WeddingInviteLove Fall Lookbook

Bloom is honored to be a part of the WeddingInviteLove Lookbook. Its humbling to be among such amazing vendors from around the country. Thank you to Tracy at WeddingInviteLove for all her hard work on the website and bringing us all together in such a great forum.

Check it out!

Austin Themed Baby Shower

One of my favorite people is having a baby this December, and two of our mutual friends and I put together the cutest Austin themed shower. When you think of Austin, lots of things come to mind. Music, Trailer Food, Bats, Cowboys and a little texas country.

For the decor we used wildflowers in milk glass and ball jars, paper bats on the wall and chalkboard signage. We called our food table "Rex's Trailer Park Eatery" after the guest of honor's dog Rex, and used kraft paper boats to serve the food. 

 

For our activity, rather than shower games, we incorporated the guest of honor's love of crafting and had each guest create a book page for a hand bound book. The book was titled "Love notes for Megan & Nugget," (Nugget is the name of the baby until he/she arrives) and each guest wrote a special message to slide in their pocket-page.

We also had all guests vote on the gender of the baby.

I created the artwork for the invitations when commissioned by the Guest of Honor's Mother-in-Law to create Thank You notes for all of her showers. Knowing that the nursery was going to use the Dwell Skyline Bedding and using Oranges and Blues, I created a skyline of Austin in the same style, complete with airstream trailer and South Congress Bridge. We duplicated the artwork for the invitation and used combination of modern and vintage fonts to bring it all together. 

Each invitation was mailed in a teal A7 envelope, and the thank you notes were paired with simple white A6 envelopes.

Thank you to Brooke West Photography for the shower photos.

Surprise 60th

This summer, my sister and I threw my parents a small, immediate family, surprise party. Due to the distance that people would be traveling and busy summer schedules, we sent out Save The Dates a few months prior. Due to the surprise element we had to track down photos of them as children without ruining the surprise. For the Save the Date we used current photos with the intention that the invitation would have photos of them as children when we could artfully procure them.

As an extra element to add texture and to bring attention to the Surprise, we tied "shhh....its a surprise" onto the invitations with ribbons in different shades of orange.

 

Time Flys Birthday Invite

 A friend asked that I create an invitation for her Mom's surprise party coming up this February. Using Blues and Greens and the wording "Time Flys With Amazing Friends," for inspiration, here is the final product.

Love the added "Shhh...its a surprise" tag to pull it all together.

Purple Wedding Revealed

Several months ago I gave you a glimpse of this beautiful, classic purple wedding package that we produced for a couple in Kansas City. Congrats to Nick and Jill on their beautiful day, and now we would like to share the final product with you.

This Invitation Suite included 3 same size A7 cards and an RSVP postcard, with a ribbon wrap. To finish the look we enclosed them in an Aubergine envelope with a wrap mailing label. The enclosure cards included an invitation, directional card with custom map, and a reception card.


For the ceremony we produced programs. These included two layers of 4x7 cards tied together with a deep purple ribbon. One one page was the Order of Ceremony and the other the Wedding Party, Special Thanks from the couple and a message about those who were honored in Loving Memory.

The reception print materials included double sided Reserved Signs for the tables as well as Photo booth directional signs.

I love seeing the suites together as a whole. Its so fun to see them all come together.

Table Setting Design with Mandy of Modern Whimsy

image from modernwhimsy.net

As the holidays approach, rather quickly I may add, planning begins for your winter weddings, holiday parties, holiday dinners, family get-togethers and other events. One of the best ways to incorporate elements of your theme into the event design is through your Table-scape. Will you have menus, flowers, matching or mis-matched cutlery and dinnerware, place cards, escort cards, table numbers?

I was perusing StyleMePretty as I used to do daily, however its been a while since I just took some time to see whats going on in the wedding world, and found myself drawn to the vast variety for table decor. There are so many approaches, simple, extravagant, elegant, classic, vintage and table-scapes are definitely not just for weddings! 

