Nothing makes a more memorable first impression of your event than a gorgeously wrought invitation suite, prefaced by an equally stunning Save the Date, of course.  Not only is the invitation the first item your guests will see in conjunction with your nuptials, it is the first tangible expression of your event and as such, naturally you want it to be stylish, on trend and of the most luxurious quality.  We don’t blame you.

Luckily, we know some of the most exquisite designers in the arena of couture stationery and they know just what it takes to create a stellar suite that will captivate the imaginations of your guests long before the Big Day arrives.  We’ve brought together Christine Traulich of RedBliss Design, Tara Guérard of Lettered Olive, Ceci Johnson of Ceci New York, Andrea Liss of Hannah Handmade and Emilie Dulles of Dulles Designs to bring you the most sophisticated and savvy advice in the industry.  These ladies have it all- talent, creativity, charisma and that little something extra that really brings the art of the invitation to life, and they are willing to share it will you in hopes that you will achieve the invitation design of your dreams.

What couture invitation design trend would you love to see make a comeback in 2014?

Christine Traulich of  REDBLISS DESIGN

We love to see invitation designs evolve and change. Re-using the same styles and design elements can be tiresome and commonplace which is why we always strive to innovate and use unique materials and fabrication methods in avant-garde ways. We would rather see new and emerging ideas versus bringing back former trends.

Tara Guérard of LETTERED OLIVE

I think today’s designs are so innovative and dynamic – you are always seeing something new. There is so much creativity in our industry that you don’t always have to go the traditional old-school route.

Ceci Johnson of CECI NEW YORK

I would love to see a resurgence of the art of hand calligraphy. No matter how far technology comes, I think it’s important to keep some of the more traditional elements in mind and give them proper respect. There really is nothing like the artistry and elegance of a hand-written envelope or escort card. Perhaps even more so in today’s digital world, it’s sure to grab your guests’ attention and shows a high level of quality and care.

Andrea Liss of HANNAH HANDMADE

The original haute couture ateliers in Paris provided clients an experience of opulence and artistry in the creation of one-of-a-kind designs handmade just for them. Today’s artisan and maker movement is exciting to me as I see a renewed interest in the hand of the artist and the detailed way things are made.  In invitations this means putting the spotlight on a personal design experience that is brought to life with masterful craftsmanship – a couture process that defies passing trends and embraces the quality and refinement appreciated by an experienced eye.

Emilie Dulles of  DULLES DESIGNS

I love seeing creativity and breathtaking designs come together through exquisite custom stationery, yet am not known for being trendy in my approach to invitation design.  Ceci New York and Lehr and Black offer incredibly unique and trend-setting designs for brides that love the cutting edge inspired by New York and Los Angeles.

The Dulles Designs bride is more classic and traditional in her aesthetic and her family relies on us to carry over generations of heritage through our timeless and subtly luxurious invitation suites. As trends come and go, they enrich the stationery industry and encourage appreciation for all that can be communicated through beautiful stationery. We embrace the advances in technology that allow us to work with top planners and discerning clients around the world yet stay true to our roots of timeless and gentile designs and old-school engraving and hand-lettering.

What is emerging as a must-have style in invitation design?

 Christine Traulich of  REDBLISS DESIGN

Shiny metallic finishes have become a must-have design element recently. This includes chrome overlays, foil printing and engraving, and full-on brass metal invitations. While engraving and foil stamping have been around for years — and are still fabulous! — we are using chrome and metal to add more visual interest and detail. Rather than rely solely on printing methods, we are “architecting” with these materials in truly cutting-edge ways. And gold has taken center stage! As we like to say, “brass is the new black.”

How do you encourage couples to think outside of the envelope when selecting wedding invitations? 

Christine Traulich of  REDBLISS DESIGN

Couples that come to us are already looking for something original and outside the box. It really doesn’t take much convincing to get them on board. And in the end, it’s about understanding their personal style and how to best reflect that through the right design and materials.

Tara Guérard of  LETTERED OLIVE

That’s easy. Our brides love having the most unique invitations out there – anything to make their weddings stand out is an easy sell! The mothers of the brides are the ones we have a tough time convincing because they usually want something more traditional for their daughters.

Ceci Johnson of  CECI NEW YORK

My best advice is to relax and be yourself. It’s the ultimate luxury to turn everything over to a talented designer and let them do what they do best. However, even the best in the business can’t operate without open communication, so don’t hold back! Be honest, open and share your story. How did you meet? What do you love to do together? These personal tidbits allow me to get to know you as individuals and as a couple and therefore do a better job designing for you.

Also, don’t limit yourself to what you’ve seen on blogs, websites or Pinterest. Think outside of the wedding realm for inspiration – from fashion to home décor to travel, art, architecture, and anything in between. The magic happens when we have a fun, creative collaboration coming up with never-before-seen designs. It’s all about the art of the possible!

