WedWed - Wedding Wednesday {11}

Invitation Inspiration

Way back in the WedWed series, I explained how I created our save-the-date. I stated: "I wish I were a grand illustrator able to delicately craft one-of-a-kind invitations with my Heidelberg letterpress, but the truth is that I have to improvise and use what I have...and that's photography." At the end of the post, I wrote that it was good practice to use the skills I already had and materials I already owned to create something great. While I am very pleased with the way the save-the-dates turned out, I've since decided that perhaps I shouldn't settle. If I want to keep the DIY design spirit and my dream of having illustrated wedding invitations alive, I need to take out a pencil and go for it!

Above: Preliminary invitation idea sketches inspired by our engagement.

I shared early invitation sketches a couple WedWeds back (above), and have since had some airport lounging time to gain inspiration from images of our venue, Robinswood House, as well as various internet sources. 

Above: Robinswood House {south patio} where we plan to host a post-ceremony cocktail hour. Image via Seattle Bride.

Boasted as one of the oldest homesteads in our area, Robinswood is at once dark, green, and cheery. I kept that in mind as I prepared the following mood boards...

images {clockwise from top}: German Antique Chromolithograph of Geological Formations from Bananastrudel; kraft paper envelope from JAM Paper & Envelope; Map Envelopes & Paper from JAM Paper & Envelope; Holiday Stamps from USPS.

Chris and I share an interest in maps and botanical illustration, so I felt it was appropriate to tie those elements in. My favorite is the geological diagram above! Those map envelopes are pretty great too.

images {clockwise from top right}: Heart Portrait Print from Rifle Paper Co.; Mountain Cottage save-the-date from Bird & Banner; Native and Cultivated Conifers of Northeastern North America: A Guide by Edward A Cope, illustrated by Bente Starcke King from Amazon.

In addition to the first mood board, we needed something with a bit more of a fun-loving feeling. I enjoy the whimsy of Bird & Banner's Mountain Cottage save-the-date (bottom right) and the heart portrait by Rifle Paper Co (top right). Bente Starcke King's Northeastern conifer illustrations are also quite charming.

With an image of Robinswood House and the two mood boards by my side, I'm ready to start drawing!