Real Wedding: Julie & Noam

I just love all the candlelight in Julie and Noam's New York wedding - is there really anything more romantic? Julie had some details to share with us about the day...








Barb at Hatch Creative Studio was amazing. She really listened to us and brought our personalities out in her design. She was able to take all our crazy ideas and make them into something beautiful. She made votives out of old slides, a nod to my husband's profession as an art historian. We especially loved her bouquets and boutonnieres: my bouquet had peonies, white feathers, and gorgeous green succulents, while Noam's bout had a baby artichoke with a feather. They perfectly encapsulated the whimsical joy we felt that day.










We just wanted a day that allowed us to share our joy with the people closest to us, and we wanted it to be reflective of our values and of our personalities. We were civilly married in Connecticut on the Friday before our Sunday wedding, as a show of support for those states that do not discriminate against gay couples. For us, the most important element of our Sunday wedding was the ceremony. While wedding planning was a team effort for us from start to finish, we worked together particularly closely on the ceremony. Noam's mother, a rabbi, performed it. We worked very hard to remove any non-egalitarian elements from the ceremony, and to make it our own. We read our ketubah (our Jewish marriage contract, also written by us) to each other in place of vows. One of my favorite parts of the day was Noam singing a Hebrew love song that he sings to me each Saturday, as I walked down the aisle.








One of the highlights of the night was the insane hora that lasted for half an hour and left us all sweat-soaked and exhausted.





Photography: Dave Robbins

Venue: Angel Orensanz Foundation in New York City

Coordinator: Soraya Jollon

Stationery: Your Day Designs

Flowers: Hatch Creative Studio

Bride's dress / veil: Selia Yang / Leah C. Couture Millinery

Groom's suit / tie: Boss by Hugo Boss / Men's Wearhouse

Music: Truth Groove

Thank you to Noam and Julie for sharing your wedding with us, and to Dave Robbins for sending over photos from the day.

Board #482: Magnolia & Graphite

One of the things I miss about living in Mississippi is the incredible magnolia trees. The magnolia trees that grow in other places I've lived just don't seem to get quite as many blossoms, but I guess that's why Mississippi is called the Magnolia State. They're such dramatic flowers, and they just smell so good! Kari Herer's beautiful magnolia photo and pencil illustration inspired today's simple wedding board, with shades of white and green and gray. I imagine chalkboards, zinc tags, and pencil drawings, accented with magnolia flowers, of course - pulled together, I think they create a look that's both vintage-inspired and totally fresh.

Mood: fresh, timeless
Palette: graphite gray, magnolia white, leafy green

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Top row from left: magnolia with pencil illustration by Kari Herer, vintage silver tray with drinking glasses via Design Shimmer, cake with sugar magnolia blossom by April Reed Cake Design
Row 2: photo of gray suits and ties by Jose Villa
Row 3: framed chalkboard from Blue Bell Bazaar, letterpress thank you card by Missive via Oh So Beautiful Paper, magnolia bouquet by PoHo

Board #481: Nude & Gray

I love neutrals. Just about everything in my home, or that I wear, is either white or beige or gray. Not particularly bold or exciting, but I think done well, neutrals can be anything you want them to be, whether it's cozy, stark, romantic or modern. All of that is just an extended way of introducing today's inspiration board, with its palette of modern neutrals. Shades of peachy nude and cement gray are at once modern and romantic, and I think it's an utterly sophisticated look. If you wanted to introduce a pop of color, I could see bringing in shots of bright orange or hot pink, or perhaps a deep plum purple.

Mood: softly modern
Palette: nude in shades of peach and cream, warm gray

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Top row from left: photo with gray peep toe heels by Alison Conklin via The Bride's Cafe, bird watercolor by DIMDi via I Suwannee, cake with satin ribbon and sugar roses by Maples Wedding Cakes
Row 2: French net veil with crystals by Jennifer Behr, stationery by Martha Stewart for Crane & Co.
Row 3: Brooklyn Bridge via Always a Bridesmaid, pearls with Lizzie Stewart illustration styled by Alice Gabb, pink tulle favors from Martha Stewart Weddings

Board #479: Paper Moon

Another vintage-inspired board today, but a totally different look from yesterday's. More feminine, more glitzy, more urban sophistication. I think the key to a vintage look for your wedding is to update it so that it doesn't look like a themed costume party. Though a flapper wedding could be really fabulous...

