Getting Ready for the Wedding – Bridal Branding

It’s only three months away before my wedding, and time to start thinking about what printed materials I’ll need for the upcoming event. Just about everyone coming to the wedding is computer savvy, so it would be easy to send e-vites. But I prefer printed invitations; I like the feeling of connection – sending something tangible from my hands and knowing that it will be received into another.

Here’s what I call the Three “T”s to consider before I start designing:

THEME
I know how important it is to have some kind of continuous and consistent theme throughout all the materials. Just like a place or product, I had to come up with “branding” for the wedding. There were two guiding thoughts when I sat down and brainstormed: the season (late spring) – and the location – (by the ocean). With those two inspirations, I googled and looked through magazines to find an image that might convey one or both of those two things.

TONE
Other than the image, what kind of “look and feel” do I want for the wedding? Is it formal or casual? For me, it was something in-between.

TYPE
The most important part of the invitation, other than the image, is the typeface. It’s good to use two – one for the script font and one for the information.

Here’s a few combinations I like:

And I should mention one more “T”:

TROUBLE - how much trouble will it be to actually print these? Are my images good enough for printing or were they meant for on-screen viewing only? Is there any complicated cutting and folding and other production issues that can make these way out of my budget?

Lastly, but most importantly, be sure to check in with your spouse-to-be and be sure you’re both on the same page. If he or she has another idea for the theme or how formal to make the printed material, that’s something you should negotiate BEFORE you start laying out all the pieces. Brainstorm together and see if you both come up with ideas. Or – go off separately and search online for some images that convey the feeling you want to evoke when your invited guest opens the envelope. Really try to envision that moment and find a dozen images and/or typefaces that match that sentiment. See if there’s any cross-over with your future spouse.

Here’s the list of collateral I knew I had to do:

Before:
-Save the Date postcard – printed or email
-Invitations – full color? one or 2 color? photograph or illustration?
-Outside envelope – addressed by hand? laser printed ? labels?
-Directions
-RSVP – self mailing postcard is cheaper – or a card that needs to be inserted into an envelope (usually an A2)
-Return envelope for the rsvp if needed
-Postage – Don’t forget those “LOVE” stamps are available at the local post office.

During:
-Table tent cards for the sit down meal
-Menu or recipe cards to describe ingredients at the buffet table
-Wine label – a fun idea if you are buying the booze
-Room/door signage – if you have overnight guests at an inn, make door signs!
-Sign in book – create a cover with the theme of the wedding

After:
-Thank you cards – very important to thank the people who give you loot and came to celebrate.

The 2012 Boston Globe Scholastic Art & Writing Awards

Last year around this time I had to deliver something to the State Transportation Building in Boston. It is a building that is adjacent to the Common, a big building with a big lobby on the second floor. I was taken back in time—in a delightful way. I had happened upon the 2011 Boston Globe Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. I had gone to a high school with an incredible art department and the head of that department organized a show that was shown at the local big bank in that city, with an opening and fanfare that was a big deal to me as a high school student. This show reminded me of a giant version of this.

Much of this artwork was really amazingly great. The show was big. There was photography, painting, pencil drawings, sculpture in lots of mediums—really good stuff.

Some of these students will never do art once they leave high school. Some will do it for fun throughout their lives. Some will go on to be fine artists. Some of these students will go on to study graphic design or illustration and work as designers or illustrators in all kinds of firms including places like Classic Graphx.

The 2012 show is on right now until April 20. The free show is open to the public weekdays 9am-5pm and weekends 12-4pm. We are doing a field trip down to see it. If you have the time, take a long lunch and go see this show. It is fun, positive, interesting and it may take you back to a time when the world was just opening up for you.

For more information, and to see photos of the 2012 show, visit the Boston Globe’s Review here: http://www.boston.com/yourtown/specials/gallery/globe_art_scholastics/

Anne Shuhler

An Invitation to Die[cut] For

One of the reasons why I like working at Classic Graphx is our ability to work together. On any given day, we can collectively brainstorm to develop innovative design ideas and cost effective ways to meet the needs of our clients. One example of this was a recent project with ALS TDI*, a foundation who needed our help with the design and printing of an invitation for a major fundraising event. They had already seen an invitation at an online stationary company and wanted something comparable but, of course, not as expensive. A main feature of that design was a folder which held several components of the invitation package, displayed in a tiered effect. The biggest challenge was Read more »

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to All!!

The New Year is finally here and what a long year two ten has been. I’m looking forward to two eleven with anticipation, a sense of renewal and growth as do a lot of people in the beginning of the year.

If all goes as planned Classic Graphx will have a great year, keeping focused on our goals and meeting wonderful people with goals of their own.

In keeping with the spirit of growth Classic Graphx has decided to start the New Year highlighting people and businesses in our community who are driven to make the world just that much better. Every other month starting in March we’ll share featured stories on various customers making a difference whether that’s a poster showing you a dancer in a performance or a laboratory working on a cure. They’re so many we can talk about we would like to share them with you.

So let’s plan for the future, make everyday count and have a positive outlook for what the New Year will bring (and hope gas prices go down!).

Best wishes for the New Year!

Mary

Musings from MJ

The holiday season is fast approaching—can you believe Thanksgiving is almost here?

I’m MJ, and as the newest member to the Classic Graphx team, I’m still considered a ‘rookie’. However, after being here for a little over three months, I do feel a bit more comfortable in my footing around here. After spending almost two years in the wonderful world of retail, making the switch to the printing industry was a big step, especially after getting a degree in the design realm. But being a customer service representative has similarities to working on a sales floor—such as Read more »