Katie and Matt’s Invitation is Ready!
Katie, our featured bride-to-be, chooses a trendy one-page invitation. The invitation is a sheet on white card stock with foiled lettering. An illustrious gold header announces Matt and Katie’s wedding celebration. The headline is a sophisticated look yet with a care-free flair, in a very modern scripted font. The wedding day details are also modern in gray print wth lots of straight lines and a mix of lettering.
Katie selected invitations from minted.com. She found this online company easy to work – they quickly mail requested samples (at $1 a piece). Because Katie ordered the invitation online, it was a relief for her to have the ability to touch and feel the paper and print before ordering a full package.
Minted.com offers printing the addresses to the invitees on the mailing envelope. Katie took full advantage of this option – the professionally addressed envelope nicely matches the invitations and makes a lovely package. Also Katie did not have to stress over trying to magically create beautiful handwriting!
When we talked to Katie about this important invitation mailing step, we learned a hack. As the bride invites guests, a RSVP card request is sent along with the announcement. The RSVP asks invitees to write in the number and names of who plans to attend the celebration. Sometimes in haste, guests forget to write in the names (or number) and simply send back the RSVP, with essentially no information. So, Katie assigned a number to each invited party and has a record of the number, respective to each invited addressee. She placed the assigned number on the RSVP card so if it happens to come back without a name, she will know whose invitation came back. Knowing whose invitation is returned is key – that way she will know who should be added to the expected guest list. And, if they did not include any information she can always message them to find out if they plan to attend or not.
Sound complicated? Not really. And totally worth avoiding aggravation of keeping track of the unknown! Thanks for sharing, Katie – your invitations are fab!!
Owner, Master Chef & Foodie Kevin Daughrity Shares Insights
I sat down with Quincy Cellars owner and master chef, Kevin Daughrity, to find out why the food he serves at Quincy Cellars and Sensory Winery & Art Gallery is so extraordinary? if he considers himself a foodie – and what does that mean? and, the vision for his hospitality business? I gathered volumes from him and share a few insights today.
Most interesting to me is that Kevin is self-taught. Kevin became bored with college food and so cooking for himself and his college buddies became a practical and creative outlet. Food is still a passion of his, constantly honing his art, in addition to the creative license with cooking, Kevin likes the instant feedback – a quick sampling or a deep inhale gives him quick feedback about whether or not the direction he’s going is appealing or not. To dig a little deeper, Kevin loves to explore flavor combinations and trends – for instance he makes an all-time American favorite, macaroni and cheese, from scratch. For a twist, he includes a variety of fresh herbs and a blend of non-traditional cheeses, giving the dish new life with amazing rich flavor.
I asked Kevin what his favorite meal was and showing he truly is a foodie, he could not pin one down – he says what he likes best is the unabridged experience – and expects a complete celebration, no matter what the occasion or setting. Being served a 4-course gourmet meal at a fine restaurant with the perfect pairing of wine is pure enjoyment for him. Kevin also says that firing up the grill savoring a flavorful burger with a fresh homemade roll and kicking back with a craft beer is just as pleasing.
Check out future blog posts for more wisdom from Kevin like his secret to creating fantastic meals and vision for his business.
Katie Nails Down Guest Favors
Katie and her mother are working hard looking for materials and ideas to make the favors and signage but it doesn’t feel like work at all! Katie tells me she is having a blast checking out all the craft stores. She and her mother have frequented Hobby Lobby, AC Moore and Michaels – all of which are fun and full of ideas and goods!
To start, Katie is assembling a special favor that indicates each guest seat. It is a unique decoration that is a mason jar on top of a wine bottom. The jar handle will be adorned with a charm. Katie and her Mom are still on the hunt for that charm. Each guest’s name and table number will be printed on the charm. Having the charm makes for a nice idea – that way guests will be able to re-use the glass as it won’t have wedding day details etched on it as you probably have seen many times.
As we know, Katie has an obsession with doughnuts and will have a doughnut (and cookies) table for guests. Katie found brown bags at Hobby Lobby for guests to fill with doughnuts and take home! The bags are country chic (functional yet classy). Katie will also decorate the bags with catchy labels that say something like, “Glazed and Delicious from the Mister and Missus”; “All you need is love and doughnuts”. Mighty-fine!
Katie has spent time creating chalkboard signage as well. These signs are the trend especially for rustic weddings like at our Quincy Cellars restored barn and outdoor setting. They are very helpful in informing guests where to go. Guests like to have clear direction when at a party – it makes them feel special and cared for knowing you thought of every detail to make them comfortable. Check out Katie’s touch!
Sounds like Katie is very organized and her love never-ending, creating such lovely and delicious details for her guests!
Matt Chooses Groomsmen and Tuxedos
On Matt and Katie’s special day, Katie will be wearing ivory while her attendants will have dresses in apple red. To complement the ladies, the guys will be dressed in black, ivory and red.
Matt selected black tuxes from Men’s Warehouse for himself and his groomsmen. The guys will wear a modern-style tuxedo that includes a 2-button jacket with a notch lapel; along with matching straight pants. The shirt is a point-collar shirt in ivory accented by a necktie in apple red. The look includes a 4-button vest and pocket silk – the groomsmen will also wear these pieces in apple red to match the bridesmaids.
Matt too will wear the modern-style tuxedo but with ivory accents including his shirt, tie, vest and pocket silk.
Matt has chosen 5 gentlemen to accompany him on his big day – his older and only brother, Mike, has the honor of being the best man. The two of them are avid Bills fans and are really fantastic at cracking each other up, according to Katie. Endearing. Matt also has two guys he grew up with, Matt and Kevin who will stand up for him. Matt’s college friend, Sean, and Katie’s brother, Kyle will also be groomsmen.
Can’t you envision the party now, standing proud with Matt in the Quincy Cellars gazebo, the sun shining, surrounded by Fall colors, listening to the ripple of the fountain in the pond and smelling the sweet scent of grapes and wine.
Katie Chooses Attendants and Dresses
Katie’s Attendants
Katie has chosen 7 bridesmaids – a lucky number for a sweet bride-to-be like Katie. She is truly blessed to have so many girlfriends and family so close to her. She chose a sweetheart neckline, strapless, full-length dress in apple red for her attendants. She found the dress at David’s Bridal – and the dress is absolutely radiant!
Most of the bridesmaids already have their dresses. We asked Katie who these lucky ladies are. Meagan will have the honor of being Katie’s Maid of Honor. Meagan and Katie were best friends in high school. The way the story goes is that their parents were also best friends while in high school – as teenagers, the two Moms would sneak to watch their boyfriends practice football.
It was in 7th grade that Meagan moved to Katie’s town and attended the same school, close enough to ride the bus together. However, even though the girls knew each other due to their parents’ close friendship, they didn’t speak much while sitting across from each other on the school bus. After many “bye’s”, the young ladies finally started talking and instantly became best friends – and are BFFs to this day! The two even went to the same college – and according to Katie the ladies are very different people which balances the friendship nicely.
Katie could not imagine life without Meagan now!
Katie sends Photogram to Meagan
The next three ladies in the bridal party are Erin, Brianna and Becca – all also good friends Katie grew up with and met in school. Katie’s best friend in college, Katie, will also be an attendant. Finally, two cousins Stephanie and Alicia will be a part of Katie’s special day.
We at Quincy are excited to meet the entire bridal party and see the beautiful dresses as well!
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