Socialology’s Academia-Inspired Business Stationery

Nikki from Akula Kreative sent over this academia-inspired stationery suite that she designed for a wedding and event planning business – and the whole suite is absolutely stunning from start to finish! The color palette of bright orange and gray is so much fun, and the dictionary-theme letterpress printed business cards? So good!

Academia-Inspired Business Stationery by Akula Kreative via Oh So Beautiful Paper (8)

From Nikki: Jasmine, the owner/founder of Socialology, came to us with a Pinterest board filled with orange, salmon, gray, and taupe images, all inspired by academia. The photographs of pencils, erasers, vintage books, and dictionary pages in conjunction with her company name, Socialoogy, made it obvious from the get-go that we’d have the opportunity to expand on a theme with endless possibilities. From the edge painting and cotton paper to the four printing processes it took to make it, this stationery suite is all about quality and attention to detail.

Academia-Inspired Business Stationery by Akula Kreative via Oh So Beautiful Paper (2) Academia-Inspired Business Stationery by Akula Kreative via Oh So Beautiful Paper (1)

First, we had to do something about the name.  The suffix “-ology” means “the study of,” so “Socialology” refers to “the study of being social.” An academic name for an academic theme. The hurdle, however, was getting people to SAY it correctly, as it was—and is—a bit of a tongue twister. And so we set out to create a logo that would not only be easy to read, but it would have to instruct people how to pronounce it. Enter Andy Luce, who created the beautiful lettering for the first half of the name. He actually came up with options for the entire name, but in the end we landed on a combination of calligraphy for “social” and a serif font for “ology.”

Academia-Inspired Business Stationery by Akula Kreative via Oh So Beautiful Paper (6) Academia-Inspired Business Stationery by Akula Kreative via Oh So Beautiful Paper (5)

To drive the idea home, we went with a dictionary-themed business card. On the front, we used a multi-level sculptural die to deboss the “book plate” area around the logo. On the back, we letterpress printed the contact information in the form of a dictionary entry, complete with pronunciation cues, part of speech, and definition. In the bottom right, we foil-stamped a dictionary tab.

Academia-Inspired Business Stationery by Akula Kreative via Oh So Beautiful Paper (4) Academia-Inspired Business Stationery by Akula Kreative via Oh So Beautiful Paper (3)

The postcard-style correspondence card mimics a library catalog card, using the phone number as the reference number. The red tab reads “This book was catalogued on” and leaves a space for a date stamp. At the bottom of the letterhead, we repeated the dictionary-style layout and orange tab, but our favorite feature is the ghost-like quality of the pattern that becomes visible when you hold it to the light. To top it all off, we ordered handmade fabric portfolio folders that Jasmine can use when presenting to potential clients. The outside features a blind deboss logo, and the inside features pockets for the 4″ x 1″ business card and a custom-made client intake form.

Academia-Inspired Business Stationery by Akula Kreative via Oh So Beautiful Paper (7)

Thanks Nikki!

Design: Akula Kreative

Custom Calligraphy: Andy Luce

Printing: In to Ink and Senekeo

Photo Credits: Caroline Tran

Tony + Hsiao’s Game of Thrones Wedding Invitations

Okay folks, I know some of you might scratch your heads at this one… but I couldn’t help myself! My husband introduced me to the Song of Ice and Fire (aka Game of Thrones) books a few years ago and I quickly became a fan of the entire series. So when the team from Lion in the Sun sent over a Game of Thrones-inspired wedding invitation suite and day-of stationery, I just couldn’t resist!

Game of Thrones Wedding Invitations from Lion in the Sun via Oh So Beautiful Paper (15)

From Lion in the Sun designer Victoria: When Hsiao first approached me about a Game of Thrones-inspired invitation suite, I have to admit I found the task a bit daunting. The aesthetics of the graphic novel and HBO show are so iconic that I was hesitant to even attempt to emulate them. The couple was also very intent on the fact that theirs would not be a “theme wedding,” but rather a modern and sophisticated homage to the show they loved.

Game of Thrones Wedding Invitations from Lion in the Sun via Oh So Beautiful Paper (17)

Game of Thrones Wedding Invitations from Lion in the Sun via Oh So Beautiful Paper (9) Game of Thrones Wedding Invitations from Lion in the Sun via Oh So Beautiful Paper (10)

This freed me up to put my spin on the suite, playing with the themes and motifs of the show but creating original artwork that was more modern and graphic.  It was fun to add a tongue-in-cheek element to the Save the Date with a play on the show’s ominous tag-line “Winter is coming,” since we felt this was the perfect place to acknowledge the humor of their choice before really glamming it up with the elegant gold foil, black museum board, and intricate letterpress silhouettes.

Game of Thrones Wedding Invitations from Lion in the Sun via Oh So Beautiful Paper (14)

Game of Thrones Wedding Invitations from Lion in the Sun via Oh So Beautiful Paper (12) Game of Thrones Wedding Invitations from Lion in the Sun via Oh So Beautiful Paper (11)

Game of Thrones Wedding Invitations from Lion in the Sun via Oh So Beautiful Paper (16)

I had a blast working on this project and I must admit that it whet our appetite for more unconventional suite designs here at Lion in the Sun, so definitely keep ‘em coming!

