"W" IS FOR WRAP IT UP!

So many weddings have additional information that needs to be included with the invitation itself. I can't tell you how many brides have shared stories with me about receiving invitations and having all the 'stuff' fall out upon opening the envelope. My solution... "WRAP IT UP!" It's easy and fun coming up with unique, yet functional, ways to incorporate information cards into the overall invitation ensemble. Here are just a few:

"W" IS FOR WRAP IT UP

The collage above shows you a variety of ways to wrap up your information.
L to R: ribbon, handmade paper, embroidery floss + wax seal, printed paper, solid paper + wax seal, solid paper + punch out, embroidery floss + wax seal (scroll), natural hemp cord (scroll), handmade paper + natural hemp cord + twig + tag. What's not to love?

FOR THE LOVE OF PAPER. Originals Paper Art

TWILIGHT WEDDING

When I first met with the event planner for this wedding, Gina of A Greater Plan, she told me to envision the Twilight wedding. I awkwardly had to admit I didn't follow the Twilight series and she said sweetly suggest I familiarize myself with the ceremony scene. Gina is working with Cedar Springs, here in Gig Harbor, to create a similar look and feel.

Gina has an art background and illustrated the images used in these invitations. In addition to the trailing flowers, I love how the thistle, orchid and silver colors deliver romance from the moment you set eyes on the envelope.

A few other design details add intimacy and elegance to this invitation as well. The old world script font resembles that of a handwritten love letter from days gone by, the beautiful wax seal that secures the information cards in place, and the delicate vellum sheet that protects the formal invitation.

I absolutely love the final invitation... especially the color combination! I would love to get a glimpse of how the venue looks on wedding day. I'll have to see if I can get photos from Gina or Hailey. I'll be sure to share if I'm successful.

FOR THE LOVE OF PAPER. Originals Paper Art

"N" IS FOR NEGATIVE SPACE

A few weeks ago I posted an article about white space and I'd have to say negative space is pretty much the same thing. Here's an excerpt from Wikipedia's definition of negative space: The use of equal negative space, as a balance to positive space, in a composition is considered by many as good design. This basic and often overlooked principle of design gives the eye a "place to rest," increasing the appeal of a composition through subtle means.

Here are a few of invitation designs where I incorporated negative {white} space to enhance the design and direct your eye through the information.

"N" IS FOR NEGATIVE SPACE

FOR THE LOVE OF PAPER: This design principle is a must when working with fabulous paper! Take a close look at the top photo, this deluxe paper has an amazing texture worth or showing off!

Happy Friday!

"M" IS FOR MAPS

So many weddings involve multiple events at various venues and having a wedding weekend map really helps guests find their way around your city. Add hotels, restaurants, ceremony and reception sites, as well as post wedding gathering spots like state parks, local lakes and golf courses! While having a technical gadget to assist you is a good thing, an old fashioned {wedding weekend} map might just save the day!

"M" IS FOR MAPS

"A" IS FOR ASSEMBLY

I just received my Spring 2012 Martha Stewart Weddings magazine and they inspired me to do my own  Wedding Stationery from A-Z. A is for Assembly. Most of my invitation designs require some amount of assembly and you have the option of hiring me to do it or doing it yourself.

The invitation below required collating the information cards, securing the cards in position with a wrap and adhesive, and then sealing the wrap shut with a wax seal. Every ensemble is different, some are quick and easy to assemble while others are time consuming and require attention to detail.  

"A" IS FOR ASSEMBLY

Take a look at some of my designs under the INVITATIONS tab and see if you can define all of the assembly steps. Assembly is often a big difference between catalog and custom. Check it out.

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR SOMETHING ORIGINAL?

You found the right designer! This may come as an unusual statement, but here goes, I suggest you shop around for invitations and when the "ah-ha" moment strikes you that what you're looking for doesn't exist in a catalog, come back to Originals Paper Art and we'll design exactly what you want and need! It's all in the personal details... see for yourself!

Traditional  ::  Monochromatic  ::  Handmade Paper + Ribbon  ::  Custom Calligraphy

Contemporary  ::  Red and Chocolate Brown  ::  Sealing Wax  ::  Custom Map

Natural Beauty  ::  Brown and Ivory  ::  Handmade Paper + Twigs  ::  Custom Assembly

THE DEFINITION OF "WHITE SPACE"

I use white space a lot in my designs and often find myself explaining this odd use of space to my clients. So today I decided to share with everybody. This is the definition of white space according to WIKIPEDIA:

In page layout, illustration and sculpture, white space is often referred to as negative space. It is that portion of a page left unmarked: the space between graphics, margins, gutters, space between columns, space between lines of type or figures and objects drawn or depicted. The term arises from graphic design practice, where printing processes generally use white paper.

White space should not be considered merely 'blank' space — it is an important element of design which enables the objects in it to exist at all, the balance between positive (or non-white) and the use of negative spaces is key to aesthetic composition.

When space is at a premium, such as some types of magazine, newspaper, and yellow pages advertising, white space is limited in order to get as much vital information on to the page as possible. A page crammed full of text or graphics with very little white space runs the risk of appearing busy, cluttered, and is typically difficult to read. Some designs compensate for this problem through the careful use of typeface.

Judicious use of white space can give a page a classic, elegant, or rich appearance. For example, upscale brands often use ad layouts with little text and a lot of white space. Inexpert use of white space can make a page appear incomplete.

For publication designers, white space is very important. Publications can be printed on a various of amount of different papers, those of which can have different colors, textures, etc. In these cases, white space is used for good presentation and showcasing the different stocks used.

The use of white space in a wedding invitation.

FOR THE LOVE OF PAPER: The next time you're looking at an invitation ensemble, a magazine layout or an advertisement, see if you spot any white space in the design. It's actually pretty fun!