It's A Date Design Blog

Nemesha's Gift Basket

2010-01-19T17:24:00.001+11:00

Another gift basket post - I am such a hamper convert now that I've realised how easy/versatile these little projects can be and how fun they are to put together. This basket was made for our lovely friend Nemesha for her birthday on the weekend, and we had some help as to the theme: she loves the outdoors and had put in a gift request with her attentive husband for the RACV Tourist Park Guide. From there, we selected a few complimentary gifts to go with it: a cute flask from IKEA, a gift voucher to Kathmandu, and then filled the basket with yummy "outdoors-y" treats such as mixed nuts, organic chocolate, and yogurt covered fruit... maybe not all those things are healthy, but they all looked delicious!

My favourite part is always the wrapping, and I used a few wired scented flowers I had in my studio, brown string and pretty ribbon, as well as a cute brown paper envelope for a gift card, and lots of cello! It can be difficult to pick a present from all the different options available out there, but I'm guessing that if you make it personal, and all about the person you are celebrating with, then you can't go too far wrong.

Inspiration Board: Aqua, Red and Silver

2010-01-13T17:24:00.005+11:00

Another inspiration board, using another tour poster as a starting point. It certainly helps that the Avett Brothers album has not left my iTunes playlist for several weeks! I'm also kind of obsessed with the idea of having bridesmaids in winter jackets if you were getting married in a cooler climate... I just think that would look neat and is a nice twist on traditional dresses!

Sources: Aqua Gift Wrap, Avett Brothers tour poster by Subject Matter Studio, Boston '09, Lift Airlines brand and identity by Monina Velarde (found via DesignWorkLife), "Reach For The Blue Sky" coat from ModCloth, Red Dahlia picture, Red and Aqua bridesmaids from Project Wedding, Red Converse Shoes, Red and Aqua tablescape from Coco+Kelley, Red and Aqua trinkets from Martha Stewart and Keepsake Kites from Martha Stewart.

GPO Wedding Expo

2010-01-04T02:18:00.001+11:00

It's A Date Event Design was recently involved in creating stationery and decor for the 2009 GPO Wedding Expo, which was held in the Balcony Room of the GPO Restaurant here in Bendigo. It was a great honour to be asked to contribute some of my ideas and stationery design to the expo, which were utilised on three different display tablescapes, and I had a wonderful time collaborating with Miranda of The Eternal Vase and Lisa of GPO, and a local events hire business. Here are some photos for your viewing pleasure!

"Very Cosmopolitan" Table
Inspired by the decor of GPO and the elegance of the Balcony room, this table scape is all about cocktails and a glam night out. My favourite elements were Miranda's cocktail glass masterpieces - beautiful plumes of red tropical flowers and little crystal decorations. I created the menus, table favours, wine labels, place mats, gift/name tags and stickers.

"Green Garden Party" Table
This table was so fresh and fun, I really think the colour scheme lends itself to the ultimate in a relaxed, sophisticated garden party. Apples are pretty fun props too! I created the hanging tree tags (which can be used as wish trees or just as decoration!), the apple placecard flags, placemats, table number and cider tags.

"Feathers and Lace" Table
The vintage glamour look is still so popular that decorating a table in this style was almost a given! There is a travel element to this table as well, which is fun! I created the table number, champagne glass favours, placemats, gift tags and gift bags.

All photography taken by James Sann Photography - of course!

We also prepared a "Supplier's List" of where we got all our decor bits and pieces as a .pdf document, if you'd like to view it or download it, click here. Great fun and a fantastic night ... looking forward to lots more tablescape design, and projects with these lovely ladies in the future!

Our Favourite Invitation Designers of 2009

2009-12-31T00:45:00.006+11:00

Whilst it's time for everyone's end of year list (or end of decade if you feel that way inclined!) I thought I'd do a quick tribute to the invitation designers that have really inspired me over the past twelve months. Some of the events fell in 2008, but these are the designs I've always come back to when my inspiration needed a kick start this year and all the designers (and clients) deserve a massive congratulations on achieving such a high standard of invitation design. Hopefully they'll be an inspiration to you too!

Courtney and Brian's Save The Dates

First Seen at: Head Vs. Heart. Image property of it's owner.

Courtney is a design idol of mine with her fabulous blogs Design Work Life and Head Vs. Heart: the latter being a blog focused on her design ideas and inspirations for her own upcoming nuptials to her partner (in design and in life!) Brian. This project is just lovely - the perfect taster for what is sure to be a beautifully styled and celebrated wedding. My favourite details are their stunning use of type, the colour navy and the use of the map in the envelope liners. Congratulations on a stunning work of art Courtney! I really can't wait to see the wedding invites now.

Lauren and Ryan's Wedding Invitation Suite

First Seen at: Green Wedding Shoes. Image property of it's owner.

