Portrait of bride and groom - Intimate wedding at home in Ann Arbor, Michigan - Leah E. Moss Designs - Photo by Blaine Siesser

Stevie and Scott hosted their intimate wedding at home in 2020. I was honored that Cassy Rose Events brought me onto this sweet couple’s vendor team to design their custom stationery. They had fewer than 30 guests on the grounds of the bride’s parents’ home for their ceremony and reception dinner. Their outdoor tented cocktail reception kept the after-party going a little while longer into the evening. No stone was left unturned with this event, proving an intimate wedding at home can be as elegant and luxurious as it is heartfelt and meaningful.

This event was featured on Martha Stewart Weddings!

Thanks to Blaine Siesser’s incredible images, I can keep this blog short and let his captures do the talking. Except about the paper goods — you know I’ve got to share my two cents about those!


Getting Ready and Portraits

Bridesmaid adjusting wedding gown - Intimate wedding at home in Ann Arbor, Michigan - Leah E. Moss Designs - Photo by Blaine SiesserWedding rings with invitation - Intimate wedding at home in Ann Arbor, Michigan - Leah E. Moss Designs - Photo by Blaine Siesser

Dog cufflinks as gift for groom - Intimate wedding at home in Ann Arbor, Michigan - Leah E. Moss Designs - Photo by Blaine SiesserLace dress on gold hanger - Intimate wedding at home in Ann Arbor, Michigan - Leah E. Moss Designs - Photo by Blaine Siesser

Elegant and timeless bridal portrait - Intimate wedding at home in Ann Arbor, Michigan - Leah E. Moss Designs - Photo by Blaine Siesser
Deep burgundy bridesmaid dresses - Intimate wedding at home in Ann Arbor, Michigan - Leah E. Moss Designs - Photo by Blaine Siesser

Flower-filled ceremony exit for bride and groom - Intimate wedding at home in Ann Arbor, Michigan - Leah E. Moss Designs - Photo by Blaine Siesser
Burgundy, pink, and red bridal bouquet - Intimate wedding at home in Ann Arbor, Michigan - Leah E. Moss Designs - Photo by Blaine Siesser

Ceremony: Their intimate wedding at home

Private estate ceremony setup - Intimate wedding at home in Ann Arbor, Michigan - Leah E. Moss Designs - Photo by Blaine Siesser

Each guest received a custom ceremony program booklet that I designed. They were wrapped in the same pink vellum and tied with the same red velvet ribbon as from Stevie and Scott’s wedding invitation (more on that next). The cover featured a repeating floral pattern, again reminiscent of their invitation. This detail worked perfectly for their intimate wedding at home — it was a perfect keepsake for their loved ones to take home. You can watch me flip through the booklet for a closer view here:

 

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Walking down the aisle with dad - Intimate wedding at home in Ann Arbor, Michigan - Leah E. Moss Designs - Photo by Blaine SiesserProgram booklets tied with velvet ribbon - Intimate wedding at home in Ann Arbor, Michigan - Leah E. Moss Designs - Photo by Blaine Siesser
Flower girl and ring bearer - Intimate wedding at home in Ann Arbor, Michigan - Leah E. Moss Designs - Photo by Blaine SiesserWedding ceremony program booklets - Intimate wedding at home in Ann Arbor, Michigan - Leah E. Moss Designs - Photo by Blaine Siesser

Lakeside wedding ceremony - Intimate wedding at home in Ann Arbor, Michigan - Leah E. Moss Designs - Photo by Blaine Siesser

First kiss as husband and wife - Intimate wedding at home in Ann Arbor, Michigan - Leah E. Moss Designs - Photo by Blaine Siesser


The Invitation

As a designer, you’re not supposed to pick favorites. But, it’s hard not to with Stevie and Scott’s custom invitation suite — I know that theirs will be a forever favorite of mine. Everything came together in a juxtaposition of modern sophistication with a timeless softness.

Wedding invitation with red and burgundy accents - Intimate wedding at home in Ann Arbor, Michigan - Leah E. Moss Designs - Photo by Blaine Siesser

The Envelope

The blush envelope featured burgundy hand calligraphy for their guest addressing, which is always a special touch. The postage featured botanical gardens nationwide, as a nod to their engagement (Scott proposed in Ann Arbor’s own botanical garden). Their return address graced the bottom of the envelope, for a modern twist on the usual placement. It included their “SS” monogram, which was peppered throughout the invitation suite, as well as during their wedding day. This was the first placement of it. The inside of the envelope was lined with a watercolor floral painting, of a pink and burgundy peony stem.

The Wrap

After opening up the envelope, guests were met with a beautifully-wrapped parcel. A pale pink vellum “jacket” was wrapped around the invitation elements, tied with a red velvet ribbon, and secured with a burgundy wax seal. This wax seal again featured the “SS” emblem, which (along with the florals) would serve as the base of Stevie and Scott’s event branding. The top element of the stack of cards inside was the back side of their details card, which had an all-over floral pattern printed on it. This incorporated the same floral from the liner, on a much smaller scale, inspired by delicate wallpaper. Since the vellum was translucent, the floral pattern showed through.

