Looking for a stationer who really gets you? Perhaps Grapevine's Karen Bartolomei is your gal. She's all about unique, colorful designs that capture a wedding's vibe and spirit. Her goal? For each guest to be swept away by the intimacy, excitement, and energy of the celebration from the moment the invitation arrives.
What has been your toughest project to date?
The one that stands out in my mind as the most difficult (and the most fun) job I've ever done was for my sister-in-law. With a complete wedding budget of under $25,000 and no money to spare for her invitations, we had to invite her closest friends and loved ones on a shoestring budget. With a beautiful design, handmade paper, a laser printer, and lots of creativity, we pulled it off for less than $600. I created shower invites with a recipe-card guest sign-in, scroll wedding invitations with a custom wax seal, vintage beer- and wine-inspired labels with a custom crest and monogram, and travel journals with tasting notes. I also made programs and menus, wedding-bell tags, a guest sign-in with beer and wine quotes, escort cards, bar signs, beer labels for her home-brewed favors, door knockers (that said "Do Not Disturb: We were out all night partying with the bride and groom"), and welcome and thank-you notes. People are still talking about them!
Where do you find your inspiration?
Walking my little dogs along the beach with my husband at our ocean cottage, antiques, flea markets, vintage books or advertisements, old dress patterns, traveling to other countries, movies, haute couture fashion, Hollywood Regency and Art Deco interior design, holiday decorations.
From: Julie | 5/12/11 at 12:10 pm
$25k is a shoestring budget? Not exactly what brides what to hear when looking for stationary.
From: Christina | 5/12/11 at 2:05 pm
These are lovely. And I would have killed for a $25,000 budget.
From: Wedding Stationery: Grapevine Paperie – The Bride's Guide : Martha … | Wedding Invitations Stationary | 5/12/11 at 2:23 pm
[...] the original post: Wedding Stationery: Grapevine Paperie – The Bride's Guide : Martha … I Love Social BookmarkingSubscribeDiggdel.icio.usStumbleUpon Posted by admin on May 12, 2011 in [...]
From: Robbin Montero | 5/14/11 at 7:38 pm
Love letter press and these are beautiful!
Robbin Montero
A Dream Wedding
From: Karen Bartolomei | 5/18/11 at 8:56 pm
Ladies...their ENTIRE wedding budget was $25K for dress, food and beverage, flowers and decor, entertainment, transportation, venue, paper, and honeymoon...their invites and all paperie totaled $600...that is a shoestring budget for save the date, invite, programs, welcome baskets, menus, guest sign in, signature drink signs, thank you notes and more.