Real Wedding: Jeska and Brad

We absolutely love it when we get to work with clients who think outside the box and aren't afraid to veer away from tradition and get creative with their weddings. This was absolutely the case with Jeska and Brad, who had one of the most unique celebrations we've seen in a long time.

Jeska and Brad chose our Big Day suite in letterpress. We loved the pop of purple in their invites, which was definitely a running theme throughout the wedding -- from the brides hair, to the flowers, to the purple layer at the bottom of her gorgeous custom made dress.

A good reminder for everyone's big day!

These robot cake toppers are pretty amazing, we're especially loving the paper flags with their initials.

Jeska and Brad printed out our free Big Day table numbers and mounted them on purple paper of course. How pretty are those flowers?

Genius seating chart which let's people know where they are sitting and also explains who everyone is.

Congratulations Jeska & Brad! Thanks for being such a fun couple to work with!

Five Quick Wedding Invitation Tips

Naturally we get asked about wedding invitations all the time. How to chose the right ones, what to look for, what wording to use --- all such important questions! We thought we'd pull together a quick post on how to pick wedding invitations. Here are our top five tips!  

1. Choose the design that's right for you. Don't too get caught up in worrying about tradition; instead, choose an invitation that fits your style, whether it's colorful or classic.

2. Embrace paper. While it's tempting to do a lot of things digitally these days, remember that your wedding is a great opportunity to slow down, reflect, and celebrate.

3. Begin with the event in mind.  The invitation sets the tone for the wedding, so the design should ideally reflect the style of your venue, your color palette, and the level of formality.

4. Simplify. The only things guests really need to receive in the mail these days is an invitation -- the rest of the details (e.g. travel, accommodations, registry, RSVP) are often best communicated by a wedding website or e-mail. That said, if you have the budget and desire for a pretty invitation package, by all means go for it!  Your guests will be thrilled.

5. Have fun! Wedding planning should be as fun and enjoyable as the event itself, so stop yourself if you're turning into a bridezilla. Remember it's not the end of the world if you don't get the EXACT shade of purple font you were dreaming of. At the end of the day what matters is the big event and the small things that may go wrong on the way are worth brushing off!

Be sure to check out our extensive wedding wording and planning advice. Have more questions? Ask us in the comments!

Wedding Inspiration Board - La Vie En Rose

If you follow us on Pinterest you know we can't resist a good wedding inspiration board and we're always creating new mood boards based on some of our favorite wedding suites. We thought we'd bring some of those inspiration boards to the blog and do a regular feature showing how you can style your wedding based on your invite. Once you decide on your invitation it can really be the anchor for all of your wedding decor and design-- from the wedding flowers to the bridesmaids dresses. Today we're showing off one of our favorite invitations for a summer or spring wedding, La Vie En Rose. We just added this suite to our collection and we love the pretty elegant feel of this floral invitation. La Vie En Rose is a versatile design that can be perfect for a rustic outdoor wedding or a more formal affair.

If you go the rustic route for decor this dessert table is a great addition, it's casual and cool with just some burlap and vintage pieces added to the table. We would carry the soft pink color from the invites to the treats and think these pink heart cookies would pair lovely with the feel of a La Vie En Rose wedding.

This line up of bridesmaids in mix and match colors and floral dresses is a lovely way to keep a variety of colors in your wedding decor and not commit to just two or three colors. And what bridesmaid doesn't love getting to chose her own dress? Flowers picked fresh from the garden and roses in mason jars and vintage bottles would pair well with the original floral wedding design.

To see more wedding inspiration check out our Pinterest boards. To see the full La Vie En Rose wedding suite head here. To view all of our floral wedding invitations click here.

Is there a particular design on our site you'd like us to create a mood board for? Let us know in the comments and we'll feature it here next.

The image of the flowers is from Style Me Pretty, the bridesmaids dresses were found via 100 Layer Cake as was the pretty dessert table.

