Jessica and Adam chose a palette of pale gold, caramel, and ivory for their wedding invitation and paper goods.  Delicate lace and classic timelessness were major pieces of their vision, so we created a folding invitation (below) with an ivory lace overlay and satin ribbon.  We added a letterpress monogram to the front and a topaz crystal.  Inside, their invitation is letterpressed in caramel and enclosures are contained within a band.  A custom-designed scroll-and-flourish motif adorned all pieces of the invitation ensemble.  Breathtaking calligraphy by Grace Edmands Calligraphy put the final touches on this truly luxurious invitation.

We then carried the color scheme, design, and style from the invitation into their ceremony and reception papers.  Their wedding programs contained the same satin ribbon as was used on the invitation, and the menus, escort cards, and table cards contained coordinating motifs and scrollwork.

Thanks Jessica & Adam for letting Dogwood Blossom Stationery be a small part of your big day!  And congrats on having your wedding featured in Space Coast Bride & Groom!

Jessica & Adam’s vendors include:

Reception:  Suntree Country Club

Planner:  Wedding Belles

Photography:  Richard O’Connor Photography

Florist:  Thallo Floral Design

Cake:  Oleander Bakery

Decor:  BB&J Linens and A Chair Affair

Calligraphy:  Grace Edmands Calligraphy

Invitations & Paper Goods:  Dogwood Blossom Stationery

And a major special thanks to Jessica & Adam’s rehearsal dinner caterer, A Chef’s Touch Catering, for helping me obtain a copy of this issue of Space Coast Bride & Groom so I could share this wedding with all of you!

Here we go:

To create these paper goods, I actually worked not only with Mackenzie, but with her mom.  They told me the focus would be a little bit country, a little bit rustic.  They were planning to incorporate red buffalo plaid, “kraft” brown, and evergreens into the wedding, so I kept that in mind as I created the paper goods.  We ended up with a booklet-style wedding invitation with hand-sewn binding.  The light brown woodgrain cover of the invitation was letterpressed with “M&E” – the couple’s monogram.  The pages inside contained whimsical images of a snow-covered cabin in the mountains, evergreen trees, cowboy boots, and skis.  Since the wedding was being held in Golden, Colorado, Mackenzie also wanted to feature the archway sign to the city, so we included that, too!

For the ceremony and reception accessories, we continued using the same motifs – red buffalo plaid, cowboy boots, and evergreen trees, printed on speckled creamy white papers with kraft brown accents peeking out.  The escort cards used motifs to indicate each guest’s entree selection, which added lots of color, fun, and interest.

Again, I insist that you go here to see the whole story of Mackenzie and Eric’s wedding!

Thank you, Mackenzie and Eric, for letting me be a small part of your big day!

Photographer:  Suzanna March Photography

Wedding Invitation, Program, and Escort Cards:  Dogwood Blossom Stationery

Yellow + gray is such a versatile color combination, both in terms of formality and season.  It is equally appropriate for an informal backyard summer wedding as it is for a black-tie ballroom wedding in January.  The tricks to this color scheme in tending it one way or the other are your choice of graphic design, wording layout (as well as wording itself), and typestyle.

The above paper suite contains a simple, pocket-style wedding invitation of graphite accented with a yellow damask fixed band with Swarovski crystals.  The invitation is printed on white with a yellow damask backing.  The white mailing envelope is lined with a matching custom yellow damask envelope liner.

The escort cards above have two colors to indicate meal option at the reception – gray damask is one entrée, yellow damask is the other.  All escort cards contain crystals as well.

The wedding menu above doubles as a table number and is three-sided, self-standing, printed fully in yellow damask, with table number and menu information on all three sides.

And here, we have another example of yellow and gray wedding papers – a wedding invitation in a suede-like gray fabric box.  The box is adorned with a wide, bright yellow grosgrain ribbon and a hand-sewn flower made with yellow striped cotton fabric.  The invitation itself has yellow polka dots.

The seating cards for this invitation are double-sided and mimic the yellow polka dots from the invitation.  Guests’ names are printed on one side, and their table number is shown on the back.

For more yellow and gray wedding inspiration, visit my Pinterest board here.

All invitations, escort cards, menus, and table numbers shown are created by Dogwood Blossom Stationery.  Contact us to schedule a design consultation for your custom yellow and gray event!

My paper recycle bin sits next to my work table.  It’s a large, deep box, and I toss my paper scraps in there as I cut.  My recycle bin has colorful layers that tell the story of the projects I’ve been up to over the last few months, much like the soil of the earth.

Using a recycle bin makes me feel “better” that these paper scraps will be recycled, but also makes me very conscious of the waste scraps I create while working.  As a result, I really try to eke out every bit of usable paper as I print, cut, work.  Anything over a certain size, I keep in my “leftovers drawer,” with the idea that I might one day find a use for these scraps.

