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 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

A festive color palette accented with brightly colored china.

Image Credits – Top Row: Michelle Rago, Dress Design Decor, Tara Leigh for JL Designs, Middle Row: Carla Ten Eyck for Jubilee Events, Design Lovely, The Nichols via SMP, Bottom Row: Michelle Rago, Carla Ten Eyck for Jubilee Events (middle and right)

Beautiful muted tones make for a perfect spring or summer color palette…

Image Credits – Top Row: From Me To You, EAD, 100 Layer Cake, Middle Row: Yifat Oren, Simply Seductive, A Glamorous Little Side Project, Bottom Row: One Photographic, Alicia Bock, Simon Whitmore,

Soft pink paired with a slate blue with hints of cream, emerald and gray…

Image Credits – Top Row: EAD, Saipua, SMP, Middle Row: Erin Ever After, SMP, Unknown, Bottom Row: 100 Layer Cake, Martha Stewart, Magpie’s Cakes

Garden hues such as green, pink, blue, yellow and white, get toned down for a vintage, old world feel.

Image Credits – Top Row: Homecoming, a thing for, Simply Seductive, Middle Row: Images by Claire, Edge of Love, Stephen DeVries, Bottom Row: Sadie Olive, A Glamorous Little Side Project, la nuit blanche

Jungle safari with a modern twist on color and design…

Image Credits – Top Row: Elements of Style, Yelena Yemchuk, Erin Swift, Middle Row: Tec Petaja, Andrea Ferrari, Elements of Style, Bottom Row: Tec Petaja, Yelena Yemchuk, Grazier Phorography

Not being partial to pink and blue together, I do have to say this color palette isn’t bad.  When paired with gold, pink and blue has a more elegant and formal look that’s perfect for a spring or winter celebration.

Image Credits – Top Row: This is Glamorous, Creative Push, Aaron Delesie, Middle Row: Robert and Kathleen Photographers, Kristin Vining, Braedon Photography for XOXO Bride, Bottom Row: Braedon Photography for XOXO Bride, This is Glamorous,  Apartment 34