With fireworks and festivities just around the corner for the July 4^th holiday, we were inspired to share this customization of our Modern Fete wedding invitation design. Jade and Alex found the perfect summer palette in sunny yellow ink and shiny silver foil and their tri-fold save the date is sweet yet functional, giving guests lodging information for the busy holiday weekend.

letterpress ink: yolk | foil stamping: silver matte | font: alouette | paper: bella cotton 1-ply white | envelope: bella cotton white | customization #17570 | Union Street Papery

bride | folk floral letterpress invitation | candied apples

This stately and sophisticated customization of the Duncan design is formal but not too uptight. It’s perfect for an ultra-chic black tie wedding centered around signature cocktails, modern menswear patterns and partying the night away. Duncan – and all of designer Jess Tierney’s inspired designs – are on sale through June 30th!

duncan customization | letterpress ink: black | foil stamping: gold shine | fonts: brandon + sansa | paper: white | invite size: SQ-7 | liner: sullivan stripe pattern in black | original design and customization by in-house designer Jessica Tierney

 

drinks, grooms & venue

Patricia Mumau wows us on the regular with her carefree calligraphy and illustrations. On this customization of our Balsam Calligraphy design, Sarah and John chose a mellow color palette paired with homespun touches like a jute envelope and textile inspired liner. They added a pop of color (and a shout-out to summer) with Watermelon colored edge painting.

letterpress inks: sand + deep blue | paper: bella cotton 2-ply white | edge painting: watermelon | hand calligraphy: harrison style by patricia mumau | envelope: jute | envelope liner: modern herringbone pattern in deep blue | customization #13893

This customization of the Leigha Spring design is perfect for a romantic southern summer wedding. Inspired by bountiful bouquets of oversized flowers, vintage blue china and soft lace details, this invitation has all the makings for a romantic night to remember. Leigha Spring – and all of designer Jess Tierney’s inspired designs – are on sale through June 30th!

leigha spring customization | letterpress inks: cornflower + powder blue | font: impression | paper: white | invite size: f-8 | liner: ambrose pattern in cornflower + powder blue | hand calligraphy accents: callaway style | original design and customization by in-house designer Jessica Tierney

background | bride | bouquet

We are excited to announce that we are now partnering with Onondaga Earth Corps, a new member of 1% For the Planet and a local organization based here in Syracuse that’s dedicated to planting, distributing and caring for thousands of trees in the area.  Since its inception in 2004, Onondaga Earth Corps has engaged local youth in hands-on community and environmental service learning projects, helped train young people for future careers in environmental fields, and empowered them to develop leadership and problem-solving skills. In addition to planting and caring for the trees, the organization helps install and maintain rain gardens, rain barrels and gardens around Syracuse. We had the chance to see this amazing organization in action at their recent Save the Rain Volunteer Tree Planting along Onondaga Creek Parkway. OEC members gave step-by-step instructions on how to properly plant the trees, then split up among the volunteers to plant the rest of the trees.

OEC members prep the ground and begin the tree-planting process. 

OEC members make sure the tree is level before securing the tree with dirt. 

OEC members and young volunteers help secure the tree with dirt. 

OEC members and volunteers gather mulch for the newly planted trees. 

After the tree has been planted and mulched, OEC members install stakes to help keep the tree secure.

Katherine and Patrick customized our Victorian Elegance letterpress wedding invitations by changing the orientation, ink color and hand calligraphy style. Elizabeth Hardin’s Carlisle style calligraphy added a playful touch while the warm tones of the envelope liner and Vine letterpress ink set the stage for their autumn celebration.

letterpress ink: vine | font: memphis | paper: bella cotton 1-ply + 2-ply ivory | foil edging: copper shine | hand calligraphy: carlisle style by elizabeth hardin | envelope: bella cotton ivory | envelope liner: refined mosaic pattern in vine + umber | customization #19038 | Lion in the Sun

Bella Figura calligrapher Sarah Hanna is always on the move doing the most amazing things. Lately, she’s been splitting her time between Sonoma, California and the beautiful village of Cassis, France. Sarah was kind enough to take us on a virtual tour of her day-to-day in France – take a look!