Mandy from Modern Whimsy Events helps answer some of our questions about designing tables for your next event.

bloom: If you were to direct a bride or any other hostess for that mater, when you are working with them on table design, what do you think is most important to remember when styling the tables?

mandy: I think the most important thing to remember, overall, is to keep the table functional. It's easy to get excited about (and possibly carried away with!) all of the decorative features you can add to the table. Exercise your creativity, have fun, but remember that folks still have to sit down and eat!

bloom: Is there a favorite table design you've done for a client? and why was it your favorite?

mandy: Actually, I think one of my favorites was one that I did just for fun, at my house when I was sick last fall. I was feeling restless, and decided to just have some fun setting a table using things I already had around the house. It was nothing special, but it was a good reminder that you don't need a lot of time or money to make a great table setup. table scape

bloom: What sort of print (or stationery) materials do you think are necessary when designing an overall table feel?

mandy: If you're seating at a wedding, and you have certain tables/places for guests, then you'll need table numbers and placecards. You can also print out the menu that will be served that evening, so that guests know what they're enjoying through the meal. Another fun way to incorporate your theme!

bloom: Are there elements you often see placed on tables that you feel is a no-no? something that people should avoid?

mandy: Definitely no scented candles. You don't want to overload the senses or overshadow the meal that your guests are going to enjoy!

bloom: I love the family style, long tables, i have been seeing lately at wedding receptions or garden parties. Are there any hints on how to make this work well?

mandy: I love farm tables. The great thing about these is that they feel more intimate than large round tables, and people can talk to one another. It lends a very warm feeling to the event. Long, sprawling floral arrangements and centerpieces work well with farm tables. You can also utilize smaller decorative elements along the length of the table to add more personality to the design.

bloom: How do you feel about assigned seating for events?

mandy: I can go both ways with assigned seating. I think it depends on how formal or casual your event is, how large it is, and how well you direct your guests on what to do. I've seen people get confused by place cards or table cards, but as long as someone is there to explain the process, it should work just fine. If it's a small group of folks, they can talk with one another as they look for their place cards. With larger events, you have to be 100% sure of your guest count, so that no one is left without a place to sit and eat. For casual events, it's perfectly ok to let people find their own spot to sit.

bloom: When it comes to flowers, do you have any tips on the best use of flowers on a table?

mandy: The possibilities are endless! You can have an elaborate arrangement on the table or utilize individual flowers with non-floral elements for a different look.

bloom: Favors, should they be placed at each seat or at another location within the venue?

mandy: I think either is fine. If it's a larger favor, then it's probably best to place them in a spot where guests can grab on the way out. If you're giving something small (like packets of wildflower seeds) or useful for the evening (like koozies!) then placing on the table works well.

bloom: If you are working with a florist, event planner, other vendors, and a venue, how should a bride or other hostess balance the decision making and acquisition of elements for the tables? I've heard stories on both the bride/hostess side and on the planner/vendor side of ideas getting crossed and overwhelming, then having the final concept not turn out the way they hoped.

mandy: Communication is the key. Get a general idea of what you want the table to look and feel like, and keep referring back to that throughout the process. The smaller details can ebb and flow throughout the design process. Trust your vendors when making specific details actually work (for example, your florist will know if your favorite flower will work with the other design elements on the table). Just keep that general feel/idea in mind, and voice it if you feel like it's straying from what you want. Also, hiring a wedding planner to help carry out your vision is always a good idea. :)

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Wow, great words of advice Mandy. Thank you so much, as always, for sharing your expertise with us. Contact Mandy at Modern Whimsy today for your next event, she's awesome!

15 Free thank you's during the month of JUNE!

Throwing a bridal shower during wedding season?


Place your order for invitations and receive 15 free matching thank you's for the bride to send to the guests! (Thru June 30th!) 


Baby showers receive the same promotion through June.

Bloom Favorite: Long overdue

Long time overdue Bloom:Favorites post. 

All images courtesy StyleMePretty.com

There are so many beautiful touches that print items can bring to your special day. Programs, gift tags, buffet cards, drink straw flags/tags, table cards, the possibilities are endless!

I love seeing the images of weddings that show the details that tie the theme together. All the little touches that the bride has thought about. What can you do in a smaller scale, with little touches to brighten your event? 

All invitation orders placed by the end of May (2012) will receive a 25% off discount to use on any "Extras" ordered for the same event using the same theme. Email me today for details!

The possibilities are endless!

Purple Preview

Here is a special sneak peek at a wedding I just completed. The wedding isn't until October, but keep tuned for more pictures soon!

Blue Orchid Wedding

Here it is, more photos of the Blue Orchid invitations.

This beautiful invitation set is a hand sewn booklet including and invitation, directions & map, and a tear off RSVP card with reception and event information. The stitching is a navy blue thread, and each card is adhered in book format before being run through the sewing machine. The invitations are finished off with an A7 stardream metallic blue envelope and a wrap around mailing label.

Other pieces created for this set: Thank You stickers for favor boxes that will be filled with cookies!

I can't wait to see pictures of the event. So classy in various shades of blue.