Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog

Behind the Scenes of Betsywhite Stationery

A. Blaire — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:30:34 +0000

We are spicing things up a bit this afternoon, and handing over the blogging reins to one of our favorite stationery stars, Gia of Betsywhite Stationery, for our first monthly installment of Behind the Scenes – where we pull back the curtain to the studios of some of our favorite designers! You’ll understand why we are kicking off the series with Betsywhite once you take a look into their lovely studio and see the amazing way their brain goes from inspiration to stationery reality with each design they touch. It’s really amazing, so I’ll stop blabbing and let Gia take it from here!

Hello SMP readers! I’m so thrilled that Abby has asked me to share a little about our studio with you! First, let me introduce myself. I’m Gia Graham, owner and Creative Director of Betsywhite Stationery – a design studio offering invitations and stationery for social events.

As a graphic designer, I initially started out in the world of corporate design. After working on countless boring brochures, I decided that I needed something more inspiring to fuel my creativity so I started designing wedding invitations about six years ago. I quickly realized that although it was important to create beautiful stationery, it was just as important to make sure those designs were reasonably priced. With that in mind, I set out to build a collection of deceptively affordable invitations and stationery. We launched our online store in 2008 and we’ve been designing invitations for brides worldwide since then!

I love the atmosphere in our studio – it’s a bright, airy, music-filled space. We’re pretty laid back around here. A typical day starts with a quick meeting to talk about what’s on the agenda for the day and to make sure everyone’s on the same page. The first part of the day is spent answering customer inquiries, revising proofs and filling sample orders from the day before. The rest of the day is usually spent creating proofs for new orders, packaging completed orders and depending on the time of year, working on new designs.

I think it’s important to be surrounded by the things you love and things which inspire you, especially if you work in a creative field. Here’s a sneak peek at our space…

The details:
fig. A: My desk
fig. B: Aimee’s desk (one of our designers)
fig. C: The vintage Hermes 3000 typewriter my hubby gave me for my birthday a couple years ago (it makes me happy)
fig. D: The Hermes 3000 types in an insanely adorable script font. Every now and then I type a little note so I can admire the font.
fig. E: Vintage postcards
fig. F: Tulips are my fave!
fig. G: My pinboard

The design process:
Ideas for new designs are constantly bouncing around in our heads. I usually jot things down as I think of them, or I pin things (on my actual pinboard or on my Pinterest boards) that spark new ideas. Sometimes inspiration will come from an object, a trend or even a color palette. Before a design makes an appearance in the store, it usually goes through several revisions, variations and critiques. We’re pros at nudging and tweaking around here!

Here’s a peek at how our minds work…

For the Dylan wedding invitation, I wanted to play with hard lines and feminine details:

With the McKenna wedding invitation we wanted a romantic, vintage feel:

The Arya wedding invitation was inspired by colorful sarees and ornate mehndi:

One of my favorite things to design is our wedding logos. More often than not, these designs begin as quick sketches and it’s such a thrill to see the final designs used by brides to brand their entire event, from invitations to favors. Here’s a look at how a couple of those designs began…

Thanks so much for taking a peek into our world! Congrats to those of you who are recently engaged… we hope you’ll join our circle of fabulous Betsywhite Brides!

fig. 1: Thread art by Dominique Falla / fig. 2: Scallop lanterns via Martha Stewart / fig. 3: Wooden scallop image found here / fig. 4: Thread art by Dominique Falla / fig. 5: Doily image found here / fig. 6 + 7: Gertrude Jekyll and the Country House Garden via Design Sponge / fig. 8: Doily photo by Jose Villa via Style Me Pretty / fig. 9: Image found here / fig. 10: Mehndi image found here

Thank you Gia for sharing all of the prettiness that is your day to day! So inspirational! xoxo, A.Blaire

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2012. | Permalink | 10 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: bestywhite stationery, Stationery
Post categories: The Blog, Wedding Invitations & Stationery

Style Me Pretty California Welcomes Our Advertisers

Emilia Jane — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 13:00:40 +0000

I know it’s early and you probably haven’t finished your Saturday morning coffee yet but I have a little task for you. Take a look over to the right of the screen. Did you know that you had an awesome assortment of local vendors at your fingertips? Not only do we pile on the pretty week after week but you can find any vendor you could ever possibly need. And if you see them here you know they have to be good! We have savvy stationery superstars like BG Design Studio who create oh-so chic handmade paper goods (LOVE that chevron!). Then there’s Milk and Honey Shoes who bring a little extra sparkle to your feet so you can look amazing from your perfectly coifed hair all the way down to your tippy toes! Please join me in welcoming these two rockstars to our California team!

