Cutting Corners without Losing Quality

I've had many requests from brides-to-be lately about how they can still have beautiful wedding stationery without breaking the bank. To these brides I say, take heart! Smitten is here! After some late night scheming (3am is when I'm at my best for ideas) I came up with a unique solution. Smitten now offers DIY stationery ...but unlike any other you've probably come across.

The basic concept is simple: rather than pay nearly $8 a card for letterpressed designs, we will customize your design and let you print it on your home inkjet printer with our fine 100% cotton paper and envelopes. The great thing is, the stationery is still beautiful and it comes out looking professional every time. The paper we use loves inkjet printers so it won't feel DIY, it'll feel amazing like it was done by pros! And it's so simple to do, it'll only take you a few hours and you won't need any special crafting skills- as long as you can load paper into an inkjet printer you'll be good to go.

True, I'm a letterpress junkie, but in reality, I want brides of all budgets to have a beautiful wedding, and if that means forgoing letterpress, I say "so be it!"

And just because I love you all so much, we've started a special deal: today until January 31, 2010 we will customize any of our Smitten Invitation designs for DIY use. That includes invitations, Rsvp cards- you name it! Just let me know how I can help.

Silk Screen, I do!

As you know, my heart is loyal to letterpress...but lately a new love has been growing for silk screen printing too! Maybe it's because I've been learning to silkscreen shirts , but these invitations prove how amazingly versatile silk screen printing can be!

Silk screening is typically used for apparel and tote graphics and in the music poster industry. In the poster industry silk screening often has a raw, edgy look...but you can see that crisp lines are now in! And one thing that silk screening still excels at: bright, bold colors!

I love how Satoko (the bride who created the suite of red animal stationery) uses the design on paper and cloth. It tied her whole system together regardless of her medium. As for me, I'm going to start experimenting more with silk screened invitations....I'll keep you all posted on the outcome!

Silk screen suite (top) originally posted on Martha Stewart, Designs by the bride as were the Yellow Scripty Invites. Crisp Yellow invites by Two Trick Pony.

The Art of Love

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This is my newest collection of illustrations, drawings and art that brides and grooms have created to showcase their personality through the arts. It brings such a whimsical, fun element to the wedding and makes the wedding so personal.

The drawing can be an abstraction of personalities (see cupcake and beaker), tasteful profiles, or a literal portrait. Some of theses were created DIY by a talented bride or groom, some were created by a friend and others were commissioned through an artist. Regardless of who creates the art, it brings something special to the wedding!

Images collected from 100 Layer Cake Blog, Davina + Daniel, Harmony Nixon, and Melissa Bumstead.

In Lieu of Favors

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What a beautiful tribute to a loved one. This is the best way I've seen thus far to remember a family member who has passed away during a wedding. It's tasteful, meaningful and the best yet- it does something to help others by donating to a related charity.

Real Weddings: Agata and Bill

Agata and her husband Osgood William Lorimer (who goes by Bill) were married at Royal Palms State Beach in San Pedro. To continue the nautical theme, they created a fabulous photo wall, complete with nautical wall paper, props, hats and fake mustaches.

Sneak Preview: Agata's Photo Booth

And there's more of this nautical goodness and goofiness to come!

Meet B Poetic

I absolutely loved these vintage fabric flowers by b. poetic the second I saw them! In fact, I wondered how I could have survived so long in tumultuous ignorance without them! Kaitlin hand makes each of these and they're extremely feminine for anytime or weddings. That's exactly how I like my accessories- a hint of romance that's not obnoxious or overdone. I'd recommend these for the bride and they'd make great accessories/gifts for your maids too. And you won't have to worry about them wilting on a hot day like today (at least it's miserable out here in So. Cal...yuck!)

Then I found this adorable wedding banner (below) on the b. poetic blog and that's when I was sure of it...I am an official fan of Kaitlin and b. poetic. And because I'm gushing so much, I just wanted to note that no, there's no sponsorship or advertising going on here. Really. I just really like her stuff.



Vendors in the Parade may or may not sponsors of Melissa's Smitten Blog, but are strictly selected for the Vendor Parade for their sterling reputation and outstanding work.

Real Weddings: Bethany and Mikey: Reception

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Here are the last photos from Bethany and Mikey's wedding...sigh...I wish I could have been there under the warm summer sky, with the moon peaking out through the clouds. But from all the accounts from my relatives, it couldn't have been a nicer wedding.

I love the intimate spaces they set up. The soft lighting on the patio with a few simple Japanese lanterns to bring a summer's ambiance. Lovely, lovely, lovely.

The good news is that rumor has it that another one of my husband's cousins is getting married in Wisconsin next year, so hopefully we'll be able to make that one! It's been one cousin getting married a year in Wisconsin...we'll have to see how long that trend lasts!

Photos courtesy of Brown Street Studios.

Real Weddings: Bethany and Mikey's Reception Details

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Remember how I mentioned that Bethany's family are the nicest, funniest people I know? Point in case: the favors. I love the BBQ sauce with their pictures on it, up to their elbows in finger-licken' goodness.

I really like how well the casual aspects and the formal go together in their wedding, you can see it's a blend of their personalities. A gorgeous cake with orchids...and personalized BBQ sauce. Bethany's amazing dress...and Mikey's awesome shoes. Formal place settings...and handwritten place cards. These casual elements keep the party lively and personal but the overall fee is still elegant.

Photos courtesy of Brown Street Studios.

Real Weddings: Bethany and Mikey's Ceremony

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Mikey and Bethany had a beautiful, open-air wedding with open fields and pines trees among the honored guests. A few notes from these photos that I love- I love Mikey's expression when he first sees Bethany. I tear up every time I look at it. And I really like that the whole bridal party got together for a rally and prayer during the service. It's private moments like that Bethany and Mikey are sure to treasure for years to come with their closest friends.

As I share more pictures too, look for all the oranges! I love that Bethany was willing to use orange, I adore orange in weddings! But it's tastefully done, like the bridesmaid's bouquets and the flowers down the aisle. The fans/programs are a perfect touch to this outdoor wedding as is the acoustic guitarist. It's simple yet elegant touches like these that feel authentic and personal.

Photos courtesy of Brown Street Studios