THE BRIDE'S CAFE

Bella Figura Summer Sample Sale

Hi Guys.....I'm excited to share with you that Bella Figura is hosting a sample sale to benefit American Forests starting TODAY!   Bella Figura will be selling all samples of their letterpress invitations for just $1 each, regularly $5, with all proceeds to be donated to American Forests.

The sale will run through August 31st, while supplies last.....it's a great opportunity to score beautiful letterpress samples while benefiting a fabulous cause. Samples are available to order at anytime through Bella Figura's website.

 

 

Zenadia Design Discount

Hi Guys...Starting October 15th, Zenadia Design will be running an end of the year special you don't want to miss! 

All couture letterpress invitations will be 25% off.  In addition to this, Zenadia Design is also offering 10% off couture invitations that are offset printed, thermography printed, engraved or foil stamped.  (Not to be combined with the letterpress special).  The special will run until December 31st and is not limited to invitations, but also includes programs, menus, escort cards, thank you notes, etc.  For more information, please visit Zenadia Design's blog!  Have fun shopping guys...Zenadia Design's Wedding papers are beautiful!

 

PAPETERIE LETTERPRESS SPECIAL

Hi Guys....wanted to let you know that PAPETERIE is having a special promotion on their Peony Classic and Windsor Classic Letterpress......these two designs are truly beautiful and so elegant...check them out below and head over to PAPETERIE learn more about the promotion and make sure you place your order!

The beautiful and elegant "Peony Classic"!

The elegant "Windsor Classic"

Head over to PAPETERIE to learn more about this great special and don't forget to place your order!

Posh Paperie Wedding Papers

Welcome back to our beautiful "Wedding Papers" feature...a coupleof months ago, I featured the gorgeous wedding of Karrie & Brian.......now what you may not know is that Karrie Pyke....along with Elizabeth Seaton are the wonderful and talented ladies of Posh Paperie.  Their wedding papers are truly beautiful and so unique!  Karrie and Elizabeth are known for their fresh and innovative designs, attention to detail, organization and their creative selection of colors and materials....I love their style and I know you will too...the ladies sent over images of their beautiful designs for us to check out....Enjoy!

Ladies thanks SO much for stopping by the cafe today...your work is truly beautiful....I know Posh Paperie will be a huge success and I have to give a HUGE "Shout Out" to Amy Squires...Amy is the amazing photographer behind the beautiful images...thanks Amy!

Holly of Tear Drop Weddings

Welcome back to our day filled with beautiful wedding papers...up next is Holly of Tear Drop Weddings.  Holly is the owner and creative director of this lovely boutique...she is located in Canada and her collection of wedding papers is simply beautiful with so many styles to choose from.....Holly sent me a few samples AND Guys....they are all so charming....you will definitely love them all.  Let's check out a few from Holly's collection....please visit her site and her wonderful blog to see more of her fun designs....and check back later...TBC has more Wedding Papers to showcase....Enjoy!

Thanks Holly for stopping by the cafe today...your collection is fabulous!!!  Check back later Guys...we have another beautiful collection for you!!!

The Lettered Olive by Tara Guérard

Today's feature is all about beautiful wedding papers....A couple of weeks ago I received the most beautiful and exquisite  wedding papers from  Tara Guérard of  Soirée.  Tara, along with graphic designer, Julia Shuman, created a beautiful line of wedding papers called The Lettered Olive...the designs are fabulous and the quality superior....the weighty card-stock  is amazing to the touch....AND...the line is totally eco-friendly.  The luxury paper line features full invitation suites including save-the-dates, invitations, programs, and menus among other printed pieces in styles from the traditional to modern chic.  The Lettered Olive has been featured in In Style Weddings, Modern Bride and Southern Accents.  Please visit The Lettered Olive site to view the full line.....but in the meantime....check out beautiful images below....Enjoy!

Truly a beautiful collection....a great start to the beginning of your planning...your guest would love to receive The Lettered Olive invite in the mail!  Check back later Guys for more beautiful Wedding Papers....our next collection will feature a lovely designer from Canada!

Meet Cheree Berry

Happy Friday Guys!!  I am so excited to have as our featured guest today....."The Invite Innovator"....Cheree Berry....Cheree had the most high honor of being selected by Modern Bride magazine as one of The 25 Trendsetters of 2008!  Congratulations to you Cheree and you truly deserve the recognition.  Cheree's custom wedding invitations are so unique and always so beautiful and the design will sometimes surprise you!  Please visit Cheree's lovely site to see more of her wonderful designs....now let's get to know the beautiful lady behind the charming designs....Enjoy!

Our featured guest....the beautiful Cheree Berry!

TBC: Congratulations on being chosen as one of the Top 25 Trendsetters for 2008...what was your reaction when you received the wonderful news?

CB:  Antonia van der Meer, editor-in-chief of Modern Bride, called me a couple of days before Christmas with the news.  It was the best way to start my holiday vacation!  And once I found out who the other Trendsetters were, I just couldn't believe I made the list!

TBC:  What inspires you as a designer?

CB:  Vintage ephemera on Ebay, children books (particularly my nieces and anything by Paul Rand), all the great colors in the ESSE nail polish collection, the writing of David Sedaris.....and my clients!

