Show Me the PURPLE (wedding invitations, that is)

Purple is a hot color this year for weddings and wedding invitations- here are some beautiful purple invitations from around the stationery-sphere:

From Bride Design- stunning letterpress invitations with a custom geometric border and a coordinating pocketfold

From Brown Sugar Design: The invitation was foil-embossed on metallic purple paper . The additional pieces were offset printed in deep purple ink on thick white cardstock.

From Tulaloo- a deep purple folder with a custom bright lime green swirly design.

From Oslo Press- their beautiful "Garden" design letterpressed in a lavender ink-

From Lasso'd Moon Designs (left) Two coordinating shades of purple topped with a soft white cardstock and font to match the bottom purple. On the right- an eco-friendly gatefold made with lavender plantable paper, with the invitation being layered in deep purple and soft white. Custom drawn maps were printed on coordinating lavender metallic paper.

The beauty of purple, and all of its many shades is that it goes with tons of colors- orange, greens, silver, black... the sky is the limit when designing with this color.

~Carey, Lasso'd Moon Designs
All designs are copyrighted by their creators.

Falling Leaves: Fresh Wedding Invitations Featuring a Seasonal Favorite

Since I started designing invitations I've watched fall weddings increase in popularity. In fact, when I planned my own November nuptials almost six years ago, I had one wedding vendor tell me "October is the new June!" and I think he was on to something there. While the rest of North America is just starting spring, autumn 2009 brides are already thinking about crisp breezes, warm and rich colors, and of course...falling leaves. Below is a feast for the eyes featuring a variety of interpretations on the seasonal autumn leaf theme beloved by many brides.

A pair of gold skeleton leaves combine with wine-colored hues and a modern horizontal layout in this Wedding Invitation from Bride Design.

This Autumn leaf stationery (at left) from Lasso'd Moon Designs seamlessly coordinates with a gorgeous pocket fold invitation suite (at right) also from Lasso'd Moon. These note cards would make perfect thank you notes for sending after your fall event.

The unexpected pairing of orange and blue adds a punch of color to this invitation suite from Evenstar Paperie, which also features a three-dimensional fall leaf in a subtle bronze.

Often under-used in an autumn wedding color palette, I think green is making a big comeback this year. I love Good Girl Gifts' take on fall leaves which highlights the company's signature stitched look. For me, the graceful stitch pattern evokes a vine at harvest time, or a gust of wind blowing the leaves this way and that.

Speaking of harvest time, I think the inclusion of autumn fruit and the catchy wording on these invitations from Just Another Day, offer another unique twist on the traditional fall leaf theme. They are offered in a variety of colors including this lovely green.

When it comes to themes, I think it's important to carry whatever motif you choose through the entire event. These gorgeous programs from Tulaloo, would perfectly infuse any wedding with a distinct autumn flair.

~Erin, Bride Design and Sweet Talk Boutique

Funny and Unique RSVPs

Even though wedding invitations tend to be more formal, the RSVP is one place you can have a little fun, particularly if your invitation is already infused with your personality. Here are some fun RSVPs that might peak your creativity!

From Lasso'd Moon Designs



Yes, that does save "evil pony" and yes, it was a real, biting pony (and a long-standing family joke)


From Brown Sugar Design:


I would have loved to see how that was filled out!

and from Robin Beth Designs:




This is great because it leaves space for the guests to write their own notes. I remember loving it when I was getting married and the guests wrote little notes about how excited they were to come. The notes will make a great keepsake.

Whatever your wedding style, don't be afraid to inject a little humor into it. It's a good way to show your guests how much fun they're going to have (or miss, due to biting evil ponies).

{Carey, Lasso'd Moon Designs}

Spring Fever!

The first day of spring upon us at long last (tomorrow- YAY!) so now is the perfect time to take a peek some lovely stationery that reflects this beautiful time of year.

