Midnight in San Francisco Wedding Invitations + A Little Behind the Scenes

Emily and Eric’s wedding invitation design is one of my favorites! They were such a fun couple with a great eclectic design style. And today I wanted to add a little something extra and share a little from behind the scenes of this particular design. –Kim from Bright Room Studio

This design is completely hand-lettered, which means lots of sketching, drawing and scanning! I switch off between using tracing paper and just regular printing paper (often scrap paper from something else) for my lettering, depending on how much I want to sketch before hand. I also use a high-quality marker paper when I use a pointed calligraphy pen. This pile of scans became a bunch of different designs for the bride to choose from.

Behind the Design: Midnight in San Francisco Watercolor Hand Lettered Wedding Invitations by Bright Room Studio / Oh So Beautiful Paper

I typically explore a bunch of different design directions and present many different options to my clients. I think it really helps for them to see a variety of ideas… some that are more formal, more rustic, or more whimsical, depending on the vision they initially share with me. I find that even the designs that the clients don’t choose help them hone in on their aesthetic. From there, we narrow it down, tweak, mix and match until the design is perfect. But not everything makes the cut! The ones that don’t sometimes become elements of the RSVP or details card, sometimes are repurposed for other designs – and sometimes just go to the design graveyard.

Behind the Design: Midnight in San Francisco Watercolor Hand Lettered Wedding Invitations by Bright Room Studio / Oh So Beautiful Paper

My clients and I work together to refine the invitation suite until it is perfect. To me that means that it is cohesive, unique, clean and special. We finesse the little details like envelope color and twine as that can really make a difference in the whole product.

Here is where we landed with Emily and Eric. I like to call this one “Midnight in San Francisco.” I love the personal details, unique textures and cool California vibe.

Midnight in San Francisco Watercolor Hand Lettered Wedding Invitations by Bright Room Studio / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Midnight in San Francisco Watercolor Hand Lettered Wedding Invitations by Bright Room Studio / Oh So Beautiful Paper

The design was digitally printed to  showcase the depth of the watercolor textures. I love how the map has a subtle feeling of tie-dye, which winks at San Francisco’s Summer of Love.

Midnight in San Francisco Watercolor Hand Lettered Wedding Invitations by Bright Room Studio / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Midnight in San Francisco Watercolor Hand Lettered Wedding Invitations by Bright Room Studio / Oh So Beautiful Paper

The details really brought this together. The perfectly sourced vintage stamps, old postcard and subtly-rustic details made this eclectic suite come to life!

Midnight in San Francisco Watercolor Hand Lettered Wedding Invitations by Bright Room Studio / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Midnight in San Francisco Watercolor Hand Lettered Wedding Invitations by Bright Room Studio / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Design by Bright Room Studio

Printing by Mercurio Brothers

Bright Room Studio is a member of the Designer Rolodex  – you can see more of Kim’s beautiful work right here or visit the real invi­ta­tions gallery for more wedding invitation ideas!

Photo Credits: Bright Room Studio

Rustic Moonrise Kingdom-Inspired Wedding Invitations

Rubber stamps are such an underutilized method for printing wedding invitations! Michael of Anticipate Invitations created these Moonrise Kingdom-inspired wedding invitations for a rustic wedding in Maine – and almost the entire suite is printed using rubber stamps! I love the attention to detail in these wedding invitations, right down to the vintage postcard hexagon tag!

Rustic Rubber Stamp Wedding Invitations by Anticipate Invitations / Oh So Beautiful Paper

From Michael: Alexis and Brian drew inspiration for their custom wedding invitation from Wes Anderson films (think Moonrise Kingdom and Grand Budapest Hotel) and the vibe of their rustic venue, Josias River Farm in Cape Neddick, Maine. It had to be colorful—but not bold, vintage—but not campy, and modern—but not unwelcoming. Although with the venue being a farm it could skew rusticly romantic, the couple requested something a bit more unexpected. We were happy to accept the challenge and the couple was a breath of fresh air to work with. They were able to articulate what it was they wanted their guests to feel, and that was a great starting point from which to jump from.

Moonrise Kingdom-Inspired Wedding Invitations by Anticipate Invitations / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Since materials were just as important as the design to the couple, we turned to the beautiful handmade quality that only rubber stamps can give for printing. The printing was done on large sheets of paper and then later cut down to size so that less precision was needed to ensure they were printed straight. Aside from the full-color vintage postcard hexagon card, all the pieces were printed using this method.

Moonrise Kingdom-Inspired Wedding Invitations by Anticipate Invitations / Oh So Beautiful Paper

The invitation card was printed on pale blue paper, backed with an off-white, speckled recycled paper for thickness, and then printed using an extra-large custom rubber stamp. The coral RSVP postcard was cleverly written in a Mad Libs style and was also backed with a contrasting paper color to give it rigidity and cohesiveness. All the pieces were packaged together with coral bakers twine and a hexagon card made from a vintage Maine postcard. A brown kraft pastry bag stood in for an envelope and added just the right amount of quirkiness and vintage flair.

Moonrise Kingdom-Inspired Wedding Invitations by Anticipate Invitations / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Return address labels were printed on the same blue green paper as the invitation and sealed the pastry bag closed for mailing. A collection of nature-themed, vintage postage stamps were sourced by the bride and completed the whole package.

Moonrise Kingdom-Inspired Wedding Invitations by Anticipate Invitations / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Moonrise Kingdom-Inspired Wedding Invitations by Anticipate Invitations / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Thanks Michael!

