Karla + Garvin: Wedding Suite

Karla and Garvin are getting married in Mexico! Here's their package of stationery for their destination wedding...

Hanh + Tommy

Some brides have all the luck! Two receptions for the happy bride and groom! So we made matching sets of tented menus and table numbers for both their receptions.

Hanging Reserved Signs

Kimberly + Joe

Kimberly and Joe are getting married this weekend, and here is their set of Crystal Clustered Table Cards! This style is still my favorite, and a top seller! She chose to make these double-sided tents, which is actually an excellent option for tented cards.  These are 6x6 inches, and this style is also available in 5x7 Tents.  When should you order the "tented" version?  It's more about taste, but if you are going to opt for the 5x7 size, choose Tented if you want to make them double-sided.  If you are only going for one-sided cards, then we can make a 5x7 card, with a "kickstand" option that allows the cards to stand on their own (this is more cost efficient for you if you are on a tight budget).  No matter what size or option you choose, the Crystal Clustered collection always dazzles!

Here's a view from the top to show the double-sided option (an additional $2.00 per card)

Kimberly ordered matching placecards with pre-printed names. 

 

SEATING CHART DESIGN - PHOTOS

Here's a new Seating Chart design posted recently in my shop!  The Photo Seating Chart would look fantastic in a frame!  Or printed on a canvas!  This sample below is actually my fiance and I, walking underneath the Manhattan Beach Pier (taken by the talented Nicole Caldwell of Orange, CA).  I chose a photo without our faces, because Mr. GE Designs is so private.  Hmmm, I don't think he'll like this shot either -- looks like we have dirty feet.  It's the sand, people.  Oh well, I try. 

If you choose to have me create this seating chart design for you, please make sure you have the rights to print and use the photo.  By purchasing this listing, you are agreeing that you do have the rights to print the photo. You gotta recognize the efforts of your talented photo peeps!

GE Wedding: The Dress

Of course, it's been a WHILE since I've posted about my wedding plans! But recently, I took home the dress -- it's altered and everything! Fits like a GLOVE (seriously, I can't bend easily but my waist looks TINY in it!).  Here is the dress from Maggie Sottero, the Madison.

I will have to say that my original choice was The Paige, with all it's lovely sequins and rouching. This was the dress I was seeking out when I visited the Trunk Show.  It looked great on, but the Madison looked so perfect on me, and so simple and elegant, I actually changed my mind.

Sooo pretty, eh?  Might have been a little too much for our small gathering.  I don't even think we'll have more than 15 people in Cancun.  But the Madison is the perfect destination wedding dress, and I hope it photographs well.

When I was trying on these dresses (and about 5 others), I had my mom and my favorite cousin, Yvette, with me.  I was counting on Mom to have an opinion (cuz she's not one to hold back her opinion), but when we were at the bridal shop, not one peep.  Nada. Zilch.  Really, mom? After all these years of hearing about your opinion on everything else in my life?  Sigh.  Later on she said she thought I looked beautiful in everything I tried on and just didn't know which to pick. Awwww, shucks.  Why didn't you say so when we were choosing dresses??? Thanks to Yvette, who found the Madison for me on a whim, I have the perfect dress for my Cancun Beach wedding!!!

Oh, and thanks to the girls at Aria Bridal in Escondido, CA, for helping me choose the perfect dress all in a couple hours!  They had a Maggie Sottero Trunk Show, and hold those trunk shows every once in a while, which is how I found them (scored a 10% discount!). Had my dress altered there as well ($300!).   Thanks, girls!  Here's a photo of me in the dress (minus my head) back in March. I was a little heavier then, and I didn't take a photo recently when I did my final fitting, but I posted this anyway.  LOL. Forgive me, I can't help but get all defensive with photos of myself. But I think we all get overly critical of ourselves, right? So recently, it looks the kinda like the photo below, just imagine it about 5-8 inches shorter (I'm so short! which is why I bought 4.5 inch heels). 

March 12, 2010: Day 1 (the only day) of Dress Shopping! No photos allowed until you buy!

Shannon + Kennen Seating Chart

Tutorial #1: How To Create a Basic Monogram in Power Point 2007

Time for GE Design’s first attempt at a tutorial for all those DIY Brides out there! I know most girls probably do not have access to software like Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator, so I thought it would be nice to have a step-by-step tutorial with screenshots set up for anyone who’s interested in take a stab at doing their own monogram on Power Point (version 2007 – steps are similar with older versions). Why Power Point, and not Word? In Power Point, it is easier to move objects around the page.

Now there are quite a few video tutorials online that are great, but for me, I like to see tutorials step by step so I can go at my own pace, without having to pause the videos or rewinding to see how things were done. Plus I like to read the instructions and screenshots (click on the photos below to enlarge in a new window). If you prefer videos, do a simple google search, and you’ll find a few online as well. I will try to link to online videos if I find some. But for those who like to read instructions, here goes!  Any feedback is welcome!

