A Whimsical Wedding at The Ben West Palm Beach

Hand-Painted Details for Kimberly & Matt’s magical Coastal Celebration

I love weddings that feel like a perfectly written love story — layered, personal, and full of thoughtful details that make you linger a little longer. Kimberly and Matt’s wedding at The Ben West Palm Beach Hotel was exactly that: a romantic coastal celebration brought to life through whimsical custom wedding invitations and hand-painted stationery that reflected their story from the very first save the date and it was my ABSOLUTE honor to work alongside them in creating that magic. Kimberly was a dream bride–kind, understanding, creative, and open to ideas I had to share. It was so much fun working together to bring all of the visions to life.

Last October we began working together to brainstorm the perfect color palette that would give guests that cool, funky, fun West Palm Beach vibe, while also maintaining a unique perspective for Kimberly and Matt’s own love story. We worked with soft pinks and sea-glass blues in the playful illustrations (including a very special feline guest), proving that stationery isn’t just paper — it’s an experience and a chance to turn your wedding day into family heirlooms that will be treasured for years to come.

The Setting: The Ben West Palm Beach Wedding Dream

With sweeping views of the Intracoastal and a timeless, modern-meets-coastal aesthetic, The Ben West Palm Beach set the tone for Kimberly and Matt’s day. The hotel’s airy spaces and refined charm paired beautifully with their chosen color palette: shades of pink, soft greens, and pool-tone blues, echoing the water just beyond the terrace.

This venue invites elegance — but also creativity. And that’s where the stationery truly shined.

Whimsical Custom Wedding Invitations That Tell a Story

Every detail of Kimberly and Matt’s stationery suite was hand painted, designed to feel personal, playful, and art-forward while still elevated enough for a luxury venue.

Save the dates set the tone for the wedding weekend with bright pink watercolor stripes along the border and inside of the envelope liner. A soft wavy watercolor border in seafoam green alluded to ocean waves and a lowkey beach vibe and the addition of hand painted text and dancing disco adorned palm trees brought the party.

Their custom wedding invitations introduced guests to the weekend with elevated but soft washes of color and organic illustrations — the kind of design that immediately feels collected rather than templated. These were invitations meant to be kept, framed, and remembered. I loved getting to repurpose the disco palm trees as a bit of fun artwork on the back of the invitations and I know guests loved seeing our playful art-deco inspired scallop pattern inside the envelope liner.

For couples searching for whimsical custom wedding invitations, this suite is a perfect example of how artistry, personality and intention can coexist beautifully.

A Cat Named Penny (and the Cutest Bar Sign)

One of the most loved details of the day? A hand-painted bar sign featuring Kimberly and Matt’s cat, Penny!

Painted with personality and charm, Penny made her wedding debut front and center — offering guests one of her famous Paloma cocktails and instantly setting a joyful tone. This is the magic of custom stationery: it creates moments of connection and surprise that guests talk about long after the night ends.

Personal illustrations like this turn functional signage into storytelling pieces — and they photograph beautifully.

Seashell Table Numbers & Soft Coastal Details

The reception decor continued the coastal whimsy with hand-painted seashell scalloped patterned table numbers, tying the design seamlessly to the waterfront setting. Each table felt intentional without being overly formal, striking that perfect balance between relaxed and refined. Tall hurricanes with gorgeous candlelight brought the most stunning and ethereal vibe as the sun set and guests enjoyed the evening together.

Soft-colored, hand lettered place cards in different colors from our palette added another layer of detail while simultaneously indicating each guest’s meal choice to the catering team, blending effortlessly into the tablescape while still feeling special and tactile. These small touches may seem subtle, but together they create an immersive guest experience — one that feels thoughtfully curated from start to finish.

Menus That Made Guests Smile

Perhaps the most charming piece of the day (and definitely my favorite piece to create!) was the custom hand-painted menu, featuring tiny illustrated dancing guests along the bottom. It was joyful, unexpected, and completely on-brand for Kimberly and Matt.

Guests lingered, laughed, and noticed. And that’s the power of playful design — it invites people into the celebration in a way that feels warm and human.

Why Custom Wedding Stationery Matters

Kimberly and Matt’s wedding at The Ben West Palm Beach is a perfect reminder that stationery isn’t just décor — it’s storytelling.

From the first save the date to the final menu card, custom wedding invitations and hand-painted details set the emotional tone of the day. They communicate personality, care, and creativity in a way nothing else can.

For couples dreaming of something beyond the ordinary, whimsical custom wedding invitations offer a chance to create a wedding that feels unmistakably you. And I can’t wait to help you get started on a fabulous creative journey.

Designing Your Own Whimsical Wedding Invitations

At ALittleAfterNine, I specialize in creating one-of-a-kind, hand-painted wedding stationery for couples who value artistry, storytelling, and whimsical but intentional design. Whether you’re planning an elegant coastal affair, a garden celebration, or a destination wedding, your stationery should feel as special as the day itself. It should set the tone and feel like a piece you’ll share with your children and family many years after the day comes to an end.

If you’re planning a wedding at The Ben West Palm Beach — or simply love the idea of bespoke, illustrated details woven throughout your day — I’d love to create something meaningful with you.

Now booking custom wedding invitations and full stationery suites.

Let’s design something beautiful together.

Venue: The Ben West Palm Beach

Wedding Design and Coordination: Ashley Gonzalez Events

Photography: Haley DeSouza (Shutter and Sound)

Stationery: ALittleAfterNine

Florals: Southern Floral Company

A Whimsical Wedding at The Ben West Palm Beach