Hand-Painted Weddings

  • A Romantic Hydrangea Wedding Invitation Suite

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    A Soft & Romantic Floral Design

    Designing this hand-painted wedding invitation suite was a true labor of love, inspired by timeless florals, soft watercolor washes, and classic elegance. For this couple’s Traverse City, Michigan wedding, we incorporated delicate blue and white hydrangeas, a custom illustrated map, and elegant blue watercolor details to create an invitation suite that truly told their love story.

    The couple wanted a design that felt romantic, fresh, and timeless, so we chose hydrangeas as the focal floral. These lush blooms, often associated with gratitude and heartfelt emotion, were the perfect choice for their wedding stationery. Each petal was hand-painted in soft watercolor tones, creating a dreamy botanical border that framed the invitation beautifully.

    To enhance the floral theme, we carried the hand-painted hydrangea illustration into the envelope liner, allowing guests to experience a subtle, elegant floral reveal as they opened their invitation.

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    A Hand-Painted Venue Map to Welcome Guests

    One of my favorite details in this suite is the custom illustrated wedding map. Traverse City is such a special location for the couple, and they wanted to highlight some of the area’s iconic spots and meaningful locations. The map featured the ceremony venue, a cozy family cottage, scenic overlooks, and local restaurants—giving guests a glimpse into their love story and the destination that means so much to them.

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    Watercolor Details & Elegant Calligraphy

    The soft blue watercolor washes throughout the suite added a touch of serene elegance while creating a cohesive, airy feel. We paired the artwork with timeless calligraphy and gold accents to create a sophisticated and classic look.

    To complete the suite, we incorporated vellum wraps, a wax seal, and silk ribbon, adding texture and an heirloom feel. Each guest received an invitation that felt not just like stationery, but a keepsake piece of art.

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    A Love Letter to Classic Romance

    This wedding invitation suite was all about romantic, meaningful details—from the hand-painted hydrangeas to the personalized map. Every brushstroke was thoughtfully placed to capture the couple’s love story, wedding destination, and timeless elegance.

    Designing bespoke wedding stationery is always about more than just paper—it’s about crafting the first impression of a couple’s most special day. This suite will forever be one of my favorites for its lush florals, dreamy watercolor details, and timeless beauty.

    If you’re dreaming of a custom, hand-painted wedding invitation suite, I’d love to bring your vision to life! Let’s create something that is uniquely you—a work of art that tells your love story.

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    💌 Invitations: @HandPaintedWeddings
    📸 Photography: @TheWeberPhotographers

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    #HandPaintedWeddings #CustomWeddingInvitations #WatercolorWedding #HydrangeaWedding #LuxuryWeddingStationery #TraverseCityWedding #RomanticWeddingDesign

  • Romantic Watercolor Wedding at Terrain Delaware Valley

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    There’s something magical about a wedding set in a lush, garden-inspired space, and Terrain at Delaware Valley provided the perfect backdrop for this soft, romantic styled shoot. Featuring hand-painted wedding invitations, elegant wax-sealed place cards, and custom oval menus and table numbers, this design blends organic charm with timeless elegance.

    Watercolor Wedding Invitation Suite

    The invitation suite is a true work of art, featuring delicate floral watercolors in soft pinks, peaches, and warm neutrals. A hand-painted venue illustration adorns the envelope liner, while a gold wax seal and airy chiffon ribbon tie the folio together. The vibrant poppy-red envelopes add a striking contrast, making this suite both romantic and eye-catching.

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    Wax-Sealed Place Cards with Dried Baby’s Breath

    Each place card was thoughtfully designed with gold wax seals, pressed with an elegant floral design. To add a unique touch, dried baby’s breath was delicately arranged around each wax seal, creating a soft, organic feel that ties into the floral tablescape. These place cards are not just functional but also serve as a beautiful keepsake for guests.

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    Oval Menus & Table Numbers for a Soft, Romantic Touch

    Breaking away from the traditional rectangular format, the oval menu design brings a fresh and elegant look to the tablescape. Printed on luxurious textured paper, the menu features soft watercolor floral details that match the invitation suite. The matching oval table numbers carry the same delicate floral elements, seamlessly tying all the stationery details together.

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    A Dreamy Tablescape with Natural Elegance

    The reception table was a breathtaking display of fresh blooms, featuring soft pink dahlias, peach garden roses, and delicate white ranunculus. The wooden farm table, adorned with neutral linens, warm candlelight, and modern gold flatware, created a setting that felt warm, inviting, and effortlessly beautiful.

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    A Wedding Design Filled with Artful Details

    From the painterly invitations to the wax-sealed place cards and custom menus, this styled shoot at Terrain Delaware Valley is the perfect inspiration for couples looking to incorporate hand-painted, romantic details into their wedding. The combination of lush florals, organic elements, and artistic stationery creates a wedding aesthetic that is both timeless and unique.

    If you’re dreaming of a whimsical, watercolor-inspired wedding, let this shoot be your guide to designing a day filled with elegance, artistry, and charm!

