2nd Annual Derby Day Invitations

It's time for the Chism's second annual Derby Day party! Our invitations were featured on Oh So Beautiful Paper yesterday and I am excited to show you all the details!

After designing a fun and informative Derby invitation last year, I wanted this year's design to be equally as special, without overlapping in style since we were inviting a lot of the same people.

I wanted to wow guests right out of the mailbox, so I planned the envelopes as much as the invitations. I used white, digital ink for the addresses, and each envelope had a mix of vintage postage that I curated from various Etsy shops. Aren't they perfect?!

The invitations were square gate fold format, but I had the back facing up, so that when guests open the envelope, the first thing they see is "2nd Annual Derby Day'.

When they flip it over, the cards were sealed with a little bow-tie sticker. The green stickers popped on the background of patterns, inspired by jockey silks.

On the inside, I utilized the unique format to layout the party details. From the mint juleps and southern snacks to requesting guest wear 'derby attire', I made sure I all the information was there but love how the layout was simple and fresh. We had fun with the puns too: calling our house 'Chism Downs' and asking guests to RSVP with yay or 'neigh'.

Featured: Crawfish + Cake Birthday Invitations on OSBP

It started a few years ago… one crawfish boil invitation turned into another and another …  I just keep getting to design invitations for these awesome gatherings of crawfish eaters! I have so much fun with this theme and find it's a fun challenge to work with the same theme for different clients.

Well, it got a little more challenging this time, since I was designing for the same theme, same client, same celebration - just one year later! Remember Ben's Crawfish Birthday last year? Well, his mom, Mary, thought the party was such a hit, she wanted to do it again for his second birthday. She came up with the 'Crawfish & Cake' theme (so cute right!) and I created these playful invitations, tags and coordinating stationery.

Did I mention that these were featured on Oh So Beautiful Paper today?! Thank you, Nole!

Inspiration: Cozy, Winter Shoot on LeMagnifique

I was part of this gorgeous shoot last year and by the time I could take a breather and post it was summer… this shoot is the epitome of cozy elegance, so I saved it for the fall… and then that turned to winter and now it was almost a year ago. I must get better at blogging! You can see more photos on the LeMagnifique blog.

Regardless of the time that has passed, this shoot is still stunning in every way.  It's wintery, cozy, romantic and GORGEOUS!

Photographer: ASHLEY TINGLEY // Venue: Private Residence // Bridal Gown Designer: LEANNE MARSHALL (style: Samantha) // Bridal Salon: LOVE AND LACE BRIDAL SALON in Irvine, CA // Cake + Macarons: VIATA DULCE // Furniture + Decor & Styling: TIMELESS LOVE EVENTS // Hair + Make-up: BIANCA TAMAS // Invitation Suite + Paper Goods: LAUREN CHISM FINE PAPERS // Headpieces: LACIELLE ROSELLE // Florals: BELLA BLOOM FLORAL DESIGN // Votive Candles: AMAZON // Creative Director: Damaris Mia

Featured: Colorful Confetti Baby Shower Invitations on Oh So Beautiful Paper

I am so excited to share these baby shower invitations that I designed for my friend, Kristen! Kristen is a fun, color-loving gal, and so her shower invitations needed to be the same. Read more about the design on the Oh So Beautiful Paper feature.

Meet a Mintie on Julep

A few weeks ago, I had the honor of being interviewed for the Meet a Mintie feature on Minted's blog, Julep. You can read the full interview here.

Thanks to Julie Norine (of Matt & Julie Weddings) for snapping the photos my office (and Marley) for me!