Sunday Sample Spotlight: "Champagne Showers"

Named for its elegant font and the cool cream color of its envelope, "Champagne Showers" is a beautiful and classic invitation perfect for a formal event.

"Champagne Showers" - Invitation duo (invite & reply card)

This invitation and reply card feature one of my many "fancy" patterns. The elegance of the pattern comes from the capital cursive Ls I used to create it. The thinness of the line and light neutral color of the printing help the pattern add a hint of detail to the design without being too overpowering. The cursive font used for the text is also thin and elegant, which is why it both looks so timeless and matches the pattern so well.

The champagne "cascade" pocketfold envelope is shown with a matching metallic reply card envelope. And there's plenty of room in the pocket to include other information about your event, if you wanted to give guests an elegant map or set of directions. Metallic pocketfold envelopes are both functional and beautiful, instantly giving your stationery a touch of class. :)

As for the color, champagne is a neutral that makes a great addition to any color scheme. A simple neutral palette like this, with champagne, white, and black, would be a timeless color combination for any season - but I think it would look particularly beautiful for winter.


Next week's Sunday Sample Spotlight: An illustration of the Boston skyline!



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Shameless Plug Time: Love this invitation (or others featured on this blog)? Want something similar (or something completely custom) designed for your event? Visit Invites by Andrea to view more samples, download a catalogue pdf, or fill out a design request form. Or shoot me an email to ask me your questions or learn more information.

Fancy/Funky Friday: Patterns Gianna & Christina

Today's patterns both use diamonds and other details, but the real difference between the two that separates them as "fancy" and "funky" is, as is often the case, line thickness.

First, the "fancy": Pattern Gianna

Thin lines always seem more elegant to me than thick, bold lines, and this week's patterns exemplify that opinion. Pattern Gianna, though very unique and quite modern, still fits into the "fancy" category because the lines are thin, and because the pattern oscillates between simple, plain white diamonds and more detailed diamonds with elegant curves.

I love how preppy this design is. Wouldn't it look great on polo shirts in classic colors like dark red, navy blue, and green? The diamonds are classic and classy, but the interesting details inside the diamonds give a fun contemporary twist to the feeling of the pattern.


And now, the "funky": Pattern Christina

This pattern is also pretty "classic" in some aspects - it features elongated diamond shapes and flower-like forms. But the lines are so bold and thick that more than anything else, it screams "modern" and so I have to put it into the "funky" category. If it's a pattern that I can imagine used to upholster 1970s style furniture, how can it be classified as anything but?

The basic concept of this pattern is pretty simple. Pattern Christina features a lowercase italic "d" in a serif font which was reflected across both the x- and y-axes to create the flower-like cluster of four you see repeated here.


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Shameless plug time: Love my patterns? I incorporate them into a lot of the artwork I create, from stationery for Invites by Andrea to the watercolors I paint. Check out Invites by Andrea's website to see examples of these patterns in use or drop me a line at andrea@invitesbyandrea.com to let me know what you think!

Patriotic Event Decor

With Memorial Day just around the corner, I thought I'd take a minute to post an inspiration board for patriotic events. Red, white, and blue is a classic color scheme for American holidays, but just because those colors are adorned on paper plates for casual family get-togethers doesn't mean that they can't also work for formal events.

Having weddings on long holiday weekends like Memorial Day or Independence Day can be a great solution if you're planning on having a lot of out-of-town guests, and you can save some money by booking a venue on a Sunday instead of the traditional Saturday. But the last thing you want to do for your guests is make them feel like they're missing out on their typical holiday celebrations by attending your event. The solution is simple - adopt the red, white, and blue color combination for your wedding and host the most sophisticated patriotic event your guests have ever seen!



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Shameless Plug Time: Love these color combinations? Looking for custom stationery made to match these colors (or whatever other color combinations you're using for your event)? Visit Invites by Andrea to view more samples, download a catalogue pdf, or fill out a design request form. Or shoot me an email to ask me your questions or learn more information.

Sunday Sample Spotlight: "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree"

Black and red is a classic color combination for formal events like weddings - but that doesn't mean your decor and invitations have to be limited to classic motifs. Bold graphics like poppies, daisies, and other flowers look great in black and red, yet feel very modern - and today's Sunday Sample Spotlight post is the proof. :)

Black Horse and the Cherry Tree - Invitation Duo (invite & reply card)

I used a black and red floral patterned scrapbook paper to line all four flaps of the metallic black petal envelope of this invitation duo. I loved the worn look that the scrapbook paper had (where cracks of black were visible on the red flower petals), so I scanned the paper into my computer to use in the design. I used Illustrator's pen tool to cut around the flower vines, so that I could capture both the shape and texture of the flowers without getting the black background. Then, because it needed some of that rick black to help the flowers pop off the invitation and match the scrapbook paper, I added black circles to the design, laying them on top of the white flower centers.

