Penned and Pretty...A Calligraphy Shop

...Around the Calligraphy Office...

2012-01-17T09:55:00.000-05:00

I don't blog too much here about my personal life, but I just couldn't resist this one time. Back in July my husband and I {somewhat impulsively} got a puppy! He was a handful from day one, although we wouldn't have it any other way. We named him Sampson and he is a Goldendoodle. In August I woke my husband up at the crack of dawn and had Nicole Green take a few updated family photos of us. You can see them here!

Since then he has grown. And i mean grown. We often refer to him as a polar bear or a horse. He certainly doesn't look like a puppy! So, today I thought I would share a picture of my office assistant {in my office}. He's the one keeping my feet warm while I add the calligraphy on to all of those envelopes!

If I receive enough requests I suppose you could twist my arm to blog about him again from time to time!

...Modern Calligraphy...

2012-01-10T09:40:00.000-05:00

Here are a few pictures from a calligraphy order that I completed this past summer. I often mention how fun it is to address an envelope that isn't white, but there is no denying that black ink on a white envelope just plain classy.

This is my Pretty Perfect font {with just a dash of Pretty Whimsy thrown in} which never fails to disappoint.

...Calligraphy on Blue Outer Envelopes & Stunning Lace-Like Inner Envelopes...

2012-01-04T10:36:00.001-05:00

This summer I was contacted by Christina Tumbleson, an Event Planner to address literally hundreds of lace-like inner envelopes, blue outer envelopes & blue RSVP envelopes for an upcoming wedding. The invitations themselves were designed by Kristen of Five Dot Design. The final result {excluding the RSVP envelope} is below. I really loved the idea Kristen had in folding a lace-like square into the inner envelope. I had never seen such a thing! The lace & tweed strips wrapped around the invitation itself completed the invitation suite.

Imagine my surprise, a few months later, while reading the blogs of one of my favorite Indianapolis based photographers, megan w photography, I stumbled upon pictures of their wedding! These were too sweet not to share! See the full blog post here!

P.S. Christina just told me that the invitation will be featured in the upcoming winter issue of Kentucky Bride Magazine!

Invitation photo by JMM Photography. Invitations by Kristen of Five Dot Design.
Wedding day photos courtesy of megan w photography

...Happy New Year...

2012-01-03T10:54:00.000-05:00

Hi friends! I am quite late in posting this, but I hope that everyone had a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year! Things have been a little quite around here at Penned & Pretty, as it traditionally is from November - February. However, that will all change soon as all of the Spring brides will be looking to send out their invitations!
That being said, I hope to get around to posting some of the work I completed last fall so that there are some more current posts on this little blog!

More to come!

picture by 32 flavors via my revelment

...Thanksgiving Invitations...

2011-11-20T23:56:00.001-05:00

These pretty Thanksgiving invitations by FINA Art & Paper are available for download through their shop and feature the prettiest combination of clean sans serif type, soft muted fall colors and simple Thanksgiving-inspired illustrations. I love the idea of kicking off the holiday season by sending a pretty invitation to ask your loved ones to join you in giving thanks and these are just perfect.

Here's to hoping that you and yours are able to spend some quality time together over the holidays, always giving thanks for the blessings that you have. Happy Thanksgiving!
{Photos from FINA Art & Paper via the sweetest occasion }

...Envelope Calligraphy....

2011-11-08T09:41:00.000-05:00

Just stopping in to share a few shots of a recent order that I did for a client that wanted chocolate brown ink to liven up her white invitation envelopes.

It's never too early to contact me about your upcoming wedding & the calligraphy for your invitation envelopes!

...Soft Pink & Gray Invitations...

2011-11-04T09:22:00.000-04:00

Planning a late winter/early spring wedding? You cannot go wrong using soft colors paired with a subtle gray. I love the dual purpose this "belly band" serves. It holds the invitation suite together while delivering a special message to invited guests.

The use of gray envelopes for both the invitation envelope and the response card complete the look of this adorable invitation suite.
Invitations by ruby and willow via magnolia rouge.

...Christmas/Holiday Card Addressing with Calligraphy...

2011-11-01T10:36:00.001-04:00

It's pretty clear that Winter is right around the corner. You know what that means, it's time to start thinking about your holiday greeting cards! With as much chaos as the holidays bring, allow me to address all of your holiday card envelopes {with calligraphy!} for you! Send your envelopes to me, as well as your address list, 2-3 weeks prior to when you would like to mail them out and I'll get them back to you to stamp with postage and mail out!
It takes enough energy to send out holiday cards every year, so allow me to complete the most time-consuming task. Not only will your holiday cards be beautiful, but your envelopes will be too! I'll even offer a special 10% off discount on my pricing to the first three customers to reserve their spot on my calendar for completion! E-mail me at pennedandpretty {at} gmail {dot} com to reserve a spot for your envelopes to be addressed {All orders must be received by December 20th}.

The holidays will be here before you know it, so reserve your spot on my calendar today and your holiday card envelopes will be addressed for you and ready to send, allowing you more time to enjoy the holidays!

p.s. I thought that I would share some of my favorite holiday cards, spotted at minted to get you in the holiday spirit! Links to minted designers can be found below.
Carrie ONeal /Wondercloud/Cecile Paper Lounge/Griffinbell Studio.

...Stache & Kiss...

2011-10-28T10:18:00.001-04:00

Perhaps it's because Halloween is near & its time to don clever disguises {a mustache or some red lips} to complete a costume, but I am loving this quirky invitation.

The stache & the lips, the fun typography & the correlating thank you card make me quite happy.

It's never a bad idea to order matching thank you cards with your wedding invitation suite!
Invitation & thank you card as seen on minted via wedding obsession blog.

...Gray & Yellow Escort Cards...

2011-10-26T09:46:00.001-04:00

A few months ago I got to work with a fabulous bride {& mother of the bride!} on a few projects for her upcoming wedding. Using both my Pretty Adorable & Pretty Perfect calligraphy fonts, I addressed the outer envelopes & return addresses, inner envelopes & escort cards.

Sadly I didn't take a picture of the envelopes {white envelopes with gray ink} or the invitations {they were so cute!} but I did take pictures of the escort cards! As you can see, each guest sent in an entree choice with their RSVP and that was denoted by a c, p, s, k {chicken, portabella, salmon & kids meal} on the bottom right of the card so that the waiter could deliver the appropriate entree. So smart, if I do say so myself!

...One Last Lobster Fest...

2011-10-04T08:11:00.000-04:00

Rumor has it that it will get back up into the upper 70's this week. You can bet I will be soaking up the last of those early fall sun rays. If I lived in the Northeast I would take any opportunity I could to squeeze in one last little lobster fest. If it occurred at a wedding near a harbor with a view we could kill two birds with one stone.

Loving these Maine inspired wedding invitations. The map might just be my favorite part of the whole suite!
Invitation design by things r better with a parrott

...Whimsy Calligraphy...

2011-09-29T09:49:00.001-04:00

I'm just now getting around to sharing these images, even though the order was completed quite some time ago! My pretty whimsy calligraphy font graced these wedding invitation envelopes for a client in Saint Louis, Missouri.

Check out this little link for other Penned & Pretty calligraphy styles for wedding invitation envelopes!

...Place Cards Tied Around Napkins...

2011-09-26T21:28:00.002-04:00

A few months ago a client came to me with a special request. She had an idea to tie little kraft tags around the napkins {rolled to hold silverware} at each place setting. It was one of the most original ideas I have heard of for a place card!
She stamped each tag with a cute little fork, knife, spoon stamp & had me write each guests name on a tag. She then tied each onto a napkin for the big day. As a little tip, I wouldn't recommend this unless you have a small guest list or a wedding planner that's willing to tie each one to a napkin!

...Navy & White Pocket Invitations....

2011-08-30T10:39:00.001-04:00

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to work with a really creative bride with perhaps the most unique invitations I have personally worked with to date!
The invitation was housed in a pocket that also served as an inner envelope. I wrote the first name{s} of the guests on the square on the outside of the pocket/inner envelope.The white outer envelopes were then addressed with a coordinating navy ink to pull everything together.

Below is a glimpse into the inside of the inner pocket where the invitation is mounted on the right and insert cards will be added to the pocket on the left. Loving all of the different typefaces, naturally.

So there you have it! Isn't it a gorgeous suite? You can never go wrong with navy & white...especially when it's a navy & white pocket invitation!

...Woodgrain Invitations...

2011-08-19T21:45:00.002-04:00

A long time ago Mike at urban influence shared his wedding invitations and I have adored them ever since. The invitation wasn't just a 5x7 piece of paper. It was a multi page book called "The Official Guidebook to Tying the Knot." I love everything about the presentation of this invitation from the crest on the envelope adorned with red ink to the wood grain booklet to the bakers twine and adorable tag.

Love love love the appearance of all sorts of different fonts of typography that appear though out the booklet. The tag itself had me at hello. Maybe it's since I have always wanted a date stamp of my own.

As if the outside of the invitation wasn't particularly awesome enough, just wait until you see the inside. Each and every page was personalized. I'm telling you, the amount of detail that was put into this wedding invitation is outstanding.