Wedding invitation with pink vellum and burgundy letterpress - Intimate wedding at home in Ann Arbor, Michigan - Leah E. Moss Designs - Photo by Blaine Siesser

The Design and Printing

Overall, the main invitation was designed with lots of white space and breathing room. The main cards were simple and timelessly elegant, but featured a modern calligraphy style to keep things current. The overall suite was letterpress printed in a beautiful burgundy shade of ink. On the main card, we added a blind impression, which is letterpress printed with no ink applied, for a subtle representation of their SS element. Though it’s hard to see in photos, the edge of the double-thick cardstock was foiled, with a bright red metallic foil, to coordinate with the red velvet ribbon.The reply card was printed in this same red ink, on a blush card, as a pop of contrast. All guests were invited to the cocktail reception (after-party), and their VIPs got an added insert card for the ceremony and dinner, inviting them to Stevie and Scott’s actual intimate wedding at home.

There was so much detail in this suite! Watch every detail come together with an opening video here.

 

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Blush envelope with modern calligraphy - Intimate wedding at home in Ann Arbor, Michigan - Leah E. Moss Designs - Photo by Blaine Siesser

Blind impression, modern wedding monogram - Intimate wedding at home in Ann Arbor, Michigan - Leah E. Moss Designs - Photo by Blaine Siesser

Wedding invitation with modern calligraphy - Intimate wedding at home in Ann Arbor, Michigan - Leah E. Moss Designs - Photo by Blaine Siesser

Custom wedding invitation - Intimate wedding at home in Ann Arbor, Michigan - Leah E. Moss Designs - Photo by Blaine Siesser

Pink and burgundy letterpress wedding invitation - Intimate wedding at home in Ann Arbor, Michigan - Leah E. Moss Designs - Photo by Blaine Siesser


Dinner details

Since Stevie and Scott had such an intimate wedding at home, each guest was treated to a fine dining, luxury experience. All guests were seated together, at one long table full of florals. Each guest’s place setting was identified with a hand-calligraphed place card tag, written on wildflower seed paper. This tag was tied around their menu with the same red velvet ribbon from their invitation and ceremony program booklets. The menu was letterpress printed in the same burgundy ink from the invitation, and the wax seal adorned the top, in the same “SS” emblem. This is a beautiful example of how event branding is carried out! These details set the tone for the epic culinary experience their nearest and dearest enjoyed.

Luxury tablescape with florals and white chairs - Intimate wedding at home in Ann Arbor, Michigan - Leah E. Moss Designs - Photo by Blaine Siesser

One table for all guests with floral linen and luxury flowers - Intimate wedding at home in Ann Arbor, Michigan - Leah E. Moss Designs - Photo by Blaine Siesser
Red, pink, and burgundy florals with letterpress menu - Intimate wedding at home in Ann Arbor, Michigan - Leah E. Moss Designs - Photo by Blaine Siesser

Letterpress menu with burgundy wax seal, hand calligraphed place card on seed paper, red velvet ribbon - Intimate wedding at home in Ann Arbor, Michigan - Leah E. Moss Designs - Photo by Blaine Siesser

Burgundy wedding menu with wax seal - Intimate wedding at home in Ann Arbor, Michigan - Leah E. Moss Designs - Photo by Blaine Siesser
Bride and groom toasting - Intimate wedding at home in Ann Arbor, Michigan - Leah E. Moss Designs - Photo by Blaine Siesser

Bride and groom in small ceremony space - Intimate wedding at home in Ann Arbor, Michigan - Leah E. Moss Designs - Photo by Blaine Siesser


The Cocktail Reception / After Party

Stevie and Scott hosted their cocktail reception in an open, sail-top tent. Again, no detail was missed. From the signature drink signage featuring their sweet pup (and custom SS cocktail napkins to boot), to a custom dance floor decal in a floral explosion, I had so much fun designing beyond the paper goods. Providing a complete event branding experience is always a treat for me when working with wonderful clients.

Aside from the small details I provided, all the other vendors’ contributions were truly epic. Wonderful lounge seating, an incredible floral installation from the ceiling, and a fireworks show to close out the night… Stevie and Scott’s intimate wedding at home was one for the books!

Floral installation and custom floral monogram dance floor emblem - Intimate wedding at home in Ann Arbor, Michigan - Leah E. Moss Designs - Photo by Blaine Siesser

Sailtop tent with floral entrance - Intimate wedding at home in Ann Arbor, Michigan - Leah E. Moss Designs - Photo by Blaine Siesser
Couple's first dance, custom dance floor decal - Intimate wedding at home in Ann Arbor, Michigan - Leah E. Moss Designs - Photo by Blaine Siesser
Signature cocktail sign with dog illustration - Intimate wedding at home in Ann Arbor, Michigan - Leah E. Moss Designs - Photo by Blaine Siesser

Fireworks to end the night - Intimate wedding at home in Ann Arbor, Michigan - Leah E. Moss Designs - Photo by Blaine SiesserThank you for letting me play a small role in your big day! It’s always an honor to work with couples for their life milestones, whether they’re celebrating with a big crowd at a venue, or as an intimate wedding at home. No matter what your day looks like, it should be meaningful for the two of you!

If you’re looking for custom stationery for your wedding (at home or anywhere else), please reach out HERE to get the party started. I’d be honored to work with you for your stationery.


Vendor Love

Event Production and Design: @cassyroseevents 

Photography: @blainesiesser 

Catering: @fortebelanger 

Paper Goods: @leahemoss 

Rentals: @eventtheorymi @eventsource @latavolalinen #visionarysoundproductions 

Lighting: @elysiumexp 

Videography: @blueracerproductions 

Floral: #pintnerswonderland 

Music: @whitepinesentertainment @iamdjc4 

Beauty: @themakeuploft 

Valet: @startraxvalet 

Fireworks: @acepyrollc

Editorial Feature: Martha Stewart Weddings