As we embark on this new year, I wanted to take a moment to look back on 2022 and highlight some of my favourite invitation suites and calligraphy projects from the year.
Since this blog is a new journey, I wanted to take a moment to tell you a bit about myself. My name is Jillian, Owner & Designer here at Jaye Designs. When I am not designing invitations, I am a mama to two precious littles, and wife to my amazingly supportive husband (who is also a business owner).
Stationery and Calligraphy was something that I poured my heart into any chance I could. At the start, I spent my time mainly between being a full-time designer in product development in fashion, and being a new mom. After my daughter was born, I left my full-time job to stay at home with my daughter, and run Jaye Designs. I worked away for a couple of years, trying to find my place in the world of invitations and calligraphy. Not long after, I had my son, right as covid hit Ontario. This seemed to be the perfect time to take a break, be at home with my family, and re-group where I wanted to see this business go.
2022 was a special year for me. With covid restrictions lifting, my daughter was back at school, and my son was able to go to daycare. This meant I could finally focus on my third baby, Jaye Designs. With larger events coming back to the world, the wedding industry boomed! 2022 was jam packed with some amazing work that I am so ready to share with you!
My Top Ten Favourites from 2022
1. Modern Black & White: Katie & Chris
The wedding invitations were a clean, simple and modern design, with a pop of black & white pattern on the back. It was held together with a vellum belly band. The day-of stationery was created to complement the invitations with bold black and white design for a welcome sign, seating chart, table numbers, menus and favour labels.
Alena & Mario wanted to include a lot of personal touches to their invitations and day-of details. We started with a sketch of Alena’s family home, which is where they celebrated their wedding. The back of the invite featured a custom watercolour painting of the sunset views from the back balcony. The light and airy vibe, with gold touches and custom calligraphy, continued in their day-of details. Custom table numbers and bar signs completed the whole look.
This shoot featured all black and white modern details, with touches of blush pink and gold. The invitations had a focus on bold typography, mixed with vellum textures. Accents of bold black give this look a playful feel. The tablescape was accented with perfume bottles customized with guest names in calligraphy.
4. Elegant Fuchsia, Lilac + White Letterpress: Fallon & Adam
Fallon & Adam were looking for a luxury invitation suite to pull together their colour palette. We used an elegant text, featured a custom monogram, soft florals, all with letterpress details and a pop of colour in their ribbon, wax seals and envelopes.
Gillian and Isabelle got married at Isabelle’s family cottage. They wanted a boho chic event to celebrate their nuptials. They wanted some statement calligraphy pieces for their welcome sign and seating chart. We created this acrylic duo welcome sign, and 6.5 foot acrylic seating chart to wow their guests.
6. Bright Teal Modern Downtown Wedding: Sara & Terrence
A bright and bold colour palette lends itself to a fun and modern style invitation suite. With such a cool wedding venue, we wanted to create a map with some venue sketches of some local downtown buildings. This look tied into their day-of stationery, with maple syrup favour labels, seating chart, and painted welcome sign.
7. Rustic Elegance: Colby & Ashley
Watercolour painted florals perfectly accented this invitation’s vellum gatefold. The bride and groom wanted something rustic, but elegant, while still being luxurious and dreamy. We played with all of the details, combining kraft envelopes, deckled edges, soft colours and a monogram wax seal to complete the look.
8. Calligraphy Seating Charts Galore!
This year was my year of calligraphy seating charts. There were so many varieties, that I couldn’t just choose one favourite, even if I tried. Acrylic was the most popular surface this year. I did every colour, ranging from clear, frosted, black, white, to custom painted colours. Check out the florals we added as well!
9. Spain Destination Wedding: Donna & Kamyar
Donna & Kamyar had the most beautiful “I do’s” set across the country, in Spain! I had so much fun creating this suite, using their bold colour palette. The couple wanted to incorporate the idea of neon lights. and it paired perfectly! The envelope calligraphy just finished the look.
I started 2022 by showing at The Modern Bride Wedding Show. I was able to meet so many amazing couples and bridal parties and help inspire them for their wedding invites!
2023 is going to bring such amazing new projects and I already cannot wait to share them with you.
Want to be one of those projects?! Contact me now to talk about your invitations or calligraphy ideas.
Click here to fill in the form and I’ll be in touch to chat more.
Download Your Free Wedding Stationery Timeline and Guide
There’s a lot to keep track of when you’re planning your big day, so I drew on my years of experience as a wedding stationer and calligrapher to create these free resources to help you check one more thing off your to-do list! If this is you, then leave your email below to receive your list of essential wedding stationery items and your timeline and guide to creating event stationery that will wow your guests.
