Navy and Silver Hand Painted Wedding Invitations

You guys. Every piece in this wedding invitation suite from Ilana of Sugar & Type was individually hand painted. Each and every one! These beautiful navy and silver hand painted wedding invitations were created for the wedding of Ilana’s sister Danielle, who just also happens to be an artist. Danielle viewed the creative process behind these invitations as a symbolic representation of a new marriage, and her description of the process below is just so beautiful I can barely stand it!

Navy and Silver Hand Painted Wedding Invitations by Sugar and Type / Oh So Beautiful Paper

From Ilana: I’m so excited to share my sister Danielle’s wedding invitations! As an artist, my sister really wanted to have her hand in the creative process of the paper goods for her wedding day. My sister and I letterpress printed the invitations on a Vandercook letterpress (with the help of Amy at Green Girl Press), then Danielle individually hand painted each and every invitation, reply card, program, and info card. These invitations truly told a unique story.

Navy and Silver Hand Painted Wedding Invitations by Sugar and Type / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Navy and Silver Hand Painted Wedding Invitations by Sugar and Type / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Danielle and Andrew’s winter wedding was held at an art gallery, where people were able to explore the space and really appreciate the art! The invitations were printed on 220lb paper with navy edge painting. Each envelope was hand addressed with silver ink to match the hand painted element on the suite. They carried out the metallic splatters throughout the details at their ceremony and reception, and it was truly a masterpiece.

Navy and Silver Hand Painted Wedding Invitations by Sugar and Type / Oh So Beautiful Paper

From Danielle – the bride and artist: For our wedding, it was important to us that the experience of art was gently portrayed in every element. From the hand painted brush strokes on each piece of every invitation, response card, information card, and program, to the calligraphy that was letterpress printed onto each sheet of paper.

Navy and Silver Hand Painted Wedding Invitations by Sugar and Type / Oh So Beautiful Paper

The brush strokes represented the evidence of process, the way that every motion in life leaves a mark, either large or small. These strokes were intentionally made to be perfectly imperfect and one of a kind, just like each individual marriage or relationship. Each mark was made specifically with intention and care, the way that everything you do in a marriage should be. Each component of the creation of the invitations reflected the ever changing atmosphere that exists in a marriage and fulfilled the symbolic process that felt necessary for us as we embarked on our next journey as a couple. We are thrilled with what the process yielded and the final product truly represents us as a couple. We are a team who tries to take time to consider the purpose and execution of our actions, and works to enjoy the journey to the final product.

Navy and Silver Hand Painted Wedding Invitations by Sugar and Type / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Navy and Silver Hand Painted Wedding Invitations by Sugar and Type / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Thanks Ilana and Danielle!

Design and Calligraphy: Sugar and Type

Letterpress Printing: Green Girl Press

Hand Painting: Danielle Sara

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

Photo Credits: Audra Zaba Photo

The 2016 National Stationery Show, Part 8

One of my first recaps from the 2016 National Stationery Show featured veteran booths that are always on my can’t-miss-list at the show. Today I’m sharing another NSS 2016 recap featuring even more of my favorite veteran exhibitors from this year’s show! These should all be VERY familiar names here at Oh So Beautiful Paper, from Snow & Graham to Hammerpress to Smudge Ink. You’ll see beautiful envelope liners and wedding invitations from Bella Figura, eco-friendly greeting cards, art prints, keepsake boxes, and notebooks from Smock, the most beautiful cotton ribbons from Studio Carta, city postcards from Albertine Press, and social preparedness kits from Egg Press. Let’s dive right in!

NSS 2016: Smock and Bella Figura / Oh So Beautiful Paper

How stunning is this wall  featuring Bella Figura‘s new collection of flower photograph envelope liners?? And those copper foil envelope liners? Gorgeous!

NSS 2016: Smock and Bella Figura / Oh So Beautiful Paper

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Soft Modern Watercolor Wedding Invitations

Back in April I featured these gorgeous and subtle gold foil splatter wedding invitations from Mariko at Miks Letterpress – I love the way Mariko incorporated gold foil into a modern minimalist wedding invitation design! Today I’m thrilled to share another beautiful invitation suite from Mariko, this time incorporating a beautiful watercolor design in my favorite color: pink! These soft modern watercolor wedding invitations are the perfect combination of abstract painterly elements with modern type selections and design. Add in vintage postage stamps in neutral gray tones and calligraphy from Meant to Be Calligraphy, and this invitation suite is just about as pretty as it gets!

Soft Modern Watercolor Wedding Invitations by Miks Letterpress / Photo by Rachel Lynn Photography via Oh So Beautiful Paper

From Mariko: The inspiration for this wedding suite was drawn from the couple themselves. The bride wanted a soft watercolor look, while the groom wanted something more modern. I married the two concepts (pun intended) and came up with this wedding suite. It includes the soft element the bride wanted with the flowing watercolor and the crisp design element the groom liked with the white space around the text and modern type selections.