The metallic shine of the black petal envelope is only visible when the envelope is closed, since the inside flaps are all completely lined with scrapbook paper. Because red envelopes are easier to address than black ones (and because I didn't want the strong black color to become too prominent), I went with a metallic red for the reply envelope and outside invitation envelope.

The bold sans-serif font used throughout the invitation and reply card design was chosen to match the graphic, modern feel of the flower patterns. Then, I used an italic serif font to add a hint of elegance back into this usually classic color combination. :)



Next week's Sunday Sample Spotlight: "Champagne Showers"


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Shameless Plug Time: Love this invitation (or others featured on this blog)? Want something similar (or something completely custom) designed for your event? Visit Invites by Andrea to view more samples, download a catalogue pdf, or fill out a design request form. Or shoot me an email to ask me your questions or learn more information.

Fancy/Funky Friday: Patterns Heather & Rubena

TGIF! Celebrate the coming weekend by looking at these two fun patterns! :)

First, the "fancy": Pattern Heather

This pattern might look a little familiar - it's kind of similar to Pattern Vivian, another pattern I've featured on here before. Both patterns came from the same font, so they have some similar gothic features. Interestingly, I categorized Pattern Vivian as a "funky" font, since the prominent shape created was a heart and the hearts were displayed in fun zig-zag lines. Pattern Heather has a similar heart-like shape (though this heart was created with a different letter, so it looks a little different), but the repetition of the individual pattern "units" is more structured, which makes it more "fancy" and less "funky."

Pattern Vivian was created out of an old English capital A, and Pattern Heather was created out of an old English capital B. When placed back-to-back, the curved lines bring to mind butterflies or flower blossoms, and the variance of thickness along the calligraphic lines makes this pattern a definite member of the "fancy" category.


And now, the "funky": Pattern Rubena

This is one of my favorite "funky" patterns because it's so fun and unique. I love the little diamonds that have a little detail around the edges, and the almost-oval shapes bring to mind cartoon characters. Don't they each look like a long, simplistic cartoon face with wide bug-eye glasses frames? :) From a distance, the thin lines make this pattern more elegant, but up close the simplicity and uniqueness of the shapes are definitely "funky." Because Pattern Rubena is so fun, I like to use bold, saturated colors (like the hot pink I used here) for it, but it would look good in practically any color.


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Shameless plug time: Love my patterns? I incorporate them into a lot of the artwork I create, from stationery for Invites by Andrea to the watercolors I paint. Check out Invites by Andrea's website to see examples of these patterns in use or drop me a line at andrea@invitesbyandrea.com to let me know what you think!

Summer Event Color Combinations - Part 3

Here are the last three summertime color combinations I want to share with you. I hope you find the perfect inspiration for your summer event! :)


Color Combination #1 - Cream, Ivory & Blush

Remember when I talked about using different textures yesterday? That rule absolutely applies to this color scheme, too. Cream, ivory, and blush are very similar shades that feel very romantic and vintage. Since there isn't much variation in color, it's easy to play with different textures. Let each bridesmaid pick her own dress so that everything is a slightly different shade and shape. This color scheme is all about the layering of different textures, especially vintage ones like lace, silk, crepe paper. Think lightweight layers of sheer or almost-sheer fabrics - they create visual and tactile depth that feels soft and romantic.

Vintage attire and decor is all the rage right now, and there are several wedding blogs (such as "Ruffled," which has absolutely gorgeous photos) that feature vintage-style weddings. If you're going the "romantic vintage" route, don't forget to order stationery to match! Invites by Andrea can make custom stationery to fit whatever your event theme or wedding colors! Since I hand-make each invitation, adding different layers (such as ribbon, lace, or see-through vellum overlays) is easy to do, and really sets the tone for a texture-heavy vintage wedding. :)



Color Combination #2 - Pale Blue & Yellow

Pale blue is a color that works well in the winter, spring, or summer. So pair it with a bright, sunny yellow to leave no doubt in your guests' minds about the time of year. The pale blue cools down the eye-catching yellow (and a hot summer day!), and can also feel vintage-y depending on how it's used. (Just think of the "something blue" tradition, and pick out attire or decor that might have been hand-me-downs from past ages.)

