The designs are really great, “timeless in simplicity but modern in sensibility”…the perfect combination in my opinion. But, the very best thing about the new Abby Jean site are the inspiration boards that the new owner (who is fabulous by the way), Haile McCollum, and I put together. We paired up with our favorite photographers and event planners to design these gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous boards and here is one of my favs…

all photos by Elizabeth Messina, event design by Oh How Charming!

Spend some time checking out the inspiration section and I promise you, you’ll fall in love with weddings over and over again.

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 2 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Abby Jean, Inspiration Boards, Wedding Invitations & Stationery
Post categories: Wedding Invitations & Stationery

Well, I am partnering up with Abby Jean once again, to do a HUGE giveaway in honor of Pink Week here on SMP!

We are giving away a set of 75 letterpressed personalized stationery with printed envelopes! The value is over $350 so it’s a pretty good prize! You can pick from the Sophie, Hannah or Elizabeth collections so that the stationery really reflects your own personal style.

You know the drill…just let us know what your favorite invitation from the Abby Jean line is, and we’ll pick a random winner! All winners from this week’s giveaways will be announced tomorrow afternoon! Good luck! 

* * *

And the winner is…Desiree!

“Pretty much…I am in LOVE with Jill…the invitation that is! The best thing about the “Jill” is that is modern for my taste; not too feminine for my Joe’s taste, and a hint of trastional that is just enough for my Mother to go for. I heart Jill. ~Des”

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2008. | Permalink | 195 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Abby Jean, Breast Cancer Awareness, Fontaine Maury, Giveaway, Letterpress, Personal Stationery, Pink Week
Post categories: Contests, Wedding Invitations & Stationery

Invitation by Abby Jean, Cake by Lovin’ Sullivan, Dress by Jcrew, Box on Soiree Charleston, Flowers by Rosenow Floral

The suite is so unbelievably pretty to me. The combination of the calligraphy and the block font is the perfect pairing and this color palette is so charming. Laura has also designed a custom map to coordinate with the suite, which takes the whole look to another level!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2008. | Permalink | 6 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Abby Jean, J. Crew, Laura Hooper, Loving Sullivan, Soiree Charleston, Wedding Calligraphy
Post categories: Color Palettes, Wedding Invitations & Stationery

Invitations by Abby Jean, Gown by Lela Rose on Brides.com, Cake Details by April Reed, Florals by Camilla Svennson Burns

This piece is all about Southern charm. That pretty monogram and grosgrain ribbon inspired detail, paired with the gorgeous color palette is sweet and yet completely sophisticated. I see this invitation being used in a traditional wedding for a more modern bride. A girl who wants to add a bit of “chic” to her beautifully traditional style. I love the deeper coral, paired with creams and a lighter terra cotta color. So warm and pretty. With that said, this design comes in lots of different color combinations!

I have another NEW Abby Jean design coming so stay tuned!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2008. | Permalink | 1 comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Abby Jean, April Reed, Camilla Svennson Burns, Lela Rose
Post categories: Color Palettes, Wedding Invitations & Stationery

Because you all were so helpful when we were launching our last Abby Jean design, we thought who better to ask about our newest color palette dilemma. Our silhouette invitation line, Sophie, is really taking off. For the new season, we wanted to offer it in a secondary color with personalized silhouettes! But we just can’t decide which palette we like the best!

Here are the options (click on them to make larger)…

So…let us know which one you like the best! More importantly, which one you would buy for your own wedding! We will choose a random winner who will receive a set of 25 personalized stationery and coordinating envelopes!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2008. | Permalink | 182 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Abby Jean, Personalized Stationery, Silhouettes
Post categories: Contests, Wedding Invitations & Stationery

This first design is called Sophie. It is sweet but sophisticated, with a little vintage flair. This particular design is letterpressed with a faded black/brown ink, then uses the striped reception card to bring in a bit of color. Believe it or not, the silhouettes are actually replicas of those that my mom and her brother had done when they were kids. The cool thing about this particular invitation suite is that you can send us your own photographs and we will customize the silhouettes for you!