So anyway, in January, a project landed me with a stack of 200 sheets of 12.5” x 5” text-weight white scraps.  That’s a pretty big stack of scraps – way too big to just toss into my recycle bin without a second thought.  And also too big to fit into my brimming “leftovers drawer.”  So for a couple of weeks, I kind of shuffled this stack around my work tables; everyday it stared me in the face – a monkey on my back.  It seemed like I must be able to find a use for this stack of odd-sized text-weight paper.

My a-ha moment came one day as I walked into my studio and sighed at the stack sitting on the corner of my work table – these sheets would make great pages for mini-books, I thought…  A-ha!

So I created these mini scratchbooks (above) with the scrap sheets.  I think they’ll be a fun, interesting, and useful thing to give to new clients, new vendors, new friends I meet over the next few months.  And I definitely feel like they show people what I “do” – which is:  I take invitations and paper goods to a totally different level by stepping out of the realm of paper alone, and by incorporating dimensional elements that make things really pop.

The covers of the scratchbooks are made with cotton fabrics, in a variety of prints and colors.  Twelve blank, white pages are sewn into those covers, useful for jotting down addresses, phone numbers, inspiration, notes to yourself, or for doodling.  And best of all, I used the entire stack of paper scraps, so they’re no longer staring at me every morning when I come in.  Yay for that!

Dogwood Blossom Stationery is… Color.  Embellishment.  Dimension.

Sequins are hot right now.  They’re everywhere.  While prior to 2011 most of us might have remembered them mostly as adornment on our gymnastics and dance leotards from childhood (I remember!), they were rethought last year as a hot embellishment for literally just about everything – couture runway gowns, home décor, hair accessories, you name it.  The wedding industry was certainly not left out of that trend, as you are probably already very aware.  And it’s a good thing, because sequins can do marvelous things for your wedding’s overall look and style, and they’re actually much more versatile than most of us give them credit for.

BLING – Used in large quantities and metallic colors,  sequins provide a lot of bling to whatever item it is they’re embellishing.  Consider adding crystals to boost the bling.

VINTAGE GLAMOUR – Used in delicate, pale, or washed-out hues like champagne, peach, or light gray, they lend a vintage glam look.  Perfect for weddings with a vintage Hollywood theme.

WILD FUN – In bright or hot colors, sequins add fun to their platform.

SOPHISTICATION – And used sporadically, in smaller quantities and rich colors, they add elegance, dimension, and intensity of color as they reflect the light they catch.

We created the wedding invitation at the top of this post using a suede-like aubergine purple fabric, embroidered with an undulating wave pattern and embellished with matching eggplant-colored sequins.  This wedding invitation is more sophisticated than it is blingy as a result of the rich purple hue and the relatively minimized use of sequins.  If you could only reach through the screen and touch it, you would find this invitation incredibly tactile and warm, thanks to the soft faux suede fabric and raised embroidered waves.

We created the place-setting menus above using cream-colored papers printed in chocolate brown.  Blush pink sequins and tiny, clear glass beads were sewn into a twist of pale gold mesh fabric as an embellishment.  These menus have a vintage feel with the slightest hint of glam.

What’s your take on sequins?  Will you incorporate them into your wedding style?  Contact us at Dogwood Blossom Stationery to schedule a design consultation to discuss your custom sequin wedding invitations.

I was thrilled to hear from Cessy Meacham recently when she contacted me about creating an invitation ensemble for a big bash celebrating the 5-year anniversary of her travel agency, Anytime Travel Solutions.  I worked with Cessy several years ago on her first-year anniversary invitations, so I was very aware that this busy lady knew how to celebrate in style!  This time around, though, she was doing it even bigger, with multiple events taking place over a weekend, and she wanted to host several of her out-of-town clients at a local bed and breakfast, as well.  So we created several invitation iterations which allowed her to invite different guests to the events meant for them.  Here’s a snapshot:

Anytime Travel Solution’s colors are orange and gray, and one of their many specialties is travel to Italy and the Mediterranean, so Cessy asked to use the Florence coat of arms on the invitation.  We incorporated the design into a bright but sophisticated orange and creamy-white invitation.  The main invitation for her out-of-town guests is a long, folding pocket invitation, printed with their logo and a column of the Firenze design on the cream cover.  It opens to reveal the orange interior, the invitation, and a pocket containing pertinent information.  Additional invitations were created for local guests, inviting them to her ribbon cutting celebration and a special dinner.  We chose matching orange envelopes, with return address printed in dark gray on the back flap.

Congratulations to Cessy and the team at Anytime Travel Solutions on 5 years of stellar service!  And thank you for asking Dogwood Blossom Stationery to be a part of your celebration!

Are you planning a milestone event for your business? Need invitations that reflect the scope of the celebration?  Dogwood Blossom Stationery can help you with that.  Contact us here.