My favorite page has to be the "Reference Guide...For Tying the Knot," For obvious reasons. How clever.

Image credits: urban influences via benign objects. As seen on: oh so beautiful paper

...Thank You Card Inspiration...

2011-08-15T11:00:00.000-04:00

With summer wedding season coming to an end many newlyweds out there are searching for a personalized way to thank family & friends for joining in their special day. I thought that I would share our thank you cards {sent out after our 2008 wedding} in case there are some of you looking for some thank you card inspiration.

The front of our card was a collage of some of our favorite wedding pictures. Half of the back of our card displayed the "thank you" picture we took on our wedding day incorporating our purple monogram. The other half of the card was blank, which is where I wrote our thank you note. Read more about the details of our thank you cards {where i ordered from, pricing, etc} on this post at my wedding planning blog tying the knot.

Photography by Nicole Green.

...Calligraphy: My Mom's Wedding...

2011-08-10T10:30:00.000-04:00

Earlier this year I had my most important calligraphy order to date. The bride-to-be was my Mom! She tied the knot in June and I had the privilege of not only being her maid of honor but her calligrapher as well.

My Mom chose to go with beautiful navy invitation envelopes and had me address them with my Pretty Perfect style in white ink. They were stunning. As much as my Mom has thanked me for addressing these envelopes for her, I cannot thank her enough for letting me address them. What an honor!

...Bold Chevron...

2011-08-09T08:47:00.000-04:00

Looking for a bolder chevron pattern to grace your wedding invitations, address labels & the rest of your invitation suite? This invitation suite might just be your answer.

Now, someone tell me where I can get my hands on those sequin gold hearts that are too cute for their own good.

As seen on green wedding shoes. Paper goods by Pitbulls and Posies & photography by Gem Photo.

...Faint Chevron...

2011-08-08T21:44:00.001-04:00

Chevron prints have been all the rage the past year so it's not too surprising to see the print appear in wedding invitations as well.

I am loving that the chevron print begins to appear in this invitation {above} & becomes more prevalent in the RSVP, info & other pieces of the invitation suite {below}.

You can view the marlo suite at southern fete creative via papercrave

...Pom Place Cards...

2011-07-29T09:04:00.001-04:00

Looking for a fun & festive place card display for your upcoming wedding, rehearsal dinner or bridal shower? Check out these cute little pom pom place cards that Erin spotted!
Something other than the traditional paper place cards is never a bad thing, right?

Find them at this Etsy shop today!
via Erin Ever After

...Pink Outer Envelopes & a Great Way to Inform Your Guests of Your Wedding Website...

2011-06-30T12:00:00.003-04:00

Any time a client of mine wants to use something other than a white outer envelope, I get a little giddy. A few weeks ago one of my clients sent over her pink outer envelopes for me to complete using my pretty adorable font. Take a look at the results!

Most of the time I attempt to center each line of the address to the middle of the envelope {see pictures 1, above and 3, below}. However, due to the amount of text that will be on the envelope or just length of the words per line, I sometimes find that its best to indent each line vs. attempt to center the text on the envelope. I hope that you'll agree that the result is just as gorgeous!

I addressed the back flap of each envelope with the return address. So, my client had this cute little envelope icon {sealed with a heart!} stamped where the return address would normally be placed. How cute!

My client wanted a way to let her guests know about their wedding website, without having it appear on the invitation itself. So, she sent me these little white cards to inform guests that they can view the website for additional details. I wrote the website address in hot pink to match the color of the envelope heart. Loving this idea! Please note that the website password has been blurred in order to protect privacy.

Anyone else think of a great way to inform guests of a wedding website without placing the address right on the invitation!?

...Kumquat & Peach...

2011-06-04T06:28:00.001-04:00

A few weeks ago I spied this adorable invitation suite by Erin of Be True Designs on 100 layer cake. As if the kumquat & peach color scheme wasn't enough, the cameos put this suite over the top and onto my list of favorite things.
I won't even get into how adorable the font choices and kraft paper are. That is a different story for a different time.

See the entire suite here on 100 layer cake.

...Creative Seating Chart Display...

2011-06-02T09:00:00.001-04:00

Are you one of the lucky brides that has a really unique reception venue? If so, I certainly hope that you're taking advantage of it! Survey the surroundings at your venue{s} and see how you can incorporate more of the surroundings into the details of your day. Take this innovative idea, for example:
I am loving how the table arrangements are displayed with ribbon on an existing mirror at the venue. Instead of using a typical table to display escort cards, try something new! Don't forget to think outside the box when you are touring a reception venue!

Photography: Lizelle Lotter Photography via Wedding Cabaret. See the whole post here.

...Patterned Reception Details...

2011-05-26T10:40:00.001-04:00

In love with patterns {stripes, damask, polka dot, tartan, etc}!? You, my friend are not alone! One of the easiest ways to incorporate your love for a pattern into your wedding day is at the reception.

Patterned cardstock can be used to create escort cards {above} which will correspond to a table number sign with the same pattern {below} thereby directing guests to their assigned tables at the reception. Other ways to incorporate a pattern into the details of your wedding reception are by using patterns on menu cards, bar signs, guestbook signs or favor tags. The possibilities are endless!
I just had to share this picture of the table decor for this wedding. Don't you love both the blue & mason jar vases?!

You can see all the details from this wedding at this post as seen on the brides cafe. All photos are by youkeun oh photography.

...Snippet & Ink Invitations...

2011-05-21T10:28:00.001-04:00

I am sure that, by now, you have seen the gorgeous invitation suite that THE Kathryn Storke of snippet & ink created {with the assistance of some talented vendors!} for her recent wedding. If you haven't, you need to see it. Never have I ever seen a suite that is so polished, so tailored and so down right beautiful.
You can view the entire suite {and the story behind every piece of it!} here.
Photos by Elizabeth Messina.

...Gray Envelopes...

2011-05-18T10:20:00.001-04:00

Just stopping in to share with you a picture or two of some outer envelopes I completed recently. These were so fun to complete as they were a change of pace from the normal white envelopes that so many clients use.
My Pretty Perfect style in black ink graced these gray envelopes and the result, is stunning!

...Both Pretty Perfect & Pretty Adorable...

2011-05-10T10:02:00.001-04:00

A few months ago I completed both the outer envelopes & RSVP envelopes for a client. I'm not sure if it was because she couldn't choose between the Pretty Perfect & the Pretty Adorable fonts or if she just wanted to keep it fresh, because she requested them both!

The Pretty Perfect font graced the outer envelopes {above} and Pretty Adorable was used to write the return address on each of the RSVP envelopes {below}!
Loving how these envelopes allowed the guests to experience two of the fonts that I offer! I highly encourage you to let me try it out on your outer & RSVP envelopes!

...Seafoam Invitations...

2011-05-08T09:00:00.000-04:00

Spring is here! I love this time of year when everything shifts from dark & black colors make the turn to lighter colors and pastel shades. This wedding invitation features the most refreshing blue hue I have seen in a long time. And I am such a fan of the clean lines, fun stripes and overall classy look of the suite.

Invitation by Designer Annie Clark at Minted

...Mason Jar Save-the-Date & Burlap Invitation...

2011-03-22T10:55:00.001-04:00

Any time that I hear about an invitation designer from my home state of Indiana, I have to take a look at his/her work. When I saw the work of Amanda at The Blue Envelope over at oh so beautiful paper I knew that I just had to share it here.
The save the date was in the shape of a mason jar and garnished with a tied piece of twine.

How downright adorable is that?!The invitation itself was presented in a little burlap stitched booklet with another piece of twine holding the RSVP card & envelope together. I love this sort of presentation!

This RSVP card allows the guests ample room to write in their names unlike a traditional RSVP card with the standard line of "M_____________________."

What a darling suite! Thanks for sharing, Amanda. Images courtesy of The Blue Envelope as found at oh so beautiful paper. Photo Credit: Chris Berneking

...Gray Envelopes...

2011-03-15T11:45:00.001-04:00

Charcoal gray has been all the rage in the wedding industry for the last two years and it's still going strong. I can't say that I mind! I was thrilled to work with a bride that would be sending out these stunning charcoal gray envelopes.

As you will see on the envelope below, there are certain addresses where I find the address presentation to look cleaner when each line is not centered in the middle of the envelope, but rather center the address as a whole over the envelope and utilize indented spacing. I hope you'll agree that the end result is beautiful.
The bride-to-be requested black ink with a Pretty Perfect/Pretty Whimsy combination style. The result was a classy and elegant envelope ready to send to guests.

Working with an envelope of this color was so fun! I cannot wait to see what the rest of my brides have in store for me this season!

p.s. you can see more samples of my work here!

...Brown & Kraft Envelopes...

2011-03-08T09:08:00.000-05:00

It's been too long since I have shared some of my work with you. These envelopes were actually addressed last summer for Miss Argyle of weddingbee. She shared them here but I thought I would share them as well. The bride chose a rich chocolate brown outer envelope and white ink in my Pretty Perfect style made for a striking presentation. The inner envelope was a kraft brown envelope adorned with a chocolate ink. Both envelopes complimented each other quite beautifully!

