Gorgeous Embossed Pocket Fold Invitations

 

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I just wanted to share a couple pics of these new gorgeous embossed pocket fold invitations we created as part of our retail collection carried (so far) exclusively by Calla Graphics in New Jersey.

This is a Cream Puff matte cardstock pocket fold with a custom flourish "embossing" process that we did using a special resin powder and a heat treatment. I put "embossing" in quotations, because it is really more like a thermographic treatment, but in the craft world, they call it embossing.

 

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 The monogram was done using the same process, and is composed of three layers, a Cream Puff text layer, an Opal metallic mat, and a Cream Puff base layer.  We used velcro dots to keep the pocket fold closed so as to reduce the potential for tearing, as that is a problem with double-sided tape.

Copyright Revelry Invitation Studio, LLC All Rights Reserved

The interior invitation and the three included enclosure cards are mirror opposites of the layering on the monogram, with an Opal base layer, a Cream Puff mat layer, and an Opal text layer.

 

Copyright Revelry Invitation Studio, LLC All Rights Reserved

This invitation was flat printed in a grey ink, but the metallic sheen of the text layer card stock gives it a shimmery, silver-like appearance. 

   

Copyright Revelry Invitation Studio, LLC All Rights Reserved

The three enclosures ranged in size from 6.5" in length to 5" in length to create a layered look when assembled in the pocket.

 

Copyright Revelry Invitation Studio, LLC All Rights Reserved

Although we did this with a clear embossing powder and a flourish pattern, the sky is the limit in terms of introducing secondary colors and alternative patterns into the design.  A black pocket fold with red embossed cherry blossoms would create the most dramatic asian inspired invitation, or a light green pocket fold with with a light pink damask would be perfect for an outdoor spring soiree. 

Contact us for more information about how we can create the perfect one-of-a-kind embossed invitations for you!

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Pink, Black, and White Inspiration

Photography From Eugene Kam

 I am working on the couture silk invitations for a pink, black, and white Sweet Sixteen party with a "Diamonds are Forever theme".  So right up my alley!  Not only are pink, black, and white my favorite colors, I have been addicted to all things sparkley since before I could walk.   I thought I would post some inspiration pics I have found.

 

I love these fabulous pink, black and white favor boxes.  I am usually not a huge fan of favors (because they are usually junk... let's be honest) but I would gladly walk away with this box, even if it were empty.

I Love, Love LOVE these shoes from Magrit. I can't believe I don't own these already. 

Cake: Not Just Cheesecakes

Photo: Jennifer Skog

Gustave Tassel from Decades Inc.

OMG, I miss Madmen!  I am infatuated by this gorgeous pink and black silk Gustave Tassel cocktail gown circa 1960's.  I would totally starve myself to fit in this size 0 (literally, a 22 inch waist).  Love!

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Vintage Engagement Rings... Thinking Outside the Big Box Stores

I love vintage diamond jewelery.  I think it stems from when I was a little girl and all the little old ladies in the neighborhood would sell their vintage costume jewelry at garage sales, that I would pick up for a steal.  Nothing better than fabulous sparklies for a seven year old who thinks she's a princess.  I have since grown up, and although I still love some of the gaudy rhinestone trinkets I purchased decades ago, I am more inclined to drool over the real stuff.  Like theis gorgeous Emerald and Diamond vintage engagement ring from CamelliaCollection on Etsy. 

Okay, maybe not appropriate for an engagement ring, this vintage circa 1936 diamond and ruby cocktail ring is about as stunning as they come.  This ring from Julzz4u on Etsy has over 3.5 carats of diamonds and 2 carats of rubies, and an unlimited wow factor.

I am a sucker for double mount diamond rings.  I love the idea of having a diamond (gorgeous on it's own) framed by even more gems.  Talk about gilding the lily.  This pre-1920's Edwardian engagement ring from Fay Cullen has about 1.25 carats of diamonds and 1 carat of sapphires.   