Courtney is our classic. This design is one of our best sellers and honestly, every time it is printed, it just looks so gorgeous. Engraved on a deep chocolate brown paper using a pale, robin’s egg blue ink, it’s one part chic, one part traditional. This invitation is all about “old meets new.” Courtney was named after one of my bridesmaids and has probably received the most attention out of our original bunch. Niki Taylor used these invitations and they were then featured in US Weekly…how cool is that?

Emily is a great invitation to use if you are having a traditional wedding…with a twist. Engraved on soft white paper with chocolate brown ink, it’s more reminiscent of a classic engraved invitation. But, with the chocolate brown reception card and the hint of pink (not shown) ink on the response card, it’s been updated to reflect a more modern bride.

Maggie is one of my all time favorite designs. Named after one of my dearest friends, who I have always considered to be so elegant and yet so approachable, Maggie is our interpretation of a simple, but stunning wedding invitation. This design actually uses foil and engraving to create a two tone effect. Love, love, love this one. It’s tradition with a bit of bling.

Abigail is all about fun. It’s engraved using white ink on kelly green paper which produces an amazingly sharp result. This one truly pops. It’s a little bit preppy, a little bit old school…all infused with a bit of personality which I love. This monogram can be completely customized so that it perfectly represents you. It’s our newest look and the green paper is being eaten up by brides.

The best part about our invitations is that they are completely customizable. If you love the Abigail monogram, but want to print it in berry colored ink, on the chocolate brown paper from the Courtney line, it’s no problem! We want your invitation to reflect you as a couple, and we want it to be the perfect introduction to your perfect day. If you have any questions about where you can see the line, just shoot me a quick email (abby at abbyjeanpress dot com). We have added a bunch of stores lately, so our website is currently being updated.

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2007. | Permalink | 11 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Abby Jean, Letterpress, Rinne Allen
Post categories: Wedding Invitations & Stationery

Imagine hanging panels of custom silhouette wallpaper or fabric at your reception, with a Polaroid camera for guests to take photos of themselves, then insert into your guest book. How cool is that!? Look closely at the top two photos and you will see the silhouettes.

If you don’t have space at your reception for the fabric panels, definitely check out their silhouette stationery. And I am not just saying that because Fontaine Maury and Abby Jean recently merged. Their silhouette notes are so freaking cute, I am going to be ordering some for myself. And, since we seem to have been on the topic of paper this week, here are some great tips from Fontaine Maury, for writing the perfect thank you note on your new silhouette stationery…

*A thank you note should (ideally) be written within 5 days of receipt of the gift or favor. Never apologize if it is tardy, just make sure you write an especially well crafted letter.

*It is tempting to substitute a phone call or e-mail for the hand written note, but my mantra is “a letter is better.” You don’t have to be Flannery O’Connor or Robert Frost to put together a well-written missive.

*Have some notepaper on hand at all times. Your stationery need not be baroque in its elegance, nor does it need to say thank you on the front. If your stationery says thank you on the front it beats you to the punch. Paper personalized with your name or monogram is best as it is a direct reflection of your unique personality and impeccable taste.Choose a pen that you like to write with and that complements your handwriting style.Mine looks awful if I write with a fine point, I use a felt tip.

*The best salutation for personal correspondence is “Dear” and the first name of the person to whom you are writing. A note to someone who is your senior, or not an intimate friend,may include his or her social title as in “Dear Mr. White.” When writing couples, the
woman’s name always goes first: “Dear Aunt Jane and Uncle Gordon.”

*The length of your note is not important. Most significant are what you say and how you say it. The best thank yous come from the heart and say why you love the gift.A conversational tone is friendly and will help the flow of your thoughts as you write. The use of extras like dashes, ellipses and underlinings will give an informal tone to your letter, but use them sparingly as they can be distracting.