Now, here's to hoping that I will get around to posting some more recently filled calligraphy orders!

p.s. You can check out the amazing invitations that went into these envelopes here!

...Themed Escort Cards...

2011-02-21T10:45:00.000-05:00

There was a day or two of weather in the 50's & 60's here in Cincinnati in past week. Immediately my husband and I started making plans to go camping & boating {and fishing and golfing for him} as soon as the last threat for snow has passed.

I came across this escort card display a while ago and it seems perfect to mention at this time of year. An escort card display like this one would be a great way to incorporate the bride & groom's love for outdoor activity while giving the guest's a creative display to "oohh" and "ahhh" over on the way to their seats. If, for some reason, the bride & groom aren't outdoor enthusiasts, perhaps skylines of cities visited together or names of favorite restaurants would be suitable alternatives!

{photo by OpieFoto as seen on this post at the utah bride blog}

...Canvas Save the Date...

2011-01-04T07:59:00.001-05:00

Looking for a "non-traditional" save the date? I am loving this canvas save the date created by Ice Cream Social Shoppe for a couple getting married this summer in Cape Cod.
The color combo of navy and light blue compliment the nautical theme of the save the date as illustrated by the light house, captain's wheel and compass.

Printing the save the date on a neutral canvas is such a smart and clever idea and I am especially loving the navy and white striped ribbon that wraps everything up perfectly.

You can see this invitation here at the Ice Cream Social Shoppe blog. Make sure to take a look at the gorgeous invitations these talented ladies have created for past brides!

...Unruly Invites...

2010-12-28T10:30:00.000-05:00

If you're anything like me, you go through/went through literally 50+ drafts and revisions of your invitation suite. I think that my issue was that I never had a true vision in my head about what I wanted the end result to be.

Alyson from Unruly Things / Postal Press apparently never had that problem. See the inspiration for her invites here at 100 layer cake
The finished product is above and it's, obviously, gorgeous. Calligraphy, kraft paper, illustrations & creative type font!? Yes yes and yes! You must see the whole post on the wedding here at 100 layer cake .

p.s. the table settings are to die for. every. last. inch.

Photography: Erin Grace Photography

...Merry Christmas...

2010-12-25T09:59:00.003-05:00

Merry Christmas to all of my bloggity blog readers & clients!
Hoping this post finds all of you well & best wishes for the new year!
Could one of you crafty-types incorporate the above advent calendar as an escort card display for a wedding?! I would love to see it!
Happy Holidays!
Display by french by design via parcel post.

...Christmas...

2010-12-21T08:10:00.000-05:00

From the letterpress lover within me to you and yours, Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!

{Clearly I need these} Letterpress Christmas letters from ferm LIVING via style files.

...Yellow Table Signs & Escort Cards...

2010-12-10T09:56:00.000-05:00

As I mentioned earlier, Allison allowed my calligraphy to grace her table names and escort cards for her September Ohio wedding. Each table was named after a place or activity that the bride & groom took part in during their time at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.
You've probably already noticed that one of Allison's "wedding colors" was yellow. Yellow lemons served multiple purposes throughout the wedding day, as table decor {above} and as holders on the escort table for the table names {below}.

It was getting close to Allison's wedding day and her seating chart still was not 100% complete. So, she had me draw up an escort card for each guest, as planned, but without a table number. I then wrote the name of each table on the remaining {blank} escort cards. On the day of the wedding Allison set up her escort card table by putting guests sitting at the same table into a vertical row on the table. Behind each row was a lemon holding the escort card displaying the table name that the guests in that row were to sit at. A great option if you are afraid your seating chart won't be finalized until shortly before your wedding!

I used the Pretty Perfect style for all of Allison's escort cards. They look lovely, if I do say so myself! Thank you Allison, for sending me all of these pictures from your wedding day!

...Handwritten Wedding Program...

2010-12-09T09:08:00.001-05:00

Earlier this year I was addressing outer envelopes for a local Cincinnati bride when she mentioned that she didn't so much care to have programs at her wedding ceremony, but her mother thought that they were a "must." She asked if I could whip something up that she could take to the printer to have copied. She stressed that she wanted to keep it simple, and I think we did. Here's a little close-up of the program which used both of Penned & Pretty's most requested calligraphy styles, Pretty Adorable & Pretty Perfect.

The bride, Allison, wanted the program to display their names & wedding date along with an order of service and the bridal party. Done & done.

Allison also allowed me to put the calligraphy on the escort cards and table signs/numbers for her reception. Those pictures should grace the blog shortly.

If you are interested in having me calligraphy your wedding program, just send me an e-mail at pennedandpretty{at}gmail{dot}com to inquire with specifics and obtain a rate!

...Snow Mountain...

2010-12-07T08:15:00.001-05:00

The first snow fell in ohio this past weekend and the snow bunny within me has quickly come out. Snow me in {with chicken noodle soup & a bottle of wine} & I'm happy as a clam. Too bad this snowfall only topped the 2 inch mark. I'm sure the big snowfall for the year is right around the corner & I hope it's a good one.

In honor of the first snowfall of the year, I wanted to share these charming holiday card from winged wheel stationery.

Loving the empty ski lift and the little reindeer & bunny that make a cameo among the trees. Plus, I'm always a sucker for a lined envelope!

Make sure to check out winged wheel stationery as seen via the oh so beautiful paper: holiday card round up part 5 .

...Succulent Escort Cards...

2010-11-23T11:31:00.001-05:00

Who out there doesn't love a succulent plant? At a wedding photographed by Jagger Photography, the bride & groom gave each guest a potted plant to take home after the reception as a little memento. Each little potted plant was even garnished with a little flag bearing the name of the guest.
If you too have succulents in mind for your upcoming wedding, why not go with the same idea of using potted succulents as favors and turn them into escort cards as well? Make the same little flags to display not only the name of the guest but the table name/number of where they are seated as well!
There are so many more details from this wedding & reception that just cannot be missed. Check it all out at the Jagger Photography blog {via love and lavender} in part one and part two.

...Kraft Paper Envelopes, Stickers and Cute Party Buttons...

2010-11-16T11:35:00.000-05:00

Twig & Thistle is one of my favorite blogs, hands down. For example, these pumpkins are on my must-remember-for-next-year list for Halloween, although I just might try them out this Thanksgiving.

My husband is about to turn 30, so I've been browsing for invitation and party ideas. So, naturally, I loved this little invitation that Kathleen from Twig & Thistle whipped up for her husband's recent 30th.
The detail that went into each invitation is really both ridiculous & fabulous. You can read about it here.

The envelope/packaging is probably one of my favorite parts of this whole invitation suite. I would have never thought to have simply fold kraft paper to make an envelope! Only savvy DIY-ers can be that creative!

These little stickers sealed the kraft envelopes. Too cute.
Kathleen wanted the addresses to look like a stamp so she printed each recipient’s address

right onto the kraft paper using great typography fonts. And now, for the real reason that I wrote this post....the buttons. What a fun addition to any party!!! You can read more about these invitations here on the Twig & Thistle blog!

...Pretty Perfect Brown & Blue Bat Mitzvah...

2010-11-09T11:00:00.000-05:00

This past summer I had the opportunity {thanks to April of April Foster Events} to address these shimmery blue envelopes with brown ink for an upcoming Bat Mitzvah.

I really liked how these envelopes turned out & the client expressed her love for the "Pretty Perfect" style when she received these in the mail. I can only hope that all of the guests felt the same way!

...Happy Halloween...

2010-11-01T21:17:00.001-04:00

I may be a day late, but i wanted to wish all of you a Happy Halloween! Halloween is one of my favorite holidays and below is one of my favorite Halloween cards that I stumbled upon recently. I just might have to stock up on these for next year!! I hope that your Halloween was filled with fun little trick-or-treaters & plenty of leftover candy!

You can find this card at the paperhounds shop!

...The Perfect Fall Color Combination: Plum and Gold...

2010-10-18T13:03:00.000-04:00

As fall settles in, I thought it would be appropriate to share an invitation envelope that my calligraphy graced for a fall bride. Plum envelopes with gold ink were quite popular this year, and I am sure that you can see why!I have always loved these colors together, especially for a fall wedding! Rich and warm and not your typical brown and orange fall wedding. You just cannot go wrong with this color scheme.

...An Invitation with Classic Stripes...

2010-10-12T11:00:00.000-04:00

Looking for an invitation suite that is customizable and semi-DIY? Check out this lovely little invitation adorned with classic stripes. For the tech-savvy and/or crafty brides-to-be out there, invitation sets are sold as digital files for at-home printing. What makes it even better?! You can customize this invitation with your wedding colors and personalized wording. Each set includes the invitation and an RSVP card.

If you're loving the classic stripes and eye-catching fonts in this invitation, visit the etsy shop of JessLehry Designs right here!

...Stripes, Dots, & a Wrap-Around Label...

2010-10-05T10:24:00.000-04:00

This suite has it all. Stripes, polka dots and a wrap around label. Who wouldn't be in love!?
Wrap around labels are such time savers that are so easy to use! Rest assured, they always look great wrapped around the envelopes. Always.

