Illustrated Adventure-Driven Wedding Invitations

Well. These invitations from Caroline at Lovely Paper Things make me want to pack up for a wilderness adventure, which is saying a LOT for this city girl! From the amazing illustrations to the whimsical hand lettering and gorgeous fold-out map, these illustrated adventure-driven wedding invitations are definitely designed to convey the bride and groom’s love of the outdoors – and inspire guests to pursue their own adventures along the way!

Illustrated Adventure-Driven Wedding Invitations by Lovely Paper Things / Oh So Beautiful Paper

From Caroline: The second Allison contacted me I knew this was going to be a magical wedding! Having previously designed her sister’s wedding invitation suite (previously featured on OSBP, yay!), I knew Allison was going to be an absolute delight to create for as well. Allison and Brady are the kind of people you chat with for five minutes and feel like you’ve known forever. They have such warm spirits and an exuberance for life that is rare and wonderful, and made the entire design process a true joy.

Illustrated Adventure-Driven Wedding Invitations by Lovely Paper Things / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Illustrated Adventure-Driven Wedding Invitations by Lovely Paper Things / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Illustrated Adventure-Driven Wedding Invitations by Lovely Paper Things / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Allison and Brady adore the great outdoors and knew they wanted their suite to be whimsical, wonderfully inviting, and inspired by their adventures in Colorado. Their fold-out invitation included a map of Colorado, highlighting the Broodmore hotel, where the wedding was held, the Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, and The Air Force Academy; all of which hold special meanings and memories for the couple and their families. Being the sweethearts they are, Allison and Brady wanted to do something special for their guests to take home and enjoy after the wedding, so I created bound Adventure Journals for guests to record their own super fun explorations!

Illustrated Adventure-Driven Wedding Invitations by Lovely Paper Things / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Illustrated Adventure-Driven Wedding Invitations by Lovely Paper Things / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Illustrated Adventure-Driven Wedding Invitations by Lovely Paper Things / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Illustrated Adventure-Driven Wedding Invitations by Lovely Paper Things / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Thanks so much Caroline!

Design: Lovely Paper Things

Printing: Czar Press

Styling: To La Lune

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

Photo Credits: Jen Wojcik Photography

Modern Calligraphy Fabric Wedding Invitations

As much as I love modern pointed pen calligraphy, there’s just something about bold brush lettering that just stops me dead in my tracks. Brush lettering is romantic and modern all at the same time, and I love the sense of excitement and movement it imparts. And these modern calligraphy fabric wedding invitations are quite the stunner, with calligraphy by Chelsea Petaja, silkscreen and letterpress printing by Smudge Ink, gorgeous blush and white paper (and fabric!) selections, and an overall design by Kathryn Yee of Bash Studio. And with all the wonderful details incorporated into this suite, things just keep getting better and better!

Modern Calligraphy Fabric Wedding Invitations by Bash Studio and Smudge Ink / Brush Lettering by Chelsea Petaja / Oh So Beautiful Paper

From Sabrina of Smudge Ink: We were thrilled when Kathryn Yee, designer and stylist of Bash Studio, and her fiancée approached us to collaborate on their wedding invitations. Inspired by their love of Sonoma, the couple sought to bring its tucked-away vibe but elegant beauty to the shores of Newport, Rhode Island. In keeping with this vision, their wedding suite and stationery felt natural, romantic, and modern all at the same time.

Modern Calligraphy Fabric Wedding Invitations by Bash Studio and Smudge Ink / Brush Lettering by Chelsea Petaja / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Modern Calligraphy Fabric Wedding Invitations by Bash Studio and Smudge Ink / Brush Lettering by Chelsea Petaja / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Having recently launched The Everyday Napkin, Kathryn came up with the idea to silkscreen her invitations on the same 100% white linen that she uses in her new home goods line. With the invitation taking center stage, she wanted to letterpress print the remaining pieces including the reply card, reply envelope, details card, and outer envelope. Immediately, we knew the look and texture of Italian-made Arturo letterpress paper would complement beautifully. Kathryn chose a combination of white and pale blush to contrast with the classic black ink. Weaving Chelsea Petaja’s bold and dreamy hand lettering throughout completed the suite.

Modern Calligraphy Fabric Wedding Invitations by Bash Studio and Smudge Ink / Brush Lettering by Chelsea Petaja / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Modern Calligraphy Fabric Wedding Invitations by Bash Studio and Smudge Ink / Brush Lettering by Chelsea Petaja / Oh So Beautiful Paper

From the E.E. Cummings quote on their envelopes to the ever charming brunch card, it was a pleasure to incorporate the beauty of letterpress into Kathryn’s design. We loved how the couple’s fun and sophisticated personality took shape in the day of touches, like the lavender-filled pouches tied with a miniature program. Together with Kathryn and Arielle Doneson Photography, we are excited to share all of the thoughtful details that we adored about this project!

Modern Calligraphy Fabric Wedding Invitations by Bash Studio and Smudge Ink / Brush Lettering by Chelsea Petaja / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Modern Calligraphy Fabric Wedding Invitations by Bash Studio and Smudge Ink / Brush Lettering by Chelsea Petaja / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Modern Calligraphy Fabric Wedding Invitations by Bash Studio and Smudge Ink / Brush Lettering by Chelsea Petaja / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Modern Calligraphy Fabric Wedding Invitations by Bash Studio and Smudge Ink / Brush Lettering by Chelsea Petaja / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Modern Calligraphy Fabric Wedding Invitations by Bash Studio and Smudge Ink / Brush Lettering by Chelsea Petaja / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Thanks so much ladies!

