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Katie Michelle Designs

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Invitations, event decorations, templates and custom creations. Classic, fresh and fun designs, created in the beautiful state of Oregon.

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Katie Michelle Designs

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Dark Fall Gothic Inspired Styled Wedding

October 18, 2018 Katie Ralls
Gothic and Fall Inspired Wedding

Evidently it has been since February of 2017 that I have posted anything on the blog-digity, which is frankly, SUPER embarrassing, but that is life. Let's forget that happened and in honor of Throwback Thursday, visit one of my favorite styled shoots TO DATE.

Becky, from Event Crush, asked my to join forces with her, Ashley Cook Photography and a list of other super talented vendors to create a dark/gothic inspired wedding shoot. I will fully admit that at first I was a little worried about this shoot, since this style is not something that I generally create but I am always up for a challenge and was totally willing to give it a try.

I really struggled to begin with to come up with something that fit the inspiration for the shoot but also still reflected my style and brand. Finally, after several drafts and trial and error I came up with some designs that I couldn't be happier with. All of the other vendors completely stepped up their game and the shoot turned out stunning. It was also lucky enough to be featured on 100 Layer Cake. Click here to see a full gallery of the shoot as well as a complete list of the vendors who participated.

Also, I am putting this in writing, it WILL NOT be almost a YEAR AND A HALF before I post something again. Goodness Katie!

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February Freebies- Spreading the Love

February 3, 2017 Katie Ralls
Ashley Cook Photography

Ashley Cook Photography

Happy First Week of February! It is officially the month of love, which I LOVE but also hate at the same time. I love the fact that people try and be kinder, show more romantic gestures and overall be nicer but I hate the fact that people need a special day to instigate these emotions and acts of kindness.

Mountain Man and I went on our first date, (a blind one at that), at the beginning of January. Proudly carrying the status of single and independent lady for many years, obviously started to make me stress as Valentine's Day loomed closer.

"We have only been dating for a little over a MONTH!" "Wait, are we even dating?" "OMG...what if he is last guy I will ever date?" "What if he has some HUGE elaborate date planned?" "What if he doesn't have ANYTHING planned?"

Obviously my mind was spiraling out of control, so I decided to take matters into my own hands and tell Mountain Man I didn't want to do ANYTHING for Valentine's Day because I didn't like the holiday. Little did I know that this completely hurt his feelings and I was selfishly not taking his into account. At the time, I had a stressful/emotionally draining job and Valentine's Day at work was no exception. MM asked if I wanted to come over for lunch on my break so I agreed. When I showed up, I saw that he had made my lunch entirely into heart shapes...and then I felt like a total jerk. 

Over the years Mountain Man has slowly chipped away at my tough exterior and made me grow to love Valentine's Day. While I still do not enjoy cheesy jewelry commercials or seeing everything doused in terrible shades of red and pink, I now realize the importance of doing something with the one(s) you love on Valentine's Day, even if those things should be done on a regular basis. So I challenge you all, don't be like old Katie. Embrace the holiday, overtime you will be glad you did.

For this month's freebies I teamed up with Ashley Cook Photography to create an adorable computer desktop background and a phone screensaver! If you are subscribed to our email list you received these at the beginning of the month, along with a free Valentine's Printable and 3 Instagram images. If you like receiving free goodies, coupon codes and other fun items in your email box, sign up for our mailing list! I promise you won't be SPAMED with junkmail OR be disappointed! Sign up by clicking HERE!

XOXO

In Monthly Freebies Tags Calligraphy

5 Reasons You Should Hire a Calligrapher

January 25, 2017 Katie Ralls
Calligraphy-Wedding-Central-Oregon-Invitations

There are so many decisions to be made when it comes to your wedding day; the venue...finding your perfect dress...should we have an open bar?...do we really need to invite our crazy third cousins removed...? Eventually all of these decisions can become so overwhelming it is hard to choose what options should be a priority and what ones can be scrapped. 

Calligraphy is often one of the first things to be removed from the priority list once the reality of your budget sinks in and the realization of how much everything costs and how quickly it is adding up comes into play. While calligraphy is not a necessity for a wedding, there are many reason why hiring a calligrapher can make the wedding process easier and more beautiful for you. 

Ashley Cook Photography

Ashley Cook Photography

Saves You Time

Hiring a calligrapher to address your invitations will not only save you time, it can also save you frustration and money. Once you receive your invites in the mail, you can ship them to your calligrapher, along with your address list, and magically they return to you, beautifully addressed! Calligraphers have special tools and know of certain tricks to get your addresses centered and straight. Trying to do this yourself can lead to frustration and also may lead you to having to purchase more envelopes. And do you REALLY want to have to address envelopes when you get home after a long day at work? Most likely not. 

Creates Wedding Cohesion 

Calligraphers have an eye for design, color and often times even some form of design degree, so they will be able to help you pick something that will coordinate with your wedding and overall look. Calligraphy doesn't have to just be for your wedding invitations, it can also be used for place cards, menus, programs, wedding vows, signage, ect. Many calligraphers also offer invitation design services. By hiring a calligrapher for all of the design services above, your wedding will have a cohesive design that is carried throughout your whole event. 

Builds Excitement With Your Guests

In a time where texting and email reigns king and almost everything is being converted to paperless or digital, receiving a handwritten envelope mail is a rarity. People love seeing their name written, especially when written in beautiful calligraphy. When your guest opens their mailbox to find a gorgeous envelope addressed specially to them, it will not only excite them about your upcoming wedding but also make them feel so special. 

There is the age old argument that the wedding is about the couple getting married, not about the wedding guests, which is partly true but also partly not. Your wedding guests, if you are inviting the right ones, are the people that have been with you through the highs and lows of your relationship and are now witnessing you and your fiance become one. Once you are married, they will continue to support you throughout your marriage and lives. Your wedding is also the first official party you will be throwing together as a married couple, so why not go the extra mile with your hospitality and make your guests feel extra special?

Follows Correct Etiquette

Your guest list includes a priest, an orthopedic surgeon, your childhood best friend and your husband's uncle and aunt who are separated but still living together. Should all of these envelopes be addressed the same? Absolutely not. Your calligrapher will know the proper way to address envelopes based upon different people, professions and circumstances, making sure proper etiquette is followed.

Your Wedding Day is Special

Lastly, your wedding is special and will be a day you remember for the rest of your life. You have spent and invested time, energy, money, love and possibly some tears into making sure this day is just how you imagined. If hiring a calligrapher is just not in your budget there are alternatives. You can hand address them yourself, digitally print your envelopes, or even learn faux or real calligraphy yourself. Under no circumstances however, use printed labels. Address labels are used for mass mailings from insurance or televisions companies, not for your wedding. Your wedding invitations are special so why treat them like a discount coupon?

Ashley Cook Photography

Ashley Cook Photography

If you are looking for a calligrapher or would like to hear more about how they can help with your special day, KMD would love to hear from you! Reach out and send us a note: hello@katiemichelleralls.com

Ashley Cook Photography

Ashley Cook Photography

Tags calligraphy, wedding invitations, wedding, central oregon weddings, Oregon, Wedding Inspiration
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Thanks for stopping by my blog! I hope you are inspired and find some beauty here to brighten your day. 

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