Leigha & Kile’s Log Cabin Wedding Invitation Suite

married in alabama

Fort Payne, Alabama | November 6, 2010

Designing Leigha and Kile’s wedding invitations stretched me creatively in all the best ways. I wanted their stationery to tell the story of their wedding weekend—rooted in nature, filled with personal touches, and surrounded by love.

The Story

The first illustrated wedding invitation I ever designed was for my sister, Leigha. At the time, I was working as a graphic designer at my church when she called with a request that would change everything. She had found invitations she loved but couldn’t afford—and she wanted me to design them instead.

I was already her maid of honor, and my first reaction was, “WHAT!? I don’t know. Are you sure?”

She didn’t hesitate: “Yes, you can do this. I believe in you.”

So, I said yes. And that “yes” became the beginning of something beautiful.

Designing Leigha and Kile’s wedding invitations stretched me creatively in all the best ways. I wanted their stationery to tell the story of their wedding weekend—rooted in nature, filled with personal touches, and surrounded by love.

I was already her maid of honor, and my first reaction was, “WHAT!? I don’t know. Are you sure?”

She didn’t hesitate: “Yes, you can do this. I believe in you.”

So, I said yes. And that “yes” became the beginning of something beautiful.

Designing Leigha and Kile’s wedding invitations stretched me creatively in all the best ways. I wanted their stationery to tell the story of their wedding weekend—rooted in nature, filled with personal touches, and surrounded by love.

The main invitation illustration captured their ceremony vision: an oak tree on the left, pines on the right, and in the center—Leigha, Kile, and their beloved black lab, Daisy. A favorite Pablo Neruda quote tied the suite together with heartfelt poetry.

Every detail was designed to reflect their story—nature-inspired, handcrafted, and deeply personal.

The Design Details

Kile, a talented luthier who crafts and plays string instruments, chose the birdseye maple veneer paper to represent his artistry and love for wood. It became the perfect foundation for the design—organic, warm, and full of texture.

A hand-drawn fall leaf wreath framed the couple’s names, inspired by the colors of the surrounding Alabama forest. On the back, a custom illustrated map guided guests through the scenic mountain roads to Bear Creek Log Cabins.

That was the day I started to believe—not only in my art, but in the power of storytelling through stationery.

Reflection

Their wedding weekend was as thoughtful and down-to-earth as the invitation itself. Guests were welcomed with a Southern-style BBQ and s’mores by the campfire under the autumn sky. Inside each cabin waited hand-selected coffee, homemade biscotti, and a program of weekend activities designed by the couple.

A close friend served as the chef for the weekend, while the groom baked his signature pies and the bride’s sister made handcrafted chocolate truffles as favors. The couple even brewed their own IPA with personalized labels, enjoyed while playing bocce ball and spinning vintage records.

The Celebration

On their wedding day, they exchanged vows beneath the tall fall trees, surrounded by a carpet of golden leaves. The air was filled with live music from their friends—guitar, violin, and cello harmonizing together in the forest.

The weekend ended with a joyful send-off as Leigha and Kile departed for their honeymoon in Italy—leaving behind the warmth of a perfect autumn celebration and the beginning of my journey as a wedding illustrator.