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

black and white weddings

at paper olive, we love color. but there is nothing more exquisitely chic than a contemporary black and white wedding. if i were to get married all over again, that is probably exactly how i would have it.

the best thing? one simple pop of color — impossibly red roses or lime green trim — turn the volume up effortlesly. it's my new favorite thing, so plan to see a a lot of black and white in my upcoming designs!

design credits — custom linens • bbj linen (photo by walt beazley photography, event design by arin zinke robinson); wedding gown • avíne peruccí by st. pucchi; wedding cake • pink cake box; custom invitations • paper olive.

destination africa — a safari wedding

"your wedding ceremony takes place beneath ancient african ebony trees in a lovely area overlooking the sand river where crocodile swim by and hippo can often be heard grunting their territorial calls..."

such is a wedding described by into seychelles, a luxury travel service that specializes in arranging spectacular destination weddings within the indian ocean islands of seychelles.

for the adventurous couple who is daring of spirit yet still desires luxury as they explore the indescribable wilds of africa, into seychelles offers a wonder of choice.

wildlife is abundant, and the decor of the singita game reserves — a key partner of into seychelles and a supplier of luxe african honeymoon accommodations — certainly pays homage to the unforgettable african landscape.

so in love are we with the idea of an african safari wedding that we've designed luxury invitations to make the idea even more unique.

our safari invitation suite features all of the natural elements and color palettes one would expect from a seychelles honeymoon and game safari wedding, but with all of the elegant details a bride and groom of distinction would still expect.

it's original, it's unexpected, the entire concept is out of this world. married in africa. what are you waiting for?