Our welcome bag, featured on the left, was created with a Kraft paper gift bag with twisted handles.  It was stenciled along both sides with a celadon green peacock feather.  A square tag, printed on cream, is attached with a tangerine orange ribbon.  A closing clasp is created for this bag using jute twine that loops around the welcome bag tag.

Our welcome box, featured on the right, is a custom-created hot pink box.  It is adorned with white ruffle ribbon and emerald green satin ribbon.  A white faux chrysanthemum sits on top of the box and holds in place a round welcome tag, printed on pearlized white and adorned with two Swarovski crystals.

Have you been scouting for unique welcome bags for your out-of-town wedding guests?  What are you planning to include in your welcome bags?  Contact us at Dogwood Blossom Stationery to begin custom-creating your welcome bags!

This invitation is printed in purple and green on matte white, then layered onto metallic plum purple.  It uses an informal font set and a contemporary line-and-dot design on the left side.  The design on this wedding invitation is adorned with five Swarovski crystals and nine jade green sequins were sewn onto this invitation by hand.  Enclosures are printed on matte white using a coordinating purple and green line-and-dot design.  White mailing envelopes are lined with a custom envelope liner.

Sequins are hot-hot-hot right now.  Do you want your wedding invitation to contain sequin elements?

Several months ago, I had the great pleasure of being asked by Karry Castillo of Uniquely Yours to create invitations and paper goods for her “Modern Preppy” tablescape (one of 3 unique themes) that she would be showcasing at the Bridal Ball held on March 2, at the Lake Mary Events Center.

As is typical for a wedding stationer, though, I didn’t have a chance to attend the actual event, and therefore wasn’t able to see how my pieces “fit” into the bigger picture.  Well, yay for photographers!  Karry kindly connected me to Chad Pilster of Pilster Photography, who sent me photos of the event.  And…  Oh.my.goodness!

I just love the vision Karry had for this tablescape!  She is so unbelievably talented and I am just so impressed by her.   So here’s the super-talented team she assembled for this particular tablescape:

Concept and design:  Uniquely Yours

Photography:  Pilster Photography

Floral design:  Lee Forrest Design

Table and chair furnishings:  AFR Room Service

Linens and tabletop decor: Kirby Rentals Orlando

Cake:  Something Sweet Cake Studio

And invitations and paper goods, you guessed it:  Dogwood Blossom Stationery & Invitation Studio

For this table, two wedding invitations were created.  The first is a square, layered invitation with two lines of white grosgrain ribbons, packaged neatly in a 100% silk box in bright lime green.  This invitation features a lime green lattice pattern, which is reflected on the inside of the coordinating wedding programs, and on some of the seating cards.

The second invitation uses a lime green and navy blue plaid pattern and features a wide, white grosgrain ribbon custom embroidered with a monogram in navy blue thread.  The plaid pattern on this invitation was also carried through to the program and escort cards.

Thanks Karry, for letting me be part of this event!

I’ve been getting into gray lately.  It pairs so well with just about all other colors, and is a softer touch than black.  This invitation is part of  a sample set I created for a recent client, with some color changes.

While the aqua blue, slate gray, and pearlized ivory color scheme is unique and beautiful enough, this invitation also has bunches of other features I want to discuss.  The first would be the band on the back to hold enclosures in place.  Banded invitations are a great alternative to pocket invitations for brides who want a flat invitation (versus folding), but still want a way of keeping their enclosures neatly organized.  They’re also a more economic alternative to pocket invitations for brides who choose to spend less.

Next, I’ve had lots of clients ask for custom envelope liners, lately.  I love them!  I think they add so much to the overall invitation, and give extra strength and weight to single mailing envelopes.  Additionally, some of my clients have been doing really unique things with their custom liners.  One client emphasized her wedding date on her save-the-date liner.  Another client used it as “the perfect spot” for her wedding website address.  We used repeating lines of the couples’ names on another liner.  And other clients have just used the liner to echo or enhance the graphics or color of the invitation itself.  The best part: envelope liners are a fairly inexpensive option that adds a lot of oomph to your wedding invitation!

Crystals have been another repeated trend for my clients this year.  So on this sample, I used 6 Swarovski crystals to embellish the printed design.  Crystals are another fairly inexpensive option for wedding invitations.  They come in such a wide variety of colors, shapes, and sizes that they can be incorporated into just about any style of invitation.

So now back to the possibilities with gray…  Consider the same invitation with the same design as in the photos above using lilac purple as the accent instead of aqua blue.  Now envision a light rose pink instead of aqua blue.  Pumpkin orange with gray would make a really beautiful fall wedding invitation, don’t you think?  Add black in place of the aqua and this invitation becomes so sophisticated, it hurts.  Using red and gray printed on pearlized white instead of pearlized champagne would make a gorgeous, snowy, winter invitation.  And using lime green with this shade of gray on bright matte white paper would be fresh and clean; a totally different feel altogether.

Yes, I’ve decided I really like gray!

Invitation: Dogwood Blossom Stationery & Invitation Studio, LLC