Wedding Blog
Although our ceremony and reception locations are separated by only 1.8 miles, I still couldn’t resist the temptation of designing and including a map within our invitations. I guess that is just what happens when you’re a raving stationery fiend who like to fiddle with computers. While it’s not entirely necessary, I’ll be printing it on the other side of the direction card just for fun.
I started out with a Google map of the area (which I copied using the “Print Screen” function) and I imported the screen into Adobe Illustrator. I quickly got to work dissecting it and adding fun little colors and roads and icons (most are from clipart.com). I had quite a battle with proportions and size due to some tricky streets that needed to be noted, but after I got the streets down, everything else fell into place. It looks great on the invitation paper with my simple inkjet printer…so I think I can cross this project off the list! All I need to do is add a dolphin splashing in the ocean (Mr. Lemon’s request) and I’m all set.
Here are some close-ups of the details:
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oooh that looks really neat. i’m gonna have to try that when i get home. what font is that, btw?
The map looks amazing!
wow - great job!!
Oh wow! I’m on the planning committee for a conference that’s at the Marriott in Monterey in May. I was just there in December. Our closing banquet is in the same room as your reception. What an incredible view you’re going to have!
Aww, a dolphin. How cute. 
Weddingwishes — kinda sorta not really? Monterey is my hometown, so for everyone than my dad’s side of the family, it’s a destination wedding. It’s a destination for us too… since we’re in LA.
thanks miss lemon!
Oh I never thougth of getting creative on my own with a google map and illustrator! So easy. Thanks for the idea–looks great!
so cool! could you pleaseee make a tutorial? I definitely want to try this! 
Yes… I second on Miss Plum’s request.
You did a great job! I loce it. I wanted to make one also but am having some problems. Can we make a map without using Illustrator? Any other ideas that we can use?
your map looks fabulous! Okay so this is a AI question, how did you make the text curve so it curves with the street? I have yet to figure this out in illustrator. It’s such a wonderful program but there is so much to learn about it. Thanks.
This is beautiful. Not just for weddings but a great idea to personalize any event invitations. Please let me know if you put together a tutorial. I use Photoshop and InDesign, but am not as familiar with Illustrator.
Miss Lemon…I don’t suppose I could pay you to do make me a map? Seriously!
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Mrs. Lemon, Los Angeles/Monterey
Age and Occupation in 06: 26, Graduate Student (Public Policy)
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Environmental Consultant
Engagement Date: April 7, 2006
Wedding Date: July 7, 2007
Venue: Rosary Chapel & Monterey Marriott, Monterey, CA
About Me: My FI and I met online, but we like to tell people that we met at a "cookie shop" which is the technical location of our first encounter. He proposed exactly 1 year, 1 month and 6 days after our first date (it's the only part of his proposal speech that I remember), and we're planning long-distance from Los Angeles for a July wedding in my hometown of Monterey, CA. I have a passion for all things "cool, cute and quirky" and I enjoy video games, reading blogs (WeddingBee, trashy celeb, consumer & political) and crafting in my spare time, if I have any!
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