As soon as I met with Sarah I knew we were going to have an amazing time working together. Not only is she a super fun person, her wedding style was right up my alley! Vintage 1920′s, minus the flapper. Sarah said she didn’t want her guests to think they had to show up wearing derby hats, which I loved. In essence, capture the era, minus the fashion. Sarah’s colors were cream, dark eggplant and shades of grey with hints of silver…

Sarah’s invitation goes on the list of my favorites from 2011. With foil stamping, laser cutting, a custom map and vintage photograph from Santa Barbara, it was truly a sight to behold.

The invitation itself was silver foiled, which looked so amazing on the charcoal paper we used. The map was hand drawn by Sarah’s aunt! Stunning with such amazing details!

The image on Sarah’s reply card, was an actual vintage photo taken at one of Santa Barbara’s beautiful beaches.

Custom stamps completed the look of this glamorous invitation suite. In addition to the invitation, I also designed table numbers, menus, thank you notes, and bridesmaid invitations for Sarah.

Invitation and paper designs by Zenadia Design.

Board Credits – Top Row: Aaron Delesie, The Nichols Photography via 100 Layer Cake, Gabe Aceves for Uplyte Events, Bottom Row: Junebug, Jayne Taylor Millinery, Gabe Aceves

With a wedding at the stunning Dresser Mansion, and a style warm and inviting, I knew Carrie and Alan would be a fun couple to work with right from the start. Their wedding was to be formal, but casual enough not to feel stuffy. Carrie wanted to bring the Art Deco style of Dresser Mansion into her wedding style, as well as the vintage charm and elegance the mansion exudes. Using her color palette of browns, warm golds and soft cream I set out to work on her invitations.

Carrie wanted her invitation design to use several different fonts, laid out in a very nontraditional style which I was totally on board for.

For the outside of the invitation, we used a velvet belly band with custom wax seal to hold the pocket folder closed. Beautiful calligraphy and custom map was done by Pretty Pen Jen.

A close up of the belly band and custom wax seal.

I had a lot of favorite things about this invitation, but one in particular was the pen and ink drawing we did of Dresser Mansion that went on the reply card.

Last but not least, completing the look were the custom stamps for the mailing envelopes.

Tip: Even if you can’t afford to go the custom route for your wedding invitation, getting a custom stamp will really elevate the look of your wedding invitations and make the invitation more personal.

I was thrilled with how Carrie and Alan’s invitation suite came together, and they were as well! Hopefully more to come of their lovely wedding soon!

Invitation by Zenadia Design.

Board Credits – Top Row: MSW, Amy Neunsinger, unknown, inspiration from the bride. Bottom Row: Martha Stewart Weddings, Art Deco Poster, unknown, inspiration from the bride.

Emily and David were getting married in the beautiful Our Lady Mount Carmel Church in Montecito, with their reception taking place at the Historical Museum in downtown Santa Barbara. Their celebration was to be rustic and beautiful with lots of herb accents and wooded details.

Emily loved the fountain in the courtyard of the museum, so I thought it would be fun to incorporate a custom pen and ink of the fountain onto the folding reply card.

Magnolia flowers and branches were going to play a big part in the decor and floral design, so we used these branches on the wedding invitation, as well as on the mailing envelope design.

Also in this suite, was a reception card for Emily and David’s reception at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum. We used the same tile pattern from the reply card on the reception card, bringing in a little old world Santa Barbara to the suite.

I also worked with Emily and David on their wedding menus and seating cards. For their seating card, we used design motifs from the invitation as entree designations on the seating cards. A great way to tie the whole look together.

Invitation design by Zenadia Design.

Board Credits – Top Row: Michael + Anna Costa Photography, Jose Villa via Inspired By This, Aaron Delesie for Lisa Vorce, Bottom Row: 100 Layer Cake, Aaron Delesie for Lisa Vorce, Jen Lynne Photography

Amanda and Adam were engaged in Italy, and married in Santa Barbara, California. Their colors were red and orange with a neutral cream base. Getting married at the Montecito Country Club, they wanted their paper products to reflect a rustic Santa Barbara style.

I worked with Amanda and Adam on all their wedding day papers, starting with their save the dates. For their save the date, they wanted a magnet that would convey all the necessary information. I went to work designing a magnet that thought a little outside the box. I wanted to make sure Amanda and Adam got a nice luxury save the date, rather than a, pardon my expression, “flimsy” magnet. I wanted something substantial, that people would keep on their fridge, rather than toss once the celebration was over.

Since Amanda and Adam were engaged in Italy, I also did a little bit of a travel theme on the save the date, which echoed the theme on their wedding website as well.

For their invitation, Adam really loved wax seals so, of course, we incorporated that onto the invitation’s belly band with a custom monogram.

Since this was a destination wedding for Amanda and Adam, I decided to incorporate a vintage style postcard for their reply card. The images were shots taken around their venue, the Montecito Country Club. It also played into the slight travel theme we had going on, which was great!

