Like all things wedding, invitation and save-the-date stationery are amorphous trends, changing with the year, just like fashion. Stationery also is very couple-specific; lush fonts and classic framings are as popular as block letters and bright colors.
But another trend has emerged in the last few years that seemed at first glance a detrimental slight to the folks who make paper goods: the Internet invite.
Customizable down to the size, web-generated stationery lets eager brides and grooms drag and drop, and highlight and delete, to their heart‟s content. Great for them, but what does it mean to traditional wedding stationery? Not too much, really.
Patti Murphy, a New London, Ct.-based designer who sells custom-made wedding stationery through Etsy and blogs at PattiMurphyDesigns.com, isn‟t concerned about the online trend, nor does she think the generators are as custom-specific as they seem.
“The couples who want every detail to be just right will steer away from the template options and go for something more custom,” Murphy says.
Kleinfeld, the iconic New York dress destination, in 2013 introduced its own line of wedding stationery called Kleinfeld Paper, which can be found in paperies around the country. Paul Wainman, paper president at Kleinfeld, says that in-store experiences, as opposed to online, continue to yield the best results.
“By shopping in store, the brides receive the etiquette expertise of the stationery store staff as well as the ability to touch and feel the tactile nature of paper and print techniques, which is critical in the purchase of wedding invitations.” Local retailers carrying the Kleinfeld line can be found via the KleinfeldPaper website.
However, James Hirschfield, founder and CEO of Paperless Post, one of the most popular online invite generators, says that people will likely continue to use both options.
“Our feeling is that neither paper nor online wedding invitations is „correct‟ as long as the message is considerably designed, thoughtfully worded and beautifully delivered.” Whether they‟re purchased online or custom designed in-store, the biggest trends aren‟t necessarily market-specific.
Here are some of the most popular trends paper makers have noticed this year – both online and custom printed – and how they expect things to change in the coming seasons.
Typography
Blame it on Helvetica hype, but couples are more typography-obsessed these days than ever before. “Fonts with a hand-lettered look or vintage-inspired type are the biggest requests we receive from brides,” says Jennifer Faught, another Etsy seller and blogger at SomethingDetailed.com.
Blame it on Helvetica hype, but couples are more typography-obsessed these days than ever before. “Fonts with a hand-lettered look or vintage-inspired type are the biggest requests we receive from brides,” says Jennifer Faught, another Etsy seller and blogger at SomethingDetailed.com.
A look through any stationery catalogue or online retailer will show a plethora of options, ranging from bold letters to delicate script, from the modern to the vintage-inspired. Faught‟s personal favorites are “stacked fonts” and “bold typography with a nod to tradition.”
Dare to Be Different
Murphy says she‟s noticed a lot of unconventional invites this year, both in wording and printing. “I think each couple wants the invite to feel special for them and their guest, so custom illustrations or unique wording makes it feel made for them,” she says, noting that customizable rubber stamps have been one of her biggest hits.
Murphy says she‟s noticed a lot of unconventional invites this year, both in wording and printing. “I think each couple wants the invite to feel special for them and their guest, so custom illustrations or unique wording makes it feel made for them,” she says, noting that customizable rubber stamps have been one of her biggest hits.
Even traditional templates are being infused with something extra – like a pop of color, an incorporated pattern or an envelope liner, according to Faught. She calls this traditional update “class with sass.”
Designer Style
Bridal bigwigs like Preston Bailey and Vera Wang have long been putting their names on stationery lines. So it‟s not big surprise that one of the biggest markets for Paperless Post, the popular online stationery generator, has been their collaboration with high-end fashion designer Oscar de la Renta.
The line, which is “runway inspired” according to Hirschfeld, has been a great success for the online retailer.
“Oscar has one of the more sophisticated fashion perspectives on the bridal world and this comes through in his stationery,” Hirschfeld says.
The prints range from gold embroidery-style on a white background, to dark blues and pinks, to solid greys and floral-patterned blacks. They all retain the elegance and femininity of his custom gowns – a traditional, romantic, option for soon-to-be-weds.
“Chic,” says Hirschfield of the pieces, which can be used for save the dates, wedding invites, engagement parties and more.
Foil
Foil-stamped and letterpress invites were popular styles at the Best New Product awards earlier this year, where eight National Stationery Show and Creative & Lifestyle Arts exhibitors were honored. Foil stamping is a specialty process that involves heat and pressure to transfer foil type and patterns to paper. Because it‟s applied with pressure, it leaves a slightly raised impression on the paper.
Foil-stamped and letterpress invites were popular styles at the Best New Product awards earlier this year, where eight National Stationery Show and Creative & Lifestyle Arts exhibitors were honored. Foil stamping is a specialty process that involves heat and pressure to transfer foil type and patterns to paper. Because it‟s applied with pressure, it leaves a slightly raised impression on the paper.
Faught has seen a lot of success with foil printing in her shop, a look that she calls “so very beautiful.”
The extra effort involved makes it a more laborious process for designers, but one that assures hard work and specific attention to detail went into the process.
Green Goings
With an abundance of paper comes environmental concern. Minted.com is one site that offers eco friendly invitation designs printed on recycled paper. Some Etsy shops and smaller retailers offer recycled paper options, too. It‟s a trend Murphy has her eye on.
With an abundance of paper comes environmental concern. Minted.com is one site that offers eco friendly invitation designs printed on recycled paper. Some Etsy shops and smaller retailers offer recycled paper options, too. It‟s a trend Murphy has her eye on.
“I think natural options will emerge even more,” she says. “I have a lot of couples concerned about using recycled papers, seeded papers and other earthy items.”
Kraft Paper
Those big rolls of cardboard-looking paper that kids scribble on for elementary school art projects? That‟s called Kraft paper, and it‟s been another big stationery trend this year.
Those big rolls of cardboard-looking paper that kids scribble on for elementary school art projects? That‟s called Kraft paper, and it‟s been another big stationery trend this year.
“Our vintage-inspired invitation suite printed on Kraft paper has been the most popular invitation design this year,” says Faught.
She says it‟s not just for DIY anymore – “it‟s perfect for a fall or spring event, and can be dressed up for a more chic occasion.”
Who would have thought?
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Will you be going for the template design or customizing your stationaries with your own personal touch?