Quilled Woodland Quaker Marriage Certificate
Recently I completed a marriage certificate for a couple whose wedding took place in the Jurassic Park area of Universal Studios in Florida.
They requested autumn flora and fauna to complement the forest theme. I love a quilling challenge, so enjoyed creating a design that includes ferns, leaves, acorns, mushrooms, an owl, blue jay, squirrel, and even a tiny mouse. See him sneaking along down there at the bottom?
A marriage certificate is a poster-sized document on which the couple's vows are written in calligraphy. The bride and groom usually sign it during or immediately after the wedding. Guests may also sign as a commitment to support the couple in their marriage.
Originally a Quaker tradition, marriage certificates are an alternative to the traditional guest book. A nice advantage is that the art piece can be framed and hung in the couple's home as a special remembrance of the day.
The couple's wedding vows were lettered by calligrapher Riva Brown of Living Letters Studio.
Many thanks to Nole Garey for featuring this certificate earlier in the week on Oh So Beautiful Paper. If you've found your way here via that post, additional document designs can be found here, here, and here.
I always encourage others to try their hand at quilling, so if you are thinking of making your own certificate or adding a touch of quilling in some other way to your wedding, I've posted a tutorial for place cards and favor boxes, and also one that shows how to make fringed flowers, very similar to the brown craft paper blossoms on this certificate.
Best wishes, Matt and Alex!
click pics to enlarge
They requested autumn flora and fauna to complement the forest theme. I love a quilling challenge, so enjoyed creating a design that includes ferns, leaves, acorns, mushrooms, an owl, blue jay, squirrel, and even a tiny mouse. See him sneaking along down there at the bottom?
A marriage certificate is a poster-sized document on which the couple's vows are written in calligraphy. The bride and groom usually sign it during or immediately after the wedding. Guests may also sign as a commitment to support the couple in their marriage.
Originally a Quaker tradition, marriage certificates are an alternative to the traditional guest book. A nice advantage is that the art piece can be framed and hung in the couple's home as a special remembrance of the day.
The couple's wedding vows were lettered by calligrapher Riva Brown of Living Letters Studio.
Many thanks to Nole Garey for featuring this certificate earlier in the week on Oh So Beautiful Paper. If you've found your way here via that post, additional document designs can be found here, here, and here.
I always encourage others to try their hand at quilling, so if you are thinking of making your own certificate or adding a touch of quilling in some other way to your wedding, I've posted a tutorial for place cards and favor boxes, and also one that shows how to make fringed flowers, very similar to the brown craft paper blossoms on this certificate.
Best wishes, Matt and Alex!
It is so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteCreating such a beautiful keepsake is a wonderful idea.
ReplyDeleteHow perfect, its an absolute pleasure to see your work Ann. I was very curious to see this woodland theme certificate even from when you had tweeted about it. The blue jay, the owl and the mushrooms they all look so good. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteReally beautiful Ann, I love all the details, the leaves, ferns, mushrooms, and all the little forest friends.. what a lovely document!
ReplyDeleteAnn, That sneaky mouse is adorable! So glad to be back online and seeing your beautiful things. Inspire me, I say.
ReplyDeletexxoxRichela
I really do love this. And if I didn't have so much to do today, I'd spend the day making fringed flowers. Love those!!
ReplyDeleteWow -- this marriage certificate is stunning. Beautiful work, Ann!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, Ann. This is outstanding! Love, love your design and little creatures along the way. Perfect! And I enjoyed reading the story about it all. hugs xo
ReplyDeleteGorgeous, Ann - I love the birds and animals!
ReplyDeleteI dig the acorn and mushroom the most!
ReplyDeleteLovely work, Ann. I'm so thrilled by your work!
I must say I think you may have outdone yourself with this one. I think it's absolutely beautiful. I bet the happy couple were thrilled with it
ReplyDeleteAnn, this is absolutely gorgeous. It's a beautiful thing to hang on a wall, and the kind of thing that will be treasured down the ages.
ReplyDeleteoh they are so lucky! this is beautiful ann. the mushrooms, the owl... but the squirrel has my heart!
ReplyDeleteDear Ann,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment in my post re "Quilled notes". Really appreciate it.
Nice work on the cert. I like your design very much. Your blog will definitely inspire me further in venturing into quilling, :)
Khai.
Oh Ann,
ReplyDeleteThis is absolutely lovely. Every time I come to your blog I learn something new. I love all the little details you put in this.
I always make fringed flowers and roses using your tutorials. Thanks for sharing.
Wow, thank you everyone - how nice you are.
ReplyDeleteSuganthi, you have a good memory - that was quite a while ago!
dear Ann,
ReplyDeletethis is really really very lovely!
the couple is so lucky to have one of your artwork!
Simply phenmomenal Ann, how itricate and elegant! I love all the details and ohhhh that little mouse is the cutest!
ReplyDeleteHUGS!
Vicki
Ann, Congratulations on a wonderful piece of quilling!! I love your colours, placement, the cutest animals and design are all just a delight!!! What a lucky couple!!
ReplyDeleteLicia
This is beautiful, your work is always so perfect! I wish that I had something like this with everyone's name from my wedding. What a great tradition.
ReplyDeleteHugs, antonella :-)
Thanks everyone! Antonella, I agree, it's a really nice tradition, one I'd never heard of until I was asked to do the first one. Funny how things work out sometimes!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful detailed work, Ann!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! I was doing a random image search and found some of your work. Absolutely stunning! You are incredibly gifted. Love this Marriage certificate. I'm a pastor, so I see these often. How unique and truly lovely. Thank you for posting and sharing your skills with the world!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Pr. Amanda
Thank you, ladies!
ReplyDeleteAmanda, I'm glad you found your way here and loved hearing that you're familiar with this tradition. Many thanks for your kind words.
wow, this is beautiful. I love the theme
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, that is so pretty! I love how each side is not exactly the same - awesome!!!
ReplyDelete