Design and Styling: Bash Studio

Printing: Smudge Ink

Calligraphy: Chelsea Petaja

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

Photo Credits: Arielle Doneson Photography

Black Tie Garden Party Calligraphy Wedding Invitations

Anytime I get to start the week off with a beautiful calligraphy wedding invitation suite, I just KNOW that it’s going to be a good week. And these gorgeous calligraphy wedding invitations for a black tie garden party wedding from Anna at Cast Calligraphy? So. Good. I’m completely smitten with every detail – including the modern, imperfect (in Anna’s words) calligraphy style, the nature-inspired illustrations, the gold wax envelope seal, and the perfectly subtle light gray letterpress printing by Birdwalk Press. Stunning!

Black Tie Garden Party Calligraphy Wedding Invitations by Cast Calligraphy and Birdwalk Press / Oh So Beautiful Paper

From Anna: Molly and Bobby wanted their wedding invitations to be natural, sophisticated, eclectic, and with a touch of gold. Instead of going over the top for this Rhode Island wedding, we incorporated each of these details into their stationery in subtle ways. They knew that quality was of most importance, so the letterpress printing and gold wax seal enhanced the look of the whole suite.

Black Tie Garden Party Calligraphy Wedding Invitations by Cast Calligraphy and Birdwalk Press / Oh So Beautiful Paper

The invitation was designed to touch on the natural elements the couple loved. Molly grew up in Portland, Oregon and spends a lot of time outdoors, and it was important that the invitation reflected her love of the outdoors. The calligraphy was intentionally imperfect, to create a more comfortable, approachable style. Molly and Bobby mentioned the recurring use of gems, crystals, and agates for their decor. I illustrated a mini crystal logo for their details card that was repeated for their letterpress thank you notes. The trimmed corners added a bit of surprise to the suite.

Black Tie Garden Party Calligraphy Wedding Invitations by Cast Calligraphy and Birdwalk Press / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Since neutral was one of the big defining words, Birdwalk Press did a great job printing the soft grey color on pearl white cotton paper. Just soft enough to be feminine and organic but clean and classy. The envelopes were calligraphed with a metallic gold and sealed with a custom wax seal. The team at Exquisite Events was instrumental in the communication process and in detailing their paper needs for the day of. Everything came together so beautifully and Molly and Bobby tied the knot on a beautiful October day in Rhode Island! Congrats to the happy couple!

Black Tie Garden Party Calligraphy Wedding Invitations by Cast Calligraphy and Birdwalk Press / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Thanks Anna!

Design and Calligraphy: Cast Calligraphy

Letterpress Printing: Birdwalk Press

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

Photo Credits: Orange Photographie

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving Eve! For those of you traveling, I wish you all safe and uneventful travels. And for everyone I wish a happy, relaxing, and wonderful weekend filled with good food, great company, and tons of pie. I’ll see you back here next Monday! But in the meantime…

Knot & Bow / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Photo (and rainbow beeswax candles) by Knot & Bow via Instagram

…a few links for your weekend!

This week on Oh So Beautiful Paper:

xoxo

Classic Hand Calligraphed Wedding Invitations

Happy Monday everyone – and welcome to a short week! We’ll be wrapping up a bit early this week for the Thanksgiving holiday, but before we go I have a couple of beautiful wedding invitations and a super fun DIY project that I know you won’t want to miss. First up this week, these gorgeous calligraphy wedding invitations by Melissa Esplin – each of which was written entirely by hand. Yep, Melissa hand calligraphed each and every invitation for this intimate wedding, most of which were in turn hand delivered to family and friends. These are the kind of wedding invitations that make my heart beat just a little bit faster!

Classic Hand Calligraphed Wedding Invitations by Melissa Esplin / Oh So Beautiful Paper

From Melissa: Every once in a while I have a dream client that lets me do my thing. I was thrilled to work with this bride on a very last-minute invitation for her rustic wedding just outside of Park City, Utah.

Classic Hand Calligraphed Wedding Invitations by Melissa Esplin / Oh So Beautiful Paper

The calligrapher hired through the event planner fell through, so I was left with 14 days until the wedding to design and calligraph 30 wedding invitations and envelopes and 42 place cards. It came down to the wire; but because the bride kept it an intimate affair, most invitations were hand-delivered. Family and close friends already had the date saved.

Classic Hand Calligraphed Wedding Invitations by Melissa Esplin / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Classic Hand Calligraphed Wedding Invitations by Melissa Esplin / Oh So Beautiful Paper

I came across some issues with the felt-finish paper. It has a rough surface so gliding the pen across the top adds texture to the line. I would prefer a finer line, but considering the wedding took place at High West in Wanship, Utah; it fits.

Classic Hand Calligraphed Wedding Invitations by Melissa Esplin / Oh So Beautiful Paper

The design itself is simple and classic. A flourished running hand for the text body and a flourished shaded script for the bride and groom.

Classic Hand Calligraphed Wedding Invitations by Melissa Esplin / Oh So Beautiful Paper

Thanks Melissa!

Design and Calligraphy: Melissa Esplin

Paper: Natural White Felt Finish

Ink: Old World Iron Gall Ink

Nib: Nikko G

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

Photo Credits: Melissa Esplin