Beach Wedding Stationery – A Full Look at Our Updated Sand Dollar Invitation Set

Posted by Imbue You in Our Designs | 0 comments

Instead of a completely new set, this sand dollar wedding invitation stationery set is an update to an existing design.

When we were designing this invitation set, Justin and I wanted to infuse it with modern elegance for a beach wedding. The icon is drawn to be the essence of a sand dollar with little extra, and the print is simple, yet intriguing (is it fish scales, the waves or shells…hmmm?).

This way, your colors and the uniqueness of patterned texture take center stage.

Visit our stationery site for ordering details on the full stationery set, save the date postcard, save the save bookmark or invitation set. See the set in detail below:

Save the Dates: Postcard and Bookmark

The save the date sets the stage for the rest of the stationery design. We packed a lot of design and information in a small size. Choose the double-sided postcard with rounded corners that mails affordably with a postcard stamp, or the bookmark with typographic design.

Bellyband Wrap Style Invitation

With the invitation design stately typography and a subtle scallop print are wrapped in a colorful extra wide band topped off with a tag on a fabric ribbon. All colors, text, design, envelope and even cardstock, can be changed to match your wedding style.

RSVP

Reply card with response envelope and return address label matches the style and look of the main wrap invitation.

Return Address Wrap Labels

Stylishly dressed envelopes include your return address with labels that wrap your envelopes in coordinating design. Color envelopes are included, and we can even print your guest names and addresses on your outer envelope label.

Personalized Thank You Note Card

And when the last guest has gone home, you can thank them with personalized note cards that bring your wedding style alive again.

Want to learn more? Visit our stationery site for ordering details on the full stationery set, save the date postcard, save the save bookmark or invitation set..

{All designs and photos by Imbue You, the home of romantic wedding stationery}

Beach Wedding Theme Inspiration: Seahorses

Posted by Imbue You in Create the Look | 0 comments

If you are looking for a more unusual theme for a beach wedding, consider seahorses. There’s something really sweet and charming about seahorses compared to the more popular beach theme icons starfish and sand dollars. They are also especially cute for theme bridal and baby showers.

It is commonly said that seahorses mate for life. And while that isn’t actually always true, the kissing seahorse is still a lovely image. {photo credit above by Beach House Living}

Here is some wedding inspiration for a seahorse theme:

Seahorse Cake Toppers

Cake design can match your personality and the mood of your wedding, so seahorse toppers can go DIY or elegant and still work. The knit seahorse toppers were hand made by the bride.

{Photos: Hand knit cake toppers via Fat Orange Cat Studio; Beach wedding cake via Ralph and Jenny on Flickr}

Seahorse Stationery

Establish your wedding theme for guests and keep it up throughout the ceremony and reception with wedding stationery featuring seahorse designs.

{Photos: Fan Wedding Program and Layered Invitation by Imbue You Wedding; Seahorse cut place card by Timeless Paper}

Seahorse Accessories

It’s not necessary for everyone in the wedding party to wear your theme, but little touches here and there, from cuff links to jewelry, can bring a seahorse theme to life.

{Photos: Seahorse necklace by Shop Something Blue; Seahorse hair comb by Waikikixox}

Seahorse favors

It’s a nice touch to give your guests a reminder of your theme to take home with them. That can be done simply with a seahorse themed favor tag or more elaborately with a seahorse container or cookie favor.

{Photos: Laser cut seahorse favor box by Kat Blu Studio; Seahorse cookies by A Cookie Jar}

Get more beach wedding ideas, or follow our beach wedding board on Pinterest.

{Written by imbueyouido.com, the blog of Imbue You and Imbue You Wedding}

Mexican Wedding Inspiration: Vintage Folk

Posted by Imbue You in Create the Look | 3 comments

Destination weddings in Mexico are a beautiful experience. And if you would like that experience to have a more homespun, romantic feeling, consider Vintage Folk Mexican Wedding inspiration.

