Wedding week continues here at Young House Love with a look back at the paper goods we created for our celebration — from a bright, summery invitation to a custom thank-you postcard. We’ll begin with the piece that started it all in early 2007: the save-the-date.
We wanted something simple, personal, and playful, so we drew on one of our favorite couple traditions: photobooth pictures. Rather than spending quarters hunting for the perfect strip, we staged our own session with a digital camera, edited the images in Photoshop, and printed them on glossy photo paper. The result was a memorable save-the-date that communicated the essential details — what, where, and when — and slipped into a simple white envelope. As a bonus, that faux photostrip later inspired us to rent an actual photobooth for the reception.
After our quirky save-the-date introduced the wedding, the invitation set the overall mood. An invite is one of the first glimpses guests get of an event, so it’s the perfect place to establish the tone and color palette. We wanted something elegant but relaxed — essentially a “garden wedding, no ties required” vibe. Using a citrusy yellow and green palette, we designed and printed invitations featuring lemon topiaries and buzzing bees to give the suite a whimsical, garden-inspired feel.
Each invitation package included an RSVP postcard, hotel information, and directions, all tucked into bright lime green envelopes that I hand-addressed (Sherry insisted my handwriting was better). It was time-consuming, but the personal touch felt worth it — and it reinforced the casual, friendly tone we wanted to convey.
We knew the tone was right when the RSVP postcards started coming back with playful replies and handwritten notes that spilled over the margins. Those cards remain stacked on the console in our living room, a small collection of reminders about the people who celebrated with us. Wedding stationery can be a wonderful keepsake alongside photos and other mementos.
Our paper story traveled with guests to Richmond. For attendees staying at the recommended local hotel, we prepared a welcome packet to help them make the most of their visit. Working on a budget, we grabbed free yellow maps from the visitors’ center, highlighted local must-sees, and paired the maps with a “When in Richmond” suggestions sheet that matched attractions to map locations. We also included a “Virginia is for Lovers” sticker as a small, cheerful souvenir.
Instead of a traditional guest book, we asked friends and family to leave messages on speech-bubble cards we designed and printed. During the reception, guests filled them out and dropped the notes into a glass vase. Reading those messages later became a treasured part of reliving the day, offering candid and heartfelt sentiments from the people who celebrated with us.
Once the celebrations ended, we designed custom thank-you postcards using an artsy photo from the wedding. Postcards were an affordable and distinctive alternative to folded stationery and allowed us to send a personal, visual reminder of the day to each guest. Many recipients enjoyed spotting themselves in the background — a lighthearted way to extend the memory.
That covers the paper side of our wedding story. What about yours? Did you create an unexpected save-the-date, receive a particularly creative invitation, or keep a memorable thank-you note? Share your experiences — they might inspire other couples planning their celebrations. And if anyone needs a volunteer to hand-address envelopes, I’ll think twice before raising my hand again.
*Drop in on our Wedding Album tab below the header to see the full details of our big day from start to finish.