Color Palette

It all began with a unique + exciting color palette. The mother of one of the grooms was in charge of most of the design, and we worked together to utilize the lavender + hunter green colors to complement the hotel gardens and neutral indoor space. Often my male gay couples stick with masculine colors (grays, blues, browns), so this was a really fun challenge.

I tell clients not to be afraid of color. You can choose colors that aren’t as bold, and you can use them thoughtfully. Here, we utilized the lavender with a vellum invitation suite wrap. Vellum is a semi-transluscent paper, so any color printed on it has a natural dull. This allowed for that hint of color, and not an immediate punch to the face when guests open the envelope! I love how colored vellum looks when it’s folded over each other, as shown at the center of the suite.

Fashion played a huge role in the wedding as well. The grooms had many outfit changes (all blacks + whites), but their all-female wedding party carried through that lovely lavender in their mismatched gowns.

Estancia La Jolla Wedding Ceremony

So much green naturally exists in the Garden Plaza of Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa, so the task was made much simpler. It was to infuse purples, whites, and splashes of dark green. I loved the custom flower boxes that created the isle, and added that clean, modern feel.

Guests were greeted with signage + parasols, and on each seat were fans and custom wedding programs with alternating ribbon colors. And Marc + Billy’s wedding wouldn’t be complete without their furry pup to bear witness!

Cocktail Hour + Garden Room Reception

Cocktail hour took place outside near the ceremony. We created a custom acrylic welcome sign + seating chart set. As actors and lovers of comedy television, each table was named after one of their favorite sitcoms. We also had custom matchbooks at the bar, which featured a lavender-infused signature cocktail.

The Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa has a neutral indoor wedding space, so it was easily transformed with white linen draping and reusing those white garden boxes to bring a natural element into the indoor space. We tapped back into our wedding invitation look by creating lavender vellum belly bands that wrapped around each guest’s menu. Their meal choice was creatively indicated by color-coded wax seals, utilizing the entire wedding color palette. I love when we use color to indicate meal choice, because it means every table’s place settings look a little different! We also created custom acrylic table numbers with the tv show titles, and custom-illustrated cocktail napkins of their puppy dog.

The most unique element of their wedding was hiring a comedian friend to do a set during meal time. More + more weddings are becoming experiential, and doing the comedy bit gave the guests something unique while also celebrating the couple’s personalities. Guests were in stitches over her jokes, and it definitely set a silly + joyful tone amidst the formal event.

Marc + Billy, thank you for for making me part of your gorgeous San Diego wedding! You are both full of personalities + style, and it shone through every step of the way in your wedding planning.

Want more Southern California wedding inspiration? Check out this colorful boho wedding at Fig House in Highland Park!

Vendor Reel:

Planner: Sweet Blossom Weddings @sweetblossomweddings

Photographer: Carmen Lopez @carmenlopezphoto

Venue: Estancia La Jolla @estancialajolla

DJ: DJ Keelz @djkeelez

Florist: Organic Elements @organicelements

Specialty Rentals: Adore Folklore @adorefolklore, Cavalier Bars @cavalierbars & Found Rental Co @foundrentalco

Beauty: Refined Beauty @refinedbeautyinc

Videographers: Amari Productions @amariproductions

Bakery: Heritage Desserts @heritagedesserts & The Baked Bear @thebakedbear

Photo Booth: The Vanity Portrait @thevanityportraitstudio

Comedian: Jessica Kirson @jessykirson

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This mantra served me well, but as I sat down to think about 2025, I asked myself, “what does quality check mean?” The initial purpose was to ensure quantities were right, shipments were made on time, no unnecessary print errors occurred, etc. etc. But it became bigger. I started checking if what I was producing for my clients lived up to the fresh design I promised and the price point that I charged.

So as we enter a new year, my post-it for the next 12 months will now say…

“Good art takes time”

We live in such a fast-paced, ASAP, free-overnight-shipping world that it’s easy to forget that quality work is not done in a rush. And the truth is I’ve caught myself at times falling back on easy design.

I started listening to a new podcast, and the host talked about how they had created an entirely different podcast on the subject, but never published it because it wasn’t up to their quality standards. It would be easy to say, “What a waste of time!”, and forget that the first draft should really never be the final draft. It’s the initial design, the struggle, the stops + starts, that get us to something truly special.

So I wish you all a year of keeping pace with this intense world we live in, but making the active choice to not rush the age-old process of a final quality product.

