I’ve been harboring a secret. Since last Fall, I have been privy to the fact that one of my all-time favorite Bespoke Stationery clients had thrown a wedding so fabulous that it was going to be featured in the May 2010 issue of Brides magazine. Who wouldn’t day-dream about working on a wedding that receives national recognition in print?
To my delight, Maggie also told me that in her pre-feature questionnaire she answered this question: What was your favorite part of the planning? Her answer: The paper, paper, PAPER! Wowza – was I delighted, or what?!? ABCD Designs Bespoke would be getting a little love in a well respected national wedding magazine.
It’s pretty exciting because Maggie and Trevor were the ideal Bespoke Stationery client. You see, they weren’t all worried about making it wedding-y. They simply wanted me to tell their story through their wedding stationery. First, I designed a campaign logo for them. They were so delighted with it that we moved onto designing a complete wedding stationery wardrobe. The wedding industry is an incredibly cut-throat place to work. This is the second time this year that my work has been featured in a magazine without mention of my company. What a complete drag to be omitted! As a matter of fact, they almost made it sound like Maggie had DIY’d her entire wedding stationery wardrobe. Such sadness over here at ABCD Design…
I know for a fact that she gave credit to my company as I saw her answers to the Brides Magazine questionnaire. I make it customary to share the file designs with my clients after the stationery is printed so that they can continue the feel of their stationery in DIY projects – I’m nice like that. I was the one who provided those files for the table-top votives and wedding day craft projects. I am sure you can understand my disappointment in the omission.

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A few weeks ago I started working on our personal holiday cards. I tried sayings like “Season’s Greetings” “Happy New Year” and “May your season be bright.” Nothing seemed right. I decided to wrap things up on the computer and go clear my head with a good workout. Right before I closed our holiday card file I wrote “2009 Sucked Ass.” Now that sums it up, doesn’t it?

Belly laughter ensued. I forwarded the file to Mr. D and received the same response. (At least we had one thing to laugh at in 2009!) Mr. D shared it with all his buddies. His friend Jake wrote back “This is AWESOME. I mean really, who had a good 2009?” I am delighted to announce that a limited run of ABCD Designs Bespoke letterpress holiday cards are NOW available for purchase at the ABCD Designs Bespoke Pop-Up Holiday Shop on etsy.
The cards are printed on thick, luxurious, crisp white Cranes #110 lb paper. They are printed in just the right shade of warm “holiday” red. There is something completely ironic about a gorgeous letterpress card with such a sweet, happy image combined with those three *sassy* words in a beautiful calligraphic font. Can you say “snarky?”

If your inner brat has yet to shine through, you’ll be happy to know that I also have two other “traditional” holiday card offerings available at my pop-up shop. They too are printed on thick, #110 lb Cranes paper. They are blank inside so that you can write a personal note. Each one comes with a coordinating Cranes envelope. Please do stop by the Pop-up Shop!

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Maggie’s Testimonial:

To the divine ABCD:

Trevor and I simply cannot say enough about how much your work meant to us. By working with you, we were able to set the tone for our entire wedding. Each piece of our stationery suite came back full circle as the inspiration point for a dozen more decor elements or design projects at our ceremony and reception, and everything blended beautifully.

We heard throughout our entire engagement – and yes, even throughout our wedding day! – that no one had ever seen anything quite like our invitations.

(Several folks even neglected to send in their RSVP cards and were unapologetic about the fact that a call had to suffice, because they were keeping the card!)

There are some things about wedding planning that weren’t me at all – dress-shopping and budgets and bar tabs, no thanks! – but I would design stationery suites with you again in a heartbeat.

Working with you was the best part of planning our wedding for me, and a process that allowed me to feel ownership and creative control in a world of white scripted invitations that couldn’t feel less like me or who we are as a couple.

So thank you for allowing us the opportunity to made every piece of our wedding undoubtedly, obnoxiously OURS. You are the queen!!!

Love and paper!

Maggie and Trevor

A note from ABCD: It was truly a pleasure working with such an open minded couple. They weren’t looking to have invites “like” anyone else’s and it opened us up to creating a Wedding Stationery Wardrobe that is a true reflection of their personality as a couple. You can read about Maggie and Trevor’s wedding planning process (from engagement to the post wedding thank-you notes!) at Eat, Drink, Marry!

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Amy—

You have been my fairy godmother of paper products and design throughout this entire wedding process. You were so patient through all of my ideas and edits lending your expertise and eye for beauty at every step.

My stationery suite has turned into something that truly represents the feel of our wedding and our two unique personalities (I feel so fancy even having something like a “stationery suite!”). When I’m recommending you to others, (which happens a lot because everyone wants to know where these gorgeous invites came from!) I find myself talking about your versatility of design, quick turn-around, and genuine interest in your clients.

Thank you some much for giving us something we are so proud to send to our friends and family- everyday I have an email from ABCD makes me say, “Oh happy day!” You’ll be hearing from us as soon as we hear from the stork!

With gratitude,
Jennifer & Andy Hlavka -as of July 18th

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Laura’s Testimonial:
It is obvious that Amy is passionate about design! We were immediately drawn to her work the moment we stumbled upon her website. She just had the “je ne sais quoi” that we had not seen in anyone else. We are are based in Chicago and hesitantly reached out to Amy to see if she could work with out of towners. Amy made the geographic distance unnoticeable with her accessibly and responsiveness. We thank Amy for listening to our needs and responding with a design that really reflected our personality and was greatly enjoyed by our guests.

THANK YOU AMY!

Best – Laura

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