Love Letters

Trends
There’s nothing like modern calligraphy to imbue wedding invitations with romance and sophistication. Here are four standout examples made right here in Wisconsin.
Written by
BECKY KAZANA

1} Flight of Fancy

Debbie Pape of Paper Envy worked closely with the bride to create this suite. Cranes had special significance for the couple because they mate for life, so this whimsical avian illustration became a central design element. The hand-lettering on the suite has a lighthearted feel that pairs beautifully with the more traditional combination of fonts. “The cranes were created with the same feel as the hand-lettering, which is playful and airy, yet still legible,” adds Pape. The sage-green envelopes and ivory paper with black ink were careful choices, too. “We wanted to keep it organic and natural.” Paper Envy, Elm Grove, 262.780.0850, paperenvy.com

2} Peony Perfection

Set a fairy-tale mood with the Cassandra suite from B.T. Elements, available through Broadway Paper. “The feel of the entire suite is modern and romantic, from the flowing calligraphy script to the flowering blooms,” says Amanda Pearson of Broadway Paper. The couple’s names are highlighted with gold foil stamping, one of her favorite embellishments. While hand-lettering is an option, this particular suite features a calligraphy-inspired typeface, conserving time and expense. Broadway Paper, Milwaukee, 414.277.7699, broadwaypaper.com

3} Tropical Breeze

This suite was inspired by a trip the bride took to southern Florida. Going tropical without going kitschy was a fun design challenge for Heather Raffel of Sugar River Stationers. “We didn’t want tropical flowers to dominate the look, but we used this leaf as a charger for the place settings, so I tied that in with the stationery,” says Raffel. Foil stamping on a textured gray stock subtly conjures a sandy beach, while the other pieces were offset and digitally printed on cotton stock. The digital calligraphic font lent a classic special-occasion feeling. Sugar River Stationers, Verona, 608.798.0427, sugarriverstationers.com

4} Norwegian Woods

Hygge is a Danish word that means “a feeling of coziness and charm”—think comfort with a Nordic accent. Haley Mueller and Emilee Robenhorst of Mint & Lovely Studios used warm yet modern elements to evoke this mood. “We opted to use the kraft paper envelope and neutral tones inspired by Danish design rather than the typical rustic elements you might see, like lace or burlap. We balanced out the warm feeling with the clean font choices and modern calligraphy by Shelby Made It.” Although the suite is sleek, it feels welcoming too. “While a lot of white space can feel cold, enhancing the design with the curving hand-lettering, along with the warm color tones, creates the perfect balance.” Mint & Lovely Studios, Milwaukee, 262.528.6468, mintandlovely.com