Photos 1 & 2: Caitlin Page Photography, Photo 3: Julie Shuford Photography

And now I leave you with a look back on this incredible year in business….

photo credits: @caitlinpagephotography @peterson.design.photo @katenoelle @laurenlarsenstudio @carmenlopezphoto @stephanieklotzphoto @sodafountainphoto @clayaustin @siobhanstantonphotography @truedaughters @stacey_lillian_photography @danforthneal @colleenannelennehan

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Connecticut is a beautiful place to get married. It has the charm of New England with historical buildings, vast farmland, and gorgeous ocean views. As a Connecticut wedding stationery in the business for over 12 years, I know the best wedding venues across New England.

There are a ton of venues I could gush about, but here are my top three…

Smith Farm & Gardens

Smith Farm & Gardens in East Haddam, Connecticut is relatively new on the scene, but they have sure made a splash! The home itself was built in 1778, but over time become a bit dilapidated. Once a family came in and purchased it, they put great time + love into restoring it to its original beauty. It is also very close to Chesire and Essex, which have great little shops + restaurants.

Setting the tone for your wedding begins with gorgeous paper–whether that first phase is save the dates or invitations, my custom stationery is often inspired by the venue itself: why you chose it, what it reflects in you as a couple, and the look you want to share with your guests. Sometimes the actual venue itself (often through custom watercolor illustrations) becomes a focal point of your wedding paper!

The house at Smith Farm itself allows for up to 11 guests, so it’s a nice choice for accommodations for family the night before, or to utilize it as a rehearsal dinner space. It also has a custom-built bridal suite, and plenty of room for the wedding party to get ready and mingle the morning of the wedding!

But what makes Smith Farm so special are all the gardens. They are meticulously cared for, and provide so much color + joy to the space. Walking through them is an experience for your guests, and make for a perfect ceremony backdrop! It has been a great source of inspiration for my custom invitation designs as well.

With a tented wedding in Connecticut, you can really make it your own. The sailcloth is a gorgeous detail, but inside it’s a blank canvas. And there is nothing more magical then string lights in a tent!

Smith Farm & Gardens is historical, but meticulously restored, and it will make you fall in love with New England all over again!

Photos: Jennifer Nichole Photography, Save the Date Photo: Peterson Design Photo

The Lace Factory

There is no other venue like The Lace Factory in Deep River, Connecticut. But before we get into the venue itself, we have to first talk about how guests often arrive there.

Because of their partnership with the Essex Steam Train, they can coordinate for your guests to hop on the train to arrive at The Factory. It is such a fun experience for your guests not only to build momentum for the wedding itself, but to get a taste of historical New England. I love creating custom koozies, napkins, and signage for a signature cocktail that guests can enjoy when they hop off the train.

The Lace Factory is in the heart of rustic Connecticut, where the grounds outside are lined with beautiful trees and other greenery. You can also have your ceremony outside in front of the beautiful historic brick building!

Now, to the indoor space. The Lace Factory was built as local shipbuilding yard in 1875, and was used for other logistics over the years. It is now a full-time rental space that hosts an array of events. They have in-house catering from Cloud 9 Catering, and a staff dedicated to weddings. The Riverview room (yes, water views are part of the experience!) is industrial chic. Though it has a character all its own, the space itself is pretty neutral so can be designed in many different ways. I’ve had couples stick to the rustic, natural feel, and others go really modern with bright colors.

If you’re looking for a unique space and a fun experience for guests, The Lace Factory should be at the top of your list!

Photos: Carla Ten Eyck, Brooke Allison Photo, Joanna Fisher

The Inn at Longshore

Now it’s onto Fairfield County, and to Westport, Connecticut specifically. Any venue in Fairfield County is great for couples who have guests coming from the city, as it’s a very easy + frequent train from Grand Central Station.

The Inn at Longshore holds a special place in my heart because it is in my hometown. I’ve attended school dances, mitzvahs and happy hours over my years as a longtime resident. The truth is, Longshore really has the market corned on this paired with an elegant space, delicious food, and breathtaking views. Of all the venues, I’ve done the most weddings here, so I like to think of myself as a Longshore expert :).

Originally built in 1890 as a private residence, Longshore became “the in place” in Southern Connecticut to get married or hold an important event by the early 20th century. Over the years, literary scholars began speculating that the historic Inn at Longshore, and not solely Long Island, had influenced F. Scott Fitzgerald, specifically with his most famous novel, The Great Gatsby.

Though most weddings are done with an outdoor ceremony on the water’s edge and a reception inside, they do offer tented weddings on the lawn as well! Lots of flexibility with locations + looks, and back-up plans when weather is not on your side.

And speaking of weather…though you may think of Longshore as a venue for spring + summer weddings, Longshore at the end of the day is a New England venue, and therefore is gorgeous all four seasons! I’ve designed for rustic snowy weddings as well as bright, colorful summer soirees.

