Destination Wedding Invitations

Somewhere between 15%-20% of weddings are destination weddings. That number has risen 200% in the past 10 years. It's no wonder. Does it get much better than Belize + beach + your closest family & friends + the love of your life? Andy & Andray didn't think so. Check out their destination wedding invitations. This invite is to their reception, here in South Dakota. Need help wording your destination reception/wedding invite? Copper Ink can help.

Want to see this invitation and more? Check out this album on Copper Ink Wedding Design's Facebook page.​

​

​Can't wait to celebrate with you, Andy & Andray Knutson!

Adding Embellishments: Ribbon, Crystal, Map

It's all about customization here at Copper Ink Wedding Designs in Sioux Falls, SD. We'll customize anything you want, from photos, to folds, to wording, to sizes, to embellishments. And speaking of adding extras, Amanda chose to add nine crystals, a black wrap-around ribbon and a custom map to her wedding invitations.​ Beautiful!

She hired Copper Ink to do it all. I suggested to her that she could invite over a few of her bridesmaids (with some daiquiris, of course) to help her assemble these. But she said she wanted them perfect, so she hired us to glue crystals in perfect rows with high-grade glue and to secure her black ribbon around the wedding invitation cover, so that her RSVP card could tuck up inside and not be loose. Then, I drew a map for her guests to find the church, reception and hotel. Really--it's anything you want. And that's music to your ears, right?

​Thank you Stephany Kay for the amazing photography!

Wedding Invitations with Neutral Tones

I absolutely love this wedding invitation set! Well, I also love Abby & Dave. Wow, they have great taste.

Her colors are mostly neutrals with seafoam green, some chocolate brown and soft gray. She also wanted some touches of elegant vintage, without looking too country.​
​And here is her complete set:

​She chose a latte-colored shimmery paper that was mounted to a cream-colored matte paper for a subtle variation.

​And here are all of her pieces! A seafoam green RSVP card, a raisin/chocolate brown-colored accommodations cards and of course, the beautifully neutral-colored invitation.

​We also printed a wrap-around label for her outer envelopes. The return address wraps to the back of the envelopes, while the front of the label says: "Please deliver to:"

​Dinner, drinks and dancing insert card with great typography and printed in Abby's chocolate brown color.

Here are all the pieces of Abby & Dave's stationery set. Her RSVP card has a cream A6 envelope and her invitation and accommodations card rest in the soft gray outer envelope, with the address label wrapping around.

Cotton Paper (Like You Get From Letterpress Invitations)

It all started when I fell in love with paper. Then I bought a shirt that said "font savant". My design-geekiness has all spiraled out of control from there. (Would anyone like to borrow my ampersand bottle opener?) And now. A blog about cotton paper. Oh boy.

I know you don't care about this as much as I do, so what does it mean for you?!​ It means that the cotton paper you used to see and feel on letterpressed invitations can now be used on digital printers! You can have cotton paper without the cost of letterpressing! (However, my heart will always fall for ANYTHING 

letterpressed.) Cotton paper has that rich, thick, fabric-like feel with the look of handmade art paper. It's ideal for letterpress, embossing, foil stamping...and now digital printing. It comes in Fluorescent White, Pearl White and Ecru White. You'll have to see it (and feel it) at our first meeting.

It's a little more expensive, (maybe a lot more expensive) but absolutely worth it. You know that saying "You get what you pay for."? That's exactly what I mean. ​

​I heart paper.

Wedding Invitations Printed on Kraft Paper (cardboard-looking) with White Font

These wedding invitations for Allison and Josh are perfect for their rustic wedding theme. Printing white ink on Kraft paper can get to be expensive, but it's so pretty. So, to offset the cost, I designed the kraft paper look by just printing that cardboard/paper bag look onto regular uncoated matte cover stock. That also allowed me to "print" white and coral ink onto the ​darker, paper bag paper. Getting creative with the look, along with printing these invitations on both sides, saved them a ton of money. And that's the combination I love. Saving a bride money, while still giving her the invitation she wanted!

Allison is also including twine, burlap, mason jars and hydrangeas in her wedding. How simply beautiful. Take a look:​

This is the fFront and back of Allison & Josh's wedding invitations, made to look like they were printed on cardboard/paper bag-looking Kraft paper.

Inspiration Straight from Ireland

What do beautiful churches, Irish weddings, ​old castles, dancing trees and ancient breweries all have in common? They're all better with a Guinness. And they're the things that inspired me during a trip to Ireland in 2011. I use these mosaic patterns, Irish crosses and detailed designs to spark creativity, even for wedding invitations likes yours. 

Not Irish? Neither am I. But hey, I'll still pick an Irish last name and have a Smithwick's today. (And what's St. Patrick's Day without a shot of Jameson?) Maybe around tree turty-tree tis afternoon. Sláinte! 

