Author Archives: Ailbhe

The Couture Wedding Invitation Process

Posted on July 9, 2012 by Ailbhe

If you are hoping to go the extra mile and really impress your guests, then couture wedding invitations could be what you are looking for.

Here at the Pretty as a Picture studio we will collaborate with you to create beautiful, bespoke invitations tailored especially to reflect you as a couple. Our in-house designers and illustrators will work closely with you every step of the way to bring your vision to life! Inspiration can come from just about anywhere – your wedding venue, the story of how you met, your hobbies, colours, culture or an art period! We love to hear all your ideas, no matter how crazy! Read on to find out more about the couture process and how to get started.

So how do we get the creative ball rolling?!

Step 1: Lets Talk…

Arrange a no obligations, complimentary studio consultation with one of the Pretty as a Picture team so we can get to know you both, your style and your vision. We want to hear all about your destination wedding, your special engagement, the story of how you met, your shared hobbies or whatever’s on your mind so that, together we can come up with the perfect invitation design that reflects you and your special event. Don’t worry if you don’t feel you have a story – we will help you to create it!! Alternatively your consultation can take place via phone, skype or email. Distance is not a barrier to our creativity! We work with couples all over the world. So we understand if you can’t visit us in studio and pride ourselves on being able to design amazing unique pieces for couples we have never even had an opportunity to meet!

We will follow up your consultation with an initial quote, availability and details. Keep in mind that a lot of time needs to be set aside for research, illustration, design, production and printing. Only taking on a limited number of projects ensures we can give each one the care and attention it deserves. So it’s best to start and order early – we want you to really enjoy the creative process!

Step 2 : Let the Magic Begin…

Once we have all your order details and deposit you can begin to submit any inspirational images and links. From these and all the exciting ideas from the initial consultation we will create a custom mood board especially for you. This will give us (and you!) an idea of your wedding invitation style, colours and mood! Go ahead and use this mood board to help you plan other aspects of your wedding, from your flowers to your cake, by sending it your other wedding vendors for inspiration.

Step 3: To the Drawing Board!!

With a firm grasp on your story and vision we will now create some initial drafts. We put a lot of time into these initial sketches to make sure they are perfect! We work closely with you to incorporate any changes you may have so that the drafts become the final design! This means you get as many changes as necessary, free of charge before the final artwork is created! We will discuss the type of artwork you require (pen and ink or pencil and watercolour) and outline the materials and printing process we’d like to use in your design. We offer letterpress or digital printing on a variety of papers – one of our stationery experts will bring you through all the options!

Step 4: Proof…

When you are completely happy with the main artwork, a final proof is created for your approval.  We explore lots of different combinations of colours, fonts, layouts and compositions for your invitation.  One of our stationery experts will help you with your wording and etiquette. We then move on to laying out all your additional stationery pieces (rsvp, directions etc). At this point we can also advise on exciting embellishment options to compliment your suite, such as coloured envelopes, envelope liners, backing cards, folios etc…

Step 5: Start the Presses!

We’ll need your signature for approval and the final balance paid in full..then it is time to relax and let us take care of printing and production!!  Printing and assembly of invitations usually takes in the region of 3 weeks.

Step 5: Get Writing!

We will email you to let you know your bespoke stationery pieces are in our studio ready for delivery (or collection if you wish). It’s time to get out that address book, consult with the mother-in-law-to-be and to amaze your guests by sending out your unique invitations one by one!

Get in touch or book your consultation to find out how you can introduce your big day with an extra special invitation… we’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have!!

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Bridesmaids Invitations; Unique Bridesmaid Gift

Posted on November 10, 2011 by Ailbhe

I love the idea of formally asking your bridesmaids to do the honours. I recently made DIY Bridesmaid Invitations for my own wedding which inspired these fun new products. These Printable Bridesmaid Invitation Cards can be personalised with hair colour, hair length, eye colour, accessories etc. Bridesmaids are such an important part of the wedding..and the brides life, they deserve to feel special! Click on the images below for details. Enjoy x

As a bonus we have also included a high resolution PDF of each of your bridesmaids which can be presented to them as a very special & unique thank you gift!

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Wedding Cake Inspiration- Engagement Diary

Posted on November 9, 2011 by Ailbhe

My super talented aunt was over visiting from Jersey last week and has offered to work her magic on our wedding cake as a wedding gift. She makes the most beautiful dainty sugar flowers and coloured icing. Anyway she asked what style I might like to have, and of course I had lots of pictures on hand to show her. Here is my wedding cake inspiration…

Wedding Cake inspiration

Pretty lace cupcake via Enchanted Weddings

I think the theme is definitely floral!

