We just love when magazines and blogs decide to showcase the beautiful letterpress printing we get to do every day, so today we’re sharing some of the amazing features Bella Figura has been spotted in over the past few months. One of the most recent spotlights was found in the fall 2011 issue of Inside Weddings, where Kamal‘s majestic Bejeweled design sparkled.

A few months back, Brides magazine highlighted our Nouvina design by Heidi, which features modern, whimsical flowers and fun, bold colors.

Stationery Trends also decided to feature one of our invitations this fall — the ever popular Irving invitation (designed by Ben Whitla).

We were also thrilled to see one of our calligraphers, Patricia Mumau of Primele, featured in Martha Stewart Weddings a few months back!

We’d also like to thank Oh So Beautiful Paper, Once Wed, Modernly Wed, Chic Vintage Brides, Wed Haute, If I Must Say So, and I Love You Too for highlighting our work — thank you, thank you!

It’s always such a pleasure to work with our amazing clients and to craft their unique creative vision into letterpress reality (really it is).  Take for instance these extended horizontal thank you notes – they’re so different and cool that we just had to share them with everyone.  They feature Patricia Mumau‘s Harrison style hand calligraphy, and they’re printed in a stunning combination of espresso and ink-less blind deboss.  The champagne edge painting really stands out boldly on our 2-ply paper and we absolutely love the way no. 10 dimensions work for this piece.

inks: espresso + blind deboss | calligraphy style: harrison | paper: 2-ply white | size: no. 10 | edge painting: champagne | client coordinator: chris gannon | in-house designer: racheal decker

Take a look at these BEYOND GORGEOUS Dolce (by Amy Graham Stigler) letterpress wedding invitations.  The invitation features the Clermont style hand calligraphy penned by the absolutely one-of-a-kind Debi Zienert.  Hand calligraphy is a beautiful way to add a personal touch to your invitations.  We think you’ll agree that the marigold and prussian blue inks contrast beautifully against one another.  Paired with a stellar envelope lining adds yet another splash of color!  The bride says, “the invitations you helped us select perfectly captured our vision of a bright and colorful, yet elegant wedding.”  We couldn’t agree more-this set is sure fire hit!

inks: marigold + prussian blue | calligraphy style: clermont hand by debi zienert | font: utrecht |paper: 2-ply white  | invite size: a7  | liner: the european formal pattern in marigold ink | client coordinator: jessica hanaman| in-house designer: lindsy aragona

Like a breath of fresh air, this color palette is soft, sweet and romantic. Sigh…..Pale ink colors can easily set such a “lovey, dovey” mood. To give the original Delambre Classic design, by Jessica Tierney, a more natural, fairy-tale vibe, we paired pewter and champagne ink colors with a dusty pink envelope liner in our European Formal pattern. The Norah script font simply adds that extra bit of whimsy. I am swooning!

customization = inks: champagne + pewter | fonts: norah | paper: white | invite size: f-8 | liner: the european vintage formal pattern in dusty pink | original design by Jessica Tierney | customized by in-house designer Lindsy Aragona

Photography by Steep Street

Letterpress printed in pewter ink on our 1-ply white paper, this rendition of Alouette Monogram really capitalizes perfectly on the soft and approachable demeanor of Jessica Tierney‘s original wedding invitation design.  The couple chose to alter the monogram design just a hint by adding a different cartouche from our cartouche library.  These understated invites don’t have to shout to be noticed.  And we love them for that.

ink: pewter | fonts: herald + alouette | paper: 1-ply white | invitation size: a7 | client coordinator: chris gannon | in-house designer: kyle laatsch

I don’t think you’ll ever come across a more vintage inspired letterpress wedding invitation!  Our Harlow design (by Jessica Tierney) looks especially timeless here with its own touch of flair. We have a weakness for wedding invitations with clean lines that still hold true to that romantic feel.  We can never get enough of a vibrant pop of color-and the aubergine edge painting beautifully contrasts with the pewter ink.  Paired with the perfect envelope lining -means tossing in another cool customization!  These invitations are perfect for a wedding venue so rich in history.

ink: pewter | font: moravia + harlow | paper: 1-ply white | invite size: a-7 | liner: reverse european formal pattern in aubergine ink | edge painting: aubergine | client coordinator: jessica hanaman| in-house designer: kyle laatsch

