Crush of the Day

We just received the new Smock Paper stationery book and loads of loose samples. Linda is in love with their folders which are unlike any other! Come by and check it out.

Prentiss Douthit Sale at the Wedding Library

Visit with the Dauphine

I'm hoping I'll soon be taught how to change image sizes for my blog, but in the meantime, click on the image for a large, clear and lovely invitation to visit the Wedding Library this weekend to learn all about Dauphine Press and the wonderful custom work they do.

Chanteuse of the Lettered Word

Jane Labanz of the Delicate Pen brings lettering to an art form. Her work is instantly recognizable for its delicate lines and signature floral embellishments. Often emulated, Jane has made her mark with her distinctive style. She'll be at the Wedding Library this Sunday, March 1, from 12-3pm. She'll be available for consultations and will discuss invitation etiquette from 2-2:30pm. Answers to pressing etiquette questions and advice on topics such as how to submit a proper address list to your calligrapher, how to choose a calligrapher and why use hand lettering will be "addressed".

Please RSVP to Linda@theweddinglibrary.com or call us for a personal appointment with Jane. 212.327.0100

Destination Wedding Library

This Sunday we are delighted to host Heather and Susan, sisters and partners in Gifts for the Good Life. Their company provides innovative in-room gifts, favors, bridesmaid gifts and a great new idea, departure gifts. Send your guests off in style at the end of the weekend with carefully chosen and packaged gifts.

On Saturday we have Heather wearing her Arak Kanofsky hat and Liz Robinson from mia carta on hand to discuss the fabulous destination wedding stationery collection they've created together.

If you are a stationery aficionado, this week's Stationery Soiree is for you. There will be all of the fabulous vendors on hand from our Thread trunk show too, so there's a little bit for everyone... See you at the Wedding Library, your destination for wedding ideas. It's best if you can rsvp to linda@theweddinglibrary.com as we expect to have a full house.

Both days, events are from 12-3pm.

Social Stationery Savings

Crane's and William Arthur both want you to finally get that personal stationery you've been wanting. Crane's is offering free engraving dies ($98) value with personal stationery orders until February 17.

William Arthur is offering free return address printing until February 28. Both are on orders of $100 or more.

I calculated that with the promotion, engraved personal stationery is almost the same price as flat or themography -- so you get a much better quality card for the same price. Now that's a deal.

Peculiar Pair Press New Designs

I actually had to read their email to me three times. One of my favorite letterpress printers is offering 25% off retail invitations through March 15, 2009. The offer also includes their beautiful new designs shown below. They won't be in stores until next year, but we get a sneak peak here. We are delighted to promote the offer and look forward to showing you what this Peculiar Pair can create for you!

Toile

Pom Pom

Peony

Decor

Buttercream

Dauphine Press Maps

Linda (Wedding Library Stationery Director) and I are currently a little obsessed with maps. How to customize them, incorporate them, make them easy. We use Trish from Dauphine Press quite a bit in this category for their creative and original use of motifs and design. We are able to customize and incorporate our clients' ideas into their pieces, making an original and fun piece (or suite) every time. I noticed that even on their web site Dauphine shows many ways of adapting the same type of map. It's useful to see how a piece from a standard stationery book can be adapted to your personal taste and needs.

From the Voyage suite. The compass tells you you'll be traveling, but the "passport" information booklet lets you know it's going to be a fun trip.

An elegant and more formal way a map is incorporated. Shades of brown for the stock, ink and map make it classic.

The turquoise map hints at a fun and tropical party.

The nautical motif on the reply card reads very New England. Note how the blue ink looks different with the map background in a contrasting color versus the RSVP card where motif and text are the same color.

When your wedding is abroad, it sometimes helps to see the big picture, like this map of Spain.

Love acid greens and a mixture of fonts.

Cornflower and kona, Wedding Library colors, I will always gravitate towards it!

As a save-the-date information set a tri-fold provides lots of surface area for text.

The simple way the map cross over the "pages" creates interest.

This invitation looks very St. Barts to me. Color and text helps to define an event.

Remember, if you are having a destination wedding, simply compiling the information needed for your stationery will take a while. Start planning early so you have time to incorporate beautiful (and event-appropriate) design into your suite. Call Linda if you have questions or for an appointment. 212.327.0100 or email linda@theweddinglibrary.com. Happy mapping...

It's Right Here, In Black and White

Linda and I were looking at some beautiful new designs we received and noting that some of our favorite pieces are black and white. Not necessarily simple black ink on white paper, but invitations with strong graphics. We know that it takes a bold bride to incorporate these types of invitations into their wedding, but we're waiting for you!

Wiley Valentine at the Wedding Library.

Bernard Maisner at the Wedding Library.