1. Butterfly Garden Personalized Stationery from Rock Scissor Paper exclusively for Goods for Goodness' Sake.

2. Peekaboo Sunshine Personalized Folded Note Cards from Tulaloo
3. Blossom Stationery from Feterie.

4. Owl Hand Block Printed Note Card from Artful Sentiments exclusively for Goods for Goodness Sake.

5. Floral Collection Boxed Note Cards from Specialty Cards 4U.

6. You Don't Bring Me Flowers Note Cards from Lasso'd Moon Designs / Jitterbug Stationery .

7. Mandala Series Letterpress Stationery from Shimmer Studio.
8. Spring Note Cards from Jilly Jack Designs.

I hope you're now as inspired as I am to celebrate the coming of spring with some delightful new stationery!

Photos courtesy of their respective owners.

- Molly, Artful Sentiments

2009 Hot Wedding Motifs- Birds and Trees

This year seems to be the year of birds and trees. Both designs are popular for garden and outdoor weddings, providing a casual and natural feel to your invitations. The birds are symbolic of love (and the old saying "love birds") and togetherness. Trees have different meanings depending on type, from the Oak, which means family, strength and loyalty, to the Palm Tree, standing for Unification, Warmth and Fertility.


Image Credits (going clockwise):
Bird with Berries, Blue Birds of Happiness and "Something Blue" (with tree): Lasso'd Moon Designs
Bottom rightLetterpress Tree:Paper Stories Letterpress
Ornate Bird graphic Blush Paperie

Make your mark using eco-friendly inks

Most people think “eco-friendly stationery” has everything to do with the paper. Just as important (and often overlooked) is the ink used to create the images and impressions we see on paper.

However, not all inks are created equal! “Traditional” inks are considered toxic to the environment because they don't decompose in landfills, they emit air pollution in the form of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) and are based on petroleum, a non-renewable resource. Unfortunately, these inks are commonly used in printing processes because they are readily available and considered to be cost-effective. Thankfully, there are alternatives. Here are some suggestions on how make a 'green' impression on paper:

Use vegetable-based inks (soy, flax, canola or safflower)

- emit low VOCs
- derived from renewable resources
- easily stripped from paper in the recycling process
- biodegradable
- available for commercial and personal printing equipment
- provide high-quality, vibrant prints

Remember that less is more

Source short-run printing using solid wax ink or by digital press using liquid ink. These processes can print small quantities with less setup and chemical clean-up required.

Lasso’d Moon Designs: eco-friendly printer, uses wax based solid ink.

Even better: print only what you need. Source stationers who print by hand using block print, silkscreen or letterpress.

(left) Feterie: Eco-Luxe Gift Wrap is hand silkscreen-printed with soy/veg-based ink | (right) Artful Sentiments: Each card is an original work of art, hand printed

Hire a calligrapher for your stationery package or envelope addressing (you can also do it yourself).

Betsy Dunlap: calligraphy by hand

Design considerations: choose designs that use less ink or none at all. Look for minimalist designs or letterpress that incorporates ‘embossing’, where the impression into the paper creates the design without ink.

Paper stories: embossed letterpress design

Go digital: where possible, eliminate the ink altogether. Use wedding websites for wedding day information (such as Accommodation or Direction details) and send “Save the Date” notifications via email.

Eco-saavy consumers on a quest for eco-friendly stationery should look beyond recycled paper. Work with stationers who resource low-VOC ink solutions with the capacity to run small quantities and you'll be doing your part to support sustainability!

- Lianne Tokey, baron*cards

Seating Charts!

Seating Charts are a fabulous way to direct guests to a particular table without using a lot of paper. Often, they are almost works of art that you could hang on your wall after. But do you need one? If you want to assign tables, but not seating, a chart is a great way to go. Your stationer may be able to design you one that will match your invitation suite:



or



In the first example, we used a monogram/damask design on not only the invitations, table cards and place cards, but on the seating chart as well. The bride used a very different theme of green and blue- each table was named after a different shade of the color (Celadon, Peacock, etc) and then the table cards were printed in the opposite shade. The images from Blush Paperie incoroporate a pretty flourish design throughout that bride's menus, seating chart and table numbers.

