Samantha & Nick | Hainesport, NJ | 8.8.21

In honor of their four-year anniversary, I’m sharing the story behind the very first wedding invitations I ever designed and printed in 2021, for two of my best friends, Samantha and Nick. 

Photo by Creative Outfit

Sam and I met in college and have been chosen sisters ever since. She officiated my wedding, and when it was her turn to plan hers, I couldn’t wait to help however I could. 

Sam and Nick met through the Bonner program in college, where they became friends and bonded over their shared commitment to community service. They spent time together at weekly meetings, volunteering at Cradles to Crayons, and traveling on service trips, slowly building a foundation for the relationship that would follow. 

After eight years together, they decided to tie the knot. While 2020, brought major challenges for couples planning weddings, Sam and Nick’s day came together beautifully.  

Photo by Creative Outfit

When we first started talking about their invitations, Sam knew she wanted floral elements and her wedding colors, burgundy, blue, and gold. We also wanted to include the Chinese symbol for double happiness; a traditional decorative motif often used in weddings. 

This design element presented a challenge: I didn’t yet have the equipment for letterpress or hot foil stamping, both of which would allow me to add gold. In my research, I discovered heat embossing. This technique uses clear stamping ink and pigmented powder that when heated creates a raised, shiny impression.  

Heat embossing was the ideal solution as it was accessible, beautiful, and perfectly suited to our needs. Once we finalized the design, I printed everything and began embossing each invitation by hand. I owe a huge thank you to our dear friend Shannon, who helped me with this process and made it go much more smoothly than it would have otherwise been. 

The help did not end with embossing and when it came time to assemble the invitation suites, all hands were on deck. Each set included the main invitation, a details card, RSVP card, and, for some guests, a tea ceremony invitation. Another dear friend Jess, the bride herself, Shannon and I, wrapped each suite in red thread and sealed them with a custom wax seal in gold. The girls helped me figure out how to print addresses on envelopes for the first time; a process that I still use to this day. If you’ve ever tried to print addresses, you know how difficult it can be! I was, and still am, incredibly proud of how the invitations came together. 

Then the big day arrived. 

The celebrations began with Chinese and Vietnamese traditions to honor Sam’s family. Before the tea ceremony, Nick had to complete a series of playful challenges to “earn” Sam’s hand. He and his groomsmen raced to fill jars with M&Ms using chopsticks, shook ping-pong balls from a tissue box strapped to their backs, and Nick recited a proposal in Vietnamese. With his offering of marriage accepted, Sam and Nick held a tea ceremony to honor their closest family and friends. 

Photo by Creative Outfit

That afternoon, Christian Rice officiated their wedding ceremony. As the head of the Bonner program and an important mentor to both Nick and Sam, Christian officiating added even more meaning to the day. The ceremony was incredibly moving, with a perfect moment of levity when a lanternfly landed on Nick’s shoulder just as everyone started tearing up at their heartfelt vows. 

Photo by Creative Outfit

The reception was a true celebration, filled with delicious food, dancing, and unforgettable speeches. I’m so grateful to have been a part of it all, not just as their stationer, but as their friend. The whole day was such a joyful experience to witness, full of laughter, sincerity, and so much love. 

Photos by Keeb Cruz

And now, four years later, there’s even more to celebrate. Sam and Nick recently welcomed their first child, Amelia, into their family. 

Cheers to four incredible years, and to a lifetime more. 

Meghan & Bill | Phoenixville, PA | 2.22.25

On a beautiful February day, Meghan and Bill tied the knot at the Phoenixville Foundry, a dramatic and historic venue that set the perfect tone for their winter celebration. It was an honor to create their wedding invitations, which served as a beautiful first glimpse into the rich, romantic aesthetic of their day. 

Photo by B. Buck Photography

Meghan and Bill first met on the campus of Immaculata University where Bill worked, and Meghan studied. A casual chat near the campus post office sparked a connection, and it wasn’t long before their first date took them to the New Jersey Aquarium. Bonding over their shared love of animals, they talked for hours and ended the day planning their next date. 

Bill says he knew from the start that Meghan was "the one," even telling a friend early on, “If I date this girl, I’m going to marry her.” Meghan realized it during their time navigating a long-distance relationship, when she says, "I knew that I never wanted to be without him." 

Photo by B. Buck Photography

On December 16, 2023, after a cozy brunch at Founding Farmers, Bill and Meghan returned to the Immaculata campus to admire the Christmas tree in the rotunda. While strolling down the steps of back campus, Bill dropped to one knee and asked Meghan to marry him. The excitement and joy of the moment left Meghan speechless, making Bill ask, “So, what’s it going to be?” With excellent forethought, Bill planned for a photographer to capture the moment and threw a surprise engagement party afterward, filled with their closest friends and family. 

Their February wedding embraced a moody, modern industrial aesthetic with rich tones of burgundy and deep wine, balanced with soft blush, white florals, and greenery. The Phoenixville Foundry was the ideal setting—dramatic steel beams, warm brick, and a touch of history wrapped into a one-of-a-kind space. 

Photos by B. Buck Photography

Meghan prioritized the guest experience, choosing exceptional food, lively music, and a memorable atmosphere. Following an emotional private vowel exchange, Meghan and Bill wowed their guests with a semi-choreographed, semi-on the spot first dance to “My Girl” by The Temptations. In a nod to their love of Philadelphia sports, they served up a taste of Philly’s best late-night snacks, cheesesteaks, soft pretzels, and tastykakes. 

