[real weddings] A Hockey Themed Wedding Event

It’s Game Day!
This sports-loving couple did an amazing job planning their hockey themed wedding at The Church on Main in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Their photographer, Nelya, sent me a few awesome photos of the custom ticket invitations with tear-off RSVP stub that I designed to match the colors of their team [the Nashville Predators]. 

And, after seeing the rest of her photos from their big day, I had to share how creative they were throughout the reception by incorporating the sports theme with the team colors… I especially love the custom Cake Topper and the gorgeous flowers.

Check out more of Nelya’s photography portfolio at her website!

[real weddings] A Dazzling Los Angeles Wedding Celebration

Time is flying by, the 2019 wedding season has already begun but I had to share a few inspirational planning photos from this 2018 southern California Wedding Reception. These photographs by Jason Q Tran are stunning…I was super lucky to be a part of this very talented vendor crew:

Photography by Jason Q Tran Photography
Cocktail/Reception: Vibiana
Wedding Coordination: Sassy Girl Weddings & Events
Floral Design Reception: Bebuds Florist
Reception Stationery: Papercake Designs

Beautiful purple lighting illuminates this elegant styled reception room by wedding planner Sassy Girl Weddings at Vibiana, Los Angeles.

We combined their wedding favor ‘Margarita Toast’ with the escort tags! These were printed on labels & adhered to straws, which were then attached to each bottle.

Each framed table number card listed a personal note about the couple.

I love that the Wedding Cake matches the purple marbled stationery design I created for the couple! The wedding Menus were laid out at each place setting.

Congratulations ESTRELLA + ESTEVAN  •  8.10.18

[wedding invitations] a custom bilingual invite for the holidays

Uyen at Sassy Girl Weddings contacted me to design her clients invitation suite; which was an exciting project since I needed to find a way to combine two languages, a greenery watercolor graphic, along with their holiday wedding theme! The most cost effective [and eco-friendly] option was to print a language on each side of a single-layer card. The couple could then flip the card face-up within the envelope, depending on who was receiving the invite.

I found a few green foliage graphics for the couple to choose from, I then added the red berries for a classic holiday element. They decided to incorporate a belly-band embellishment [wrapped around the invite card] to slide the enclosure cards in.  For the band design, I laid out their names & date in white on a red berry ink. Finally, we went with a wild berry envelope to match.

I can’t wait to customize this design style in the future for a non-holiday celebration, simply by changing the band & envelope color and probably removing the berries… or we can keep them for fun. 😉

 

[party planning] food, and drinks, and dessert bars, oh my!

There’s so much creativity that goes along with planning a wedding or event. You can choose a specific theme or add in one unique personal touch. I love the new ‘bar stations’ that are popping up on many Pinterest planning boards; from the make-your-own-drink and pour-your-own beer bars, to the donut and popcorn bars [just to name a few]. All you need is a great way to display your favorite beverage, dessert or snack, along with some lovely signage and you’re set to impress your guests!

Donut Bar | Free Style Mom

Make-your-own Cocktail Bar | Junebug Weddings

Cheese Station | Wilkie Blog

Cookie Bar | Madam Palooza Rentals

Beer Bar | The Melideos

Popcorn Bar | Pen + Paper Flowers

Sangria Bar | Style Me Pretty

Smores Station | Sun & Sparrow Photography

Coffee Bar | fantabulosity

Bloody Mary Bar | MARCIE LYNN PHOTOGRAPHY

 

*there are too many fun ideas to showcase 🙂 see below for more inspiration:

Pinterest  |  DIY Food Stations | From Beer to Cigar Bars |

[wedding design] custom invitation process

I can’t believe it’s almost March… it’s been a busy beginning of the year producing spring & summer wedding invites, which unfortunately makes it difficult to keep up with blog posts. So, I utilize social media whenever possible [especially Papercake’s Instagram page]. This keeps my business up to date, showcasing new designs as I create them (with a few lifestyle shots in between 😉).