For Mexican Vintage Folk, think authentic Mexican folk or art pieces, peasant dresses, lots of flowers, some rustic flair, handmade touches and lots of color.

This wedding altar above is a great example the Vintage Folk style. The flowers have a handmade feel, and they are paired with wood. The colors are also very joyous {Photo by Daisy Varley Photography via Elizabeth Anne Designs}

Peasant Dresses

You can incorporate peasant dresses with a bridal gown, your bridesmaids or flower girl. For a more fun and funky feeling go with the traditional embroidery and more colorful look. For a more classic or romantic look you can opt for the shape of a peasant dress in lighter shades or white, like the flower girl dress above on the left.

{Photos:  Embroidery wedding dress from www.aidacoronado.com; bridesmaid peasant dress photo by Daisy Varley Photography; flower girl dress on the left by Sun Love Shirts; on the right by Elizabeth Palmer}

Mexican Folk Inspired Wedding Invitations

You can also capture the feeling of embroidery, peasant dresses or Mexican art through your wedding stationery design. Repeating your invitation design at your ceremony and reception with wedding programs, table numbers, seating cards or menus will pull together your entire look.

{Photos: Invitations by Imbue You Wedding}

Mexican Jewelry

You also can pull in a vintage folk look through accessories, including Mexican style jewelry. With the variety in beaded necklaces and bracelets you can find your style from funky to elegant.

{Photos: top beaded necklace by Favored Memories; lower beaded necklace by JustineJustine}

Flowers

Flowers really do complete a Mexican vintage folk style. Vary the flower types and colors for a true vintage folk look, or sprinkle flowers in new ways throughout your wedding. Floral cookies, for instance, would make adorable favors.

{Photos: Floral crown with DIY tutorial at Green Wedding Shoes; floral groom and groomsmen ties by Cyberoptix; Floral cookies by The Art of Cookies}

Touches of Mexico

A Mexican vintage folk wedding theme is really about celebrating Mexican culture, and finding ways to incorporate it into your own love story.  Vintage finds and Spanish sayings can decorate your reception decor. And one of my favorite touches is shaking maracas at the first kiss, or to make the couple kiss at the reception. It could even be a fun send off.

{Photos: Spanish signs: Ashley Maxwell Photography via Green Wedding Shoes; Vintage bookends: Valentina’s Vintage; Custom maracas by Mishka Designs via Elizabeth Medina Photography}

5 Theme Wedding Planning Tips

Posted by Imbue You in Ask Imbue You, Wedding | Comments Off

Choosing a theme or culture to incorporate in your wedding can make your design and planning decisions easier. But to pull off a celebration that truly embodies what you wanted, it’s important to keep these 5 things in mind:

1. Why This Theme?

A wedding theme or culture can mean different things to different people, even within the couple getting married. Knowing what your theme means to you helps you choose the right elements.

Take a beach theme for example. Maybe you love the ocean waves. Or maybe seashells mean beach to you. Don’t get locked into a “greatest hits” of your theme. Choose the design elements that matter the most to you. It will keep your design focused and your wedding day more meaningful.

{photos: first photo via Maharani Weddings; photo directly above by Pink Pelican Designs}

2. What Colors Make Sense?

Some themes have logical color palettes. Looking at various hues within those colors can be an easy way to find the right mood for your wedding. But you don’t need to be tied to what’s traditional. There’s always room to be creative!

Take a garden wedding theme for instance. Logic and tradition would recommend greens, peaches, maybe rose pink. But black? Yet we did stationery for a pink and black garden reception. The key was using a floral graphic that pulled it all together.

Our eyes actually see shape before color. So theme appropriate shapes provide visual cues when colors won’t. And vice versa, so theme colors can set the tone when there aren’t specific design elements that point to the theme.

{photos: left photo via That Inspirational Girl; right photo via Belle the Magazine}

3. Invitations Set the Tone.

For theme and cultural weddings, invitation choice is crucial. You’re doing something special, but your guests won’t know that if you send a typical invite. Invitations build expectations of your guests. So make sure they match what you’re planning.

