the fairmount bride

Down the Yellow Brick Road

I am currently in the process of figuring the design of my wedding invitations, which has turned out to be quite a task.  I cannot for the life of me make up my mind about how I want them designed, and put together.  (Thank goodness my friend Meredith, of grafikmac designs, is designing the invites and has the patience to deal with me!)  However, one thing that I know I definitely want to include is a replica of a hand drawn map that my parent's used as the directions for their wedding. 

I love the idea of carrying on the tradition, and at the same time, doing something a little out of the ordinary to give directions to get around Amelia Island.  I am lucky because I have a map that means something to me, and I want to copy, but for those who like the idea and are looking to do something similar, take a look at Lauren Hooper's Calligraphy.  She is a full time calligrapher, who specializes in custom design maps, invitations and envelopes.  Her calligraphy is beautiful, and her maps are so charming and unique.   Here are a few I especially enjoy.. 

 

And make sure after your done picking out your favorite map, to take a swing by A Lucky Orchid Wedding, where Lauren offers great ideas and tips for your big day! 

(the bottom three pictures are taken from Lauren Hooper's Calligraphy)

   

To Placecard or Not to Placecard...

Recently, I was in a conversation with girlfriends regarding the use of placecards at my reception.  I told them we are having stations, rather than a sit down dinner, and I was not using placecards.  Why would I?  The feel of our wedding is more laid back, we don't want a the formal feel of people being assigned to one table over another.  In addition, we don't necessarily want everyone to sit down at one time to eat, the food will be out all evening, so when people are ready they can sit at any table and grab a bite.  Apparently, that was the wrong answer!

They were adament, we need to put placecards out so that people know where to sit.  Their point being that it can get awkward when guests don't know a lot of people, where should they go?  I countered with the argument of being the single person, put at a table where you don't know anyone.  Whose right?  We both are.  For us, we opt to not have the formal feel that placecards may create.  However, I think at other weddings, placecards are beautiful and make complete sense.  I think they can add a great decorative element, tying in the colors of the wedding, and allowing a little personal touch from the bride and groom.  And if I were to choose to have placecards, I would definitely look to these to draw some ideas...

 

Amazing color...

There is something really sweet and romantic about the dragonflies.  I also really like the floral drawings on each..

I like the simplicity of the cards, and the use of fresh flowers to add some color on the placecard table...

So classic....

(All photos from www.theknot.com)