Let’s welcome our two new employees.
 

Kimberly Mithsada is our newest wedding designer. She has won several online design contests and is brilliantly talented. When she isn’t designing gorgeous invitations, she is getting her caramel macchiato on. We love having her on our team!
 

Steven Pailthorp is also new on the team. He is the first to embark on our new position as production guru. He loves photography and digs board games.
 

 

Creating a data merge file can be confusing! We get a lot of questions regarding addressing etiquette and setup in Excel so here is a helpful 3 step guide to a perfect data merge!
 

 
Before you get started…
 
We recommend using our handy template. You can find the template attached to this blog post or your designer would be happy to email it to you.
 
We know that you probably have several spreadsheets already created for your wedding but please create a brand new spreadsheet specifically to send to Anders to avoid confusion.
 
Please exclude any unnecessary information from your spreadsheet such as seating assignments, notes, gifts, catering selections etc…
 
Please avoid using all caps and fancy formatting such as fonts and colors.
 
STEP ONE:
 
Label your spreadsheet with the bride’s last name. If you have to send us a revised file, please number it. Example: Peterson_datamerge.xls, Peterson_datamerge2.xls
 
STEP TWO:
 
Fill out each column below its respective header in Row 1 (NAME, GUEST, ADDRESS etc….) Do not delete the headers.
 
Each column will appear on a separate line when printed.
 
The NAME column:
 
This column should be reserved for the person or couple you are inviting only.
 
If the person is single: “Ms. Megan Parker”
 
If the couple is married: “Mr. and Mrs. James Blackwood”
 
If the couple is not married, but lives together: “Mr. Adrian Woods and Ms. Alison Golden”
 
The GUEST column:
 
Traditionally, guests and other family members should be listed on a separate line by using their name(s). If you don’t know their name(s) use “and guest” or “and family”.
 
The ADDRESS and ADDRESS2 column:
 
Street addresses go in the ADDRESS column. Apartment or suite numbers go in ADDRESS2. If there is no apartment, flat, or suite number, please leave ADDRESS2 blank.
 
The CITY, STATE ZIP Column:
 
City, state and zip code should stay in one column. Please do not separate them into separate columns.
 
The COUNTRY column:
 
Only use the COUNTRY column for guests who live outside of the United States. Otherwise, please leave this column blank.
 
STEP THREE:
 
Send your spreadsheet to your designer in .xls format by attaching it to an email. Before you send your file, double check spelling and make sure you have labeled your spreadsheet with the bride’s last name to avoid additional charges.
 
VOILA! You’re done! Your designer will email you back with a proof of the data merge exactly how it will appear when printed. If you find any mistakes in this proof, please supply your designer with a corrected Excel document. Your designer is unable to edit the information in your spreadsheet.
 
[Download] Mail Merge Template

It seemed to be just an average day. The usual pile of papers scattered about upon my desk, the sound of the printer running from the back of the shop and Copy Cat in his bed, napping after his mid-day snack. Gazing out the window longing for the days of Spring, my eyes met the face of a girl who would change me and everyone who was connected to what happened next.
 
She came through the door in a bit of a panic, carrying a box of items, ragged and disheveled. She spoke up without hesitation as if she had no time to waste. “Did someone bring in a bag?” She asked in a hurry. After working several years at the shop, I had been asked an array of questions, “Tamale? Tamale?”, “Do you sell stamps?” and “Are you baking cookies?” but this question I hadn’t heard. “A bag of what,” I thought, trying to make some sense of it. She continued to tell me the story of how she lost her laptop computer and over a thousand dollars in cash.
 
Tova was her name. She was a student. She had come to Portland looking for a job and a place to call home. With her hatchback filled with nearly everything she owned, Tova went on to explain how her computer had somehow spilled out the back of her car along with other personal possessions. She had gone back to look for her belongings but it was too late. Her computer had gone missing along with her wallet. Tearful and in shock, she admitted that it was her thesis that worried her most. It was on that computer, lost and unaccounted for. We stepped out on the front steps as if to survey the street one last time. I too was in disbelief. The scope of the situation was starting to sink in and I struggled to find words to comfort her. Leaving her contact information behind, she left to gather her thoughts, to plan her next step and to reconsider if this was the town for her.
 
A couple of days passed and work went on as usual. Then came Saturday, the day that would stand out in our minds forever. The shop was busy as it always is on the weekend, when an older couple came walking in. Greeting them, it was clear that this couple was not in need of an invitation or anything of that sort. This couple, with nothing more than the shirts on their backs had seen the sign. It was one of many signs that Tova had tacked up around the neighborhood directing anyone who might know anything about her computer, to come into the shop. There they were, tears in their eyes, with barely a voice to announce their findings. If anyone needed a little extra money, it was them. In one hand the woman held a bag encasing the laptop and in the other, a wallet. She finally was able to speak and when she did, the entire shop was all ears. She had seen the sign, and she uttered softly, “We just couldn’t keep the money” with tears in her eyes. In that very moment, I realized how her honesty was so refreshing in a world riddled with daily chaos. Jill, who owns our shop, recognized just how great a gift this was not only to Tova, but to all involved. Honesty is the gift that is contagious, lasting and worth rewarding. She then walked to the cash register and pulled out a few large bills as a thank you. She too was forever touched.
 
Later that day, Tova was reunited with her computer, thesis and wallet. She placed a generous sum in an envelope for the couple as she was so grateful for their bravery. Later she sent a little note reading:
 
Hi Ladies!
 
Thank you again for your part in facilitating the return of my bag. I am still in disbelief that I am typing on my computer this morning. I will be back in town in June looking for apartments and will certainly pop in to say hello. There truly are wonderful people in this town and the three of you are each one of them!
 