Think design, patterns and motifs that can be repeated. But also think tone, which can include modern, classic or fun.

One bride told us that she selected a more formal table setting over a modern one for her Persian wedding because of the tone set in our invitation design. She even repeated the invitation pattern on the cake.

{photo by Imbue You Wedding}

4. Music Sets the Mood.

What does your theme or culture feel like to you? What songs or musicians go with that?

Recalling quiet nights with your grandmother in India requires different music than evoking the party scene in New Delhi.

Pandora.com can help you expand your selections. Simply, plug in a song or artist that’s on theme and see what happens. You’ll definitely discover songs and artists you hadn’t even considered.

{photo by Vintage Twee}

5. Little Touches Make the Difference.

The great thing about theme and cultural weddings is the chance to share something different, new or personal with guests. Keep in mind that guests interact most with table details and favors.

And don’t forget the power of smell. For a Polynesian theme wedding we assembled pina colada aroma beads in real coconut cups as favors.

Sometimes that special touch can be information. The Persian wedding we worked on featured table cards that explained the traditional appetizers that guests were enjoying.

{photo by Tec Petaja Photography}

Do you have more tips for how to plan a cultural or theme wedding? Share them in comments.

{Written by imbueyouido.com, the blog of Imbue You and Imbue You Wedding. For more wedding and party stationery advice, get our free Wedding Style Guide. }

Ethnic and Theme Save the Date Common Questions

Posted by Imbue You in Ask Imbue You, Wedding | Comments Off

In many ways, ethnic fusion or theme weddings can be easier to make design decisions for. But sometimes it just opens up new questions. Save the dates are often the first stationery design couples deal with, and so there are a lot of questions. I hope to answer some of them here.

Should I choose save the dates that match my theme?

If you’ve chosen a theme you love, or know you want to celebrate certain cultures during your wedding, definitely find a way to include that on your save the date. In addition to being a practical piece with the date of your wedding, save the dates can be a signal of what’s to come from your wedding. Plus it’s more fun that way, right?

{Indian block print bookmark handmade save the date}

Do my save the dates have to match my invitation design?

No, actually.  So many couples make their own save the dates or go on a long search for just the right invitations. So the save the dates end up being different.

But if you do care about a cohesive look to your wedding stationery, you can tie some things together, such as colors. Also if you have a strong theme or cultural influence for your designs, your later invitation design will end up referencing  what you did in the save the date, without it having to be an exact match. And of course if you really want them to be the same, simply use the same designer for both.

{Indian lotus print photo save the date}

I’m doing a more traditional or formal wedding. Do my save the dates have to match that?

This can be a toughie. As I mentioned earlier, save the dates can be a signal of what’s to come. So sending out a hipster cool save the date for a traditional wedding may confuse your guests. That being said, save the dates can be more fun than your invitations or your actual wedding. For traditional or formal weddings, try a personal approach in your save the dates to liven them up, such as photos.

{Beach seahorse or starfish folded handmade save the date}

I have travel and event information. Do I put that on the save the date?

There are a few ways to handle additional information for elaborate, destination or Indian weddings. One is to simply include a wedding website and have the additional information there. Another is to do a folded or long-form save the date to include the information early. If you have many older or less tech savvy guests, you may opt for a folded save the date. Or additional cards and inserts sent with your wedding invitation.

When do I send save the dates?

Try to aim for 6 to 8 months before your wedding, especially for destination weddings or when many guests live out of town. That will give them enough time to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements. Typically save the dates are mailed a few months ahead of the invitation.

Have other save the date questions, not answered here? You can ask them in comments. See more ethnic fusion and theme save the date designs.

{Written by imbueyouido.com, the blog of Imbue You and Imbue You Wedding. For more wedding and party stationery advice, get our free Wedding Style Guide. }