Photo by B. Buck Photography

I was so excited when Meghan shared with me her vision for a moody and romantic wedding aesthetic – a style that is one of my favorites. We started with a rich burgundy background on linen-textured paper. Using dramatic typography, we embraced the romantic feelings and added elegance with a beautiful script font. I couldn’t help but add a dramatic flare with a printed vellum cover with florals to hide the invitation and create a moment of anticipation for guests as they opened their envelopes. Each wedding suite was wrapped together with a burgundy belly-band and placed into vellum-colored envelopes that contrasted perfectly with the deep, rich colors of the floral elements. 

The invitations set the tone for the celebration to come—modern, heartfelt, and rich with detail. Guests described them as “the most beautiful invitations they had ever seen,” which is always such a joy to hear! 

Photo by B. Buck Photography

When asked what advice they’d share with other couples, Meghan said, 

“Don’t stress about it. Everything will come together perfectly. And when it doesn’t feel that way, remind yourself how lucky you are to be planning a wedding with the love of your life.” 

After months of planning, seeing their vision come to life at the Foundry was pure magic. Every detail reflected their love story—and I’m so grateful to have played a small part in it. Cheers to many happy years together! 

Photo by B. Buck Photography

Meghan & Bill’s Wedding Team:

Photography & Videography - B. Buck Photography
Venue - The Phoenixville Foundry
Floral Design - Moss and Meadow Floral Studio
DJ - BVT Live
Make up - Alexa Rose Artistry
Hair Styling - Top Knot Beauty
Cake - Brooklyn Girl Bakery
Catering - J Scott Catering
Wedding Dress - Van Cleve Bridal
Rings - Cozzi Jewelers

Caroline & Erkin | Newtown Square, PA | 9.27.2024

This past September, I had the absolute pleasure of working with Caroline and Erkin on their beautiful wedding in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. I’ve known Caroline and Erkin for almost a decade, and from the moment they were engaged, I couldn’t wait to bring their wedding dreams to life. 

Photo by Josiah and Steph Photography

Caroline and Erkin’s love story began in Philadelphia in early 2015, when they bonded over their love of great food and good drinks. They’ve remained close to the city, settling in Phoenixville, where they stay up to date on the latest bars and restaurants. Caroline is unmatched in her ability to recommend the best dishes at any restaurant! It’s no surprise that great food was a non-negotiable in their venue search. Ultimately, they chose Ellis Preserve in Newtown Square, where Finley Catering, one of their favorites, handled the culinary experience. 

When I asked Caroline about her wedding aesthetic, the word she repeated over and over was “colorful.” It was clear her favorite roses—orange crush—would be featured prominently. Knowing Erkin’s Bulgarian heritage, where the rose is the national flower, I was inspired to make roses a key element of their stationery. We chose a color palette of peachy-orange and mid-green and combined digital and letterpress printing to create a suite that perfectly reflected their style. 

Photo by Josiah and Steph Photography

For their save-the-dates, Caroline and Erkin gave me a fun photo from a local theater with their names on the marquee. I used a romantic photo on the front and attached a printed vellum overlay with a gold eyelet. The marquee photo graced the back of the card, reminding everyone just how entertaining these two are. With a floral envelope liner and a custom monogram featuring a rose on the back flap, the save-the-dates set the tone for what was to come. 

The invitation suite was one of my most intricate designs. We used double-thick cotton paper with a digitally printed floral border. I letterpressed the text in a custom blended mid-green ink to match the other elements of their suite. The invitations were beautiful, but my favorite piece was the details card. Inspired by the places Caroline and Erkin love, I created a map to help out-of-towners get the lay of the land. On mid-green cardstock, I began with a blind press of the Schuylkill River, a nod to the many bike rides Caroline and Erkin have shared along its banks. The map highlighted their venue, Ellis Preserve, and other meaningful locations like Phoenixville, Philadelphia, and Valley Forge Park. 

Photo by Josiah and Steph Photography

Since I wanted a deep impression for the map, printing on the reverse side of the cardstock wasn’t an option. Instead, I printed the details separately and duplexed each card by hand. It was time-consuming and intricate, but the result was absolutely worth it. 

Each invitation suite was wrapped in peach ribbon and sealed with a custom wax seal in sequoia green. The inner envelopes featured a fun photo from their engagement shoot and their monogram in white ink, with matching floral liners in the outer envelope. Every detail was considered to make this suite perfect. 

Photo by Josiah and Steph Photography

On the day of the wedding, welcome signs, programs, seat tags, and menus were all designed to match their invitation suite, creating a cohesive look from start to finish. The menus, which also served as place cards, were letterpressed on double-thick cotton paper, echoing the invitation’s design. We added vellum overlays attached with gold eyelets as a nod to the save-the-dates. 

Photos by Josiah and Steph Photography

Everything came together beautifully on the big day. From the heartfelt ceremony to the lively Bulgarian dancing, it was a true reflection of their love. 

I’m honored to have been part of Caroline and Erkin’s wedding journey. Their trust in my vision made the process so rewarding, and I couldn’t be happier with the result. I wish them all the love and happiness in the years ahead! 

Photo by Josiah and Steph Photography

Caroline & Erkin’s Wedding Team:

Photography & Videography - Josiah and Steph Photography
Venue - The Ballroom at Ellis Preserve
Coordinator - Megan Rodano
Floral Design - Accents by Michele
DJ - DJ Joe Bene
Make up - Kendall Marie
Hair Styling - Hair by Donna Marie
Cake - The Master’s Bakers
Flower Wall - Nicol Floral Design
Seating Chart - Hillary Carr Caligraphy
Violinist - Brian Fitzy
Wedding Dress - Made with Love Bridal
Rings - Gabriel Co