StyleSchool

A few months ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Heather Wiese Alexander, founder of Bell'Invito (bellinvito.com), and seeing her incredible letterpress work in person. All I can say is, amazing! Heather used to the art director at Neiman Marcus, so it goes without saying that her style is impeccable. It's really no surprise that her stationery—from the paper to the printing—is right up there with best a bride can get. Read on for more about Bell'Invito and her insider tips.

What's your best advice for the recently engaged entering the world of wedding stationery?
Enjoy the experience! Your stationery and invitations are the first impression you give of the style of your wedding and your style as a couple. Choose a stationer you feel confident with and let the magic begin. And be sure you have plenty of stationery for thank you notes!

What's been your favorite design so far and why?
I love styling invitations for brides who letterpress calligraphy on their invitations. It is such a personal expression of a classic tradition with a modern twist. It is unexpected and has the richness of true couture styling.

What's your best stationery cost-cutting tip that doesn't sacrifice style?
Order everything up front from your stationer. A smart stationer will be able to help you coordinate your designs into all the collateral you’ll need to set the tone for the entire wedding, from the correspondence to the event, and following. If you’re using letterpress or engraving, you should be able to save significantly by submitting your order all at once, with different due dates, according to when you need things.

What makes Bell’Invito different from other stationery companies?
It’s the combination of several things that sets us apart. We start with the best foundations of Italian cotton papers, and silk-screen envelope liners if the bride so chooses. Our designers have extensive art training, as opposed to only software knowledge, so the design is simple, clean, fresh, and above all, completely tailored to our client’s wishes. Of course, the actual process of hand feeding presses and hand assembly ensures the highest quality of each invitation. Each designer and sales associate is trained in customer service and etiquette. The overall Bell’Invito experience is something we pride ourselves on.

What's your biggest wedding stationery no-no?
Never mix formalities. If your wedding is formal, use an enveloped reply card. If your event is informal, use appropriate wording for the invitation. There is a fine line between having your own style and trying to rewrite etiquette. Choose a stationer who understands your style and can help guide you through the process. After all, it’s our job to make the best first impression of your event.

—Jeanine Edwards, Associate Editor

Photo courtesy of Kevin Dotolo