Menu card inspiration
There are as many ways to present menu cards as there are ways to design receptions. Below are a few ways from classic to modern, casual to formal.
Traditionally, the bride and groom’s name or duogram and the date of the wedding appear at the top of the card, then the menu follows with wine either noted alongside courses or at the bottom of the card. The menu card usually matches the place card, both in the stock of the paper it’s printed on and possibly with the repetition of a motif or monogram (see Kathryn’s invitation below — she used the wreath motif throughout her wedding on printed materials).
Although menus can be shared, they usually go on each place setting, and can double as place cards. In that instance, the guest’s name would be hand calligraphed or printed at the top of the menu (see Kathyrn’s menu for an example).
When outdoors, it’s best to have the menu tucked into a folded napkin or secured in another way so it’s not picked up by the wind.
A classic menu that uses a mix of calligraphy and type, for a rehearsal dinner featured on Snippet and Ink and photographed by Kristen Loken.
A modern calligraphed menu, photographed by Karen Mordechai, by Betsy Dunlap for Sunday Suppers.
Kathryn’s classic wedding menu, photographed by Elizabeth Messina, used the wreath motif that appeared on many printed goods at her wedding. Her menu cards also doubled as place cards — guests’ names were calligraphed by Maybelle Imasa-Stukuls at the top of each card.
A casual wedding menu photographed by Suzanne Christine Photography and featured on Martha Stewart Weddings. The bride and groom used a repetitive stamp motif on their day-of paper goods.
This menu, photographed by Timothy K. Lee and originally featured on MSW, doubled as a napkin band — a great solution for an outdoor event!
monogram etiquette
Monograms are a staple in the south. You’ll see them on cars (yes, cars), pillow cases, embroidered cocktail napkins, and, of course, at weddings. But, did you know that it is a breech of etiquette to use a “duo-gram” (a monogram that uses the bride and groom’s first name initials and the initial of his last name) on any printed materials prior to your marriage? A duo-gram should be reserved for printed materials following the ceremony (cocktail napkins at the reception, like above, or thank you notes). If you’d like to use a monogram on your invitation or programs, it is most appropriate to use the initials of the bride and groom’s first names (see the wooden stirrer above for an example).
photo by Melissa Musgrove via Martha Stewart Weddings
banner day
photos: 1- via Martha Stewart; 2- programs by Bird & Banner featured in Martha Stewart via Invitation Crush; 3- Weather balloon sign by Jordan Ferney at Oh Happy Day; 4- Letterpress cards by Seesaw Designs via Paper Crave; 5- Banner via Green Wedding Shoes photographed by Ali Degraff Photography}
illustrated wedding details
There’s nothing quite as personal & meaningful as a hand drawn wedding detail…
photos: Katie’s programs originally featured here, photographed by Cooper Carras; Program by Anna Bond of Rifle Design; Doodle Cake by My Sweet and Saucy; Illustration by Paperfinger via Wedding Invite Love
chevron + bows
Love this sweet stationery designs by Emily Ranneby at Minted. Wouldn’t they make darling bridesmaids gifts?
{ribbon design and chevron both at minted}
pretty penmanship
{1- Pretty Pen Jen photographed by Katie Stoops; 2- Paperfinger via Cool Hunting; 3- Betsy Dunlap via things are better with a parrot on flickr; 4- Love, Jenna via wit & whimsy ; 5-Neither Snow}
geometric
Loving all of the geometric prints and patterns I’ve been seeing lately — contemporary with a little retro throw back, perfect for a modern bride & a modern wedding.
{1 – diamond print; 2 + 3 Geometric Prints by Graphic Nothing via print & pattern; 4 – rug; 5 – book Geometric: Graphic Art and Pattern via Creative Review; 6 – Alphabet print by Tim Fishlock via Black*Eiffel; 7 – Geometric Garland via Loveology; 8 – Cake via Martha Stewart Weddings; 9 – Invitation by Lizzy B Loves; 10 – Dwell invitation at Wedding Paper Divas; 11 – Anna Gardner invitation at Minted}
guest book posters
Three of our clients have used Quaker-style marriage certificates in lieu of guest books. Such a nice reminder of the day and who celebrated with you. And unlike other guest book options, a certificate is something you can enjoy hanging in your home for years to come!
{1 – MaeMae Paperie via 100 Layer Cake photographed by Weddings By Two; 2 – Martha Stewart Weddings; 3 – by Orleans Paper}
save the date ideas
Save the dates can be so much fun. Because they deliver just a little bit of information, as opposed to a wedding invitation, which has much more responsibility, you have the freedom to be just as creative as you want to be! The image above isn’t meant to be a save the date, but it could be — such a sweet + simple design. Below is a design by Cheree Berry. And, beneath it, two from the new Martha Stewart Weddings, which is full of fun save the date ideas.
take a chance
How cool is this installation by Cherre Berry at Kate Spade’s St. Louis store? Shaped around the idea of “take a chance,” shoppers drew cards from envelopes encouraging pure fun…laugh out loud, eat cake for breakfast, smile at strangers. These are all things I can get behind 100%. Every morning should start with sweets, in my opinion.
{via style notes}