Colours and flowers

Clockwise from top left:
1. via The Knot, 2. via The Knot, 3. via Style me Pretty, 4. via Love My Dress , 5. via Style me Pretty 6. via Martha Stewart, 7. via Project Wedding, 8. via Apartment34, 9. via Caroline Tran

I thought all the cakes by this company were simply stunning!

Cotton & Crumbs

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Bridesmaid Invitations; will you be my bridesmaid

Posted on October 21, 2011 by Ailbhe

I had my bridesmaids picked out in my head for a while, but was trying to think of a nice personal way to ask them. I decided to make ‘will you be my bridesmaid?’ invitations. I love designing invitations and I love getting crafty but rarely have time to do it anymore, so this was a great opportunity! Whats more I had so much fun that it has inspired us to create some fun products for the Pretty as a Picture Shop including bridesmaids invitations and calling cards that can personalised for yourself or for friends as a great gift.

DIY Bridesmaid Invitation

I had come across some vintage bridesmaid patterns and loved the illustrations on the cover, they reminded me of those old school Bunty and Cindy magazines!

Inspired by 70′s fashion illustrations

I started off getting a photo of each of them (facebook can be handy!) and doing an illustration of us all in those style dresses.

Pen and watercolour illustrations

Next I wanted to get that old comic dotted print effect so I found this tutorial online.

Grainy dotted effect

Next I designed the background image and text and printed it out. I followed a really simple pop up card tutorial and put two horizontal slits in the back of the card. I stuck a piece of blue card on top of this to cover the slits. I mounted the simple ‘Will you..’ on to the top.

Pop up card

I carefully selected my wedding colours from some paint sample strips I had and used them to ask them their dress colour preference. (I got mine in Woodies)
I also did up a little RSVP card to match.

Main bridesmaid invitation

I finished it off by sealing the envelope with a mini oval portrait of each of the girls.

Final invitation suite!

Thanks to all my bridesmaid for saying ‘yes!’ I’ve promised not to put them in the lovely dresses they are sporting in these drawings!!

Want to ask your bridesmaids to partake in your wedding in a special way? Order your personalised bridesmaid invitations today!

Posted in My Engagement Diary, Weddings | Tagged , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Engagement Photo Shoot;Engagement Diary

Posted on October 12, 2011 by Ailbhe

Today I’m just showing you a sneak peak of some photos from our engagement photo shoot with Brosnan Photographic. Christina had the genius idea of using the Botanical Gardens as our location, not only for the beautiful scenery but also because there was shelter should we need it. The Irish weather didn’t let us down and true to it’s nature it POURED! We didn’t let that deter us however, and all three of us headed out armed with umbrella’s and rain coats.

A rainy day!

I think we were both nervous to begin with, not being used to being in front of the camera, but Christina put us at ease and after a while we relaxed and had fun!

Botanical Gardens photo shoot

Thanks to the super talented Christina of Brosnan Photographic for coming out in the rain with us and making it so enjoyable!

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Engagement Diary – dress shopping!

Posted on September 28, 2011 by Ailbhe



So Jane finally convinced me to book my first wedding dress appointment, I’m going on Saturday, I know I’m probably a bit late but thanks to Jane scaring me I’ve got the ball rolling.  In honour of this I thought I’d share a few dresses I really like, they’ve given me an idea of what I’d envisage myself in, but who knows what I’ll end up with! Of course that will be a surprise at the end- but here are some images I’ve collected so far.

Pretty vintage dress by J-Crew

I love this dress! reminds me of something out of an Jane Austen book!

The dresses below are by Jacob Luppino and Anthony Pittorino from J’Aton couture, I became slightly obsessed with them for a while. Their work and detail is exquisite and each one hugs women in all the right places. I don’t mind sharing all these beautiful creations with you because the 20k price tag is slightly out of my budget!

JAton Couture

Back detail

This would be on display forever in my living room…

Bridesmaid dresses

Even the bridesmaid’s dresses are stunning!!

Pictures from top:
Rebecca Twigley wedding to Chris Judd
Red haired model
Real Weddings
Back of dress
Bridesmaids

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Joy and Cormac-Castle Leslie wedding

Posted on September 27, 2011 by Ailbhe

Joy and Cormac were a couple that came to us because they loved letterpress wedding invitations, but they also wanted something a bit different and unique to them. They were very open to any ideas but when we heard they were getting married in the stunning Castle Leslie Estate in Co. Monaghan we had just the thing in mind.

Castle Leslie, Co. Monaghan

To coincide with the ‘character and charm’ unique to this 16th century Castle, I suggested we do a detailed pen and ink illustration of their chosen venue. Joy and Cormac both loved this idea.
I started with an outline of the castle so they could both get an idea of the look of pen and ink before I continued with the detail.

Illustration of Leslie Castle for the main invitation

Joy suggested adding a few touches that would personalise it more for them as a couple, so I inserted a little illustrated sign that would hold their initials – this was a lovely personal touch!
Working closely with Jane on the layout and fonts we began to put together the design of the main invitation, RSVP, information card and envelope.

