Earlier this week, our Barcelona letterpress wedding invitations were featured in this gorgeous Cinco de Mayo wedding inspiration board on Green Wedding Shoes. We love Jen’s vision for a pretty Cinco de Mayo flavored celebration featuring a color palette of muted green, yellow, pink, and blue, a bouquet of succulents and a taco truck in lieu of a traditional sit-down dinner. This is one wedding we’d love to attend!

Inspiration board from Green Wedding Shoes.
Photo Credits: Jose Villa, Leo Patrone, Trophy Cupcakes, Stephanie Williams, Jarritos – Mexican soda, Leigh Miller, Bella Figura, Leo Patrone, Jerry Yoon

Wow! We are completely in love with this incredible inspiration board posted yesterday on Wedding Nouveau featuring Bella Figura’s letterpress wedding invitations in our Sonnet design. It reminds of us of magic and fairy tales and all things shimmery and pretty. Inspired by the work of acclaimed photographer Annie Leibovitz, we love the pairing of soft blues, mustardy green and sparkling accents. Thanks so much to Fri at Wedding Nouveau for including Bella Figura!

{Please see original post on Wedding Nouveau for complete photo credits.}

Here at Bella Figura, we love the opportunity to work with couples from all walks of life in designing and printing the letterpress wedding invitations of their dreams. Getting to know our clients is such a joy for us – we love when they share photos of their weddings and then come back to us later for letterpress baby announcements! So we thought we’d share a bit of insight into what makes the team at Bella Figura tick. First up, a little look behind the scenes with Bella Figura Client Coordinator, Tiffany…

Describe your typical day during the week…

6:00 – Alarm goes off. Typically I will hit snooze until 7:00 because I went to sleep WAY too late due to either (a) having been up all night reading whatever latest book has captured my imagination or (b) my dog snoring…she snores REALLY loud!

7:30 – By 7:30 I am showered and out the door way earlier than I need to be…but honestly, mornings are boring to me so I usually just head into the office early rather than sit around killing time.

8:00 – As soon as I sit down I check my email first thing so I can tackle high priority items right away. Sometimes things will pop up – a last minute venue change that a couple wasn’t anticipating or a change in bridal party members – and the sooner I can address such changes, the earlier we can get things taken care of on our end to help make sure our clients are pleased with the pieces we’re printing for them.

10:00 – By now my day is in full swing. Depending on the day it will involve a lot of answering calls and emails, preparing specs for clients to review, proofing text, and working with our designers to get proofs to couples for their review. Every day is different, which is half of the fun.

1:00 – At 1:00 it’s lunchtime which means lunch with the ladies, our time to reflect and talk about the important things in life – food we like, food we eat, food we know we shouldn’t eat, and food we should eat but don’t really want to. You know, we keep it real. Sometimes we talk about some beautiful letterpress wedding invitation set we just printed…but more often than not, we talk about food.

3:00 – Late afternoons can get pretty busy, so I’m often pretty busy working on getting whatever information I can to those brides and grooms who need something. We take great pride in extending the best of customer service, so I like to know I’m leaving the day with a clean slate every night and that I’ve done everything I can for the day before taking off.

6:00 – Six o’clock is quittin’ time around here so I’m typically on my way out the door and preparing myself for having to weave in and out of traffic to get home.

What is your favorite Bella Figura design?
Sonnet. It is just perfect! The design is entirely feminine and sweet and it really conveys the feeling of a celebration of love – I can’t get enough of it.

What are your favorite color trends right now?
I am really into purple and gray right now, and I have seen a lot of couples pairing either amethyst or aubergine ink with pewter for their letterpress invitations. I personally love the softness of lavender and pale gray inks paired together, it’s so feminine and sophisticated – just gorgeous!

What’s your favorite tip for keeping letterpress budget-friendly?
I think putting your money into a really fabulous invitation (2 ply paper, corner rounded, edge painted, calligraphy accents etc.) and then opting to print the reception and reply information right on the invitation is my pick. Sure, it’s less traditional but it’s a great way to save money and cut down on paper consumption. I am a stickler for tradition, but the thought of a heavily embellished knockout invitation that stands alone appeals to me.

If you could go anywhere in the world on a vacation/honeymoon, where would you go, why, and what would you do?
Ireland. It is such a lovely country and the people are incredibly warm and personable. Ireland is home to many of my favorite things – horses, Guinness, and amazing landscapes (not to mention men with fabulous accents!) I am planning a trip there in May of next year and I am so excited!