    Makeup/Hair: Makeup by Lyss
    Venue: Terrain Events (Doylestown) @terrain_events
    Event Decorator: Ariel Ashton Events @arielashtonevents
    Photographer 1: SJ del Priore @sjdelpriore
    Photographer 2: Emily Kirsten @emilykirstenphotography
    Photographer 3: Melissa Detwiler @melissalauren_photography
    Photography Styling Mats: Kirsten Studios @kirstenstudios
    Videographer: TM Weddings @tmweddingslv
    Florist: Ne Flower Boutique (including flowers ontop of cake) @ne_flower_boutique_decor
    Wedding Dresses: Kimberly James Bridal @kimberlyjamesbridal
    Tuxedo: Ventresca LTD @ventrescaltd
    Accessories & Jewelry: Dareth Colburn
    Designer Shoes: Bella Belle Shoes
    Invitations: Hand-Painted Weddings
    Cupcakes: Papas Cupcakes @papascupcakes
    Bride Model: April @aprilsixsmith
    Groom Model: Zach Savage @zach_savage_
    Phone booth from Treasure Trove Wedding and Event Rentals @treasuretroverentals

  • A Christmas Wedding Invitation Suite Fit for a Winter Wonderland

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    As an invitation designer, there’s nothing more magical than capturing the essence of a wedding through art and paper. When I designed this Christmas-inspired invitation suite, I wanted it to feel like an invitation into a cozy winter wonderland—warm, elegant, and full of festive charm.

    Set against the picturesque backdrop of The Inn at Barley Sheaf in Pennsylvania, this wedding was the epitome of holiday romance. From the very first glimpse of the invitation suite, I aimed to set the tone for an unforgettable seasonal celebration.

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    A Festive First Impression

    The heart of this suite is the custom folio invitation, adorned with lush hand-painted holly and berries and tied with a rich velvet red ribbon—a tactile detail that instantly evokes the warmth and luxury of the holiday season. When guests open the folio, they’re greeted with a watercolor scene of a winter village, reminiscent of a storybook Christmas.

    Deep red envelopes with elegant calligraphy and festive stamps complete the look, ensuring that every detail speaks to the romance and beauty of a holiday wedding. Gold wax seals add a final touch of elegance, tying together the invitation suite in a way that feels timeless yet modern.

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    Personalized Watercolor Touches

    One of my favorite aspects of this suite was the custom illustrations that reflected the couple’s story. From the charming depiction of their wedding venue to a whimsical watercolor of their beloved dog wearing a holiday bow, these details made the suite feel uniquely theirs.

    Every stroke of paint and every design choice was made to transport guests into the festive elegance of this celebration before they even arrived.

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    Elegant Holiday Wedding Details: A Cohesive Paper Suite for the Big Day

    When designing a wedding invitation suite, I always think beyond the invitation itself—creating a cohesive, immersive experience that carries through to the wedding day. For this Christmas-inspired wedding at The Inn at Barley Sheaf, I designed wedding day paper goods that perfectly complemented the invitation suite, bringing a seamless, elegant holiday aesthetic to every place setting.

    Personalized Place Cards with Wax Seals

    Each guest was welcomed to their seat with a custom place card, featuring a watercolor holly and berry border that matched the invitation suite. To elevate the look, I adorned each card with a gold wax seal stamped with a wintery tree design, adding a touch of timeless elegance.

    Inn at barley sheaf styled shoot

    Matching Folded Menus with Luxe Ribbon Detail

    The menu design continued the hand-painted holiday theme, with watercolor greenery and berries wrapping around the text. To add an interactive element, the menus were folded and tied with a rich red velvet ribbon, mimicking the invitation folio. Guests untied the ribbon to reveal their dining experience, making it feel like a beautiful gift at each place setting.

    Velvet Ribbon Name Details

    For an extra luxurious, personalized touch, some place settings featured deep red velvet ribbons with each guest’s name scripted in gold calligraphy. This small yet striking detail added a regal, bespoke feel, blending seamlessly with the gold charger plates, rich linens, and seasonal floral arrangements.

    By bringing the wedding invitation aesthetic into the reception details, the design felt cohesive, refined, and immersive, creating a stunning, unforgettable holiday tablescape.

    Inn at barley sheaf styled shoot

    Bringing the Holiday Spirit to Life

    A winter wedding is all about embracing the season’s magic—and the invitations are the very first step in setting that scene. With this suite, I wanted to create something that felt timeless yet deeply personal, evoking the warmth of holiday traditions, fireside gatherings, and the joy of celebration.

    For couples dreaming of a Christmas wedding, incorporating hand-painted elements, rich textures, and custom artwork into your stationery can make your invitations truly one-of-a-kind. Your wedding starts the moment your guests open that envelope—so let’s make it magical.

    Are you planning a holiday wedding? Let’s bring your vision to life with a custom watercolor invitation suite as unique and beautiful as your love story.

    Contact Allison today for your custom stationery quote.


    Makeup/Hair: Makeup by Lyss
    Venue: The Inn at Barley Sheaf
    Photographer: Emily Kirsten Photography
    Event Decorator: Miss Lyss Planning
    Stationary: Hand Painted Weddings
    Florist: Ne Flower Boutique
    Wedding Dresses: House of Bridal
    Accessories & Jewelry: Dareth Colburn
    Designer Shoes: Bella Belle Shoes
    Model: Francesca @francescxaa