2012 Bella Figura Wedding Invitation Collection

December 23, 2011 // kristen // 3 replies

I’m just about ready to sign off for a little holiday break, but before I go, wow, do I ever have some crave-worthy paper to share with you.

Gotham by Erin Jang

Bella Figura’s 2012 wedding invitation collection just launched, and it is absolutely stunning. The 83 new designs include work by five new artists – Beth Barr of Two Blue Doors, Nicole Black (The Left-Handed Calligrapher), Gina Dean and Lauren Richel Kelly of Ditto Paper, and Carolynn Giordano of Two Brunettes – who join 26 additional indie artists whose designs are represented in the Bella Figura collection.

above : (row 1) Amadore Antique by Jessica Tierney – detail, Fugue by Kamal; (row 2) Glamorous Blooms by Kamal, Royal Night by Lindsy Aragona – detail; (row 3) Overlook by Lindsy Aragona

The beautiful new invitation collection offers so many dreamy designs and printing options and techniques for brides and grooms-to-be. Metallics, which were big in 2011 and will be even bigger in 2012, are well represented, and Bella Figura now offers foil stamping (swoon) and foil edging (double swoon) in 12 colors, which range from more traditional gold, silver, and copper to non-traditional colors like fuchsia, indigo, forest, and teal.

above : (row 1) Storybook Romance by Jessica Tierney; (row 2) Tapestry by Tara Hogan, New Washi by Kamal; (row 3) Simple Dot by Sarah Walroth, Architect by Erin Jang; (row 4) neon edge painting – detail

Also new are three neon letterpress ink colors (YES!) – hot pink, lime-aid, and day-glo – for those of you looking to do something bold and daring with your wedding invites, and I love that they’ve created a custom postage stamp design to coordinate with each new design in the collection.

Check out more of the swoon-worthy invitations from the collection below, and browse all of the new designs over at Bella Figura.

Destination Post by Racheal Decker

above : (row 1) Neo Luna by Ian Koenig, Modern Starlight by Gina Dean and Lauren Richel Kelly; (row 2) Drawing Room by Sarah Walroth, Dash by Ian Koenig; (row 3) Rustic Jolene by Jessica Tierney, Fresh by Jamie Lea Bertsch

Indie Twill by Jamie Lea Bertsch

Santa Fe by Jessica Tierney

images from Bella Figura

Mike + Amy’s Acrobat-Themed Wedding Invitations

November 08, 2011 // kristen // 3 replies

It was love at first sight when I spotted these gorgeous black and gold letterpress wedding invitations by Artcadia. My goodness, they’re beautiful; they vintage-style pattern work and acrobat illustrations are such a unique touch!

Vici-Jane from Artcadia shares:

Six months ago, Amy and Mike contacted us to commission a design for acrobat-themed save the date cards, in ticket style. We’ve continued this fun theme throughout their two colour letterpress invitation suite. Gold and black ink was used, which gives the suite a very luxurious feel. We’re really delighted with how the suite looks, and it’s perfect for their New Zealand wedding, where they’ll be having an acrobat to entertain their guests.

Artcadia is a UK-based digital and letterpress design studio located in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, and they work with clients countrywide and internationally.

images from Artcadia

Jazzy Watercolor Letterpress Wedding Invites

November 01, 2011 // kristen // 0 replies

This lovely, unique New Orleans wedding suite was created by Lesley Pick of Omaha, Nebraska-based Inclosed Studio and just happens to be the invitation suite for her best friend, Andie, who she’s known since kindergarten. Lesley went all out for this special project, which features oodles of amazing, Jazz Age/Art Nouveau-style typography and a great, mossy green and lavender color palette.

David, the groom, created a watercolor painting of the wedding venue, Audubon Park, which was printed on the outside of the gatefold invitation for an extra special, personal touch. The wedding itself was intimate, emotional, and full of New Orleans flair, including amazing food, a gospel choir singing the bride down the aisle, and a surprise brass band at the end of the night. Pretty cool!

Pieces in the suite, in addition to the invitations,include an RSVP postcard, a reception card, an accommodations card, and a schedule of the day.

photo credit: DPMuller Photography

Invitation Tuesday : Invitation Crush Roundup #6

September 27, 2011 // kristen // 0 replies

Fun Halloween party invites make an appearance in this Invitation Crush roundup, which also includes beautiful invitation and save the date designs by Albertine Press, Lion in the Sun, Fourth Year Studio, Palm Papers, and Perky Bros. Have a look at all of the pretty paper creations:

Row 1 : Peter & Reid’s hand-lettered letterpress wedding invitations by Perky Bros/Rohner Letterpress and unique photo save the dates by Palm Papers (with photography by Wisner Photo)

Row 2 : Trick or Treat Halloween party invites by Rifle Paper Co. for Tiny Prints and rustic, vintage lace wedding invitations by Lion in the Sun

Row 3 : Detail from the Lily Barn custom letterpress wedding suite by Fourth Year Studio

Row 4 : Snowy Owl DIY invitations by Brightside Prints and custom plaid letterpress wedding invites by Albertine Press

images from their respective owners

Name Your Price Wedding Invitations

September 06, 2011 // kristen // 1 replies

Chevron Invitations by Up Up Creative

I love it when I see creatives rockin’ the status quo, stepping outside the box (heck, kicking down the walls of the box), and doing things in their own way and on their own terms. Yeah, I’ve got a bit of anarchist in me. So, when I saw what Julie from Up Up Creative is doing during the month of September, I started buzzing (that’s what I do when something really gets me excited). And if you’re in the market for wedding invitations, or invitations of any kind, you’ll be buzzing, too.

Up Up Yours (ha!) is an experiment, and a grand one, at that. During the month of September, Julie is asking you to set your own price on your invitations. No minimums, no maximums. Yeah, I think I heard a few jaws drop there. The experiment is about opening up a conversation about value, making you think about the value of handmade, the value of good design, the value of making smart choices with your wedding budget. And there will be awesome invitations involved, of course.

As a fellow designer, I know how awkward the “money” discussion can sometimes be, and I know how hair-pullingly frustrating it can be when you’re going back and forth, trying to set a fair price for your time and your products. There’s often a disconnect between said price and a client or customer’s understanding of where that price comes from, and my hope is that Julie’s experiment will get people talking … and asking lots of questions. Up Up Yours is a pretty awesome, a somewhat wild and wacky, and a totally brave idea. Rock on, Julie!

Want to learn more? Head on over to Up Up for much, much more information, and watch this cool video, too: