Photo Credit: Addie Eshelman Photography
We just have to say that flat lay photos like this are some of our FAVORITES. The soft veil, sparkling ring, and of course, the custom invitation suite are all stunners. If you were ever in doubt, here’s proof that the details of your wedding, big or small can make such a difference!
If you are in the process of piecing together the plans for your wedding, we highly encourage you consider using your stationery to bring your design together. Intentional touches like these can take your wedding to a whole new level, and even more importantly, represent you as a couple.
That’s one thing that stood out to us when we connected with Elisabeth from Raise Your Words. Her desire to truly connect with her clients and tell their story through personalized stationary design brings a sweet touch to the planning process. As we’ve seen the delicate detail of a custom invitation suite we’ve grown to appreciate it more and more. Whether it’s a custom monogram, watercolor of the place you first met, or a simple, elegant paper selection, it’s like tying a bow on your special day!
Thankfully for us, Elisabeth agreed to share some of her insight and wisdom with us (and YOU!) about what it looks like to work with a graphic designer for your wedding invites.
PHOTO CREDIT: AManda Naylor PHOTO
1. Tell us a little about yourself. How did you get into graphic design and stationery design?
Hi! My name is Elisabeth and I am a custom wedding invitation designer living in Lititz, PA. I am married to my best friend, Mark, and have a daughter, Charlie and son, Jack. We also have 3 dogs: Dunkan, Harvey and Franklin. I was a high school English teacher for 6 years before I went full time with my business.
I got married in 2017 and spent the year prior to my wedding learning calligraphy, so that I could make signage for my wedding. I quickly realized there was a huge demand for wedding signage, so I opened an Etsy shop. It kept me busy on weekends and was really just a little side gig to help me make some “fun money”.
After having my daughter in November 2018, I started to get more serious about working for myself and creating more flexibility in my life. I started shifting into wedding invitation design, as it required less driving/setting up and was more aligned with my lifestyle. I am entirely self-taught! I am entirely self-taught! I’ve never taken a graphic design class or studied graphic design in school. I consider myself a creative and a problem solver, so I’ve just learned new skills on the go in order to fulfill the needs and ideas of my clients.
2. What’s your favorite thing about creating stationery for weddings?
I love the design phase – discussing the whole wedding vision with my clients and then dreaming up all the possibilities to make a beautiful suite that ties it all together. It’s such an exciting life event, and I love getting to be a part of it time and time again.
3. How can custom stationery transform and add to the overall feel of a wedding?
Invitations are the FIRST impression guests will have of your wedding. They are the best opportunity to set the tone of your day and get guests excited! If you’ve never believed the phrase “it’s all in the details” – let me tall ya, it’s so true for your wedding! Every. Single. Wedding. has food and flowers and dancing. While all important parts of the wedding day, custom stationery presents the opportunity to truly reflect you as a couple. Whether it be through a watercolor pet portrait or a custom monogram, we can design a suite that will have your guests saying “this is SO them!”.
Photo Credit: Carly Fuller PHotography
Photo Credit: Addie Eshelman
PHOTO CREDIT: CARLY FULLER PHOTOGRAPHY
4. How far in advance should a couple book with you for their invitation suite?
I book most of my clients 9-12 months before their wedding day! I am typically fully booked for the year by March. I only take on 4 clients per wedding month, so it’s very important to book early!
5. When should a couple plan on having thier invitations in the mail to their guests?
Invitations should go in the mail about 8-12 weeks before the wedding day for a local wedding and 12-16 weeks in advance for a destination wedding. Most importantly, plan your mail out date based on when your venue needs a final count and when your hotel blocks need to be reserved.
6. What goes into the design process when creating the perfect invitations for a couple? How do you help them choose the style is right for their wedding?
My design process starts with a consultation where we discuss all the details of your wedding day from flowers to bridesmaids dresses. I listen and absorb the vision and overall formality of your wedding. This helps me put together a design board that is then used as an inspiration anchor for the design process.
When we begin design, I create two design options for you to choose from. You can share feedback for revisions and we will polish and perfect until the suite is everything you dreamed of! I find that most of my clients are drawn to my design style and the suites they see me share on social media, which helps because we are typically on the same page from the start!
Throughout the process, I always share suggestions for them based on the formality of their wedding (example: for black tie weddings, we will typically lean into a more formal, elegant invitation with classic fonts).
7. In what ways can hiring someone to handle a couple’s invitations and wedding stationery minimize their stress throughout the planning process?
There are so many ways! All of my custom invitation packages are full service – meaning I take care of everything from design & printing to addressing, assembly, postage & mailing. I literally mail your invitations directly to your guests. This takes all the stress of addressing & stuffing envelopes, calculating the right amount of postage, etc. off your plate. Not to mention, you’re going to be very busy in the final months before your wedding. My clients are always so excited to get that email that says “Your invitations are in the mail!” meanwhile, they didn’t have to do a single thing to make it happen.
Additionally, as an added perk, I always include a keepsake suite for all of my custom clients. A month before your wedding, I will mail you a beautiful, dressed-up version of your invitation suite (with all the bells & whistles) in a linen box. This suite is especially for your wedding day detail photos and then for you to keep after your wedding.
8. What trends are you seeing lately with wedding stationery?
Custom watercolor maps are a huge trend right now! Many of my clients are hosting full wedding weekends, so the map is a fun way to show your guests different landmarks in the area and places they can visit.
In terms of color trends, there has been a big push toward soft neutrals – champagne, blush, taupes, etc. I love it!
Photo Credit: Carly Fuller PHotography
Talk about an eye for design!! Elisabeth’s got it! Her colors, taste and talent is so evident in all of her work, and we LOVE how it adds a sophisticated touch to your wedding. If you’re on the fence about custom stationery, here’s that extra push you need to go for it and add that special element. Your guests will love it!
If you are feeling overwhelmed, or are struggling with bringing those ever-important details together, we are always here to make the days leading up to the wedding stress-free! Plus, hiring someone like Elisabeth to manage your invitations will take a HUGE load off of your plate, while also making them infinitely beautiful too! That said, here’s your gentle reminder to check out more of Elisabeth’s work on her website, Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest! You won’t regret it 🙂
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