Happy Chinese New Year!

2009 is the year of the Ox based on the Chinese Calendar, but it also the year of the BRIDE for many!

We really try to have something for everyone...and every bride, but not just any something will do. We think you should have something really cool and special - no matter what your theme. On this festive day, we thought it would be a good time to show off some of our favorite Asian inspired invitations and favors (click image to enlarge).

Quick Links:
Asian Fan Invitation
Tapestry Candle Favor
Double Happiness Bottle Stopper
Silk Fan
Imperial Glass Photo Coasters
Love Glass Coasters
Double Happiness Keepsake Candle
Double Happiness Favor Box

Bridal Fair

Whew! The first Bridal Fair of the season has come and gone, so hopefully I can get back on track with my blogging!

We had a great show and lots of interest. We also took lots of pictures, so over the next few days I will be featuring some of our great bridal products along with ideas on how to use them.

Here are some photos of the booth:

Lots more to come...so check back soon!

If you met with us at the show and have questions about a particular product, call us at 866.767.1003.

Quick Links:
Wedding Invitations
Cupcake Wrappers
Guest Books
Favors

New Long Length Invitations

We are adding great new invitation styles everyday! Some of my favorites are the new longer length invitations. They have a chic unusual look, and best of all, they use regular postage! We have long length invitations for many themes, including: wedding showers, baby showers, birthday parties, and more!

Getting Married Soon?

Stunique will be showing at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's Bridal Fair on January 18, 2009 at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock. This is the largest Bridal Fair in the state and we are excited to be a part of it! We are booth #124 and will have show specials, so be sure to come by and see us!

For information about the Fair, please click here.

New Kids Die Cut Inviations

Our adorable new die cut invitations are sure to be a hit at your next party! The invitations are die cut and shaped in the design of the card for a truly unique look. There are 24 new styles of invitations in almost every theme imaginable including: cupcake parties, race car parties, sports parties, swim parties, pirate parties, princess parties, train parties, pizza parties, and many more!

Check them out here.

Holiday Savings!

Get ready for the Holiday's and save big!

Save 25% on all orders over $25 Friday through Monday!

There is still time to get personalized photo cards and gifts before Christmas, so take advantage of this great offer! And yes, Cupcake Wrappers are included...and we have added new Christmas styles!

Use promo code BFriday at checkout.

New Shipping and Handling

Stunique is going global!

International orders will no longer need to be called in; they can now be processed through the website...and we can ship almost anywhere!

Check out our new shipping rates here.

In the Press

Stunique was featured in today's edition of Arkansas Business magazine! The print version is on stands now, or you can view the article here.

Photo Birth Announcements

Photo Birth Announcements are a great way to announce your adorable bundle of joy to the world, and they make a great keepsake.

Our birth announcements are designed and printed in-house, so each is made specifically for our customer. These aren't the cards that you attach a photo too, we actually layout and print your photos all on one card. This saves time and money printing and sticking the photos to the card, and it creates a lovely custom look. We are always adding new designs, and of course, we can completely custom design a card to match your baby's room, etc.

Check out our birth announcements here.

Cupcake Wrappers and Displays

We have had such a great response to our cupcake wrappers here at Stunique. From bakeries, to restaurants, to fabulous parties of your own, you all have contacted us to tell us how much you love them... and we love them too!

Today I saw a great DIY article from Abby Larson at Style Me Pretty on how to create a themed display for cupcakes at your next party. Abby decorated a plain cupcake tower with decorative paper (or wrapping paper), added a little paint and ribbon, and viola! A gorgeous cupcake display to match your cupcake wrappers! Read her full Cupcake Tier blog here.

I love the idea of making a stand to match my cupcake wrapper theme. I can't wait to give it a try!

Shop our cupcake wrappers here.

Invitation Etiquette

At Stunique, we often receive questions about invitation etiquette. In years past there were strict guidelines to follow when sending an invitation. In modern times, we and others tend to share the philosophy that your events are your own and should be as unique as you are, and your invitations should reflect your personal style. That said, I do reference etiquette guides often - especially for wedding invitations - if for no other reason to know what the etiquette is regarding the situation (even if we choose not to follow it). My favorite reference for wedding invitations is Emily Post's Wedding Etiquette: The Definitive Guide to Your Wedding Experience (5th Edition). There are many references out there, but this one (and other Emily Post books) is a favorite of many.

Here is a quick reference of invitation etiquette:

For Casual Parties or Events
Typical items included on a Casual Invitation:

1. Type of Event (Baby Shower, Bridal Shower, Birthday Party, Celebration, etc.)
   
2. The Guest or Guests of Honor (who the party is for), if applicable.
   
3. The day of week and date of the event.
   
4. The time the event will begin.
   
5. The location of the event.
   
6. The hosts of the event (if applicable).
   
7. RSVP information. By traditional standards, RSVP info should include a contact name and date to respond by, but it has become increasingly popular to note “Regrets Only” and a contact phone number or email on casual invitations.
   
8. Additional Information such as a party theme, manner of dress, or items to bring should be included on the invitation if you would like your guests to take part.
   
9. Also by traditional standards, registry information was not included on the invitation. However, modern events often include this information as a convenience for the guests. It is also acceptable to note “No Gifts Please” if you prefer guests not bring gifts.
   

For Weddings
Typical items included on a Wedding Invitation:

1. The hosts of the wedding. Examples of hosts include, the bride’s parents (traditionally), the groom’s parents, or the bride (fiancée) and groom (fiancé) themselves.
   
2. The bride and groom’s full names. The day of the week, month, date, and year of the wedding should be included and spelled out.
   
3. The time the wedding will begin. This should also be spelled out.
   
4. The location of the Wedding. Again, spell out all items such as such as street addresses, cities or states. Zip codes are not typically included.
   

Additional tips:

• As a courtesy, reply cards should have a printed return address (typically the bride or bride’s family) and should be sent to the guests with a stamp already applied for easy return.
  
• If the wedding is before noon, it is considered morning. If the wedding is after noon but before 6:00 p.m., it is considered afternoon. Evening hours begin after 6:00 p.m.
  
• “The honour of your presence” should be used for ceremonies held on sanctified grounds (i.e., church, temple etc.). “The pleasure of your company” should be used when the wedding takes place outside of religious grounds.
  

Typical items included on an Invitation Envelope:
The recipient’s name and address should be clearly printed on the front of the envelope. This can be centered, staggered, or left aligned. Include middle name, if possible. The format is as follows:

1. Married Couple - Mr. and Mrs. John Jacob Smith
   
2. Children under 18 at home - Child’s name should be on inner envelope only
   
3. Husband Title - Doctor and Mrs. John Jacob Smith
   
4. Wife Title - Doctor Jane Elizabeth Smith (1st Line)
   Mr. John Jacob Smith (2nd Line)
   
5. Divorced Woman - Ms. Jane Elizabeth Smith
   
6. Widow - Mrs. John Jacob Smith
   
7. Man or Woman Living Together - Ms. Isabelle Grace Anderson (1st Line)
   Mr. Taylor Lynn Grey (2nd line)
   
8. Single Man - Mr. Taylor Lynn Grey
   
9. Single Woman - Miss (or Ms.) Isabelle Grace Anderson
   

The return address should be on the back flap of the envelope. An exception would be reply cards, where no return address is printed.

Stunique Fall Newsletter

Check out our Fall Newsletter!

We hope our newsletter will offer you helpful tips, ideas and great products. The newsletter is interactive, so if you see something you like - just click on it for more detail!

To access the 2008 Fall Newsletter please click here.