New Office!

July 13, 2018 Carol Sullivan

A few months ago I moved into a wonderful new space in downtown McKinney. While I loved my old spot and friends at Bay Willow, I needed a more traditional office, so when my friend Wendy Kidd of Each and Every Detail had an open office at her place I jumped at the chance. Wendy and the women of Each and Every Detail are so great to be around and I really appreciate how hard they work for their clients — something I really take pride in. I have been lucky to work with a lot of amazing ladies over the years. Located just northeast of The Square at 230 E. Hunt St. her cute space was perfect for my needs. I am so excited to have 2 available conference rooms and a spacious office for one on one meetings and displaying my work. Thanks to my friend Marcie for helping me decorate and organize my office. It’s always helpful to have a friend with a great eye. Also, thanks to my husband for making sure all my frames are level and for installing my awesome magnet wall that Marcie suggested. Once again I got some great shots of the office from my friend Emily at EM Corporate Photography. She seriously rocks! Let me know what you think of the space and if you are downtown make sure to stop in and see me and the ladies.

RSVP yeah you know me!

July 6, 2018 Jeremy Sullivan

Your wedding can be as traditional or unconventional as you want, but there are a few rules to follow so the weeks leading up to the big day are less stressful. Invitations and RSVP cards convey what your wedding day will be all about, but it is crucial to capture the information needed to finalize the menu, seating chart, place cards, and many other details.

Invitations should be sent out to six to eight weeks before your wedding in order to provide your guests with enough time to make the necessary travel arrangements. Destination weddings require a little more planning, so make sure to give your guests at least 3 months notice.

The RSVP cards included with your invitations should have a deadline of 2-4 weeks before the wedding date. It is important to leave enough time to track down that lazy cousin that hasn't responded. It is important to have accurate numbers to finalize the head count for catering, seating, floral, programs, and many other aspects of décor. Before setting an RSVP timeline, first check with the caterer about the final headcount deadline and adjust accordingly.

Wedding RSVP Wording

Your wedding RSVP card wording can be as formal or as unique as you would like. Don't be afraid to let your personalities shine. Keep it clean though! No matter what direction you take there is some basic information you need to include.

1. Response Date

Here are a few examples:

RSVP by the Twentieth of July
The favor of a reply is requested by the 20th of July
Please respond by the 20th of July
Kindly reply by the 20th of July
Your reply is requested by June 20

2. Guests names

Traditionally done by writing "M___________"

“Name” or “Name(s)” followed by a line is also acceptable.

3. “Accept” or “Decline.”

The “accept” and “decline” area should have a checkbox. Instead of the standard "accept" or "decline" you can get creative, but remember to be tasteful. Below are a few fun examples:

4. Entrée preference.

If serving a buffet, there is no reason to include this section. Plated meals with MORE THAN ONE option should have an area for your guests to select their entrée.

Formal RSVP Basic Not Plated

Formal RSVP Traditional Plated

Formal RSVP Fun Plated

Destination Wedding

Destination Wedding and Online RSVP

Postcard RSVP

Funny RSVP

Fun & Relaxed RSVP

Emily & Alex's South Beach Wedding!

July 6, 2018 Carol Sullivan

Getting engaged, and the subsequent journey to the big day is a very exciting time — a journey filled with parties, planning and the occasional headache. Many times, I am contacted soon after engagement by enthusiastic brides ready to hit the ground running planning their dream wedding. I love it when I am able to work with a client throughout their engagement because I know that when we’re done the wedding day will be the easy part. A little planning up front really goes a long way, and while I am not a wedding planner, the items I design are meant to bring cohesiveness, order and beauty to the wedding day. The perfect color palette, typeface, theme, and timing are all important aspects when it comes to having a smooth running wedding and reception. Check out what I was able to do for Alex and Emily!

Miami Save the Date Art Deco Map Florida

Miami Tropical Map The Map Chick Florida

Guest book alternative map canvas the map chick

The Map Chick Tropical Wedding Guest boxes

Three Best Friends

July 2, 2018 Carol Sullivan

I am so flattered when past clients refer me to friends and family, and I have been so lucky to have such awesome clients. Over the years I have developed a large part of my business through referrals, but these ladies took it to another level. Perris, Alyssa, and Rachel were married within 3 years of each other and I was blessed to work with them all because of a referral from Perris. How cool is that? They were so sweet to take a photo with their wedding maps, and it's one of my favorite photo's ever! It was so fun to work with these ladies and see the bond that they shared. I know that years later they will look at this photo fondly as well. It's just another reminder for me that CW Designs isn't just a business, it's about capturing special moments in time that can be cherished for decades to come.

The image quickly became my go to for branding to go along with my new logo.