The new classics for wedding invitations: Top tips from illustrator and Brissie bride Kerrie Hess

Your wedding invitations are your guests’ first peek into what your special day will involve, so take it as your excuse to get creative with stationery! With hundreds of options available, it can be overwhelming to know where to start – something renowned illustrator and Brisbane bride Kerrie Hess knows all too well. From lettering to details and colours, here are Kerrie’s top tips to help make your invites shine…

Hand-drawn illustrations

…venue illustrations #illustrated #illustration #illustratedweddinginvitation #springwedding

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Whether you are having a vintage- or modern-styled celebration, a custom illustration on your invite is a wonderful and creative way to really make your wedding stand out.

From grand statements like bespoke drawings of the happy couple and the venue to something like dotted illustrations or a floral wreath, there are so many ways you can include this look. It’s up to you how much or how little you want to play around with it. I usually think the most classic approach is usually best.

Watercolour

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Want your invite to ooze romance? Then watercolour is for you! This option will help you achieve a dreamy and whimsical feel.

Think dainty florals in pastel colours with flowing scripts and hand-painted details. Achieve a modern invite by incorporating geometric shapes or a vintage style with faded brushstrokes. Whether the wedding is on a beach, in a church or surrounded by greenery, a watercolour invite will cover all bases.

Foiled invitations

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There is just something so elegant and timeless about metallics! Incorporating metallic foiled touches in your invite will add a sense of glamour to your wedding stationary.

Metallic lettering and gilded background patterns are a popular way to achieve this, but even the smallest touch of foil will have impact. I tend to favour silver, yellow gold or rose gold with foils.

Lined envelopes

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An easy way to express the tone of the wedding while adding an extra hint of glamour is to include a beautifully lined envelope with your invitations. Go bold with a striking pattern or keep things a little traditional with a subtle design.

Hand calligraphy

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Whether you are wanting a timeless or playful invite, incorporating calligraphy is a great idea. For those who want a more sophisticated invitation, opt for a minimalist style and let the lettering do the talking. Washed black writing on white stock or white painted names on black stock look chic, while metallic paint can be beautiful too.

Letter press

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The elegance of a thick card stock with letter-pressed elements is undeniable. However, this is probably one of the more expensive options as only a small number of boutique printers still do letter pressing. The lead time is quite long at around six to eight weeks due to the process; so definitely look into this option if you have time up your sleeves.

Looking for stationery vendors? Find inspiration here…