It was a Sunday morning in August of 2017, around 10:45 am or so, and I got an inquiry on my website from this girl, Dani, who was a guest at one of my client’s weddings the night before. Her form basically was like “So… I was at Rachel and Justin’s wedding last night – loved your work. I want to meet with you for our wedding.” This other couple was still at their out of towners brunch and this girl was on it about their stationery vendor for their Castle Farms wedding the following summer. I liked her already.
When I had the chance to meet with her and her mom about their big day, they were so excited. Dani and her fiance Joe were going to be having a weekend-long event in northern Michigan, right near where my family’s cottage is, so I had a soft spot for their festivities right from the get go. In chatting with Dani, one of the things that she seemed super excited about was her romantic lace wedding dress – as a medical student, she loved feeling so ultra-feminine in it, rather than her usual scrubs wardrobe. The gown had this gorgeous bodice with really intricate patterning to the lace. She just raved about it so much and said how great she felt in it – and how thrilled she was for Joe to ultimately see her wearing it, many months later.
Along with a custom watercolor map, wax seals, and calligraphy, their eventual design featured a watercolor rendering of the lace pattern of the bodice of Dani’s dress as the “signature” element. It was a detail that she and her mom were the only ones who knew about it ahead of time. Obviously Joe couldn’t know what it was throughout the process, because we didn’t want to give away what the dress looked like! In hindsight, I don’t even know if their guests knew – and that’s totally fine. It was just something really special for her to know throughout the process.
For me, that’s what it’s all about when you’re investing in custom invitations and event branding. What are the details that make you feel like your best self, and how can the design help bring that forward and showcase them? It was an honor to work on their event and I always feel grateful for the sweetest clients who come to me with fun projects and tons of love for one another.
The Romantic Lace Wedding Dress…
…and the Castle Farms wedding invitation it inspired
The subtle watercolor design on the main invitation card is taken from the identical lace pattern on Dani’s gorgeous dress. Portions of the design are mimicked on the RSVP card as well as their added details/events card. The whole suite was capped off with a custom watercolor map, painted of landmarks in Charlevoix, Michigan and the surrounding area near their Castle Farms wedding location. I included icons for their venues, lodgings, and other fun places nearby. The whole suite was wrapped in hand-dyed chiffon ribbon, tucked into a shimmery taupe envelope, calligraphed in white ink, and closed with a wax seal of their “D J” emblem.
What Event Branding Meant for their Day
Dani and Joe’s special day was gorgeous. Their Castle Farms wedding took place on a picture-perfect, northern Michigan day. Their bridal party was radiant, their families were beaming with pride, and their florals were overflowing. However, in looking at their gallery, what’s clear is how well everything fits together – and event branding has a lot to do with that. The paper goods from the invitation coordinated with those on the day of the event, but so too did the stationery match with the tones of the bridesmaids’ mismatched dresses, which coordinated with the table linens at the reception. The cocktail napkins had the same “D J” monogram on them (stamped in rose gold foil) as the wax seal had had, months earlier. All of these elements come together as puzzle pieces, into something greater than the sum of its parts. As a wedding vendor, that’s what makes me second happiest. Most happy? Clients this exuberant and in love with each other.
Dani and Joe, thanks to you and your incredible parents for letting me play a small part in your big day! Relive their gorgeous wedding – and check out Dani’s incredibly beautiful, romantic lace wedding dress in all its glory – with their heartwarming video. Fair warning: tissues may come in handy!
Vendor Love
Venue: Castle Farms weddings
Photographer: The Weber Photographers
Videographer: VISI Productions
Florist: Breath of Spring
Invitations and Event Branding: Leah E. Moss Designs
THE DRESS: Alon Livne White, purchased at Bella Bianca Bridal Couture (in Chicago)
Let me help you with your custom invitations!
Schedule my complimentary consultation!
Did you find this helpful? Save this pin for later:
