08/15/2013

Equestrian Wedding Invitation + Calligraphy Inspiration

I have some more inspiration to share with you today â€“ this time in the form of beautiful equestrian-inspiredÂ wedding invitations and calligraphy from Kara Anne Paper & Lettering! Kara collaborated with the ladies ofÂ Southern PosiesÂ to create pretty paper goodies inspired by the Kentucky Derby, from invitations to escort cards and menus. I love the use of copper calligraphy throughout the suite, so gorgeous!

From Kara:Â This Kentucky Derby-inspired wedding paper was so much fun to design! Having a love for horses since I was a little girl, I knew right away I would enjoy every second of this equestrian inspiration shoot, which took place at the beautiful Stables at Russell Crossroads in Alexander City, Alabama.

When Crystal Strickland with Southern Posies described her vision for the florals and overall design theme I knew I wanted to create illustrated elements with a horse theme and a rustic chic feel. I designed a casual invitation suite on an eco-friendly cream color paper with a mix of copper calligraphy and block lettering for the envelopes.

The thank you card with the couple’s last initial was inspired by the shape of a horseshoe and the bold yellow roses used in the bridal bouquet.

The menus were inspired by race flags, printed on a textured eco-friendly paper and completed with a copper satin ribbon.

The entry table included horse stamped muslin bags with blackberries (Kentucky’s state fruit), little whiskey favors for the men, and green apples for the horses. The welcome sign is copper calligraphy on a brown paper.

Thanks Kara!

Invitation Design and Calligraphy : Kara Anne Paper & Lettering

Event and Floral Design: Southern Posies

Venue: The Stables at Russell Crossroads

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

Photo Credits:Â Hello Gorgeous Photography

08/14/2013

A Backyard Cocktail Party with St-Germain

Today I’m thrilled to share another installment in our Summer Cocktail Series with St-Germain! From Memorial Day to Labor Day, I equate summer with lots of BBQs and grilling. Now that we have a backyard â€“ for the first time in more than 10 years! â€“ I couldn’t resist the idea of a backyard cocktail party. We started with a color palette of red, peach, navy, and kraft paper, mixed up some delicious cocktails with our favorite liqueur (and our first mocktail!), and threw some food on the grill. Oh, and I may have gone a bit flower crazy with this one… but I think you’ll see why in just a bit!

Let’s start with the best part: the invitations! Katie from Idlewild Co. created a beautiful invitation using her hand lettering and an ombre painted background. Navy envelopes with white ink calligraphy from Michele of Meant to Be Calligraphy was the perfect finishing touch.

Michele also created a beautiful calligraphy chalkboard cocktail menu, which I accented with a baby’s breath garland.

I’m a big fan of sending guests home with a sweet treat. We kept it simple with chocolate chip cookies in kraft paper bags, again with Michele’s beautiful calligraphy in white ink.

Sangria is the perfect summer drink, and easy to make in large batches! I’m absolutely in love with this fruity sangria recipe â€“ which we’ll be sharing just a bit later.

Blueberries and mint = two quintessential summer flavors. This shrub syrup makes for a perfect mocktail when combined with soda water!

These melon, prosciutto, and mozzarella skewers reminded me of our trip to Italy a couple years ago. So delicious. And grilled watermelon salad? Yum!

For the floral arrangements, I combined several of my favorite flowers in small mason jars. Red and white anemones, peach zinnia, dark red dahlias, lavender, queen anne’s lace, and dusty miller leaves. I also combined several handfuls of tiny chamomile flowers more visual impact. I was in complete flower heaven!

Full cocktail and mocktail recipes are coming up in just a bit!

Invitations: Rocket Ink

Calligraphy: Meant to Be Calligraphy

Menu cards, place cards, and favor bags: Paper Source

Party & Floral Design: Oh So Beautiful Paper

Photo Credits: Nole Garey for Oh So Beautiful Paper

This post is brought to you in collaboration with St-Germain. All content, photos, recipes, and words are our own. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that help make Oh So Beautiful Paper possible!

08/13/2013

Irina + Daniel’s Nature-Inspired Baby Shower Invitations

We’ve seen quite a few nature-inspired wedding invitations recently, so why not a baby shower invitation? These invitations from Anastasia MarieÂ feature dark green paper leaves and a tiny little paper pacifier accented with mint green washi tape. Too cute!

Layered Foliage Baby Shower Invitations by Anastasia Marie via Oh So Beautiful Paper (6)

From Anastasia:Â I created these baby shower invitations for some friends of mine; they wanted to have a nature-inspired shower with lots of green foliage. I cut out nine leaves out of dark green paper and one pacifier from a shimmery chartreuse paper for each set of invitations.

Layered Foliage Baby Shower Invitations by Anastasia Marie via Oh So Beautiful Paper (4)

The foliage pieces were secured with a dab of glue and a piece of mint green washi tape across the stem to make them look like they were taped down; the pacifier was hung from a piece of metallic silver string. The invitations were coordinated with recycled kraft envelopes and sealed with metallic silver circle stickers.

Layered Foliage Baby Shower Invitations by Anastasia Marie via Oh So Beautiful Paper (2) Â

Layered Foliage Baby Shower Invitations by Anastasia Marie via Oh So Beautiful Paper (5)

ThanksÂ Anastasia!

Photo Credits:Â Anastasia Marie

08/13/2013

Lauren + Paul’s Rustic Screen Printed Fabric Wedding Invitations

There is something so romantic in these screen printed fabric invitations from designer Jessi Evans. Inspired by the natural beauty of the wedding venue, the invitation features a single color screen print on muslin fabric and fold-out enclosure, complete with farm-inspired illustrations. Sweet, simple, and ridiculously beautiful.

From Jessi:Â These screen printed fabric invitations were inspired by the natural beauty of the Pennsylvania farmland. I wanted to capture the raw essence of the wedding venue, while celebrating the simplicity of the countryside.

The materials include a screen printed muslin invitation partnered with a three panel foldout that includes a detachable RSVP postcard printed on recycled, post-consumer paper stock in a milkweed color.

My favorite details include an illustration of the barn in which Lauren and Paul will be wed, their favorite song lyric, a wheat pattern and silhouettes of iconic farm animals.Â

Thanks Jessi!

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

Photo Credits: Jessi Evans

08/12/2013

Charles + Merrill’s Ombre Letterpress Wedding Invitations

Any stationery aficionado will appreciate the technique and skill behind these stunning wedding invitations: the result of a collaboration between Kseniya of Thomas PrintersÂ andÂ bride (and designer!) Merrill Lyons. A lovely ombre split fountain effect, bright edge painting, a tight letterpress registration, and a lot of beautiful detail packed into a bright and modern invitation suite. So pretty!

From Kseniya:Â Charles and Merrill’s wedding invitation suite features some of our favorite printing processes: tight registration, split fountain on the back of the invitation, edge painting, envelope liners with custom pattern, and perforated reply postcards.

Merrill designed the suite (the groom is a designer, too) â€“ note the custom monogram that appears on several of the pieces, and the cute critters on the envelope liner. We selected papers from a variety of mills to make sure everything was perfect and matched in a complementary way. The invitation is printed on super thick 4pt museum board, the reply card is on Lettra, and the colored papers are from Paper Source and Paper Presentation. A great package for a great event!

Thanks Kseniya!

Design: Merrill Lyons

Letterpress Printing: Thomas Printers

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

Photo Credits: Thomas Printers

*Thomas Printers is a sponsor of Oh So Beautiful Paper