Often times the minute your beau pops the question and puts a ring on that left hand finger, many Brides to be have some type of urge to call all their gal pals up and shout "Guess what, I'M ENGAGED!" - some where in that same phone call, either the friend says "does this mean i'm going to be in your wedding?" or the bride out of excitement blurts out "will you be my maid of honor"?

The problem with this is that you've barely been engaged for a minute and have so much racing through your mind about "The Big Day", that you don't have enough time to give it deep thought as to which friends you'd want most to be standing by your side during your wedding ceremony, which friends are truly there for you when you need them to be, which friends can be financially able to contribute to throwing you a bachelorette party (if that would be expected of them), and which friends have the time to dedicate to you in attending fittings or appointments if you need assistance. Bottom line is, give yourself enough time to select friends to be in your Bridal Party (or for the Groom - his Groomsmen) that will genuinely be there to support you and that you will be able to look back on your wedding photos and be able to say your still friends!

Once you've taken the time to make your decision as to how many Bridesmaids & Groomsmen  you will have (as well as Maid of Honor/Best Man), then it is best to ask them to be part of your Bridal Party in a personal and special way! Sending a formal card in the mail as a special gesture to ask them the sweet question of honor is always appropriate (usually the minute they open it they'll end up calling you with loads of excitement and say "yes, I'll be your Bridesmaid" or if they know they have a busy year with a pregnancy or busy work load, they may unfortuantely decline - which is OK too)! Now days there are many creative Brides and Grooms who ask their close friends in extra special ways, such as: custom cookies or cupcakes that say "Will YOU Be My Maid of Honor?", send flowers to them at work with a special card. No matter what you do to ask them, make sure its polite, done in the right timing, and most of all be understanding if they let you know they are unfortunately unable to - trust me, I'm sure you'll have no problem thinking of another friend who would love to play a special role in your big day!

Here are some examples of specialized cards you can order to ask your close friends to be in your Wedding Party, from our Shop:

"Be My Bridesmaid Card" $4 + shipping (or 7 cards reg. $28, 10‰ off = Now $25 *includes shipping)
(Both cards come w/swarovski crystal & high quality iridescent silver envelope)

"Be My Bridesmaid Card?" & "Thanks Bridesmaid!" Card Set = $8 for the set of 2
(Both cards come with swarovski crystal & high quality iridescent silver envelope)

"Be My Groomsmen?" & "Thanks Groomsmen!" Card Set = $8 for set of 2 *also for individual sale $4
(Both cards come with swarovski crystal & high quality iridescent silver envelope)

Bouquet Card (with swarovski crystal & high quality iridescent silver envelope) $4

A great and affordable way to do your Save The Date Announcement Cards is to send out Post Cards. I love the idea of using your Engagement Photo on one side and doing a Post Card Design for the back where you'd write/type in your Announcement and Details to your future wedding. Don't forget to include your Wedding Website Address/link so they can check for future updates and have registry info!

Here is an example of one couple's DIY Photo Save The Date Post Card style:

To accomplish a similar look, use this template & print double sided on cardstock:

Click Link to Download: Postcard backside

Here is one of our original template designs for Lingerie Shower Thank You Card just for you all to enjoy!!

I first have to mention an apology to my dedicated readers for being MIA on posting new blogs this past week... but there is a good reason ;) Aside from my busy work life of planning events, I have been hard at work to create a free download for all of you Chic Budget Brides out there!! Without further ado, here is our very first custom designed Invitation Suite - ENJOY!

*Click to Download ITB Invitation Suite*

I recommend printing on cardstock paper and using a paper trimmer for a more professional cut

I just love this font "Outlaw" from DaFont.com for a south western wedding theme! I recommend using the same font throughout wedding prints such as Save The Date Card, Invitation, Menu, and so on (not for the entire fonts on each, but for the header fonts) as it makes the theme really stand out in a great way.

click to Download "Outlaw" Font

Click to Download

Crown Correspondence Cards $20.00 at Neiman Marcus
Heavyweight crown cards, personalized in raised black ink, come with white envelopes; optional shiny black lining available. Cards are 4.5" x 6.25". Choose Pearl or Gold cards. Specify name (up to 26 characters/spaces). If desired, specify up to two lines of 36 characters/spaces per line for optional return address on envelopes. You will be able to specify personalization details after adding item(s) to your shopping cart. Please order carefully. Orders for personalized items cannot be canceled, and personalized items cannot be returned.

Personalized Damask-Print Cards $40.00 at Neiman Marcus
Damask provides a pretty background to your name in raised black script. Cards are 6.25" x 4.5". Specify Seafoam Green or Pink. Specify up to 20 characters/spaces for personalization. For optional lining and two-line return address on envelopes, specify up to 24 characters/spaces per line. You will be able to specify personalization details after adding item(s) to your shopping cart. Please order carefully. Orders for personalized items cannot be canceled, and personalized items cannot be returned.

Horchow Thank You Card Assortment $48.00 at Horchow
Our assortment includes eight cards, each bearing a unique way to say "Thanks" and your name printed at the bottom in a corresponding color. Set includes eight thank you cards, eight coordinating envelopes, and one white gel pen. Each card, 5.5"Sq. Made in the USA. Specify name (up to 1 line of 26 characters).

Vera Wang 100 Cards & Envelopes $785.00 by Vera Wang at Horchow
By Vera Wang. 6.69" x 4.53" cards are an eye-catching pumpkin hue with a white border are engraved with bordered monogram in style shown; specify three-initial monogram in the following order: first, middle, last. Last initial will appear in center of monogram. Envelopes feature a corresponding floral lining and flap is personalized with up to three lines of up to 36 characters/spaces per line. You will be able to specify personalization details after adding item(s) to your shopping cart. Orders for personalized items cannot be canceled, and personalized items cannot be returned.

Horchow 50 Ivory Cards/Pers. Envelopes $75.00 at Horchow
Scallop-edged cards in white or ivory are personalized in style shown. 6.125" x 4.5".

• For Ivory cards, specify name (up to 17 characters/spaces) and Navy, Teal, or Claret ink.
• For White cards, specify name (up to 10 characters/spaces) and Navy, Teal, or Claret ink.
• For optional two-line return address on envelopes, specify up to 32 characters/spaces per line.

I had so much fun designing this Frog Prince Blank Card for you all... I always loved the "frog prince" fairy-tale and thought i'd make a cute piece of wedding stationery out of it. Here you go... Enjoy!

Download Free Printable Frog Prince Card

I decided I would create a couple original Inspire The Bride Printable Templates to share with you all. Like many of you, I always love a great freebie;) So, "Taaa Dahhh"... here it is! This fabulous Pink Damask Thank You Card can be used for saying "Thanks" in many occasions, such as: Engagement Party Gifts, Bridal Shower, Bachelorette Party, and for Wedding Gifts. I have also created a Basic Pink Damask Card that is Blank, so that any of you bloggers out there who are not in the midst of planning a wedding can also enjoy this freebie.... ENJOY!

CLICK HERE to Download InspireTheBride ThankYouCard

CLICK to Download InspireTheBride Blank Card