Happy Wednesday! Today is a special Wednesday because it's the last Wednesday of July, which means it's time for our monthly guest post from the lovely ladies at Utah Bride Blog, Audrey O'Brien and Megan Bailey.

For those of you who don't know, aside from her duties at UBB, Megan is also the owner of a custom paper goods company, Pink Piggy Design. She regularly dreams up custom invitations and more for some of Utah's best and most beautiful weddings. I happen to be a paper goods fanatic, and nothing makes my heart go pitter-patter more than oodles of paper goods at a wedding--the more printed matter the better in my book!

So, for this month's guest blog, I asked Megan to pen a post about the importance of paper goods at weddings, from your invitation right on through to programs, escort cards, table numbers, place cards, and favor tags. Today, she shares the scoop on how and why you should leave a pretty paper trail when it comes to your big day--along with some visual examples from Jacque Lynn Photography of a local bride who did just that! Take it away, Megan!

If you are a planning bride, you have probably heard someone say, "Your invites are the first element of your event your guests will see." These really are words to live by and to always keep in mind. If there is one tip that I can strongly express right off the bat, it would be to meet with a custom stationer right from the get go when planning your wedding. This is a crucial step in your planning process and can really set a major precedence for your entire event design.

If you are unsure about your color palette and the exact direction you want for your wedding, a skilled designer can help bring your vision to life by pointing out color palettes that are complementary and also fitting for your personal style. Your stationer will also help you come up with a unique motif or design that portrays the mood and theme of your event. If you have these important details conceptualized in the beginning of your planning, you can use the images and motifs to pull together the rest of your decor elements--such as your cake, flowers, linens, and table design--to create a very cohesive and thoughtful look.

Another very important tip that brides often overlook is how much custom programs, menus, escort cards, table cards, table numbers, and favor tags really add to the overall look and feel of your event. It really is all in the details, and these small details go a long way!

Something that many brides don't realize is that additional printed matter is actually very affordable! If you are working with a custom stationer, it's easy for them to take the design elements and fonts they've created for your invitations and carry them through to your menus, escort cards, table cards, and any other printed items for a very personalized presentation. Take advantage of the incredible custom design your stationer has created for you, and seamlessly flow those design concepts into your table designs. Trust me--your guests will notice the extra effort you put into every detail!

Lastly, be sure to allow your custom designer ample time to come up with something truly unique and perfectly fitting for your style. There are a lot of important details that go into creating and executing wedding invitations, so you want to make sure you allow your stationer plenty of time for every detail to be met with perfection. An expert stationer will guide you through the process seamlessly and stress-free!

Thank you Megan, Pink Piggy, and UBB for sharing the scoop on the importance of paper goods at weddings. Brides, what did you learn? Do you feel inspired to ring up a custom stationer and get started on a great design concept for your invitations and additional printed matter? Will custom programs, menus, place cards, and more make an appearance at your wedding? We'd love to hear your thoughts on paper goods!

{Image credits: Photography: Jacque Lynn Photography; Venue: Bountiful Temple/Joseph Smith Memorial Building; Dress: Gateway Bridal; Invites, Table Numbers, Stationery: Pink Piggy Design}