Thank you!
Hugs, Tova
 

Swing into spring! These samples were printed in the early days of Anders.
 

 

Ok, so I have to admit that I was a little nervous. When I awoke the morning of our bridal open house, the weather report was predicting snow! I was having visions of snow shoeing to work and crossed my fingers that it would all work out. The stars must have all been aligned just right that evening because it did work out.
 
The night was full of handcrafted flower arrangements, cookies made with love, photos taken with a thoughtful eye, video footage prepared with a creative edge, mouth watering hors d’oeuvres and jams, letterpressed invitations designed with insurmountable talent, 2 beautifully elegant, handmade wedding gowns, and a spirit that couldn’t be duplicated. It truly was a magical evening. Thanks to our brilliant vendors who made for great company, we had the opportunity to meet many lovely brides who were so eager to get a jump start on planning. Many thanks to those brides for helping make the night fresh and exciting!
 
My favorite moment of the evening was at the very end. We drew our lucky raffle winner’s name, Ashley Carroll. She won a beautiful box filled with wonderful gifts provided by all of the vendors worth over $1,200!
 
Copy Cat couldn’t make it that night, but he was in a warm, cozy place. A few brides did ask about our friend and were sad to hear that he had other plans.
 
Surrounded by our friends, family and our amazing customers, the night was no less than perfect. I was right were I wanted to be, snow or no snow.
 

 

Our Bridal Open House is just around the corner and we would love for all you brides-to-be to join us. We are very excited about this event. From the rafters to the store front, we have been working to bring Anders into the 21st century and we are kicking it off with some vintage inspiration and charm.
 
This will be the first time we have ever collaborated with other wedding vendors for an event at our own shop! Some of our favorites including Doug Stanley Productions, Le Cookie Monkey, Botanica Floral, Hybrid Moon, Erica Photography, Ella Events, Crave Catering, Pink Slip Jam, The Mark Spencer Hotel and Stephanie D. Couture will be helping to make the evening amazing. We are happy to be teaming up with such a great group of people and we would love for you to meet them.
 
At the end of the evening, pull your name out of a hat and win something wonderful from all of us! There can only be one winner so hopefully you’ll have your good luck charm handy.
 
Make sure you save the date for a great evening of food, drinks, desserts, music and more.
 
Feburary 29, 2012
From 5-8 p.m.
at Anders Printing
 

Waiting at the back door, playing in the rafters, sleeping on an old vintage suitcase, stretching after a long nap, climbing up blinds and leaping from tables…yep, that’s our Copy Cat.
 
One day a few months back during the holiday season, a stray kitten wandered in off the street. That never happens! Maybe the occasional dog along side his owner but never a cat flying solo. He was absolutely adorable! I know what you are thinking and it’s not so, that wandering kitten was NOT Copy Cat. Well he was but he wasn’t. I’m getting to it… We put up fliers so we could return him to his rightful owner but in the meantime, we fell in love. Our new friend didn’t seem to have a name and one of our customers had a genius of idea; she gave him the temporary name of “Copy Cat”. It just made sense. As in life, all good things must come to an end and sure enough, a day later Copy Cat was back in the arms of his owner.
 
Several weeks passed and our old friend was still on our minds. It became clear to the Anders team that Copy Cat left a void in our hearts even though our time together was short. We realized that in a working atmosphere with the ups and downs of business, a furry friend broke the monotony of our daily routine.
 
Days later, rumors were flying and there was a lot of strange behavior among certain members of our team. Before we knew it, a little grey and white ball of fur rounded the corner of the wall which separates the back and the front of the shop. Rescued from the humane society, I picked him up only to be greeted with the purring of a kitty who knows he’s home and just then, we knew he really was. A glint from his collar caught my eye and there in shiny engraved letters upon his tag, two words that were dear to our hearts, “Copy Cat”.
 

 

 

One day last year, we got this wild idea that we would add a sitting area or what I like to call the “living room” to the shop. We made several jokes about taking naps on the sofa during our lunch hour and tried to imagine what the space would even look like after having the convenience of tables for so many years. Would we have a couch..a couple of chairs.. a sofa bed..what about a cat?
 
Well, our vision has now turned into reality and it looks pretty darn good – a little bit of a 40’s vintage vibe to go with the era of our shop. It is still a work in progress and is scheduled to be complete by the end of February.
 
So when you come in, make yourself at home. Maybe say “hi” to Mr. Copy Cat. That’s right, we also made space for a new kitten. Stay tuned because that story is for another post.
 

 
 

The Art of Wedding Bridal Show is just days away and we cannot wait! This will be our first year being a part of this fantastic event and we hope to see you there. This show has a creative, modern and fresh feel that just says chic. We will be showcasing our new Vintage Collection wedding invitations complete with letterpress options. Hip Hip Hooray!
 
What is an event without wine tasting and cake sampling? Luckily you won’t have to find out because there is going to be plenty of that. A select number of local vendors will also be there. It really is going to be a one of a kind event. That is why you can’t miss it.
 
Go get inspired and get out of this crazy weather. Keep reading for details!
 
When:
Thursday, January 19, 2012
 
Where:
Pure Space Portland
1315 NW Overton
Portland, OR 97209
 
Time:
6 – 9:30 pm
 
Ticket Pricing:
Standard – $15 online or $20 at the door
VIP – $50 at the door
 
artofweddingspdx.com
 

 

 

Thank you to all the lovely people who attended the Portland Bridal Show this weekend. It went off without a hitch. So thank you for wanting to get hitched! We really appreciate all of your continued support and we couldn’t do it without you.
 
And for those who couldn’t make it, we kicked off our new Vintage Collection invitations. Check out some of the pictures from the booth! We would love to hear what you think.