This is the Transcript of the #WeddingMarket Chat on May 22nd, 2013 with Marc Friedland know as the “Godfather of the Invitation and author Cheryl Najafi on the NY Times best sellers list. The answers were made on Twitter so responses will appear different. See Them on the Marie Osmond Show on the Hallmark Channel on Wednesday, May 29th.
Known as the “Godfather of the Invitation” and the “stationer to the stars,” Los Angeles-based Marc Friedland is America’s foremost custom invitation and social communications designer. He has been called upon to transform events into memorable and extraordinary lifetime experiences by leading entrepreneurs from the likes of Paul Allen to Oprah Winfrey; by Fortune 500 corporations from Time Warner to Microsoft; and by A-list celebrities from Elton John to Steven Spielberg, Quincy Jones to Tom Hanks, Jennifer Lopez and John Travolta.
In 2011, Marc was selected to create the first ever custom-designed envelopes and Oscar® announcement cards for the Academy Awards® by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The relationship has expanded and Marc now designs all Oscar related event invitations and along with the only Academy sanctioned online digital Oscar party invitations for consumers. In 2011, Marc was tapped by Evite, the world’s leading online invitation service, to serve as Chief Style Director for Evite Postmark, Evite’s new premium online offering.
http://www.marcfriedlandinc.com
New York Times best-selling author, Cheryl Najafi encourages others to “break the rules of proper entertaining.” Gone are the days of being the perfect host that make gatherings about as much fun and stress-free as trying on swimsuits. Cheryl shows you how to relax, use what you already have, and be yourself. “Entertaining is about making your guests feel special, not about missing the whole experience because you’re too crazed and busy to enjoy it.”
Cheryl’s book,You’re So Invited: Panic Less, Play More, and Get Your Party On! was released May 29, 2012, and hit #3 on the New York Times Best Sellers list.
Q1: Tell us a little bit about yourself & your company?
Cheryl Najafi: I love to repurpose, be creative & have fun! My goal is to help people relax & give them ideas that will make them look like a rockstar! At CherylStyle.com we make all sorts of great recipes & crafts! We love developing simple/unique ideas to share!
Marc Friedland:At Marc Friedland Couture Communications we specialize in designing a luxury wedding wardrobe from invitation to menu card.
Q2: What will we see in your wedding segment on the @MarieOsmond Show on Wed. May 29th?
Cheryl Najafi: I am featuring a beautiful spring wedding shower w/fresh lemons, succulents & printables from CherylStyle.com
Marc Friedland: Invitations tell ur story Daughter of @MarieOsmond gets an #EventBranding consultation for her wedding by Marc Friedland. We hope that you will find our segment on @marieosmond show inspiring!
Q3: What tips do you give brides in choosing their invitations?
Marc Friedland: Make it authentic & personal Include your fiancé Every romance is unique so the materials should reflect your relationship.
Q4: What advice do you give for planning weddings?
Cheryl Najafi: Relax! this is your time to savor every moment. Remember your guests are attending to celebrate YOU – not the stuff.
Marc Friedland: Think of your event as an experience All materials you use should be experiential and showcase both or your individuality. There is no rule that you can’t enjoy your own wedding!
Q5: What are the latest trends in invitations?
Marc Friedland: Thick single paneled cards Interesting color combinations Nod back to 20’s & 30’s grace, elegance thanks to #GreatGatsby. Most important is to keep it personal It doesn’t have to be strictly ink on paper.
Q6: How can couples be involved with wedding planning without the stress ?
Cheryl Najafi: Decide what you are going to focus on & then don’t stress the small stuff. If flowers are your thing, concentrate there.
Marc Friedland: How couples navigate their invitation decisions is a good indicator on how they deal with many of life’s challenges.
Q7: @Marc_Friedland How does an invitation set the tone for a wedding that demands a “must attend” response?
Cheryl Najafi: I’ve found that 3-D invitations like the ones Marc Friedland has to offer gets people excited about the party b4 it begins. Marc Friedland can put a message in a bottle or a surprise in a box for an unexpected shower invitation.
Marc Friedland: The more original, personal, special invitations are, the more it will excite & incite someone to attend. By making your invitations as unique as your romance and as inviting as possible, people will respond accordingly. We have created invitations out of wood, acrylic, fabric and ribbons Use fav lyrics, quotes, poetry that capture ur vibe. You can see many of our unique invitations on http://www.marcfriedlandinc.com . Let us know what you think!
Q8: Where do you get your inspiration for creating invitations?
Marc Friedland: Fashion, pop culture, various art, architecture, design references and from the very individuals that I consult with.
Q9: What ideas do you have to make the bridal shower fun?
Cheryl Najafi: I have a downloadable napkin treatment that asks “name something we didn’t know about the bride.” So fun! The shower sets the tone and mood for the wedding. So if u want a casual wedding, have super fun w/the shower. Play up on trends like #GreatGatsby for the shower too. Have everyone dress in period clothing or awesome hats! Adding special elements about the bride and groom make showers super fun. Incorporate a little trivia on the placecards. Create table names instead of numbers out of bride and groom trivia. example: tbl 34 (the first numbers in their new address). Find bridal shower ideas at http://cherylstyle.com like a bride emergency kit and fun easy recipe ideas. Make a lemon salt citrus scrub as a place card and party favor http://bit.ly/1a7aYWM
Q10: What star-studded clients have you created one of kind pieces for?
Marc Friedland: Favorite invitations designed for #QuincyJones #Oprah #Rita &TomHanks JenniferAniston, #HeidiKlume and #JLo .
Q11: How can brides make their table settings from fancy to unforgettable?
Cheryl Najafi: Try using playful table #’s that include facts about the couple. For ex: Table 23 (age groom was when they met) & so on. For a fresh garden feel core apples and turn them into votives http://bit.ly/QV3YVE
Marc Friedland: Designing unforgettable menus & place cards helps dress up and frame a table setting
Q12: What would you like everyone to take away from this #WeddingMarket Chat ?
Cheryl Najafi: This is YOUR big day – Live the moment! Things may if nothing goes “wrong” at your wedding, what stories will you laugh about later? Ha! Just relax and savor each moment!if nothing goes “wrong” at your wedding, what stories will you laugh about later? Ha! Just relax and savor each moment!
Marc Friedland: Your #weddinginvitation is the first public extension of how you will entertain as a couple Invitations=lasting keepsake. tip #Digitalinvitations great for save-the-date/bridal showers Wedding invitations must be specially printed. Be careful planning your wedding around family vacations. IE: NYE, 4th of July and X-mas.
Wedding Market Question: How did you get involved with party planning tips?
Cheryl Najafi: I wrote a book You’re So Invited: Panic less, play more and get your party on! Now website @cherylstyle. My philosophy: Concentrate on what you love to do and ask others to help you w/what you aren’t as good at.
Wedding Market Question: What was your experience working with the @MarieOsmond Show on @HallmarkChannel ?
Cheryl Najafi: @MarieOsmond is one of the most genuine and gracious people I’ve ever work with. A tru gem
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