Mood: vintage whimsy
Palette: oyster gray, pearl pink

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Top row from left: flapper photo via Paris Apartment, glitter paper moon photo booth from Martha Stewart Weddings, vintage music paper cake topper by Studio d.Sharp
Row 2: silver glitter favor cup by Studio d.Sharp, zinnia and ranunculus bouquet from Martha Stewart Weddings
Row 3: pink and gray velvet jewelry boxes and pink and gray bridesmaid dresses both from Martha Stewart Weddings, shoe photo by Bret Cole
Row 4: headband from Jennifer Behr, paper flower boutonnieres from Charleston Weddings, stationery suite by Mr. Boddington's Studio

Board #472: Red Bistro Chairs

Today's wedding board was inspired entirely by Silvana di Franco's photo of the red folding bistro chairs. The simplicity, the muted colors. Like yesterday's inspiration board, something about it feels like this early part of Spring - soft gray with glimpses of color. Used judiciously, red is one of my favorite colors. It has so many moods, from playful to sexy. Here, I think it's both sophisticated and sweet. For this couple, I imagine a low-key luncheon with just a few perfect details - personalized menus, a single peony instead of a bouquet, a getaway bicycle - and just their closest friends and family.

Mood: perfectly simple, sweetly sophisticated
Palette: French red, white linen, stone

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Top row from left: photo of red bistro chairs by Silvana di Franco via Wiley Valentine, bride and groom from Martha Stewart Weddings, photo of single red peony by Elizabeth Messina via Ritzy Bee
Row 2: photo of climbing roses and French house number via Creature Comforts, red nail polish via Mary Ruffle
Row 3: photo of bride and groom on bicycle by Yves Samuel, photo of personalized menu by Elizabeth Messina, berry cake from Martha Stewart Weddings

Board #471: Rough Winds and Darling Buds

I don't know why, but I'm really digging this dark moody gray right now. It feels like such a perfect neutral for this early part of Spring, the windy, rainy days paired with blossoming trees. I also like the way it has a masculine feel to it that balances the sweet, feminine pink in this inspiration board. What do you think? Do you like this charcoal gray as a neutral, or is it too dark for your taste?

Mood: romantic, moody
Palette: charcoal and slate grays, cherry blossom pink

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Top row from left: Carolina Herrera ballgown from Charleston Weddings, photo of table with bentwood chairs by Jose Villa, gray suit from Brooklyn Tailors via this is not my work
Row 2: charcoal gray invitation by Gryphon Stationers, blossoming branches photo by Gemma Comas
Row 3: chocolates from La Maison du Chocolat, photo of car and oak tree by Jose Villa, flowers by Saipua

Board #464: Black Slate and Spring

Doesn't this green remind you of the tiny leaf buds that start popping out in early spring? Inspired by this stunning photo of Vera Wang's green dress, I thought black slate (a sort of chalkboard gray) and leaf bud green would be a lovely and unexpected Spring palette, and a nice choice for the first inspiration board of March. It has a slightly modern feel that balances sweetly romantic details like bows and springerle cookies and vines, and I think it could work in a wide range of venues from an historic estate to an industrial loft.

Mood: romance with a modern twist
Palette: black slate, pastel spring green, cream white

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Top row from left: pale green Vera Wang dress from Charleston Weddings, centerpiece in zinc container by Dandelion Ranch, chalkboard in ornate frame from Blue Bell Bazaar
Row 2: gray bow corsage by A Alicia, veil from Charleston Weddings, springerle cake from Martha Stewart
Row 3: Amy Butler Design via The City Sage, customized gift bags by Laura Hooper, bouquet by Ariella Chezar, photo with green grapes by Meg Matyia

Laura Hooper is a sponsor of Snippet & Ink.

