Over the last year Gemma Milly has become something of a family illustrator. After having designed my blog headers and our moving home cards, when it came to our invitations it was a bit of a no brainer that we would ask her to design them for us.
Invitations wasn’t something I’ve ever given a passing thought. I had no idea what I wanted except that they should be a bit different and not ‘weddingy’ – no ivory card with gold embossed lettering, no tissue paper lining or anything like that.
Gemma knows me well enough now to know not to give me anything girly, although that doesn’t usually stop her trying to sneak some prettiness past me somehow. Flowers, pink, butterflies, ribbons and adoring faces were out, but trees laden with blossom were in.
I spent some time trawling some fabulous paper inspiration sites that Gemma had directed me to and it all started to come together. What we ended up with were a real surprise and they are perfect. I love them and we have had loads of positive feedback from our guests.
We chose harvest coloured card with tobacco lettering and tobacco envelopes which Gemma addressed with white ink in her stunning calligraphy.
Rather than traditional stand up cards I chose two separate cards, one for the main invitation and one for the details. They are both double sided and had our large amounts of information on the back. It was a feat of admirably succinct copywriting for which I credit Richard that we managed to get all the necessary information included. I am far too garrulous to be that concise. Because of the information cards we didn’t have to send the usual A4 paper insert which I always think rather ruin the effect of beautiful invitations.
Gemma also made us some RSVP postcards which we stamped and included to make it easy for people to respond.
My favourite part is the hand drawn map that Gemma did for us. I fell in love with the 101 Dalmations map of London from Adventure Walks and seeing as the location of our flat is on that map and so is our venue, we used that as a starting point and then put on references for everyone’s accommodation and things to do in the downtime over the weekend. I think they turned out beautifully and I might start giving them to cabbies to take me home after a night out.
Gemma is brilliant – she’s fun to work with, she really listens to what you want and is reasonably priced and so if you are in the market for invitations you should definitely contact her through her website. Thanks Gem! x
you’re right, these are perfect! well done on a stunning collaboration… not too girly (believe it or not, i don’t like too girly either… except flowers!), but with a hint of “this is something very special” about them… & gem’s hand-writing is particularly glorious… i also really love the colours you chose! i hope you kept one for yourself to put in a non-weddingy wedding album
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Thank you. No I do believe you actually. Do you know I totally forgot to keep one for ourselves
I will have to see if I can get one from Gem xx
Annie – these are absolutely beautiful! -Not entirely surprising given you always have such wonderful attention to detail! I think these are easily the most lovely invitations i’ve seen – and they seem to set the exact tone for your lovely, unpretentious day. Also, thank you for such a great link to this wonderful illustrator. I’m definitely bookmarking this lady for my own future uses! Did she hand draw the ‘Annie and Richard’ font as well? Its fantastic.
This post has reminded me – I’m sure you had posted on Abigail Aherne’s blog a while back, that you were in the process of buying some wonderful art. I’ve been keeping an eye out myself of late for art that would suit my new place, with no luck yet as I have quite specific tastes. I have been wondering if you did get the piece you were considering?
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Ah that’s so nice of you thank you!
Yes she hand drew that bit, she’s very clever.
Oh did I? I don’t remember. I find it really hard to buy art. Everyone else seems to find amazing stuff on Etsy but I don’t have such luck (or patience probably). I have bought a few prints from there. Let me know if you find anywhere good to buy things! x
Fabulous Annie-she’s done a wonderful job-perfect! X
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They are wonderful invitations, I’m really happy to be a proud owner of one
. That Gemma is a clever lady. xx
Very gorgeous indeed
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Love these invites. So much better that those awful garish cards many people go for.
It’s getting close. You much be excited, nervous… good luck with all the preparations! x
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Thank you. We’re quite chilled actually.It’s all been a bit too free of stress so perhaps we’ve forgotten something really important!
Oh, bliss. I love them SO much. I love their handlettered feel and the colors are divine. And that MAP! I adore the map. I’d love one to hang on my wall (hint, hint). They really seem to suit you down to your toes Annie, properly celebratory but not fussy or over-the-top. Great collaboration for both of you. I’m getting so excited!
Thank you! I think I have a spare one…. x
WOW! They are so perfect and so very much “you.” I love her calligraphy and the hand-drawn map just stole my heart. How personal and delightful those are! Totally not your everyday wedding invitations. I love that you tied them with bits of string, too, for an added touch. I can’t wait to see more wedding details as we get closer to your date (only a few weeks now!). I can’t wait until I have an excuse to contact her (the “Mirette’s Paris” map is still floating around my brain…). You guys are being very generous with your guests, offering them lots of time to spend with you: dinner, breakfast, brunch. Enjoy every second of it and if we don’t get a ton of details I’ll be so crushed. xoxo
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Thank you. Don’t you wish you had writing like that? I do. The postman didn’t know which flat was ours and Richard saw him outside and he said he’d have rung every bell as clearly they were very important as Gem had written wedding invites on the package!
Yeah we’re not that generous, everyone’s pay for their own breakfast and brunch – perhaps I should have made that clear?!
Absolutely charming.
They are gorgeous, personal and definitely not too girly
xx
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Thank you Leah xx
Lovely cards Annie! Really like the colors and that you did stray from typical wedding invitation colors. The handwritten envelope (I wish I could write like that!) and the map give the invite something special. And you can start counting the days now, it’s less than a month away…Enjoy your weekend!
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I love your wedding invites, so very you and from what you’ve told me about the big day the perfect introduction for your guests!
The attention to detail is fabulous, the white calligraphy on the dark envelopes has got me itching to get my calligraphy set out.
I’ve saved the envelope, I couldn’t bring myself to throw it away, it’s so beautiful (Mr S thought we had a letter from Hogwarts
)xx
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As someone who loves all things paper, these invites are perfect in every way. I love every last detail from the harvest colored card to the white calligraphy against the tobacco on the envelope. You really did find the best person for the job in Gemma. Well, as you said, it was a no brainer as her work is really special. I love that you and R. went against the grain and created an invitation that is uniquely you. Not too much longer now!
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I echo everyone above, such an original and beautiful invite ( not too girly!) You must be so excited. It’s nearing, have a wonderful day Annie xx
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Those are absolutely stunning! x
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