Linnea + Will's Intimate Backyard Wedding with Letterpress Stationery
Linnea and Will were married on a clear, beautiful June day in a small backyard ceremony at Red Bird Farm owned by Linnea’s family in Cincinnati Ohio.
The day was filled with so many unique personal touches and sweet moments. The gorgeous botanical illustrations were drawn by Linnea who has been making art since anyone can remember! Sunflowers, roses, and foxglove are some of her favorite flowers and they turned out absolutely stunning letterpressed on natural papers.
After months of planning for a guest list of 200 Linnea + Will were faced with difficult decisions once it was clear things could not move forward as planned due to the pandemic. They decided to move forward with modified wedding plans which included paring down the original guest list to less than a quarter of its original size. Always one to see challenges as opportunities, Linnea shares, It gave me the opportunity to reflect on my core people and ask who should be there to witness our marriage. I’m happy we decided to get married the day we originally intended.
Wedding photography by Kortnee Kate Photography. Stationery photos by Poeme.
Letterpress Love
Linnea has been drawing and painting since she was a little girl so there was no question her artwork would be integral to the wedding details. Her love of nature, gardening, and flowers were the starting point for the invitation suite and each piece was letterpressed with one of Linnea’s drawings.
the Stationery
The main wedding invitation features a pale pink sunflower letterpressed on thick white deckled edge paper. June’s flower, the rose, was letterpressed in dark pink on cream deckled edge paper on the wedding details enclosure. The rehearsal dinner invitation was letterpressed in a rich burgundy on warm gray deckle edged paper. Everything was sent in an envelope lined with Linnea’s drawing made into a pattern of white rose on a pink background. Linnea also hand painted geode place cards for each guest which added another thoughtful touch that might have been beyond reach with a larger guest list.
First Dates
Linnea and Will met at their gym and had their first date at a neighborhood bar. Linnea shares, I remember walking to our first date and asking myself if this was my last one. We immediately started talking everyday.
A few days later was Valentine’s Day and it snowed six inches. They spent their first Valentine’s Day together sledding down Cincinnati’s hills on makeshift sleds from cardboard boxes.
Creative Partners
Venue: Private Property | Photographer: Ted at Kortnee Kate | Florals: Una Floral | Stationery: Poeme with illustrations by Linnea | Cake: The Bonbonerie - Linnea + Will’s vintage cake topper was found by Linnea’s little sister and dad. Its vintage, from the 1950’s and looks almost the same as Elvis had on his wedding cake! | Catering: Funky’s | Rentals: All Occasions | Dress: Hyde Park Bridal | Designer: Pronovias | Officiant: Linnea’s cousin with whom Linnea grew up | Tent: All Occasions
Linnea shared that in the weeks leading up to her wedding it was important to stay focused on things that mattered to us. I felt like a stronger person going into marriage. I kept thinking that we are pretty lucky. I thought about the couples that married during the uncertainty of war and was grateful that at least we could go home and be together. Something is always going to crop up that was unplanned or uncertain. How do you roll with the punches? What are the tiny blessings? Sometimes, when everything goes as planned it’s not as memorable. Think about vacations, you often remember the things that weren’t expected.
The Proposal
When I was younger I imagined my wedding day and future proposal. I always wanted to get proposed to in a room full of flowers. Will did the updated, adult version of that which was to propose outside. We went on a trip to Michigan and when we arrived at our cabin, we watched the sunset. The next day it was overcast, looking like it was going to storm and Will kept wanting to go on a hike. It started pouring so I suggested we hang out in the cabin but he kept trying to go do things. He tried to get us on a boat ride but the battery was dead. He was being obsessive about being outside! That evening, we watched the sunset and there was this big rock in front of the lake and the sun set behind it. Will said “this is the perfect setting.” I turned around and he was on one knee. Will kept trying to propose in a setting I liked!
Looking Ahead
Linnea + Will are still planning on a large celebration in the coming year and sent out a “change of plans” card to guests that didn’t make it to the exchange of vows. They have already set a date and are excited to have another chance to raise their glasses to friends, family, and love!
But Wait! There’s More!
Linnea + Will celebrated with their original guest list a year later in a roaring 1920’s inspired wedding reception! Their invitation ensemble weaves Linnea’s gorgeous botanical and patterned artwork into an inspired Art Deco invitation with gold foil accents that paired beautifully with all their wedding paper details!