Modern Bat Mitzvah Invitations

As I discovered last year, while helping my sister research invitations for my nephew's Bar Mitzvah, finding fresh and modern invitation designs for a Bar or Bat Mitzvah can be a huge challenge.  Invitation designs are often either a bit too far on the traditional side (ahem, boring) or are so theme-centric that they border on tacky.  So I was totally thrilled to see this fantastic custom Bat Mitzvah invitation by SeeSaw: 

Modern-giraffe-bat-mitzvah-invitation
Giraffe-bat-mitzvah-invitation
Giraffe-bat-mitzvah-invitation2

I love the balance of the modern design elements with the giraffe illustration by Rebeca Raney, which along with the illustrated foliage ties in perfectly to the Bat Mitzvah venue of the American Museum for Natural History without coming across as too childish.  So pretty!

{image credits: Seesaw}

Bella Figura 2010 Collection

I was absolutely thrilled when Bella Figura asked me to curate a sample package of five of my favorite wedding invitation designs from their collection.  I chose my favorites from the new 2010 collection, which features beautiful designs from Ellie Snow, Erin Jang, Jessica Hische, Ben Whitla, and many others.  Here are my selections:

Birch-letterpress-sample-1
Birch-letterpress-sample-2
Birch-letterpress-sample-3{birch}

 

Hendrix-3C-letterpress-sample-1
Hendrix-3C-letterpress-sample-2 
Hendrix-3C-letterpress-sample-4 {hendrix by jessica hische}

 

Herald-letterpress-sample-1
Herald-letterpress-sample-2 
Herald-letterpress-sample-4{herald by ben whitla}

 Canopy-letterpress-sample-1
Canopy-letterpress-sample-2 
Canopy-letterpress-sample-6
Canopy-letterpress-sample-7 {canopy by Ellie Snow}

 

Ribbon-letterpress-sample-1
Ribbon-letterpress-sample-2
Ribbon-letterpress-sample-3
Ribbon-letterpress-sample-4
Ribbon-letterpress-sample-5 {ribbon by Erin Jang}

As you can tell, I went for designs with lots of texture and both modern and unusual design elements, like the cross-hatch background on the "ribbon" design and the soft gray (almost blind letterpress) of the "birch" design, as well as nature-inspired details, like the "canopy" and "hendrix" designs.  I also really love the "Tara" design by Ben Whitla – if only I had been allowed six favorites!

Tara-letterpress-sample-1
Tara-letterpress-sample-2
Tara-letterpress-sample-3{tara by Ben Whitla}

If you're interested in any of my picks, you can purchase a sample pack from Bella Figura for $20 – and 100% of the proceeds will be donated to The Conservation Fund.  You can check out my favorites, along with those of other bloggers like Vané from Brooklyn Bride, Ami from Elizabeth Anne Designs, Anne-Marie from Perfect Bound, Kathryn from Snippet & Ink, and a few others on the Bella Figura Trendsetters page!

{image credits: Bella Figura}

*Bella Figura is one of my fabulous sponsors, but provided no financial compensation or incentives for this post. I feature their work solely because I think it's awesome. For information on my editorial policy, click here.

Wedding Invitations — Brown Sugar Design

I’ve been a huge fan of Brown Sugar Design since I came across their portfolio while researching for my own wedding last year.  Husband and wife design team Whitney and Jonathan create beautiful (and completely custom) wedding invitations, using just about every printing method possible.

Whitney and Jonathan were kind enough to send over a few photos from their portfolio, so let’s get right to it:

Brown-sugar-design-blue-brown-letterpress-wedding-invitation-suite

Brown-sugar-design-letterpress-blue-brown-pocket-wedding-invitation
{allie + paul}

Brown-sugar-design-orange-letterpress-wedding-invitation-suite

Brown-sugar-design-orange-letterpress-wedding-invitation-detail

Brown-sugar-design-orange-letterpress-wedding-invitation-enclosures

Brown-sugar-design-orange-letterpress-wedding-invitation-program
{jill + nick – love the gorgeous orange + chartreuse in this letterpress invitation design}

Brown-sugar-design-gray-yellow-teal-wedding-invitation-invite

Brown-sugar-design-gray-yellow-teal-wedding-invitation-rsvp

Brown-sugar-design-gray-yellow-teal-wedding-invitation-suite
{missy + garrett – featuring a fabulously bold yellow, gray + teal color palette}

Brown-sugar-design-green-botanical-wedding-invitation-suite

Brown-sugar-design-green-botanical-wedding-invitation-invite

Brown-sugar-design-green-botanical-wedding-invitation-suite2
{sonya + michael}

This invitation, which incorporates a vintage map as a key design element, is one of my favorites from the Brown Sugar Design portfolio:

Brown-sugar-design-map-wedding-invitation-band

Brown-sugar-design-map-wedding-invitation-suite

Brown-sugar-design-map-wedding-invitation-passport

Brown-sugar-design-map-wedding-invitation-reception

Brown-sugar-design-map-wedding-invitation-enclosures

Brown-sugar-design-map-wedding-invitation-enclosures2

Brown-sugar-design-map-wedding-invitation-wishcards
{linnea + paul – they used these post cards as “wishing cards” so that each guest could write a wish for the bride + groom’s new life together}

I’ve got one more invitation suite from Brown Sugar Design to share with you a bit later today.  In the meantime, you can check out more from the Brown Sugar Design portfolio right here.

{photos via Brown Sugar Design}

Lovely Liberty Prints

I’ve been searching for some pretty liberty print tops and dresses to wear this summer.  I think I finally found what I’ve been looking for, so I thought I’d pass the word along in case anyone else is looking for the same thing:

Liberty-print-dress

Liberty-print-dress2

Liberty-print-top

Liberty-print-top2

So, so cute.  These and lots more all from Nadinoo.

{images via Nadinoo}

Wine Cork Place Card Holders

Have all my lovely bride readers checked out the handmade weddings series on Etsy?  If you haven't yet, you totally should – it's full of useful information, ideas, and other resources for planning a handmade wedding.  Like these wine cork placecard holders, for example:

Such a cute idea!  Available from Corky Creations right here.

 

{images via Corky Creations}