Brooke + Jason’s Elegant Rehearsal Dinner Invitations

Becca from Suite Paperie sent over these rehearsal dinner invitations that she created for a recent couple.  The bride and groom wanted something classic and elegant, so Becca drew her inspiration from the couple’s wedding registry.  For a modern twist, Becca enclosed the invitation in a gray pocket envelope with the rsvp info contained in a vellum mini envelope!

Rehearsal Dinner Invitations by Suite Paperie via Oh So Beautiful Paper (1)

From Becca: Brooke and Jason were looking for a design that did not stray too far from their classic and elegant style, but also had a bit of whimsical modernism to it for their fun rehearsal dinner at a Greek restaurant.  The inspiration for their rehearsal dinner invitations came from the Juliska plates they included on their wedding registry.

Rehearsal Dinner Invitations by Suite Paperie via Oh So Beautiful Paper (5)

I created a custom illustration of the plate and designed vintage vector silverware to complete the table setting layout.  A square metallic slate gray pocket held the invitation and a translucent mini envelope fixed to the outside of the pocket held all the RSVP information.

Rehearsal Dinner Invitations by Suite Paperie via Oh So Beautiful Paper (4)

Rehearsal Dinner Invitations by Suite Paperie via Oh So Beautiful Paper (3)

Thanks Becca!

Photo Credits: Tory Williams Photography

{happy weekend!}

Happy Friday everyone!  As much as I’d like for the days and weeks to slow down just a smidge (pleaseandthankyouverymuch), I’ll be happy to wave goodbye to summer in a few weeks.  Being 7+ months (we’re at 32 weeks!) pregnant during the hot and humid DC summer?  Maybe not the best idea I’ve ever had… so I’m distracting myself with daydreams of cooler days and beautiful fall foliage.  But in the meantime…

The cutest confetti letterpress printed muslin bags from Paper Lovely

…a few links for your weekend!

This week on Oh So Beautiful Paper:

That’s it for me this week!  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and I’ll see you back here on Monday! xoxo

DIY Tutorial: Rubber Stamp Wood Veneer Invitation Suite

Every once in a while, we’re fortunate enough to stumble upon a material that is just crying out for us to test our rubber stamps on it.  That’s exactly what happened on a recent trip to our local art supply store.  A lightbulb went off the second we spotted the wood veneer sheets – and this nature-inspired DIY was born! – Bailey and Emma of Antiquaria

DIY Wood Veneer Wedding Invitations by Antiquaria via Oh So Beautiful Paper

The wood veneer material adds a natural warmth to the invitation suite.

DIY Wood Veneer Wedding Invitations by Antiquaria via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Step 1: Lay an A6 (4 1/2″ x 6 1/4″) piece of wood veneer on a hard, flat surface.  Ink your invitation stamp (we used our Art Nouveau Invitation Stamp) evenly, using a brown stamp pad and center over the wooden card.  Press down on stamp making certain to apply even pressure on the entire mount.  Lift stamp and let the print dry overnight.

DIY Wood Veneer Wedding Invitations by Antiquaria via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Step 2: Print your reply card.  We used our Art Nouveau Reply Card stamp printed on a 4bar (3 1/2″ x 4 7/8″) cream card in moss green ink to coordinate with the suite.

DIY Wood Veneer Wedding Invitations by Antiquaria via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Step 3: Stamp your return address and your reply envelope address.  For this, we used our Wildflowers Return Address stamp.  Printing on envelopes can be quite costly, so it’s a great budget saver to use the same return address stamp on both your outer envelope and your reply envelope, as we have above.

DIY Wood Veneer Wedding Invitations by Antiquaria via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Step 4: Using rustic twine, wrap the entire suite to tie it together and secure it with a basic knot.  Address, stamp, and send them on their way to all of your lovely guests.  We guarantee that they will be thrilled to find this unique and natural invitation suite in their mailbox!

DIY Wood Veneer Wedding Invitations by Antiquaria via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Step 5: One thing that you may not think about as you are planning for your wedding is just how many thank you notes will be in your very near future!  A great way to have everything ready to thank your guests after your nuptials is to make your thank you notes as you make your invitation or reception stationery.

On a 4bar (3 1/2″ x 4 7/8″) folded notecard, stamp your monogram (we used our Antique Monogram Stamp) in the center of the card in moss ink.  Use your return address stamp (we re-used our Wildflowers Return Address Stamp from the invitation suite) to stamp on the back of your 4bar envelope.  Now all you need is to sit down and write them!

Materials:

Acrylic Mounted Stamps

Art Nouveau Invitation Stamp

Art Nouveau Reply Card Stamp

Wildflowers Return Address Stamp

Antique Monogram Stamp

Additional Materials

Stamp Pad in Chestnut and Moss

Wood Veneer sheets, cut to A6 (4 1/2″ x 6 1/4″) cards (this material can be easily cut with scissors)

A6 Envelopes in Moss

4Bar Flat Card in Luxe Cream

4Bar Folded Cards in Luxe Cream

4Bar Envelopes in Leaf

Twine

Anti­quaria is a mem­ber of the Designer Rolodex – you can see more of their beau­ti­ful work right here or visit the real wedding invitations gallery for more wedding invitation ideas!

Photo Credits: Antiquaria

Calligraphy Inspiration: Laura Hooper Calligraphy

Sometimes you have to search for something.  Other times you just happen upon it.  I certainly didn’t have to go digging to find Laura Hooper Calligraphy.  I kept seeing her gorgeous work in real weddings, (including her own) and seeing her name in glowing recommendations.  Laura has 10 years of experience under her belt, as well as work featured in Martha Stewart Weddings and Town & Country Weddings.  (Ed Note: Laura also provided place card calligraphy for my wedding four years ago! –nole)  Laura has calligraphed everything from ginkgo leaves to sand dollars and offers some great products, including her wonderful maps, in her Etsy shop.  Take a look for yourself and I’m sure you’ll understand why she has such satisfied customers!  – Julie

Laura Hooper Calligraphy Wedding Menu via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Laura Hooper Calligraphy Wedding Invitations via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Laura has a wide selection of invitation designs (like the one pictured above) available in her Etsy shop, as well as on her website.  She also offers a number of printing processes like letterpress to thermography.

Laura Hooper Calligraphy Wedding Calligraphy via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Laura Hooper Calligraphy Map via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Whether you’re having a destination wedding or simply have a lot of out of town guests, Laura’s custom maps are a great addition to your invitation suite.

Laura Hooper Calligraphy Seating and Escort cards via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Laura Hooper Calligraphy Wedding Calligraphy via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Laura Hooper Calligraphy Wedding Calligraphy via Oh So Beautiful Paper

I’m a huge fan of great wedding details.  With charming wooden signs, embroidered napkins and even totes, Laura’s got you covered!  Be sure to check out her blog, website and shop for more.

Photo credits: 1, 2, 3 left, 6, 7 left Laura Hooper; 3 right Kate Headley; 5 left Agnes Lopez; 4, 5 right, 7 right Steve Steinhardt

Pretty + Paper

I’ve officially started daydreaming about fall: cooler temperatures, the changing of the leaves, and of course fall weddings!  I’m always a fan of incorporating wood veneer for fall wedding invitations, and I love the idea of using non-paper materials, like the leaves below, as escort or place cards – particularly when paired with beautiful calligraphy in white ink.  –nole

Pretty + Paper - Rustic Inspiration via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Calligraphy by Meagan Tidwell and styling by Joy Thigpen via Once Wed (left); Mary and Ben’s rustic invitations by Atheneum Creative (right)

Photo Credits: Ali Harper and Chelsea Davis Photography