Many married off couples will tell you that they looked through countless books of uninspired invitations, which offered "cookie-cutter" design with limited color and font selections. It's no wonder. There's nothing there to convey the essence of you as a couple in love when an invitation takes a generic approach. In steps the custom invitation where your options are endless and the result is direct. Here are two recent examples by Sugar River Stationers.
KATEY AND MIKE LOVE TO FISH
Katey and Mike love to fish, so much so, that they'd rather be out fishing together than doing anything else in the world. They took their wedding to a remote lake in Minnesota, and made it a weekend celebration for nearly all of their guests. Sugar River worked with Field & Stream Magazine (Mike is a freelance writer for various fishing publications), to secure rights to incorporate artwork from a circa 1915 issue of Field & Stream depicting a couple fishing on a northern lake. Other details weaved into the design included a favorite lakeside photograph, Mark Twain quote, wood grain patterning, and special monogram design with fishing lure. Vintage letterpress and handwritten fonts further conveyed the theme. The booklet design included a pocket for a map and rsvp postcard. The invitation was finished with a fly-tied jute string and fishing hook. All things speaking Katey, Mike, and fishing of course.
TWO OLD SOULS UNITE
Lindsay and Rich are what some call "old souls". Not only is their craftsman-style home historic, they also share a love for vintage things including a good bottle of vintage vino. With a desire to create a "vintage winery" theme, complete with the use of reclaimed and other reusable materials in their decor, we took inspiration from old-world elements such as vintage letterpress ornament, calligraphy flourishes and patterning. Added detailing came from a small section of the building's facade (part of original building still intact after extensive remodel), which was re-illustrated and fattened so that it could be printed with letterpress. A mixed palette of rich purple ink printed on rust, sage green, and natural colored, 100% cotton and recycled paper offers a rustic look with a reclaimed touch.
While the prospect of a custom-designed wedding invitation may seem daunting and expensive to some, it's a collaborative process that results in something that is truly unique to you and nobody else. Your invitation can be tailored to fit your budget and might drive the design to something really out of the box. Add special details, inject humor, show the beauty of the location, and play it up, because this day is for you to celebrate! Our hope is that when your guests receive a custom-designed invitation by Sugar River, we've captured what you envisioned and that it is like nothing your guests have ever experienced.
Photos by Krakora Studios; ring shot by Nicole Cooke Photography
