The Monogram Theme Wedding

Monograms are a huge trend in weddings, to the point where they feature strongly in some, and in others, provide the actual theme. And what's not to like about monograms? They're elegant, understated, versatile, and a dramatic visual reminder of your new life together.

Ideas for including monograms

You'll find them popping up in more and more places throughout the reception, and sometimes even prior to it. Here are some ways that brides include monograms:

- embossed, stamped or printed bridal stationary

- custom postage stamps (see www.funstamps.com)

- stationary seals or stickers

- painted aisle runners

- printed bridal bouquet ribbons

- bridal underwear or garter

- bridal handkerchief

- accent to bridal train, veil or gown

- ring bearer's pillow

- stamped or printed out-of-town bags

- bridesmaids' totes

- guestbook

- engraved guestbook pen

- tablecloths

- chair covers

- place cards and menus

- cocktail napkins

- coasters

- centerpieces

- engraved cake server set

- cake embellishment

- wood, wire, metal, chocolate or acrylic monogram cake topper

- monogram wreaths of silk or real flowers

- fabric wall or door banners

- champagne flutes

- bottled water labels

- "tears of joy" packs

- monogrammed wedding favors: cookies, ornaments, shot glasses, votive candles, chocolates, petit fours, notepads, favor boxes

- dance floor "gobo" projections

How do I get a monogram?

You make it! Many brides find they can "roll their own" using a readily-available software program such as Microsoft Word or PowerPoint. If you're a graphic designer or have access to high-end tools, you'd probably prefer Adobe Illustrator, but Word or PowerPoint are also fine. If you've played around but don't like the results, call on an arty friend.

To design your monogram in Microsoft Word:

Choose Insert -> Textbox. Type and format the letter the way you like it. Do this three times. Now click on all textboxes and choose Format->Textbox. Choose Color: No Fill (so you can overlap letters) and Line: No Line. Select all letters, right click, and choose Group to lock in the arrangement. You can now copy your image into Microsoft Paint and save in several formats, such as JPEG.

To design your monogram in PowerPoint:

You'll want to use "Word Art" to create your letters. Click on the blue tilted "A" on the bottom toolbar for each letter. Format them to your liking. When you're done designing, select all the letters, right-click, and choose Grouping->Group. Now you can click on your image and right-click for Save as Image. PowerPoint lets you save directly in formats like JPEG, PNG and TIFF.

Some more design tips:

The bride's initial goes first in a monogram. When the bride takes the groom's last name, the order is: bride's first initial, shared last initial (usually larger), groom's first initial.

If the bride keeps her own last name, one option is four-initial monogram (bride's first, bride's last, groom's last, groom's first). Or just join the couple's first names with an ampersand (Jenny & Mike).

Some etiquette tips:

It's somewhat frowned upon to use your couples monogram before you're actually married. So, your reception's clearly a green light, but you might want to skip using it on your invites. The ceremony itself is sort of a Ms. Manners gray area. Some brides uphold the spirit (if not the letter) of the "law" by including the monogram in a not-so-public ceremonial spot, such as a garter, or inside the dress.

Of course, these being modern times, some brides just include the monogram wherever and whenever they want.

Great places to get the fancy fonts brides crave, for free:

www.dafont.com/en/

www.chank.com/freefonts.php

www.abstractfonts.com/fonts/< /p>

instant.coffeecup.com/content/fonts/

www.1001freefonts.com

DIY monogrammed aisle runner

It's not hard to create your own monogrammed aisle runner, and it makes a big splash. If you have a sewing machine, you can buy and hem the fabric for next to nothing. Now you just need some fabric paint in black or your wedding colors, a pencil, an exacto knife and some cardstock. You also need to decide where you want to place the monogram. Some aisle runners feature a monogram at the bottom, where the procession begins; the top, where the couple stands; and in the middle.

Print out your monogram and blow it up to your desired size on a copying machine. (If your aisle fabric is on the sheer side, you can now trace your monogram directly onto the fabric with pencil. Fill in with fabric paint, and you're done.) Otherwise, tape the enlarged monogram onto the cardstock and cut out the shape with an exacto knife. Trace inside your new template lightly with pencil. Fill in with fabric paint. Follow the same procedure to make your own monogrammed table runners or even chair covers.