Board #458: Orchid & Silver

These days I seem to be drawn to lots of neutrals, white flowers, and subdued colors - I apologize to those of you looking for wild or unique color palettes! Today's inspiration board is mostly white and silvery grays - a minimalist palette that allows for more ornate details, like the millefeuille skirt, the ornate silver frames, and the whimsical calligraphy. Things that might seem over the top* in outrageous colors.

(*This is not to say that you can't have both a riotous color scheme and ornate details - it's just more difficult to do so tastefully.)

Mood: simply refined
Palette: winter white, silvery gray (with bits of chocolate torte and orchid leaf)

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Top row from left: wallpaper table runner with potted orchids from Wedding Style Guide, potted trees from Martha Stewart via This is Glamorous, tiered mini dress from Martha Stewart Weddings
Row 2: gray invitation with calligraphy by Betsy Dunlap, monogrammed chocolate tortes from Martha Stewart Weddings
Row 3: chocolate truffles from Coco Delice, framed photos via Curious Sofa, Mindy Rice bouquet photo by Jose Villa, pocket flower from The Sartorialist

When you're trying to make every single element in your wedding totally original, you're more likely to end up going crazy with DIY projects, or to spend tons of money hiring professionals to personalize everything for you. And if you know this going in, and still want to do it, then go right ahead. For everyone else, focusing on just a few special details should help to save sanity, and maybe even some money. Since simplicity is currently my favorite wedding word, here are some of the doable special details I had in mind when creating today's inspiration board:

- Hire a calligrapher to create your invitation for you, then have them offset printed. They'll look both custom and tasteful, and they won't cost you an arm and a leg.
- Tables are dressed up with a wallpaper table runner (some good wallpaper sources here), and a row of potted orchids. Orchids can get pretty pricey, so look for a nursery near you and find out if you can get a deal for buying more than a few plants.
- Is it just me, or have boutonnieres become as big as corsages? Instead, how about plucking a single flower from your bridal bouquet, and tucking it in to your groom's buttonhole or pocket?
- Display parents' and grandparents' wedding photos in beautiful antique silver frames. It's a lovely, thoughtful touch (and less self-centered than a slideshow or photo display of the bride and groom).
- Instead of paying more for a wedding cake, purchase decadent chocolate tortes from a local bakery and personalize them with monogram stencils and cocoa powder. To continue the chocolate theme, place brioche molds filled with truffles on each table.

Update! I just came across phalaenopsis orchids on the IKEA website for as little as $13 each. They're not available for purchase through the site, but you might be able to find them at your nearest IKEA store.

Board #443: Persimmons & Porcelain

As a bride, I've really been trying to maintain perspective about my wedding choices, and when you look at weddings all day long like I do, it's definitely easy to get lost. It's no secret that I love the pretty details, but there's such a thing as too much. Instead, why not choose a few elements that matter to you and to make extra-special, focus on marrying the person you love and on being good hosts to your guests, and forget trying to style your wedding for a magazine/blog feature. Personally, I find understated elegance to be the most appealing look anyway! So, today's inspiration board is another attempt at finding that balance of beauty and simplicity...

I'm a total sucker for lush florals, especially when they include seasonal fruit like this arrangement from Saipua, with its giant dahlias and young persimmons. That arrangement served as the inspiration for this board: a late autumn/early winter wedding with unexpected rustic details. We seem to see mason jars everywhere these days, but this porcelain version is a refined update, and giving off a pleasant glow when used as a votive. A basket of ganache-filled egg shells is both farm-appropriate and a delightful surprise for your guests. As for the color scheme, ochre is an unusual choice, but used sparingly it adds subtle richness and depth to a backdrop of cream and barnwood gray - pops of golden yellow in the form of persimmons, the bride's bolero, and the velvet ribbon adorning her bouquet. Stationery pieces are printed on cream paper in black ink, allowing unique lettering to stand out.