There are some great Irish traditions that have made their way into our Irish American wedding celebrations. ​

Choosing Your Wedding Colors

Have you had your wedding colors chosen since you were 12? If not, here are some beautiful complimentary colors that can be used on invitations, reception centerpieces, bridesmaids dresses, jewelry, flowers, and more. You want to choose wedding colors that are as interesting as you are. Maybe these will help!​

​Which is your favorite?

If you'd like to see more color palette options for your wedding invitations, you can find inspiration from my color-themed Pinterest Boards:

• Winter Wedding
• ​Yellow and Gray Wedding
• Cherry Blossom Wedding
• ​Fall Wedding
• Dusty Rose and Gray Wedding
• ​Vintage Wedding
• Dark Purple/Plum and Gray Wedding

​p.s. Grandma Midge, we are loving and missing you today. I just wanted you to know that you were one of the most interesting people I had the pleasure of meeting.

Free Printables for Your Wedding

Need some quick designs for your wedding? Check out my board on Pinterest full of free printables for your rustic, vintage, charming, romantic, or fun wedding. It's very helpful for any small wedding details you may need.​ Enjoy!

What's Really Important In Life

It just seems like a good day to post this. Thank you all for letting me do what I love.​

​Amen.

Top 7 Trends in Wedding Invitations

315 weddings happen in Las Vegas every day. Yep, that's more than 13 per hour. So, what better place than Las Vegas to gather my newest wedding invitation trends and inspiration. I ​love seeing modern invitation designs, trendy colors, unique design layouts, water color splashes, and fun envelope sizes to keep my wedding designs fresh.

As I toured the wedding invitation business in Las Vegas, here are seven trends I spotted that are coming our way in the Midwest:​

1. Inspiration Boards: Forget the match-matchy colors, and use an "inspiration board" of ideas. (It would be great if you even created an inspiration board as direction for you wedding! Think of your Pinterest wedding board as an online "inspiration board.") Use a variety of hues and think all aspects of your wedding. It's more about the feeling your invitations gives your guests than the perfectly-matched color scheme. I'm not saying choose a hideous color combination, but you don't have to get worked up about matching the envelopes exactly to your bridesmaids dresses. Think of the ambiance of your wedding invitation (if there is such a thing.)

2. Corner ribbons: (like shown above on the left) They don't add much cost, but add a really unique touch.

3.​ Activities for the entire wedding weekend: Check out this wedding invitation set. The couple even included an entire guide to a weekend in Tahoe. Guests are able to RSVP to any and all events that are planned.​​

4. Folded letter-style Save the Dates: And look! There's that unique ribbon again. Save the Dates are taking a more letter-like form, using patterned paper and a personal message that all gets folded and put into an envelope. This couple even tucked their fun photo strip inside.

5. Emerald Green: Emerald is Pantone's "Color of the Year" and is hitting the wedding scene big time. Use Emerald Green with accents of gold, blues, lime green and sparkle.

6. Invitations that fold along the short vertical edge: These invitations have a little of everything. They measure 5x7, and are folded along the short edge of the paper with a thick ribbon down the front. Also inside is a hand-written message and it all tucks into an oversized outer envelope. So pretty.​

7. Envelope Liners: Patterns, bold colors, fun graphics, pearlized paper...it's all lining the envelopes of this year's wedding stationery sets. ​

So, there you have it. Those are the top seven wedding invitation trends I have my eye set on for 2013.​ I love trying new ideas, so contact me if you have a great one!

Las Vegas wasn't all business, though. We did find time for Red Rock Canyon, the Hoover Dam, shopping and some Stratosphere rides.

​What? It's 65 degrees in Las Vegas and 10 degrees at home? Let's get in the pool.

Vintage and Rustic Wedding Invitation with Purple & Grey

I have a special fondness for Andrea & Willie ​(and Cam, of course). I love their wedding invitations too! In their wedding, you'd find Regency purple, charcoal, hydrangeas, greens, creams, vintage tones, and a rustic feel, so I tried to capture all of that on their wedding invitations.

I designed them a vintage graphic for their names and used a rustic background with purple and charcoal color tones. (For more purple and gray wedding ideas, check out my "Dark Purple/Plum and Gray" Pinterest Board.)​ To save some cash, they printed the invitations on both sides of pearlized paper and had shimmery gray envelopes. This will be beautiful coming through the mail. 

Best wishes, you two! See more invitations likes these by clicking on the Wedding Invitations tab.​

(​Images of the front side and back side of their invites.) Congrats, enjoy Omaha, and have a lovely wedding day!

Using Your Engagement Photos on Invitations

You want to use your engagement photos on your invitations somewhere, but you don't necessarily want that to be the main focus. After all, you paid good money for your pictures and you want your invites to be more personal. Instead of putting a photo on the front of the wedding invitation, some couples have opted to put it discreetly on the back side of the invite. See the examples below!