This was one of those projects that just blew me away, and I was thinking about it for hours after I first saw it and marveling at the amazing level of detail involved. Projects like these make me all the more sure that an invitation is so much more than a request to attend something, so much more than a list of instructions: it's a prelude, it's a teaser, and it can often be an event in it's own right! A story of how Lauren and Ryan met at "high sea" - complete with storybook, library card pocket RSVP card, vintage Save The Date postcard... the details are breathtaking. The bride created this work of art, and I believe she is now in business making these fabulous creations. Wow!

Erin Jang (and pretty much everything she touches)

First Seen at: Erin's Flickr Page. Images property of Erin Jang.

I simply can't pick a favourite, Erin Jang is a genius. I feel her work is everything one aspires to, as a graphic designer, typographer and a fine artist - it's polished and friendly and unexpected. I adore her work and I'm sure her lucky clients feel the same!

Grace and Aaron's Wedding Invitation Suite

First Seen at: Design Sponge. Image property of it's owner.

When the editor and blogstress of Design Sponge plans her wedding, one thing is for sure: it's going to be a beautifully styled affair, with lots of little handmade touches. Aaron and Grace's invites live up to this expectation and a little more so: designed by talented design studio, Bird and Banner: woodgrain, screen-printed vintage handkerchiefs and modern type. Perfection.

Kathleen and Jeremy's Wedding Invitation Suite

First Seen at: Oh So Beautiful Paper. Image property of it's owner.

This design by A Cup of Jo is wonderfully quirky and fun - and great word use NEVER goes astray. All the components make my heart sing. I think vellum paper is notoriously hard to use well, but they've nailed it here. This would be such an exciting package to receive in the mail!

Ellie and Brendan's Wedding Invitation Suite

First Seen at: Mint. Image property of it's owner.

Ellie, another talented blog writer of the delightful design blog Mint, learned how to Gocco print, designed and assembled these cheery and trendy invitations during the lead-up to her marriage to her partner Brendan. Reading about the process was a definite highlight: she was extremely genuine and humble about her experiences and really involved her readership, which made the end result even more amazing when it was revealed! The invitation design experience certainly treated Ellie well as she now owns and runs the adorable invitation design studio Hello Tenfold.

Survival Kit Halloween Invitations

First Seen at: Adventures in Renovating a Brooklyn Limestone. Image property of it's owner.

These definitely put my attempt to shame, but they're so unique and wonderful, I think they'll inspire me for years and years and years to come! Everything you need to survive Halloween from the various creatures roaming about. Guests must have been completely psyched for this party upon receiving such an inventive little pack - they really are just so impressive.

Nashville Wedding Invitations

First Seen at: Beast Pieces. Image property of it's owner.

This was just one of those suites that made me swoon a little. I'm a sucker for woodgrain, for sophisticated, well-used type, and for the bundle of components that make up this package. Designed by the groom, Jefferson Perky of Perky Bros. and printed by Studio on Fire.

Amanda and Braydan's Wedding Invitation Suite

First Seen at: Oh So Beautiful Paper. Image property of it's owner.

Another multi-component invitation suite - I'm sure you see a trend here, but I really love how many different shapes and graphic styles are used here - it's all cohesive, it really works. The bride, Amanda, designed and Gocco printed these invites, and her design choices tell their story: nature and trees represent the couple's love of nature and the overall theme/motif of the event, and maps were used to represent the physical distance between the couple in their early relationship.

Katie and Ben's Wedding Invitation Suite

First Seen at: Oh So Beautiful Paper. Image property of it's owner.

A 2008 wedding but a timeless design: Katie of Chelle Paperie designed these gorgeous paper pieces for her wedding that come together to form such a cute suite. Silhouettes! Bakers twine! Beautiful type! Custom illustration! I love the colour scheme and the general aesthetic of the whole set - it's very welcoming, hearty and stylish. All the items were also personalised for each guest, which I feel is always a thoughtful gesture.

There are so many more invitations to mention but these are just a few outstanding projects that really do make invitations and stationery such a fun area of design to be involved in.

Happy New Year to all our readers, clients and friends - thank you for your support this year and all the best for everything 2010 has to offer!
x It's A Date Event Design

James Sann Photography: Sarah and Matt

2009-12-29T19:22:00.001+11:00

James is finishing up on the post-processing of another wedding we shot in Echuca earlier this year for Sarah and Matt. It was a bit of a family affair as I had also designed their invitation suite for their wedding. I'm sure you'll agree that they make an absolutely stunning couple and Sarah's attention to detail of all the beautiful pinks and oranges that she used in wedding design were unique and unusual - a job really well done.

James also did a brilliant job of capturing what a lovely and emotion-filled day it was. I love the dreamy quality of this shot and how Sarah's headpiece looks in the sun.