*Open your correspondence by calling attention to the gift or favor. Continue by saying something personal or noteworthy. Finish on an upbeat note…

Dear Sara,
Who would have thought that such beautiful daisies are available in January? They look so pretty on the sideboard next to my grandmother’s silver julep cups. I enjoyed visiting with you very much and look forward to seeing you again soon.
Love, Haile

*Do include a date so that if the recipient saves the note they will have a reference point. The date can either go on the top right or at the end of the note just after your signature.

*Close your note with your signature. Use both your first and last names to an acquaintance or just your first name to family and friends. For new brides, this may be the first chance you have to sign your new name, so indulge. When more than one person is signing a letter, the writer’s name comes last.
.

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2007. | Permalink | 5 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Abby Jean, Fontaine Maury
Post categories: Wedding Invitations & Stationery

Okay, let’s get to it. For those of you that don’t already know, Abby Jean recently joined forces with Fontaine Maury, a great custom stationery company based out of Georgia. The girls at Fontaine Maury have such a smart aesthetic, but more importantly, they have big dreams for Abby Jean and together, we are going to grow the line and introduce some wonderful new designs.

So, in honor of the “marriage” we are hoping to have YOUR help in launching one of our new pieces! The color palette for the first design is a beautiful butter yellow , chocolate brown and a creamy white. We want the invitation to be classic and timeless, using a great new monogram (something that you can thread through various elements of your wedding papers) though complimented with a contemporary pattern in the liners and perhaps accent pieces.

Take a look at the monogram choices below. Which one do you gravitate towards the most, which one do you think has the most versatility, which one would you like on your own stationery? The person that gives the best feedback will win a set of their very own personalized stationery by Fontaine Maury. Can’t beat that!!

(make sure you click on it to make it larger, and more clear)

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2007. | Permalink | 42 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Abby Jean, Fontaine Maury, Letterpress
Post categories: Contests, Wedding Invitations & Stationery

If you haven’t read the latest issue, the entire mag is devoted to living a green inspired life…to improving our planet inch-by-inch, person-by-person. And what I found incredibly fascinating is that living green doesn’t mean living in a bland or colorless world anymore. Many of the great designers are catching up with the environmental concerns and are coming out with sophisticated, green inspired designs . ABC Carpet and Home (in my opinion one of the best home stores in the country) has a new line called Pure that is completely eco-friendly and completely eco-fabulous. Think chairs covered in vintage saris, sofas made without heavy chemicals or dies and stuffed with organic cotton then covered in hemp fabrics. And, they are GORGEOUS.

So I am now completely inspired. And why not put that inspiration into the one thing that I do best..weddings! I have scoured every magazine I own, searched through all of the most in-the-know sites for green design, pulled specification info on some of the more popular wedding designers, and much to my delight, have come up with a lovely, green inspired wedding…and all in just a couple of hours. So of course that makes me wonder, what could YOU do in a couple of months?

Fashion….

The gowns above are all designed by Olivia Luca who is extremely conscious of the fabrics that she uses and their effect on the environment. Many of her pieces are made using 100% raw silk, others using Certified Organic 100% Cotton Sateen. The best part though, (because let’s face it…as a bride, you want to look spectacular), is that each Olivia Luca gown is made from scratch, based on your own ideas and personal style. So, not only can you tell all of your friends that you are wearing an environmentally friendly gown, you can also tell them (with a bit more sass) that it’s couture.

Invitations…

Good On Paper (the top row) uses 100% Recycled Paper and Vegetable Based Inks, Abby Jean (bottom row…toot toot) uses papers that are up to 100% recycled.

Flowers…

California Organic Flowers specialize in seasonal, fresh cut flowers.They can be delivered anywhere in the country, bunched and ready for you to create your own arrangement. If you can find a local flower farm near you, however, it is best to buy those that you can easily transport. Also featured are really great paper vases, a summit vase and transSglass vases, perfect homes for your organic flowers.