Soft Modern Watercolor Wedding Invitations by Miks Letterpress / Photo by Rachel Lynn Photography via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Soft Modern Watercolor Wedding Invitations by Miks Letterpress / Photo by Rachel Lynn Photography via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Soft Modern Watercolor Wedding Invitations by Miks Letterpress / Photo by Rachel Lynn Photography via Oh So Beautiful Paper

The watercolor was printed digitally on cotton paper, while the text was letterpress printed to give a 3D texture to the suite. Vintage postage stamps in a neutral gray tone were incorporated to complement the pink color scheme and not take attention away from the main feature: the pink watercolor. The envelope calligraphy from Michele of Meant to Be Calligraphy could have gone both ways, either a soft flourished style or a modern style and we went with a softer look.

Soft Modern Watercolor Wedding Invitations by Miks Letterpress / Photo by Rachel Lynn Photography via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Vintage Postage Stamps and Modern Calligraphy by Meant to Be Calligraphy / Photo by Rachel Lynn Photography via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Soft Modern Watercolor Wedding Invitations by Miks Letterpress / Photo by Rachel Lynn Photography via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Thanks Mariko!

Design and Letterpress Printing: Miks Letterpress+

Envelope Calligraphy: Meant to Be Calligraphy

Floral Styling: Taffy Floral

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

Photo Credits: Rachel Lynn Photography

Happy Weekend!

Yay Friday! Can you believe we only have one week left in June?? Now that school is over and summer has officially kicked in, I’m trying to make summer vacation plans. We hardly ever take vacations (other than going to see family), but I want to make sure that we actually enjoy our summer! I’d love to take the girls to a beach and Sophie has been asking to take a plane trip somewhere, but that’s about as far as I’ve gotten. What are your summer vacation plans?? Any suggestions for a family with two kids under 4? I’m all ears! But in the meantime…

Peaches Illustration by Brainstorm / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Peaches illustration by Brainstorm via Instagram

…a few links for your weekend!

This week on Oh So Beautiful Paper:

That’s it for me this week! Check back in a bit for this week’s cocktail recipe, and another recap from NSS 2016! I’ll see you back here on Monday! xoxo

Wedding Stationery Inspiration: Place Setting Ideas

One of my favorite parts of a wedding is the tablescape and place setting. This is where the small details (and your personal style) shine! We’ve rounded up a few favorite place setting ideas to help guide the inspiration for your own wedding reception. As you can see from the unique examples below, there is usually one main element that stands out from the rest. Which place setting is your favorite? – Annie

Wedding Stationery Inspiration: Bohemian Place Setting Ideas / Oh So Beautiful Paper

A wooden dreamcatcher and calligraphy place card add a bohemian touch. | Photography: Danielle Poff Photography, Design & Coordination: Danae Grace Events, Calligraphy: Rosey Calligraphy via Style Me Pretty

Wedding Stationery Inspiration: Agate Place Setting Ideas / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Add a burst of color to your table with agate calligraphy place cards. | Photography: Mary Costa Photography, Planning & Design: Samantha Dapper via Green Wedding Shoes

Wedding Stationery Inspiration: Place Setting Ideas / Oh So Beautiful Paper

The wooden charger with white calligraphy balances out the pretty pink and gold details. | Photography: Katie Stoops, Calligraphy: A Fabulous Fete via Studio DIY

Wedding Stationery Inspiration: Place Setting Ideas / Oh So Beautiful PaperWedding Stationery Inspiration: Cactus Place Setting Ideas / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Right: Tuck a bold menu and place card inside the napkin for a graphic place setting. | Photography: Suzy Van Dyke, Planning & Design: Orange Blossom Special Events, Paper Goods: Orange Blossom Special Events via Green Wedding Shoes

Left: Use a cactus as the centerpiece, topped with a coordinating watercolor place card. | Photography: Ben Q Photography, Event Design & Planning: Emily Allen, Paper Goods: Yeti and the Beast via Green Wedding Shoes

Wedding Stationery Inspiration: Nature-Inspired Place Setting Ideas / Oh So Beautiful PaperWedding Stationery Inspiration: Place Setting Ideas / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Right: White calligraphy on a single leaf completes this simple, nature-inspired place setting. | Photography: Harwell Photography via Martha Stewart Weddings

Left: I love the coastal-inspired details, from the deep blue watercolor menu to the aquatic matchbox. | Photography: Jacqueline Campbell via Martha Stewart Weddings

Wedding Stationery Inspiration: Tropical Place Setting Ideas / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Aloha! How amazing are these acrylic nameplates? | Photography: Megan Welker, Styling & Design: Beijos Events, Invitations & Signage: Pitbulls & Posies & Ann Robin via 100 Layer Cake

Wedding Stationery Inspiration: Place Setting Ideas / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Print your menu or place card on a paper bag stuffed with freshly baked bread. | Photography: Pat Furey, Event Design & Planning: DIY via Green Wedding Shoes

Wedding Stationery Inspiration: Fig Place Setting Ideas / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Display seasonal fruit (like these figs!) alongside a watercolor place card. | Photography: Marian Logoyda, Planning, Design, & Florals: Tandem Decor, Calligraphy: Vladislav Gorbunov via Green Wedding Shoes