WEDDING SEASON IS HERE!

I work with mostly brides from the tri-state area on their wedding invitations, New York (New York City), CT ( Stamford, Darien, Greenwich, Westport) and New Jersey, but occasionally get requests from across the country. This bride wants color and a unique way to showcase wedding activities. This is a fun trifold that fits into the pocket fold of the invitation. This invite incorporates the colors reef (reddish-orange) and coral.

THE INVITATION THAT TAKES THE CAKE

If you are obsessed with your invitation design, why not carry the design throughout your wedding... and onto your cake! There are several ways that you can do this (or at least come close). Meet with your cake designer to tell them about your idea and bring a sample of your invitation along. The two options are hand painting the pattern on the fondant or working with a ribbon company such as http://www.printmyribbon.com/ or MJ Trim http://www.mjtrim.com/ribbon/default.aspx to custom print a pattern or design. You want to make sure that you do a test on the ribbon before printing, just to make sure it looks elegant and not flashy. Then work with your cake decorator to incorporate the ribbon and your invitation design into the cake. Guests will be impressed with your consistent wedding style.

A SPIN ON A TRADITIONAL DESIGN: MINT GREEN AND ROSE COLOR PALETTE

This is a very traditional scroll design that incorporates the soft colors mint green and rose. This is a single card with a metallic backing that has a separate "packet" of cards that are banded together with a beautiful, logo design that can be carried throughout the wedding. If your invitation does not incorporate an enclosure, a band is a great alternative to hold all of your cards together and create a cohesive look.

A PLAYFUL PEACOCK THEME

This Invitation incorporates some of Envelopments Original Artwork, because I absolutely love the peacock theme, but I gave it my own special twist by adding some beautiful coordinating cards. I created a special monogram that can also be used throughout the wedding day. This invitation is a folded card with a band to hold all of its contents. This is a great alternative to a pocketfold.

A MODERN PAISLEY INVITATION: CASPIAN BLUE AND RASPBERRY

I am staring to work with spring brides because most start working on their invitations 6 months in advance. This allows time for designing and refining your invitations. This is an elegant, modern and whimsical design that incorporates 2 very popular color palettes- raspberry and blue (caspian). I would also, of course add crystal embellishments for an added special touch. Bold colors can still communicate elegance if the design, metallic papers, and printing are all high quality.

BABY SHOWER WITH A CITY THEME

This is an adorable baby shower invitation that I designed for 2 beautiful sisters who are having a joint baby shower. I designed both of their wedding invitations and they called upon me to create a fun, stylish city theme to announce their celebration. The shower colors will be blue and silver with star and crystal accents.

A SAVE THE DATE FILMSTRIP

Save the Date filmstrips are a very fun and popular way to announce your wedding. This Save the Date (4"x9") also incorporates the bride's wedding colors which will set the tone for the formal invitation to follow.

DRAWING INSPIRATION FROM BARCELONA, SPAIN II

While touring BARCELONA, one cannot help but be amazed by the amazing architecture from modernist style architect, Antonio Gaudi. My husband and I participated in the modernism walking tour and took beautiful photos of details. The one featured above uses mixed mediums- mosaic tile and brick.

DRAWING INSPIRATION FROM BARCELONA, SPAIN

I just returned from a trip to Barcelona, Spain and took photos of some amazingly beautiful architecture. My next few blogs will focus on invitation designs that were inspired by these interesting structures. The invitation above features gold and navy much like the tiled bottom of the balcony in the photo.

INVITATION CHEF PHOTO SHOOT WITH PHOTOGRAPHER JOSEPH PALAZZOLO

My father-in-law Joseph Palazzolo, who is a famous photographer and painter, was generous enough to take the day to photograph some of my invitations. He has a photography studio, but we decided to set up shop in his living room because of the great natural lighting. I am so thrilled with the shots and everyone is raving about them. Looking forward to shooting the second round for my website. Thanks Joe! Here is a link to view his artwork- http://www.josephpalazzolo.com/ . Joe can be commissioned for personal portraits.

The blog listed below was also shot by Joespeh Palazzolo.

AN ELEGANT INVITATION AND WEBSITE USING BOLD COLORS: FUCHSIA

I finally got to shoot some of my samples- which I will post more details from my photo shoot in my next blog. It was about time! I had to rush ahead and shoot spring for a Town and Country weddings feature. This invitation however, I feel is for all seasons. Fuchsia is one of my favorite colors and if you combine it with black and silver it has an ultra lux appeal. Who says brides can't use bold colors to communicate an elegant affair? I say got for it! This invitation is also accented with crystals for added sparkle. All of my invitations have a coordinating website- also shown here. It is really important when planning an event to have a consistent theme or color story that is carried throughout.

A MODERN WINTER WEDDING: RED, BLACK & WHITE

I really love the simplistic, modern design and bold red color of this invite. My inspiration board includes a modern black and white cake from Hansen's Cakes, www.hansencakes.com/ (a Norah Award Winner, http://www.norahawards.com/), an Oscar de la Renta gown from the runway, and beautiful red shoes in which the feathers mimic the softness of a fluffy pussy willow. Instead of displaying real flowers on the table, I really like the idea of a modern take on a pussy willow floral arrangement which is are battery operated illuminated willow branches. I found these for purchase: www.ironaccents.com/222-pwb60.html. Everyone loves the soft touch of a pussy willow, so for place cards I would design around this invite and place a single 3 inch willow branch at each place setting. A sample, coordinating website can be seen here: www.invitationchef.com/websites.html

NORAH AWARDS WEBSITE IS HERE! DESIGNED BY INVITATION CHEF

Sharon Naylor, who I have mentioned on my blog before, created the Norah Awards to Celebrate Wedding Industry Professionals who exemplify honor and integrity. Invitation Chef has not only been awarded this honor for the month of September, but has been integral in the design of the award and new website! http://www.norahawards.com/. Take a look at the September winners and the website that was designed by me, Rachel Clementi, Invitation Chef.

