but the Abraham's also wanted a banner for their ring bearers to carry on their way back down the aisle after the ceremony... LOVE IT! The best part about it is that it will also make for a great photo prop for the newlyweds to hold... always think of ways your items can do double duty (you get the most bang for your buck!)

Just stopping in to share a few of our recent monogrammed creations from I Do Originals. Best wishes to all these fantastic couples!

How sweet is this?! Go check out the great DIY tutorial over at The Bride's Cafe where you can learn to make one of these beautiful earthy moss covered monogram letters...

We always get a ton of questions on monogram etiquette... so here are a few tips:

Q: Whose name/initial goes first?
A: Ladies first! The woman's name/initial always comes first on a monogram because the man's first name/initial should never be separated from his last name/initial... so as an example, for a traditional 3 initial monogram, if Shauna & Ryan Jones are getting married their monogram would read: SJR

Q: What if I'm keeping my last name?
A: We suggest using a 2 initial monogram... simply replace the middle initial with an ampersand (so in the above example it would read S&R)

Q: When can we start using our married monogram?
A: If you want to follow traditional etiquette, keep these simple rules in mind:
Before the wedding ceremony: If you're following traditional etiquette, it's a big no-no to use your married monogram before you're actually married. So that means using a monogram with your new last name or intial on save-the-dates, invitations, thank you notes, etc. is taboo. Instead, use a monogram that has just your first initials or first names.

During the wedding ceremony: This is still a gray area for some, but I say if you want to use your married monogram, go for it! The married monogram is a visual symbol of two people joining as one... so the wedding ceremony is a perfect time to begin using your new monogram on anything from aisle runners, unity candles, programs, etc.

After the wedding ceremony: Anything goes! Use your married monogram on anything you wish- the reception is a complete green light to display your new married monogram proudly be it on a table runner, menus, the cake, the dance floor, anything your little heart desires!


*Please note the answers are based on traditional monogram etiquette... and while most people choose to have their monogram reflect traditional etiquette, there's nothing wrong with wanting to switch it up a bit. Our advice... do what makes you comfortable!

Have a question about monogram etiquette? Let us know... we'll do our best to answer!

You really can put your monogram everywhere... how adorable is this on the coffee mugs? Get creative... think outside the box (or outside the mug!)

This soothing soft green and chocolate color pallet Celina & Jacob used is so pleasing to the eye... loving how the monogram is the only element on the front of the programs and is the first thing to introduce guests to the color scheme and styling of the ceremony and reception.

Photography- The Nichols, Ceremony- St. Mary’s Cathedral, Reception- The Winfield Inn, Coordinator- Sparkling Engagements, DJ- Tunes Across Texas

Hello lovely readers! You may notice a few exciting changes on the blog... the main thing being we now have a new name... I Do Monograms! You can now access the blog at www.iDoMonograms.com (you can still access through the blogspot address so no need to change your RSS feed). While we primarily were using this blog as a portfolio of our work over at I Do Originals (not to worry, we'll still be showing off our lovlies often) our new mission is to bring you oodles of swoon worthy monogrammed wedding goodness... like this sweet little cake from Bakerella.

We have so many exciting new features planned, we can't wait for what's in store... but we need your help. What would you like to see in regards to monograms? Also, we're looking for fabulous real weddings that show off monograms... so please send submissions to iDoMonograms {at} live {dot} com!

It's always so hard when a client already has a FABULOUS logo but wants us to tweak it for them... that's the case with our friends at Jolynne Photography who currently have a super cool logo but wanted to see if we could switch it up a bit. It was fun to come up with some different options for them! If you haven't checked out Jolynne's blog yet you definitely need to... her work is a-mazing.

A little pretty for your Wednesday... best wishes to all these great couples!

When we saw the trash-the-dress shoot of our November Featured Couple, Kate and James, we just had to share... I mean, seriously... how incredibly gorgeous are these images? Husband & Wife team, The Nichols, are AMAZINGLY talented. To see more photos from this TTD shoot check out the original blog post here.

All of our couples are stunning... but our November Featured Couple Kate & James are absolutely gorgeous, and so was their destination wedding in the Caymen Islands! Kate (aka Mrs. Kitten, a blogger on weddingbee.com) contacted us for a few parasols for her island nuptials and we were happy to oblige! The couple's beautiful wedding took place at The Grand Old House in April '09 and was photographed by the incredibly talented husband & wife team The Nichols. Congratulations Kate & James!

Stay tuned for Kate & James Trash The Dress Session, which we'll be sharing tomorrow... it'll take your breath away!

Loving these streamlined business cards we created for Debra at Grand Finale Events! Debra requested her logo (that we create for her a few months back) on the front of the card and then wanted a really minimal approach to the back of the card design with just her first name in all lower case letters, phone number, and website. LOVE the clean modern feel it gives! Thanks Debra!

My dear friend Krystal is an extraordinarily talented photographer and I'm so excited that she has decided to start her very own photography business, Sweet Pea Photography. I was honored that she asked me to create a logo for her. Best wishes to Krystal in her exciting new venture!

Isn't this cake boo-tiful? :) Have a safe and Happy Halloween!

We 'Love' La Bella Bride Magazine... and if you haven't seen it yet, check out the super sweet post about our parasols over on La Bella Bride Magazine's blog... such an honor!

AND... the popular "Just Married" parasol we created for a very special couple that's been featured on many of our favorite blogs was also featured on Belle the Magazine's blog... another blog we 'Love'... and another huge honor! Be sure to check it out!

A little pretty for your Thursday... looking forward to our couples receiving these lovelies!

Leave it to a brilliant creative director to come up with this concept of writing a holiday message on a parasol (thanks Alex!) Can't you just picture the bride & groom holding one of these pretties on the front of their Christmas card? Our parasols can be customized with anything your little heart desires... just contact us for a price quote!

Amanda, of Comand Events, wanted something modern and simple with a girly edge. She requested all lower case letters (which I just love) with an emphasis on the 'c' & 'a'. Love it!
Nitya, of The R.E.E.C.H. Foundation, wanted a logo that exmplified empowerment, leadership, and independence, and had the message of reaching for a goal or target. Once again... I just love how it turned out! Thanks ladies!