One of the things that I love most about this suite would be the different patterns that are used, throughout the suite, which create depth and texture to the paper.

I've never paid too much attention to the rsvp cards before, but this one caught my eye. Instead of demanding that they respond and come to a day that is essentially all about you, this card lets the guests know that you are looking forward to being with them. That struck a cord with me. I'm a fan.

Just a little peek at the invitation itself.

The entire suite was banded together with a transparent patterned wrap.

I told you that this invitation suite had it all! For more lovely invitation suites check out seamless paperie where all of the invitations are pretty to look at! seamless paperie can be reached at seamlesspaperie {at} gmail {dot} com.

...Paper Lovely Note Cards...

2010-09-28T10:38:00.001-04:00

A few months ago I stumbled across the etsy shop of paper lovely press in my search of some new everyday thank you cards. You see, prior to this point, I had purchased all of my thank you cards {with the exception of the thank you cards we sent out after our wedding} from Target. I literally believe that I have purchased every boxed set Target has sold, at one point or another. It was time for a change. I could not pass up these folded thank you cards featuring an adorable little ferris wheel.

Naturally, I caved and bought these happy birthday folded note cards. I couldn't resist the cupcake.
Everyone needs a practical and adorable set of note cards and I have been loving these. It's almost time for me to re-order! I hope that you have just as cute of a set up your sleeves! If so, do share!

p.s. i loved the packaging of these sets as well. bakers twine will never get old.

p.p.s. {website} www.paper-lovely.com {blog} http://blog.paper-lovely.com

...Wedding Programs with Calligraphy...

2010-09-24T08:00:00.001-04:00

This past weekend a penned & pretty bride named Allison tied the knot right here in Ohio.

Earlier this year Allison sent me her outer envelopes to address in brown ink using the font Pretty Whimsy. Pictures to come, for now you will just have to trust me that they were pretty beautiful.

Fast forward to about a month before her wedding. She told her Mom that she wasn't really planning on having programs at the wedding ceremony. Her Mom wasn't really having any of that so they turned to me to whip up something simple to give the guests something to look at. Here's just a little sneak peek for you to look at before Allison's photographer sends in some professional pictures.

Allison wanted one side of the program to list the wedding party & the other side {not pictured} to list the order of the wedding ceremony. She was able to take the pages I wrote on to a local printer for printing. I cannot wait to see the professional pictures!

p.s. if you are interested in having me write out your wedding programs {or other wedding paper goods}, please contact me at pennedandpretty {at} gmail {dot} com. Prices for custom pieces will vary based on number of words, time to complete, etc.

...Keep Calm and Carry On with Pretty Perfect...

2010-09-21T13:13:00.000-04:00

Just checking in to show you a couple of envelopes that I addressed for a client with the Pretty Perfect font in black ink on white envelopes.

I would just like to take this tiny sliver of a moment to thank each of my clients for allowing me to play a little part in their special day. I am so glad to be a part of it. xo.

...Unique Invitation Suite Designs...

2010-09-14T07:28:00.001-04:00

Looking for a unique invitation suite to call your own? One that bride's won't see over and over again in the magazines? One that isn't your typical pearl white with black ink in a copperplate gothic-esque font? Look no further than maemae paperie.
I am smitten with this suite that she created for an smp photo shoot. The die cut shapes are gorgeous. As are the patterns used throughout the suite and the pretty little color combination.

If you sent these to your guests, expect some sorrow from them in having to part with their RSVP card....its just too pretty.

See the whole suite here. See the inspiration for this suite as well as the smp shoot this suite is featured in here.

...Rustic Rehearsal Dinner Invitations...

2010-09-10T10:26:00.000-04:00

Fall is officially here and I am quite giddy about it. These rustic rehearsal dinner invitations foot the bill when it came to posting something fall-ish to ring in the cooler breezes that I am welcoming with open arms.
Molly of paisley quill has been assisting with the paper products for her brother-in-law's upcoming wedding. She wanted to deviate from their pink and black wedding color scheme and went for an Indian Summer theme that Michigan is known for and incorporated the Groom's love for the outdoors along the way, by incorporating a deer with a rack.

Loving the various stamps used on the neutral envelopes! Not to mention the acorn design and the twig frame for the addresses!

You can see the whole post and inspiration behind the invitations on the paisley quill blog right here.

...Sea of Love...

2010-09-06T10:22:00.000-04:00

How did I not show you these pictures yet?! These white envelopes were adorned with my "pretty adorable" calligraphy and propped up against one of my cute little nautical tote bags to have their pictures taken.

Clients often ask me what the best way is to address an envelope to a couple with children that are all invited to the wedding. The easiest way is just to address it to Mr. & Mrs. John Smith & family.
Happy labor day and congrats to all of my lovely brides that tied the knot this past weekend!

...Vintage Inspired Escort Cards...

2010-09-04T22:19:00.007-04:00

A few months ago, I took on a little project at the request of Katie Saeger of simply and forever. I was thrilled to receive images of the finished product... a vintage inspired wedding shoot with photography by untamed heART photography.

These distressed tags, complete with my pretty adorable calligraphy, were used as escort cards and displayed on an old {vintage} shutter. They looked fabulous!

The shoot was quite a success! You can see images from the shoot on the untamed heART photography blog here. Thanks for letting me be a part of the shoot!

...Cooking Themed Bridal Shower Invitation...

2010-08-03T10:25:00.000-04:00

One of my favorites, Molly from paisley quill created this cooking themed bridal shower invitation for the shower of a soon-to-be family member! I love the invitation and I love the theme! The suite even included a recipe card for guests to write their favorite recipe on to give to the bride-to-be.

Per usual, I love the envelopes. Molly used an over sized font and printed everything on an angle. Just a creative detail that the recipients will love. Even the stamp is cute! As Molly put it, "Who doesn't love Katherine Hepburn?!"

One last detail that I just have to mention because I love it so. The fork and spoon background on the invitation and the return address on the envelope flap is just too cute!!

Molly, thanks for sharing this cute and creative shower invitation!

...Escort Card Idea for a Country Wedding...

2010-07-29T10:37:00.000-04:00

I know there are a lot of Midwestern brides out there planning a full-out country wedding. A large barn, bales of hay, drinks from mason ball jars and a playlist full of country music. Since cowboy boots would be welcome and encouraged I would assume these stamped escort cards would be as well.

This would be a perfect little DIY project. Head out to your local craft store to find a country/farm stamp. Use different colors of paper to denote guests different meal choices or reception tables. Names can be handwritten or find a fun font on your computer and run them thorough the printer!

As seen here on the ruffled blog. Check out the whole wedding here.
Wedding Vendors (Sacramento, CA):Photographer: Emily Heizer Photography / Venue: Family Orchard Farm / Tents, lighting, and tables: Zephyr Tents / DJ: Big Fun DJ / Rentals: Classic Party Rentals Sacramento (lounge furniture, chairs, linens) / Caterer: Buckhorn Catering / Save the Date and Invitations: Lulu Paper / Flowers: Organic Flowers and Farmers Market.

...Seaside Fete...

2010-07-27T06:00:00.000-04:00

Have you seen the nautical Seaside Fete wedding invitation over at wiley valentine?! I am loving the golden yellow and navy color combination!The save the date announces "we're tying the knot" and includes a little knot illustration at the top of the announcement.

Even the envelopes are adorable! Loving the over sized type font used for the name{s} of the guest{s}.
As if you didn't love the invitation enough already, Lauren from rock paper scissor has used the Seaside Fete invitation as inspiration for nautical vacation must haves! If you love yellow cardigans, navy blue polka dot bikinis and white canvas bags, you must check out the post right
here!

...Out of the Office...

2010-07-14T10:52:00.005-04:00

Little bloggity blog friends,
I'll be out of the office until June 18th.

If you're on Hilton Head Island, you can find me on the beach with a fruity frozen drink garnished with a little umbrella.

Otherwise, your e-mails will be returned as soon as I get home on June 18th.

image via it's mary ruffle

...Pretty Adorable Calligraphy on White Envelopes...

2010-07-07T08:07:00.003-04:00

Pretty Adorable is undoubtedly the most requested calligraphy style here at Penned & Pretty. I can't argue with that. I love it too. Here's a few pictures of an envelope completed for a recent order.

p.s. please excuse the poor quality images! i only wish that i was a professional photographer!
p.p.s some images have been blurred to protect privacy.

...Pretty Whimsy Calligrahy in Chocolate Ink...

2010-06-29T07:24:00.001-04:00

The Pretty Whimsy style is overdue for a blog appearance. So here is a little sample of an envelope addressed with the pretty whimsy font from a recent order!
I had the chance to work with a local {Cincinnati!} bride who requested chocolate brown ink for her white envelopes. I've seen an increase in the demand for chocolate brown ink in the last few months...must be all of those fall brides!
p.s. some images have been blurred to protect privacy.

...Wedding Invitation Poster...

2010-06-22T08:04:00.000-04:00

Quite a while ago I saw this adorable invitation poster designed by Erin Jang from the indigo bunting. Recently, it resurfaced and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to share it this time around.
The bride is a cupcake baker and the two met in a science lab. That should explain the cupcake and the bubbling glass beaker! One of my favorite things about the invitation {above} is the line that reads "dinner, cupcakes & merriment to follow." How clever!
The RSVP card {below} also leaves room for the guests to write the bride & groom a little note on the back of the postcard.

