Custom Invitations, the Process – Sarah Drake Design
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Custom Invitations, the Process

March 17, 2014 | 1 comment

Starting with the custom consultation in our chicago studio, our custom wedding invitations start with a conversation, which is the simple start to creative collaborations with our fabulous clients. I LOVED the process of working with Ghienhel and Jonathan on their wedding invitations for their spring wedding at the Peninsula. Both were really open to the creative process, and Jonathan, a graphic designer, created the custom crest himself. I just added my own spin, re-working it for their ivory engraved invitations, which works best with fine lined artwork. The inspiration for their invitation suite was the gold foil business cards that we created for Estera Events, their wedding planner, using the color palette of charcoal grey, gold, and ivory. They also knew they wanted to wrap the invitation- first we thought linen fabric, but it turned out that didn't have a clean look, so in our last meeting we switched to champagne tissue, smartly wrapped around their suite. The photos here show the process of putting together the suite on the last day of production; the result of three design meetings, behind the scenes conversations, graphic design iterations, and multiple decisions made by all three of us. I think this might be my favorite of the year so far!

We reworked Jonathan's crest from an art file better suited to websites, to one that worked with the fine detail of engraved printing

Stacey Shapiro developed the custom script for their names, and some of the other verbiage in the suite.

After the invite was engraved by Rohner Engraving, it was duplexed to itself to created a thicker paper, and edge painted in rose gold.

Each response envelope got a forever stamp, and were offset printed on handmade deckled paper from Spain

Then, we wrapped with champagne tissue that was cut to the exact height of the invite.

Each Olive sprig was cut to size.

The hand dyed charcoal ribbon was also cut to size.

The beautiful mess: I couldn't quite shoot a picture while applying the wax, olive and ribbon, but stay tuned for a blog post from Nimble Well about the process! (the wax seal was created with their initials)

The result!


1 comment

  • Fernanda

    Hello, The invitation its fantastic. can you please told me where i can buy this ribbon grey that you use in this invitation.

    Best REGARDS,

    Fernanda costa

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