Food…

Debra King designs the most gorgeous cakes, all made with organic ingredients and fresh flowers. That means no artificial colors and no preservatives, so your guests can enjoy a slice of cake completely guilt free. Well, sort of.

For catering, find inspiration in Olive Green Catering’s over-the-top, elegant organic menus….

Almonds with Piment d’Espelette
Cheeses, Black Mission Figs & Acme Breads

Two Toasts:
Fresh Shell Bean Puree with Garlic & Rosemary
Green Olive Tapenade with Chopped Egg & Savory

Piccolo Fritto
Fried Artichokes & Lemon

Rocket Salad with Corn & Cherry Tomatoes
Niman Ranch Rib-Eye Steak Grilled over Vine Cuttings with Salsa Verde
Roasted Fingerling Potatoes with Scallions & New Garlic
Green Beans with Extra Virgin Olive Oil & Fleur de Sel
Aïoli

Ginger & Mulberry Ice Cream Sandwiches

When it comes to the food you serve, try to find local caterers that offer fresh, locally grown organic ingredients.By choosing seasonal ingredients, you can avoid additional additives and preservatives that many caterers use. If you don’t have a caterer that offers organic products in your area, there are online sources (see below) that can ship directly to the kitchen of your choice.

Other great tips for pulling off a green inspired wedding:

Decor
-Use organic 100% cotton table linens and napkins and beeswax or soy based candles for decor. OR, for an outdoor wedding, place eco pine torches around the grounds for an all-over glow.
-Rent tents, china, linens and silverware…rentals fall under the recyclable category.
-Use organic, locally grown flowers from area farmer’s markets if possible. Potted plants transport well and can be planted in your garden after the reception. If you don’t have local markets, contact Organic Bouquet for fabulous, fresh flowers.

Food & Drinks
-The food you serve should be locally grown and organic. Again, talk to your caterer about the quality of their products and make sure that they are able to get the best season ingredients. According to Domino (and me, as I live in SF where some of these companies are based), Cow Girl Creamery has the best cheeses, Niman Ranch has the best beef, pork and lamb, Diamond Organics has wonderful produce and Horizon (available nationwide) gets the gold star for butter.
-If you can afford to do this, buy organic wine, coffee and tea to serve your guests
**Anything that you buy locally cuts down on fossil fuels used when shipping products. If you are getting married in a remote area and can’t buy locally there are online sources that will ship fresh, organic ingredients directly to you.

Hotel & Travel
-It is definitely more eco-friendly to have your wedding and your reception in the same location (or walkable). Check with the Green Hotel Association to see if your favorite spot is green.
-If you have to travel from point A to point B, see if your city has eco-limos for your bridal party and set up carpooling for your guests.
-While planning your honeymoon, check out Eco Resorts…the greatest source for environmentally friendly (and still completely decadent) vacations.

Favors
-Give a tree! What better way to give back to the world.
-Use centerpieces or place settings that double as favors…potted plants in vintage tins, votive soy candles.
-Wrap recycled boxes filled with Miette’s organic macaroons in this adorable and sustainable wrapping paper.
-Leave your guests on a sweet note with organic chocolate truffles

Resources
Portovert, a new, green weddings magazine filled with wonderful information for creating an eco-friendly wedding.
Eco Fabulous, a blog for the eco-minded style maven.
ZahZoom Weddings & Parties, a full service wedding planning company that caters to green-minded couples.
Domino Blogs, great resources for great green design.
Splendora, check out their new eco-style section with super shopping tips and go green links.
Sustainable Style, a blogger’s guide to living green…and living well.
Girlawhirl, a girl’s guide to making your way in a green world.
Tree Hugger, the blogging bible for living a green lifestyle
Fabulously Green, the best in environmentally sound design

**Email me your tips for other great, green resources!! There is a great article on Brides for designing a chic, stylish eco-friendly wedding. You should definitely check it out!