Real Wedding: Lauren & Derek

This wedding had it all. Beautiful woods and a beach side ceremony. We love the couples casual approach to their wedding day. Derek and Lauren wanted a simple but beautiful wedding and these photos are proof they achieved just that!

You can't go wrong with this stunning view.

The couple chose our Seagulls Wedding Invitation which matched their Oregon beach setting perfectly.

Lauren and Derek also win best wedding song choices ever in our book. The couple's processional song was “Thank You” by Led Zeppelin and their recessional song was “Sunshine of my Life” by Stevie Wonder.

Congratulations Lauren & Derek!

More photos can be viewed over at Ruffled.

Wedding Location: Oceanside, OR / Wedding Photographer: K Miller Photographs / Ceremony Venue: Oceanside Beach State Park / Reception Venue: Oceanside Community Club / Wedding Flowers: Bride and friends / Wedding Dress: ShopBop / Wedding Caterer: Bread and Ocean / Dessert: Couple’s friends / Officiant: Helen Hill / Wedding Invitations: Hello!Lucky

New! Skyline Invitation Suites

We're so excited to announce that we have added more designs to our ever popular skyline wedding invitation series. We get so many requests for cities so deciding which ones to design next was easy! We took a look at our list and picked the top six most requested skylines. With a couple general skylines thrown into the mix we're hoping we please brides in cities all over the world with this release!

Here are the six new cities we're welcoming to our skyline family this week: Portland, Austin, New Orleans, Edinburgh, Wine Country, and Mountain Skyline. Be sure to click through and view the entire suites for these new wedding designs as we spent a lot of time picking the perfect icons for all the corresponding pieces!

And don't forget about the cities we already have in this series which include San Francisco, New York, Boston, London, Seattle, and Desert Skylines. All our skyline wedding invitation suites are available in both letterpress and flat printing. And like all of the designs on our site these skylines can be personalized to match your wedding colors. So be sure to play around in our custom tool online and pick the perfect palette.

And don't forget we also have some skyline letterpress greeting cards available for those of you who want to show your city pride but aren't getting married. We're busy printing more cities but right now you can find letterpress notecards featuring San Francisco, New York and London skylines.

Looking for a city we don't have yet? Tell us in the comments which ones we should design next!

Real Wedding: Britt and Blake

This real wedding featured on Style Me Pretty shows a classic side of San Francisco that we simply adore. Dream a Little Dream Events' Britt McNany and her beau Blake met in San Francisco and wed in San Francisco. Their theme was timeless, with dramatic details and bold colors. Plus, both the ceremony and reception took place in iconic buildings that were the perfect destination for their big day. We recreated a custom design to suit her romantic soiree along with some equally gorgeous day-of products.

Tables were each named by the various neighborhoods in our city, to guide guests to their seats. We love how the gorgeous deep red bouquets by Nancy Liu Chin match the cards.

A ceremony in St. Ignatius Church was the only place for these two. It's sweeping archways and rich architecture set the tone for the night ahead.

This room is completely breathtaking. The entire Asian Art Museum is filled with historic and contemporary beauty, but to host a reception here is a true dream.

Custom printed place cards were set to match the table decor, with individual meal choices, too.

Congratulations Britt and Blake! We wish you a lifetime of happiness and a wonderful 2013!

Photos by Andrew Weeks Photography

Real Wedding: Anne and Chris

A late summer wedding in Montauk, NY is just about as close to bliss as one can get. The warm days, cooler nights, salty air and bright colors make up a pretty perfect setting, and the real wedding of Anne and Chris shows us just how perfect it really was. The wedding, featured on Cappy Hotchkiss Photography, is dubbed "J.Crew I do" because the party is head-to-toe in the popular brand. It fits just right for these nautical nuptials, so we give props to the young couple for their killer style.