Andrea Liss of  HANNAH HANDMADE

The invitation is the first glimpse guests will have of their wedding and a good place to set expectations for what is to come. We specialize in the unique and uncharted territory of haute couture invitations using unusual materials from custom fabrics, fresh flowers, embroidery and beading to engraved metals, laser cut wood, acrylic, and hand-placed crystals.  Most of our couture invitations are mailed in custom envelopes or handmade boxes made in my atelier.

Emilie Dulles of  DULLES DESIGN

I encourage couples to incorporate their personal aesthetic within the elegant and traditional tone-setting invitations which are appropriate for black tie ceremony (usually in a Church or Temple) and seated dinner reception (often in a luxury hotel or private club), which is what most of our brides select for their wedding day. By introducing hints of color via beveled edges, or a custom envelope lining, and hand-lettering custom tailored to their names and exact wording amongst other design selections we offer, we create a traditional invitation with a twist that reflects not just the family’s wishes but also the personality of the bride and groom. No two invitations are exactly alike when we have walked through the many stages of design, logistics, and production.

What are the three most important things to consider when selecting a couture stationer?

 Christine Traulich of  REDBLISS DESIGN

1. Reliability & Transparency:: Be sure to find a designer that has a reputation for providing outstanding service. Knowing that your invitations will be produced as desired, on time and without error will make the entire process enjoyable and stress-free.

2. Quality Product & Service:: If you see a glue spot, run. The details matter and the smallest flaw in production can ruin the beauty of an invitation. If you have commissioned a design, it should be produced to the highest quality standards.

3. Proven Talent & Design:: It goes without saying that you should select a designer that best meets your style needs and has a portfolio that gets you excited about the possibilities!

Tara Guérard of  LETTERED OLIVE

1. Printing method

2. Production time

3. A team that can take your vision and make it happen 

Ceci Johnson of  CECI NEW YORK

1. Design Capability::  Do your research to be sure the designer’s reputation and talent level is up to par with all you wish and desire for your wedding. If you are truly looking for a couture experience, be sure that they are artists listening to you and creating from scratch, not just modifying templates. A custom experience should be just that – tailored perfectly to suit your individual style. Don’t settle for anything less!

2. Quality::  After you’ve worked so hard creating a custom design, you must ensure that your designer can deliver what they promised. It’s heartbreaking when I hear stories of clients that went elsewhere and were pitched one thing and then received something totally different – with errors, poor printing or (even worse!) a product that was not delivered at all! I truly believe great design is only 50% of our job and the other 50% is execution and service. Ask what the designer’s process is for quality checking orders. At Ceci New York we are perfectionists. We double-check each piece by hand for our clients to be sure each order is as promised.

3. Experience::  Consider how long the company has been in business before jumping headfirst into a contract or going for a less expensive option. You’ll want to work with an established, reputable company that you are confident can bring your dreams to life (and will still be in business on your wedding date!).  With over ten years in business, I’m proud that Ceci New York clients know and trust our ability to manage both the big picture and all the tiny details. From the etiquette and wording to design, printing and final delivery, there are so many parts that go into the process. With all the time, energy and money you put into the wedding, it’s worth it to find someone dependable and with a sharp eye for detail to be sure it all comes together for you.

Andrea Liss of  HANNAH HANDMADE

You want to feel confident that your designer can deliver quality in both product and service. Your stationer will set the tone for your wedding and can develop concepts that will carry through from start to finish such as signature graphics and colors.  Three things to look for when considering your stationer:

1. The originality of their designs and if the range of their work appeals to you.

2.  Does the designer have a collaborative spirit and will they listen to you and your ideas?

3.  The designer’s experience and length of time in the industry – can they deliver the quality in both design and attentive service that you are looking for?

Emilie Dulles of  DULLES DESIGN

1. Aesthetic

2. Knowledge of colors, fonts, and printing production

3. The tempo of their day to day business processes

Custom stationery for weddings is one of the more involved aspects of the planning process and guest list logistics can make or break the mood among family members involved. It is key to work with an experienced and reputable stationer who offers not just lovely visuals, but also the business and protocol acumen to execute the production and delivery of hundreds or thousands of custom stationery pieces for your wedding smoothly and delightfully.

What is the most unique wedding invitation you have ever designed?

Tara Guérard of  LETTERED OLIVE

One example of an intricate invitation is a beautiful velvet and metallic piece. The oversized Save the Date wowed the guests with a laser cut shimmer-charcoal belly band and a foil gold firework backing. The traditional gold foil invitation was backed in impressed velvet and wrapped in a shimmer-gold laser cut enclosure held together by a custom wax seal. The outer envelope flap was also velvet and was addressed with gold calligraphy and custom stamps. It set the mood for the New Years Eve wedding!

Ceci Johnson of  CECI NEW YORK

You know I can’t play favorites!  All of my designs are special and unique in their own way. They all have their own stories and styles; it would be impossible to pick just one. I love experimenting and seeing what I can dream up next for my clients. Each client brings a distinct personality to the creative experience. That’s what keeps it interesting day in and day out.

Andrea Liss of  HANNAH HANDMADE

One especially unique invitation we created for a wedding in Cabo San Lucas arrived in a custom suitcase filled with all essentials, including gift cards for roundtrip airfare from each guest’s home city.