Happy Weekend!

Happy Friday everyone! We’re back in DC after a glorious week in Puerto Rico – and I’m desperately missing that warm tropical air, but at least I came home to lilac buds and blooming magnolias. Yay Spring! Also, a huge, huge thanks to Courtney from Swiss Cottage Designs for filling in this week. I hope you loved her posts as much as I did! I’ll be back here with brand new posts on Monday, but in the meantime…

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Photo by me via Instagram // It was so nice to see Seagrapes again in Puerto Rico!

…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

Swiss Cottage Designs: Day of Wedding Stationery Inspiration

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I can’t believe it’s already our final blog post of this week – time is just flying by these days. It’s been a great week posting here on Oh So Beautiful Paper! Thank you to all the lovely readers for stopping by and a big thanks to Nole for the great content. We’ve had a blast! – Courtney of Swiss Cottage Designs

Back to the paper! With the summer wedding season upon us, many of our conversations have been moving towards the topic of day of elements. What are those you ask? These are all the little bits and pieces that really help make your wedding day special. You can go traditional and create lovely menus, place cards and table numbers that match your wedding theme or you can get creative with unique cocktail napkins, tote bags, custom buttons or even rub-on tattoos. The possibilities are endless! I really believe that the day of items are almost just as important as your wedding suite. They help create the look and feel of your big day while leaving your guests with something to remember. Below are some fun ideas and inspiration for brides planning their big day:

image 4.1Coasters & Matches

Photo by Edyta Szyszlo Photography via 100 Layer Cake

Coasters and matchbooks make great little take-home pieces for guests. They’re useful around the house without being cumbersome in the least and serve as a fun reminder of the special celebration.

image 4.2 Cocktail Napkins

Photo by Hello Love Photo

Cocktail napkins make an awesome day of item. They’re the perfect blend of design and function (so long as you don’t mind them getting a little dirty!). I’ve even seen people use them as pocket squares at weddings – creative!

image 4.3 Table Signage

Photo by Kristen Marie Photography via 100 Layer Cake

A well-styled wedding is all in the details. Custom table signage may seem like a small consideration, but goes a long way to unify the style and mood of the occasion.

image 4.4 Welcome Bag + Accessories

Photo by Joe Mikos

Welcome bags are a lovely gift and greeting to guests who have come from near and far. They also establish the tone of the festivities to come. A personalized tote, travel mug, water bottle and custom map of the area are just a few of the items you can include.

image 4.5 Tent Banner

Photo by Joe Mikos

I love this idea – fly your flag high and proud on your big day! Banners are an adorable day of addition, especially for outdoor tented occasions. Plus, they can serve as a signal to guide a wayward guest back towards the party!

image 4.6 Photo Guest Book

Photo by Max Wagner via 100 Layer Cake

People always say your wedding day will fly by and they’re right! This great idea takes the standard guest book to the next level with credit card sized photos and personal messages. Re-living your guests excitement and well wishes is a priceless gift.

image 4.7 Menu Setting

Photo by Trent Bailey

Guests may not notice every detail, but you can bet they’ll be looking at the menu! Such a key part of the reception is a perfect place to provide both information and continue the aesthetic of the celebration. This menu was designed so you can place the napkin over the content but the pattern still pops out on the sides.

image 4.8 Anchor Tote Bag

Photo by Hello Love Photo

Tote bags make an excellent day of item. Guests will inevitably have lots of bits and bobs to carry around during the weekend and will appreciate the extra help. I personally like making the design more neutral so guests are able to use it after the wedding weekend.

image 4.9 Temporary Tattoos

Photo by Weddings by Two

Remember how fun it was to put on temporary tattoos when you were a kid? Now you can bring that awesomeness to your big day! Tattly has tons of fun designs to choose from for weddings of all kinds. I made custom ones for my big day and they were for sure the sleeper success of my wedding.

image 4.10 Brooklyn Mugs

Photo by Weddings by Two

I love when a favor is something that your guests can use again and again, it makes it worth the effort! I’m obsessed with mugs and created custom ones for my wedding favor. Perfect for coffee, tea, or water on those days when everything else is in the dishwasher. Your guests will always remember your big day when they use it.

image 4.11 Bride + Groom Pins

Photo by Weddings by Two

As a teenager, pins were arguably the best way to let everyone know what we liked, from music to brands. Guests can don these little guys are the reception or take them home for later. We used them to break up “Groom” vs. “Bride” (though some guests picked Switzerland to be neutral).

image 4.12 Programs

Photo by Joe Mikos

 Programs are one of the most traditional day of elements. I am all about making pieces that will work for you again. I like to make the investment count! If you do an illustrated program, you’ll have this art as a way commemorate your big day for years to come.

We hope these ideas have your creative ideas flowing! Thank you again for letting us share our two cents over here on Oh So Beautiful paper, see you next time!