The invitation poster and RSVP postcard were mailed in a kraft tube{below} with a matching custom mailing label.
You can see the whole post on the poster and invitation suite right here. Images above courtesy of Erin at the indigo bunting blog.

p.s. you can see some of their beautiful wedding photos here {and 100 Layer Cake's post here} from Radonich Ranch in Los Gatos, California.

...Rehearsal Dinner Invitation Template...

2010-06-18T08:52:00.000-04:00

One of my favorite bloggers, Cyd from the sweetest occasion had a post the other week that caught my eye and I thought that I would share a sweet little rehearsal dinner invitation template with you {see the whole post by Cyd right here}.

This adorable little invitation is perfect for the fiesta-themed rehearsal dinner. Just find that little hole in the wall or that ritzy downtown mexican restaurant and book it now. Then print these and send them to your family and friends!

Invitation design and photography by Gia Graham of betsywhite stationery and Flights of Fancy.

Click here to download a PDF template of the invitation and address labels shown above!

p.s. Aren't you loving those colored envelopes!? Spice up your own little fiesta by using colored envelopes instead of the standard white ones!

...Pretty Adorable Calligraphy & a DIY Escort Card Display Idea...

2010-06-15T06:51:00.000-04:00

Recently the lovely April Foster of April Foster Events asked me to participate in a little project that she was entering into the Inspired Creations Contest. She sent me the escort cards and told me what color of ink to use, but didn't give me any other details. Little did I know how drop dead gorgeous the shoot would turn out to be {not that I had any doubts!!}. I am so happy that my calligraphy got to be a little piece of this lovely concept April dreamed up for a reception inspired by fabric.

I used the "pretty adorable" font for the calligraphy on these escort cards. April displayed them in a breathtaking way by using a salvaged door, a little chicken wire and old-school clothing pins. I just have to share the invitations that April created for the shoot. The color scheme is something unique that you won't find at every wedding you attend this year and I am loving the pattern that's carried throughout the suite!

The pattern was even carried over to the table numbers which were displayed in the centerpieces containing an abundance of gorgeous white peonies.
You can see the rest of the images from the shoot right here on elizabeth anne designs! Thanks to April Foster for allowing me to contribute! Pictures by Megan W Photography.

Below is a complete list of the industry professionals that contributed to this shoot:

Conceptualization, Design, Stationery – April Foster Events Photography – Megan W Photography Flowers – JP Parker Flowers Venue – Laurel Hall Indianapolis Cake & Cupcakes – The Cake Stand, Cheryl Blessing Macarons and Meringue – Circle City Sweets Rice Treat Pops and dipped cookies – April Foster Events Calligraphy – Penned and Pretty

...At the Beach for a Wedding...

2010-06-09T06:50:00.001-04:00

You'll have to excuse me for the rest of the week and the weekend. I'm off to the lovely beaches of Destin, Florida for my dear dear dear friend Debbie's wedding. Words cannot express how excited I am for them to finally tie the knot!

I hope that you all have a great weekend! I will be enjoying fruity drinks, rays of sun and the company of some of my best friends. Congrats to my other Penned & Pretty brides tying the knot this weekend. I hope that it's everything you dreamed it would be! Cheers!

photo via it's maryruffle!

...Gold and Lavender Invitations...

2010-06-04T09:17:00.000-04:00

In browsing etsy not too long ago, I came across this sweet little lavender and gold invitation suite. There's something about this color combo that just speaks to the princess in me. And it doesn't hurt that the fonts in the suite are divine.
As if the invitations themselves weren't elegant enough, the gold envelope puts it over the top. Just gorgeous.

I'm quite smitten with this reception card. Too many reception cards are strictly information only. This one beckons the guest to come with the promise of "Dinner, Drinks and Dancing!" and the flourishes adorning it are just spectacular. The invitation suite was bound with this gorgeous band which displayed the name of the couple. It's quite a lovely little package, don't you agree!?
This little invitation suite is the Venice Suite and can be seen at the By Invitation Only etsy shop! p.s. I'm also loving the Paris and Tea Party suites!

...A Fresh Green & Pink Wedding Invitation...

2010-05-25T08:25:00.001-04:00

It never fails that one of the weddings that I attend each summer has the classic green & pink color scheme. I personally think that it's the most popular wedding color scheme and for good reason - pink and green always look good together!I love seeing an invitation that isn't printed onto white paper. Why not spice things up and print on colored card stock with white ink for a fresh look!?
Further, there isn't anything that I love more than an outer envelope that is any color other than white. Make your wedding invitation envelope stand out in your guests mailbox/stack of mail by using a colored envelope! White, silver or gold ink or a plethora of wrap around labels will allow you to address even the darkest of envelopes!

I am a sucker for a chic envelope liner and this one, adorned with blossoms, is quite adorable!

All additional and pertinent information was printed on this pink tri-fold.

I am loving this little tag that's threaded thru the brown string/ribbon that holds the invitation and RSVP pieces together!

The Love: King & Queen of Hearts Stamps are quite popular in 2010!
All images are courtesy of Courtney at seamless paperie. You can contact seamless paperie {based in New York} at seamlesspaperie@gmail.com! Images courtesy of seamless paperie and used with expressed permission.

...Nautical Blue & Red Bachelorette Party Invitations...

2010-05-18T10:21:00.008-04:00

When it came time to dream up the invitations for the bachelorette party that I am hosting for my best friend Debbie, I turned to Chelsey of 4th & folded. She was the brains behind turning inspiration into reality in terms of the gorgeous invitations sent out for the "Something Blue" shower that I hosted for Debbie in March. The inspiration for the bachelorette party invitation was the love the Bride and I both share for all things nautical {stemming from our days in Delta Gamma!}.

Chelsey went to town and created the most lovely invitations, beyond anything that I could have ever imagined. The wording we decided upon was, "Debbie is dropping her anchor & tying the knot. Please join us for one final girls night out before Debbie is officially tied down!" Lodging information followed along with requests that guests arrive at 5pm and that nautical attire was preferred {think reds, blues, golds and short little dresses!}. Lastly, the invitation instructed guests to RSVP to me, "the Skipper", and provided my cell phone number. Above: A red laser cut anchor was affixed to the invitation with blue and white bakers twine. It stole the show. Below: Even the back of the invitation was attention-getting as it was coated with red and white diagonal stripes!
I loved the bright bold blue hue of the envelopes that Chelsey sent. I chose to adorn them with the "celebrate" postage stamp and loved the extra pops of color it provided to the envelope.
I know that you're all going to shake your heads at me since, after all, I am a "calligrapher," but I used this fun wrap around label template {shoot me an e-mail if you would like me to e-mail it to you!} for the addresses of the guests. I just couldn't help it! Wrap-around labels are just so adorable and this was the perfect occasion for me to use them. Plus, my hand and fingers needed a little break from calligraphy! I did make a newbie mistake that I thought that I would share. I used a glue stick to adhere the labels to the envelopes and I should have used real glue. Most of the envelopes didn't make it to their destinations and, if they did, the labels were falling off or crumpled. How sad.

I was and still am in love with these little nautical invitations. A huge thanks to Chelsey of 4th & folded for bringing them to life! Please excuse the poor quality of the pictures, taken by yours truly. Please credit both penned & pretty and 4th & folded when reposting any images!

...Chocolate & White Invitations and Envelopes...

2010-05-11T18:33:00.000-04:00

Last year {i cannot believe how fast this year has flown by!} my calligraphy graced the invitations of Adrienne & Nicholas who tied the knot at his family's private residence in September 2009.

The "pretty perfect" calligraphy style graced the simple invitation in chocolate ink.

The envelopes were a milk chocolate brown and I found the most delightful white ink to use in addressing both the guests addresses on the front and the return address of the couple on the back.

If you are interested in having Penned & Pretty calligraphy on your wedding invitations, please email me at pennedandpretty {at} gmail {dot} com for pricing. For my current pricing for envelope calligraphy, just click here!

...Return Address Calligraphy...

2010-05-03T11:26:00.000-04:00

If your stationery company won't be printing your return address on the back of your envelopes, let me complete your invitation envelope flaps with your address!

One of my recent brides had the most fabulous plum envelopes and allowed me to address her guests addresses on the front of each envelope along with her return address on the back flap. Using the same font on both the front and the flap of the invitation makes for a cohesive look. What's even better is that you don't have to mess with finding a suitable return address label to affix to your envelopes! If you are interested in having me address your return address as well as the addresses of your guests, just let me know! My current pricing for addressing return addresses is as follows:
Return address { name, address, city, state & zip}: $.75/envelope.
Return address {address, city, state & zip}: $.65/envelope.

p.s. don't you just love how the metallic gold ink pops against the envelopes?!

...Something Blue Wedding Shower Invitations...

2010-04-14T00:57:00.000-04:00

At the end of March, I threw a bridal shower for my best friend, Debbie. You can read more about the event at my wedding inspiration blog, tying the knot throughout week. For now, I'd love to share the invitations for the shower with you.