Other elements of design

Joy and Cormac chose black ink on a beautiful ivory bamboo paper from our Smock range. Their choice reflected the classic vintage style of their wedding.

Closeup of pen work, this took approx 20 hours to complete

The final printed suite! – One of our favourites :)

Letterpressed on ivory bamboo paper

RSVP card

Letterpressed envelope

We love couture wedding invitations! if you have an idea you’d like us to bring to life just send us a message and we’ll see if we can help. Check out our past couture invitations here

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Engagement shoot inspiration

Posted on September 14, 2011 by Ailbhe

This week we’ve been wracking our brains to think of a good place for an engagement photo shoot. Below is an inspiration board of some of my favourite photographs of other people’s engagement sessions. Some filled with props and others really simple and sweet.

Clockwise from top left:
Sitting in a field
Chalkboard Save the date
Walking in Paris
Coffee break
Vintage car red
50s inspired
Lavender field
Dog ‘save the date’

Our wedding photographer Christina Brosnan gave me the tip of picking somewhere that is special to us. So with that in mind I’ve done up a more personal board of images that might help me to make up my mind:)

The first is of my little Yorkshire Terrier dog ‘Teddy’.  Aiden bought him for me about 2 and a half years a go and he comes everywhere with us! The car would be Aiden’s most prized possession ( next to Ted and I of course :P )
Aiden and I usually meet at the weekends and go for coffee or to take the dog walking so I’ve included a few places we love to go!

My dog
Aiden’s car
Coffee catchup
Wicklow Field
Kilruddery House
Killiney Hill
Glendalough
Wicklow Hills

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My Engagement – shoot!

Posted on August 31, 2011 by Ailbhe

The first time I had ever heard of an engagement shoot, was last year when Jane had booked her photographer Eric Savo.  Like myself she hadn’t heard of this idea until it was put to her by Eric. Engagement photo shoots,  for those you who haven’t heard of them, are a pre-wedding photo sessions. I think they are a great idea as it’s a way to get to know your chosen wedding photographer before the big day and also it’s a bit of practice getting comfortable in front of the camera. Jane was anxious about hers because she hates having her photo taken, she ran out the door after work that day, quickly got ready and met Eric at Brittas Bay with her Fiance.

Jane and John Joe at Brittas Bay

To her amazement (and genuine shock) when she received all the photographs, herself and John Joe couldn’t choose a favourite! Both of them were really happy that they had done it, as they felt better prepared for what was in store on their wedding day.

After a tough elimination process they picked one photo out of the bunch that was blown up and mounted by her photographer. The idea was that they could use this on the day instead of a guest book, so people left lovely messages on the mount. It was a real talking point and everyone was asking who took the gorgeous photograph.

It’s now framed in their living room and they love that it’s a natural shot of them together in the run up to the wedding.
It just proves that you don’t need to spend hours getting ready to capture lovely photos and you can be creative with the shots afterwards. I plan to turn one of ours in to a Save the Date postcard, which is why I need to take the plunge and book our session in!
Like Jane and John Joe we also hate getting our photos taken, so their story gives me hope, so thanks for doing it first Jane! :)

Me signing the mount on the day!

Photos and photographer on the day were taken by Eric Savo

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Couture Wedding; Anne and Liam

Posted on August 26, 2011 by Ailbhe

We love it when a bride and groom want something completely different for their wedding invitations!  Anne’s sister and bridesmaid Aileen, got in contact with us and explained that she had been ‘championed to research some ideas’ for her sister’s wedding invitations.

Aileen attached a few photos for inspiration explaining that;
“There is a story around the pictures I have attached, Anne and her fiance Liam love cycling in West Cork and their favourite wild flower is montbretia, I came across your website and am delighted I found one that can enable us to customise our own invites.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Custom Invitation Inspiration

 

 

 

 

 

 

So we took it from there! I liaised with both the bride to be – Anne, and her sister Aileen (what a great bridesmaid!) and came up with some illustrations that could be included on  the invitation suite.

Below are the few stages we went through before finalising the main invitation illustration

Illustration drafts for the main invitation

Below are all the illustrations that were done for the main invitation, evening invitation and RSVP card.

Various illustrations used

Anne opted for a soft pencil illustration with hand painted watercolour touches to highlight the montbretia flowers. For the text we chose charcoal and orange colours and our romantic ‘Diana’ font to tie in with the illustration. The invitation suite was printed digitally.


“My invitations arrived on Friday so I was thrilled. I have to say a big thank you. I felt like a princess opening the pink floral box on Friday evening. I was so excited and the presentation was more than I was expecting.” Anne

To learn more about our couture invitations click here

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