In addition to the invitations and save the dates, I also designed couture menus, programs, seating cards, thank you notes, and custom printed cocktail napkins.

I really liked their menu…

but I LOVED their program!

Amanda and Adam were such a pleasure to work with, and I can’t wait to share their wedding with you! Congratulations Amanda and Adam!!

Invitation design by Zenadia Design.

Board Credits – Top Row: Unknown, This is Glamorous, Caroline Ghetes, Bottom Row: Capri Italy, This is Glamorous, Yvette Roman Photography via Junebug Weddings

When my sister-in-law got engaged last year, I was so excited to be able to help her with some of her wedding planning, and mainly, her wedding invitations! Our first order of business was to come up with a color palette that we could use for the invitations and carry onto the wedding celebration. I came up with several palettes for Angela, and after looking them over, she decided on this one…

Next I went to work designing her invitations. Angela loves books, so my main inspiration was vintage books. I love how old hardcover books have the book cloth on the spine so I decided to incorporate that look into her pocket folder invitation.

I also designed a monogram for her and Jack, her fiance.

To complete the invitation, I created custom stamps for their mailing and reply envelopes.

Tip: Custom stamps are a great way to tie the invitation suite together. You can create a look all your own and really make your envelopes pop!

I absolutely loved how this invitation turned out. Definitely one of my favorites from the year so far! Angela and Jack were married a couple weekends ago, and I am so honored to have been able to work with them on their wedding day papers. Congrats you two!

Invitation Design by Zenadia Design.

Board credits – Top Row: From Me To You, Simon Whitmore, 100 Layer Cake, Middle Row: Yifat Oren, Simply Seductive, A Glamorous Little Side Project

This invitation is near and dear to me, as it’s a set I created for a recent photo shoot that has been buzzing around in my head since last year! I’ll be sharing my inspiration and the invitation this week, and check back next week for the photo shoot. It’s definitely not one to miss!

Inspiration for this shoot came as I was looking though my Architectural Digest Magazine one afternoon. I came across this room…

and thought, wow, wouldn’t that make a simply gorgeous wedding? After about a year of trying to find the right people to pull the shoot off, it finally happened with a dream team I will share with you next week. Onto the invitation…

The invitation package was made entirely by hand out of dupioni silk, adorned with lace pockets on either side. A vintage clasp held the invitation closed.

The save the date was crafted from some of the tapestry we used in the shoot. It as tied closed with a cord and tassels. Basically with this suite, I wanted a very formal, elegant feel, while still remaining not too stuffy.

Again, as I was sourcing lace for this project I fell absolutely in love with what I found. This lace has so much texture and detail, it was just what I was looking for!

Additional items I made for the shoot were menus with different tapestry fabrics on each one. I also made favor boxes which served as place cards. The other place cards were tented dupioni silk place card holders, complete with lace pockets to match the invitation. A fun and formal take on the traditional place card.

Everything for this shoot was so much fun to work on. I especially liked making the silk favor boxes.

Be back next week with the final shoot images!

Invitation and set design by Zenadia Design.

This invitation was from a photo shoot I did a while back that is pending publication, but I simply couldn’t wait to share the invitation with you. Without sharing too much about the shoot, the only thing I will say is it took place at the Santa Barbara Polo Fields, and was an amazing shoot with so many fun details I hope to be able to share soon. Onto the invitation!

This invitation was inspired by leather, lace, and calligraphy, with a hint of vintage style. The color palette was brown and white with hints of blue.

The outer part of the invitation is made entirely from leather. A leather cord with vintage button keeps the invitations closed.

The lace aspect was brought in on the inside of the invitation by using a lace pocket and lace framing around the invitation. I was so completely smitten with this lace when I sourced it. One of my favorite things to do is go lace hunting. I always find so many beautiful treasures!

I loved all the texture that this invitation had. From the leather, to the lace, to the texture of the paper and the leather cord; texture makes an invitation interesting to look at and touch.

Besides the invitation, I also did menus and place cards for the shoot. I kept the leather out of these goods, and just used it in the invitation since making the first impression is the most important. I did bring the lace into the menu and place card though, to keep with the theme and add visual and, again, tangible interest.

Invitation design by Zenadia Design.

Board Credits – Top Row: Jose Villa, From Me To You,  Jeffrey and Julia Woods Photographers,  Bottom Row: Aaron Delesie, Martha Stewart, The Rugs

A mosaic pattern that Brittany and Javier had seen on a recent trip to Mexico became the inspiration for their invitation suite. Brittany expressed that she wanted an invitation that would get her guests excited, and convey the feeling of Mexico, without being beachy. I loved working with Brittany’s color palette of different shades of blue combined with a crisp clean white.

In keeping with the spirit of Mexico, I combined the beautiful mosaic that originally inspired us, with patterns inspired by Mexican tile and artwork. I loved the end result of mixing patterns and colors. Instead of doing a full pocket folder Brittany liked the idea of the pocket on the back of the invitation for all her insert cards.