Fay Cullen is an absolute treasure trove of unique vintage and antique jewelry.  This art deco engagement ring boasts a 1.57 carat center stone, not to mention the superior quality emeralds that embellish it. So, this one is mine.  I put dibs on it.

This is an example of a Georgian cluster ring with pink foiled diamonds.  Georgian rings are exceptionally rare as over time they were often elted down and crafted into more contemporary styles.  The Georgian period spans from 1714-1830, the victorian period covers 1837-1901, where as the Edwardian period between 1901-1915, and art deco spans the '20's and 30's.  This antique ring from The Three Graces is circa 1780-1800 and shows an excellent and rare example of pink foiling.  During the Georgian period, diamonds were often coated with foil and then set in a flat setting (ulike the rings of today, which have holes underneath the setting to let light bounce around more). You can see how the pink foil gives the ddiamonds a slightly pink hue. 

This ring from The London Victorian Ring Company is an example of a popular Victorian era engagement ring style, this gold band displays two intertwined serpents which symbolized eternal love.  Although I personally associate snakes with scary badness, I guess that wasn't always the case.  And I'll take a snake ring with a giant sapphire and ruby on it anyday.  Now, don't go decorating your church and reception hall with a bunch of snakes just 'cause they represent eternal love.  They also represent scary badness.

UPERVY9873TF

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Awesome Bridal Headpieces

Headpiece by Artikal

I was never a fan of bridal headgear.  I thought blushers were sort of, well, passe. I thought a nice simple single layer finger tip veil was the way to go.  After all, how can the bride shine if there is a giant birdcage on her head? My opinion has since changed now that I have discovered the fabulous world of couture bridal millinery. These stunning couture pieces from Artikal can do nothing but add an overture of drama and elegance to any bride's final look.  Not to mention they custom craft a piece of head-art for about the same price as you'd find a run of the mill veil at your local shop.  I can not say enough.  I am in LOVE with her work!

 

Finding really interesting, yet not over the top (think: a wedding at the Kentucky Derby) is actually quite difficult.  But several months ago I came across Bethany Lorelle on Etsy and as far as I am concerned, it is one stop shopping for wedding headpieces for the whole bridal party.

Something so simple yet beautiful can make a ho-hum bridesmaid dress seem just a little bit more fabulous.  Go ahead and save your money. Forgo the Jim Hjelm dresses and get something affordable that you can doll up with accessories like this gorgeous hair candy from Bethany Lorelle.

I love this peacock and crystal headband from Sweet Grass Mill on Etsy.  Perfect for a navy wedding... what a way to add a bit of the unexpected and to make your girls feel truly special!

All I can say is " oooh oooh ooh!" LOVE IT!

I love this on a bride with a black and white wedding gown.  What a fabulously unexpected accessory to add just the right amount of drama and sexiness.

Bottomline: Don't be afraid to add a little fabulousness with a headpiece that may seem a bit out of character.  The rhinestone tiara will always be there if you chicken out.

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The 411 on Print Options for Invitations

Printing Options for Invitations

Invitation from Oslo Press

I am collaborating with a client who is planning on purchasing her paper invitations from a friend, but who wants me to create an over all couture experience from what would otherwise be standard catalog invitations.  Her scheme is cream and gold and she asked me if I thought she should have the invitations printed in gold. I responded with a battery of questions... is it foil? Is it letterpress? Is it thermography? And then I realized, there are so many options when choosing your invitations, from paper types, to layout, to wording; but perhaps one of the most confusing elements of the decision process has to do with printing options. 

Option 1: Engraving

    

invitation from Louella Press

Engraving is a 400 year old printing method that uses a copper plate to engrave your text into thick cotton paper.  A plate is etched with your design (so the text is etched out, while the negative space surrounding it is left standing). The etched space of the plate is inked and placed flat. The paper is than placed face down on the plate, and pressure is applied to the back of the paper, pushing it into the plate.  The pressure creates raised and inked lettering (or graphics) on the front, and bruising on the back (a negative of the raised front portion is seen if you flip the paper over). Engraving is traditionally used on very formal or black-tie event invitations, but more modern and contemporary designs benefit from the 3-D nature of the process (as seen above).  However, your wallet may not.  Engraving is one of the most expensive printing methods, but also creates one of the most complete sensory experiences.

