01/07/2014

Sarah + Winston’s Navy, Gold, and Coral Letterpress Wedding Invitations

Navy and gold is such a classic color combination â€“ but add coral and it instantly becomes modern! Jenny C Design created these invitations for a wedding at an historic casino-turned-museum in upstate New York. The invitations feature details inspired by the museum’s architecture along with bright pops of coral. Jenny even incorporated some sophisticated casino-inspired details into the day-of wedding stationery!

From Jenny:Â Sarah and Winston’s wedding took place in Saratoga Springs, New York. They both lived in NYC, and about 95% of their guests would be from out of town. They really wanted their wedding invitations to evoke the feeling of their venue â€“ the Historic Canfield Casino â€“ and what fun the entire wedding weekend would be for everyone!

Sarah and Winston were inspired by the history and architecture of the Canfield Casino (once a casino, now the city’s preeminent event space and historical museum). The border on the letterpress invitation and certain design elements throughout the suite are reminiscent of the those architectural details.

The envelope liner and coral edging adds a perfect pop of color! Mini information cards about the rest of the weekend were placed in a fun navy stripe and coral envelope.

We continued the casino inspired theme, in an elegant way, into their day-of stationery items. Sarah and Winston’s ceremony program was shaped liked a deck of cards. On the back was a custom playing card design, with their monogram and design elements from the invitation incorporated into it. Their escort cards were shaped and designed to look like poker chips, displayed with dice glued on the back of each card so they would stand.

Photo Credit:Â Tracey Buyce Photography

Thanks Jenny!

Check out theÂ Designer RolodexÂ for more talÂentedÂ wedÂding inviÂtaÂtion designÂersÂ andÂ theÂ real inviÂtaÂtions galleryÂ for moreÂ wedding invitation ideas!

Photo Credits:Â Elario Photography, except where noted

01/06/2014

Jessica + Jake’s Modern Winter Wedding Invitations

These soft and ethereal wedding invitations come to us from Megan at Ruby the Fox. Megan created these modern invitations for her cousin’s winter wedding in Chicago. A classic black and white color palette paired with kraft paper, soft peach details, and a few whimsical design elements complemented the industrial wedding venue while allowing the bride and groom’s personalities to shine through.

From Megan:Â When Jessica, who happens to be my beautiful cousin, came to me to design a custom suite for her December 2013 wedding, I was incredibly flattered and beyond excited! Both she and her now husband, Jake, have fabulous eclectic taste and really wanted their personalities to come through in their paper goods. Planning a winter wedding in Chicago, they kept things soft, fresh and modern to play off their industrial venue.

The suite featured a blind debossed pattern on thick 220lb stock with painted edges as well as multiple elements incorporating kraft paper, hand-stamped belly bands, and a whimsical accommodations insert! We also included Jessy and Jake’s love for old records, and carried a circular record image throughout from response cards to cocktail napkins!

ThanksÂ Megan!

Design:Â Ruby the Fox

Letterpress Printing:Â Steracle Press

Ruby the Fox is a member of theÂ Designer RolodexÂ â€“ you can see more of their beautiful workÂ right hereÂ or visit theÂ real inviÂtaÂtions galleryÂ for moreÂ wedding invitation ideas!

Photo Credits:Â Mary Kate McKenna Photography

01/06/2014

Adelina + Blake’s Citrus and Olive Wedding Invitations

Happy Monday! After weeks of holiday-related posts, I’m so excited to get back to my first stationery love: wedding invitations! First up for the week are these whimsical invitations from Kim at Bright Room StudioÂ â€“ the bright color palette is inspired by citrus and olive trees! The invitation suite was letterpress printed in lemon yellow and olive green, with blind impression elements for added texture. Such a sunny wedding invitation for a cold and dreary winter day!

From Kim:Â Adelina and Blake came to me with a million amazing ideas! They wanted to incorporate their vibrant citrus palette, a rustic yet classic vibe and some fun and unique touches. They got married under a large olive tree and the ceremony site was very special to them, so we used that location as the inspiration for the suite.