1. Open a new document in Power Point

2. Create a BLANK slide (no objects on the slide) for a clean start (Under Home Tab, Go to Slides section, Click Layout, Select “Blank”)

3. Insert a Text Box (Under Home Tab, Go to Drawing section, Click Text Box Button)

        a. Insert Text box in the middle of the slide

         Tip: Center the text in the box (Go to Paragraph, Click Center button)

4. Type the initial of your LAST NAME or the GROOM’S LAST NAME

5. Select the text in the text box (double-click on letter, or hold down CTRL+A)

6. Change font size to 250 (or increase the size to fill 1/3 of the slide)

7.  Change Font
        a. Select text
        b. Click on Font box in toolbar and bring down your font list
        c. Choose your favorite font for the main initial (I chose “Easy Street,” a font very similar to “Edwardian Script”)

        d. While initial is still highlighted, change the color in Font Toolbar at the top of page

TIP: Make sure the text box has NO FILL color or NO LINE (apply this to all text boxes when creating a monogram to allow you to place your letters anywhere without obstructing views)

8. Add Bride’s Initial (First Name Initial)

        a. Follow steps 3-5 above

        b. Change font size to at least half of the size of the first letter

        c. Place the Bride’s Initial to the LEFT of the last name initial

9. Add Groom’s Initial

        a. Follow same steps as Bride Initial above OR Copy Bride’s Initial (Select Bride’s Initial on slide,    Right Click, Copy, Paste)

Tip: Copy and Pasting the Bride’s initial is a quicker step, since you have already formatted it to your liking, and it saves you a few steps

        b. Select Letter, and CHANGE LETTER to Groom’s Initial (First name Initial)

        c. Click and Drag Groom’s Initial to the RIGHT SIDE of Last Name Initial and place in any spot you please.

10. Add Wedding Date (optional)

        a. Follow Steps 3-7 above (except change the font to be much smaller than the initials. For example font size 20, and adjust from there)

        b. Date Format: You can choose to make the date numerical (10.10.2010, 10.10.10, 09.11.10), or spell out completely (October 10, 2010, october tenth two thousand ten). The format depends on how you want your overall monogram to look.

        c. Place your date in the monogram at the bottom or the top, wherever you feel it looks the best. My example will put it off-center at the bottom.



11. Saving your monogram to your computer

        a. Make sure no objects on your page are selected
 
        b. Go to the Editing Bar at the top and click on “Select All” (or with your mouse, select/highlight all objects on your page)

        c. All Objects should be selected, or have boxes surrounding each object individually at the same time

        d. Right Click on all objects by moving your mouse/pointer anywhere in the selected objects. A dropdown menu should pop up as seen below

        e. Select “Save as Picture”

        f. Under File Format, Select “JPEG”

        g. Name your Monogram

        h. Click “Save”

12. Voila! You have your new monogram! It is like a Clipart for you to insert in any document (Word, Power Point, Excel, etc.)

13. Test your new file

         a. In the same document in Power Point, Click on “Insert” Tab

        b. Click on “Picture”

        c. Find your monogram file you just saved

        d. Select your file

        e. Your new monogram should be inserted into your document!

 Tip: For easy access to your Monogram file, save a shortcut or copy of it on your desktop

 Tip: After inserting your jpg monogram in your software, format it fit better, by cropping the jpg so that there is no blank space taking up room on your page. A future tutorial will be available on how to do this.

14. Video Tutorial: Here is a great online video; She did it in a different order, but this will give you a visual and audio to tie it together!

GE Designs Tutorials

I will be adding DIY tutorials on my blog.  To start off with, I will create step-by-step instructions on using Power Point to create Monograms.  I will start off by doing variations of tutorials on monograms because I know that there are some creative brides out there, that would like to have full control of their monogram design, and who probably don't have a design program like Illustrator or Photoshop. 

So if you have any other ideas on other DIY tutorials, please feel free to send me a message and I'll work on it! You can also share ideas on the GE Designs Facebook page (link is on the right)!

Of course, for the more elaborate designs that require a different design program, GE Designs is still available to create monograms for you...

Stay tuned this week for the first tutorial!

Print At Home Table Cards

I've added a new item to my shop:  Simple Table Tent Cards, available for purchase now! Each file is for #1-10, with instructions and diagrams.  Just download, print, cut and fold! Sooo easy. And quick!

I will be adding different fonts soon... Customized versions are also available, just send me a message for your personal custom order!

Elizabeth's Crystal Clustered Table Cards = black and white

You can't go wrong with the classic combination of silver, black and white!

Congratulations, Elizabeth and Pete!!!

Christian + Grace: Wedding Suite

Mary Grace was married last weekend! We used the theme of love words/definitions in her chocolate/sage set of wedding stationery.  I did a little variation on the style so we could fit the table number, the word/definitions and their names/date with a hibiscus backdrop.

Matching tented menus....Grace wanted two for each table.  If you decide not to do individual menus, having one or two at each table will do just as well! Saves paper and costs!

Two reception programs were placed at each table

Grace had also ordered coordinating placecards, which are not pictured.
Here is a shot of her digital seating chart, which was printed at Kinkos!

GE Luxe Invitation: Damask Crystal Cluster

A couple new items were added to the GE Designs shop.  The Damask Crystal Cluster collection.  A little variation on the Crystal Cluster look.  Each layer is metallic shimmer.  Even the damask pattern is printed on metallic white or ivory.  There are 2 versions, the Budget Friendly Version (BFV) or the GE Luxe version.  Both have the same elegant look, except the materials are different. BFV uses non-metallic papers and envelopes, without the pre-printed RSVP envelope or an insert.  This is a great option for Brides who want to save a little mula or would prefer to create their own insert pieces.  The GE Luxe version is a complete set with all metallic pieces (if available).  The splash of color is available in metallic and textured papers, depending on your request. 

Coordinating pieces are also available. Table numbers (below) are always made with metallic cardstock, unless requested for other materials to be more budget friendly. The sample below includes 5 layers of cardstock. 

Available at http://www.gedesigns.etsy.com/