Option 2: Letterpress

Invitation from Bella Figura

Letterpress can be thought of as the opposite technique to engraving.  A plate is created from a negative of your image (so the text is left standing, while surrounding areas are etched out. The plate is inked and is pressed upon the paper from the top creating a stamped or "pressed" image of your ext and graphics onto the paper. Since the paper is on a flat surface, there is no negative bruising on the back of the paper (it remains flat). The letterpress technique is credited to John Gutenberg who is the father of moveable type printing, which not only revolutionized the printing industry, but also created the ability to share information to the masses.

Option 3: Thermography

Thermography is a more affordable alternative to engraving.  The process involves ink, a special resin powder and heat.  The result is shiny, raised lettering, with no physical modification to the paper.  Color options can be limited when not using a custom printer or design house, however unlike with digital printing, true metallics are available. Thermography is a viable option for DIY invitations, but bear in mind when designing: large solid areas or graphics and small type should be avoided on the same page as they require different types of resins; very small print may fill in; and trimming will be more costly, and/or time consuming as it is difficult to stack as many thermographed papers. 

Option 4: Foil Stamping

  

Foil stamping involves a plate with a negative of your text (or graphic) etched (much like a letterpress plate). A mylar sheet is placed on top of the paper, while the plate is heated and stamped onto the foil.  The foil heats up and is pressed into the paper, adhering to the surface. Once the plate is lifted, the extra mylar sheeting is pulled away, leaving the impression of your design in foil on the paper. 

Option 4: Embossing

Invitation from Piccolo Press

Embossed invitations are similar to engraved invitations with two major differences, there is no ink and there are two plates rather than one.  A plate is created with your text and design (in this case, the text and outer border were etched into the plate while the center square was left alone) that fits into a second mirror image plate (in this case, the text and border would be left standing, while the center square would be etched out.  Like engraving, pressure is applied to the backside of the paper, and thus the text and border are raised, while the center square appears recessed. 

Option 5: Lithography, or Offset

Offset printing is the most common printing method (although it is being replaced by digital printing) and if you think of newspapers running off the press (like in Superman), then you have a good idea of what an offset printer is. Without getting into too many details, a plate is created and the plate is attached to a cylinder. the plate is inked and transferred to another cylinder, where it is finally printed onto paper. In true offset printing, metallic inks can be used.

Option 6: Digital Printing

Digital printing is slowly replacing offset as the go-to method for printing invitations.  Similar to what you would do at home, a digital file is created in a publishing program, that digital file is sent directly to the digital printer (so no information or quality is lost in the transfer) and voila! You have a perfect print of your  full color image. Prints appear as a flat image on the paper (although depending on the stock you choose as well as fonts, you can almost trick the eye into thinking it is letterpress if done with a sharp black and white contrast).  Metallic inks cannot be used, and paper color has a major impact n how ink colors ultimately appear once the final image is printed. I have found that using metallic papers (such as Stardream or Curious Metallics) increases your ability to print text that appears to be metallic, even though it is really not.

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Why is Wedding Stationery So Darn Expensive?

So my eyes having been bugging out all day because I am in the process of determining a price list for my first retail catalog!  I have a taker and I am so excited!  But as a custom designer, I usually price based on my client's total stationery package, so coming up with singular prices for different quanitites of items, with different options is proving to be a very time intensive job.

It has also gotten me thinking about the overall cost of wedding stationery, which is undeniably quite high no matter where you go. And although I don't plan to make a habit of cutting and pasting other bloggers articles, this one provides a basic overview of what contributes to cost in event stationery, as well as examines some of the different invitation formats and styles (and how cost factors in to each).  I thought it was a great start to an extensive look at why custom invitations are pricey.  Plus she used one of Revelry Invitation Studio's Invitations as an example (whoop, whoop)!

