While I absolutely love working with all of my couples, it’s always extra special when the bride is one of your closest friends and you’re also in their wedding! I remember when Casey first told me how she was going on a second date with this new guy Chris, and fast forward 8 years later they are officially married! Casey and I met in the first days of college because we lived on the same floor in our (all-girls and no air conditioning) dorms at Philadelphia University. She would come bring me food and drinks in the sewing lab as I was working and just sit with me and keep me company. If that doesn’t show what kind of incredible human being Casey is, I don’t know what will! I was honored when I was asked to be a bridesmaid and then work on some really fun pieces for her wedding.

We first started with Save the Dates and I used the engagement photos that were taken by the talented Nichole of Nichole MCH Photography. I love how their photos turned out - they were so fun and light so I chose fonts to match the overall vibe. We then printed their wedding website on the back for guests to have all of the info they needed for the Lake George wedding weekend as well as hotel information because guests needed to book early.

The next event we designed for was the bridal shower! Casey loves to travel so we wanted to bring Italy to her with an Italian countryside vibe and the “Casey Found Her Main Squeeze” theme. For the invites, I created this pretty blue watercolor pattern that was printed on the front and back and then carried throughout the rest of the decor. The lemon printed on the metallic pearl envelopes was a fun touch too! Guests were first greeted by a light blue acrylic welcome sign and then they came upon the lemonade bar (my personal favorite!). For a unique shower favor, I created waterproof and scratch proof labels for the delicious homemade limoncello one of the other bridesmaids made and bottled.

Finally it was time for their wedding! I removed the paint from the bridal shower acrylic sign and peeled off the vinyl in order to transform it into a fun rehearsal dinner welcome sign. Other signage I created was the always important drink sign - but with some twists. Casey and Chris share a love of Formula 1 and those racing elements were added throughout the wedding. For the signature cocktail sign we added some racing checkerboard and fonts that matched perfectly with the flags that were on the bar and tables. Chris is also a huge coffee lover and had to include Black Rife Coffee Company into the wedding. I designed a sign that gave the look of a cool coffee shop logo.

The best part of the design process though are the invites and I’m obsessed with how they turned out! I painted the mountains of Lake George for the main invitation card and then added a blue watercolor wash to the other cards to give a water-vibe to the rest of the suite. The timeline card helps keep guests on track throughout the weekend and I loved adding the little s’mores and fire icon to the Details card. I mean how cute is that?! Their first date ended with getting s’mores and they had it at the wedding as well. A printed monogram vellum belly band held all of the cards together and the suite fit perfectly into the navy blue envelopes. I later took the mountains painting and put them onto their escort cards and stickers for the hotel bag stickers so that everything was cohesive and matching.

Congrats, Casey and Chris! It was an honor standing by your side at your wedding but it’s an even bigger honor to be your friend. Here’s to a lifetime of craft cocktails, Formula 1, and Lake George weekends!

VENDORS:

Photography: Caitlin Miller Photography

Venue: Blue Water Manor

Coffee: Black Rifle Coffee Company

Bridesmaid Dresses: Birdy Grey

Stationery and Day-Of Items: Slate + Brush Design Studio