We've designed save the dates, invitations, programs and menu cards for a wedding at The Maples Estate in Schoharie, New York. Schoharie is located about 40 miles west of Albany and is a wonderfully picturesque area. The property, which runs along the Schoharie Creek, has on site a house with room for up to 20 guests, a barn, in ground pool and a veranda with sweeping views of the grounds. The 1855 Colonial era house has recently been renovated and will open for weddings and events in June of 2020. This venue has loads of country charm!

These playing card save the dates and invitations were customized and printed for Jessica and Richard's Las Vegas wedding. The design was printed on Mohawk vellum finish cover stock, cut with rounded corners to mimic real playing cards.

I'm so excited that I've been chosen as a seed packet artists for Hudson Valley Seed Co.'s 2019 collection! The design is for the Senate House Marigold, which is an heirloom flower bred specifically for the gardens at the Senate House in Kingston, NY.

The illustration for this seed packet was created as an original watercolor that was then coated with layers of encaustic wax to add texture and give an aged feel to the piece. 

Seed packets and fine art prints will be available on Hudson Valley Seed Co.'s website.

When you spend money on a beautiful invitation suite, there are some factors you should consider before mailing that can save you time and money, and could also save your invitations from being damaged.

Hand Canceling Postage
If you have square or bulky envelopes, you should ask to have your invitations hand cancelled. This means that a postal worker will actually hand stamp your envelope postage rather than running it through a machine and risk it being wrinkled, smudged or torn. Some post offices will allow you to hand cancel your own invitations. Check with your local post office to see if they charge an additional fee for hand cancelling as it varies from location to location. 

Postage Cost
Before purchasing stamps for your invitations, you should check the weight with your local post office. They will usually charge more for envelopes that are rigid, bulky or square.

Unique Postage
The US Postal Service offers stamps in a variety of designs that would be appropriate for weddings, but there are also other options for your postage that can add a little extra flair to your invitations. Websites such as PhotoStamps.com allow you to upload your own images to create custom postage to match your invitation design or theme.

Using vintage stamps is another creative way of dressing up your envelopes. Unused stamps never lose their value and there are so many different themes you can choose from, but there are some things to consider when using vintage postage. You will need to make sure that you have the appropriate amount of postage to send the invitation. Since the postage rate will most likely require multiple stamps on one envelope, you will need to plan the space and make sure the stamps do not cover up the address information. There are many places online to find vintage stamps, but you need to make sure that the stamps have not been previously used or they won't be accepted by the post office. 

We hope these helpful tips will help to make your invitation mailing go smoothly! 
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If you are looking for a wedding venue in the South of France, Chateau de la Valouse is a perfect location with its expansive grounds, luxurious accommodations and fantastic facilities.

The La Valouze estate, located near Bordeaux, was once the family home of Paul Durand-Ruel, the art dealer who discovered and helped make famous Impressionist artists such as Monet, Manet, Renoir and Degas. It has since become a romantic wedding venue with on site accommodations for up to 55 guests. The estate has a park of approximately 84 acres  which includes lakes, many rare trees and wildlife.

The reception facilities include a reception hall, a drawing room, dining room a grand ball room and an outdoor terrace. 

This is a very popular wedding destination, so be sure to book your event at Chateau de la Valouze at least a year ahead of time. ​

Photos by Robin Looy Photography
Illustration by Wendy Nooney, NooneyArt Designs.