Laura Hooper's Calligraphy

I have worked with many local calligraphers but I was doing some research and came across Laura Hooper, WOW, I have never scene such perfection. Her work is just beautiful, and she has so many beautiful styles. I have contacted her and will now be using her as my vendor, so if you would like to add some calligraphy to your order, let me know. On top of her perfection, her prices are amazing. As because she is so amazing her schedule gets book up fast, so please let me know ahead of time if you would like some done.

Take a look at these maps, how cute are theses!

New Website

TAKE A LOOK AT OUR NEW AND UPDATED WEBSITE.

WE HAVE UPDATES OUR GALLERIES AND ADDED TWO NEW GALLERIES.

CHECK OUT OUR SILK BOXES, POUCHES, EMBELLISHMENTS AND OUR NEW LETTERPRESS LINE

When do I need my invitations?

This is the most common question I receive:

Wedding Invitations should be ordered when you have all the details of your wedding set? place, time of ceremony and reception as well as your guest list. Plan to place your invitation order at least 4-8 months in advance. Especially, if you are ordering custom made invitations or handmade invitations and coordinating ensembles. Depending on the intricacy of your design and because they are not mass produced, but rather assembled one by one it can take anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks for your order to arrive. Also consider the factor of the design process, possibility of errors, proofs and changes in your design.

Ideally invitations are sent 6-10 weeks prior to your wedding. If you have a lot of guest coming from out of town it is best to send them earlier, as this will allow for making travel arrangements. Consider sending out-of-town guests save the date cards earlier, with information on hotels, flights and car rental.

Keep in mind that you will need time to address your invitations, ask family and friends for help. While doing it yourself is the most cost effective way. There are other alternatives you may want to consider: the invitation comapny may provide this service for an additional fee or send the envelopes to a calligrapher.

Even though selecting your invitations may seem like a daunting task with all the possibilities available, giving yourself enough time will be beneficial.
It is never too early to start shopping around!

What we can do for you

When planning your wedding you will need much more then just the basic wedding invitation we can also help you with the following:

• Invitations
• Save the Dates
• Shower Invites
• Rehersal Dinner Invites
• Place Cards
• Menus
• Programs
• Escort Cards
• Place Card
• Table Charts
• Favour Boxes
• Favour Tags
• Custom Maps
• Thank You Cards
• And anything else that involves paper we can do it.

Consultations

I wanted to share with all of you some steps to consider when designing your custom invitations.

1. Always consult an expert.
An expert will help take your ideas and elements you would like to incorporate and turn them into reality. We offer a free consultation where we sit down with our brides for a one on one. We will generally ask her to have any fabrics, colors, or photographs they may want to include or use as inspiration present for our consultation. It helps to have a theme, it can be simple like a winter wonderland or you can choose to incorporate where you met or base your theme on a favorite poem. The best thing about having an invitations designer is that every detail is custom and truly one-of-a-kind.

2. Think about color.

Color is important to create mood. It can reflect your theme, your bridesmaid dresses, or your favorite colors. We will help pick the perfect color to reflect your style and event. From green and crisp, cool in turq, classic in white, to hot and red express yourself in color!

3. Paper and boxes.

There is still the classic white and ecru cotton paper which can be very beautiful alone or embellished with warm elements such as flowers or ribbons. You now also have much more of a variety of papers to choose from. Choose from beautiful colored cotton papers to printed antique papers from Italy to Japan. Today we also have the option to box your invitation for that extra wow factor. We offers beautiful hand-made silk boxes in 100 colors to choose from. Have your designer show you the different options that suite you and your budget.

4. Print Method.

Choose from the now popular letterpress, or other classics such as engraving, offset printing, thermography,embossing, and foil stamping.

5. Embellishments.

Make the finishing touches by choosing the right embellishments for your invitation. There are ribbons, Swarovski crystals, Japanese tissue papers, you can tie it, wrap it, choose custom artwork and more!

Different Printing Techniques

There are many printing techniques to choose from when designing your invitations and stationary suites.

Some of the Basic Printing Techniques Are:

Thermography: Thermography powder is applied to the sheet of paper after it leaves the printing press. The sheet is then vacuumed or shaken to remove excess powder. This leaves powder only where there is wet ink. The sheet then travels through a heat tunnel; there the heat causes the powder to melt which leaves a raised effect. This is the least expensive with the greatest WOW effect.

Letterpress: An art that started in and around the 14th century. Many are now returning to this classic art for their invitations and stationary and has become very popular.Printing plates are made of imagery and type and pressed onto paper leaving a concave impression.

Engraving: An art that started in the 15th century. A design and type is etched onto a printing plate and ink is later drawn over the plate. The plate is then pressed onto paper leaving a raised ink image of high quality.

Foil Stamping: It is a special technique that uses metallic foils pressed onto paper leaving a raised impression. It's affect is vivid and dramatic. The most popular foils are metallics such as gold and silver.

Embossing: Is a specialty technique that creates a raised 3D version of an image. It does not use any inks and is created when an etched plate is pressed onto paper. Creates beautiful detailed work and really stands out on dark papers. Also known as blind embossing.

Offset Printing: Also known as "flat printing". A printing plate is made of an image and transfered to paper.

Digital or Laser printing: There are no plates used for this printing technique. High end laser and wide format printers take digital files and transfer them onto paper.

Luxury Invitations can do any of these types of printing for you.

Wedding Season & Money Saving Tips!

The wedding season is soon approaching. This time of the year are the busiest, with all the couples getting ready for their summer weddings. Remeber to start you invitation process around 6 months prior to your wedding. If you are just engaged, trying to set a date and looking to save some money most limos, djs and venue give discounts for off season weddings. So maybe have your wedding during the winter, early spring or late fall. Some of those wedding are the most beautiful and colourful.