Tip: Combining different shades of one color can make for a beautiful and clean color palette. Shades of blue with white create a clean look, shades of pink with gold can make for an elegant and feminine affair. Pick a color and start combining shades!

Brittany’s invitation was thermography printed on cotton paper. I love the look and feel of thermography. That little bit of texture from the printing keeps things interesting. I always feel it’s important for your guests to be able to feel something, other than paper, so textures play a big part in all the design work I do.

What is thermography? Thermography is a raised ink, much like engraving but not nearly as pricey.

In addition to the invitation suite, Brittany and Javier worked with me to design their programs, menus, welcome bag itinerary, table numbers and thank you cards.

Their thank you cards were thermography printed, and everything else was flat printed. Brittany’s program was one of the funnest programs I have worked on thus far. It was a square, that folded out into panels that had all the program information on them.

Brittany and Javier were so much fun to work with and get to know. Both they and I were so happy with how everything turned out. Huge congratulations to both of them on their marriage!

Invitation Design: Zenadia Design

Board Credits – Top Row: Aaron Delesie, Leo Patrone, Snippet and Ink, Bottom Row: Martha Stewart, Unknown This is Glamorous

When I met with Danielle and Erik last year to chat with them about their upcoming wedding, I was so excited to start working on their wedding day papers. Danielle loved lace, and wanted to incorporate that into her invitations. The colors they chose for their wedding were a soft and romantic palette of ice blue, peach, champagne, butter yellow and gold. Such an amazing palette!

We got right to work on their save the date; a fun little book, with a picture of them on the inside which tied closed with an ice blue satin ribbon and was mailed in a matching ice blue envelope.

Tip: It’s always fun to use colored envelopes on your save the dates and invitation. That way when your guests open their mailbox it’s a pop of unexpected color in a sea of white envelopes.

For Danielle and Erik’s invitation we used ice blue paper with gold foil stamping. The script for their invitation was done in calligraphy for that soft romantic look. Tied with a peach satin bow, the invitation was also backed and framed in ivory lace.

The reply card, as well as the brunch invitation and map and direction cards were printed on champagne colored paper.

I loved the end result of the gold foil on the blue paper.

Danielle wanted to be sure that her invitations didn’t look like baby shower invitations, since her color scheme, if done wrong, could potentially look like a baby shower. We totally pulled it off and Danielle was incredibly happy with the end result.

In addition to the save the date and invitations, I also did programs, menus, table numbers, escort cards and favor box stickers for Danielle and Erik.

I was so thrilled to be able to work with Danielle and Erik. They’re a wonderful couple with great style! Their wedding is pending publication, but I can’t wait to share it with you soon!

Invitation Design: Zenadia Design

Calligraphy: Leslee Sipress

Color palette images: Top Row – STAK Photographer Duo, Annie McElwain Photography, Mike Larson Bottom Row – Scott Andrew Studio, Jose Villa, Unknown

After the media panel we went right into our breakout sessions. My first one was with Diann Valentine…

second one was with Ellen Black of Lehr and Black. Loved that session, of course.

Last one was with Jasmine Star, Harmony Walton and Lara Casey. I really enjoyed their session and Jasmine is so super fun to listen to. Really inspiring.

After the sessions we were free for lunch and the remainder of the afternoon, to get ready for the Gala that night. The gala, was put on by the fabulous Mindy Weiss. Mark’s Garden did all the beautiful flowers and Lehr and Black did the paper products, which were again, fabulous. Before the doors were opened to the gala, we were treated to a cocktail hour, with some really cool furniture. The extra long couch (20 feet I think?) was my favorite.

Once they opened the doors to the gala, it was amazing. We were greeted by amazing amounts of red flowers and lighting, and a full 20 piece band was pretty much right in the middle of a song when the doors opened, as if they had been playing for a while. Needless to say, it was a killer entrance. You can get somewhat of the idea from the picture below…

The tables alternated between fully mirrored, and mirrored tops with fabric draping. The chairs were all silver, and super comfy, unlike the beautiful but totally uncomfortable chiavari chairs.

The band was so amazing, and played throughout the entire dinner. It was really cool, because they would play music you could dance to in between each course of dinner, then while we were eating they would play cocktail type music. Also what was cool, was as each course was served the lighting would change. I really liked that effect.

I loved, loved the fringe that hung above the band. That had to have been of my favorite details. After dinner, and a heck of a lot of dancing, the after party was opened. Another amazing room filled with incredibly posh details and a DJ who could really rock (DJ Nahchey of Dash Entertainment)

It was such a pleasure to finally get to meet Eliana of Elly B Events. We had been e-mail pals for some time so it was so fun to finally get to meet in person!

Last but not least, the video from Engage! 11 Day Two and Three: Engage 11: Grand Del Mar // Wrap Film from Cloud Nine Creative.

All in all, Engage! 11 was an amazing experience. Huge thank you to Rebecca Grinnals and Kathryn Arce, as well as the team at The Gran Del Mar, for putting on such a wonderful and inspiring event. I definitely hope to attend Engage again in the future!

All photos by Mel & Co.