Seating Charts can take a few weeks to complete. One, typically because there are many names involved (and no one wants to spell Grandma's name wrong), seating assignments change quickly and there's just a lot of room for error. And, not all stationers have the ability to print them in house as typically they are a wider format than most stationer's have in-house, so this can add to your turn-around time as well. If you do think you'll need a seating chart, mention it to your stationer in your initial consultation so that you can be sure to have plenty of time to complete it.

~Carey, Lasso'd Moon Designs

Place cards, Escort Card and Butler Cards, Oh My!

Not all weddings require place cards or escort cards. But do you? Do you know the difference?

If you are concerned about where guests will sit (maybe Grandma doesn't get along with Aunt Margery and they might thrown down if stuck at the same table), or need to let your caterers know who should get the chicken and who should get the beef, using place and escort cards can make life much simpler. They do mean a bit of extra work for you before the wedding, but in the end, you'll be glad you avoided any family fights.

While typically all of these little cards end up being called place cards, there is a difference. Escort cards are usually set out at a separate table, with guests' names and table numbers directing them where to go. Place cards usually are set out right at the table and are more for assigned seating. These usually accompany a seating chart so the guests know which table to go to. Both cards can do double duty however, particularly in the event that you are having a plated dinner. If you have asked on your RSVP card who exactly wants which meal, you can denote this with a little symbol or certain color card at the table (#5 is a good example). This way, it eliminates the servers need to ask, and also takes the guess work out of it for your guests who might not remember if they chose chicken or beef. These are also sometimes refered to as Butler Cards.

If you know you're going to need these, your stationer can coordinate your cards with the rest of your invitation ensemble. It's also a good idea to let her know in the beginning so that she can schedule you in. Check with your stationer about the best format for submitting your information, particularly if you want to have your guests names and tables printed directly on the card.

Photo/Design credits:
1 & 2- Feterie
(#2 image courtesy Christa Hoffarth Photography)
3 & 5- Custom Programs
4 & 7 Lasso'd Moon Designs
6- Paper Stories Letterpress

~Carey @ Lasso'd Moon Designs

The Anatomy of a Wedding Program- What's in it and Do You Need it?

Wedding programs are what some might consider a necessary evil. Personally, I like them for several reasons. First, it gives you a chance to introduce your wedding party without formally doing so, and even let people know how you know them. Second, it's a nice way to give rememberance to those family members who have passed on. Third, it gives your guests something to do with their hands, and if it's a ceremony many might be unfamiliar with, it also lets your guests know what's going to happen when. Fourth, 15 years later, it may help you remember what actually happened at your wedding without having to break out your wedding DVD (this happened to me recently, though it's only been nine and a half years).

So what should go into your program and how many should you get? Well, it really depends on how much information you want to give out and what your budget is for programs. In considering how many to order, a good rule of thumb is one per couple, plus 15-20% more for singles and keepsakes. As for content, I've done small programs, and I've done HUGE programs. A 6-8 page program, even if it's small in size, could still end up being more expensive than your invitations. There's a ton of time that goes into setting them up, there are many changes that need to be made (because you do NOT want to spell your future grandma-in-law's name wrong) and it's all very last minute. The more time you can devote to them the better. But I would break down your wedding program into the following:

The necessary:
The ceremony:
processional, music, readings, recessional

The Bridal Party:
Your parents, his parents, the officiant, bridesmaids and groomsmen (including your maid of honor and best man )

The nice:
A note of rememberance, or thank you to parents

Directions if reception is at a different site

Information about your ceremony if it is different from the norm (if you are doing a handfasting ceremony for example, it would be nice to give your guests a little history of the ceremony).

If you are considering a wedding program, let your stationer know in your initial consultation that you are thinking of doing them so that she can let you know the approximate timeline for these and when she'll need the information.

~Carey@Lasso'd Moon Designs

Photos courtesty of Lasso'd Moon Designs (top) and paperzest (bottom).

Meet Your Guides: Lasso'd Moon Designs

Hello, my name is Carey Bunker and I own Lasso'd Moon Designs, a custom invitation business in Vermont, as well as Jitterbug Stationery, an online stationery shop. I'll be posting on such topics as wedding invitations (and all the accompanying pieces), postage and etiquette.