I love that Instagram just added a new feature [share multiple photos and videos in one post]. Since I was actually in production on an order, I decided I would share my custom design process in one post. I then realized I should share these photos here, as well, to give a visual of how it all works.

note > I have many local clients that I’m able to sit down & meet with, but I mostly work with clients nationwide (and international – many thanks to Etsy)!

> After the initial inquiry, design inspiration emails and quote approval, a mock-up PDF is started via email. I can also mail paper color swatches to choose from, based on the events theme.

> Once revisions are made and design is finalized, I can then order supplies and make an actual sample invitation for approval… print production & assembly can start after that! 

> these photos show an example of my pocket-on-the-back invitation suite.

A 2-layer pocket-on-the-back invite with details & Rsvp enclosure cards, response & outer envelopes [papers: white matte + cool grey & real grey matte]

[Shop] My Stationery to Fashion Collection Debuts!

I’ve been busy working on growing my design business through a partnership with VIDA, a new kind of fashion company that connects graphic designers (like me) with producers to bring our work to life. Through VIDA I’ve designed tops, wraps, totes, and more with my favorite motifs. I’m excited that VIDA is providing another way for people to enjoy the graphics I’ve created over the years for my stationery clients!

Example: San Francisco Skyline graphic… from paper to fabric

Plus, VIDA has another wonderful mission besides supporting designers, artists, and photographers around the world. For every product sold, VIDA hopes to provide the gift of literacy to the makers they work with.

My collection is small at this point but will continue to grow as I design and add new items. I’m really proud to share the first designs with you! VISIT MY COLLECTION here!
*Use code VIDAWELCOME to get 10% off your first purchase.

EVERY SALE BRINGS Papercake Designs CLOSER TO VIDA SLATE STATUS:
• My art will be promoted by VIDA + YOU and all of my customers will receive a $25 VIDA Gift Card!

I hope you’ll enjoy viewing my collection, and maybe even find something you’d like to wear or carry! If so, please share a photo with me 😉 #papercakedesigns

Thanks!

[Real Weddings] A Romantic and Glamorous Wedding Reception

Photography by Sun & Sparrow

Congrats to Michelle & Raphael, married on August 22, 2015 in Santa Monica, California!
Uyen, from Sassy Girl Weddings, first asked me to design their Save the Date postcards incorporating blush & gold colors. For the reception at Casa Del Mar, we needed glamorous stationery to complement the venue and the couple’s romantic theme. Below are just a few stunning photos [by Sun & Sparrow] showcasing not only the escort, table & menu cards printed on soft blush metallic finish paper with dark gold ink accents, but some incredible inspiration of Uyen’s wedding planning expertise!

single-layer escort tent cards

2-layer table tent cards

tall menu cards

Monogram floor lighting

Sweetheart table

7-tier wedding cake

 

[save the date] custom design wedding inspiration

Need a custom Wedding Save the Date? See below for some design inspiration and ideas on what we can create for you (paper, ink & fonts can change based on your theme):

Custom Nautical Wedding  / 2-layer card with envelope

Engagement Photography / flat card printed front & back with envelope

Vintage Cinema Ticket / card with envelope (optional guest/return address label wrap)

San Francisco Skyline / card with envelope

Eye Chart design for an ophthalmologist couple / Postcard

Full frame photo/ postcard

Filigree / 2-layer card w/envelope (custom guest address labels)

2-layer card w/envelope (magnet strips added to the back)

[update] We’re Honored: The Knot Dream Wedding

The Oscars may be this coming weekend, but we’re already celebrating our own award: this year’s bride in The Knot Dream Wedding, Asha Joyce, chose Papercake Designs to create her darling football-themed save the dates (she’s marrying NFL player Devon Still).

Photo by Sarah Love Photography

Read about Asha’s design on The Knot blog, then head to Etsy to create your own sports ticket save the date or invite  — Papercake has two options for custom designed tickets, printed for you (with envelopes) and digital DIY (you can print at home or local printer).

Thanks Etsy and The Knot, and Asha for picking Papercake Designs! 😉