Bouquet by Lauryl Lane via Grey Likes Weddings (left); Amanda + Sudhir’s wedding invitations by Mr. Boddington’s Studio (right)
Photo Credits: Bouquet photo by Jen Huang, invitation photo by Mr. Boddington’s Studio
Bouquet by Lauryl Lane via Grey Likes Weddings (left); Amanda + Sudhir’s wedding invitations by Mr. Boddington’s Studio (right)
Photo Credits: Bouquet photo by Jen Huang, invitation photo by Mr. Boddington’s Studio
I just love the idea of giving your wedding guests a fancied-up name tag to don throughout the day! There are always a lot of names to be learned at a wedding, and these sweet escort card buttons would certainly do the trick! Plus, they act as a special keepsake (read: favor) long after your grand exit. And even if you don’t want to have buttons calligraphed or designed with guests individual names, providing buttons with a special monogram, bridal party roles or even which “side” the guest is there for is a fun way to bring yet another finishing touch for your day! — Kelly
Photos by Elizabeth Messina, Calligraphy by Maybelle Imasa-Stukuls and Design by PS Paper via Snippet & Ink
Button by One Plus One Design
Photo by Charlene Schreuder, Design by Grapevine Design via b.loved wedding (left), Photo by Grazier Photography via Destination Weddings & Honeymoons (right)
Photo by Nancy Ray Photography, Escort Cards by Janine Rae Design via Style Me Pretty
Photo by Matt Murray, Design by Kathryn Murray Calligraphy
Photo by Mavric Photography via Rock My Wedding
Photo by Victoria Phipps Photography via Rock My Wedding
Photo by Meredith Perdue via Style Me Pretty (left), Photo by Alex Creswell via Green Wedding Shoes (right)
Photo by Samm Blake via Polka Dot Bride
{images via their respective sources}
So I’ve talked a lot in the past about black and white day-of wedding stationery because, really, can you go wrong with that combination!? But today, prepare for a full on color-fest! An illustrated color-fest, to be exact. I’m a sucker for illustration, especially when it’s whimsical and colorful. While you may have already considered it for your wedding invitations, have you thought about added a little hand-drawn or watercolored detail to your wedding menus? You will after this! — Kelly
Photo by Jose Villa, Menu by Julie Song Ink via Elizabeth Anne Designs
Photo by Jose Villa, Menu by Julie Song Ink via Elizabeth Anne Designs (left), Photo by Elisa B Photography, Menu by Rock Paper Scissors via Ruffled (right)
Menu by Cheree Berry Paper
Photo by Brea McDonald Photography, Menu by Griffin-vites
Photo by Steep Street, Menu by Ryan Barnachea via Ruffled (left), Photo by Jose Villa, Menu by Yellow Owl Workshop via Style Me Pretty (right)
Photo by Weddings by Two, Menu by Rifle Paper Co. via Style Me Pretty
Photo by Kristen Weaver Photography, Menu by 9th Letter Press via Every Last Detail
Photo by Sutherland Kovach Studio via Style Me Pretty (left), Photo by Chesterton Smith Photography, Menu by Stand Tall Design (right)
Menu by The Indigo Bunting
{images via their respective sources}
January is a time of natural reflection, and it seems like most of us are in the process of looking back on the past year and getting ready for the changes to come. 2012 was obviously a big year for me and my family; we found out we were expecting a baby in early 2012 and welcomed our little Sophie to the world in September. This past year was a complete whirlwind from start to finish, and while I’m not the type to set resolutions, I thought it would be good for me to talk a bit about of my goals and thoughts for the next twelve months…
Photo Credit: The Mandate Press
This is our big challenge for 2013, and I’m both excited and absolutely terrified at the same time. In early December, my husband and I found out that our current landlords are planning a complete renovation of our rented rowhouse – so we have to find a new place to live by the end of March. And while we were hoping to buy a home of our own in the near future, we also hoped to have a bit more time to save and prepare. Well, I guess there’s no time like the present! The DC real estate market is both super expensive and extremely competitive, which is the part that makes me nervous, but I’m trying to remain optimistic that we’ll find the right place in our timeframe.
This isn’t exactly about finding work/life balance, although that can be even more difficult when your work is done inside your home, but more about keeping everything in perspective. I absolutely LOVE what I do and cherish the opportunity to share beautiful paper goods with all of you every day, but I know that I can sometimes lose the big picture when I’m focusing too hard on my daily to-do list or when I fall victim to feeling like I have to constantly keep up with what everyone else is doing. This year, I’d like to do a better job of letting go of things that aren’t really that important in the long run and instead focus on what is best for me and my family, whether that’s spending more time with friends or just dedicating an entire afternoon to my daughter (away from email) without feeling guilty.
I’ve been a night owl my entire adult life, and I got into the terrible habit of doing blog work at night when I was still working in a regular office during the day for those first couple of years. So while my nighttime habits may have worked just fine when I was 25 (and pre-Sophie) it’s definitely starting to catch up with me now that I’m in my 30s. It may seem like a relatively small goal, but for me it’s going to be a major (and much-needed) overhaul – one that I think will make me much more productive and happy in the long run.
So! Those are my goals for 2013 – and now, as always, a few links for your weekend:
This (short) week on Oh So Beautiful Paper:
Top photo via The Mandate Press, all other photos by me via Instagram
Once you’ve mailed your wedding invitations and are spending your days waiting expectantly by the mailbox for replies, you might start thinking about all those other lovely paper details needed for your big day. One such detail is the ceremony program.
So, what exactly is a ceremony program?
Ceremony programs should outline for guests a basic run-down of what will occur during the ceremony. They often also outline who’s who in the wedding party and families of the couple. Some types of information you may want to include in your program:
• Order of events: this might include processionals, readings, prayers, the exchange of vows, etc.
• Specific details about the ceremony: this could include specific music that will accompany the wedding party processional, names and origins of readings, music heard or performed throughout the ceremony, etc.
• Names of parents, grandparents and celebrants/officiants
• Names of the bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girls, ring bearers and ushers
• Any notes or explanations about specific cultural or personal traditions that will take place during the ceremony
• Any notes of remembrance for friends or family who are no longer with you or who were unable to attend
• Any notes of thanks to your friends and family for their presence and guidance
Of course, your program should be a reflection of your event, your personalities and what feels right to you. There is no wedding police and every program is different so do not feel that you need to include everything listed above. Instead, just think about what you would want to or care to read if you were a guest at your wedding.
What do ceremony programs look like?
Ceremony programs come in all shapes and sizes and those shapes and sizes largely depend on the amount of content you’d like included and your vision for the piece!
Will you be including each reading and prayer written out? Then perhaps a traditional bound booklet or flip-style program will work best and provide the most room for larger amounts of content.
Getting married on a hot summer day? Program fans are fun and functional!
Opting for a minimalist style or on a tight budget? Flat panels provide a perfect space for a to-the-point program.
Feeling creative? Programs can be designed in all sorts of creative ways to complement your event style, themes or your venue. Scroll programs for an English garden wedding? Sure! A chalkboard program for a sweet backyard bash? Of course!
The sky is the limit to how creative, or how sweet and simple, you can make a ceremony program and, in the end, as long as the schedule ends with you getting married, it will be a success!
Design and Letterpress Printing of all the above:Â Gus & Ruby Letterpress
Gus & Ruby Letterpress is a member of the Designer Rolodex – check out more of their beautiful work right here or visit the real inviÂtaÂtions gallery for more wedding invitation ideas!
Photo Credits: Brea McDonald Photography for Gus & Ruby Letterpress