And finally, my friends, I must admit…I am somewhat “green” when it comes to living in an environmentally friendly world. I am working to educate myself and modify my lifestyle in simple ways and I just hope that you are too. There are so many small changes that we can make when it comes to weddings…use organic ingredients and recycled papers, give your guests favors that will create a better world or those that are made organically by local artisans. Recycle the cans and bottles that are used during your reception and use fresh, locally grown flowers.

As trite as it sounds, every little bit counts…every little bit is important.

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2007. | Permalink | 6 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Abby Jean, ABC Carpet and Home, California Organic Flowers, Domino, Good On Paper, Olive Green Catering, Olivia Luca
Post categories: The Blog

Before I dive into the current invitation trends, I wanted to mention something that my good friend, Christine Traulich, at RedBliss said to me recently…“Invitations should reflect personal style rather than the trend-of-the-moment.” This is so true. This should be the mantra that you repeat over and over again throughout the entire wedding process. Your wedding is about you and your fiance…not, about what is hot or in fashion.

With that said, it is nice to know what other people are talking about. After all, it’s the trends that last, those that are timeless and yet elegant, sophisticated though chic, that help design to really evolve.

I actually planned (and wrote, for that matter) a super long post about trends in invitations and wedding papers. Then, just when I was going to post it, I changed my mind. I guess my thought is that whatever the trends may be, it is so important that your invitations surpass trends…they are just one of those wedding details that should simply be pretty. Invitations, in my opinion, are made to be ooooohed and ahhhhhed over. They should be frame worthy, magazine worth, and something that will always be a tangible reminder of your perfect day. So instead of reporting on trends, this post is all about invitation eye candy!

Engraved Candy…

Top Row: Wren Press (photo from Brides), Claudia Calhoun (photo from Brides) Louella, Center Row: All Louella, Bottom Row: Abby Jean, Kate Spade and Abby Jean again.

The pics above are all of engraved invitations. Colored papers are super hot right now, and chances are, will be for a long time to come. Engraving allows you to print light colors, on dark papers, to acheive that ultra crisp, vibrant look that is needed for so many designs, and to add a level of sophistication and style to your wedding suite. Although engraving is typically a bit more expensive, the end look is unmatched (please note, most of the Abby Jean invitations that I print are engraved:)

Letterpressed Candy…

Top Row: Braun & Brown, Mr. Boddington, Hello Lucky, Center Row: Hello Lucky, Black Pearl Press, Good on Paper, Bottom Row: Seraph, Neah Bay, Ceci NY

Letterpress will forever remind me of walking into Anthropologie…that lovely vintage chic feeling you get, where everything just seems a bit more romantic and girly. Some of the best letterpress designers, like Mr.Boddington, The Charming Gardener, Peculiar Pair and Julie Holcomb, have found the perfect balance between elegance and whimsy…and customers are eating it up!

Belly Bands and Wraps…

all pictures above by Ceci NY

Another hot trend in invitation design is the “wrap.” Slightly mismatched invitation pieces (from reception cards and direction cards, to weekend event cards and parking instructions) all held neatly together with some sort of wrap (some call it a belly band) or folder. Despite the fact that I have yet to do these wraps for my own line, I love them. I love being organized and this is just the way to do it. Wraps range from oh-so-luxurious cashmere, to casual paper bands to sweet ribbon ties. Lisa Hoffman, the incredibly talented designer of Ceci NY, has mastered the art of the wrap. She manages to tidy up each invitation with a look that only adds another design dimension to the overall look and feel of the invitation.

That wraps up Part 1 of the Invitation trend…tomorrow, we will focus on budget fabulous invitations!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2007. | Permalink | 1 comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Abby Jean, Kate Spade, Louella Press, RedBliss Invitation Design
Post categories: Wedding Invitations & Stationery