kendra wilkinson & hank baskett wed with custom stationery by paper olive

this past saturday, former playboy playmate kendra wilkinson joyfully tied the knot with nfl player hank baskett at the playboy mansion in los angeles.

leading up to the event — expertly planned by nicole hirsty at cobalt events — paper olive was enlisted to design some of the custom wedding stationery for the couple. we were honored to be part of kendra's & hank's special day, which featured a palette of white with accents of lavender.

below are several pics of our favorite pieces, like kendra's and hank's whimsical rehearsal dinner invitations, and chic hang tags that accompanied guest welcome baskets.

we really liked the unique striped backing of the rehearsal dinner invites, as well as the coordinated frame design on the outer envelopes.

on the hang tags, we were in love with the "key" theme of the message and design that kendra and hank chose. it speaks to their love story, giving the cards an extra personal touch.

paper olive congratulates the newlyweds, and wishes them a life of health and happiness...along with their little-one-to-be! it was our pleasure to be a part of it all.

i'm over it • lease your jewels, be ever-fabulous

i'm always on the hunt for new ideas, be they wedding-related or just plain fabulous in their own right. so in that spirit, i share with you an idea that fits both categories.

recently i came across a unique jewelry company that does for baubles what bag, borrow or steal did for handbags, and i'm just in love with the concept. i'm over it ingeniously leases special event jewelry, which is an incredibly smart option for brides and their guests alike. i have quite a few weddings to attend this summer, and i've already picked out my jewelry!

i'll save a bundle if i rent versus buy, which is great for someone like me — because when it comes to sparkle, what i love today i might be bored with tomorrow. besides my engagement and wedding rings, i lose interest fast...i'm what you might call fickle.

in fact, i'm over it actually mentions this idea in a super-helpful "top ten reasons to lease jewelry" list on their blog:

• 10.) to make more room in your budget for that new purse and shoes.
• 9.) so you can stop adding to your jewelry graveyard! (...you know you have one.)
• 8.) to satisfy your constant desire for new jewelry.
• 7.) because you have commitment issues...with jewelry that is.
• 6.) you get bored easily....again with jewelry.
• 5.) to improve the relationship you have with your mother--mother earth that is! reduce, reuse, recycle!
• 4.) you save money....you SAVE money.
• 3.) it's fun to get new jewelry in the mail...
• 2.) ...and even more fun to send it back for something new.
• 1.) because it just makes sense in this economy!

clevah, huh?

fun, easy & hip • save the date postcards

though my work is primarily focused on custom and couture design elements, i am absolutely in love with things that are simple and still super chic.

hence, my affection for save the date postcards, which are not only versatile and fun, but are a great option for brides who prefer to wow their guests with the fabulosity of their custom invites, yet still need a coordinated look for the save the date.

these double-sided postcards can be anything from retro casual to modern elegance, as shown in two popular design styles — our hollywood save the date and our feathered save the date. both sets run $4 per card, which includes postage and guest addressing. what could be easier?

all postcards can be matched to the design of the wedding invitations, or can stand alone. it's one of our favorite concepts, especially at a time when many brides have to choose their splurges. we love it!

chic trends • letterpress belly bands

as you probably all know by now, i am nuts for letterpress, primarily because the beauty is all in the clean lines and simplicity of the craft. but while many brides love the texture and aesthetic of letterpress, some still want something a little bit...more.

so lately i have been talking up decorative belly bands, as featured in our new frolic design. hardly a new concept (it's a classic, actually) belly bands add an extra pop of decor that is removable, enhancing an otherwise simple design. they are wildly popular right now.

we love the crisp patterns and sharp colors of this rehearsal dinner invite, which is playful even without the band. but there is something about that extra layer of formality that, along with the monogram, takes this design to another level of sophistication without making the card too busy. it's just fun.

we plan to do a larger series of these since we are now obsessed with the idea. and of course, we can add a band to any of our existing letterpress designs. we hope you like!

inspired by design • domino magazine winner charms with color

yes, i know, domino magazine is no more. and yes, i know, it's tragic. but the beauty of photography is that the images remain long after those who took them.

while reading through my favorite new blog find, hidden in france, i stumbled across this spread of 2007 domino magazine design contest winner catherine golden and was overcome with delight by the fresh colors, whimsical pairings and airy, clean lines. it's gorgeous!

look at this scene. it makes me want to nap, have tea, read a fabulously wrenching henry james novel, stroll paris, eat cheese, breathe in fresh peonies, and otherwise relaaaax. so charming.

catherine hand-stenciled this bed frame. it's so delicately french, but so wholly american at the same time. it's well-thought yet unfussy. pale blue, lime green, hot pink and crisp white... ooh, i feel a new stationery design coming on. :o)

get a pre-wedding hair makeover and be on the style network!

if you are engaged to be married, a maid of honor or a bridesmaid in an upcoming wedding, or you would like to get a pre-wedding hair makeover for the bride, maid of honor, and a bridesmaid — then this post is for you.

style network's emmy®–nominated show, split ends, is bringing back their favorite stylists from seasons past for a hair competition show called the “big tease.” the stylists will be competing for a huge money grand prize and the cover of a magazine so they will be aiming to make you look your best!!

their team is now seeking hair models for the “big tease” who are engaged to be married, as well as your maid of honor and one of your bridesmaids for hot hair makeovers.

submit your deets
if you are interested in being considered, please submit:

• a picture of yourself, your maid of honor & your bridesmaid
  
• your contact information
• why you need this makeover
• send asap to weingradcasting@gmail.com

good luck, everyone!

a perfect pear wedding

summer is just around the corner, and that means one thing: fall wedding season has begun.

our favorite motif for october/november weddings is "a perfect pear," a joyful play on words for the happy couple paired together in love. the design possibilities are equally full of joy — rich yellow-golds and crisp greens pair easily with cocoa or silver grey, and the accents are endless.

our latest design collage features a look inspired by our anjou wedding invitation. elegant and bountiful, these ideas highlight the beauty and the warmth of this wonderfully versatile fruit.

we were over the moon to find so many chic pear-inspired touches, like the unique centerpieces and simple aisle decor created by southern bouquets. the cake is perfect for autumn, with its fresh yellow and tangerine hues, gorgeously designed by upstage cakes in orange county, ca.

consider bringing the motif into the menu with a lovely pear martini, courtesy of bar none drinks. for dessert, have the chef prepare sliced anjou pears with bleu cheese and dark chocolate, like this spread from coffee and vanilla. it will be sweet and unexpected.

for your guests, usher them to their seats with charming place card holders from joyful bride online, then send them home with pear flavored lip balm from gcd spa, or individually wrapped anjou pears from bliss weddings market. whatever you choose, your event is sure to be delicious.