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

Photo Credits: Anticipate Invitations

Party Paper: A Pie Baking Party

My family loves pie. So much so that we even eat it for breakfast on occasion! When the holidays roll around, we bake a lot of pies. Rather than slaving away in the kitchen by yourself, make it an occasion by hosting a pie baking party! – Annie

Party Paper: Pie Baking Party / Oh So Beautiful Paper

1. Slice of Pumpkin Pie Card from Hartland Brooklyn

2. Fancy Fan Mini Banner from Oh Happy Day (Don’t they look like mini pies?!)

3. Tags and Twine (to label your pie) from Oh Happy Day

4. Glitter Server from LEIF

5. Kraft Star Plate from Shop Sweet Lulu

6. Recipe Card from Sugar Paper

Whimsical Pink and Navy Wedding Invitations

Navy and pale pink is just such a great color combination. It was the color palette for this year’s Paper Party invitations back in May – and I’ve been a fan ever since! These wedding invitations from Designed by Jaclyn were created for Jaclyn’s sister and combine a modern sans serif typeface with whimsical script and beautiful line illustrations! I’m also loving the navy and pink color palette for a fall wedding!

Whimsical Pink and Navy Wedding Invitations by Designed by Jaclyn / Oh So Beautiful Paper

From Jaclyn: A light and airy invitation design with hints of floral touches and modern typefaces set the tone for the event. We used a clean sans serif typeface paired with a whimsical script to create a playful feeling to the invitation. We were lucky to have the main invitation letterpress printed by a lovely local studio, Dependable Letterpress, which added a touch of texture and luxury to the suite.

Whimsical Pink and Navy Wedding Invitations by Designed by Jaclyn / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Along with the invitation, we included an illustrated map of the venue. Inspired by a few of the couple’s favorite things, I tried to incorporate a few subtle personal touches to the map illustrations that would add personality without overshadowing the information, like the Golden State Warriors logo (the groom’s favorite team) and an illustration of two otters holding hands (the bride’s favorite animal).

Whimsical Pink and Navy Wedding Invitations by Designed by Jaclyn / Oh So Beautiful Paper

To complete the suite, a RSVP tag and navy baker’s twine was used to tie the invitation pieces together and add a pop of color. My sister and her now-husband absolutely loved their invitation as it reflected both their personalities and the spirit of their wedding day.

Whimsical Pink and Navy Wedding Invitations by Designed by Jaclyn / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Whimsical Pink and Navy Wedding Invitations by Designed by Jaclyn / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Whimsical Pink and Navy Wedding Invitations by Designed by Jaclyn / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Thanks Jaclyn!

Design: Designed by Jaclyn

Printing: Dependable Letterpress

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

Photo Credits: Designed by Jaclyn

Wedding Stationery Inspiration: Nature-Inspired Escort Cards

It’s all in the details, right? And Mother (Nature) knows best. Incorporating natural elements is an easy way to instantly add life to any wedding – modern or vintage, Art Deco or bohemian! I love how these escort cards incorporate florals, minerals, and even driftwood in such a simple, but beautiful way. - Annie

Wedding Stationery Inspiration: Nature-Inspired Escort Cards / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Create a garland by attaching florals and escort cards with clothespins. | Photography: MORNINGWILD Photography via Green Wedding Shoes

Wedding Stationery Inspiration: Nature-Inspired Escort Cards / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Write on sea glass or rocks and use as escort cards. | Photography: Jade + Matthew Take Pictures, Calligraphy: Lowcountry Paper Co. via Green Wedding Shoes

Wedding Stationery Inspiration: Nature-Inspired Escort Cards / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Wrap a small bunch of greens with twine and attach a simple card. | Photography: Chennergy Photography via The Knot

Wedding Stationery Inspiration: Nature-Inspired Escort Cards / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Attach tags to tin cans filled with flowers. | Photography: Sophie Delaveau (Left) & Rest manila tags against moss for a pop of color. | Photography: Jeff Loves Jessica, Florals: Martha’s Gardens via Style Me Pretty (Right)

Wedding Stationery Inspiration: Nature-Inspired Escort Cards / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Use gold pyrite rocks as paperweights. | Photography: Clary Pfeiffer Photography via The Knot

Wedding Stationery Inspiration: Nature-Inspired Escort Cards / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Frame a wooden escort card display with a pine garland. | Photography: Hugh Forte, Paper Goods: Bash Please via Green Wedding Shoes

Wedding Stationery Inspiration: Nature-Inspired Escort Cards / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Pair gold rocks with escort cards for a beautiful (and practical!) touch. | Photography: Rad + In Love, Gold Rocks: Alexa Gerrity, via 100 Layer Cake (Left) & Write on collected driftwood and use as escort cards. | Photography: Natasha Hurley Photography, Stationery & Signage: Bridie at Heyday Events via Wedding Sparrow (Right)

Wedding Stationery Inspiration: Nature-Inspired Escort Cards / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Write on magnolia leaves and use as escort cards. | Photography: Jesse & Whitney of Our Labor of Love, Calligraphy: Anne Robin via 100 Layer Cake

Wedding Stationery Inspiration: Nature-Inspired Escort Cards / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Complement gold calligraphy escort cards with geodes. | Photography: Laura Gordon Photography via Style Me Pretty

Wedding Stationery Inspiration: Nature-Inspired Escort Cards / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Frame an escort card display with a floral garland. | Photography: Judy Pak Photography via Style Me Pretty

What creative ways have you seen natural elements used at a wedding?