Here is a detail of the invitation suite - it featured a chocolate box themed booklet to tie in with Sarah and Matt's candy buffet plans for the reception:

Congratulations Sarah and Matt!

Inspiration Board: Mustard

2009-12-27T20:42:00.003+11:00

I thought it might be fun to make a colour/pattern inspiration board based on how certain music makes me feel. If I can keep it up, I'll try to make it into a series for all you indie-music-loving brides-to-be out there.

This board would be perfect inspiration for a garden wedding: something low key, perhaps with picnic baskets, a barrel full of icy Coronas and some great tunes by a backyard DJ... Bliss.

Sources: "Huntington Beach Wedding" from WeddingChicks.com, Golden Yellow Cakes (illustration) from abd-cbh.com, B&W Fabric Sample, Florence Broadhurst/Signature Prints, Tommy's suit, detail, from Green Wedding Shoes, Yellow Gingham Picnic Basket from Martha Stewart, California Poppy Dress by Modcloth, "Lucia #3" from Design Sponge, Grizzly Bear "Fly Flower Poster" from Insound, Syrup bottle placeholders from Country Living, Yellow Leaves, Old Tree from WeHeartIt.com, Kate Spade stationery from Black White Bliss.

James Sann Photography: Presentation Folder

2009-12-22T16:26:00.002+11:00

As a quick, fun project last night, James and I made a cute folder to give to his clients when he is presenting them with their DVD of images. I think it is a great way to showcase his work and also make a DVD case a little bit more exciting!

A Night at the Movies Gift Basket

2009-12-12T23:05:00.004+11:00

James and I put together this gift basket for James' sister and her partner for our Secret Santa gift, themed around a night at the movies. Kari and Jason have a new infant son and we thought a night out at the flicks might be a nice treat for them. This is another first attempt but I think it turned out well, and I would highly recommend giving it a go if you're at a loss for a gift: particularly as this kind of thing suits any type of budget, you can make it very personalised and it's so easy to do yourself.

The basket included a voucher to Village Cinemas, a bottle of red and white (Kari and Jason's favourites), cheeses, biscuits, and my favourite: two little boxes filled with microwave popcorn, candy and various chocolate varieties, perfect for bringing along to the movies. I created wraps for both the bottles of wine, little noodle boxes for the snacks, and cardboard cut out letters for the "K" and "J", tied with twine.

The patterns I used were from the amazing resource that is the Wedding Style Guide download section. As I'm not particularly inclined to use typical Christmas colours, I really loved the light blue, red and caramel together, it looks so modern and fun. Cellophane and ribbon keeps everything together for our travels to deliver it!

Photography: James Sann.

Styling and Design Project: Kristy and Tony

2009-12-03T21:42:00.000+11:00

We created a few bits and pieces to compliment a wedding suite we created for our clients Kristy and Tony - James was good enough to assist me in the set up AND act as official photographer once we were done (on a very hot day in Echuca, so he earned double the amount of usual brownie points!)

The table favours Kristy and Tony chose were wine bottles, red and white alternating. We created gift tags that doubled as place tags, as well as the actual wine labels. Children attending the event were treated to a mini bottle of lemonade.

We also created a custom guest book, which consisted of pages of envelopes and matching note cards where guests could "leave a letter for the newlyweds", and custom tags for the disposable cameras on each table.

Gum leaves were scattered on each table, underneath the pretty vines that decorate the function room of Radcliffe's in Echuca.

Congratulations Kristy and Tony!

James Sann Photography: Claire and Adam

2009-12-02T18:26:00.000+11:00

I'm very lucky to be married to a photographer who lets me tag along on wedding shoots: I get to hang out with him and his amazing clients in lovely locations, learn more about taking wedding portraits and capturing those candid moments, as well as try my hand at styling some of the shots (which I really enjoy). However, there are some crazy moments when you are traipsing through long grass in a paddock in the middle of nowhere with arms full of equipment and thunder booming ominously behind you, where you think, "this is insane, what are we doing?!"

But then you see the shot, and realise how much vision your husband has, and you are very very proud of him.

Congratulations Claire and Adam!

Halloween 2009

2009-12-01T19:11:00.001+11:00

James and I hosted a small screening to celebrate Halloween this year. James is an avid film fan and picked some very entertaining films for us to watch. We sent out these invitations the week preceding Halloween (because I really can't resist even if it's only a small, informal gathering!)

I decided to have a go at creating a snack buffet for our guests referencing the theme we happened to pick for the evening, which was the "True Blood" television series. We had such a fun time putting it together: we made custom labels for our own "True Blood" concoction (which, incidentally, was a mixture of Agrum and red food dye, which tasted quite delicious!), and other delicacies such as "Poison Profiteroles" and "Stake-Through-The-Heart Cupcakes". Here are some pictures James took of our efforts.

I can't wait to do something like this again next year.