The invitation featured a custom illustration of the actual ceremony spot, including the path and hills, which were blind letterpress printed and the big, beautiful tree that framed the text of the invitation, which was letterpress printed in olive green.Â We then carried the tree texture onto the RSVP card, which was also blind letterpress printed. The subtle textures were accented with a vibrant lemon color ink for the most important information.

For a little added texture, we hand-stamped the couple’s website onto a tag that was tied around the suite with twine. It was then topped off with a custom envelope liner that featured the leaf pattern from the olive tree.

For their big day, we also created a program fan that featured some fun facts about the couple and hand-painted the table numbers on to wood slabs.

ThanksÂ Kim!

Design:Â Bright Room Studio

Printing:Â Mercurio Brothers

Bright Room Studio is a member of theÂ Designer RolodexÂ Â â€“ you can see more of Kimâ€™s beautiful workÂ right hereÂ orÂ visitÂ theÂ real inviÂtaÂtions galleryÂ for moreÂ wedding invitation ideas!

Photo Credits:Â Bright Room Studio

12/31/2013

Best of 2013: My Favorites

As we get ready to say goodbye to another year (and welcome a new one!), I’m wrapping up my 2013 recaps with a few personal favorite posts. 2013 was a really hard year for me, for a variety of reasons, but each of the posts below fills me with happiness and gratitude. And I can’t think of a better way to close out this year. I wish all of you the happiest of new years â€“ thank you so much for reading Oh So Beautiful Paper, and I’ll see you back here in 2014!

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Brick + MortarÂ (Illustration byÂ Emily McDowellÂ for Oh So Beautiful Paper)

Emily’s column is a new addition to OSBP, but I’m already having trouble understanding how we ever survived without her! Emily brings wonderful retail insights as the owner of Clementine in Vermont, along with a human connection to the real customers who visit her store. Emily’s post on Everyday Thanksgivings is already one of my all-time favorites.

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Paper Party 2013 + Invitations

This year’s Paper Party was the biggest yet! And so much fun from the invitations to the colorful party details. We’re already starting to plan for Paper Party 2014, and I couldn’t be more excited!

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AÂ Visit to DC’s Kenilworth Park and Aquatic GardensÂ (and more favorite DC spots here)

I’ve enjoyed sharing some of my favorite DC spots on a more regular basis! Our visit to theÂ Kenilworth Park and Aquatic GardensÂ was one of my favorite new discoveries in 2013, but I’m looking forward to sharing more of our favorite places to eat, explore, and shop in 2014.

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Sophie’s First Birthday!

Sophie turned one! We celebrated with a small, low key birthday party â€“ and some amazing balloon-inspired letterpress invitations from the talented Catherine of Printerette PressÂ and neon pink calligraphy by Michele of Meant to Be Calligraphy. We’re so lucky to be parents of this amazing little girl.

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A New Year’s Eve Cocktail Dinner Party and Summer Backyard BBQ Cocktail Party with St-Germain

Our year-long collaboration with St-Germain pushed us to develop in new and exciting creative ways. Coming up with new cocktail recipes. Dreaming up beautiful party ideas. We loved every minute of it (even though it was secretly a LOT of work behind the scenes), and we’re looking forward to continuing to push ourselves creatively in the new year! The New Year’s Eve party and backyard summer cocktail party are my two favorites so far â€“ along with the gorgeous recipe illustrations by Dinara Mirtalipova!

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Campaign-Inspired Baby Shower InvitationsÂ +Â Shower Details

Getting to co-host a baby shower for some of your closest friends? The best. Campaign-inspired invitations by August Blume? Icing on the cake. And then, a new baby! (Even better).

12/30/2013

Best of 2013: DIY Projects

We had so many wonderful DIY projects on Oh So Beautiful Paper this year â€“ it was hard to narrow it down to just a few favorites! In addition to DIY tutorials from longtime contributors Bailey and Emma from Antiquaria, I was thrilled to welcome new DIY contributors Mandy from Fabric Paper GlueÂ and the team from Caravan Shoppe to OSBP. I can’t wait to see what they dream up for us in 2014! In the meantime, here are a few of my favorite DIY ideas and projects from the past year, from save the dates to party place cards to a colorful paper backdrop!