Mood: heirloom rustic
Palette: cream, ochre, gray, brown

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Top row from left: centerpiece with dahlias and persimmons by Saipua, porcelain mason jar votive by Pigeon Toe Ceramics, calligraphy by Maybelle
Row 2: rustic apple tart photo by Gemma Comas, white ranunculus in vintage apothecary bottle photo by Tec Petaja
Row 3: birthday menu by Cynthia Warren (photo by Aya Brackett), bride with birdcage veil and ochre bolero photo by Rachel Thurston, brown and white invitation suite by Alee & Press, wine tumbler photo by Johnny Miller
Row 4: rustic farm building and chocolate ganache filled egg shells both from Martha Stewart Weddings, hand-drawn wedding invitation by Liam Stevens, bouquet with velvet ribbon from Martha Stewart Weddings

Board #431: Sleek Orange & Gray

Wild pops of orange against a cool gray backdrop and modern minimalism (that is still somewhat whimsical) define today wedding inspiration board, which was largely inspired by a little sneak peek from Amy Atlas' upcoming dessert buffet (truffles arranged on a Missoni-inspired graphic print). For those of you aiming for a modern look, how are you achieving it? What's inspiring you?

Mood: sleek urban chic
Palette: cement gray, orange peel

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Top row from left: orange dress via coco + kelley, dandelion in bud vase from Brides, tables and chairs with orange cushions via Apartment Therapy, orange calla lily bouquet photo by Red Ribbon Studio
Row 2: architectural wedding cake, orange bouquet and gray escort cards all from Martha Stewart Weddings, orange Jil Sander flats from Net-a-Porter
Row 3: strapless dress by Jenny Yoo, modern centerpiece by Artfool, orange blossom invitation by Egg Press for Minted.com, white chocolate truffles from Amy Atlas

Board #429: Violets and Pansies

I know I've been mostly posting autumn inspiration boards lately since it's, um, autumn. But for some reason I was feeling inspired by pansies and violets, and just had to make a sweet little wedding board with them as the focus. Cut pansies don't last very long when they're cut, and they wilt quickly when out of water, so potted pansies and violets are a good choice - and can double as favors for your guests. If you want to use them in your bouquet, keep it in water until the very last minute.

Mood: simple romantic whimsy
Palette: violet, lavender, green, gray

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Top row from left: photo with short ruffled dress and parasol by Jessica Kettle, purple gingham shirt with linen jacket and black bowtie photo by Tec Petaja, escort cards with potted violets by Ariella Chezar, gray floral headband photo by Stephanie Williams via Utterly Engaged
Row 2: violet and pansy nosegay by Artfool, photo with vintage Mustang by Erin Hearts Court, violet and gray notecard by Ice Cream Social, pansy place setting via Blomsterverkstad
Row 3: pinwheels from Hatch Creative Studio, galvanized metal lemonade dispenser via Wedding Chicks, potted pansy centerpiece photo by Meg Matyia, gray and white buttons designed by Passing Notes

Board #422: Graphite & Tangerine

Thank you to Bret Cole, whose gorgeous orchid bouquet photo inspired today's wedding board... that soft gray velvet, the pop of orange ribbon, and of course the orchids. I think this palette is surprisingly versatile - the darker gray allows for a more formal event, while the orange keeps things playful. White is a crucial element, too, for making sure this look stays fresh, instead of heavy. Blending somewhat traditional materials and motifs (velvet, pearls, satin) with such a modern color scheme, I think the result is entirely unexpected.

Mood: bold, modern elegance
Palette: charcoal velvet, sweet tangerine, orchid white

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Top row from left: orchid photo by Bret Cole, short dress from J.Crew, seating cards and bar both from Martha Stewart Weddings
Row 2: mirrors via Coco + Kelley, photo by Next Exit
Row 3: stationery by Pancake & Franks, gray suits photo by Jose Villa, ribbon and pearls via The Bride's Guide
Row 4: cake photo by Union Photo, orchid centerpiece from Wedding Style Guide, Parker Palm Springs photo by Jose Villa, orchid and stone centerpiece by Red Orchid Design

Also... Leila from Inspired By This let me know that starting today, there will be 25 beautiful pieces from Adorn Brides exclusively featured on and available to rent from The Knot. You can see them all here. This is a great option if you want to wear diamonds on your wedding day but don't want to break the bank...