The indoor space is really beautiful with open windows + chandeliers. You have an opportunity to welcome guests in through a lovely entrance area which can set the tone for the whole evening. I highly recommend utilizing that space for a seating chart display moment. (Insider tip: most weddings at Longshore need place cards as well, so you can do a seating chart instead of escort cards!)

Without a doubt, The Inn at Longshore is my most-requested venue illustration! I’ve commissioned it many times, and it’s been so fun to see over the years how one space can be painted many different ways. My rule is to never use an illustration a second time. Custom means custom, and that is your artwork to have for a lifetime!

Though you may have gone to Longshore for a cocktail or a round of golf, don’t overlook it when searching for your wedding space. It has so much to offer!

Photos: Shaina Lee Photography, Ashley Therese Photography, Brooke Allison Photo, Alexandra Blair Photography

Now I want to hear from you! What is your favorite CT wedding venue? The truth is I could name a dozen more, but I wanted to focus on three that illustrate what makes this state so special + diverse. I hope you enjoy all the beautiful images + insider tips!

Check out Eliza + Danny’s full Smith Farm Garden Wedding feature on the blog, and visit Caroline + John’s Watercolor Crest Longshore Wedding post, too!

The post The Best Connecticut Wedding Venues appeared first on Roseville Designs: Wedding Paper Blog.

Floral Watercolor Inspiration

Elizabeth’s amazing floral wedding gown was the starting point of all inspiration! It was a perfect reflection of her personality, and shows what I love to do with my couples: pull elements of who they are as people and what they want for their wedding, and translate that onto paper.

In their save the dates, we did just a few pink floral details, but when is was time for the invitations we didn’t hold back! Their watercolor floral custom wedding invitations used lots of specific flowers from her dress and the bouquets to create a romantic + organic look. We incorpporated the flowers for lots of pieces in the wedding: signage, programs, and the cutest custom matchbooks which served as guest favors.

We topped it all of with a custom vintage postage story (one of my favorite add-on services for my couples!) which celebrated their home states as well as their love of nature. Want to learn more about vintage postage? Check out my post on how to use vintage postage stamps for your wedding invitations!

Shepherd’s Run Tented Wedding Reception

The reception space was held in a tent full of floral decor mixed in with the string lights and a custom bar wallpaper with watercolor florals! Because there were beautiful real florals and patterned linens on the tables, I wanted to focus on texture for the day-of stationery items. We had letterpress menus printed on handmade seed paper. I love when you can keep a theme cohesive (e.g. florals), but do it in a way so you’re not just repeating the same look on every printed element. I always strive to create something cohesive, not matchy-matchy for my clients. It’s all about the custom look and no add-to-cart process when working with me. Learn more about my services here!

Rattan Custom Signage

Even though I’ve been in business for over 10 years, I like to keep trying new things and pushing myself creatively. There was a lot of rattan at the wedding venue, so to keep that theme of texture I decided to use real rattan for the bar signs and watercolor table numbers. This was a long process of soaking, drying, cutting, and measuring, but I really enjoyed the journey + final result. It was organic, fun + chic!(Click here to see the Instagram BTS reel of the whole process!)

Watercolor Floral Cupcake Escort Card Display

Another fun moment from the reception was when guests were greeted at the entrance with the cupcake escort card table. Each guest had a delicious cupcake awaiting them (literally with their name on it!) and a mounted sign featuring watercolor floral details from the wedding invitation suite.

Elizabeth + Michael, thank you for trusting me with your entire watercolor wedding paper story! You had such a clear vision for your wedding, and desire to keep it fun, floral + fresh. It made for such a lovely process and beautiful final result!

Vendor Credits

Photography: Kelsey Regan @kelseyreganphoto / Planning + Design: Jubilee Events @ajubileeevent / Venue: Shepherd’s Run @shepherdsrun / Floral Design: Hana Floral @hanafloral / Catering: Blackstone Caterers @blackstoneri / Beauty: Erica Renee Beauty @ericareneebeauty / Planning + Design: Jubilee Events @jubileeevent / Cinema: Some Fuzzy @somefuzzy / Entertainment: DJ Phil @dj_philkaratzia / Dress: Monique Lhuillier @moniquelhuillier @moniquelhuillierbride / Cake + Cupcake Favors: Whisk Me Away @whiskmeawayri / Stationery: Roseville Designs @rosevilledesigns / Tent Decor + Lighting: Exquisite Events Decor @eedecor / Favors: KP & Co. Design Studio @kpcodesignstudio / Custom Bar: Karri Lee Designs @karri.lee.designs / Rentals + Linens: PEAK Event Services @peakeventservices / Getting Ready Location: Ocean House @oceanhouseri

For more watercolor floral wedding invitation inspiration, check out Sarah + George’s coastal Connecticut nuptials! Ready to chat about your wedding paper story? Get in touch here!

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