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I am really excited about how these invitations came out. They were a real collaborative effort between myself, the bride, groom, and even Rich! The bride and groom came to me with a very clear idea of what they wanted. They gave me a brochure for New Bedford, Massachusetts {where the wedding is going to be} which included a vintage street map of the town. They wanted a vintage and nautical feel to their invitations to set the tone of the day. I love the use of the banner and scroll in this design. The registration was super tight between the deep red banner and deep orange map on the top of the invitation, but it came out spectacularly {with much credit to my PG-11}.
{Image via The Bride’s Cafe}
This is such a pretty table, welcoming guests into the tented reception. My milk glass vase collection is growing slow and steady. I actually see a few of the same ones here! This photo also has me thinking table runners. Our venue now has the option of colored linens, which I was all about at first. But now I am liking the idea of a white linens, patterned table runner, white vases. This photo has also reminded me that simple is always the best with regards to the flowers. We are still planning to do our own centerpieces {with the help of friends and family}, so one type of flower per vase it most likely will be. I found this Weeder’s Digest post by Sarah of Saipua very helpful. She also suggests votives, which is always a lovely way to warm-up a space.
Can you feel the warm breeze on your face? The grass ever so soft under your feet? Can you smell the sweet peonies? Taste the delectable {vegetarian} meal? Hear your family and friends laughing? …I can.
I think one of the first things my sister knew she wanted for her wedding were coasters that said, “Eat, Drink, be Married.” When it came time to decide whether she and her now-husband wanted favors or not, I suggested using the coasters not only for the reception, but for favors as well.
My sister’s wedding has come and gone. Phew! I have not danced that much since my cousin’s wedding in Chicago two years ago! My sister did an amazing job with all of the little details, especially the bridesmaid’s gifts. Jess had clutches custom made for each bridesmaid to match the colors of her wedding - black, white, and pink. The clutches were perfect and just the right size. I was able to fit my cell phone, lip gloss, gum {which she included in each one}, and my ever-important maid of honor speech.
Jess also gave each of us a necklace to wear on the big day. We all wore black dresses so these necklaces add a nice bit of sparkle. As the Maid of Honor, Jess also gave me the prettiest flower to wear in my hair…which she made! I love those guinea feathers. More photos of her wedding to come!
The flowers on this invitation really pop with another favorite color combination - pink, black, & white. The bride is having gerber daisies and bright pink roses for her flowers. Instead of using both flowers, we chose to use the color of the roses and the image of a daisy. Paired with a clean serif font in all caps and the swoops of Feel, the invitations are modern and with a touch of fun! 
I love this photo. The classy bride tossing her bouquet is my Aunt Elaine and the little girl in white trying to catch the bouquet is…my mom! The little socks and Mary Jane’s kill me.
This photo got me thinking about wedding traditions and which ones we will be including. Here is the little list {edit: this list is far from little. I hope you are comfy 
} I made of traditions, meanings, and if I think we are going to include them or break them:
1. The bouquet toss - Yes. But a bit different. I do not think it is a big deal if I throw my own bouquet. I know a lot of brides save them but they will die. I will save something else, like the ribbon they are going to be tied with and hopefully pass on. I think I will give my bouquet away to either my mom or split it and give one half to my sister and the other half to Deb, my future sister-in-law. With all that said, I am still going to do a toss, only I am going to hold a bundle of unbound flowers together and then toss them from a higher location and shower people with flowers. I think I will invite any and all the ladies to participate as well.
2. Giving the bride away - Yes. I am walking down the aisle with my dad. It is just one of those things I have always known about my wedding and something I am really looking forward to. Hopefully I do not cry. I will. I know this tradition reaches far back to the days of daughters being property of their fathers, dowries, and essentially a transfer of ownership from the father to now husband but…seriously. I am no one’s property. All parties involved - Dad and Rich - are aware of this. I do not think I am any less progressive or independent for wanting to do this. I see it as symbolic walk from the old life to the new.
{Image via Snippet & Ink by John Dolan}
The first time Rich and I danced together was in the parking lot of a convenience store on the campus of a local college. I met him for a drink one evening in the first few weeks of dating. We were driving home {in separate cars}, and he suddenly pulled into said parking lot, opened his door, and turned up his radio to blast LL Cool J’s Loungin’ {Who Do You Love Remix}…sing it: “Who do you love…are you for sure.” Anyways! He began to dance and got me out of my car to dance. Ridiculously random and insanely sweet, it is a dance I will always remember.
We continue to have impromptu dance parties in our living room, but it is a rare occasion when Rich and I have the opportunity for a nice, close, slow dance. Our love for dancing and music {me the listener/occasional singer, Rich the actual musician} plays a vital role in our relationship, so naturally the first dance and song are important. Surprisingly, we do not have “a song.” You know, the one that every time it comes on the radio I sigh “Ooh it’s our song, baby!” Yeah…no. So, here are my current choices for our first dance, in no particular order:
1. Sky to Blue - Phillip Roebuck {I cannot find the lyrics}
2. Stay With You - John Legend
3. Your Smiling Face - James Taylor
Real Simple has some ideas for unusual first dance songs. Perhaps I will check some of those out. Of course, they will not be so unusual anymore if everyone starts using them. Of course, I have James Taylor on my list, so who am I to talk?
I love vintage travel posters. The graphic imagery and vibrant colors. The enticing and exotic visual lures encouraging you to travel to foreign lands to climb a mountain, ride an elephant, or have a picnic in the countryside. Travel posters were of great importance in the early to mid 20th century, but have become a lost art {I suppose we have cameras to thank}.
Erin, the bride, spent some time abroad in Avignon, France and wanted to incorporate the nostalgia of the travel poster above into her wedding invitations as well as the location of her wedding ceremony - under a large tree. I pushed the boundaries with the gocco on this invitation creating large amounts of solid areas with the border and tree on the invitations, but the results were fantastic! There are a few spots here and there, but over all the coverage is solid. The suite also included a corresponding rsvp with an arch of tree limbs and a reception card reminiscent of grassy fields perfect for picnicking. Très jolie, non?
Today, I have tape on the mind for a Friday Find. The lace tape is a favorite of mine. I use the white lace on most of my packages I send out. I love how it looks on kraft paper.
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Sarah Parrott, Rhode Island
Vendor: Invitation Designer
Website: Parrott Design Studio
About Me: I am the designer & printer behind Parrott Design Studio, specializing in custom letterpress and screen printed wedding and event invitations, stationery, and paper goods. With a background in non-profit marketing & art history, I began the studio in 2006 in my small apartment in Providence, RI. Since then I have moved to a studio built my fiancé, acquired a Golding Jobber letterpress, & have been happily printing ever since. I grew up in Portland, Maine, and I have always had an affinity for the ocean, mountains, birds, gardening, & the simple life. When I am not printing, I can be found somewhere outside with my fiancé & playful pup.