Our wonderful friends at Judy Paulen Designs in New York, New York gave us the pleasure to print such an exciting color combination that begged for an appearance on our blog! Our Charmed New York (by Jessica Tierney) letterpress invitations are printed in espresso and surf inks on our 2-ply white paper, and edge painted in surf ink for an extra pop of color. We are truly in the New York state of mind.

inks: espresso + surf | fonts: sans capital + nysa + impression | paper: 2-ply white cotton | invite size: f8 | edge painting: surf | envelope liner: the antique geometrics pattern in surf ink

A simple nod to our nations capital, Charmed Washington DC is ever so – well – charming! Traditional with a twist, light pastels paired with our prussian blue will win the votes of your guests!

customization = inks: powder blue + prussian blue | fonts: coronation + utrect | paper: white | invite size: f-8 | liner: vintage stripe pattern in prussian blue ink | original design by Jessica Tierney | customized by in-house designer Racheal Decker

embellishment suggestions: edge painting in watermelon

(Photo Credits: Jessica Hill)

by Racheal Decker In-House Designer.

Last week, we shared invitation wording tips for same sex couples with some pointers from Mark Kingsdorf (esteemed wedding planner and etiquette expert), and now we’re back with more advice from Mark and tips on program wording for same sex couples. How do you recognize parents, grandparents, honor attendants, and other guests on the program? Luckily, there are lots of ways to do it — read on to see some of Mark’s tips.

For parents:

– Simply say ‘Parents’ and list both sets of parents (as opposed to the traditional “Parents of the Bride” or “Groom’s Parents”). You could also  say “Mark’s Parent’s” or “Kyle’s Parents”  – this applies for grandparents, too!

For attendants:

– Your wording for attendants can be determined based on the formality of your wedding. In our example below (a tea length program of our Austin Traditional design), each groom’s best man was listed, and the rest of the wedding party was listed under “Honor Attendants”. If you’d like, you can divide the attendants into two columns, placing names on the left or right side depending on which side they’ll be placed on while you’re at the altar.

As with invitation wording, the program text should really fit your style as a couple — if you’ve got a more casual or laid back wedding planned, you can say “Mark’s friends” or “Kyle’s friends” when recognizing your wedding party. Of course, bridesmaids and groomsmen may also be used as well, but if you’ve got men and women in your party, an alternative option would be to list your “Bridesmates” or “Groomsmates”. You can even get creative and incorporate your wedding colors and tie in subtle recognition that way. While there are many possible ways to word your program, it’s important to give recognition to the friends and family members supporting your marriage – so word your programs in a way that best fits your personality and your wedding day.

Our thanks again to Mark for sharing these great tips!

Little-known fact:  We can actually letterpress your own press-ready artwork for no additional charge!  All of the artwork for this lovely letterpress invitation set was designed entirely by the groom and then submitted to us for printing.  There’s a great interplay of curvilinear patterns going on between the invitation and the two insert cards in this set.

inks: black + blind deboss | paper: 2-ply white | invitation size: sq7 | liner: provided by client | client coordinator: chris gannon | in-house designer: sarah walroth

Our ever popular Mimosa (by Amy Graham Stigler) looks divine in this refreshing color combination of sea mist and antique gold inks for letterpress day of pieces. An oversized program cover stands tall at 5.5″ x 8.5″ folded.  A #10 sized – tea length menu with space for calligraphy accents and table cards with the floral mimosas round out the set. We are in love with the sweet botanical hints that are perfect for a late summer celebration.

inks: antique gold + seamist  | fonts: parisian + sans capitals  | paper: 1-ply white | program size: 5.5″ x 8.5″ folded | menu size: #10 | table card size: a6 | client coordinator: christie jones | in-house designer: lindsy aragona

Relaxed, easy summer days inspire this carefree customization of our Simplicity invitation – just in time for August! Paired with a metallic bronze pocketfold that shimmers beautifully in the sunlight, this would have your guests feeling all warm inside just opening the invitation!

simplicity customization = inks: taupe + clover | fonts: newport + meadow | paper: white | invite size: a-7 | liner: vintage river pattern in antique gold ink | original design by James Grieshaber | customized by in-house designer Sarah Walroth |
embellishment suggestions: pocketfold in metallic bronze

(Photo Credits: Hazelnut Photography)

by Sarah Walroth, In-House Designer