Debbie is having a Florida destination wedding sprinkled with blue, white and khaki accents. Thus, I wasted no time in throwing myself fully behind the idea of throwing her a "Something Blue" shower. I enlisted the help of the lovely Chelsey of 4th & Folded to execute my vision for the shower invitation. She delivered.

I love the use of different typography fonts on the front of the invitation {above} and the clean simple lines of the text on the back of the invitation {below}. Further, the colors Debbie is using in her wedding are fully incorporated into the invitation!

As much as I love the invitation itself, the envelope liner is quite fabulous and might be my favorite piece of the mailing. In case you were wondering, I addressed each outer envelope with a bright blue sharpie and affixed a "Celebrate" stamp to each envelope before sending them all out.

Chelsey, of 4th & Folded, was a dream to work with. So much so that I also roped her into designing all of the bachelorette party invitations as well. Those are to come. Trust me, you'll love them just as much.

p.s. some information on the invitations has been blurred for privacy reasons. p.p.s. pictures via me. i wish that i had a picture of the envelope calligraphy to show you, but i don't! figures!!

...Coffee Cup Wedding Invitation...

2010-03-18T07:49:00.000-04:00

I came across the cutest etsy shop the other day, ellothere. Their shop is filled with the cutest little wedding invitations and it was hard to only pick one to share with you! This one is for all of the coffee lovers out there.

How sweet is this invitation!? It would be perfect for the couple that met at a coffee shop!
I am loving the grey + mustard + orange color combo, but if it's not your cup of tea {pun somewhat intended!} you can change the colors to your hearts content!!

In working with ellothere your wedding invitation is completely customizable. You can choose your own wording, information, and colors. Each {$4} wedding invitation set includes:

- a full color invitation professionally printed on fantastically thick 100lb matte paper

- white or Cream envelopes {colored envelopes are available for an additional price}
- 4.25 x 5.5 correspondence card of your choosing {response card, or reception card}

- a complete design process to customize your invitations

...Wedding Invitations with a Personalized Quote...

2010-03-16T05:24:00.000-04:00

The darling etsy shop of Southern Fete Creative has something that I am sure all brides to be would love...a wedding invitation suite that allows customization with quote that the bride & groom hold near & dear to their hearts. And it's not just one little phrase....it can be a long quote. Have a looksie.

Above are the mailing pieces that would go out to your guests. I especially love the accommodations card. Below are the wedding & reception pieces {the program cover, menu, table numbers and escort cards} that would complete the details of your wedding day paper goods. Aren't you loving the typewriter font!?

This suite is shown in avocado & stone, but available in an array of colors seen here . Visit the Southern Fete Creative etsy shop today...there's plenty more invitation goodness for you to see!

p.s. all images courtesy of Valerie at Southern Fete and used with expressed permission.

...Happy Anniversary Little Calligraphy Shop...

2010-03-12T08:57:00.000-05:00

On January 1, 2009, sharpies in hand, I launched Penned & Pretty {a modern calligraphy shop}. Ever since that day, daily life has been quite different around here and I must say that I have loved every minute of it. E-mailing brides {clients} at all hours of the night, making friends with the post office employees and camping out our home office have been activities that I have enjoyed more than I ever could have dreamed. More so it's being an entrepreneur & a small business owner, getting to know those in the wedding industry, blogging beautiful invitations and announcements, receiving thoughtful thankful notes from clients and seeing my work go out the door and referrals come in that I have really enjoyed. Those are the little things that keep me going and keep me writing on hundreds of envelopes.
Sadly, a couple months ago I forgot to wish my little shop a happy first birthday/anniversary/blogiversary. Better late than never, I suppose. Happy anniversary little shop. I hope that you have many years of life ahead of you to grow, plow through many more pens, expand and learn. And to my clients...past, present and future....thank you for believing in me and allowing my work to be a little detail in your special day. If I could give one of these cupcakes to each one of you, I would. xo, jl.
All {scrumptious} pictures in this post courtesy of Trish {tealily photography} and were taken on the sweet wedding day of jesse & paul & used with expressed permission.

...A Bold Map Envelope Liner...

2010-03-09T10:22:00.003-05:00

I am such such such a fan of envelope liners. I think that they can add just that little pop or that little oomph to your announcement/invitation presentation that will make your guests audibly utter "ohhhh" or "ahhhh" when they open up the envelope you sent with care. The liner accompanying this save the date does just that. And the save the date itself itself isn't half bad either!!

If you're looking for a twist on the traditional "save the date" wording, "start spreading the news" would be a welcome change!

As you have probably guessed, I am loving the navy envelope. When you receive multiple white envelopes in the mail every day, this one is sure to stick out. White, silver and gold inks always look best on navy envelopes. And the little "save the date" sticker to hold the flap down!? Be still my heart.

Now this is a sharp looking mailing label. Take note.

I love how this save the date includes a little extra information for the guests in a vibrant kelly green enclosure card tucked into a glassine envelope.

This save the date is the lovely product of seamless paperie. Contact Courtney today at seamlesspaperie{at}gmail{dot}com...I cannot wait to see what you dream up!

p.s. all pictures courtsey of Courtney at seamless paperie and used with expressed permission.

Preppy Nautical Invitations

2010-03-08T08:37:00.004-05:00

I'm always a fan of anything nautical, especially with spring riiight around the corner! I came across this lovely invitation that was both preppy and nautical and thought that I would share it with all of you.

You can see additional pictures of the invitation here at the swatchbook weddings blog.

For more information on this invitation contact angela@swatchbookweddings.com.

...Emily Ley Paper...

2010-02-23T07:57:00.000-05:00

Are you looking for "classic paper goods with sweet Southern charm"?! With the launch of Emily Ley Paper last week, Emily Ley brings you just that. Not only does Emily Ley Paper offer classic wedding invitations, save the dates and monograms, but everything that you ever wanted to know about wedding invitation etiquette {invitation wording, tips on addressing envelopes, etc} is there too!
The Leona save the date {above} and invitation {below} have to be my favorites.

To top it all off, how adorable is the soon to be mrs. calling card!? Order a pack of 25 to give to vendors at bridal shows, at your first appointments, or just to vendors that you meet in passing. I love it because all of your important information that a vendor might need to know is right there on one {beautiful} card.

Check out the Emily Ley Paper blog right here and the equally charming blog {a must read for anyone in the wedding industry} right here here.

...Olive & Neutral Invitations...

2010-02-15T07:42:00.001-05:00

Spring and fall weddings best lend themselves to the use of neutral and natural colors. This wedding invitation suite from Avie Designs would be the perfect compliment to such a color scheme.
It all starts with a simplistic, yet adorable, save the date {above}. The invitation itself {below} features olive waves and traditional fonts. The chocolate invitation envelope boasts a wrap-around label which always gives your envelopes a polished look.

The RSVP card stands out from the rest of the suite with its pop of color.

The entire suite is below. The word gorgeous comes to mind.

You can see the complete listing here at the avie designs etsy shop.

...Chic Purple Wedding Invitation...

2010-02-12T08:28:00.000-05:00

I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for any couple that chooses purple as one of their wedding colors. My husband and I choose plum and raspberry for our colors and let me tell you, it is hard to have plum as an accent color. Finding plum ribbon was nearly impossible and finding a "pre-made" invitation that incorporated the color plum and was half way attractive and affordable was nearly impossible. At one point I was just excited to find any sort of plum invitation inspiration! So, if you're a bride searching for plum wedding invitation inspiration, have a little looksie at this piece of beauty by wiley valentine.

Isn't it just gorgeous!?!! I'm loving the energetic script and the feather like details flocking the invitation. And, I spy a plum envelope that any wedding guest would be floured to receive in the mail. I hope that your invitations turn out just as beautiful and unique as this one, which can be seen here!

{images via wiley valentine and used with expressed permission}

...Engagement Cards...

2010-02-11T15:40:00.001-05:00

When I tied the knot back in 2008, I was lucky enough to have Nicole Green document our day. We received so many gorgeous images from her that make us smile to this day.
In December, Nicole's {then} boyfriend and "second shooter", Dan, e-mailed me to enlist my help in his proposal to Nicole. Needless to say, I was thrilled to assist.
Dan's idea was simple. On an upcoming trip to Chicago, he would give Nicole 5 cards throughout the day. Each one would simply list three reasons why he loved her. The sixth card would then give three reasons why she should marry him, which she would receive right before he dropped down on one knee. Dan wanted my calligraphy to grace the cards and I couldn't have been more excited to get started!

Per Dan's request, I picked up some simple white cards at a local craft store and put my pretty adorable calligraphy style to work. I then shipped them off and waited patiently for the big day to arrive. Obviously, Nicole said "yes" and I could not be happier for the two them.

Dan, if you are reading this...thank you for letting me be a part of your special moment! And to Nicole, I cannot wait to follow along as you plan your wedding!

p.s. if you are in the Indianapolis {and surrounding!} area and are in need of a great photographer to capture the details and joy of your wedding day, I highly recommend Nicole. Check out her blog here

p.p.s. if you so happened to want to see our engagement and wedding pictures on Nicole's old blog, you can click here and here !

