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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Samantha & Nick | Hainesport, NJ | 8.8.21

Meghan & Bill | Phoenixville, PA | 2.22.25