What are your top 5 prized possessions?
Aside from a letter my grandfather wrote to my grandmother when he was in Europe during WWII, my most valued possessions are my books. My favorites (of my obscenely large collection) are: Jane Austen’s Persuasion, Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights, Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Hound of the Baskervilles, Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray, and Herman Melville’s Moby Dick. I could not survive knowing I wasn’t able to grab any one of them at a moments notice!

For first time visitors to Syracuse, where are your favorite places to shop, eat, and hang out?
I am a country girl through and through, but I do think Syracuse is a great city to visit. With that said, for me the real beauty of this area lies outside of the city limits in some of the neighboring towns. We have some of the most stunning landscapes around, and nothing makes me happier than to gaze out at miles and miles of pristine farm land occupied by grazing sheep and the patchwork effect of newly planted crops. Central New York has beautiful lakes, quaint towns, lots of outdoor activities and tremendous restaurants. Syracuse itself has some not to miss attractions – don’t miss Dinosaur BBQ for the best ribs EVER! – but I would highly recommend a leisurely drive to Cazenovia or Skaneateles to soak in the beauty of the hills, the trees, and the land, particularly in the autumn months when the foliage is incredible!

Here’s our take on a little inspiration board inspired by all things Tiffany. We picture a beautiful wedding in the hills of Ireland with stacks of old books and other vintage ephemera used for centerpieces, Guinness served in pint glasses that guests could take home as favors, rich purple hues, and a bride in a fabulous flowing dress being whisked away on a horse. And the invitations? Letterpress wedding invitations by Bella Figura in our Sonnet design, naturally.

Bride with horse photo by Emily Porter Photography
Wreath photo by Eleise Theuer
Letterpress reply card by Bella Figura
Ring pillow via The Knot
Centerpieces from Once Wed
Bride with bridesmaid photo by Sweet Monday Photography
Landscape photo via Wallace Travel Group
Guinness from fresh expressions
Bride and groom by Carrie Patterson Photography via Snippet & Ink

One of our favorite recent trends in letterpress wedding invitations has been the increasing number of requests we’ve received to print RSVP information directly on the outer envelope flap. The envelope is letterpress printed with either a website address, email address or another means by which RSVPs are requested, without having to send guests a separate reply card. It’s a fabulous idea that is incredibly eco-chic because it saves so much paper, but it’s also budget-friendly, too! A couple cannot only reduce paper usage, but also save the money they would have spent if providing guests with a reply card and postage. Paired with lovely letterpress wedding invitations, it’s chic, streamlined and equally appropriate for a barefoot wedding on the beach or a black tie affair. We’re in love with these that we’ve recently printed and can’t wait to print more…

The opportunity for us to work with brides all the time is nothing short of joyful, but the opportunity to be a bride who works at Bella Figura? Absolutely incredible. As I’ve been planning my own wedding, it has been a sincere and immeasurable pleasure to interact with the wonderful brides we’ve printed letterpress invitations for and I’ve found myself completely immersed in beautiful letterpress wedding invitations every day. Hearing their stories, seeing their wedding photos, sharing in a bit of their sheer bliss, has been a remarkable way to prepare for my own wedding, which is taking place this weekend! Knowing how helpful and wonderful it has been for me to take a glimpse into the planning and happiness of other brides, I thought it seemed only appropriate to take this week to share a bit of my own wedding and my own inspriation.

Milk glass vases were something I knew I wanted to incorporate from the beginning.
{Photo by Punam Bean}

To kick it all off, I wanted to share this inspiration board I created several months ago now. It was by far not the first one I created, nor was it the last, but it’s definitely the collective inspiration that got me headed in the direction of how our wedding will unfold. I knew I wanted an event that was both classically elegant and incredibly fun – a little bit vintage, a little bit modern and a whole lot spectacular. Early on the color palette developed into a sophisticated array of neutrals with smudges of my favorite blue hues appearing in little whispers here and there. Attention to detail has been a priority from the beginning, including our letterpress wedding invitations I’ll share later in the week, and all of the other little elements I’ve been crafting over the past many months. Sticking to things that were beautiful, vintage, and handmade has been the running thread that has helped to bring everything together. I can’t wait to see how my vision plays out and to share photos soon.

For now, here is the inspiration board that has led the way…

Custom letterpress coasters are among our favorite things to print. There is truly no better way to add a special, unexpected and unique touch to your wedding, anniversary party or fiesta than with gorgeous letterpress coasters. We love when couples incorporate a special monogram or recipes for signature cocktails, but they’re equally as fun when printed with motifs to match their letterpress wedding invitations. If you’re looking for that perfect way to infuse your event with personal flair, letterpress coasters are a must have.

