Creating wedding invitations for an enchanting, garden-inspired celebration in the Hudson Valley

As a wedding invitation designer & calligrapher, I have the unique honor of putting a couple’s love story on paper, creating keepsakes that mark the start of a beautiful chapter in their lives. Earlier this year, I was lucky enough to celebrate Ashley & Sean’s love story, designing the invitations for their fairytale wedding at Blooming Hill Farm in the Hudson Valley. Here’s an inside look at what went into creating their dreamy, floral wedding invitation suite.

How to start with custom wedding invitations

When Ashley reached out to me about designing their wedding invitations, she was in the middle of a whirlwind of planning. Engaged just three months earlier, her wedding date was less than five months out – and she admitted she wasn’t really sure where to start.

“I’m inexperienced with all things wedding,” she said, explaining she had no idea when to send invitations, whether or not she needed Save-the-Dates at such short notice, what the right etiquette was when it came to wording, or really, how to even start. 

Now, here’s the thing. It might seem like everyone magically inherits all this knowledge about wedding planning once they get engaged, but the truth is … you’re not supposed to know all of that! Chances are, even if this isn’t your first wedding, you don’t know what the “rules” are or how to plan it all – and that’s normal. It’s where your vendors – not just planners, but also wedding invitation designers & calligraphers like myself – can help.

Getting started with custom wedding invitation design

Ashley & I took it one step at a time. We talked about her vision – what colors she liked (orange & green), her favorite florals (sunflowers), the aesthetic she wanted (unsure – but something that tied into the venue), and what she already had planned (her dress). 

And the moment she showed me her wedding dress … it literally took my breath away! It was the most stunning V-neck gown with layers and layers of soft tulle. I couldn’t get over how romantic and dreamy it was. Immediately, I knew we had to find a way to use it as inspiration for the wedding invitations. 

Shortly after, Ashley & Sean found their dream wedding venue – Blooming Hill Farm, a charming family-owned & operated farm nestled in the idyllic Hudson Valley of New York. As a wedding venue, not only do they serve the most incredible farm-to-table food, they also grow and design all their own florals - just one of the many reasons Ashley fell in love with the space.

The inspiration behind A&S’s dream wedding invitation suite

Inspired by the venue, summer florals, and Ashley’s beautiful dress, we started designing. And because invitations are the first impression guests have of the wedding, we wanted Ashley & Sean’s to communicate exactly what their vibe was – summer, farm & floral.

To start, we knew that in order to elevate the design, we had to create letterpress wedding invitations. From there, I leaned into Ashley’s love of flowers, creating a watercolor border of summer wildflowers that surrounded the most gorgeous, deep letterpress impression. For the details card, I kept it simple with a letterpressed border and lush green ink to color-match the envelopes.

Finally, to tie it all together, I suggested a handmade, burnt orange silk ribbon – a nod to Ashley’s stunning gown and her favorite color. And I have to admit, seeing the design come to life, I absolutely loved how they came out. 

The final result - dreamy, romantic letterpress wedding invitations

Besides seeing it for myself, my absolute favorite part of creating this suite was Ashley & Sean’s reaction. They were overjoyed and felt exactly how I did, which was that the invitations perfectly captured the spirit of their wedding – warm, inviting, and effortlessly romantic.

It’s moments like these that make me love what I do – turning a couple’s unique vibe into a beautiful reality, all while taking the stress out of the wedding planning and invitation process. So if you’re dreaming of a wedding that truly reflects your story and style, I’d love to help you bring that vision to life. Let’s create something beautiful together … reach out today to start your own wedding invitation journey!

Photos by Carisse Design Studio & Marlon Ramos Photography

Venue, florals & catering – Blooming Hill Farm, Monroe, New York

Wedding dress – L’amour by Calla Blanche

Custom wedding invitations & calligraphy – Carisse Design Studio