CLASSIC ELEGANCE: SILVER PLUME WEDDING INVITATION

When brides send feedback from their guests about my wedding invitation designs, most say that they were "beautiful, elaborate and unlike anything that they have ever seen." Depending on the choice of colors and style of the bride, I tailor each invitation to the bride's personality. I am currently working on this invitation for a lovely bride in Connecticut. Her color theme is silver and she wanted a classic look.

WEDDING AUTHOR CHOOSES INVITATION CHEF TO DESIGN "THE NORAH AWARD", CELEBRATING WEDDING INDUSTRY LUMINARIES

I recently was asked to design an award for wedding author, Sharon Naylor, who has written over 30 books including, What's Your Bridal Style and The Bride's Survival Guide. Sharon grew tired of hearing numerous stories about unscrupulous wedding experts, so she decided to recognize a class of wedding industry professionals who exemplified the virtue of honor. She came up with the idea of issuing an award, called the "Norah Award" (which is Sharon spelled backwards) and needed a designer to bring the award to life. I designed a beautiful and elegant logo that exemplifies Sharon's personality- she has great taste, is beautiful inside and out, and has a passion for the wedding industry. Visit http://www.sharonnaylor.net/ to learn more about Sharon and her fab books.

YELLOW AND SAPPHIRE BLUE WEDDING INVITATIONS

I am currently working with a bride who is passionate about sapphires and wanted to incorporate this theme into her wedding invitation design. I first started with an inspiration board that incorporates her wedding colors- yellow and sapphire blue. Then I came up with a design that was both clean and whimsical. Finally, I added beautiful sapphire colored crystals both on the outer tag and 2 inside the invitation for added sparkle. The above are just the initial sketches and I look forward to seeing and sharing the finished printed piece.

INDIVIDUAL MENUS AT EACH PLACE SETTING ADD A SPECIAL TOUCH

On your wedding day, a great way to create a memorable event is to add special details to your tables. This is a menu that I created for my wedding day using a heavy weight serpentine metallic card stock and the design mimicked my wedding invitations, ceremony programs, place cards and basket and favor tags. My catering company did not require pre-orders for food entrees so my menu acted as a traditional menu for guests to order. You can still create menus solely for visual appeal when pre-ordered entrees are required by catering. Menus add a sophisticated and elegant touch to any high-profile event.

BRANDING YOUR WEDDING WITH A MONOGRAM: DESIGNS FROM TRADITIONAL TO MODERN

When thinking about ways to "brand" your wedding, creating a monogram is a creative way to communicate the bond that exists between you and your fiance'. Monograms are still a very popular trend and range from classic to modern designs. They are also a great way to incorporate your wedding theme- i.e. leaf design, sunshine, flowers.

Monograms can showcase your signature style throughout your event, starting with your wedding invitation, and then onto your wedding day- menus, place cards, gift bag tags, favors, programs, etc, and finally for your thank you cards.

Personal touches make all the difference and create memorable experiences for you and your guests.

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COLOR WITH ELEGANCE- MONOCHROMATIC WEDDING INVITATIONS

Brides who love the idea of adding color to their special day but are hesitant to make bold choices, can ponder the idea of using tone-on-tone colors. These monochromatic colors and designs- in this instance a dark navy with a light robin blue- are soft, elegant and cohesive. The print is a whimsical floral design which is perfect for a summer or spring wedding and highlighted by these sophisticated colors. Visit http://www.invitationchef.com/ to see more color ideas.

A MODERN FAVOR IDEA: CHARITABLE DONATION CARDS

Choosing a favor for your wedding can be a daunting task. Favors can be tied into your wedding theme or simply be a delicious treat. However, more and more modern brides are giving something back to their communities. Favors can be costly and in many cases are throw-away items. A great way to honor your guests and know that you are not simply wasting money is to make a donation to a charitable organization. These donation cards are enclosed in an elegant, orange and chocolate brown package so that guests feel like they are getting a special and unique gift. Each card was placed on every bread and butter plate rather than one per table. These wedding donation cards also add a touch of color to the table. Visit invitationchef.com to learn more about the possibilities.

DETAILS, DETAILS, DETAILS- ORNAMENTAL TREE WEDDING PLACE CARDS

It is important to have a consistent look that starts with your wedding announcements and is ultimately showcased on your wedding day. Place cards, table numbers, menus, programs and favor tags are some of the ways that you can do this. Others include flowers, table settings and bridesmaid dresses. This bride chose a whimsical, ornate tree design in her colors- espresso brown, green tea, and bamboo. The initial inspiration started with the wedding invitation below. On her wedding day, she will be laying the place cards out on a table in a small bed of grass. Other colors are available to create a beautiful fall wedding invitation. Conctact Invitation Chef, Rachel Clementi, info@invitationchef.com, www.invitationchef.com