In the beginning...

Photo by Jamie Waters

Although I've always dabbled with creating invitations and various stationery projects for friends and family, I have to admit that the seed of this business started from the creation of our wedding invitation over 7 years ago. I think that we had about 32 proteges until we finally got the right one. And when I look back I can remember complaining about the million things wrong with the invitations. After the years went on, I think that I started looking at it differently and prefer the imperfections. It shows me that we've improved and have grown since then. Unfortunately, that was our physical state as well...ha!
 

So today we celebrate our 7 year anniversary. Here's to all our sacrifice and to the struggle that brought us to this day of appreciation. In seven years we have managed to grow our business and our family and we are so proud to have been blessed with so many customers, family and friends who have supported us through the years. 

Invitations and Stationery: Paper Crew | Lighthouse Illustration by Amanda Wright | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang | Bridesmaid dress: Banana Republic | Favors: Paper Crew | Florist: Le Petite Fluer (not recommended) | Videography: Buckley Videography | Ceremony Location: Lions Lighthouse for Sight, Long Beach, California

LA TIMES, BIXBY KNOLLS, PAPER CREW

We were included in a story in this past Saturday's LA TIMES! Of course we had to run out and get a bunch of copies everywhere! We are so proud to be a part of this neighborhood and are so pleased to see so much improvement in the area. If you're local to Southern California and haven't experienced Bixby Knolls yet, you should!
The full article can be seen on their blog here.

Do you recognize the invitation shown on the newspaper? It's Kristianna and Eric's Hot Pink and Chic wedding posted on a past blog here.

Eco Friendly Wedding Inspiration Featured on Ruffled

Last month we were blessed to celebrate our 2 year store anniversary. The last two years have been a crazy roller coaster ride and so much has grown from our little studio above the garage. Now our little hobby has grown to include an online Etsy store, a letterpress shop in Bixby Knolls, and featured on blogs like Green Wedding Shoes and now Ruffled! After the first inspiration shoot we were hooked! So what better to have an inspiration shoot for our 2 YEAR/FIRST FRIDAYS/EARTH MONTH Celebration!

Our inspiration: To celebrate Mother Earth on this year's Earth Day, with a wedding inspiration that brings some earthy elements, along with love, style and green eco-friendly ideas. Gather some very talented vendors and viola! You've got Vintage dresses, succulents, twine balls, old classic books, and distressed doors that fill our letterpress shop with recycled goodies that pay homage to our beautiful planet. Capture it all with Esther Sun Photography and you've got yourself one successful anniversary, Paper Crew style!

Our inspiration board filled with greens of trees and the blues of oceans

Vintage jewelry by La Femme Vintage

Antique Frames, Books and Globe provided from Urban Cottage
Vintage Dresses and jewelry from La Femme Vintage

Tablescape and styling by Sara Holland from At Your Door Events

Ann Cong made the food look even more amazing.
All the Event Catering was provided by Seafood World

Paper Crew provided the lovely vintage lace charger, antique brooches that we used for napkin rings and all the stationery.

 

Flowers by Sara Holland from At Your Door Events

Cake and Dessert Table by Sweets by Annie

Model: Minta Allred with Vintage Doors from At Your Door Events

Vintage gloves by La Femme Vintage

Model: Lorraine Caguin with twine balls made by Myra Greenlee from Double-Sided Tape

Vintage Doors from At Your Door Events
Hand stamped doilies by Paper Crew

Make-up and Hair by Rose in the Park
Styling by Kathleen Engel of La Femme Vintage

Paper Crew was converted! All the beautiful succulents, terrariums, and moss balls stand so pretty next to the old doors. Hand stamped doilies hang and create the bunting. Table scape extraordinaire was definitely Sara Holland from At Your Door Events She hand sewn the burlap linens, hand pinking sheared the napkins, and pulled together this wonderful scenery.

Model: Lauren Jensen

From Left to Right: Lorraine Caguin, Sara Holland, Ann Cong, Kat Engel, Chanda Alicante, Myra Greenlee, Esther Sun, Rose Park, and Lauren Jensen

And now for the party!!! Lorraine also represents Mixwell

We finished the night with a little shopping from Kat's collection at La Femme Vintage

 View all of Esther's fabulous photos from this event here.

Watch this awesome video from Love Birds Film, of how it all went down:

Venue Location and Paper Goods: Paper Crew / Wedding Photographer: Esther Sun / Wedding Planner: Sara Holland of At Your Door Events / Wardrobe Styling: La Femme Vintage / Makeup: Rose Park / Furniture: Urban Cottage / Wedding Caterer: Seafood World Restaurant / Desserts: Sweets by Annie / Videographer: Lovebirds Film / Models: Minta Allred, Lorraine Caguin, and Lauren Jensen