Engagement card photos taken by the bride-to-be, Nicole Green and used with expressed permission.

...pretty adorable calligraphy for a Style Me Pretty Shoot...

2010-02-04T09:44:00.001-05:00

Back in December 2009, Molly of Paisley Quill gave me the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be part of an inspiration to reality photo shoot for Style Me Pretty alongside some of the most wedding industry's finest vendors. I literally jumped at the chance.Molly sent me some of the most intricate and beautiful escorts I had ever seen. I put my "pretty adorable" calligraphy on about 20 of them and sent them back to her in time for the shoot. I couldn't wait to see how they would be used and I sure couldn't wait to see the pictures and feature!

Blacks, golds, baby blues and a little navy were the colors that shined throughout this stunning shoot. If you're thinking about having a winter wedding, I'm pretty sure that there is no way that you can see the pictures from this event and not be inspired. It's all about the details, as they say, and having the escort cards displayed on bare branches made for quite the eye-catcher. The stark branches gave way for the escort cards to shine.

The outcome of the shoot was stunning, to say the least. If you haven't seen it already take a little look at the Style Me Pretty from inspiration to reality shoot part one part two part three part four {the video!} and part five!
Here is a close-up of one of the escort cards. In case you didn't know, this is the "Pretty Adorable" style which is by far the most requested script from my little calligraphy shop! Here is a of the wonderful vendors that made this shoot happen! Flowers , Table Design and Dessert Buffet: Aisha Holly Dooby Design Group / Stationery: Molly Myers • Paisley Quill / Photography: Aruna Mall • Aruna B. Photography / Videography: Ryan Koral • Epic Motion / Venue: The Royal Park Hotel • Kristen Hickey / Hair & Make-up: Angela Valentine & Jennifer Jaroma • Salon U2 / Cake: Papa Joe’s Market/La Sala Banquet • Sue Helzer / Dress: Amsale • Donated by V2V / Model: Andrea Walker.

A very special thanks to Molly of Paisley Quill for the opportunity to be involved in this shoot and to Abby at Style Me Pretty for the feature!

All pictures by Aruna Mall of Aruna B. Photography and used with expressed permission.

...Chic Budget-Friendly Wedding Invitations...

2010-01-21T07:04:00.000-05:00

I must admit, I love it when blogger brides that I follow tie the knot and then set out to start their own invitation line. Each line is fresh yet practical and more budget-savvy than a lot of the larger mainstream invitation lines. Classically Modern Nest has created such a line of invitations that are available at her etsy shop: 4th & folded.
Below are just two of my favorites, the Madaline and the Harrison:

Green, black and white have always been one of my favorite color schemes. Besides, how can you not fall for that black envelope!? Also, I've said it time and time again, if you are serving multiple entrees at your wedding reception, you cannot go wrong with using an RSVP card with these little animal icons so that your guests can choose their entrees.

I have always loved seeing hot pink appear in any way in a wedding color palette. Further, I'm loving how the light blue is a soothing contrast to the bright and bold hues the pink offers. In each of these invitations, and all of the invitations in the line, I adore the bold patterns that run throughout the suites as well as the modern fonts that pop off the paper.

I hope that you will all take the time to check out the 4th & folded etsy shop and I know you'll like what you see!

..."Letterpress Makes Us Happy!"...

2010-01-12T07:22:00.000-05:00

What first caught my eye on the the Spark Stationery blog was the cute little header image {see below} along with the tagline "letterpress makes us happy!" Too cute! The new sarah wedding suite that Spark Stationery recently created is something that is bound to make any bride-to-be happy to mail it out to all of her guests. The two kissing birds are quite adorable, but I also love the color scheme and the layers of texture throughout the suite.

One of my favorite items in the suite is the wedding program with the words "Welcome to the ceremony uniting two lovebirds..." It just doesn't get more adorable than that!

This coaster also matches the suite and can be used as a wedding favor or a simple added detail during the cocktail hour!

You can see the rest of the items from the new suites on the Spark Stationery blog right here!

{all images used with expressed permission.}

...A Banner of Pennants on One Lovely Wedding Invitation...

2010-01-12T07:14:00.001-05:00

So I discovered this wonderful little blog a few days ago, love lorn unicorn, and just had to share the couple's wedding invitations!Loving the fresh colors, the little string/banner of pennants, the fun fonts and the little red pandas {an homage to their first date at the zoo!}.
Did I mention that they designed the invitation suite themselves?! That's talent.Kate & Jason, best of luck for your upcoming wedding! Thank you for sharing your invitations!

p.s. you can see the invitation post on Kate's blog right here ...complete with more photos and information on the fonts and paper that were used to create the suite.

...Escort Card Display by the Numbers...

2010-01-10T07:46:00.000-05:00

It's one thing when you have an talented photographer like Stephanie Williams capture the details of your wedding day. But it's another thing when you have someone like Jesi Haack designing your wedding and the details behind it.

There was a wedding shot by Stephanie Williams recently that I spent too much time fawning over. You just have to see it {here}. My favorite little detail was the escort card display.
A little piece of paper, stating the name of the guest, was attached to a large magnetic number and then displayed under the appropriate column corresponding to the first letter of the guests last name.

What isn't to love about this escort card display?! Even the use of twine to affix the paper to the numbers is charming!

See the absolutely to-die-for photos from this wedding right: here on the blog of Stephanie Williams. And don't forget to stop by the lovely blog of the talented Jesi Haack!

{pictures used with expressed permission of Stephanie Williams}

...Giddy Ink: Navy & Green Preppy Chic Invitations...

2009-12-30T08:43:00.001-05:00

Over here at penned & pretty there's a soft spot for any invitation or save-the-date that boasts the navy & green color scheme. When the ladies over at Giddy Ink sent me pictures of Jodie & Matthew's save-the-date and invitations I just had to share.
The save-the-date {above} was the first look at the preppy chic invitation soon to come.
The invitation itself was a brilliant square invitation which made quite the first impression. From Lauren at Giddy Ink‎: "Pin stripes and pops of pattern and kelly green keep the intrigue coming—tying all of the correspondence together uniquely and consistently."
"RSVP and matching RSVP envelope {above} leave no detail unturned. Color, typography and pattern unify all pieces of this striking suite {below}."
You can see more photos of this invitation suite over at the giddy-tuesday blog right here!

{Invitation photos by Neysa Ruhl and used with expressed permission.}

...Regas New York: Play on Pattern...

2009-12-29T08:28:00.006-05:00

If you couldn't tell from the previous post, the focus on personalization that Regas New York provides to each one of its clients is outstanding. Here is just one more example.

From Nicola of Regas New York "Stephanie and Hernan were looking for a simple format invitation with distinctive elements of design. They fell in love with a flourish font {isn't it to die for!?!} and we selected two screen printed papers for a play on pattern. The black ink letterpress printed in one color was a classic choice that allowed for the pops of color in the envelope liner and reverse of the invitation card a fun surprise." Over here at Penned & Pretty Calligraphy I'm just absolutely loving that flourish font. The reception cards {"Dinner & Dancing"} might just be my favorite because of the interaction of all of the delicious fonts displayed. More so, I am adoring the envelope liner {hello pop of green!} and the patterned paper used on the reverse of the invitation card. Who am I kidding, the whole suite is just fabulous! Well done, ladies of Regas New York!

{images used with expressed permission}

...Regas New York: Elegant and Rustic...

2009-12-28T08:17:00.004-05:00

Wedding paper designers Regas New York know that the invitation is the first visual representation of the couple as one. After all, all the thoughtful planning that the Bride and Groom have been doing behind the scenes really takes shape with the correspondence sent to their guests. I'd like to share with you the invitation suite and save the date that Regas New York created for a couple named Catherine and Dan who live in the NYC and were getting married in St. Simons Island, Georgia. As Nicola from Regas New York shares, "They wanted their guests to experience the excitement of a new destination upon receiving their save the dates and invitations in the mail. It was a quiet balance between elegance and rustic complements."

The letterpress save the date map was inspired by a "treasure map" and the clue provided to the guests was the couples' wedding website.
The invitation color palette was a fresh twist on the preppy green/navy combo with the infusion of a light lavender. Catherine's mom is an artist and we were all thrilled to include her rendering of the dreamy, mossy oak trees that Georgia is known for.
Thank you to Nicola and Meredith from Regas New York for sending over this lovely save the date & invitation suite! I not only loved the different colors incorporated into the papers, but the rendering of the Georgia moss trees as illustrated by Catherine's mother. How sweet!
{images used with expressed permission}

...Merry Christmas from Penned & Pretty Calligraphy...

2009-12-24T09:44:00.001-05:00

I am appreciative of a lot of things, especially at this time of the year {family, friends, our numerous blessings, etc}. But, I must to say that I always love receiving a pretty card in the mail complete with a fabulous envelope. This little beauty would have been a welcome guest in our mailbox. Oh my deer {or buck or antelope, whatever!}! Loving the break from the traditional Christmas tree, jingle bells and Santa Clause himself.