To give full credit where it is due, I lifted this article from a fab blog called Invite Couture Notebook, the blog of Invite Couture owner Corrie Feld.

"If you are planning any type of event and are in the market for invitations, sometimes it can be overwhelming that there are so many to choose from! Your budget and tastes can be determining factors as to the type of invitations that would suit you, your budget and your event best.

Overall there are several factors that will determine the overall costs of your invitations. They include:
•The Format of the Invitation
•The Stock (or paper)
•The Printing Method
•The Design (pre-designed or custom)

Prioritizing what for you is most important, whether it be the printing method of the format of the invitation will ultimately help you stay within your budget. I'll be reviewing all these different factors separately in detail and different posts, but for now let's focus on your invitation format.

The format of is the actual layout and delivery of the finished invitation. You can find a variety of invitations from single card stock, traditional invitations to really luxurious invitations with multiple card stock layers and ribbons delivered to your guests in silk boxes.

One quick thing to remember is the more stock (paper and/or other materials) that is needed to produce the invitation, the more expensive it will be. The costs of producing a single stock, 3.5"x5" piece is substantially less than let's say a 5"x7" pocket envelope invitation with multiple inserts because less materials are used to create the finished product.

Below is a sampling of different format invitation ideas in the marketplace now, listed in the order of how budget friendly they are.

Traditional Flat Invitation- The most standard size you see in the marketplace is 5"x7" but you can get smaller ones as well. You can have a more modern design that incorporates rounded edges or go with a traditional flat design that has multiple, layered cards for a sophisticated look.

From top clockwise: cevd custom invitation design, Pearl & Marmalade, Invite Couture.

Bi-Fold and Tri-Fold Invitations- Very similar to a traditional flat, but the card is folded in a way so you then have a cover and an inside to the invitation.

From top to bottom: Cheree Berry Papers, creator not known, please email me if you know who designed this so I can give them credit, Lilah Paper.

Pocket Invitations- Pocket invitations are the more savvy cousin of the traditional invitation. It's basically a traditional invitation, but layered onto a card or envelope with a pocket designed into it. The pocket is perfect for RSVP's and other insertion cards. Because pockets use more paper to create them than standard, traditional flat invitations expect these to be a bit pricier. Pocket invitations are perfect for events where you want to give your guests a lot of information, so you typically see them used more for weddings than anything else.

From top to bottom: top and middle by Invite Couture, bottom by Gourmet Invitations.

Box Invitations- Box invitations are probably the most luxurious invitations you can find. They are basically a traditional, flat invitation and insertion cards (sometimes also in a pocket envelope) that are sent to guests presented inside a beautiful box. Boxes can come in a variety of colors or even in fabrics, such as silk.

Clockwise from left: Lela NY, My Personal Artist, Revelry Invitation Studio.

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Wedding Gown Shopping: Tips to Keep You Sane Your first Time Out

You have gone through every issue of Brides, Modern Bride, and Elegant Bride published since you started dating your fiance.  You have clipped out between 2 and 50 pics of gowns you love. You have wrangled your girlfriends together and are on a mission to try on each and every one, possibly twice, before deciding which gown is perfect.  This is the custom.  And this often leads to frustration and sometimes tears.  Here are a couple things to keep in mind when shopping for your wedding gown.

Atelier Aimee

1) You may not find the dress in the picture.  And if you do, it may be shockingly expensive. This may be true especially if you live in a less populated area.  Instead of getting your heart set on a particular dress by a particular designer, try to disect what it is you love about that particular dress. Is it the shape, the bodice, the lace detail? Are you drawn to embroidery, beading, or a particular neckline?  Figuring out the elements you are drawn to will help your consultant find alternatives that may turn out the be "the one".

