When our eldest son, Toby, and his fiancée, Charlotte, were planning to marry in Venice, Italy 2 ½ years ago, they asked me to make their wedding invitations. I was simultaneously honoured and nervous. I obviously wanted to make something special for them, but I was also worried that they wouldn’t like my ideas. Fortunately everything worked out well, they loved the first design I came up with and, as the wedding party was only a small one (all of us flying to Venice for 3 days on a bright, cold December day) I only had to make 12 invitations.



That same year I had designed a Venetian collection of papers and rubber stamps so I had plenty of rubber stamps to choose from. The stamp I chose was one of the onion-shaped domes that tower behind the Doges’ Palace in St. Mark’s square. This was where, after the actual ceremony in a Palazzo on the Grand Canal, all the formal wedding photographs were taken.

Venetian Wedding Invitation Advanced Project By: Maureen Blackman Zoom in to view this project closer Make this project: Step-by-step instructions Mail a link to this project to a friend

 

It was at this wedding that we met Alison, the new girlfriend of our younger son, Drew, and we knew that she was very special. They are now engaged to marry in October this year and once again I have been asked to make the invitations. The only drawback this time is that I have to make 50 invitations for the church ceremony and formal reception, plus 60 or more for the reception so no pressure!

Fortunately, all they want is a very simple design for each set. This in itself brings its own set of concerns for me as they want something which is not necessarily my style. However, all is now agreed and I am printing, stamping, embossing, stitching crystals and lightly coloring until I have decided I am very glad we only have two sons.

Lace and Crystal Invitation Intermediate Project By: Maureen Blackman Zoom in to view this project closer Make this project: Step-by-step instructions Mail a link to this project to a friend

 

This is the formal invitation, with 6 x 2mm Swarovski crystals sewn within the entwined hearts.



Here is a close-up to show the crystals and below that you will see the embossed envelope and RSVP card.

Evening Invitation Ensemble Advanced Project By: Maureen Blackman Zoom in to view this project closer Make this project: Step-by-step instructions Mail a link to this project to a friend

 

This card is the one chosen for the evening invitation – silver edged and with pink coloring as there will be pink champagne for the evening celebrations.

Lace and Tulle Wedding Invitation Intermediate Project By: Maureen Blackman Zoom in to view this project closer Make this project: Step-by-step instructions Mail a link to this project to a friend

 

Finally, here are an extra couple of ideas for wedding invitations:

Heart Wreath Wedding Card Intermediate Project By: Maureen Blackman Zoom in to view this project closer Make this project: Step-by-step instructions Mail a link to this project to a friend

Now all I have to do is make the wedding cake – a 3-tier traditional Olde English rich fruit cake recipe that’s been in our family for many years. It will be iced and covered with dozens of chocolate flowers which I will make individually and each one will be painted with edible lustre powders . . . but that’s another article!

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