Hello, folks! We have been busy with a lot of projects, and it’s about time that we catch up and share some of the behind the scenes with you. First up is a modern take on a seaside wedding affair with lots of unexpected touches and sass.

This photo shoot was the brainchild of Brea McDonald and Azalea Events with whom we were very excited to work. Red and white stripes, a vintage tandem bike, and a magnificent home off the rocky shores of Maine were some tidbits that were described to us — it sounded like way too much fun to pass up! We were immediately inspired by the meaning and playfulness of the tandem bike and kept this as the focus for the paper details. Using bright red and gold inks, we paired the imagery with clean type going at an angle for a bold statement. We designed and letterpress printed everything from the invitation suite to the escort cards, menus, signage, and coasters.

I sadly could not make it to the shoot but the photos say it all. Seeing all of the creative elements come together from the bike wheels turned chandeliers to the champagne bar on the beach made me smile in glee. And lucky for us, the talented Meg Simone worked her magic and caught the highlights of the day on video. To top everything off, this oh-so-pretty shoot made its way in the first issue of WellWed Maine and New Hampshire. We are thrilled not only for the opportunity to work with such inspiring wedding professionals but also to be in the pages of Well Wed Magazine!

photography by Brea McDonald Photography // event design by Azalea Events // cinematography by Meg Simone Wedding Films // catering by Kitchen Chicks // floral design by Blooms Flower Shoppe // dress by Madeleine’s Daughter // props by Day Trip Society // letterpress stationery by Smudge Ink

We are excited to be a part of the Seaside Wedding Show taking place at Castle Hill on the Crane Estate. I’ve heard wonderful things about the Crane Estate from our brides and grooms who have gotten married there, but I have not had the pleasure of going myself.  So when the opportunity came to participate in the event, I was elated! I have no doubt I will be drawn to its grand architecture and ocean views as so many have. 

If you’re dreaming of a regal backdrop for your wedding and want to meet some wedding experts in the region, I highly recommend that you come join us. And or course, we’ll be there ready to show off our work and talk about invitations! Details are as follows:

Sunday, April 21 at noon

The Crane Estate
290 Argilla Road
Ipswich, Massachusetts

Tickets are available online today for $10 or on the day of the show at the door for $15. 

Photo credit: Schippert & Martin

And we’re back! My apologies for the radio silence over here on our weddings blog. Now that have returned from the holidays (some of us more tan than others), we are excited to kick off the 2013 wedding season. Happy engagement to all of you couples out there who are looking forward to saying their “I do’s” this year!

You’re likely glowing from all of the excitement until you start writing out lists of everything that needs to get done. Why not tackle some of that planning and be amused, delighted, and just plain ol’ inspired! Here’s where the Lovesick Expo comes in. Get to know vendors, check out the sleek green space at the Artists for Humanity, or catch a circus show (no, seriously). We’ll be there with our letterpress wedding collection and ready to get your ideas on paper! 

Hope to see you on January 20. Don’t worry, you’ll be back home in time to catch the next episode of Downton Abby! More info and tickets: www.lovesick.expo.com. 

When Emily from mstarr event styling + design asked us to be part of a team of wedding vendors to create a tablescape for the Peterson Party Center showroom, I knew it would be a fun project. Emily is always brimming with ideas and getting the chance to work with her is like watching a kid at the candy store. Her vision for the project all began with fabric that she had picked up in some bargain bin and her resolve to find it the perfect farm table.

With its hand drawn leaf and berry elements, our Della suite came to mind as the perfect complement to the warm rustic look that Emily was planning. And seeing Della letterpress printed in a grayish brown and a pop of fuschia, I knew we hit it right on! Of course, the look wouldn’t be close to finished without the talents of Petal Floral Design (yes, I’m a sucker for airplants too!), Letter Be Calligraphy and Hello Love Photography. First step to a gorgeous table is great company! Thanks again to Emily and Peterson Party Center for making it all happen.

photography by Hello Love Photography // tables, chairs, linen, china & glassware by Peterson Party Rental // table design by mStarr event styling + design // floral design by Petal Floral Design // calligraphy by Letter Be Calligraphy // letterpress stationery by Smudge Ink

Wedding planning can get overwhelming, I know. But if you have a good understanding of what’s ahead, it makes it easier to take things step by step. I put together a basic timeline to help brides and grooms become familiar with the invitation process. Below I break down the major things you’ll need to think about doing each month as you approach your wedding day. The timeline reflects the process of working with us at Smudge Ink although I think anyone will find it helpful regardless of your chosen stationer. Again, this is just a general guide. Your wedding is unique as well as your needs so in addition to having a timeline it’s important to find the right people who will help you through from start to finish!