Hello Lucky suites at the Wedding Library.

Mr. Boddington's Studio at the Wedding Library.

Hello Lucky at the Wedding Library.

CECI New York at the Wedding Library.

Bernard Maisner at the Wedding Library

We are fortunate enough to have the enormous volume of Bernard Maisner's newly minted wedding collection delivered to us this week. Bernard is widely known as a master calligrapher and artist. His work is as beautiful as it is clearly labor-intensive. His wedding invitations are each artworks worthy of framing, but this Christmas card tops the cake. This is the perfect gift for the stationery loving. Bernard knows it will be saved, so he thoughtfully includes a separate engraved gold snowflake sentiment card.Spinning wishing wheel reveals your holiday fortune. Bernard Maisner. Check out the rest of his site for amazing wedding invitations available at the Wedding Library.

Wedding Librarian Love

I was just sent a link to this hand-made invitation set for a library assistant and librarian. I love a theme and the details on this one are just perfect. There's even an insider-librarian joke. In the Dewey Decimal System the call number 365.49 is for Penal and related institutions. Are they saying that marriage is like a jail sentence? Well I don't like that....

If you are not into DIY, but you're an librarian, author or publisher, call Linda and challenge her with this project: 212.327.0100. Good luck Linda!

Ceci's White Label Album

Lisa Hoffman, the Founder and Creative Director of Ceci New York, has just introduced her first collection of ready-to-order stationery. And the Wedding Library is proud to be her exclusive retailer in New York City! We've worked with Lisa for years designing stationery suites for our planning clients -- now we can offer four amazing collections to our retail customers, too. The collection is based on 30 of her most popular and most requested designs. Best of all, Ceci's new White Label Collection is priced as ready-to-wear rather than haute couture. Linda is taking appointments now, give her a ring at 212.327.0100.

This suite, the "Ornamental", is part of the Ornate Collection Album. We adore the printed envelope and belly band.
(Click on all images for a closer look.)

"Miss Pretty" is part of Lisa's Classic Collection Album. Perfect for the traditional bride who wants to add a bit of romance.

"Jetset" is the name for this suite from the Destination Collection Album. The " airline tickets" are so clever as information inserts.

"Bijou", from Ceci's Botanical Collection, has a great vintage interpretation of her popular floral styles.

Stamp It Out!

Sometimes you just need a personalized thank you note or a return address printed in a hurry. And sometimes you just want them to look super cute. We know how you feel. So just in time for those return addresses for your holiday cards -- or a great gift for your bff, we're carrying PSA Essentials stamps and embossers. Inexpensive, personal, and ever-so-thoughtful as a gift, the options from PSA are almost endless.

PSA offers cards that are ready to be stamped. Great as a change-of-address card. We like the swiss dot the best. (And it comes in lots of colors).

PSA offers both embossers and stamps. Options include single letter monograms, the bride's new! monogram, names and addresses with cute motifs (like roosters) and completely personalized stamps.

Our favorite part is that PSA has the options for ink pads with all these color combinations -- so your print can be in these delicious two-tone color-ways. (Click on the image for a better look). Now there are endless combinations for your favor tags, note cards, napkins, save the dates, and personalized stationery. Buzz Bonus: Order your personalized holiday cards and receive a PSA stamp for 40% off!!

Orchid Inspiration

We were recently inspired by a planning client's beautiful Bride's Head Revisited hair comb to create this equally gorgeous custom Dauphine Press menu card. Inspiration and result -- it's a beautiful thing.

Custom Cards for Stylish Girls

I love the idea of a design that reflects the individual. Donna Wilson has done this so well with her line of ethnically diverse illustrations and cards. Brides can customize an existing design or work with Donna to create cards that are inspired by their own likeness, or simply incorporate their dress style and accessories. You can work with Donna by starting at her website, Butterflieskiss. Individualize the rest of your stationery suite with Linda at the Wedding Library. Give her a ring and she'll show you how: 212.327.0100.

Atelier Isabey Stationery

Margot Moussempes emailed me recently about her wedding stationery and I immediately fell in love with her line, Atelier Isabey. So much so that we instantly collaborated to create a custom group of pieces especially for the Wedding Library. While you can visit Margot directly, the ones she's created for us can only be found at the Wedding Library. They're not available yet, but be sure that as soon as they are, we'll share them with you. Margot created the invitation above for an industry event we're hosting--we love it!

Bespoke Maps and Illustration

Siobhan Donoghue reached over the pond to see if we could use her beautiful maps and illustrations for our brides having destination weddings. Could we ever. She creates precious spot artwork and exquisite maps as you can see for yourself. A bit pricey and it's in pounds -- but well worth it (from 200-2000 British Pounds).