Juan and Irma will be getting married in Madrid on the 24th of June, the night of “San Juan,” traditionally a night when friends and family gather to build bonfires and leap across them in celebration of the summer solstice. (We did some intense Googling and it appears that in many parts of Spain this is a party night not to be missed). They wanted to keep the invitations informal (reflecting the backyard bbq reception), to the point where it doesn’t even use the word wedding–we had to imply celebration and union strictly through the design.

With fire as a central part of the celebration, a matchbook format for the actual invitation seemed only natural. The whole letterpress printed suite is designed in physical layers, causing the viewer to interact as they unfold the invitation setting the stage for the matchbook sitting in the center of a custom frame. The invitation itself is a two and a half inch by three and a quarter inch matchbook that opens to reveal french folded text weight sheets (spanish on the front, english on the back), an intimate piece meant to directly reflect the fires that will be sparking that night.

The copy inside reads “Celebrating the arrival of the summer solstice (amongst other astronomical events),” so we created custom illustrations based around the sun, the moon and the stars to give the suite a celestial feel.

The wrap features the graphic sun inspired emblem with a smattering of stars making their way to a moon icon on the inside flap.

Several diecut papers and a pop of edge coloring create a custom built A7 size frame surrounding the matchbook invitation for mailing.

This wedding invitation for Andy and Drew is certainly a unique format. It was designed by Drew Hodgson for his wedding in Palm Springs, CA. The bold colors and contemporary shapes make the design both modern and masculine. The invite is actually a folder enclosure that opens to reveal the invitation text on the flap. The folder opens further to reveal an interior printed with a brightly colored burst and three information cards with RSVP Hotel VIP, and Dinner information.  Drew tells us this about his design:

“The wedding celebration will be held at a mid-century hotel in Palm Springs. I came across this great typeface by John Skelton called Sessions, which in turn is based on the classic Joseph Albers typeface Kombinationsschrift. The playful, organic and modular shapes are a perfect fit for the mid-century setting and atmosphere we wanted to create for the wedding.”

“The shapes and negative space of the letterforms are also used as a graphic style to illustrate the mountains, sun and wispy clouds that dominate the landscape. I love the impression that letterpress leaves so I wanted to incorporate a linear illustration style to contrast the bold letterforms. I created a twig- or feather-like variation of the A+D monogram expressly for the tactile feel it would create.”

“We also wanted this be a fun experience for out-of-town family. They will receive “golden ticket” or “vip” card which allows them to stay at the hotel for free. The act of folding away the panels of the main invite leads to a ‘ta-da’ moment in which they are presented with the card.”

The Save the Date card was printed earlier on Crane Lettra Pearl White 220lbC. Cards for the wedding invitation were letterpress printed in two colors on Crane Lettra Pearl White 110lbC. Those pieces were printed together on a large press sheet. The folder was die cut out with scores to create gussets to accommodate three card thicknesses once folded together. Everything folded up to fit in the A6 size Orange Fizz French Poptone envelope, printed on the flap with orange ink.

Also be sure and check out the flash light wrap we printed for Shine last year.

This invitation set is housed within a mini custom die cut pocket folder which neatly organizes the various cards. The folder is printed with a tonal custom woodgrain pattern using a clear varnish ink on letterpress with heavy impression. A belly band is fitted to the exterior of the folder with a custom die cut shape. Two slits on the back side of the belly band interlock and buckle things together without glue or a sticker. Everything fits neatly into a standard A7 size envelope. Inside the folder the rsvp and reply envelope sit together and a details card is tucked behind.

The paper combination is beautiful as well. All of the invite cards and the band were letterpress printed together on a press sheet of 110lb cover weight Crane Lettra Pearl White, 100% cotton. (We’ve actually been printing lot more weddings this year with tonal whites rather than bright whites) The envelopes are The Cement Green color from French Paper Construction. The folder paper, also from French is the 100lb C Hot Fudge color from the Poptone line.

Costwise – adding a custom printed folder with a die cut belly band will easily double the cost of an invitation. Pieces like these take much additional production time and each die cut requires an additional press run. So although there is not a lot of color going down on the invitations- printing and cutting multiple elements, hand assembling mini folders, using multiple paper stocks, printing envelopes – production costs add up quickly. But the beauty from those production details add up to the spectacular elegance in this design.