The dance floor monogram

A dramatic and memorable way to include your monogram is to project it onto the dance floor during the reception. As fun as this is, though, it's not cheap and sometimes not easy. To project a monogram, you need to buy a custom metal plate, called a "gobo." Custom gobo manufacturers are easily found online. The gobo itself usually costs over $100, but once made, you then need specific lights equipped with a pattern holder to use the gobo. It's possible that your venue, or your DJ, will be able to provide these lights or help you locate a place from which to rent them.

A final tip

Now that you have some ideas for incorporating monograms in your wedding, remember the essence of elegance is restraint. It's easy to overdo monograms, so mix them up contrasting touches, such as soft and romantic floral arrangements, to warm up the monogram's cool and classic feel.

About the Author Blake Kritzberg is editor at "FavorIdeas.com." Stop by for a huge selection of wedding favors, Bridezilla's weekly adventures, and free resources for brides: save-the-date eCards, screensaver, wallpaper and web site templates. http://www.favorideas.com

---

Google News Updated : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 02:07:34 GMT Hot Docs: Defending Georgia, Girls Married by 15, the Chemical BPA ... - U.S. News & World Report CTV.ca Hot Docs: Defending Georgia, Girls Married by 15, the Chemical BPA ... U.S. News & World Report - Sep 5, 2008 A Resolute Strategy on Georgia: One day after Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice announced "at least $1 billion" in aid to Georgia, a Center for Strategic and International Studies report looks at increasing criticisms of such programs. Bisphenol A may harm fetuses, infants and children Food Consumer That Plastic Baby Bottle New York Times eFluxMedia - Los Angeles Times - Washington Post - AHN all 308 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:01:40 GMT Tough Game Expected, but Penn State Makes It a Rout - New York Times Washington Post Tough Game Expected, but Penn State Makes It a Rout New York Times - 50 minutes ago By AP Evan Royster rushed for 141 yards and 3 touchdowns, Daryll Clark threw two scoring passes and the defense for 19th-ranked Penn State did not miss a beat without two suspended starters Saturday in a 45-14 victory over visiting Oregon State. Clark, Royster lead Nittany Lions to romp over Oregon State Seattle Post Intelligencer Big Ten early notes: Penn State makes a statement ESPN The Associated Press - SportingNews.com - Dawgman.com - Big Ten Network all 388 news articles Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 01:17:05 GMT Google Chrome Reflects A Desktop In Decline - InformationWeek PR Web (press release) Google Chrome Reflects A Desktop In Decline InformationWeek - 4 hours ago After 10 years as a company, Google is making the Chrome browser key to the coming of age of cloud computing, or software as a service. Mozilla updates Firefox 3.1 with Alpha 2 build Computerworld Mozilla releases second Firefox 3.1 alpha CNET News CRN - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Examiner.com - Hartford Courant all 231 news articles Publ.Date : Sat, 06 Sep 2008 21:46:03 GMT 'Wrestler' takes top honors at Venice - Variety 'Wrestler' takes top honors at Venice Variety - 5 hours ago By JEFF SNEIDER Darren Aronofsky's "The Wrestler" has won the Venice Film Festival's Golden Lion. Pic stars Mickey Rourke as a past-his-prime wrestler on the comeback trail. 'Wrestler' wins Golden Lion Hollywood Reporter "The Wrestler" wins Venice Golden Lion Reuters Independent - The Associated Press - guardian.co.uk - TIME all 418 news articles Publ.Date : Sat, 06 Sep 2008 20:11:44 GMT Rival Tickets Are Redrawing Battlegrounds - New York Times Times Online Rival Tickets Are Redrawing Battlegrounds New York Times - 3 hours ago Senator John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin held a rally on Saturday at an airplane hanger in Colorado Springs, Colo. By PATRICK HEALY and MICHAEL COOPER Fresh from the Republican convention, Senator John McCain’s campaign sees evidence that his choice of ... On to the main event for McCain, Obama Atlanta Journal Constitution Obama, McCain to Honor Victims of 9/11 Together Voice of America AFP - Hagerstown Morning Herald - Washington Post - Financial Times all 1,434 news articles Publ.Date : Sat, 06 Sep 2008 22:23:34 GMT 'Bangkok Dangerous' - Los Angeles Times Los Angeles Times 'Bangkok Dangerous' Los Angeles Times - 3 hours ago The Pang brothers remake their audacious 1999 film, but without the gritty, seamy feel of the original, it seems like just another bullet ballet out of a Steve Wynn dream. 'Dangerous' prosperous at box office Variety An Assassin Arrives to Turn Off the Lights New York Times Metromix - Reuters - Boston Herald - Portsmouth Herald News all 275 news articles Publ.Date : Sat, 06 Sep 2008 22:52:03 GMT FDA to List Drugs Being Investigated - Washington Post ABC News FDA to List Drugs Being Investigated Washington Post - 21 hours ago By David Brown The Food and Drug Administration will begin posting every three months a list of drugs whose safety is under investigation because of complaints brought to the agency's attention by drug companies, physicians and patients. The Basics on the Foodfight Over Irradiation U.S. News & World Report 20 Drugs FDA Is Watching WebMD Wall Street Journal - Los Angeles Times - The Associated Press - CNNMoney.com all 535 news articles Publ.Date : Sat, 06 Sep 2008 04:19:40 GMT Rss Feed Reader Increase Online Traffic

PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts, Websites, and more...

Adsense websites

Bridal Beauty Tips For Your Special Day

It's your day! The most special day of your life,... Read More

Wedding Dresses - How to Buy Dreamy Wedding Gowns Online

Wedding dresses are literally the icing on the cake on... Read More

Marriage Proposals ? Why Doing It Right Will Make All the Difference

Proposing marriage to your beloved is a very big step.... Read More

The Gracious Bride

The key to being a gracious bride is to be... Read More

Whats in a Greek Wedding?

The wedding service in the Greek Orthodox faith is an... Read More

Wedding Dresses - What To Wear

You have begun to plan your wedding and you want... Read More

Top 5 Wedding Favors and Why

WHAT ARE THE TOP FIVE WEDDING FAVORS AND WHY?At most... Read More

Wedding Favors That Embrace Nature?s Beauty

A wedding planned in the spirit of nature provides the... Read More

Reception to do List for an Outdoor Reception

You have to start with a thorough to do list... Read More

Who Should Get A Gift At Your Wedding?

Planning a wedding is hard enough without having to think... Read More

Cheap Las Vegas Weddings

Imagine the cheapest wedding you'd like. You have to pay... Read More

New Trends for Wedding Favors 2005

Wedding favors have evolved over time. Wedding favors today combine... Read More

Meaningful Wedding Gift Ideas

A wedding is one of the most special days planned... Read More

Expressions of Devotion: Buying Engagement Rings, Wedding Rings, and Wedding Bands Online

Ritual symbolism abounds in everything we do; this is particularly... Read More

Choosing your Wedding Favors

How do you give thanks and make a lasting impression... Read More

Planning a Special Wedding Shower

The wedding shower is a traditional party of the marriage... Read More

Terrific Advice Concerning Destination Weddings As Shared By Two Gurus On The Topic

Today Norm Goldman, Editor of Sketchandtravel.com & Bookpleasures.com is pleased... Read More

Wedding Extravaganza

The extravagance of weddings is a popular topic. We blame... Read More

Legislating Morality: The Sanction of Marriage

Biologically, a coupling between male and female (with some very... Read More

The Wedding Dress Revealed

Fashion Trends and Popular Styles and ColorsThe Wedding Dress ?... Read More

Wedding Shower Invitations: An Overview

The purpose of a wedding shower is to celebrate the... Read More

Wedding Photography - Tips for a Wonderful Session

Every couple wants wonderful photos of their wedding day that... Read More

Second Marriages. Estate Planning Concerns

One of the biggest areas of dispute in estate planning... Read More

28 Things That Really Do Matter In Marriage (Short Shots On Living An Exceptional Life)

In my opinion, these things matter...1. Valuing commitment over instant... Read More

How to Have a Dream Wedding on a Budget

No one wants to pay more than they have to... Read More