Board #416: Seaglass and Storm

My honey and I have a new deal, which is that neither of us is allowed to do work after 7:00pm. Which means that I'm totally late on getting this post up for you today! Anyway, I hope you enjoy this cool, quiet palette. It seemed like just the thing for 100-plus degree heat - like diving into a pool, or heading to the spa, or something equally refreshing.

Mood: simple, subdued
Palette: seaglass, chalk white, pewter, silver, slate

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Top row from left: photo via House of Turquoise, chalkboard via Classic Bride, mirrors via Absolutely Beautiful Things
Row 2: mint julep cups via The Newlywed Diaries, clutches by Eclu via Cafe Cartolina
Row 3: notebook by Carta, Inc., Lucinda gown from J.Crew, personalized Hershey Kisses from Martha Stewart Weddings

Board #404: Equestrian Elegance

It must be all this time I'm spending here in Montana that's inspired two horse-related inspiration boards in a row. Whatever it is, I love the simplicity of this palette: the gray of aged barnwood, the green of summer grass and trees, and the rich brown of old iron keys and horseshoes. Refined rustic is one of my favorite looks, because it can be classic and unfussy at the same time.

Mood: equestrian elegance
Palette: gray barnwood, green pasture

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Top row from left: barn photo by Traci Griffin, stationery from Wedding Style Guide, bouquet by Ariella Chezar, key seating cards photo by Alisha Clark via Lucky Me!
Row 2: cake from D Magazine via Hip Hostess, photo by Punam Bean, photo by Meg Smith, photo by Martha Manning
Row 3: table from Brides, centerpiece via {frolic!}, lemonade and sweet tea photo by Cooper Carras, table number from Alison Events
Row 4: bouquet photo by Katie Stoops, wedding sign photo by Elizabeth Messina, photo by Millie Holloman, photo by Brooke Schwab via Little White Book

Board #378: Gray and White

I absolutely fell in love with this gorgeous tent from the Arabian Tent Company (photo by Polly Alexandre), so I thought I'd build a wedding board around it. Clean white and soft gray - a sweet palette that would work for almost any season, and in a variety of venues.

Mood: modern whimsy
Palette: white, dove, cloud

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Top row from left: Arabian Tent Company tent photo by Polly Alexandre, miniature angel food cakes from Martha Stewart Weddings, bouquet by Artfool, blazer by Billy Reid
Row 2: invitation from Martha Stewart Weddings, photo by Jose Villa, welcome gift from Martha Stewart Weddings
Row 3: photo by Rodney Smith, flowers from Domino, lemonade from Amy Atlas, bouquet from Rebecca Thuss

Board #376: French Flair

Another color palette that I've yet to tire of - I hope you still love it, too! Something about this inspiration board transports me to Paris... A mostly white and very pale gray background is accented with butter yellow and black. Stripes add a touch of whimsy: package favors in striped boxes, wrap your bouquet with a striped ribbon, decorate with classic striped hat boxes. Incorporate figs and blackberries into your floral elements for a touch of black that isn't overly sleek or stark.

Mood: whimsical French chic
Palette: butter yellow, black, pale gray, white

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Top row from left: flower hair piece by Austie, photo from Sunflower Events, photo from Big Leo Productions, Jussara Lee dress from Martha Stewart Weddings
Row 2: photo from Brides, cake from Martha Stewart Weddings, photo by Michele M. Waite, flowers by Ariella Chezar from Brides
Row 3: silhouette cookies from Wedding Style Guide, sabayon and berries from Martha Stewart Weddings, iris bouquet photo by Anna Kuperberg, envelope liner from Mika78

Board #373: Rocky Mountain Romance

A rustic, quaint log chapel, a bride in cowboy boots, horseshoes, s'mores, and a mechanical bull - all perfect elements for a wedding in Wyoming. And how about a boutonniere made from a hand-tied fly? Incorporate wild grasses into your bouquets and centerpieces, and wrap vases with birch bark, or maybe use vintage fishing creels in lieu of vases.

