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

Trend: On Location - Cityscapes and Skylines

People with a spirit of adventure will enjoy the current cityscape and skyline stationery trend. When used as part of an invitation suite, the signature silhouette of a city skyline can be used to suggest the location of the event. For wedding invitations, the couple may choose to feature a city that is near and dear to their hearts, such as the location where they met or were engaged, or perhaps a city where they vacationed. It's also a great way for long-distance lovers to bring their lives together by showcasing their hometowns.

Cityscapes can be playful and fun when illustrated with lively colors, or they can suggest simple sophistication when presented as a silhouette. Here are a few examples:

"City Lights" from the New York Series, Ceci New York


Toronto and NYC Skylines (featuring airport city codes) from baron*cards


Custom Skyline Invitation by Bella Figura

San Francisco Save the Date by Hello!Lucky

Wedding Invitation by paperzest

Another way to incorporate the cityscape into stationery is by sourcing postcards. Great for 'at home' cards, this could be a unique way to let people know you've moved! Engaged couples who plan to have a destination wedding can send out Save the Date postcards featuring the wedding location. If you can't find what you're looking for in new collections, try your local thrift store for vintage postcards like these:

State Postcards from Postcard Booth

Happy trails!
~ Lianne Tokey, baron*cards

The Envelopes, Please...

For any special event, the envelope that your invitations or save-the-dates are mailed in is the first indication your friends and family will see of your event. From traditional white to colored envelopes and colored ink — there are a plethora of options to work with. What's also important to keep in mind is the technical aspect of the envelope as well, since it is a working item that must also work within the confines of the United States Postal Service's requirements. After all, you do want to have each and every envelope arrive safely to their destinations.

Take into consideration some of these tips when choosing colored inks and/or colored envelopes. If you are not located in the U.S., make sure to check with your local post office on your country's postal requirements.

1) Make sure that there is enough contrast between the ink of the addresses and the envelope color.

2) Our trusty USPS would much prefers that black ink is used, however they do allow for some flexibility in using these inks colors: Brown, Gold, Crimson, Blue, Grey and Purple.

3) If your envelopes are dark in color, consider a white or light-colored calligraphy.

4) Remember that hand-canceling is an option if your envelope contains invitations with delicate details. It's important to check with your local post office if they are willing to do this for your invitations.

The following are samples of colored envelopes and inks that works with the USPS' addressing requirements.

--Cathe (Feterie)

{Image courtesy of Lassod Moon Designs}

{Image courtesy of Feterie}


{Image courtesy of Tulaloo}

Fiesta!

With Cinco de Mayo right around the corner you might want to start thinking about throwing a Mexican inspired party for family and friends! Here are some great options for paper goods to make your fiesta complete, so celebrate in style by picking up a few of these items for your very own fiesta!


1. DE COLORES -M- Papel Picado (Mexican cut-paper banners) by aymujer

2. Custom Fiesta Invitations by Just Another Day Designs

3. Gift Tags by werewolf

4. Festive Coasters by Artful Sentiments

5. Mexican Fiesta Party Picks by Kfranzknight

6. Invitations by Earmark

Not blue, not brown.

I have some new Bar/Bat Mitzvah invitation designs in the works for later on this year and have been really thinking about different color combinations for the boys.  I was thinking back to all the Bar Mitzvah invitations I have done recently and with a few exceptions, they all seem to have navy or brown in them, including my own son's invitation.  So I can't help thinking, what can we do to spice that up a little and get more creative.  Here are a few that I have done that do not have navy or brown.

Red, black and gold

Gray and silver

Black and gold

Here are a few more color combinations I am working on for the new designs.  Do you think they work for a boy?

This one is teal and gray.

This one is dark red and orange.

How else would you think outside the box for colors for a boy?