From BG Design Studio… BG Design Studio creates stunning handmade paper goods that are individually tailored to your personality and style. We specialize in wedding invitations, stationery, signage, table numbers, programs, favors and more. Our elegant and chic designs are created not only for aesthetic pleasure, but to instill a sense of wonder and anticipation for your wedding celebration. Let us design custom invites for your special day, and we’ll take your breath away.

From Milk and Honey Shoes… When you’re tired of looking everywhere else, it’s time to take matters into your own hands and design your perfect shoes. You’ve been able to have input on ever other detail for your wedding — the color of your flowers, the font on your invitations, the exact shade of bridesmaids’ dresses — why should your shoes be any different? By designing your own shoes through milk & honey you can get the heel height you want, the style you want, the color, embellishments and have shoes that are uniquely yours!

We hope you love our newest Advertisers as much as we do and make sure to stop by their sites and show them some SMP support! Welcome aboard everyone, we’re happy to have you join our Style Me Pretty California family!

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Post tags: BG Designs, California, Chevron, Handmade, Invitations, Milk and Honey Shoes, Paper Goods, Stationery, Wedding Shoes
Post categories: California Weddings, Welcome Post

Style Me Pretty Texas Welcomes Our Advertisers!

Dawn — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 13:00:48 +0000

It’s no secret that we absolutely, positively love our advertisers here at Style Me Pretty. But, in case you didn’t know… We like them. A lot. And Saturdays like today are extra special, because we get to introduce you to one of those oh-so-fabulous sponsors. Yes, it’s advertisers like Hayden Avery that make all of the pretty possible each and every week here on Style Me Pretty Texas and I just know you are going to love them as much as we do! So, without further ado, the wonderful Hayden Avery!

From Hayden Avery… Hayden Avery was established in 2003 with the goal of providing beautiful custom invitations and stationery for the discerning bride. Hayden Avery carries a carefully curated selection of vendors/artists who offer an array of styles and printing processes – from contemporary letterpress invitations to traditional engraved notes. Nestled in a cottage in the heart of Austin, Texas, the boutique offers a serene setting to select the perfect wedding invitation, that conveys both the formality of the event and the couple’s personality. It is truly a pleasure to get to know and create something tangible for each of our clients at such exciting milestones in life. It is not uncommon, after working with a bride, that Hayden Avery continues to create birth announcements, holiday cards and party invitations for her and her family for years to come. It’s the personal connection and special friendships that make Hayden Avery a unique and fulfilling place for both clients and staff.

Oh how I adore beautiful paper! And I just know you are going to make a beeline straight for their website for even more lovely and to give them a big SMP hello! Welcome to the family, Hayden Avery! We are so happy to have you!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 2 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Hayden Avery, Invitations, Stationery, Texas, Wedding Invitations & Stationery, welcome post
Post categories: Texas Weddings, Welcome Post

Getting to Know Mr. Boddington + Wedding Stationery Tips

A. Blaire — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 12:00:29 +0000

I think it needs to be known that I have a full-on crush for all things Boddington. Mr. Boddington’s Studio, that is. The quirky, fabulous, one of a kind shop – nestled in this little place called New York City – cranks out some of the coolest paper I ever did see. And for a person like myself, whose heart flutters at the site of stylish stationery, Mr. Boddington’s Studio might as well be heaven on earth. When looking at weddings, some people want to see the gown the bride chooses immediately (and I do not blame them one little bit), but I go straight for the paper every time. Beeline. Never fails. So getting the chance to cozy up to one of my favs in the biz was basically like meeting my Brad Pitt (hear that Mr. Boddingon? I think you are pretty cute).