Mood: summer in the mountains
Palette: barnwood, wild grass, aspen

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Top row from left: church from Martha Stewart Weddings, photo by Twin Lens, invitation by Good On Paper Design, bouquet photo by Tiffany Aicklen
Row 2: cake from Martha Stewart Weddings, horseshoe escort cards from Oh How Charming!, boutonniere photo by Valls Photographic, photo by Carrie Patterson
Row 3: photo by Jose Villa, s'mores from Brides, bull riding photo by Carrie Patterson, welcome sign from Brides

Board #371: To Nantucket Island

Hi all! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday weekend. I don't know if it's that I'm itching to travel, but this week I thought I'd continue with the regionally-inspired wedding boards. Today we head to the charming island of Nantucket with an inspiration board complete with Nantucket reds, lobster and clams, seashells and a lighthouse. Wouldn't this preppy, laid-back party be perfect for showing out-of-town guests a good time?

Mood: classic seaside, preppy casual
Palette: Nantucket red, sky blue, clamshell gray, white

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Top row from left: photo by Zofia Photography, tent photo from Brides, seating cards photo by Stacey Kane, lobster invitation by Bird & Banner
Row 2: shrimp "boat" photo by Claudia Kronenberg Photography, customized cup photo by Laura Negri, goody bag photo by Ericka McConnell, lighthouse photo from Elegant Bride
Row 3: bouquet by Artfool, tent photo by Claudia Kronenberg Photography, clam bake photo via Knottie Bio ad52905
Row 4: sparklers from Rebecca Thuss, cake by Cakegirls, flowers photo by Laura Bruen, vintage wedding photos

Board #367: Purple Hydrangea

Hydrangeas come in so many colors - this shade of purple is just one of them. Choosing a simple palette and a single type of flower is a great way to keep things simple and to make decor choices easier. Hang some little paper lanterns over the tables, and call it a day!

Mood: simple and sweet
Palette: violet, white, shades of gray

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Top row from left: hydrangea by April Joy Events, lanterns and hydrangea bouquet from Martha Stewart Weddings, photo by Jonathan Canlas
Row 2: truffles and pew decorations from Martha Stewart Weddings, save-the-date by Ceci New York, purple dress with belt by ban.do
Row 3: photo by Look Photography via Classic Bride, purple hydrangea place setting, hydrangea boutonnieres from Martha Stewart Weddings, white lemonade from Rebecca Thuss

Board #362: Milk & Honey

Happy spring! Cindy's daffodil photo inspired this sweet, simple and light wedding board. Daffodil's seem like the quintessential harbinger of spring, and I wanted to create an inspiration board that conveyed that early spring feeling. Pale yellow, creamy white, and a hint of faded gray. Though I imagined this wedding in a quaint country setting, I think it could work equally well in an urban loft or a favorite restaurant.

Oh! I totally forgot to mention this yesterday. This week I'll be guest blogging over at Nole's pretty blog, Oh So Beautiful Paper, together with lovely Chelsea. Be sure to check it out!

Mood: early spring sweetness
Palette: farmhouse white, sweet honey yellow, gray linen

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Top row from left: daffodil photo by *Cinnamon (Cindy), earrings by Mia Beads, Aubrey dress from J.Crew, hydrangea monogram via Style Me Pretty
Row 2: lemonade photo by Elizabeth Messina, pocket watch photo by Union Photo, cake via Sweet Paul, ribbon boutonniere from Martha Stewart Weddings
Row 3: invitations by Golden Rectangle Press, photo by Thayer Allyson Gowdy, bouquet photo by Trever Hoehne, invitation by Float Paperie
Row 4: gray linen ribbon by Linnet via Once Wed, envelope liners via Oh So Beautiful Paper, photo by Tiffany Aicklen via Elizabeth Anne Designs