Written by Jill of Shindig Invitations.

Menus.

I’m a foodie. If I weren’t a graphic designer I’d want to be a chef…or a food critic… or Padma Lakshmi.

When clients ask me to make menus to coordinate with their invitations this excites me. What better way for me to marry (oh it’s so bad, but I couldn’t resist!) my expertise with my greatest passion.

Bridget and Nicholas chose birds and branches as a visual theme for their wedding. The invitations were romantic and floral and incorporated wood grain paper and twine. Many of the other graphic elements for the reception used several types of real wood, chalk boards, and bird graphics.

It’s easy to get carried away using all the same materials just because you favor them. This results in what I like to call “too much of a good thing” or another favorite term of visual folks in all professions, the dreaded “matchy-matchy”. Restraint is a necessary component in good design. Not only that, when working with a table top it’s important to consider all of the other things that are going to be on that table–plates, napkins, silverware, several glasses per setting, a centerpiece, place cards. I’ve walked into some weddings, looked at the table and said, “Where do the people go?”

For all of these reason I thought we should keep it relatively simple for the menus.

For the backing paper we used a plainrecycled printer paper. I wanted something thin to make it appear less like a card and more like a trimming. To create a romantic edging I used a Martha Stewart Paper Edger with an eyelet pattern. I swear I don’t know what I would do without scrapbookers. I personally don’t have the patience or time, but there are so many great products out there for me to use professionally.

After the paper was edged. I cut it in thirds the short way creating three pieces 8.5 inches long by approximately 3.6 inches wide. The menus were printed on the same kraft card stock that was used for the place cards. This was then mounted to the recycled paper.

As a finishing touch we drew from the invitation and added a bit of twine at the top. This menu will sit nicely on a table that already has plenty of décor on it. Without too much distraction, wedding guests can easily pick it up and concern themselves with what really interests them …eating and drinking.

Stay tuned for Shindig Real Weddings: Chapter Six: Cannoli Bar signs.

Visit www.shindiginvites.com to see our gallery or call 917.405.9366 for an appointment today.