What do you do, how long have you been doing it and what makes you awesome?
I am convinced that we have the most plum piece of wedding planning… stationery! This absolutely must be so because all the darling brides and grooms are giddy with visions, and chatting about them at the invitation stage. Mr. Boddington’s Studio has been in love with brides for over five years now and still gets tickled when a new bride walks into the door. No two are identical.

Now thank you for using the word “awesome”… it is almost vintage, coming straight from the 80s. What makes our studio awesome is the team of artists who work there (production, designers and biscuit buyers). We think that to be creative, first one must find himself in a creative environment. Our studio is a bit like Santa’s workshop… or maybe Snow White and the seven Hipsters. There are gobs of collaboration, music and chatter that keep the space spinning. From this happiness comes brilliant creative!

What kind of weddings do you love the most and what is your favorite trend right now?
Mr. Boddington adores happy brides who cherish a creative experience as much as the end product. Since everything we do is hand tailored, our process is slower than molasses. We hope that our clients revel in each decision… and really step back into the old world when artisan work didn’t happen in forty eight hours. As for trends, hand calligraphy reigns! So does the color charcoal but we imagine that will be gone by the time this blog is posted. I predict a return to deep forest green. Can you imagine?

What is your biggest piece of advice for people planning a wedding?
Keep three bottles of Presecco in your icebox. When you start bickering with your beau about what shade of navy to dress your maids in (and by the way… why doesn’t he care?!), open up the bubbly and take a moment. We suggest three bottles because inevitably there will be three spats. Weddings are over in a flash so the planning is as important as the event itself.

Who are your favorite vendor friends in New York that keep your inspiration flowing?
When I have a grilled gruyere cheese from the Brooklyn Larder, I like to take twenty minutes and get lost in The Selby (online). Ideas pop up faster than I can write. And if I am feeling ambitious, I will walk on the Highline and connect with this stunning city. I wonder if NYC could get married, who he would marry? Maybe Berlin… or is she too saucy for him?

See what I mean? They.are.awesome over there in the studio. Three bottles of processo and NYC marrying Berlin? Both genius. And because I couldn’t resist another chance to pull some wisdom (and keep my crush working full force style), I had to get them to share their top five tips for brides, Boddington style…

Top Five Wedding Stationery Tips from Mr. Boddington

1. Go classic – you won’t regret it later

2. Send out a formal reply set. It will be one of the last times in your life you will receive such a marvelous rush of mail.

3. Book your calligrapher with gobs of time! Afterall, they only have one set of hands.

4. Pocket-size programs are a plus. That way, all your friends can save this gorgeous paper piece instead of leaving it behind in the pew!

5. Frame your invitation and put in your home’s library.

And there you have it folks, if you don’t have a serious crush on all things Boddington now, we’ll have to check your heartbeat!

Stationery: Mr. Boddington’s Studio / Photography: Richard Johnson

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 6 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Mr. Boddington's Studio, Stationery, Vendor, Wedding Advice, Wedding Paper, Wedding Tips
Post categories: New York Weddings

Wiley Valentine Invitations + a Giveaway!

Emilia Jane — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 14:00:05 +0000

If you haven’t had your morning coffee yet, don’t fret, because we have an extra special treat for you that will certainly have you buzzing through the rest of the day. We all know and love the stellar designs of California paper goods designers Wiley Valentine around here. They were part of the genius team behind this dream proposal that we all swooned over a few weeks ago. Well, now it’s your chance to get a little piece of paper heaven from these remarkable artists because we have a fantastic giveaway from the new collections!

Beyond pretty, right? Each piece is whimsical, modern and chic and has its own adorable personality! The new collections feature their signature textured paper, the perfect solution for the bride who loves letterpress, but may not have the budget. All the paper is 100% cotton, tree free for those of you looking to keep your invitations environmentally conscious!

So here’s the drill. Wiley Valentine is giving away a set of 75 save-the-dates (with coordinating printed envelopes) from one of their four latest collections! Head on over to Wiley Valentine and check them out – Tag Love, Flower Forest, Happily Ever After and Banner Love. Once you’re done perusing all the pretty come right back over here and leave us a comment below to fill us in on your favorite collection. One lucky SMP Reader will be randomly chosen on Friday, June 24th. Full terms and regulations of this giveaway can be read here.

