Taupe wedding at the Book Cadillac | Kaitlyn & Jonah

Kaitlyn and Jonah’s taupe wedding at the Westin Book Cadillac in Detroit, Michigan was a true showcase of elegance at every turn. Let’s relive their day, planned to perfection by Vitale Events, with beautiful photos from Blaine Siesser.

Design Elements for this Taupe Wedding

Color Palette

Kaitlyn and her mom, Wendy, approached the wedding with a desire for the day to feel neutral, but not bland. They wanted a taupe wedding palette that felt warm and inviting, but not overly feminine in terms of color — because they knew there would be a ton of florals!

Inspiration and Event Goals

Kaitlyn and Jonah met at summer camp, a decade before they said “I do”. They’re a nature-loving couple through and through; Jonah proposed to Kaitlyn on a hike! With this in mind, they wanted to bring the outdoors in to their ballroom wedding. The room was brimming with flowers and there were natural touches throughout. In the invitation, the envelope liner was a wood grain textured paper that felt like a tree! While it still fit with their sophisticated taupe wedding palette, this was a subtle detail that the couple appreciated, to help represent their love story on paper.

From Design Mockup to Reality

Here, you can see the digital mockup I sent to the couple as part of their stationery design process. You can see each element included, at scale and in reference to the other elements.

This is part of every proof round! Then, we take what was on screen and it translates to real life.

Save the Dates

This couple’s save the dates served as the “preview to the preview,” as it set the tone for what would come to mailboxes later on with the invitation suite. It established the taupe wedding color palette. Likewise, I introduced the font selections and “KJ” monogram that would be featured later on!

I don’t have any photos of this element from their big day, but I am including a digital mockup here.

Invitations

The invitations were incredible, if I do say so myself! The whole motif featured a custom illustration of roses. This was embossed on the main invitation and details cards. I mean, hellooooo texture!

The whole suite was letterpress printed. We brought in the taupe wedding color palette with the envelope and reply card stock color. The main card also featured gold foil stamping and gold edge foiling, too! The return address featured their “KJ” monogram emblem, because Kaitlyn wanted it included but not front and center. This was a way to feature it in a more understated version (vs. at the top of the invitation, where it’s more traditionally placed).

Kaitlyn and Jonah’s envelope liner was a wood grain textured paper, as a nod to their love of the outdoors! He proposed on a hike, and while they were getting married in a ballroom, they wanted the space to feel as outdoorsy as possible. This was a way to preview that.

Details included:

-custom rose illustration

-letterpress printing

-double thick, oversize invitation size

-gold foil stamping on the main card

-embossing on the main card and details card

-gold edge foiling on the main card

-envelope liner (with wood grain paper)

-hand calligraphy for guest envelope addressing

-silk ribbon

I’d be honored to help tell your love story on paper, too!

Hotel Welcome Bags

Kaitlyn and Jonah’s hotel welcome was a treat! The couple was living in New York and had lots of family from all over the country (and world) visiting Detroit to celebrate with them.

I designed a custom foil stamped bag with their monogram element, so right away the bag was a stunner.

Paired with the bag, the welcome note I designed included all the details for the weekend festivities, all in their same, soft and neutral taupe wedding color palette.

Inside, they opted for a variety of stickers with “his favorite,” “her favorite,” “our favorite” for treats and “just in case” for a hangover kit!

They also added in San Pellegrino sparkling water and custom cookies. Guests had a true Detroit welcome, in style!

The Night Before

Guests were celebrating even before the big day! For the welcome party, Kaitlyn rocked a white suit with a pearl top. I’m obsessed with her pre-bridal style!

Because these two had met originally on a backpacking camping trip, they wanted to include this “beginning” in their signage. We opted to use a photo from this fateful trip during their welcome party. It was a little more laid back than the main event, so this kept true to their love story’s roots, while also maintaining the elegance of what was to come the next day.

Getting Ready

Kaitlyn’s group was so big and fun for getting ready! She and Jonah’s details were each exquisitely beautiful.

Her lace dress paired beautifully with the veil, that also had floral appliqués. He was dapper from top to bottom, including a Cartier watch.

First Look

Kaitlyn and Jonah’s first look was beautiful and garnered some cheers from onlookers in the city!

Ceremony

With a floral-lined aisle and a stunning chuppah, this ceremony space certainly brought the “wow” factor. Of course, the ceremony itself was as beautiful as the setting!

Prior to the large ceremony, those closest to the couple joined them for an intimate Ketubah signing ceremony.

Guests were greeted with custom printed kippot (head coverings for men), along with ceremony program booklets I designed. The programs included an explanation of the Jewish traditions that would be part of the ceremony, so guests could follow along.

The programs featured the same florals that had been embossed on their invitations, as well as the KJ monogram element.

Reception Design Details

Kaitlyn and Jonah’s taupe wedding reception was incredible. Every detail was executed to perfection and they brought the outdoors in, for an elegant and sophisticated day that spoiled their loved ones — exactly the kind of celebration they envisioned!

Welcome Signage

Guests were greeted by an oversized, 3D acrylic welcome sign I created. The piece coordinated with their invitations with individual, laser cut pieces to create the intricate florals.

The couple opted for an audio guest book, so I created a sign with instructions for guests to “leave a voicemail” for the newlyweds.

Seating Assignments

This couple opted for an escort card display table for their guests’ seating assignments. I hand calligraphed each one on varying card stock colors for a subtle ombré effect in their taupe wedding color palette.

Adorned with a statement floral arrangement and candles, atop a mirrored table, this was an amazing focal point as guests entered the cocktail hour.

Dance Floor Installation

Dawn Owen Design created a fabulous floral installation, hanging from the ceiling above Kaitlyn and Jonah’s dance floor. It was insanely beautiful! We used the same floral illustration and created a custom vinyl decal for the dance floor. The focal point of the room was a perfect example of event branding — it featured this “carry through” element at a grand scale!

Taupe Wedding Tabletop Decor Elements

Guests were treated to a luxurious meal at a gorgeous table. Each table featured a beautiful floral arrangement and textured linens. The seats were a mix of plush cream and blush, all with gold accents. The charger plates brought in another touch of gold. The draping and lighting throughout the room set the soft ambiance as a perfect backdrop.

Menus: Every guest received a menu that I hand calligraphed with their name, personalized with their entrée selection. The menus were embossed with the same floral motif that adorned their invitations.

Table numbers: The table numbers were a gold acrylic accent that tied in with the gold on the chairs. They were frosted acrylic to let the light in from all the candles, uplighting, and mirrored tabletop surfaces. Truly, no stone left unturned!

Bar Signage

At the bars throughout the space, Kaitlyn and Jonah featured signature drinks.

I created 3D acrylic bar signs with a blush pearlescent acrylic and a mirrored gold acrylic combination that was striking.

Because this couple had been together for so long, they used their cocktail napkins to have a bit of fun! We designed a complete series of napkins, each with their own date and milestone from their relationship over the years. Collectively, they told the story of their romance!

These are the moments to get creative and showcase your unique story in a playful way.

Every stationery element came together as a small piece of a bigger puzzle. These elements are what help create a true sense of “event branding”. I’d love to help with yours!