When I first read Andi from Tennessee’s charette entry, I felt a pang of familiarity and melancholy for having moved away from the South! Andi, an actress and non profit organizer, and Drew, a public defender and musician are both steeped in the performance arts but have a steadfast fondness for the South, where Andi is from and where their wedding will be.
Andi shared with me their love for old Southern trees, wildflowers, the Appalachians and bluegrass music and how difficult it was to find invitations that really reflected who they are.
Andi and Drew's color scheme: Lavender and Sunflower Yellow, click to zoom in.
I was most drawn to their vibrant earthy likes and having lived in the South and married a North Carolinian, it really resonated with me, and my challenge was to come up with something that combined that with their performance arts background. My first thought was wildflower-seeded handmade paper! I can’t pass up this opportunity to incorporate in their design considering Andi’s love for wildflowers. From their descriptions, Andi and Drew’s invitation suite needed to be two things: 1. theatrical, 2. rustic but vibrant with a southern flair.
I felt that the invitation wanted to be in a narrow, panoramic format that hints of theaters, stages and film. It is a folded piece, with a longer back flap that folds up to the front like an envelope. This serves several purposes: to conceal a hidden message, to set the scene with backs of theater seating, and to keep the piece closed which I will explain why next.
At first glance, the main invitation, printed on yellow textured handmade seeded paper shows a windowed scene- a cut out of a dramatic oak tree reminiscent of the lush South trimmed with vibrant abstract wildflowers.
How it works...click to zoom in
I wanted the first glance to feel like you are about to see something unfold on stage amidst dramatic trees and wildflowers. Behind the window is a simple lavendar backdrop (lavendar-colored handmade seeded paper) with the words: “Presenting Andi and Drew. A WeddingDay Production.
Once you fold down the ‘seats’ flap, you will see the words : Coming soon to Huntsville, Tennessee, Aug 21st 2010, their wedding venue and date.
At the far right end of the card is a cut-out indicating PULL. Reach in and pull and the lavendar backdrop slides out. This is a ‘ticket’-inspired RSVP piece with a perforated portion that can be torn and returned to Andi and Drew. On the back of this ‘ticket’ is additional wedding info and the perforated portion to be returned is set against a backdrop of painted wildflowers (available in perhaps 5 different schemes for variety) .Guests would sign on it and return the piece. The different wildflower schemes make for an attractive scrapbook or framed montage of signed RSVPs!
Once you pull out the RSVP ticket piece, a scene unfolds of a hand-painted southern backyard wedding party, the most important component. Silhouttes of dancing and laughing figures against a purple moonlit sky. A barbecue, beer, a bluegrass band, and lots of joy. With the card folded , and the backdrop/ticket piece removed, the invitation becomes an excellent wedding keepsake for Andi and Drew’s guests, something that can be framed up to remember that special day by.
What fun! Wishing Andi and Drew all the best…
