Special Announcement

Hello Friends!
Happy new week... We've had several changes going on behind the scenes. And I'm finally excited to announce that Elegant Custom Invitations will henceforth be known as Isabella Invitations!!!!

Why the change?
This has been something I'd wanted to do for a couple of years now. 7 years ago when I started the company, I chose the name "Elegant Custom Invitations" because it reflected the style of invitations/stationery I wanted to create. This hasn't changed. We still design and create "Elegant Custom Invitations". However, it's a pretty generic name. Anyone can say they create "elegant custom invitations". So I knew I had to change the name to create more of a brand. The challenge was the transition. I was so close to doing the name change last year but when I looked at the amount of work that needed to be done and the amount of time I had (or did not have as the case may be). I elected to postpone it till 2013. Here we are today and I'm proud that we have finally made the transition. There's still some work going on behind the scenes but the change is now in effect!!! WOOHOO!!!

Where did the name "Isabella" come from?
My mom (of blessed memory) was "Isabela" and I've always loved that name. I didn't have to think about it twice when I decided to effect a name change. It had to be Isabela. Her name had only 1 'l' but I knew most people doing a search would mostly likely spell it as "Isabella". In order to make it easier to spell, I added the 2nd 'l'. There's the short story :)

New Web Address: www.IsabellaInvitations.com
Our blog has also been moved from here to www.IsabellaInvitations.com/blog

See you on the new blog!!!

"Marie Antionette" Themed 50th Birthday

Happy Thursday!!!

I'd wanted to blog these gorgeous invitations for a while now but just been too busy. We created the invitations below for a very fabulous lady. And when I say fabulous, I mean like Sofia Vergera type fabulous. Honestly, this woman looked too good for her age. Okay enough of that (lol). We met Mrs. Rincon through her wedding planner - Alia Rdissi with Belle of the Ball events. It's always fun working with Alia and her clients and this wasn't an exception.

 

She was planning a Marie Antoinette themed 50th Birthday celebration in Aruba. She fell in love with the design below from Paper Nosh. So I contacted Paulette about the artwork and below is the finished product. Some of the invitations were done in Spanish while others in English. We letterpress them, presented each invitation in a silk Box with Lace overlay and completed the look with a Cameo brooch. Love the look of letterpress!!!

 

Letterpressed Invitations

 

The Invitations were presented to each guest in a Luxurious Silk Box

The enclosures were also letterpressed.

The Luxurious Silk Boxes with Lace overlay and Cameo brooches

 

The Silk Boxes were placed in Boxed Mailers and sealed. Ready for mailing.

Hand Calligraphy done by Maureen Vickery with Pendance

For the Menu cards, I wanted to create something a different but keeping with the theme. I suggested laser cutting the menu cards (to look similar to the Cameo Brooch). And below is the end result. Aren't these GORG!!!

Alia was kind enough to send a phone photo of the menu cards displayed on the table. Just too gorgeous!!!

Hope you enjoy your weekend!!!

Current Invitation Special Offers

Hello Friends!!!
I hope you enjoyed your weekend. Don't forget our current promotion on GORG custom invitations is still on. Hurry and take advantage of this special offer before it's gone!!!
Offer expires on March 30, 2013.

Schedule a complimentary consultation today to view our products in person. You can schedule a consultation directly online by at http://elegantcustom.genbook.com or by calling 281-506-2521. We look forward to meeting with you!

Checkerboard Invitation Sale

Also, don't miss out on the Checkboard sale currently on. Click below for details

Use promo code: MARRIAGE13

Order online by clicking here

Below are some of our custom work!!! Visit our online gallery. We have lots more displayed in our Galleria area office studio.

Arinola and Yemi Pocketfold invitation

 

Kim and Charlie Layered Flatcard with Pebbles backing

 

 

ELEGANT CUSTOM INVITATIONS IS 5!!!!! Plus Special offer

I'm so excited and feel so blessed; ELEGANT CUSTOM INVITATIONS IS 5!!!!! WOOHOO!!!
This company was birthed from my love for beautiful paper, typography and gorgeous stationery. A while after the company started, I made the tough decision to quit corporate America and embark on this amazing journey fulltime. Even though it was a scary decision at the time, I'm glad I took the risk to do something I LOVE AND ENJOY DOING; I have never looked back!
Over the past years, we have had the pleasure of working with many fabulous brides, celebrants and of course, awesome wedding professionals. We have grown, learnt so much (and still learning) and come a long way in a short while. I thank God for the beautiful brides/colleagues/friends who keep challenging us each year and for His many blessings in this industry. I look forward to many more creative and fulfilling years ahead!!!

In celebration of our 5th year anniversary, we have a special offer for you....


Offer applies only to new custom invitation clients who make a deposit and sign an agreement between now and December 31, 2011. Cannot be combined with any other offers. Discount applies only to invitations of $500 or more. Not valid for use on existing custom invitation projects or for other stationery like ceremony programs, tablecards, escort cards. Please contact us at info@myelegant-invitations.com or (713)408-9407 for more details.

Do you really custom make these?! (The making of a Custom Invitation)

Hi Everyone,
Hope you're having a great weekend!
I always get asked if we really make the custom invitations by hand and the answer is "Yes". For our custom invitations, we begin the process with the design (which is done in-house), before moving into production (also done in-house).

