The British Are Coming!

Recent work for a client.  Ephemera and Sundries courtesy of Myers of Keswick.  

What would we Anglophiles do without such a shop?  They even carry Fairy Dish Soap.

However, still miss the individual instant porridge packets.

Read Full Post »

Comfort and Joy

“…You may tear apart the baby’s rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart.  Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond…”

Read Full Post »

Cheers!

You’re not tipsy – not yet anyway.

To get in the ‘spirit’ of things, my client chose my ‘bias style’ for her upcoming New Year’s Eve Nuptials.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Read Full Post »

Purple Ways

One of my recent clients chose a pretty lavender ink and a condensed version of my signature style.  Shot at the über cool Lavender Lake Lounge.  Perfect spot  for a pre or post wedding planning cocktail.    {I recommend the St. Basil.}

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Read Full Post »

‘Signing’ The Blues & The Ins and Outs of Inner & Outer Envelopes

My client chose blue for her invitations, kind of apropos to feel the blues as I write them as Summer begins to wane and the Olympics are no longer my background music!    

As you can see she chose the classic outer and inner envelope style.  You can find out more about how to address these two envelopes from both Martha Stewart  and Crane & Company.  As Crane & Co.’s blog explains, long ago, Wedding Invites were delivered by the Bride’s footmen to guests homes.  The guests’ servant removed the pristine inner envelope bearing only the guest name from the outer envelope. 

“Though footmen have since been replaced by postmen, the inside envelope is still de rigueur. It gives something as important as your wedding invitation a certain je ne sais quoi.”

Having addressed many envelopes, both formal and informal, I often tell my clients, that this is the first opportunity to present your guests with the ‘style’ of your Wedding, whether formal or casual.  If your Wedding is informal, the inner envelope is an opportunity to write your guest’s nickname or the name you’ve come to know and love them as.

Read Full Post »

Art Nouveau

My work is featured in the Fall Anniversary Edition of Nouveau Magazine, the digital and print-on-demand bridal resource for intercultural couples and multi-ethnic weddings. Issued quarterly, it offers insights into “real fusion wedding inspirations.”

I was part of Ana and Andre’s Dream Team which included destination photographer KT Merry, and Invitation Designer  Cheree Berry, among others.  A destination wedding, the ceremony took place at the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens.  

“…Drawing from many influences – Judaism, Catholicism, Quakerism even Atheism – we tried to create a ceremony that resonated with who we are.” – Ana Rosansky, Bride.

Read Full Post »

Vendor Spotlight: Papél New York

I didn’t think anyone could love paper as much I do, until I met Raegan, proprietress of Papél New York, in Brooklyn.  Many of my clients come directly from Papél, looking for the final touch on their beautiful invitations curated by Papél‘s owner.  Raegan’s design aesthetic mixes classical and modern elements, moreover Raegan has a feel for her clients, the message they want to send and often brings it to fruition with her empathetic sensibilities.

Walking into her store, you know she loves everything about paper, it is an homage to the craft of making it and sharing it.   Papél  offers Customizable Invitations and Announcements as well as fill in and printable invites.

Her store has the perfect touch of ephemera and cards and features merchandise from indie designers like Wild Ink Press, Dude & Chick, Flywheel Press and one of my favorites, Lilywillow Paper and Press.

Read more about this Brooklyn fav and get a ‘studio tour’ by clicking here–Brooklyn Bride Online’s Feature on Raegan.

Visit her store – you may even meet her infamous daughter Francesca, the little mastermind behind “Frankie’s Pick of the Week!”

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Read Full Post »

What I’m Doing On My Summer ‘Vocation’…

My Summer is certainly feeling Olympic!  My first International client, Áine hails from Northwestern Ireland, from the city of Sligo.  Her invitation was done by the über romantic Rifle Paper Company.  Stay tuned for more posts from the Summer of Love.

Read Full Post »

Leap!

…Couldn’t let the extra day go unnoticed on the account that traditionally, this is the day that women can ask men to marry them!  

While there are many traditions, legends and tales that are attached to this day, including the existence of a Scottish law that forbade men to refuse a Leap Year proposal, I thought the most interesting folklore was that this day was ‘founded’ in the 5th Century by a Nun. 

St. Bridget petitioned St. Patrick on behalf of all women so that they may have a more active role in choosing their husbands.  As a result, women were allowed to propose…once every four years.

But who’s counting?

Whatever you propose to do on your extra day, “Ádh mór ort” (Good luck!)

