{Real Wedding} Isabelle and David's Whimsical, Tropical wedding

Posted on October 7, 2014 by dogwoodblossomstationery

Dogwood Blossom Stationery, Orlando weddings, stationery suite

Dogwood Blossom Stationery, Orlando weddings, invitation

Dogwood Blossom Stationery, Orlando weddings, accomodation cards

Dogwood Blossom Stationery, Orlando weddings, response card

Isabelle and David are a laid-back, surf style couple. While David actually is a surfer, Isabelle prefers to lounge on the beach as a spectator. In any case, their wedding was totally reflective of their relaxed, fun, and friendly disposition. We loved working with this couple to create custom invitations and paper goods that reflected their lifestyle and their personas.

Isabelle and David were married on the beach at The Sandbar Restaurant on the beautiful Anna Maria Island. They incorporated many island-tropical elements into their wedding day decor, including a coordinating, custom-designed suite of paper goods made by yours truly! Dara Caudill of Island Photography did such a great job of photographing all of our paper pieces used at the wedding–we love these images! (Photos of invitation were taken by us.)

Their invitation was colorful and whimsical, layered onto textured sand-colored stock and backed with navy stock. The artwork depicted a bride and groom at sunset, surrounded by palm trees, surfboards, and curling ocean waves. The important information was written below, entering the depths of the ocean. Tropical fish and seaweed decorated both sides of the invitation. Isabelle insisted that we add a mola-mola fish to the invitation… we never did hear the whole story behind that choice! The ocean-themed artwork was consistent throughout the couple’s paper goods, from the programs to the escort cards to the table signs.

The response cards and the accommodation cards that were included with the invitation were some of the most fun and unique pieces that we created for Isabelle and David. Guests received a custom-drawn map of the island to help them find their way to the wedding festivities. The response card featured personalized questions like “Are you more afraid of sharks or alligators?” and “Do you like pina coladas and getting caught in the rain?” These touches were sure to put a smile on the guest’s face and set the tone for their relaxed beach wedding.

The escort cards were displayed on fisherman’s netting (such a cute idea!) with clothespins. We designed navy blue tent cards for the table numbers and signs identifying the new couple and inviting guests to sign the guest book. For a special touch on the bride and groom’s chairs, we created scallop-edged chair back signs that said “guapisima” and “guapisimo”–“gorgeous” and “handsome” in Spanish. We even created a custom wedding letterhead on which Isabelle printed pertinent wedding info for the bridal party.

Isabelle and David’s wedding really shows how consistent paper goods can make your special day look polished and personal. Contact us if you would like YOUR event to have a cohesive look from start to finish.

Photography: Island Photography

Venue: The Sandbar Restaurant

Invitations and paper goods: Dogwood Blossom Stationery

{Invitation Inspiration} Soft Aqua Blue Driftwood Wedding

Posted on March 24, 2011 by dogwoodblossomstationery

Soft sand, warm light, the gentle sounds of waves lapping the shore and gulls in the distance… Just those thoughts alone cause me to close my eyes, sigh deeply, and relax a bit.

I’ve been wanting to do something with a more natural theme, lately. A number of recent clients have used trees on their invitations, so I guess that’s why I’ve been leaning towards nature. Plus, the weather is getting nicer and I’ve been spending more time outdoors! (Not that the weather isn’t pretty good year-round here in Florida!) Last weekend, I had the pleasure of spending an afternoon at the Canaveral National Seashore – my favorite beach that I happily live very near. So I created the invitation above with a beach wedding in mind.

This boxed invitation is 5.5” x 8.5” with multiple layers of pearlized soft sky blue papers, light flecked oatmeal paper, and soft creamy white paper. I hand-sewed aqua shell and hand-carved wood beads onto the invitation, and added a sprinkle of Swarovski crystals. It arrives in a kraft brown box filled with natural wood excelsior (curled wood shavings), and the enclosures are contained in a band affixed to the lid of the box. A bright aqua blue satin ribbon holds the box closed during mailing, and a custom label tops it all off. Perfect for a fabulous beach wedding, wouldn’t you say?

Also shown is a flat bonded ceremony program and a round favor tag tied to a corked glass bottle, both designed to coordinate with the invitation.

Invitation: Dogwood Blossom Stationery & Invitation Studio, LLC

Real Wedding: Amy & Ed’s Beach Wedding

Posted on December 29, 2010 by dogwoodblossomstationery

With their families and friends spread out across the US, Amy and Ed put some thought into where they might have their wedding. Finally it hit them: why not get married in their own backyard? Amy and Ed live within walking distance of the beach where they were married in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

When I first met with Amy and Ed to discuss their wedding invitations, they hadn’t yet decided on a color scheme. After browsing through paper swatches and considering the possibilities, they decided on a steel-and-champagne color palette for their invitation and paper goods. These colors worked well with Amy’s creamy white layered wedding dress and Ed’s sandy linen suit. Their final invitation combined perfectly smooth pearlized steel cardstock with the natural textures of Japanese lace paper and eco-friendly twisted-paper ribbon in shades of creamy ivory. Inside, a light champagne liner displayed a custom map to the beach and shuttle information for guests to travel between the beach and reception. Considering their setting on a Florida beach in July, we also created wedding programs that doubled as fans.

Their marriage took place on the beach near the dunes, under an arch adorned with white lilies and starfish and surrounded by mini palms. Seashells with the couple’s name and wedding date were passed to guests after vows were made, and the entire party walked to the water’s edge, wished Amy and Ed well, and tossed their shells into the sea.

For the reception, Amy and Ed chose a second palette of bright oranges, yellows, and greens – perfect to gear up guests for the big bash that followed. Centerpieces and table settings reflected this bright color scheme. Favors consisted of margarita glasses (for use at the margarita bar) and cello bags of candy tied with favor tags that doubled as seating cards. Amy and Ed opted for an extensive surf-and-turf buffet and a large selection of gourmet cakes in lieu of one single wedding cake, so we also created coordinating buffet cards with descriptions of each menu item.

Amy and Ed’s wedding incorporated things that are important to them: a setting that reflected the home they share, supportive and loving family and friends, an intertwining of comfort and elegance, and a love that will last a lifetime! Thanks Amy and Ed, for letting me be a part of your day!