Madeleine + Ben’s Lobster Bake Post-Wedding Party Invitations

The wedding day goes by far too quickly, so I love the idea of a post-wedding party as a way for a much more relaxed bride and groom to spend additional time with friends and family. Diane from Faye & Co. created these invitations for a post-wedding lobster bake on Nantucket, complete with Diane’s signature hand lettering and illustrated nautical details. So fun!

Lobster Bake Post-Wedding Party Invitations by Faye & Co. via Oh So Beautiful Paper (5)

From Diane: Madeleine and Ben wanted a Nantucket Island look to their post-wedding lobster bake party invitations, so through some fun illustration & lettering, we did just that! The tri-fold invitation was tied together with gray and white baker’s twine with a fun little tag reading “We’ve tied the knot, now let’s celebrate!” which surrounded a sailor’s knot. The navy and red color palette was a must for this lobsterfest, and really made the entire set pop.

Lobster Bake Post-Wedding Party Invitations by Faye & Co. via Oh So Beautiful Paper (6)

After unfolding the invitation the guests would find a map of Nantucket Island marking the events of the weekend, the main invitation with a big old red lobster and the details, and a perforated rsvp postcard for easy tearing and sending.

Lobster Bake Post-Wedding Party Invitations by Faye & Co. via Oh So Beautiful Paper (2)

Lobster Bake Post-Wedding Party Invitations by Faye & Co. via Oh So Beautiful Paper (4)

On the reverse side was their return address, hand-lettered alongside of a lobster claw (made into a logo for use at the event), and custom-made return postage featuring the silhouette of Nantucket island.

Lobster Bake Post-Wedding Party Invitations by Faye & Co. via Oh So Beautiful Paper (3)

Each invitation was delivered to guests with hand-addressing on the outer envelopes and beach-themed vintage postage. The flap of the envelope was sealed with a custom address label, which we also turned into a rubber stamp for Madeleine and Ben to use in the future.

Lobster Bake Post-Wedding Party Invitations by Faye & Co. via Oh So Beautiful Paper (1)

Thanks Diane!

Check out the Designer Rolodex for more tal­ented wed­ding invi­ta­tion design­ers and the real invi­ta­tions gallery for more wedding invitation ideas!

Photo Credits: Faye & Co.

Lindsay + Jay’s Whimsical Nature-Inspired Wedding Invitations

Happy Monday everyone! I thought we’d start the week off with these beautiful rustic wedding invitations from Becca at Suite Paperie. The design combines whimsical fonts, a custom illustrated map, kraft paper, and beautiful letterpress printing for a nature-inspired rustic invitation suite. So subtle and elegant!

Whimsical Outdoor Wedding Invitations by Suite Paperie via Oh So Beautiful Paper (7)

From Becca: When Lindsay and Jay came into the studio, I knew this was going to be one of my favorite suites of the season. They were so excited about their invitations and wanted to put a major emphasis on the textures of the papers, the printing methods, and the handmade feel of the design.

Whimsical Outdoor Wedding Invitations by Suite Paperie via Oh So Beautiful Paper (6)

Since this is a weekend getaway for most guests, we created a custom drawn map of the area, complete with places to eat, local attractions, bike rentals and more! The couple, who got engaged in a lavender field in Provence (swoon!) wanted to carry the airy, outdoor, French feel throughout their suite and straight on to their wedding day.

Whimsical Outdoor Wedding Invitations by Suite Paperie via Oh So Beautiful Paper (3) Whimsical Outdoor Wedding Invitations by Suite Paperie via Oh So Beautiful Paper (4)

We chose to letterpress print the invitation on Crane’s Lettra, while we digitally printed their RSVP card on recycled kraft and their custom drawn map on cream felt stock. Their subtle-patterned gray and white liner was the perfect match to the eco-friendly envelope and cotton twine.

Whimsical Outdoor Wedding Invitations by Suite Paperie via Oh So Beautiful Paper (5)

Lindsay and Jay will be married under the tree that is seen throughout the suite, which the bride’s brother helped illustrate…rustic elegance at its finest!

Whimsical Outdoor Wedding Invitations by Suite Paperie via Oh So Beautiful Paper (2)

Whimsical Outdoor Wedding Invitations by Suite Paperie via Oh So Beautiful Paper (1)

Thanks Becca!

Check out the Designer Rolodex for more tal­ented wed­ding invi­ta­tion design­ers and the real invi­ta­tions gallery for more wedding invitation ideas!