2) Do not get discouraged if the samples don't fit.  Samples usually come in a size 8 or 10.  The average woman is a size 14.  And wedding gowns run small (if you are a size 8, you may need a size 10 or even 12 wedding gown).  I am convinced it is a cruel industry joke. But even if it doesn't zip up all the way, you can usually get a pretty good idea of what the dress will look like.  You'll get an idea of the neckline and how it frames your face, if the waist is flattering or not, whether or not you like lace, beading, etc.

3) Come in with an open mind.  I know you've been studying gowns.  I know you think you know what you want, and more importantly, what will look the best on you.  Please keep an open mind.  Sometimes we are very, very wrong.  I don't know how many plus size brides were strapless-o-phobic when walking into my shop, insecure about their bodies and thinking the more fabric, the better.  I understand these insecurities.  But once they popped that waist cinching Maggie Sottero on, they were sold. 

4) You may not have the "this is it" moment.  Although we all think we will, it is rare. I'd say only 1-10 brides have the eureka moment the first time they dress shop. Finding the perfect wedding gown is an emotional experience, but it is also a whirlwind. By the time you are done in a shop, you may have tried on 15 different styles (because you walk in thinking you know what you want, but may have been wrong... see #3)  and narrowed it down to the perfect bodice style, neckline, skirt shape, what have you.  Don't feel like you'll never find "the one" just because it doesn't happen the first day.  If you have narrowed it down to the dress shape and style you should look for on the second trip out, you have made tons of progress and will more likely find "the one" on your next excursion because you know what to look for.

5) Do not purchase a gown anticipating to lose weight.  We all want to look our best on our wedding day, and often this means we plan to lose that Christmas ten (or in my case, twenty).  And you go girl!  But don't buy your dress more than a size smaller than what you are when measured.  If you lose more than a size, awesome! Your alterations person can take the dress in.  If you don't, they may not be able to alter it to fit without drastically changing the look of the dress (read a big white panel where beading should be continuous). The number on the dress is a number.  It says nothing about how hot you're going to look (and feel!) in it. When it fits, you're a hottie potatie. When it doesn't, you feel like a sausage.  I speak from experience.

6) Do not bring more than 2 trusted confidants.  The old adage, "the more, the merrier" is simply a load of crap when dress shopping. Be sure to bring people who will be honest with you, and who will be impartial about what you look like in a dress. Think twice about bringing your friend who is also getting married, unless you are sure she won't unintentionally make it about her "when I was dress shopping..." "I found the perfect headpiece (for me)"... you get the idea.

7) Don't be pressured into buying immediately. Sales people do work on commission, so they want you to put your money where your mouth is as soon as you have that "this is it!" moment. If you are sure, (read: you know from trial and error that this dress is perfect, and this is not just an emotional moment) by all means, make a deposit. I always recommend at least two shopping trips. It gives you time to be rational about an emotionally charged purchase. It might seem cool to have an American Flag gown for a July 4 wedding when you're all wrapped in the moment.  But you should sleep on it. Trust me.

8) Bring your own strapless, waist cincher, etc. These undergarments really do help give a good foundation, which in turn makes the dresses look their best when you try them on.  Often you can borrow one from the shop, but would you borrow gym shorts at the gym?  Gross.

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A Little Wedding Day Humor

It's Monday and I am needing a humor fix.  So I thought I would share some funny wedding pic's I found on the web.  Have a Smurfy day!

Who taught him that?

Hope y'all can make it to the weddin'!

Okay, come on.  Who the hell let her walk out of the bathroom like that.  Her friends are mean.

Hey you!  Eat Me!

It only works for ladies, dude.

The best part of being married is having not having to do the YMCA alone.  No, this is from their days shared on the cheerleading squad. 

If the price is right, you can book the Fabulous Heftones for your affair.  An extra ten-spot, and she'll match her shall, tights, and shoes to your wedding color scheme (one color only please).

Please don't spook the horse! 

Okay, now that's just wrong...