Oh what is there not to love about this envelope!? Red & gold is always a winning color combination at this time of year! I would love to address it with my "pretty perfect" calligraphy, right beside the "kindly deliver to" instructions. And I love that the envelope flap is on the side of the envelope instead of its traditional spot!

Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! I hope that your stockings overflow with all sorts of goodness!

You can see more pictures of this holiday card designed by wiley valentine right here.

p.s. there is all sorts of goodness by wiley valentine on their lovely blog. Enjoy!

...Paisley Quill Red Snowbirds...

2009-12-09T06:14:00.001-05:00

With the first big snow storm on its way, I thought this would be the perfect time to feature the red snow birds invitation design from paisley quill. The wedding will be taking place in January at the river birch lodge, a rustic cabin in Michigan. paisley quill described the setting as being dotted with boulder fireplaces, antler chandeliers and twinkling lights and used a warm ivory stock and a cranberry red, which complimented the soft look of the falling snow.

The invitation suite, both as a whole and each individual piece, is just lovely. I expected nothing less from paisley quill! You can see the invitation on their blog here.

...Pencil Us In Save the Date...

2009-12-02T08:39:00.002-05:00

I recently received an e-mail from Bree over at Sanskripts letting me know about a new line of save the dates. When I clicked over to check them out, one caught my eye right away. After all, with a tag line of "Pencil Us In," how could I say no!?
The save the date says, He asked 'will you' she said 'love to.' We are loving the gray and plum color combo as well as the funky eye-catching fonts {all of which can be completely customized}!

The save the date above is the Audrey save the date and can be found here. Sanskripts was kind enough to offer all Penned & Pretty readers 10% off your entire order and free shipping till December 31, 2009. Just mention this post!

...Penned & Pretty Calligraphy: Severine's Place Cards...

2009-12-01T04:38:00.002-05:00

Severine is one of my favorite clients. She allowed me to adorn the address labels she used on both her wedding invitation envelopes and thank you cards. They were beautiful, if I do say so myself. Severine thought so too, so she allowed me to put my calligraphy on her place cards. Here they were getting ready for their big revel to all of the guests at her wedding reception.
I love the nontraditional way that Severine chose to display the place cards at each table setting. As you can see below, those Pretty Perfect styled place cards were set in between the prongs of each fork. How clever!!
Thank you, Severine, for allowing my "pretty perfect" calligraphy to be such a part of your special day!

...Giddy Ink: Genna...

2009-11-30T08:00:00.001-05:00

Giddy Ink is one of my favorite stationery shops. The Giddy Ink blog, Always Tuesday, is a blog that you must visit to see their latest work, like such:

We are loving the textured yet delicate designs carried throughout the suite.

I have always been a fan of using a post card RSVP. This time was no exception.

An adorable return address is always a must. I love the fact that the wedding date is featured on the back of the flap as well!

A huge thank you to the ladies of Giddy Ink for sharing this lovely invitation! I am loving every little detail of this suite!

Click on over to Tying the Knot today to see pictures from the actual wedding attended by the guests receiving this invitation. Invitations created by Giddy Ink. Pictures by Poiema Photography and used with expressed permission.

...Penned & Pretty Calligraphy: Leslie's Wedding Invitation Envelopes...

2009-11-27T10:40:00.003-05:00

In the previous post, I shared Leslie's wedding invitation suite with you. Now, allow me to show you how my Penned & Pretty calligraphy popped with white ink against the aubergine envelopes she picked out.

Leslie chose the "Pretty Perfect" calligraphy style to grace the outer envelopes of her wedding invitations. I think we were both pleased with the result!

...Leslie's Suite...

2009-11-12T05:40:00.001-05:00

We had the absolute privilege of adorning Leslie's wedding invitation envelopes with our pretty little calligraphy. Pictures of the actual calligraphy are sure to follow, but we couldn't wait to show you her wedding invitation suite.
Gourmet Invitations designed the suite for the New Year's Eve wedding and it is glamorous, to say the least!The jewel tones were carried throughout the wedding invitation as well as the accompanying accommodations insert card.

Below is the back of the RSVP return postcard. We are loving all the details, various fonts and the custom postage stamp!

Thanks to Daisy Jean of Pixel and Hank for letting us know, via twitter {@pennedandpretty}, that Gourmet Invitations had posted this lovely invitation suite!

...Penned & Pretty Calligraphy: Kathryn's Escort Cards...

2009-11-06T08:31:00.003-05:00

My clients Kathryn & Scott recently had one of the most adorable fall weddings I've ever seen. Nicole Green photographed their wedding and over at tying the knot I'm featuring snippets of the wedding photos today!
I also had the honor of doing the calligraphy on the outer envelopes of Kathryn & Scott's classy wedding invitations a few months ago. If I do say so myself, they turned out quite lovely! Nicole shared this little gem of a photo with me so that we could see just how adorable the escort cards I penned were a perfect complimentary detail to their special day.

...Boston or Washington...

2009-11-04T08:51:00.003-05:00

I first saw this lovely save the date over at Red & White bride and just had to share!
Etsy seller taylortt2 of Taylors Paperie offers various city collections featuring gorgeous city skylines and cute little sailboats floating in ports. I am a fan of the Boston {above} and Washington D.C. {below} save the dates!

The Washington DC Invitation Collection features a silhouette of the DC's most prominent skyline, including the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial and the lovely town homes represent Georgetown. The fonts can be altered and the background silhouette can be changed into any color.

Save the dates crafted by taylortt2. All images used with expressed permission.

...Penned & Pretty Calligraphy: Lynsey's Suite...

2009-11-03T05:08:00.003-05:00

April was the designer behind the invitations for my recent clients lynsey & brian. I loved the slate blue outer envelopes and RSVP envelopes {shown below} that were made penned and pretty with my calligraphy, but I never got to see the final end result until April blogged the pictures taken by Critsey Rowe. The invitation suite along with our RSVP envelope, turned out beautifully. In case you were wondering, Lynsey and Bryan selected the Pretty Perfect style in a chocolate ink to grace their envelopes. You can see a picture of the outer envelopes I addressed for lynsey & brian here.

Thanks to Critsey Rowe for capturing my work so beautifully! Pictures used with expressed permission.

...Red Lobster...

2009-10-22T13:25:00.001-04:00

It was the little lobster scooting across the invitation that had me at first sight. Isn't he precious!?
Then the rest of the invitation suite unfolded in front of my eyes and I squealed with delight.
I am loving how the grass and the birds are shown on the invitation together and then make separate appearances on the Lobster boil card and the RSVP post card {both shown below}.
What would a wedding in Maine be without an Adirondack chair and a lobster?
If attending, guests were given a meal choice to indicate on their RSVP post card. The two witty options gave me a good chuckle:
how can i come to maine and not eat lobster?! Number of guests____
call me chicken, as that's what i want to eat: Number of guests ____

Invitation as seen from the wedding of Laura and Bobby on the new ruffled blog here and used with expressed permission of Courtney at flush designs and erin hearts court . p.s. you can see the full post here.

...Elephants and Giraffes...

2009-10-21T05:12:00.001-04:00

The fabulous lisa welge is both a wedding photographer and a wedding invitation designer {be still my heart!}. So, I just knew that her invitations would be over the top lovely and that she would have great pictures of them for me to share! Lisa wanted to reflect a carnival/circus/county fair/summer barbeque theme in her invitations. I think the result achieved that feel and then some!The fonts, the fonts, the fonts!!!! Hip hip hooray for throwing the typical script fonts out the window!

The colors, the elephant {and the giraffe!}, the wrap around label and the clever fonts make this invitation suite picture perfect.

Ok, ok, I couldn't help it. I just had to show you the cake toppers from this wedding which were crafted by Hilary of Bunny with a Toolbelt. Check out her Etsy shop here,

p.s. you must check out the rest of the details from this wedding here!

All images are as seen on this post {as seen originally on the blog of 100 layer cake} with expressed consent of Lisa Welge.

...Southern Delight...

2009-10-20T05:45:00.001-04:00

You know what they say, "go big or go home." This invitation goes big, and I love it in a big big way. Boasting bold colors, lovely illustrations, creative fonts & textures and containing plenty of space for information this invitation caught my eyes the moment I saw it. This invitation invites the holders to a weekend of Southern delight for live blues, tasty cajun cookin' and a destination wedding in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Designer Anne Benjamin worked with the Bride & Groom so that the screen printed poster would function as the invitation and itinerary.

As an added bonus, the envelope came equipped with a pull tab for an easy, clean and entertaining way to open the kraft paper envelope and get to the good stuff!
invitation found here at the shop of mok duk. photos used with expressed permission.

...Eat, Drink & Be Married...

2009-10-19T04:00:00.001-04:00

In this post, I featured the lovely poster mat from Heather's {we met in a bar} wedding. If you're looking for adorable posters for your guests to sign at your rehearsal dinner or wedding reception, check out the lovely etsy shop of orange beautiful and rest your eyes on this charming 8x10 poster!

Get it in white and find a snazzy frame in your wedding colors for it to go in.
It's sure to be a beautiful piece of art in your home that will remind you daily of the best day of your life! You can purchase it at the etsy shop of orange beautiful.