The Stationers Guild

As a stationery store with an online presence, we receive many requests for a catalogue or samples of  wedding invitations.  Visitors are surprised that Thérèse Saint Clair has no catalogue nor do we send out “sample” wedding invitations.  Usually these visitors to our website come to understand that there is more to selecting a wedding invitation than looking at paper samples or limiting oneself to a few designs in an catalogue or online store.   Let me explain why.

Like most of the fine stationers found on the Stationers Guild website, we represent many excellent design companies and printers.    In the case of Thérèse Saint Clair, we represent over 60 companies that print wedding invitations; each of whom has their own unique style or designs, custom printing process and papers.   It would be presumptious of me to select sample designs for someone I have never met without having the benefit of a conversation and, most likely, a meeting to discuss their requirements, budget and style preferences.  If there is one piece of advice I can give prospective bridal couples, it is this:   If you decide to purchase a wedding invitation from a catalogue or online be prepared to be disappointed.  The outcome is unlikely to meet your expectations.  Let me show you why.

My responsibility as a stationer is to help my client select a wedding invitation and reply card set that reflects their preferences and design features – not my own!  For instance, I find Vera Wang wedding invitations to be particularly stylish in that they seemlessly incorporate many of Vera’s latest fabric designs into the actual invitation itself as shown below:

Vera Wang Wedding Invitation

While this is obviously a very striking invitation ensemble, the colors, the paper and, indeed, even the elaborate styling may not appeal to you.   For instance, you may be more attracted to the classic simplicity of Crane & Co.’s classic wedding  invitations or, perhaps, the bold designs of Oblation’s letterpress wedding invitations.

Oblation Letterpress Wedding Invitation

Imagine the complications of being faced with samples from over 60 companies:  Your head would likely be spinning.   There is a tendency for people to throw up their hands in frustration at the seemingly endless number of choices.  Nevertheless, working with an experienced stationer can often help narrow down the viable choices fairly quickly.  There is  a distinct advantage to working with an experienced stationer who has many samples of custom invitations, printed ink colors and paper swatches to help insure that your printed invitation meets your expectations.  This is simply not possible in the online world where low image resolutions distort ink colors and, most certainly, don’t begin to pick up the subtle textures of paper and their different weights.

The Stationers Guild has hyperlinks to many fine paper companies who sell wedding invitations.    Some of these printing companies sell online, but many do not.  Let  these designers and craftspeople tell you their story in their own words and see samples of their great designs.  While this is a useful way to do your research, there is no substitute to visiting a qualified stationer in your neighborhood.  While Guild member stores may not carry all the lines shown on our website, spending an hour with an experienced stationer will help point you in the right direction and will probably save you both money and many hours of frustration.

Sheila P. May
Thérèse Saint Clair

 With the lavish introduction of the new Vera Wang On Weddings at the 2009 National Stationery Show, I was curious to learn how Vera’s inspired fabric creations were so faithfully recreated on paper. I was fortunate to have an extended discussion with talented designer Meghan Carey, Lead Vera Wang Designer for William Arthur, and Lisa Blinn, William Arthur’s Vice President of Design. The fruits of that enlightening discussion are summarized below.

Meghan Carey with Vera Wang Necklace

I think it is fair to say that Vera’s new wedding invitation designs have matured since they were first introduced at the 2005 National Stationery Show. The original designs were unmistakably Vera’s: the stylish oyster-colored paper, the geometric rigor applied to paper sizes and envelopes and Vera’s ever-present wedding motifs that permeated the invitation and envelope lining samples. The new designs reflect an unwavering confidence in translating Vera’s inspirational patterns to paper. As Lisa remarks, “we understand Vera’s aesthetic and tactile sensibility.”

It is hard to believe that the new wedding invitations album went from design to approval by Vera in just over 3 months. Most paper designers take between 12 to 18 months to produce a new line. Meghan and Lisa immersed themselves in Vera’s world by attending Runway Shows and design and fabric conferences to distill the elements that make Vera’s designs so unmistakably Vera. The secret was to translate these tactile designs to paper using the cutting-edge printing capabilities of William Arthur.

New Vera Wang Wedding Invitation

One new design element that features prominently in this new album is the kalogram: a term that refers to a monogram using a person’s full name. Note: This is a great word for Scrabble enthusiasts when you have an “a” rather than an “i”.  Their beauty is unmistakable and adds a level of sophistication not often encountered in fine invitations. New type styles and exaggerated motifs add a level of stylish playfulness that was not generally available in Vera’s initial wedding album.

Grosgrain is a textured pattern ribbon often found in Vera’s clothing designs. This grosgrain pattern is faithfully reproduced on the invitation sample above through engraving. I actually had to run my finger across the ridges of the engraved design to convince myself it wasn’t ribbon. There are many more surprises as you leaf through Vera’s new album, but I encourage you to visit a Guild Member store in your neighborhood that carries Vera to “touch” these great designs for yourself.

I could go on and describe how the ruched tulle or damask patterns in Vera’s ready-to-wear line have been incorporated into these new invitations, but it is best to see her new album in person. While William Arthur will sell Vera’s invitations online, there is no substitute for visiting an experienced stationer who can assist you with customization options that are not easily available online. Contact a Guild Member store in your neighborhood to see the new Vera Wang On Weddings invitation album.