Have you ever seen a better looking bridal party? White weddings are classic but those colorful shoes definitely make a statement. Anne and Chris chose our Big Day wedding invitation customized with a heart and their initials at the top. Our favorite part has to be the dress suggestion at the bottom: Dress Sharp.

Each table included some handmade details, along with bright and beautiful bouquets by Flowers by Beth.

Our Big Day menus and table signs complimented the decor nicely.

Sparklers are always a nice touch when bidding adieu to the newlyweds. Congratulations to Anne and Chris! For more photos, visit Cappy Hotchkiss Photography.

Real Wedding: Izzy and Harry (continued)

We're still swooning over all the beautiful details of Izzy and Harry's UK wedding last December. Their save the date cards and invitations were only a fraction of the fun paper products displayed throughout their big day, so when Izzy sent us these beautiful photos by Sven Arnstein we had to share.

Custom wedding signage was created for almost every table along with matchbox favors, wild-flower seed packets, a wishing tree and a delightful 'thumb-print tree', and they all matched perfectly with the Hot Air Balloon save the date.

The couple really went above and beyond to create a whimsical space. We always love a winter wedding...

To view more photos, visit Hello! Magazine! Thanks Izzy for sharing the beautiful photos.

New! Foil Stamp Wedding Invitations

Although we just shared the exciting news about our new wedding invitation suites on our blog, we couldn't resist sharing even more delightful news with our fans!

The latest latest additions to our wedding collection are these beautiful foil stamp wedding invitations! When we installed our foil stamp machine late last year it took us a little while to get the hang of it, but now we're pressing these stunners left and right. Not only are the designs classic and modern, the shine of metallic foil adds a pop of perfection.

You can choose from a range of styles, including Symphony, Pop Deco, Atlantic, Shooting Star, and Parker. They remind us of a roaring twenties vintage party invitation - great for any formal event!

To view the foil stamp invitation collection and to see more of our latest designs, visit our website!

Photos by Edyta Szyszlo Photography

Real Wedding: Tina and Gregory

It's been awhile since we've had a classic New York City wedding come our way. Tina and Gregory touched on all our favorite Big Apple details, from an incredible rooftop view to a traditional black and white color palette. It's beautiful in its simplicity and we're delighted to have played a part.

Our New York City Skyline invitation was the perfect choice for the couple. The charcoal gray and white set the tone for the event.

We can't get over the intricacy of this cake/cupcake tower combo by Billy's Bakery. You can't go wrong with edible pearls!

Another wedding for the books. Congratulations to Tina and Gregory!

Photography by Jami Saunders

Real Wedding: Bailey and Erik

Weddings at the Bear Flag Farm can never disappoint. The beautiful couple Bailey and Erik said their vows among some of the most breathtaking scenery, and their wedding details were just as perfect. Our Lavender Harvest invitation suite was a nice introduction to the event, especially because of the lush lavender field nearby.

In addition to the crazy gorgeous location, Bear Flag Farm also coordinated the design and florals for the event. The succulents add a deep texture to these cheerful bouquets, making them a lovely addition to the decor.

It was important to the couple that fresh, delicious foods were incorporated into their big day. With cuisine by Alex's Catering in Vallejo, everything was complete!

Congratulations Bailey and Erik! To view more images of their wedding, head over to Style Me Pretty.

Photos by One Love Photography

New! Wedding Invitation Suites

Brides, get ready for more wedding beauty! Our team has been hard at work preparing for the launch of our newest wedding invitation suites and we're thrilled to announce some are now available for order! There's something for every type here - from classic and traditional to flowery and romantic. Each suite is customizable on our website and come with lots of extra options like paper color choices, printed envelopes, calligraphy, and guest address labels. You can be one of the first to personalize these paper pretties, so shop now! (Above, La Vie en Rose)

Love and Marriage

Lemonade Stand

Morris

Classic Rose

To shop all wedding invitations, click here. We'll be rolling out many more new designs in the coming weeks so stay tuned for more soon!