Read Full Post »

Famous Couples You’ve Never Heard Of…

…Many clients ask me about the folks in my logo photo.  It is in fact my parents, Donna and Daniel who have been married for over forty-five years.  In fact, there are three couples in this photo who took their vows very seriously.  Some of their stories are below.  I love to share their stories with my clients who are so often confronted with tales of divorce.  Perhaps we are all looking for inspiration in the wrong places.  I recently attended a Mass that celebrated World Marriage Day which acknowledges marriage as a sacrament.  At the Mass, married couples stood up and received a blessing, and were reminded that they serve as an example for single people.   These folks serve as my example of extraordinary love and devotion.  Maybe they will inspire you too.

Lucy and Dominick.  April 23rd, 1938.  My Grandmother survived her husband, who actually lived next door to him.  At the time, my Grandfather Dominick, was dating another woman, but apparently he could not get Lucy out of his head.  He often found himself staring at her legs while she sun bathed in the backyard.  ”You want these legs?” Lucy asked Dominick, “You’re gonna’ to have to marry them.”  And he did.  Their marriage survived the death of one of their own children.  Their union was loud, but they shared a fierce dependency – especially at Bingo.

Alva and John.  February 20th, 1946.  Alva survived her husband John who passed away in 2007.  They met in New York City at the White Star Tavern shortly after WWII.  My grandfather, who had served in Merrill’s Marauders, briefly chatted with Alva who at the time, was divorced with three children.  When she and her girlfriend excused themselves to the Ladies’ Room, John told Alva, “I hope everything comes out okay.”  It did.  He went on to take care of Alva, her three children and together, they had four more children together.  They have fourteen grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren (and counting…)

Donna and Daniel.  February 20th, 1966. My parents met at the RKO Keith’s Movie House, where they both worked as Ushers.  They claim they married on the coldest day of the year.  But the legendary story that has been told and retold, was the one that recounted the time after one of their many break ups.  After a time apart, my father called Donna’s house to invite her to a New Year Eve’s Party.  Unbeknownst to him, he called on the day of her engagement to another man.  ”I’m sorry Danny,” my mother told my father, “you’re just too late.”  But you are in fact, never too late.  (A family motto.)  Soon after, my mother broke her engagement off to the man who was never meant to be my father and reconnected with the man who is my father.

Marriage carries on, even past death.   Unfortunately, ’til death do us part,’ is perhaps understood today as ’til death of this particular union.’   But marriage lasts even past our mortal lives.  It is a commitment that actually can be achieved, done in style and done well.  Too often we are told about Hollywood marriages ending quickly and suddenly.   But marriages do last, in other places, all the time, in fact, it happens every day…

Read Full Post »

The Jersey Sure!

Featured in Spring/Summer The Knot New Jersey

“Real Weddings” Erica & Eric

Read Full Post »

Winter Write

Work is always best during Snowy Football Weekends.

Read Full Post »

Got Paper?

 

Tuccicursive

Many folks ask me for my recommendations in paper selections.  Here’s a few of my favorites, especially  for you ‘DIYers.’

PaperSource – The Chicago born national chain, finally makes its NYC Metro debut in Brooklyn.  While I do prefer independent paper stores, it’s hard to resist such a great house.  You can tell they are obsessed with paper.

Papél – Because this is a small Brooklyn paper boutique, Owner Raegan Hirvela can give you personal service.

Paper Presentation – The famous DIY Chelsea haunt, is my go-to store.  While their website is convenient, you really must walk the wood floors of this mecca. The staff knows their paper and their inventory and are not afraid to show it!

And for custom made invitations and designs, check out my “Folks I Like Page.“  Though the process and the price is not cost effective, letterpress is hard to resist.

In addition, check out Bowne and Company, Stationers at South Street Seaport.  They still use their 19th Century Treadle-powered presses.

Also visit the West Village sister run Greenwich Street Letterpress.

Many couples and planners are doing away with paper and going ‘green,’ using digital invitations and Social networking to invite folks to their special day.  While imagination and conservation is much appreciated, there are many more ways to keep this lovely tradition alive (while keeping trees alive.)   Many printers use post consumer materials and soy based inks.

You can also scale down your own consumer materials in many interesting ways, Consider using postcards!  Check out this design by Lucky Luxe proprietress Erin Napier.

In this electronic age, it is still and even more worthwhile to receive a personal invitation in the mail.

If you have a favorite paper/invitation source, please feel free to post yours below.

Stay tuned for more vendors profiles!

Read Full Post »