Photo Credits: Lindsay Nathanson

Friday Happy Hour: The French Rickey

It’s summer in the city and, in DC, the Rickey reigns supreme from Memorial Day to Labor Day. But while the Gin Rickey (or the Whiskey Rickey, which is totally cool too) is refreshment distilled into a single perfect glass, it doesn’t have to be the beginning and end of the Rickey. We decided to play around a little bit with the basic formula and came up with something we think you’ll enjoy. Something just as cooling and refreshing as the original, with a bit more complexity to it: The French Rickey. â€“ Andrew

Signature Cocktail Recipe: The French Rickey via Oh So Beautiful Paper (26)

Signature Cocktail Recipe Card: The French Rickey by Caitlin Keegan Illustration for Oh So Beautiful Paper

The French Rickey

2 oz Gin*
1 oz St-Germain
1/2 Lime
1 Strawberry, Hulled & Quartered
Tonic Water

Add the gin and St-Germain to a cocktail glass. Add half a lime and muddle well. Squeeze the strawberry gently – don’t muddle – to release some juice and add to the glass. Fill with ice and top with tonic water. Enjoy!

Signature Cocktail Recipe: The French Rickey via Oh So Beautiful Paper (23)

*Gin works fabulously here, as does whiskey. If you really want this to be a French French Rickey, I bet you could even get away with Cognac. In this case, we used Rhubarb â€“ a concoction of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction – which works surprisingly well here, with a vegetal complexity that matches the St-Germain nicely.

Signature Cocktail Recipe: The French Rickey via Oh So Beautiful Paper (18) Signature Cocktail Recipe: The French Rickey via Oh So Beautiful Paper (2)

Signature Cocktail Recipe: The French Rickey via Oh So Beautiful Paper (12)

Just like its inspiration, the French Rickey is bracingly fresh and refreshing, with lots of crisp citrus and bitter tonic. But it’s also a bit sweet, floral, and fruity from the St-Germain and strawberry. So mix up your basic Rickeys and give the French Rickey a try this summer.

Signature Cocktail Recipe: The French Rickey via Oh So Beautiful Paper (8)

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!

{happy weekend!}

Happy Friday everyone! Do you have fun plans for this summer weekend? I’ve been daydreaming of a weekend trip to the beach – it’s been way too long since I last saw the ocean. Hopefully soon! In the immediate future, I’m looking forward to celebrating Andy’s first Father’s Day this weekend (yay!).  But in the meantime…

Sailboat: First Mate Photo Co.

Photo Credit: First Mate Photo Co.

…a few links for your weekend!

This week on Oh So Beautiful Paper:

Check back soon for this week’s cocktail! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and I’ll see you back here next week! xoxo

Sophie at 9 Months

Between moving and the National Stationery Show, these past few months have raced by in a complete blur – and this week Sophie turned 9 months old! In my last real update, Sophie had just developed head and neck control, and now she’s getting ready to crawl! She’s sitting up, grabbing everything in sight (including the cats when they get close enough), and has a new tooth with a couple more on the way. She’s an incredibly social little baby: all smiles, giggles, and happy babbling sounds everywhere she goes. She loves food of any and all variety, bath time, animals, and – most of all – other babies. I don’t know if I have the words to express how much joy she brings us on a daily basis, so instead I’ll just share a few of my favorite photos from the past few months!

Oh So Beautiful Paper: Sophie at 9 Months (15)

Meeting the sheep at Mount Vernon for the first time in March

Oh So Beautiful Paper: Sophie at 9 Months (12) Oh So Beautiful Paper: Sophie at 9 Months (11)

Making funny faces, especially when there’s a camera pointed in her direction

Oh So Beautiful Paper: Sophie at 9 Months (13)

All smiles on Mother’s Day

Oh So Beautiful Paper: Sophie at 9 Months (9)

Visiting the Bronx Zoo last month

Oh So Beautiful Paper: Sophie at 9 Months (5)

Dinner at Terrain on the trip home from the National Stationery Show

Oh So Beautiful Paper: Sophie at 9 Months (4)

Oh So Beautiful Paper: Sophie at 9 Months (6)

Her first birthday is barreling towards us, which makes me want to squeeze her tight and hope that time slows down just a smidge. Good thing she’s such a snuggly baby.

Photo Credits: Nole Garey for Oh So Beautiful Paper