gistfile1.js

var Messages = {
  loader: jQuery('<div class="loading">Loading...</div>'),
  thanks: jQuery('<div class="success">Thanks! We\'ll stay in touch!</div>'),
  error: jQuery('<div class="ajax-error">Oh no. Something really terrible happened</div>'),
};
var contact_form = jQuery('#contact-form');
var colorBox = jQuery.fn.colorbox;

jQuery('#email-form').validate({
  submitHandler: function(form) {
    var $this = jQuery(form);
    $this.hide(); //this hides the form
    
    if (contact_form.find('.loading').length <= 0) {
      contact_form.prepend(Messages.loader); 
    } else {
      contact_form.find('.loading').show();
    }
    colorBox.resize();
    
    jQuery.ajax({
      type: "POST",
      url: $this.attr("action"),
      // this submits the form to the same place as described
      // in the form action attribute
      data: $this.serialize(),
      success: function(data, status) {
        contact_form.find('.loading').hide();
        
        if (contact_form.find('.success').length <= 0) {
          contact_form.append(Messages.thanks);
        } else {
          contact_form.find('.success').show();
        }
        colorBox.resize();
      },
      error: function(xhr, status, error) {
        contact_form.find('.loading').hide();
        
        if (contact_form.find('.ajax-error').length <= 0) {
          contact_form.prepend(Messages.error); 
        } else {
          contact_form.find('.ajax-error').show();
        }
        // error message, probably bring the form back
        $this.show();
        colorBox.resize();
        
      }
    });
  }
});