In an age of constant email, there’s nothing more thoughtful or personal than a handwritten note. So when we stumbled upon these adorable bridal notes and invitations, we couldn’t help but share them with you.

When Joanna Alberti sat curled up at night with her sketchpad after a long day at an ad agency in Boston, she didn’t know she’d end up creating a stationery company out of her doodles. “I’ve always kept a journal for funny stories and ideas,” says Alberti, named one of the top five entrepreneurs under 25 by BusinessWeek in 2005. “Realizing how much I loved to be creative and how much time I spent on doodling made me realize that this little idea was something more.”

In 2005, Alberti created philoSophie’s, a stationery and gift company whose main character, Sophie, is illustrated on cards and notes for many of life’s occasions—from holidays to birthdays to new babies. Her bridal line includes thank-you notes, invitations, congratulations cards, bachelorette-party invites, and more. Alberti has created recipe cards for a wedding shower, cards to ask a friend to be your maid of honor, and cards to ask your dad to walk you down the aisle.

While philoSophie’s is based out of Rochester, N.Y., a few area stores carry the line. Pick up ready-made notes at the stores we’ve listed below or order them online. Or, fill out a form on her website and Alberti will work with you to create custom designs for your occasion. One of her favorite custom designs so far? “A young couple who married and wanted to wait a few years before having kids, so they made a card announcing their new puppy to entertain their eager parents and family.”

Banner’s Hallmark, 7961 Tysons Corner Center, McLean; 703-821-7642.
Artisans Gallery, 12189 Darnestown Rd., Gaithersburg; 301-990-3219.
Greetings and Readings, Hunt Valley Towne Centre, 118 Shawan Rd., Hunt Valley; 410-771-3022.

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