{1 - above} For their classy outdoor 
wedding, this bride and groom wanted to set the stylish tone early. Tara Scheuerman of Cracked Designs worked one-on-one with the couple to represent their celebration in an elegant suite—invitation, RSVP card, reception card and an additional invitation to a day-before picnic. Angled text was printed on heavyweight textured felt paper in an array of neutral colors, including ivory, chocolate and champagne.
{2 - above} This suite is not only down-to-earth in style; it’s also good for the Earth in substance. Stationer Kathy Marcelle of Sugar Pear Design, who created this “green” invite, offers various eco-friendly alternatives, including recycled, cotton and handmade papers. This outdoorsy couple opted for the recycled choice. Whatever your priorities, a custom design can translate your special day onto paper in a unique way.
{3 - above left} We love a good success story. Letterpress print shop Bella Figura hired Milwaukee-based designer Jamie Lea Bertsch in 2008 after she won a high-profile design scholarship. Bertsch mixes handmade charm with an understated elegance—courtesy of her own artistic hand, not just a computer program—as shown in this invitation. Often her patterns, inspired by colors and prints in her home and studio, stem from doodles in her sketchbook. Those drawings evolve into lush letterpress invitations such as this swirling design, appropriately called “Flourish.”
{4 - right} A Napa Valley engagement followed by a wine-themed wedding inspired this stately design. Robin Dworak of Robin’s Paperie translated the vino motif into a classic invitation trimmed in plum and copper. She also produced tags for the couple’s reception wine bottles from the winery where the groom had dropped to one knee. Dworak is a stickler for timeless designs. “I always tell clients, ‘It’s not a party—it’s your wedding,’ ”
{5 - left} You have to touch this invitation to believe its luxury—a European paper mill produces 100 percent reclaimed cotton paper exclusively for Bella Figura. In addition to the requisite invite and RSVP card, brides can tailor other pieces in Jamie Lea Bertsch’s “Caprilla” design to best fit their event (for starters, we suggest coordinating coasters). Customized envelopes—and even envelope liners—add another personal touch.
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