Printed in one color letterpress in our dusty pink ink, these coasters perfectly coordinate with the couple’s Pavilion letterpress wedding invitations for their glamorous nuptials in Indonesia. They are both chic and oh so pretty.

These two-sided letterpress coasters are printed in fuchsia ink and feature the same design as the couple’s Birds letterpress wedding invitations. Along with a recipe for the signature cocktail served at their wedding, the back of the coaster also features the custom pattern used for their envelope liners – a perfectly coordinated and really fun way to personalize their event.

These letterpress coasters feature a custom hand calligraphy monogram, making them truly one of a kind. Printed in cardinal ink, they could be equally as special for an anniversary party or graduation celebration as for a wedding.

Circolo 1 is one of our favorite designs, but we especially love it when printed as a great letterpress coaster. Printed here in antique gold ink, this coaster is nothing short of modern and hip, again featuring a recipe for the couple’s signature cocktail. When we print great coasters like this, we know our couples’ guests are in for a real treat!

You can see more custom letterpress coasters here.

New Calligraphy, one of our new 2009 letterpress wedding invitation designs, has already become a favorite with brides and it’s easy to see why. It’s the perfect blend of classic style paired with a modern edge, which makes it really fun for weddings large and small, whether they be held in a grand ballroom or a funky loft. It’s one of our new favorites, too! We love to see how a simple change in ink color can make it feel so strikingly different so it’s always exciting when we print a new variation.

The original New Calligraphy design uses bold cardinal ink on thick and luxurious 2-ply paper with gorgeous edge painting for a look that is dramatic and truly special.

Classic in striking black ink on white, this invitation is nothing short of posh. It practically sings of a wedding that is completely elegant and refined, a truly sophisticated affair.

This version of New Calligraphy pairs daffodil ink on ivory and just excudes excitement and fun. It’s playful, a bit whimsical and it promises guests an incredible evening of celebration and laughter. If you ask us, that’s the perfect definition of an unforgettable wedding.

Last year we had the opportunity to print beautiful letterpress wedding invitations for the fall wedding of Ashley and Christian. Today we are thrilled that their wedding is featured on Style Me Pretty! Married at Houston’s First Presbyterian Church with the reception following at The Junior League of Houston, Ashley and Christian created an incredibly elegant affair that was the perfect blend of old world charm and modern sophistication.

Ashley and Christian chose our timeless Classic Calligraphy design for their letterpress invitations, printed in espresso and featuring a custom blind deboss monogram. Printed on our ivory cotton paper, the final look is nothing short of perfectly refined and elegant. For much more of Ashley and Christian’s wedding, as photographed by their amazing photographer Tanja Lippert, make sure to visit Style Me Pretty.

Congratulations Ashley and Christian and thank you for allowing us to share your beautiful wedding with Style Me Pretty readers!

{Photos by Tanja Lippert}

We get a lot of questions from brides who are interested in knowing about hot trends in the world of letterpress wedding invitations and what elements they can include to really let their personalities shine. In the first few months of 2009, we’ve printed some pretty fabulous letterpress invitations for creative couples mixing modern design with the old world tradition of letterpress and we absolutely love what they’re dreaming up. Here are some of the things we’re seeing a lot of these days, all of which you can use to inspire your own invitations…

Embellishments | Our Bella Figura clients are in love with adding a punch of personality to their invitations by opting for great embellishments. In particular, metallic envelope liners have been a favorite along with the personalized touch of beautiful hand calligraphy accents and edge painting has been notably more popular than ever. Some couples are opting for edge painting in elegant antique gold, a bit of a throwback to historic book gilding, while others are going for a bright pop of color, but either way, it’s absolutely gorgeous!

Bold Colors | Bright and bold color combinations are a growing trend with brides and grooms tending to be a bit more adventurous in their color selections. We’re printing a lot of fun cardinal and aquamarine, daffodil and deep aqua, forest and cloud nine, peacock and persimmon and similarly festive ink combinations.

Jewel Tones | Brides are in love with jewel tones this season with a lot ink choices revolving around colors such as peacock, cardinal, aubergine, and navy. We’ve seen them paired with neutrals, other jewel tones, metallics, and also used solo.

Green | Green has been increasingly popular as of late, particularly when paired with either a neutral, another shade of green or with navy. We’ve seen couples pairing greens of all shades with black, taupe, gray and a lot of garden and clover with navy.