Game of Thrones Wedding Invitations from Lion in the Sun via Oh So Beautiful Paper (8) Game of Thrones Wedding Invitations from Lion in the Sun via Oh So Beautiful Paper (2)

Game of Thrones Wedding Invitations from Lion in the Sun via Oh So Beautiful Paper (5) Game of Thrones Wedding Invitations from Lion in the Sun via Oh So Beautiful Paper (6)

Thanks Victoria, Dave and Melinda!

Check out the Designer Rolodex for more tal­ented wed­ding invi­ta­tion design­ers and the real invi­ta­tions gallery for more wedding invitation ideas!

Photo Credits: Invitation photos by Lion in the Sun, wedding photos by Pat Dy

Laurie + Jaime’s Nautical Wedding Invitations

Summer is fully upon us here in DC, and with it comes an obsession with the beach and all things nautical! As a girl that grew up along the beaches of Florida but now lives 90 miles inland, I really miss those beaches during the warm and humid summer months. Andrea from Chirp Paperie sent over some nautical invitations that she designed for a wedding on the Massachusetts coast. With the navy and white color palette and anchor details, I can practically smell the salty ocean air through these invitations!

Nautical Wedding Invitations by Chirp Paperie via Oh So Beautiful Paper (4)

From Andrea: Laurie and Jaime are dear friends that have been eagerly awaiting their wedding day. They reside in Danvers, Massachusetts right between Boston and Manchester by the Sea. Their house is perched on the water and so it was no surprise that Laurie desired a nautical themed wedding and invitation suite.

Nautical Wedding Invitations by Chirp Paperie via Oh So Beautiful Paper (5)

Their wedding will take place at the Danversport Yacht Club, and feature navy, gray, and classic anchor details. Laurie and Jaime wanted something “clean, contemporary and yet still classic.” Using their vision, I created a simple layout featuring their wedding colors and anchors. I then played with typography options to add a playful vibe to the invitation itself while not steering too far from the classic look they desired.

Nautical Wedding Invitations by Chirp Paperie via Oh So Beautiful Paper (6)

The invitation was wrapped with a custom striped bellyband featuring their names and wedding date. The very talented Erica Dunhill of WP Inks did the calligraphy on the front of the envelope and was then sealed with silver wax giving it a polished and sophisticated finish.

Nautical Wedding Invitations by Chirp Paperie via Oh So Beautiful Paper (3)

Thanks Andrea!

Design: Chirp Paperie

Calligraphy: WP Inks

Printing: TAP of West Palm Beach

Check out the Designer Rolodex for more tal­ented wed­ding invi­ta­tion design­ers and the real invi­ta­tions gallery for more wedding invitation ideas!

Photo Credits: Chirp Paperie

Wedding Stationery Inspiration: Coasters

Let’s talk about wedding coasters, shall we? Often forgotten but always necessary, it’s fun to take your paper goods style all the way down to the drinks. While the gold foil variety truly owns my heart, I’ve rounded up a few favorites to show all that can be done on this little piece of stationery for your big day. And all of these make great little wedding keepsakes too, so be sure to keep a few leftovers post-wedding! —Kelly

Day-Of Wedding Stationery Inspiration and Ideas: Coasters via Oh So Beautiful Paper (7)

Photo by Lehua Noelle, Coasters by Mae Mae Paperie via 100 Layer Cake

Day-Of Wedding Stationery Inspiration and Ideas: Coasters via Oh So Beautiful Paper (1)

Photo by Amanda Wilcher Photographers, Coasters by Papertalk Press via Style Me Pretty

Day-Of Wedding Stationery Inspiration and Ideas: Coasters via Oh So Beautiful Paper (2) Day-Of Wedding Stationery Inspiration and Ideas: Coasters via Oh So Beautiful Paper (4)

Photo by Scott Clark, Coasters by Sugar Paper via 100 Layer Cake (left), Coasters by BHLDN (right)

Day-Of Wedding Stationery Inspiration and Ideas: Coasters via Oh So Beautiful Paper (3)

Photo by Our Labor of Love by Heidi via Style Me Pretty

Day-Of Wedding Stationery Inspiration and Ideas: Coasters via Oh So Beautiful Paper (11)

Coasters by Sugar Paper via Mint Loves Social Club

Day-Of Wedding Stationery Inspiration and Ideas: Coasters via Oh So Beautiful Paper (8)

Photo by Edyta Szyszlo, Coaster Printing by Mama’s Sauce via 100 Layer Cake

Day-Of Wedding Stationery Inspiration and Ideas: Coasters via Oh So Beautiful Paper (10)

Coasters by Emily McCarthy

Day-Of Wedding Stationery Inspiration and Ideas: Coasters via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Coasters by Bella Figura

Are any of you planning to use custom coasters in your wedding?

{images via their respective sources}