{images via their respective sources}

Wedding Stationery Inspiration: Pastels

I think a lot of us find a special little place in our hearts for pastels come spring, no? They’re a nice little refresher between the dark hues of fall and winter and the vibrant shades of summer. When done right these pale colors can look sweet and sophisticated, and be the perfect complement to your springtime wedding! —Kelly

Day-of Wedding Stationery Inspiration: Pastels

Photo by Delbarr Moradi Photography, Welcome Sign by Enjoy Events Co. via 100 Layer Cake

Day-of Wedding Stationery Inspiration: PastelsDay-of Wedding Stationery Inspiration: Pastels

Photo by Harwell Photography, Place Cards by Erica Loesing via 100 Layer Cake (left), Photo by Delbarr Moradi Photography, Place Cards by Enjoy Events Co. via 100 Layer Cake

Day-of Wedding Stationery Inspiration: Pastels

Photo by Rachel Peters Photography, Drink Menu by Kim Roach Designs via Wedding Chicks

Day-of Wedding Stationery Inspiration: PastelsDay-of Wedding Stationery Inspiration: PastelsDay-of Wedding Stationery Inspiration: PastelsDay-of Wedding Stationery Inspiration: Pastels

Photo by Mike Colon, Menu by Papermade Designs via Wedding Chicks (left), Photo by Rachel Peters Photography, Drink Menu by Kim Roach Designs via Wedding Chicks (right)

Day-of Wedding Stationery Inspiration: Pastels

Photo by Sarah Gawler via Style Me Pretty

Day-of Wedding Stationery Inspiration: PastelsDay-of Wedding Stationery Inspiration: Pastels

Photo by City Love Photography, Menu by Chykalophia Design via Style Me Pretty (left), Photo by Kelly Braman Photography, Menu by Lindsay Letters via Every Last Detail (right)

Day-of Wedding Stationery Inspiration: PastelsDay-of Wedding Stationery Inspiration: Pastels

Photos by Gladys Jem Photography, Escort Cards and Programs by Charmed Events Group via Style Me Pretty

{images via their respective sources}

Getting Started in the Stationery Industry

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When I was first starting out with my business, I would frequent different design blogs for inspiration and guidance on getting started in the stationery industry. I’m lucky to be in Brooklyn with so many other talented designers. Being part of that community was amazing but it’s still tough going solo! I thought it’d be fun to share some tips on getting started in the stationery industry today. Now, I’m certainly no expert and am always learning more and more as each day passes, but below are a few things I’ve picked up over the last few years that might help inspire some of the young talent out there! – Courtney of Swiss Cottage Designs

image 3.2 Swiss Cottage Stationary

1. Have a plan: I know this sounds pretty basic and obvious but it’s surprisingly challenging. Decide what your end game is and how you want to get there. It’s so easy to get distracted and quickly drawn off course which is why it’s important to identify your strengths that set you apart and then really make them work for you. Once you’ve established the big picture of where you’re headed, you can start to hone in on smaller details and little side projects. It’s certainly easy to get overwhelmed by everything, but I’ve found having a solid plan and really sticking to it helped me greatly in the early days.

2. Reach out & ask for help: Don’t feel like you have to do it all on your own. When I made the decision to go out on my own, I reached out to other designers in the area who were all were so incredibly helpful and supportive. Their amazing work and kind words inspired me even more to pursue my goal. A community is key! I’ve met some great friends this way. It’s fun to chat with people who understand what you’re going through and who have been there themselves. Also, ask for help! I used to think staying up late and trying to do everything myself was me hustling, when in fact it was the exact opposite! I was tired all the time and burning out at a rapid pace. Have friends and family help you in the beginning and when you get more established, hire help! It makes everything so much better.

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3. Have the resources: Nailing down vendors and resources ahead of time is big. It’s important to have vendors who you can trust and that you work well with. With the paper industry, your printer becomes your best friend. Also, don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Diversify and have different vendors for different items and timelines. I find that keeping my options open helps alleviate stress! I really love working with local vendors which is why we get most of our goods right here in New York City. Any extra bits and bobs we try to source off small Etsy shops.

4. Expect to make mistakes: As much as we all wish we were perfect, we ain’t. Believe me you when I say, expect to make mistakes! Nothing makes your stomach drop like seeing a typo on your final printed pieces. Oye! But it happens. It’s how you handle the mistake that will make you better. Take a deep breath and then focus on the solution. There’s no going back in time, so it’s best to keep your eye on the prize and keep moving forward.

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5. Know Your Audience: You can’t appeal to everyone, it’s just not possible. Know the kind of clients and customers you want to appeal to and cater to them. I’m not very traditional, so I know requests for a more classic style of work aren’t always in my wheelhouse. Every time I try to create work like that, I always come up short. That’s why it’s best to know what you do well, stick to it, and trust that the rest will fall into place.

Photo Credits: Swiss Cottage Designs