Real Wedding: Maria and Craig

If you're wedding is inspired by old Hollywood glamor, it's a sure sign it should take place in Palm Springs. Maria and Craig's wedding at the Parker Palm Springs showcases the couple's luxurious taste and fashionable lifestyle. Maria, CEO of SimplyShe wanted her guests to feel comfortable throughout the weekend celebration while still embracing the stylish accents of a grand event. The bold color palette of black, white, pool blue and fuchsia caught our eye when she came to our studio with plans of a custom wedding suite. We're loving the striped table linens and decor.

The Los Angeles Skyline save the dates were letterpress printed in fuchsia ink, and paired with a custom black and white striped liner and pool envelope.

For a more custom invitation, we transformed our horizontal Chandelier wedding invitation into a vertical, double-sided modern glamor piece. The invitations were also paired with a black and white striped liner and customized guest labels.

It doesn't really get much more glamorous than this. The reception room filled with fluorescent pink lighting is just dying for a dance party.

What a beautiful weekend for a beautiful couple. Congratulations Maria and Craig! For more photos head over to Style Me Pretty here!

Photos by Jesse Leake Photography

Top of the Mark

This fall we had the pleasure of working with a team at the Top of the Mark at the Intercontinental Mark Hopkins Hotel for a special photo shoot. As such an iconic hotel with deep San Francisco history, we were thrilled to create a custom skyline invitation for the event. Our San Francisco Skyline is packed with significant imagery, but one thing was missing for this Nob Hill destination. We created a new icon for the mix and included the Top of the Mark peaking above our lovely city by the bay.

If you haven't been to the Top of the Mark, it's a must for visitors and city dwellers. Their views are some of the best in the city, and the bar makes a delicious cocktail.

Can you see the difference? We love having the Mark Hopkins in our Skyline!

These photos by Rien van Rijthoven of Architecture Photography capture the magic of the Mark Hopkins so well. With elegant tablescapes and jaw-dropping views, this venue makes any event a dream.

Thanks to the Top of the Mark for such a fun project and to Rien van Rijthoven for the beautiful images!

Happy Anniversary London Tube

On January 9th the London Tube celebrated its 150th anniversary! As such an intricate structure with so many historical memories, we had to pay tribute somehow. The Tube logo is one of the main inspirations for our Love London invitation suite! We had to put our own touches on the design, but we love it's classic color palette and bold type.

The Tube hasn't always been as widespread as it is today. This vintage Underground map shows some of the original railways.

Penguin released a coffee table book in 2007 titled Transit Maps of the World. Below is a map showing all the cities that currently have or are planning to build an urban rail system. Pretty impressive! Wouldn't it be nice to be connected to all these countries by train?

Of course we're not the only ones feeling inspired by the London Tube. Other companies are paying tribute to the railways as well. 1210 Apparel created this Hip Hop Roots tee-shirt, connecting all the defining forces of hip-hop music into one crazy tube/tree.

Congratulations to the London Tube! We wish you another 150 years of efficient journey through our second home.

Featured: Harper's Bazaar Arabia Bride

Do you remember this exquisite English countryside wedding of Lisa and Rory? It was recently featured (with a huge spread!) in Harper's Bazaar Arabia Bride with pages full of gorgeous photos, insider information, and all the classic details that made the event so memorable. We had loads of fun working with the charming couple, and are over the moon about the great publicity their wedding has received. Congrats Lisa and Rory!

Real Wedding: Anna and Andrew

This dream DIY wedding takes homemade details to a whole new level. Anna and Andrew, both creative (and both musicians!), wanted to incorporate rich jewel tones and patterns into their Madison, Wisconsin wedding. With the help of some talented artists and some playful ideas, their save the dates and invitations were adorable and personal. Our Baroque Frame save the date card was the perfect amount of whimsy, and paired with a custom portrait by Ashley Goldberg it set the tone for the big event.

