...Thank You Card Inspiration...

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.

...Patterned Reception Details...

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.

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

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!

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

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.

...Engagement Cards...

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.

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

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.

...Poster Mat...

I saw this lovely idea over at we met in a bar {here} and just had to share!

Heather chose a sweet poster print to frame and use as a signature mat at her reception. I hope this is a new trend, because I am loving it!

Keep in mind that not all guests might know what exactly to do/write on the mat, so it's always nice to display a little sign to let them know any information that they might need and what you want them to do for you!

Thanks, heather for the inspiration!
Images from Studio 7 Photography.

...Kraft Table Numbers...

Wanting to break away from the traditional white paper table numbers with black ink stating "Table Number 1"?! These lovelies will sure do the trick.
The kraft paper table numbers blended in with the ambiance of the event and provided a lovely break from the standard table number.

Better yet, the bride found the kraft paper numbers at a craft store on the cheap!

by Paloma Images via with this ring and c is for charmed {flowers designed by Rae Florae, menus and paper products by Flush Designs}

...Lemon Drop...

Seeing tables designated at a reception as "Table 1" will give you the same thrill as when the DJ invited everyone onto the dance floor to do the hokey pokey and/or the chicken dance. Do your guests a little favor and take the time to come up with a couple of fun and entertaining table names. Places that you have been, names of your favorite songs/musicians or words of love {hope, trust, honor, etc} will certainly spice up your escort cards/seating chart.

This bride chose yellow as an accent color for her reception. Therefore, the table numbers were all named after pretty yellow things. My favorite was lemon drop due to the addition of lemon drops scattered throughout the reception. However, you have to admit that ducking, butterscotch, duckling, daffodil and honey buns were quite cute an innovative.

So, keep it fresh. Change it up a bit. Don't go for the standard "Table 1," if you can think up something more innovative. It will just be one more detail that will bring a smile to the faces of your guests.

pictures seen at the blog of: hugh forte

...Zig Zag Tag Ties...

In need of some adorable tags for your bridesmaid gifts or wedding favors?! Head over to Linda & Harriett to order these playful Zig Zag Hang Ties!
Available in lime green, gray, and sky blue!
via frolic

...DolciOdille...

One of our lovely blogger friends recently posted pictures of an adorable off-beat "Extra Information" insert for a wedding invitation. The envelope alone is quite precious.
The first extra information card informed guests of the important things in life...that there would be cake and ice cream following the ceremony.

The second card made us giggle. Now, some people might say that it's tacky to tell your guests where you are registered an or ask for money. But in the end, it's just easier on everyone. You don't end up with items that you don't need or like and Aunt Rita doesn't have to make the trek to every major department store in the tri-state to find out where you are registered at. Honestly, there is no shame in telling guests where you are registered at. Extra points if you can find a cute way {like the card below} to do it.

all items by DolciOdille, a charmingly cute little letterpress shop!

...Vintage Stamps...

Looking for a simple way to dress up your outer envelopes?! Well, besides the obvious of having us make them penned & pretty with our calligraphy, you could adorn them with lovely vintage stamps! Vintage stamps come in all colors, sizes and illustrations so that it's easy to find a bundle that you love!

As found on Ruby Press via Wiley Valentine.

P.S. these puppies have since sold out from their shop on etsy.

...Miss Pickles Press...

We are loving these darling little drink stirrers from miss pickles press. Perfect for a wedding shower, bachelorette party, rehearsal dinner or a wedding reception!We here at penned & pretty aren't crafty when it comes to DIY projects, but someone out there could probably pull it off, don't you think!? Send us an easy/foolproof template and we would love you forever!

...Napkin Wrap...

If you aren't already a fan of Style Me Pretty, you will be now. Abby {the pretty face behind SMP} put together a lovely little DIY napkin wrap. Perfect for a bridal shower, rehearsal dinner or even a wedding reception!
Complete instructions for this darling little "Eat, Drink & Be Married" napkin wrap can be found here.