inspiration blackberries • a black & white garden wedding

picture it — an airy, chic, contemporary garden wedding...in black and white. is it possible? yes.

while this color combo is bold, dramatic, and often used for formal wedding motifs, i am wild about the idea of mixing black and white in playful ways also, as it is so unique and unexpected. our new blackberries letterpress design is a perfect example of how to bring whimsy to this striking color palette. and why shouldn't you have fun with it?

play up the contemporary tone — forgo a cake in lieu of white frosted cupcakes on a solid black pedestal. so different, so couture. a white floral bouquet full of privet berries and wide textured ribbon celebrates the crisp black and white theme while maintaining the casual, bountiful garden feel. absolutely splendid.

finally, a table setting with lush fresh blackberries, olives and artisan cheeses adds a rustic note. i think we'd all want to be at this wedding, no doubt.

design & photo credits — letterpress save the date • paper olive; berry table setting and cupcake pedestal • rebecca thuss; privet berry bouquet • martha stewart weddings.

wedding motifs • complete yours with custom postage

one of the easiest ways to make your wedding look sophisticated is to select a signature wedding motif — something chic and personal that ties every element of your event together.

whether it's a whimsical motif (a perfect pear accents and favors) or a formal traditional theme (baroque damask linens and patterns), one of our favorite elements in a fully coordinated design motif is the use of custom postage.

think about it. your invitation is the first impression your guests will have of your event and all the effort you've put into it. making that first glimpse complete with coordinating custom stamps is an extra pop of posh that will absolutely knock their socks off.

invitation options • a la carte or full service?

there are so many decisions to make when planning a wedding — so many items to choose, so many tasks to complete, so little time to do it.

as a recent bride, i was very deliberate about which tasks i chose to handle myself, and that has absolutely influenced the level of service we provide at paper olive.

our core service is intended to make the invitation process the smoothest, easiest part of your planning. you've got enough to do, after all, so our package prices include key things like rsvp and invitation envelope addressing and adhering rsvp postage.

and for those brides who can't or don't want to fumble with tying and stuffing, assembly is included. in fact, we'll even take the invitations to the post office for you. you merely cover the outer postage.

of course, during these economic times, brides who dream of chic invitations but don't want to splurge on every last detail also have lots of options.

choose letterpress invitations but print the envelopes digitally to balance your costs. swap a silk box for a silk envelope. for brides with elegant handwriting, you may choose to address your own envelopes. modifications are welcome, and the possibilities are endless.

at paper olive, it's all about you. enjoy yourself!

spring or summer • a butterfly themed wedding

i live in los angeles where sunny days typically abound, but the recent weather has been rather exceptionally fine, and the abundance of flora in my garden has attracted a glorious number of butterflies.

well, i couldn't help but be inspired. delicate wings, delicate fabrics, bright corals, whimsical whites... i immediately sat down to design a new butterfly letterpress invitation, with sweet lines and a simple butterfly motif.

to round out the look, i've included a number of fabulous ideas to coordinate with the colors and elegance of this timeless design element.

monique lhuillier's symphony gown from her spring 2009 collection looks like it is made of wings — i love it. anne heap at pink cake box has many butterfly motif cakes in her portfolio, but this is a favorite. it's elegant, colorful and fun.

finally, check out martha stewart living for a selection of chic diy accents and butterfly decor ideas. the lines and colors are fresh and simple, like the season.

just beautiful.

bridal fashion week • couture to die for

oh, these gowns.

if you follow my blog you already know i have a mad obsession with wedding dresses. and the way ateliers are pushing the envelope with couture this year it makes we wish wedding finery were acceptable as everyday wear.

this breath-of-spring gown is fresh from the runway by atelier aimée. the lavender floral design over silk organza is out of this world. ethereal. modern. feminine.

the detail is exquisite, and the overall effect — so unexpected. the color, handled by a lesser designer, could go horribly wrong, but here it is effortlessly chic.

and the back. a waterfall of silk organza gathered with a fabric wisteria branch. it's a one-of-a-kind gown that will drop jaws coming down the aisle.

i find great inspiration for invitation design on the runway, and this season will be no exception. i am loving this color for spring, and already have a couple of designs in this palette.

stay tuned for more...and enjoy fashion week, everyone.

photo credits: dan lecca / brides.com