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Ceci New York's holiday tag invitation demonstrates the elegance of textured printing. Lela New York's invitations show how a classic, well-tied bow is always an elegant touch. Corina van Sluytman of Bella Invites suggests sparkly embellishments and jewel tones for a stunning greeting. Alina Uzilov of Majestic Invites says that boxed scrolls and fabric-covered invitations of four pages or more are a unique approach that create anticipation for the guest. For an invitation that stands out, Corrie Feld of Invite Couture suggests personalized wording. |
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That jaw-dropping first impression when you open an envelope to reveal an invitation that is a tiny work of art can be a gift in itself. A well-crafted invite not only communicates something unique about the host and the event, but also about the recipient. And who wouldn't feel special receiving a messengered wooden box inscribed with a beautiful design, and inside finding a bottle of fine wine with an invite affixed where the label would be? Who wouldn't feel a surge of excitement for a party announced by a jeweled card enrobed in a silk envelope?
These are some of the novel techniques couture invitation designers are using to set their clients' cards apart from the stack. Drawing inspiration from fashion trends as well as their clients' own stories, designers look to maximize the overall impact of an invite. While creating one-of-a-kind bespoke invitations requires a few months' lead time, RL Magazine spoke with several custom invitation designers for a quick look at what works and what doesn't. The number-one rule? Skip the e-vite. We're all for going green, but do it with recycled paper options – any designer can help with that - because a special occasion calls for old-fashioned etiquette.
Lisa Hoffman Johnson, founder and creative director of Ceci New York, uses a variety of textures and media—even printing New Year's Eve invites on Champagne bottles—to create visually arresting designs. She suggests trying the following techniques:
*Incorporate something truly personal that's also reflective of the event. Johnson's background as a graphic artist has allowed her to create handmade silk flowers and original watercolor paintings for some of her invites.
*Nothing should fall out of an invite when it is opened, says Johnson, whether reply cards or adornments. Putting confetti in a New Year's invite, for instance, may seem festive and fun, but it's not fun to clean up when guests innocently tear into the envelope. Use pockets, ties, bands, or ribbons—they not only keep everything in place, they are also opportunities to add style and color.
*The classiest option is printing with texture—whether raised (thermography) or pressed into the paper (letterpress). It's a subtle way of elevating the invite, Johnson says.
*For a festive yet nondenominational feel, consider metallic colors—gold, silver, bronze—and neutrals.
*Lastly, Johnson says to be sure and show your invite to three people to catch any errors before it goes out.
For Maria Cerff, creative director of Lela New York, the first impression is everything. She favors high-quality, acid-free papers and double-thick cards, the weight of which can be felt immediately. She says:
*Don't affix anything that could crumble or break in the mail. Again, it's that first impression. Cinnamon sticks crumble and real wax seals often crack. Instead, Cerff suggests adding a tiny, nonperishable potpourri satchel and using a synthetic wax blend seal that's more flexible, like rubber.
*Try printing on unexpected materials. Cerff likes using unbreakable Plexiglas and gold or silver ink with small crystal adornments to catch the light. “Perfect for a holiday invitation,“ she says.
*Shine is great for the holidays, but Cerff warns against going overboard on “bling” if it's a simple holiday party; letterpress printing on 100% cotton paper affixed with a single crystal is classic and elegant.
*Use a calligrapher to address your holiday envelopes, says Cerff. Real calligraphy adds a touch of importance to an envelope, the first part of the invitation that guests see.
Corina van Sluytman, owner and creative director of Bella Invites, takes cues from the fashion world, both in the use of color and materials. Her recommendations:
*Lace is in and “fits a holiday theme really well,” says van Sluytman, who is using laser-cut lace or paper overlays this season for a less ornate, more graphic look. She's also relying on rich jewel tones for holiday invites—“shades of garnet, amethyst, emerald and sapphire,” she says—and pairing them with metallic touches.
*When it comes to bows, not all are created equal, so if you're doing it yourself, learn how to make bows that lay beautifully, she advises.
*Adding sparkly embellishments—such as crystal buckles, buttons or brooches—is a festive touch, as is a spritz of cinnamon or pine fragrance. Just make sure you're using a material that won't be damaged by it, says van Sluytman.
Alina Uzilov, president of Majestic Invites, specializes in formal boxed scrolls and imported papers to create one-of-a-kind looks. Among the ideas she favors for holiday invites:
*Imported textured papers, such as threaded or leatherette cards and stationery, make a bold statement, according to Uzilov.
*Boxed scrolls and fabric-covered booklike invitations of several pages are also unique approaches.
*Folded and “door-style” cards create anticipation that's perfect for a holiday party, Uzilov points out.
*Bold colors are giving way to neutral tones. Champagne, teal, frost blue and soft pink bring sophisticated elegance to seasonal announcements. Teal is gorgeous paired with crisp white and sparking silver embellishments, says Uzilov.
Corrie Feld, president of Invite Couture, likes a classically festive look for the holidays, with special touches to personalize an invite. Her suggestions:
*One of the easiest ways to set an invitation apart is with creative wording or a favorite quote.
*Hand delivery also makes a lasting impression, according to Feld.
*Consider a boxed invitation that includes a tree ornament or other holiday gift. You can attach a gift tag with the event information, Feld says.
*Feld also suggests using ivory or white shimmer-finish paper stocks reminiscent of freshly fallen snow.
*Or, try using vintage holiday artwork from the 1920s-1940s, for a nostalgic look.
Donna Marino Wilkins is a freelance writer based in Manhattan. She is the former senior editor at Zagat Survey, and has written and edited for publications including Leisure Travel News, Travel Agent, Bridal Guide, and The New York Times.
Photography credits:
- Invitation Design by Ceci New York
- Lela New York
- Bella Invitations
- Majestic Invitations
- Invite Couture 2009
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