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 72 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: California, Giveaway, Invitations, Paper Goods, Save The Dates, Stationery, Wiley Valentine
Post categories: California Weddings, Wedding Invitations & Stationery

Wedding Invitations and Accessories by BellaTerra

Erin — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 14:00:51 +0000

If you are still on the hunt for the perfect stationery and paper goods for your upcoming wedding, then you should definitely take a trip over to BellaTerra’s fabulous website. They are our go to spot for the chicest of chic wedding invitations, adorable favor boxes, fun little labels and tags and all of the goods you’ll need to personalize your event and add your own sense of style.

We are positively smitten with BellaTerra’s collection of lovely invitations and they happen to have a little bit for everyone. With not only custom invitations available for viewing and ordering at their stores but also a huge selection of invitations available online, finding that perfect invite has never been easier. Customize your colors and order directly online… how awesome is that?

BellaTerra’s invites aren’t the only thing we go crazy for. They also have an endless supply of labels, ribbon, escort cards, menus and our personal favorite, their collection of favor boxes. These little gems are not only style savvy but would also add just the right personal touch to your wedding. So grab your coffee and a comfy seat and head over to BellaTerra. You are sure to find an array of lovely details for your big day.

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 7 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: BellaTerra, Stationery
Post categories: Sponsored Posts

Louella Press Giveaway

Elaine — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:00:35 +0000

We’ve had a wave of spectacular (and I mean ah-mazing) weddings for you today… but why stop there?? We wanted to bring you a little something extra special… and thanks to Louella Press, we’re going to do it for free. The sister company of Two Paperdolls (a fabulous design studio in its own right), Louella Press is expanding its line to include letterpress invitations and to celebrate they’re stopping by to bring one very lucky SMP reader quite a treat.

Louella Press is giving away 50 single-color letterpress invitation sets (includes the invitation, envelope, rsvp card, and rsvp envelope) which will be printed on the winner’s choice of either fluorescent white or pearl 110 pound paper. We’re talking a value of approximately $1200 here people. To enter, just hop over to the Louella Press site, browse through their adorable designs (listed on the left side of their page) and pick out your favorite. Then just leave us a comment here telling us a little bit about why it caught your eye and how it will fit it perfectly with your wedding style.

We’ll announce the winner on Friday, March 19th. For more information or to purchase Louella engraved or letterpress designs, contact nicole@twopaperdolls.com.

* Please note that the designs on the Louella Press website are shown as engraved printed invitations but the winner will receive letterpress.*

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2010. | Permalink | 311 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Giveaway, Invitations, Louella Press, Stationery
Post categories: Contests, Wedding Invitations & Stationery

From Inspiration to Reality: The Design, IV

Abby Larson — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 19:25:31 +0000

Being a bit of a stationery snob, I was kind of over the moon to see the stationery pieces that were included in today’s shoot. Designed by Sara Fitzgerald O’Brien of Griffin-vites Stationery they were actually one of the elements that I loved the most…and in a room this gorgeous, that says a lot. Who knew that roosters could be so freaking chic. Sara is an absolutely awesome designer who clearly took the inspiration and ran with it! Love, love, love.

From Meagan, the designer behind the shoot…Sara of Griffin-vites Stationery created all of the custom stationery elements, incorporating her original watercolor artwork onto high-quality textured papers. The invitation suite was accented with an illustrated hand-lined envelope and rustic twine & feather embellishment.

The vow booklets for bride and groom each featured half of a nest illustration, that when held together formed one complete nest and were bound with rustic twine tassels. The unique vow booklets are one of Sara’s signature custom items, offering the newlywed couple a keepsake of their words exchanged during the wedding ceremony. Thin place card paper ‘ribbons’ featured the tiniest of rooster illustrations, also found on the table numbers and menu cards. The paper ribbons with hand-notched ends, displayed guests’ names, printed in pale blue and were tucked perfectly into the miniature nest favors at each place setting.

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 9 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: From Inspiration to Reality, Griffin-vites, Rooster, Stationery
Post categories: From Inspiration to Reality, Wedding Invitations & Stationery