A while ago, a friend and colleague of mine suggested I write a blog on producing custom invitations. Due to the craziness of the wedding season, the last thing I had time for was taking pictures before, during and after production. There just isn't time to do that. As we were about to begin producing the invitations below, I remembered his suggestion and made a conscious effort to take pictures each step of the way. This is actually a fairly simple production line. There are more intricate/time consuming steps for other invitation styles. I hope to do another post shortly on another style.

So, here's a little behind-the-scenes look at our production. Every custom invitation process begins with the design/proofing phase. Below are the design proofs (not shown are the invitation & rsvp envelopes because they have our client's address:)) This invitation is a bit unique because it was done in 2 languages - Vietnamese and English. In addition, the American Invitation wording etiquette and order names are slightly different.

All the cardstock (Invitation layers, RSVP cards, Reception cards and Front Tabs)have been "raised" printed, cut and ready to begin.


The ribbon is then cut and ready to be "blinged up"


The first phase is to embellish the invitation layers with the ribbon and Rhinestone accents


The cut ribbon strips are embellished


The embellished ribbon is mounted onto the invitations


Cindy chose a z-card style invitation. The invitation layers are then mounted onto the Z-cards


The Reception cards are mounted onto the inner flap of the Z-card


Finally, the front tabs are attached to the front of the Z-cards


Voila! Completed Invitations!


Hope you enjoyed the post. Do have a lovely weekend!

July 2010 Bridal Extravaganza Show

The Bridal Extravaganza is upon us again. You don't want to miss the BIGGEST BRIDAL EVENT of the year. The show will take place at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Downtown Houston on:
Saturday July 10, 2010 10am - 5pm
Sunday July 11, 2010 11am - 5pm

Elegant Custom Invitations will be at BOOTH 1119. Please be sure to stop by; I'd love to see you!
For additional information, purchase tickets and to register for free giveaways, you may visit their website.

As always here are a few tips to help you prepare to attend
1. Make sure to wear very comfortable shoes. There are lots of aisles and almost everyone wants to walk all aisles to make sure you're not missing anything. I have walked all the aisles myself in the past and I highly recommend it.

2. Bring lots of pre-printed labels with your name, address (if you want), a valid email address and wedding date. You don't want to have to write out every form at vendors' booths. If you can't print your own labels, they will be available for purchase at the entrances to the show. Also, it helps to create a separate email account just for your wedding planning (just a tip!)

3. Come prepared to book vendors at the show. Many vendors will be giving special discounts to brides that book at the show or within a short period after the show.

4. Do not feel obligated to fill out every form from all the vendors at the show. It's ok to focus mainly on those elements of the wedding you haven't booked yet. You can politely say 'No'. You will get tons of information from the show, anyway, so it helps to only have information from vendors you're truly interested in.

5. It can be helpful to have 2 separate bags where you can put information from the vendors. 1 bag for the vendors you're really interested in and others in the 2nd bag. This will help with sorting through the stack of flyers you receive at the show once you get home.

6. Bring cash for parking and lunch. You'll be hungry and/or thirsty after all that walking! (lol)

7. Most importantly, come with an open mind!

20% off Catalog Invitations

No, I didn’t abandon the blog!
Yes, we’re still alive!

It’s been quite busy around here to say the least. After the bridal extravaganza in Jan, we’ve pretty much been swamped. (that’s a good thing J)
I have some pretty invitations that we’ve worked on that I’ve not been able to blog about. I’ll be blogging on some today and others as the month goes along. March for us is going to be even busier in getting ready for the May and June weddings.

I’m glad to announce to you that we now carry the Something Different Catalog invitations from Carlson Craft. We’re offering a 20% off discount on the catalog invitations. If you’re looking for something not too custom yet different, this is a way to go. Plus you can enjoy the 20% off discount. Click here to browse the collection.

To order, please send an email to info@myelegant-invitations.com. Please provide the Item Number and we'll send you a form to fill out.

Thank you!

It's that time of the year again

The Houston Bridal Extravaganza Show is here again and YOU'VE JUST GOT TO BE THERE! Next year marks the 25th anniversary of the show and it is going to be the biggest Bridal Show to date. So, get your walking shoes ready and your luck charms on. In addition to feasting on ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS wedding showcases and meeting with talented vendors like yours truly :), there'll be lots of prizes to win. Even the vendors get to win something this time. (i'm keeping my fingers crossed :))

The Bridal Show will be held at the George R Brown Convention Center on
Saturday, January 10th from 10am - 5pm
Sunday, January 11th from 11am - 5pm

Elegant Custom Invitations will be at Booth 1119 - we would love to meet you and talk to you!!!


Are you coming to the Show...here are a few tips:
1. Make sure to wear very comfortable shoes. There are lots of aisles and almost everyone wants to walk all aisles to make sure you're not missing anything. I have walked all the aisles myself in the past and I highly recommend it.

2. Bring lots of pre-printed labels with your name, address (if you want) email address and wedding date. You don't want to have to fill out every form at vendors' booths. If you can't print your own labels, they will be available for purchase at the entrances to the show.

3. Come prepared to book vendors at the show. Many vendors will be giving special discounts to brides that book at the show or within a short period after the show.

4. Come with an open mind!

Let me finish by giving you a few pictures of our booth from the July Bridal Show.




That's all folks, have a wonderful week!!!