TBC:  What is the best part about your job?

CB:  Well, I am currently engaged, so the best part of my job "right now" is getting all these great ideas from my clients on their own weddings.  I'm amazed at how creative my clients are with all the details that totally make a wedding so special.  But in general, the best part of my job is getting to do with I love:  design beautiful and whimsical stationery.

TBC:  What has been the highlight of your career to date?

CB:  One of my biggest highlights has been designing the invitation for the Today Show throws a "Martha Stewart Wedding."

TBC:  What 3 adjectives describe your style?

CB:  Unexpected, Colorful, and Charming!

TBC: Please share a few tips with our readers to help them make their wedding papers personal and reflect their style.

CB:  The main goal is for your wedding stationery to "look like you" when it is all designed and printed.  If you are working with a stationer on a custom design, make sure to add as many personalized details as you can....mix in your initials in the artwork, hide your wedding date underneath the reply envelope flap.  Those special winks will make a huge difference...It's all about the details!

However, if your budget doesn't allow for a custom job, be sure to shop around for the right look for you.  If you like florals, find the right floral (if you are using tulips at your wedding, don't go for a rose pattern design).  There are a LOT of options out there so there is sure to be one that is perfect for you.  And if you have 2 colors in your wedding palette, think about doing a 1 color invitation design but lining the envelope in the other color.  There are plenty of ways to cut back the cost of stationery.  But, if you are going to go all out in one category of your stationery, do it with your invites. 

Once your BIG DAY arrives, there will be so much for your guests to enjoy (band, flowers, cocktails, cake) that the collateral at the wedding (programs, menus, escort cards) will not be the only focal point.

TBC:  Tell us a little about your personal life...we want to get to know you a little!

CB:  Well, in addition to having a stationery company, I am the author and designer of the book, "Hoorah for the Bra", a pop-up book on the history of  the brassiere.  It was my senior thesis in college and it was published in 2006. I love paper, both 2-D and 3-D.  And my fiance and I just bought a 113 year-old house in a historic neighborhood in St. Louis, so the house will be a fun project.  I have been reupholstering anything and everything I get my hands on.  Oh, and unfortunately I bite my fingernails.

Thanks SO much Cheree for stopping by the cafe today...we love your work and again...CONGRATULATIONS.....you truly are a "Trendsetter"!  Now let's check out some of Cherees's beautiful wedding papers!

All so beautiful and unique....guys you are sure to find the perfect invite for your BIG DAY!

Andrea Yung Wedding Papers

I'm so excited to have as TBC's guest, the incredibly talented and beautiful, Andrea Yung, owner and designer of Studio Ayt.  I found out about Andrea through one of my favorite photographers, Jennifer Skog, who by the way shot the fabulous images that are featured today.  I am always excited to feature new artist and share their amazing talents with you and Andrea is truly one to look out for!!!!!  Her invitations are so beautiful and unique and will truly leave a lasting impression on whoever is lucky enough to receive one in the mail.  Please visit her site to learn more about her company and her designs.  Enjoy!!!!!!!

The beautiful and talented Andrea, our featured guest!!!!!

A deco-art inspired invite, how charming!!!!!!!!

Okay, now when you lift up the flap.............

.......these beautiful invites are inside.  So elegant and so beautiful!!!!

Love the "Save The Date" with the pen and calendar.

I really like the horizontal layout of the menu card!!!!

These are so beautiful and the gold broach doubles as a magnetic closure.

How elegant, the silk drawer encloses the matching invite!!!!!!!!!! 

This invite was designed for a wedding that was held at a beach venue, so Andrea sprinkled a few sea glass beads on the invite.........how fun!!!!!!!

Thanks so much Andrea for stopping by the cafe today with your beautiful designs and we wish you much success with it all!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Guys, come back to the cafe later,  we will have another very special visitor dropping by!!!!!!!!

Lily Darby Wedding Papers

I'm so excited to have on the cafe today, the beautiful work of Alyssa Lee and Nico Bishop of Lily Darby.  Their designs are clean and modern with a whimsical touch.......their designs are truly more than just paper and ink!  Please visit their beautiful site to see more of their custom work and read about the design process.   Thanks ladies for sharing your beautiful designs with us............Enjoy Guys!

I love the silhouette design in these!

Beautiful for a pretty summer wedding!

Beautiful vibrant color and design.  I would love to receive these in the mail!

 

Love, Love, Love the vintage look of these!

How clever to use vintage buttons sewn into the shape of  the table numbers!

Peculiar Pair Press

I'm so excited to have as our guests today the talented ladies from Peculiar Pair Press, Amy and Mary Beth.  Amy and Mary Beth are the "go to gals" for exquisitely designed letterpress wedding invitations and stationery.  Your wedding inspirations come to life through their well thought out invitation designs.  They can work with you regardless of your location to produce any stationery item for your big day including seating cards, menus, maps and program jackets.  Please give them a call for a custom consult.  I give to you.....The Fabulous Amy and Mary Beth!!!!

Amy and Mary Beth, your work is simply beautiful and so elegant!  Thank you for sharing your lovely designs with us and please stop by the cafe anytime!