Nautical Combinations | Whether it be a choice of navy and antique gold, navy and champagne or again, even navy with a fresh shade of green, nautical combinations are very popular and being used for a wide range of events from the extremely luxurious to the more casual preppy chic.

What letterpress invitation trends do you love? We can’t wait to see what the rest of 2009 brings for great personalization of gorgeous letterpress wedding invitations!

As an earth-loving company, we love to see couples incorporating eco-friendly elements, large and small, into their weddings — so we wanted to share some of our favorite ideas for eco-friendly wedding favors. At Bella Figura, we recognize and appreciate that every small effort counts. We love these ideas for expressing appreciation to your loved ones while helping to limit the waste that might be generated by other more traditional wedding favors.

{Potted herbs in buckets by Kelly MacPhee via Snippet & Ink; Herbs in terra cotta pots via Intimate Weddings}

We love the idea of using potted herbs in cool containers to serve as both centerpieces and guest wedding favors. Not only is the look completely pretty and the fragrance sure to be delightful, but you’re working to reduce waste all around as there is no packaging to be discarded and no centerpieces left to go to waste.

{Lovely handmade soaps from 100 Layer Cake}

We absolutely adore these beautiful handmade soaps recently featured on one of our favorite wedding blogs, 100 Layer Cake. Made with love and tied with strips of pretty scrap fabric, baker’s twine and small tags punched from paper grocery bags, they are not only beautiful but also very eco-chic. We also think these would be great favors at a bridal or baby shower or even perfect to include with bridesmaids gifts.

{Potted banana bread DIY favors via Style Me Pretty}

Baked directly in small, reusable terra cotta pots and sweetly capped off with a square of wax paper and a bit of raffia, these adorable potted banana bread favors recently featured on Style Me Pretty are nothing short of fun and delicious, a combination we love. Waste and costs are minimal and guests are sure to love their own personal pot of banana bread or whatever other sweet treat you bake for them. We can also see these being perfect as individually potted over-sized cupcakes and topped with a dollop of yummy frosting!

{Bright and festive reusable tote bags from Smudge Ink; Personalized shopping bags from the wedding of Mrs. Hydrangea on Weddingbee, photo by Perez Photography}

Perfect as wedding favors, out of town bags or as wedding party gifts, we love the idea of giving your loved ones gorgeous reusable shopping totes either in fun, festive colors or personalized to reflect your wedding aesthetic. Especially perfect for destination weddings or weekend-long events when packed with snacks, maps and ideas of what to see and do, a great tote will be used and appreciated long after your wedding day.

{Personalized SIGG water bottles from the wedding of Jordan and Juan Carlo via Sarah Pants}

Most of us in the office carry around a reusable water bottle of some kind so we fell completely in love with the personalized SIGG water bottles one of our recent Bella Figura couples, Jordan and Juan Carlo, offered their guests as wedding favors at their weekend-long eco-friendly Texas wedding celebration. Each guest received an aluminum water bottle and great care was taken to reduce and/or completely eliminate paper waste at each of their weekend events. This idea is perfect for wedding guests or to give to your bridal party and will serve as a great souvenir to remind loved ones of the fun and joy of your wedding.

{Photo near Spruce Pond along the Finger Lakes Trail by our own Debbie Urbanski}

Taking the idea of eco wedding favors to another level, Bella Figura and our sister company, Smock,  are both huge fans of American Forests and we love the idea of celebrating your marriage with a donation to help protect the trees and forests that are so vital in protecting the earth. Every $1 plants a tree so you can just imagine the impact your donation can have.

{Letterpress wedding favor card by Smock for the Amazon Conservation Association}

Especially near and dear to our hearts, Smock has recently teamed up with the Amazon Conservation Association in offering pro bono design and printing of gorgeous letterpress favor cards. For a $5 donation per guest, you can thank your loved ones with a contribution to help protect the Amazon. Couples will receive one beautiful favor card per two guests, sustainably letterpressed on our bamboo paper, to display on tables at their reception explaining how your donation has helped create a better livelihood for local communities and to help conserve the biological diversity of the Amazon basin. To learn more, visit Smock’s blog.

At Bella Figura we recognize that steps large and small are necessary to protect the environment for future generations so we full-heartedly support couples opting for eco-friendly wedding favors in lieu of more traditional keepsakes that might go to waste. A good rule of thumb is to opt for items that are reusable, practical and fun or edible favors packaged in reusable containers that guests can later repurpose. And, of course, you never go wrong with a donation to an environmental or charitable cause near and dear to your hearts.