Port of Cassis When I am in France, I live in the ancient fishing village of Cassis. It is a gorgeous town that sits on the French Riviera. This is the port of Cassis. My art studio is on the other side of these buildings.

 

A classic, old world street in the village.

Hand-lettered sign outside of a restaurant ‘Fait à la main’ (English translation: ‘made by hand’) is an integral part of European craftsmanship. Whether it is perfectly-balanced sauce or a gorgeous pair of shoes, things that are made by hand hold value. Many of the menus and store signs are hand-painted or hand-lettered.

The Guerlain flagship boutique in Paris The world is can be a very small place. From California, I work with the amazingly talented Lucas Somoza. He is an elegant-in-every-way American stylist and event designer who splits his time between Paris and New York. Lucas had a Bella Figura client getting married at the Four Seasons George V in Paris. We met at the newly-renovated flagship Guerlain boutique on the Champs Élysées to exchange Bella Figura menu wraps. It was haute couture week in Paris, and Lucas was able to meet between attending the Elie Saab show and a style shoot at Guerlain. I am STILL giddy with excitement over it all! Look at the Guerlain sign. NOT a font. Don’t you just love France?

 Lucas Somoza is just. so. delightful. 

Sennelier atelier in Paris Just across from the Louvre is the Sennelier atelier. This fine art supply store is a Paris staple and an artist’s dream. Sennelier has created custom pigments for the likes of Picasso and Cezanne (unknown artists at the time)…so I feel as though my new museum-quality watercolor pencils must have a little magic in them.

Many thanks to Sarah for giving us a peek inside her life in France! We’ll be back next week with more photos from Sarah’s travels!

Sheila celebrated a milestone with these fun and fresh letterpress birthday invitations based on our Modern Basel design. Bold colors and a trendy pattern compliment the simplistic beauty of this no-nonsense design.

letterpress inks: navy + jade | font: gotham | paper: bella cotton 2-ply white | edge painting: jade | envelope: bella cotton white | envelope liner: classic chevron pattern in navy | customization #18769 | Judy Paulen Designs

bride | woodland letterpress invitation | bouquet

This customization of Jessica Tierney’s Viceroy design is a fun and stylish look for a tropical summer wedding. Calligraphy and foil stamping help keep this design looking modern and fresh, while the bright palms bring in a playfulness to tie it all together. Love this design? Save up to 20% during the month of June on all designs by Jessica Tierney!

viceroy customization | letterpress ink: lime-aid | foil stamping: tawny matte | font: sans capitals | hand calligraphy accents: eastman style | paper: white | invite size: f-8 | liner: classic color in sherbet | original design and customization by Jessica Tierney

 

bride, flowers & cake

We’re long overdue to share some of the wonderful press we’ve received lately. The first feature we’re sharing today was in the Fall 2013 issue of Martha Stewart Weddings. We created a custom version of our Bennett Simple wedding invitation in a cool color palette of gold shine foil and pewter letterpress ink for an invitation with masculine appeal.

Inside Weddings featured our traditional-with-a-twist Tailored invitation design by Patricia Mumau in their Spring 2014 issue.

Wedding Bells magazine featured our Modern Basel invitation in their Spring / Summer 2014 issue.

Brides magazine has featured our invitations in several of their recent issues – our Duncan save the date by Jessica Tierney and our Celeste invitation by Kamal were featured in their November 2013 issue!

Stationery Trends featured our Frolic invitation by Kamal in a trend story on the color purple, and our Modern Revelry invitation was also featured.

Our Nautilus save the date was featured in a special Weddings issue of Coastal Living magazine.

Well Wed New York magazine showcased a real Bella Figura wedding complete with invitations and coasters from our Darla invitation suite.

(more…)