Blue and yellow is also a great color scheme for a beach wedding. Use the color of sand as a third color to introduce a neutral into the combination, and use pale blue and bright yellow as accent colors. They'll really pop against the sand and call to mind the ocean and sunshine.



Color Combination #3 - Jewel Tones

Who says you have to choose only a couple of colors? Another color trend that's hot right now is jewel tones (think Mardi Gras, Bollywood movies, or Moroccan fabrics for inspiration). Keep all of your colors saturated and bright, choosing emerald green, ruby red, sapphire blue, golden yellow, turquoise, magenta, and violet. Mix and match the tables at your reception, giving each table a different color tablecloth, and let each bridesmaid wear a different jewel tone color to show off the whole spectrum.

Even though there are a lot of colors going on at once, they work together because they're all the same level of saturation. To tie them together even more, add another element, such as a neutral or a bit of shine. If all of your bridesmaids tie a black sash around their waist, they'll instantly look like a wedding party despite their different colors because they all have an element in common. Another idea is to give all of your jewel tone colors the same type of shine - such as a using a hint of glitter on everything, or finding metallic or shimmering fabrics for your decor. By playing up the metallic-ness of the colors, you mark them all as jewel tones, and then they instantly go together.


Did you miss them the first time? Don't forget to also check out Spring Event Color Combinations Part 1 and Part 2!

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Shameless Plug Time: Love these color combinations? Looking for custom stationery made to match these colors (or whatever other color combinations you're using for your event)? Visit Invites by Andrea to view more samples, download a catalogue pdf, or fill out a design request form. Or shoot me an email to ask me your questions or learn more information.

Summer Event Color Combinations - Part 2

Yesterday I showed you three summer color combinations - coral & jade, blue & white, and red, black & white. Today, I have three more exciting color schemes to show you. :)




Color Combination #1 - Orange & Yellow

Summer is all about the sunshine, and there is nothing sunnier than a bright, eye-catching orange and yellow color scheme. Just make sure to keep the orange and yellow bold and saturated. Darker oranges and golden yellows tend to look more autumnal, so to keep your color combination fresh and sunny, think citrus and not fall leaves. :)

There are so many great decor options for a bright orange and yellow color scheme. A lot of different flowers are available in those colors, and if none of them suit your fancy, you can still go organic by using fruits - oranges and lemons - to decorate. Since the colors are so sunny, they lend themselves well to round decor such as parasols and paper lanterns. Pick some that are made out of material so thin that they let some light shine through them to mimic the beauty of the summer sun. These bright colors also call to mind fruit-flavored candy, so play up that sugary richness with a candy table at your wedding reception.


Color Combination #2 - Dusty Rose & Gray

For such a cool color combination, dusty rose and gray is very hot right now! Gray is the new neutral - it goes great with everything, and adds a modern twist to your color palette. Dusty rose and gray is a very romantic, vintage color combination, and is on its way to becoming a new classic. Because it feels so timeless, it's great for a classic, elegant summer wedding - and the gray and pale pink help cool down a hot summer day.

This color scheme works well if you use multiple shades of pink and gray, as well as an eclectic mix of texture or pattern. Using different textures adds to the soft, romantic and vintage feel of the colors and adds a lot of depth to attire and decor.


Color Combination #3 - Blue, Turquoise, & Lime

These bright colors work great for summer weddings, and are inspired by trendy peacock feathers. You can use actual peacock features in your bouquets or centerpieces for a more sophisticated look, or just emulate the colors, turning the saturation up for a bold, bright, and fun statement. The dark, royal blue acts almost as a neutral for the lighter and brighter turquoise and lime green, and all three colors are so analogous on the color wheel that they mix well together.

Because there are two shades of blue used in this color scheme, it's perfect for the beach, or any outdoor venue, but it also works great indoors. Bring the bright, energetic colors of a sunny summer day inside with this color scheme, and don't be surprised when your guests are spurred on to keep dancing late into the night!




Click here to go on to Summer Event Color Combinations Part 3!

Missed Part 1? Click here to go back.

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Shameless Plug Time: Love these color combinations? Looking for custom stationery made to match these colors (or whatever other color combinations you're using for your event)? Visit Invites by Andrea to view more samples, download a catalogue pdf, or fill out a design request form. Or shoot me an email to ask me your questions or learn more information.