Striped Occasion

Stripes are an obsession of mine.  No matter how elegant or casual your affair is, stripes will always work.  Vanessa and Rob loved my "Lovie Lobster" invitation set, but wanted to add a few more enclosures to the original set.  I love when my brides throw new challenges at me!  I wanted the entire set to have a cohesive look, but also for each piece to be unique on its own. I played around with different patterns, but fell back to my trusty stripes.

I started with the original lobster invitation (which I still love 2 years later after its birth!).

From there I worked into a RSVP postcard that would match the suite.  I used two different stripes pulled from the bride and groom's color palette.

From there, I added on with a rehearsal dinner and reception enclosure with different types of stripes and borders.

I just love the two little lobsters with a small "V + R".  A little extra touch that brings everything together!

For the rehearsal, I incorporated a different set of "Lovie Lobsters".  I have since used these two little guys on notecards and address labels for other customers!

This just goes to show you, no matter how long the design has been around any creative couple can add their own touch to match their wedding!

More Nautical Love

Jenny contacted me this fall after finding me on  Facebook.  Her and her fiance loved one of the first invitations sets I sold on Etsy! I was excited to recreate the suite and add some new elements. They wanted a few enclosures as well as matching Save the Dates for their spring nuptials.

I first designed the Save the Dates.  I wanted to highlight main design elements from the invitations as well as making it distinct enough to stand out as a separate piece of stationery.  I paired these with matching envelopes that contained the same dotted line as the invitation.

Once I completed the Save the Date, I started to re-design the invitation and the fun enclosures. The invitation remained similar to the one designed last year, but this time I paired it to a matching envelope the picked up the stripes from the RSVP card.

I try to shy away enclosures that are too match-y.  Mixing up portions of wedding suites gives depth to the entire package.  

I love creating RSVP postcards! And they are a real cost savings to a bride (especially when mailing!).

Save the Date Cartography

The engagement set the stage for Lisa and Mike's coastal inspired nuptials for next September. In May, Mike dropped down on one knee while sailing the Chesapeake with Lisa.  I was impressed that neither of them dropped the ring in the excitement!

I met with the couple in early August to discuss Save the Date cards.  When I sat down, Lisa, who is an avid sailor, immediately handed me the nautical coordinate's for their wedding's venue.  I knew then that this was going to be a really neat project.  Lisa and Mike are envisioning a coastal themed wedding chock full of buoys and nautical charts. They wanted an antique nautical map of the Chesapeake to set the stage in their Save the Dates.

I always do plenty of research for my custom designs, however, rarely do I log onto NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association) for design help.  NOAA houses an up to date library with all current US nautical charts.  I studied the cartography patterns for the Annapolis area and immediately got to work sketching.  Believe it or not, there is a fine line between an antique map and a pirate treasure map.  I was really avoiding the latter.

Font selection was key! I always love using Campbell in anything nautical.  And the incorporation of Burges Script really sets the stage for an elegant affair.  I decided to print on my new 110lb felt ecru to give the save the date a luxe and vintage feel.

In the end, I love how these came out. I hope the many out of town guests that Mike and Lisa have invited will be as excited to share in the coastal affair!

Lobsters and Stilettos

When Laura came to me to design her beach wedding invitations, one of the design inspirations were these watermelon stilettos. I absolutely loved the navy and watermelon color pallette. I felt like I was in preppy heaven!  

In designing for this beach themed wedding with a Coastal Mid-Atlantic venue, we incorporated watermelon colored "lovie" lobsters with a thick navy border.  I brought the watermelon color forward with a contrasting RSVP card.  To tie the suite together, we used matching navy envelope liners with a striped skinny labels on the mailing envelopes. The suite turned out beautifully, just as we hope Brian & Laura's perfect day does!

Laura's completed suite

 Invitation with matching envelope  

             

Contrasting RSVP Card with Matching Printed Envelope

 

Packaged up and ready to go!

Up next: Notecards Galore!