Hand-Painted Country Wedding Invitations
CREDITS
Venue: Hedsor House Editorial Shoot Stylist and Planner: The Timeless Stylist Shoe Inspiration and Concepts: Love From Mwai Shoe Designers and Handcrafters: JANIKO Stationery: Rosey Willis Bridal Gowns: Morgan Davis Bridal and Naomi Neoh Photography: Eva Tarnok Photography
PROJECT DETAILS
This breath taking countryside wedding editorial was set amidst the natural beauty of The Ravenswood, a historic wedding venue nestled in the heart of Sussex, South England. Creatively directed by renowned wedding planner Mwai of Love from Mwai, with stunning photography captured by Stepan Vrzala, the shoot exuded timeless romance, weaving together nature, vintage charm, and lush floral design.Â
For the stationery suite, I sought to mirror the elegance and romance of the shoot, crafting each piece with meticulous attention to detail and a fine art sensibility. Through this stationery design, I aimed to capture the essence of a classic country wedding—one that embraces tradition while exuding elegance and romance. Each handcrafted detail was carefully considered to not only complement the stunning natural surroundings but also to create a sensory experience for the guests, from the feel of the handmade paper to the visual richness of the gold-gilded edges and hand-painted touches.
I began the project by creating a hand-painted backdrop on thick, handmade paper, using a delicate technique of dappled brushstrokes to evoke a sense of depth and texture. The tactile nature of this paper, combined with its soft, organic finish, made each invitation feel like a small work of art. To add an antique touch, I carefully gilded the edges in antique gold metallic paint, giving the stationery an air of timeless elegance, reminiscent of heirloom treasures.
Layered on top of this painterly base, I added a vellum overlay, where the invitation details were inscribed in flowing calligraphy. The translucency of the vellum allowed the artful backdrop to subtly peek through, creating a harmonious blend of texture and design. To complete the invitations, I wrapped each piece in generous lengths of luxurious white silk ribbons, which cascaded elegantly around the stationery, adding both softness and a sense of opulence.
The envelopes were a labour of love in themselves—completely handmade to match the artisanal nature of the invitations. I adorned each envelope with hand-painted details, echoing the rustic charm of the countryside setting, and inscribed the guests’ addresses in bespoke calligraphy, adding a personal, refined touch.Â
To further evoke the romance of times gone by, I sealed the envelopes with an antique-style wax seal, intentionally uneven to give it an authentic, old-world feel. The slightly misshapen seal, with its rich texture and warm patina, enhanced the fine art aesthetic and reinforced the idea of timeless elegance.
The overall colour palette for the shoot was beautifully understated, featuring subtle tones of greens, whites, creams, and soft pinks in the organically arranged florals. This elegant, muted palette was perfectly balanced with the vintage drink cart, which added a playful pop of color through jewel-toned drinks displayed in antique decanters, injecting a touch of personality and vibrance into the scene.
