How I Come Up With My Designs

PC: Kelsie Frasca

I recently had the pleasure of attending Happily Ever Expo in Quincy this month. It was an opportunity to not only connect with other vendors in the industry, but to also connect with engaged couples (like you!) in the midst of the planning process. And there was one question that I kept hearing from them as they peered over my stationery samples - how do you come up with your designs? Perhaps you’ve been having the same question, so I thought I would answer it here!

To put it simply, my design process is an incredibly collaborative one. I take information in from my clients in the form of a questionnaire that I send out upon starting our work together. From this, I learn not only about my clients’ wedding vision, but also how they met, what they like to do together, and cute stories from their relationship that almost always make me tear up. I learn about their style (think things in their home, favorite artwork and flowers) and their favorite love songs. I take all of this information in, talk it through with them on a design call, and let it inform the creative direction.

While I certainly take cues from my clients, and some designs are directed by them (i.e. they really want a portrait of their pets on their cocktail menu), I try to source ideas for my designs just as much from my own inspiration. For every project, I create a visual moodboard that pulls images from Pinterest - featuring artwork from the wedding region, iconography, and images that speak to the vibe of this project and this couple. I try to take inspiration less from other wedding stationery or wedding related imagery, and more from the couple, the place, and whatever else strikes my fancy. Sometimes ideas come to me on a walk in nature, or at the end of a nap (this happened recently!) and I roll with them, incorporating something one-of-a-kind into every design.

Together, we talk through all of these ideas on our design call, where I share some sketches along with the moodboard to conceptualize my vision. Once we’ve agreed on the direction, I dive into my studio, where I go through a three-part design process from start to finish. I get feedback from my clients throughout the process making sure we are getting everything just right, and hopefully end up with something that feels like it could only be made for these two people at this meaningful moment in time.

Interested in getting the conversation started? Book a free call with me here to see if I might be the right stationery designer for you!

My Journey from Spoken Word Poet to Wedding Stationery Designer

I recently shared on my Instagram a bit more on my personal journey, from spoken word poet to wedding stationery designer. As a poet, I often wrote about my struggles in relationship - my words at once deep and moving, as well as dark and intense. Now, after a roundabout journey and many stops and starts, I somehow find myself designing wedding stationery, helping people tell their love stories through colorful artwork. I truly never dreamed I’d be doing this, but looking back, it makes total sense. And the symbolism of the whole thing is not lost on me - how I am now transforming my own darkness to light.

So, why is this of interest to you? Well, I always love knowing the stories of people I follow and work with - and I hope you do too! But, mostly, if you’re planning your wedding, while you may not have gone through the same struggles that I did, it’s likely that this is a big step for you - whether you have family drama you worry will come up, fears of abandonment/divorce, or if you just find the whole process incredibly stressful - and something about sending a Save the Date or invite and saying to the universe, to all your loved ones, and to yourself, that you’re really doing this, is scary. It’s exciting and wonderful, but it’s also scary. And I am someone who understands that intimately.

Most of what you’ll see and hear as you plan your wedding is about the good stuff, the celebrations, the happy ever afters - but weddings can also bring up a lot. And so, if you’re looking for someone with a sensitivity to that, I’m your girl. I am so excited to celebrate your unique love story with the happiest, most playful and fun stationery ever - but know that there is room to honor the struggles that may have come before, too.

Here’s to loving every step of the journey.