After your wedding date has passed, each guest will still have a full 5x7 photo of you as a keepsake that lasts long after the wedding is over.​ The photos can be colorized, cropped, turned black & white or sepia-toned. It's a great way to include your engagement photos and still keep the main focus on the simplicity and elegance of your wedding invitation.

​Can't wait to help with your country/vintage wedding, Krystal & Josh!

Polished Casual Vintage Save the Dates

"Polished casual with vintage shades of dusty rose, gray and navy," is the way Susan described her and Kirk's wedding vision. And here is the first thing their guests will receive about their wedding--vintage Save the Dates. 

Can't wait to help with your wedding day, Susan & Kirk!
p.s. and Teresa.  :)

Check out Susan & Kirk's vintage Save the Date postcards. Cute and full of love.

Black and White Booklet-Style Invitation

It's three pages connected with a crystal brad. It's 2-sided and has a perforated RSVP card on the last page. It's a wedding invitation full of personality and love. Congratulations, Jess & Jason!

Page 1: The cover page has a fun photo from their wedding day in Las Vegas. The back of page 1 is blank (but they could have easily added a quote, a saying, the wedding date, their initials, etc.)

Page 2: This page is the actual wedding invitation (or wedding reception, in their case). It has all the information from time and date to place and attire. The back of page 2 has information for accommodations in the area and gift registry.

Page 3: The back page includes a perforated tear-off RSVP card for guests to send in. All it needs is a stamp because the address is pre-printed on the back.

And....I'm 30

Thank you all so much for the birthday wishes yesterday! Some of my favorite things about turning 30: A "Mustache Bash" surprise party!, a hilarious birthday card that only my friend Julie could pick out, and my desk at work full of Justin Bieber banners, a sombrero, a giant chili-pepper, flowers and flashing buttons, and supper last night with the fam. Gotta love it. Thanks again! Love you, Renee 

Vintage Save the Dates

Vintage-themed weddings are huge this year. And it's no wonder. I love the unsaturated hues, old paper, ribbon...the list never ends. Traci and Phil's wedding colors are a dusty rose pink and a washed-out sage green color. I'm working on their wedding invitation designs next!

I used old typewriter buttons for their wedding date and made the border look like an old photograph. The ribbon is a dusty pink and I unsaturated their engagement photo colors to match the look of the save-the-date. I even used a feltweave paper to give it the look of a textured burlap vintage tag (that Traci requested). You can see the texture in some of the photos below. I can't imagine how beautiful your wedding is going to be, Traci & Phil. Congratulations!

The back of this postcard is even beautiful. With room to add a mailing address, I pre-printed each save-the-date with their return address and another cute photo. 

Win 100 Free Thank-You Notes from Copper Ink Wedding Designs!

Congratulations to Amy, Luann and Amanda for winning this package in the past! Copper Ink Wedding Designs is giving away 100 free custom thank-you notes at Sunday's Bridal Show at the Convention Center. (And when we say "custom", we mean it. Your wedding colors, your photos, your paper choice.)

Don't forget to pre-register for the GonnaGetWed Bridal Showcase. They are giving away 100 trips to Vegas and 100 men's rings and lots of other prizes. If nothing else, come visit the Copper Ink booth and check out our newest wedding invitations, programs, thank-you notes and more. That's Sunday, January 6, 2013 from 12-5 p.m. at the Sioux Falls Convention Center. See you there.

These are the Thank-You notes that Amy won at last year's winter bridal show from Copper Ink. I feel so honored that I got to work on every piece of her printed wedding pieces--from invites to programs to these thank you notes. You're the best, Amy and Aaron!

Wedding Invitations with Crystals, Deep Purple and Charcoal

Beautiful nine. That's how many crystals Amanda & Trent decided to have on their wedding invitations. We combined deep purple, dark charcoal, black ribbon, and crystals to make this two-piece wedding invitations with matching charcoal envelopes. They chose latte metallic paper with an RSVP card tucked inside the ribbon on the inside flap. Gluing crystals and attaching ribbon was no easy task, so if you'd like some assembly help with your wedding invitations, contact Copper Ink Wedding Designs for some ideas or help.

Best wishes, Amanda & Trent! You and your invitations are beautiful.

Did You Get Engaged on Christmas?!

Congratulations! Tell us your story by commenting on this blog and get 15% off your order of wedding invitations, programs or thank-you notes from Copper Ink Wedding Designs! We can't wait to work with you and hear all about your wedding. Click here to browse some of the wedding designs Copper Ink has posted. Or click here to let Renee know you're interested in setting up a free meeting with her to get started!

Black Damask Wedding Invitations

It's two of my all-time favorites on one wedding invitation: Aaron & Kelly...and black damask.

Instead of a fold-out pocket invitation, Aaron & Kelly chose this black onyx pearlized one-sided pocket. It holds two insert cards -- the RSVP card and the hotel/direction card. And on the front of the invitation is their black damask pattern with accents of malibu blue. They also had Euro flap A7 envelopes to match. Their entire wedding was gorgeous. We love you two!