Friday, July 30, 2010

Hampton Paper Designs giveaway!


For the last July giveaway (can you believe how this month has flown by!), Bridal Bubbly wanted to do something special to celebrate our blog relaunch. So we teamed up with some folks who have their own reason to celebrate: Hampton Paper Designs. 

Hampton Paper has always been a chic source for handcrafted stationary, but the company just rolled out their very own bridal line, and it’s already making a big splash in the industry. You may have seen their work in a recent issue of OK! Magazine—HPD provided the entire paper ensemble at the celebrity wedding of Jana Kramer (One Tree Hill) and Johnathon Schaech (That Thing You Do!). We’re talking invitations, response cards, menu cards, place cards, table cards, programs, and even stickers for favors and welcome bags—Hampton Paper does it all, and it’s all totally gorgeous. 

We had a chance to speak with the lovely Kristin Mika, the owner of Hampton Paper Designs, about where she gets her inspiration and what advice she’d offer brides. 



How did you start Hampton Paper?  
Hampton Paper Designs was created to fill a void I noticed while shopping for birth announcements after my younger son, Jackson, was born. I was looking for a perfect balance of style and simplicity with images that were classic. I called upon a close family friend and talented artist, Lucy Borge and she started me off with several hand-painted images.  The idea of Hampton Paper Designs had always been in the back of my mind and on this occasion I just decided that the time was right to give it a go.

What is your favorite part of your business? 
Constantly expanding our available images and seeing the new ones in print.  I also love picking up custom orders from the printer.  You can’t beat the excitement of finally seeing a final product that a client and I agonized over, opening the box and seeing that it came out exactly as we had envisioned.  That is so rewarding for me.

How would you define Hampton Paper's style? 
Hampton Paper's style is actually a reflection of my personal style, simple and classic. Typically I can be found in jeans or black pants and a crisp white shirt with a great piece of jewelry.

What inspires you? 
Everything and everyone! I am constantly thinking of new images and products for the line based on my experiences and I like to think that is what helps me to keep Hampton Paper Designs growing and evolving.  Many of the images were inspired from my childhood memories such as the Magnolia and Windmill.

What is your favorite design?
My favorite designs change frequently-- I easily fall in love with new images! My current favorite is the mailbox since we are moving and I can’t wait to use it on the “Just Moved” cards.

What is your most popular? 
The Adirondack Chair. It’s a client favorite. We see it used on correspondence cards, notepads for beach houses, invitations for summer parties and for weddings.

What is one bit of advice you'd offer brides?
Hire a wedding planner! Next to marrying the right guy, it was one of the best decisions I made at the time! (Full disclosure: Laura was her wedding planner over 13 years ago!)



Now thanks to Kristin, Hampton Paper is offering Bridal Bubbly readers the chance to win a $100.00 gift certificate to be used on any of the company’s wedding stationery portfolio. To enter the drawing, please email us at weddings@engagingaffairs.com with Hampton Paper Designs as your subject line. 

Thanks so much to Kristin and the entire team at Hampton Paper Designs for this wonderful giveaway!

How to contact Hampton Paper Designs:
Twitter: twitter.com/HamptonPaper/status/11346029530
Email: info@hamptonpaperdesigns.com


Say Yes to the Dress Atlanta Premiere Tonight!

 Fashion director Monte and salon owner Lori make brides' dreams come true! (Credit: DCL)

We are so excited about the new Atlanta version of "Say Yes to the Dress!" Mostly because we are good friends with one of the show's new stars, Monte Durham.  For those in the D.C. wedding scene, Monte has been a fixture for over 15 years.  He's done more of my brides' hair and makeup over the years than I could possibly count (and he's even done my hair for the past few years although if I don't fix it so it looks good, he won't claim me)!  We have had countless bridal adventures together (some tales too wild to tell), and I count him among my dear friends.

Monte is one of the funniest and kindest people I know.  He also tells it like it is and has a flair for the dramatic so I can't wait to see what he says on the show.  All I can say is, brace yourself, folks!  If I know Monte, it's going to be a wild ride!

A sneak preview of the Atlanta edition airs on July 30 (tonight!!!) at 9:30 p.m. eastern time on TLC and tune in for the season premiere on Aug. 6 at 9 p.m. eastern time! Then it will continue on Friday nights at 9pm. I know what I'm adding to my Friday night before-the-wedding preparation ritual where I go through my emergency kit and do escort card alphabetizing.  A little "Say Yes to the Dress Atlanta" and a refreshing does of Monte.  I know he can always make me laugh!

The show is set at Bridals by Lori, which has been dressing Southern brides for their perfect day for nearly 30 years.  In "Say Yes to the Dress Atlanta," you'll meet Southern brides of every stripe, women who Lori describes as "educated, particular, very fashionable and strong-willed."

We'll be watching with ya'll!
Laura