Anneke & Austin’s Nautical-Inspired Wedding Invitations

Good morning, paper lovers!  Samantha & Whitney here from Gus & Ruby Letterpress. We have the immense privilege of guest blogging on the Oh So Beautiful Paper blog this week and we are just delighted to be here. To start things off, today we’re thrilled to bring to you a chic, nautical invitation suite that we’ve been squirreling away for a few months. This custom suite was crafted for an absolutely too-cute-for-words couple, Anneke & Austin, in need of wedding stationery for their Maine-coast nuptials.

Knowing that A&A wanted to feature the seaside location of their wedding venue, we set about crafting a suite that was both nautical, personal and playful but still classic, elegant and timeless.

To set the tone on all pieces, we paired classic typesetting, stunning hand calligraphy by Elizabeth Porcher Jones and a preppy palette of navy and pink and letterpress printed everything on thick, textural cotton. Navy edge painting and a blind-printed compass on the back of the extra-thick invitation added subtle pops to the clean design. Nautical pennants (burgees), hand-illustration and color backing papers pulled even more nautical elements into the reply and reception cards.

And, what really put the suite over the edge was the custom hand-sewn belly band made of recycled sail cloth that held all the pieces together. Each band was cut out of a piece of sail (previously used on a boat!) and sewn all by hand, and hand-cut monogram burgees were tied to striped twine around the band as a finishing touch.  The deep navy envelopes popped with stunning white calligraphy and featured custom nautical chart envelope liners as an added surprise for guests as they opened the suite.

The end result was an invitation suite (and then accompanying day-of pieces) that perfectly reflected the classic Maine wedding of this beautiful and lovely couple. See more photos of the Anneke & Austin suite (including the super fun poster-style save the date) HERE.

Design and Letterpress Printing: Gus & Ruby Letterpress

Calligraphy: Elizabeth Porcher Jones

Gus & Ruby Letterpress is a member of the Designer Rolodex – check out more of their beautiful work right here or visit the real invi­ta­tions gallery for more wedding invitation ideas!

Photo Credits: Brea McDonald Photography for Gus & Ruby Letterpress

42 Pressed Giveaway Winner – and Discount!

Happy Friday everyone!  We’ve had a big week here at Oh So Beautiful Paper – it was so much fun to host a fabulous giveaway from 42 Pressed to help celebrate our four year blog anniversary and I’m super excited to announce the winner!  The lucky reader is…

Comment # 13 – Rocio

Yay!  A big congratulations to the lucky winner, and a huge thanks to all of you who entered!  For anyone who entered the giveaway, Jackie from 42 Pressed has extended a generous discount to all those who entered the giveaway: she’s offering a 25% discount for all wedding stationery orders placed in the next week!  And don’t worry, you don’t have to know all of your details just yet – just head over to 42 Pressed and place a deposit by September 21 using the code 42GIVEAWAYOSBP to receive the discount.  Thanks Jackie!

Oliver’s Pirate Theme Birthday Party Invitations

I was completely obsessed with the idea of pirate treasure as a young child, so naturally I love the idea of a pirate-theme birthday party.  Designer Megan McKean created these fun pirate map-inspired invitations for a sixth birthday party – complete with an illustrated treasure map and burned edges sure to inspire a child’s imagination to run wild.  So fun!

Pirate Birthday Party Invitations by Megan McKean via Oh So Beautiful Paper

From Megan: The client wanted an invitation for her son’s pirate themed 6th birthday. Incorporating ships, banners, and frames inspired by old maps, the illustration was digitally printed onto card. Each invitation was hand torn, stained, and the edges burned, to create a sense of excitement and adventure for the attendees. Dark gold envelopes and a nautical star seal were the finishing elements.

Pirate Birthday Party Invitations by Megan McKean via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Pirate Birthday Party Invitations by Megan McKean via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Also created with the invitations were two custom illustrations, one for the birthday boy Oliver as a keepsake of his special day, and a Treasure Map for younger brother Isiah, so he wouldn’t feel left out amidst all of the birthday celebrations.

Pirate Birthday Party Invitations by Megan McKean via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Pirate Birthday Party Invitations by Megan McKean via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Pirate Birthday Party Invitations by Megan McKean via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Pirate Birthday Party Invitations by Megan McKean via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Thanks so much Megan!

Photo Credits: Megan McKean

Peach + Turquoise Under the Sea Baby Shower Invitations

I’m bound to love a baby shower invitation that combines a painterly watercolor feel with beautiful hand lettering, but add in a sweet “Under the Sea” theme and illustrated mama and baby whales and I’m completely sold.  Event Designer Rachel of Woolston Grace Weddings worked with graphic designer Meghan Hopkins Sokorai to create these incredibly adorable invitations for the baby shower of Rachel’s business partner.  So sweet!

Whale Theme Baby Shower Invitations by Meghan Hopkins Sokorai via Oh So Beautiful Paper

From Rachel: When my business partner Jen Woolston of Woolston Grace Weddings got pregnant, planning her baby shower became a top priority. Set for a sunny day in June the invitations and decor were inspired by the shower’s destination, a beautiful waterfront home in Rumson, New Jersey. We enlisted the design expertise of Brooklyn graphic designer, Meghan Hopkins Sokorai. With the request for a whale theme and peach and turquoise color scheme, Meghan honored our ideas and ran with them. Her mama and baby whales became the faces of the shower.

Whale Theme Baby Shower Invitations by Meghan Hopkins Sokorai via Oh So Beautiful Paper Whale Theme Baby Shower Invitations by Meghan Hopkins Sokorai via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Whale Theme Baby Shower Invitations by Meghan Hopkins Sokorai via Oh So Beautiful Paper Whale Theme Baby Shower Invitations by Meghan Hopkins Sokorai via Oh So Beautiful Paper

The three piece invitations were printed on Long Island by Caro Printing Co. and packaged in white envelopes with custom designed address labels. Each shower guest was asked to complete their wishes for baby and greeted with a whale adorned straw. It truly was a whale of a good time!

 Whale Theme Baby Shower Invitations by Meghan Hopkins Sokorai via Oh So Beautiful Paper Whale Theme Baby Shower Invitations by Meghan Hopkins Sokorai via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Thanks so much Rachel!

Event Design: Woolston Grace Weddings
Invitation Design: Meghan Hopkins Sokorai
Invitation Printing: Caro Printing Co.

Photo Credits: Kate Connolly Photography