It's easy to customize our Big Day invitation! Anna and Andrew loved their custom portrait so much, they asked a friend to design the illustrations for their wedding suite. We love the initials inside the heart, and their bold red color palette.

All the floral bridesmaids dresses were customized to each lady, too. Each one was hand-picked by Soho Mode and matched the decor perfectly.

Even our Big Day programs were paired with a handmade ribbon baton!

They really went above and beyond with their decor. It's colorful, lively, and looks like a grand ol' time.

And what's a wedding for musicians without a little jam session?! The couple performed for the first time as husband and wife in front of family and friends and it was a great success.

Congratulations Anna and Andrew! For more photos, head over to Green Wedding Shoes!

Photos by Anda Marie Photography

Real Wedding: Caitlin and Timothy

Caitlin and Timothy's sunny Palo Alto wedding has us dreaming of summer time all over again. With lots of golden yellow details and an elegant outdoor reception, it's warm and inviting and oh so romantic. Caitlin and Timm started out by sending guests these Heartland save the date cards. And who says you have to keep with the same card? They switched things up with a custom icon in our Big Day invitation suite.

We customized the invitation with a mason jar holding two yellow California poppies. The theme carries out throughout their wedding day, even into their homemade favors!

The gorgeous florals were done by Amy Burke Designs, and we love the darker orange pops of color.

It was love at first sight with this ceremony venue. The Stanford Memorial Church just glowed among the guests.

And how darling are these homemade favors? The California poppies made another appearance on the labels of each jar. We're dying for a taste!

Congratulations Caitlin and Timm! For more lovely photos, head over to Lori Paladino Photography!

Photos by Lori Paladino Photography

Wedding Design & Planning - Elisheva Basseri of A Bride's Best Friend www.a-brides-best-friend.com Venue - Villa Montalvo http://www.montalvoarts.org/rentals/weddings/ & Stanford Memorial Church Music - Ron Grandia www.rongrandia.com Hair & Makeup - Joey Chueng of JBeautique http://www.jbeautique.com/ Flowers - Amy Burke of Amy Burke Designs http://amyburkedesigns.com/ Rentals - Classic Party Rentals http://sanfrancisco.classicpartyrentals.com/ and La Tavola Linen www.latavolalinen.com Transportation - Lone Star Limousine http://www.lnstarlimo.com Caterer:  Melons Catering Dress Store:  Priscilla of Boston Shoes:  Valentino

Real Wedding: Tim and Melissa

Melissa and Tim said their I do's earlier this year in a venue that's filled with history, literally! The James J. Hill Library in Saint Paul, Minnesota is beaming with dramatic light and enormous space. With photography by Tiffany Bolk, the romantic setting was captured at its best. The couple chose our Nouveau Peonies wedding invitation suite in a neutral, champagne color palette. It's not often we see this design printed in other color ways but we're absolutely smitten with the pale palette.

We also customized their square Nouveau Peonies wedding programs that matched the colors of their invitations. It's always nice to see paper products match from the save the dates to the big day.

With menu cards and table numbers, Melissa and Tim's reception decor was complete!

Congratulations Melissa and Tim!

Photos by Tiffany Bolk Photography

Winter Wedding Roundup

It's getting colder and the days are getting shorter, meaning we're gearing up for the winter months ahead. Snow is falling in many parts of the world creating a gorgeous white backdrop for our favorite winter weddings. There's something very romantic about a winter ceremony, whether it's the peacefulness of the seasons or that friends and family slow down and enjoy the simple things in life. We've gathered a few of our favorite Pins from Pinterest in a Winter Wedding Roundup. Getting engaged this season? Winter is a beautiful time to say "I do," so take a peek at these images for inspiration for 2013.

Photo Credits: Winter Bouquet / Paramount D'Orsays Heels /  Vintage Lace Letterpress Wedding Invitation / Papineau Calligraphy / Favor Wraps / Elie Saab Dress / Lace Bunting / Cake