First thermography job!

In the 6 years I've been designing invitations, I have never had a client request thermography (raised printing).  It's a very traditional element to wedding invitations, so I'm a little surprised no one has ever wanted it.  But I think a large part of the reason my clients hire me is because I design less traditional invitations, and raised printing doesn't always go with the design.  And, flat printing is usually less expensive, but still looks great, so there's also that.  A couple months ago I got an email from Michelle in Chicago who needed an invitation designed, and she really liked thermography.  The image she wanted to use is a very pretty peony (purchased from istockphoto.com) with lots of thin lines and details.  I had to admit off the bat that I didn't have any thermography samples in my portfolio, but knew of a printer in town that specialized in it (NW Printed Solutions– love them!)  We got to work, placed the order, and I picked up the finals today.  Wow!  I had no idea how great it would look, and how much it adds to the design.  Here's just a snippet of the final product (taken with my cell phone under bad lighting, so it looks a little sparkly shiny):

Real Wedding: Brianne & Steve

A few months ago I posted a picture of the invitation I designed for Brianne and Steve (my brother-in-law).  The wedding was on August 14th and the photos just came back from the talented Jolie!  The photos are great and capture the beautiful wedding so perfectly.  Here are some of my favorite shots, including a few of the details I designed, and one of Yours Truly with the sweetest (and pantless) ring bearer around!

Congratulations Bri & Steve!  It was an honor being part of a wedding for such a beautiful couple.  I'm so happy you found love :)

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Photography: Jolie Photography
Venue: Camp Colton
Flowers: Duet Designs
Invitations & Reception items: Paper Bloom Studio
Catering: ¿Por Que No? (the food was so good that my husband and I went to the local restaurant the day after the wedding for lunch!!)

Also I have to mention The Toasted Coconut, who made the yellow flower headband I'm wearing and the ring bearer's matching bow tie!

Feelin' the love!

What I love most about weddings is when you can FEEL the love between the couple getting married. It's a hard thing to explain, but I think if you've felt it, you know what I'm talking about. This is exactly what we experienced last night at Rachel and Ben's wedding. I think every bridesmaid walking down the aisle cried. The groomsmen were crying. Parents were crying. I was crying. I think John even teared up. But the best moment and strongest feeling of their love was when Rachel walked down the aisle. As she walked, crying, with her parents on either side of her, she looked at Ben and mouthed the words, "I love you." It was the sweetest thing ever... Everyone saw it (I heard several people say "Aww, how sweet!"), but it wasn't meant for everyone to see. Just Ben. It was as if they were the only two people out there, and it was incredible. I am so happy we were able to celebrate their special day and be a part of their love! Check out the pics below, and listen to their song, "The Luckiest" by Bens Fold. Amazing.

The beautiful bride walking with her mom and dad

Standing under the chuppah
(I love that their parents stand with them the whole time)

The amazing view

Ben and his sweet parents

My Best Friend's Wedding!

John and I got back from California this morning after celebrating the wedding of our friends Heather & Nate! The whole week was packed of fun activities and the wedding itself was just beautiful. The ceremony was a traditional Catholic ceremony at the church Heather's parents were married at in Pasadena, and the presider was Nate's godfather. The reception took place at Castle Green, one of the coolest places I've ever seen. Not only were the venues amazing, but the bridal party looked pretty damn good, too!! Heather chose a different color for each bridesmaid, something she has always wanted to do (I remember talking about this in college before she had even met Nate!) I will post a picture of the group when we get the professional pictures back, but you might be able to get the idea from the picture below of the party at the reception. It just looked amazing and I'm so glad it all came together so perfect for my good friend. Wedding season has officially begun!!

Me and John (what a good looking groomsman!!)

Nate & Heather's first dance (check out her amazing dress!)

Me and the bride!

The head table

matron of honor!

last weekend i flew to los angeles for my best friend heather's bridal shower. she asked me to be in her wedding several months ago, but over the weekend she asked if i would not only be in her wedding, but be her matron of honor! i am so excited to have such an important role in her wedding, and can't wait to be the one who gets to fluff her gown :) she is such a dear friend of mine, and it really is such an honor to be part of her special day. you wouldn't believe the time and effort she is spending on the little details of her wedding-- it's those things that i've always felt make a HUGE difference at a wedding and what really make it memorable! i can't wait until may 3rd, and will post pictures right away! for now, here's a picture of my bridesmaid dress from david's bridal and shoes from nordstrom. my dress is being altered right now and i get to pick it up on friday! yay for weddings!

lauren & jesse's wedding

john and i went to our last wedding in 2007 on saturday (i think it was our 8th wedding of the year...) lauren, the younger sister of my dear friend leslie, was such a gorgeous bride! she and her now-husband jesse were married at the cathedral in nw portland, and had their reception at the acadian ballroom (which just so happens to be the same place we had our reception!) the ceremony was beautiful and so perfect for this awesome couple! it was so fun watching them up at the altar because they just looked so comfortable and IN LOVE. the reception was awesome, and the ballroom looked so great. i loved their centerpieces (the tall grassy pieces were a great idea!) and their cake was SO delicious! they had a few different flavors of cake-- including my all-time favorite, pumpkin. it was such a great night and we are so thankful they invited us to witness their love on such a big day. congrats you two!!

ceremony at the cathedral

one of the tables at the acadian ballroom

loved the cake!

very simple but classy centerpieces

the newlyweds!

lauren's beautiful dress

john and leslie (the maid of honor)

me and leslie

family wedding in texas

my family and i flew to texas this past weekend for my cousin's wedding... WOW what a trip! we had the best time! my whole family was able to attend which was so incredible. my brother recently joined the coast guard, and was at boot camp in new jersey until last friday. my parents flew out there to see him graduate, and then flew back with him to texas that evening. it worked out so perfectly that he was able to join us!

the ceremony was beautiful, and my cousin kristina looked so gorgeous. her grandmother gave her a beautiful mantilla style wedding veil that i fell in love with (see the picture below!) the reception was held at an italian restaurant nearby and was so much fun! the music was great, the food incredible, and the live band at the end of the night was the perfect touch! thanks to kristina and her husband justin for hosting such an amazing event. we love you guys!

aunt lois and uncle george with kristina, the beautiful bride!

love the mantilla!

the stenstrom and zogas family!

bride and groom's first dance