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

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

Inviting red with hints of green, cream and gold make for an elegant garden wedding. Love the idea of mixing fabric patterns to achieve an eclectic look.

Image Credits – Top Row: Elizabeth Messina via Wedding Chicks, This is Glamorous, Alexis Courraud, Middle Row: KT Merry Photography, My Marrakesh, Jonathan Canalas Photography, Bottom Row: Jonathan Canalas Photography, Kiss The Groom, Edyta Szyszlo Photography

Love this rustic chic meets high glamour color palette. I can envision a totally glamorous wedding complete with candle light and chandeliers in an old barn or building on a farmstead.

Image Credits – Top Row: Melissa Robotti, Larissa Cleveland Photography, Melissa Robotti, Middle Row: This is Glamorous, Corbin Gurkin, Ryan Ray Photo, Bottom Row: Robert and Kathleen Photographers, This is Glamorous, Erin Heart’s Court,

A few weeks ago my good friend Nycia, from Inspired Events and the fabulous blog Be Inspired, held a giveaway for one of our inspiration boards. The winner was Karina, and here is her board, with her wedding colors of Espresso, Dark Red and Gold. Great color combination Karina!

Image Credits – Top Row: MSW, The Bride’s Cafe, Christian Oth, Middle Row: Mel Barlow, Michelle Rago, SMP, Bottom Row:  Adam Nyholt, Yvette Roman (middle and right)

Dark brown and red get a new look for fall. Throw in a little cream to lighten the palette…

Image Credits – Top Row: The Fashion Spot, Sofia Ronthen, Marcus Nilsson Middle Row: This is Glamorous, Martha Stewart, This is Glamorous, Bottom Row: 100 Layer Cake, Coco + Kelley, Anna Williams

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

Top Row – Aaron Shintaku via Wedding Chicks, A Field Journal, Aaron Delesie, Bottom Row – Aaron Shintaku via Wedding Chicks, My Marrakech, SMP

Image Credits – top row: Edyta Szyszlo Photography, Victor Sizemore, Nonpareil Magazine, middle row: Little Brown Pen, Martha Stewart, Little Brown Pen, Bottom Row: Claire Pettibone, Nonpareil Magazine, Lisa Lefkowitz