A big part of my job is passing along advice and tips to brides and grooms. One in particular hit home recently (as I prepare for my own upcoming nuptials!), and I thought this would make a good public service announcement for everyone planning to mail out their wedding invitations.

Become familiar with the photo below. I guarantee you will receive some replies indicating “accepts” or “regrets” and otherwise left entirely blank. What you see below is only one of several that came back to me like this. Now let’s see if I can guess which of my many guests is responding… yeah, not fun.

So what’s a simple trick to get around this? Before you assemble your invitations, take the time to lightly pencil a number on every reply card that matches an assigned number from your guest list. That way even if they come back blank, you can track whose response it is by the number on the back. Phew, a potentially awkward situation averted!

The best part of invitation design is that our clients are always approaching us with new and different ideas. Some have already fallen in love with a particular suite in our wedding collection, and others have set their eyes on something that is designed completely from scratch. Seeing how these ideas unfold and result in a happy bride and groom is extremely gratifying. Sometimes you hit the perfect shape and size, embellishment, or solution to a practical challenge and you feel like a million bucks. So if you’re looking for one-of-a-kind invitations, give us a holler and we’ll make it happen. Here’s just a sampling of custom projects we’ve enjoyed in the past. See more here.

I find myself daydreaming of being by the poolside these days. The hot summer weather and Olympics fever certainly doesn’t help. A glistening pool is not only great for cooling off in, but also makes a great centerpiece for any wedding. Add a few luxe cabanas, bold stripes, and swaying palm trees, and you’ve got a seriously fun and chic event. Add in a synchronized swimming routine (by the beautiful Aqualillies no less), and you have a perfect 10! 

top row : hold hands shot by Lane Dittoe, from Wedding Chicks / Raleigh Hotel pool shot by Karen Kristian Photography, from Martha Stewart Weddings /// 2nd row: pink flowers shot by Candace Benjamin Photography, from Style Me Pretty / Aqualillies shot by Nancy Neil, found on Snippet and Ink / fashion forward guest shot by Max Wanger, found on 100 Layer Cake /// 3rd row: cocktail hour shot by by Leigh Miller Photography, found on Style Me Pretty / cabana designed by Jarlath Mellett, shot by Patrick Cline, from Lonny Magazine.

There is nothing I enjoy more than helping two individuals express themselves as a couple through their wedding stationery. I am engaged myself and our big day is fast approaching (only 2 months to go, eek!). Being in this type of work, you’d think I’d have it all figured out but I’m learning it feels very different to have the tables turned on you. Fortunately, coming up with our save the dates was a fun process that started as a conversation over breakfast one Saturday morning and resulted in a rough sketch on paper a couple hours later.

Having a destination wedding (hello, Santa Fe!), we thought it would be fun to die cut chipboard in the shape of a luggage tag that our guests could then pop out. The playful yet modern format pretty much set the tone for the rest of the design. We used a map to visually tell the story of our journey together. And on the back, we injected some of our random humor by adding blank fields to enter your Twitter feed and Myers-Briggs personality type. With everyone’s help at the studio I was able to get all of the details just right for printing. And like all of the invitations that come off the press, the final result far exceeded our expectations. We were so excited that we even threw in some string for good measure. You can bet we will be eyeing our guests’ luggage as they arrive! 

There is something about Cape Cod that makes it such an idyllic destination for weddings. Talk about inviting backdrops—the open waters on one side or breezy shore dotted with whitewashed cottages on the other. Even more than the beautiful scenery, however, I am always taken by the thick salty air and sounds of lapping waves which surround me like a well-worn quilt. I guess what draws me to the Cape is how it assumes a classic air but makes everyone feel right at ease. For some, like Kate, it is home (and where Smudge Ink was born!) and for others like myself, it reminds me of everything that home should be. So perhaps now you know why our Chatham wedding invitation suite is also one my favorites!

top row : bridal party shot by GH Kim Photography, from Style Me Pretty / wedding invitation by Weddings by Smudge Ink /// 2nd row: bouquet by Stoneblossom Floral & Event Design, shot by Simple Bloom Photography, from 100 Layer Cake / matchboxes shot by Lisa Rigby Photography, found on Style Me Pretty / clams and oysters shot by Sarah Bastille Photography /// 3rd row: rowboat romance shot by Bryce Covey Photography / escort cards shot by Elizabeth Horne Photography, from Style Me Pretty.