If everybody had an ocean

Ellwood Bluffs

Whether it's the touristy family filled beaches downtown, the college beaches of IV and Sands, or the calmly local beach of Ellwood, the beach is one of my favorites places in Santa Barbara. I love the warmth of the sun, crashing of the waves, and laying out on the sand. Since SB is known as a beach town so it's only natural to incorporate designs like palm trees, shells, waves, sailboats, and sand dollars into our wedding stationery suite.

Ellwood beach with oil rig in the background

Starting off with our save the date map of downtown SB (reception location is on the beach), the invitations are a perfect way to continue a beach theme through our stationery.

Bluffs at UCSB

We're looking for a design of either palm trees, shells, or waves that are simple and modern. We also like the look of flowing calligraphy to match a lazy, breezy day at the beach.

The following are a few photos of SB and invitations we like.

Downtown beach by the wharf

Sail boats are docked in and around the harbor. It's common to see them all around the downtown area beaches.

View of Pacific Ocean from East Beach

Source

I love the whimsy waves of this Bella Figura letterpress invite. Notice the two birds by the sailboat. Symbolic of the couple or just a cute detail?



Palm trees line Cabrillo Boulevard. I love palm trees.



There are a few that can be seen from our reception venue.

Source

The soft pink color and simple design of this Ceci New York letterpres invitation is so sweet.

Source

A chic invite with a few palm leaf designs and a sand dollar. Either icon (sand dollar or palm leaf) would be good to use in other stationery (programs, place cards, guest book) to tie the theme together.

Source

I like the appeal of this modern design. It has placed the color perfectly to add pop.

Source

Palm trees and shells are another good match. I love shells. As kids we would collect them on trips to the beach.

Source

Sugar Plum Invitations' simple flourish and shells have such a clean look.

Source

More seashells :) I would love to incorporate real shells to the reception decor.

Source

And of course, starfish. I love the unified look of all Ceci New York's stationery. Be it the colors, icons, font, each piece of stationery is designed with such cohesion.

I think once we narrow down and design our invitations, we can use them as a starting point for the rest of our print details. These details include ceremony programs, place cards, photobooth design, guest book, and OOT bag inserts. We have a few more designs to consider, but we're pretty set on the wording. I like when things are coming to shape :)

How has your location influenced your stationery design? Have you used any part of the design in other wedding details?

Blog title is from lyrics by the Beach Boys