First off, I am so honored to be a guest on Jubilee Event’s blog, Connecticut Weddings! I have been following the blog since July and just love Candice’s beautiful and unique take on style, weddings and event decor. So needless to say when she asked if Lilah Paper would be a guest on her blog I jumped at the opportunity! So, here it goes…

How did you get started in the business of designing couture stationery and invitations?
I got started in the stationery business a couple of years ago while planning my own wedding. Ever since I graduated school I have been working in graphic design, however as time went on I was beginning to feel a bit of the corporate burnout. However, once engaged I found that our wedding was the perfect creative outlet to think beyond the standard page. As I began to design our save the dates, my mind was flooded with ideas and finally I felt the creative spark return! So given the rave reviews from my own wedding stationery and my absolute love for beautiful, boutique paper I decided that I couldn’t turn back and began to design my initial line of stationery. From there I moved from beautiful Colorado to Gorgeous Charleston, South Carolina, where lavish southern weddings are in full swing! While in Charleston, I designed for a custom invitation studio where I gained a lot of insight into the stationery and wedding industry. However, it wasn’t long after that my husband and I decided to put one more move under our belts… back to my home town, Kansas City. Given that there isn’t an abundance of letterpress and invitation studios in Kansas City, I decided to open the doors to Lilah Paper, and I must say that I am loving every second of it!! It isn’t every day that you get to be completely creative in your job and work with clients who are celebrating such joyous occasions. I feel truly lucky to have stumbled upon this wonderful business.

How would you describe your style?
I would describe my style as vintage… with a twist of playful elegance. I LOVE sweeping flourishes, vintage wallpapers, soft colors and beautiful, creamy papers. Typography is also a small obsession of mine. Any chance I get to play around with old block lettering and unique type layouts I jump at the opportunity.

Where do you draw inspiration from when designing a couture invitation suite for a couple?
I really just listen. Like anyone that has or is planning a wedding knows, it is SO fun to talk about your big day! I draw inspiration from my bride’s descriptions and pictures, specifically of their dresses, flowers, table decor, and venue. You can tell a lot about a wedding based on where it is being held. But outside of the couple, I draw a lot of inspiration from vintage fabrics and beautiful calligraphy.

A lot of couples are not use to the idea of having their invitations designed by someone out of state. Often times they don’t even know that they can work with a couture paperie designer on a national level. How does Lilah Paper cater to this type of couple and provide that one-on-one service that they’re looking for?
Surprisingly the majority of my clients are out of state and the process really works quite similarly. I start with an initial phone consultation, which works just like if the couple were to meet here in the studio. I discuss the bride and groom, their style, their wedding colors, how they would want their invitations worded (traditional vs. non-traditional), and each of the pieces that they may need to be included within their invitation suite (ie. reception card, schedule of events, etc.). From this I gain a good vision of the couple and how their stationery fits into their big day.

For my more hands-on brides, I use a lot of email and good old snail mail. Often times my brides will email me with bits of inspiration, color swatches and themes. This is always helpful when working without of state brides, as the more insight I can gain into their overall vision for their wedding the better. If color or paper swatches are needed, I simply stick them in the mail so that my brides are able to touch and feel the products, just like if they would here in the studio.

After the initial consultation, the process is really quite the same. I provide pdf proofs via email and the editing process is done over the phone or via email. My goal is to make ordering your stationery easy, effortless and most importantly fun!

What are the hottest trends right now in wedding invitations?
Color is always an ever changing trend when it comes to invitations and the bridal industry! The wedding colors are probably the first thing that a bride considers. This year, I am seeing more “dusty tones,” including lavenders, taupes, peaches, grey-blues, greens, tans and pinks. Each of these colors makes a beautiful and stunning accent to classic color choices like chocolate brown, slate grey and creamy ivory tones.

Another trend that I am seeing is the use of custom envelope liners. I see more and more brides moving away from the inner/outer envelope tradition and instead using a single outer envelope, lined with a beautiful, coordinating paper.

What are a few ways that couples can save on invitations without compromising impact, design, or quality?
Invitations can be one of the most fun parts about planning a wedding (of course maybe I am a little bias). However, seeing the transition from thinking that the invitation is just another piece of paper that ends up in the trash to realizing that the invitation is the very piece that will jump-start the excitement within your guests and give them a glimpse into the look and feel of your big day is just amazing! BUT… as much as the wedding stationery is a huge part, you don’t want to break the bank either. So, not to worry! There are many ways that you can trim costs when it comes to your invitations without compromising the impact, design and quality, and the top two ways are:

1. number of ink colors
2. the printing process (offset/flat printing vs. thermography vs. letterpress)

For budget-conscious brides, I often suggest that they use thermography or offset printing. And for those who wish to add color, but keep within a 1-color price range, I suggest using backing layers and coordinating reply envelopes to add variety and dimension. However, keep in mind that if you do know your budget ahead of time it is helpful to let the designer know. Knowing your budget allows us to guide you in the right direction and make suggestions that will fit within your unique style and your unique budget!
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I had to find out where a bride in Connecticut could try on a heidi elnora dress, so I decided to email the designer. Much to my delight she and I struck up a great conversation and I invited her to do a Q&A session for the Connecticut Wedding Blog. She also just recently launched a beautiful new website which features her new 2009 line. It is simply amazing and I have a few highlights after the Q&A. If I hadn’t already fallen in love with my own gown, I would have easily flown down to her studio to meet with her about one of these. They are exquisite. I feel like a Connecticut boutique simply must carry her gowns! In addition to the new website, she is also opening a new bridal gallery in Atlanta, scheduled to debut in the Spring of 2009.

As a fashion designer, what led you to designing bridal gowns?
Love.

Prior to Project Runway, I designed children’s clothing for Carter’s in Atlanta. As I was driving back to Carter’s one afternoon, I was struck by a drunk driver. My mom, a nurse, came to my rescue and brought me home to Alabama to take care of me. While I was recovering, I met a young man. Eight months later, I put in my 2 weeks’ notice and moved back to Alabama. This is where heidi elnora was conceived. I wanted to be a bride. I wanted to design something a client would never forget– something that would be cherished, something that could be passed down from generation to generation, something that would always be special. What is more special than a wedding gown?

Where do you draw inspiration for your designs?
Inspiration comes from everything and anything. My family and friends inspire me. Noticeably each dress has a first and middle name. Each dress is named after a special woman in my life. When designing, I will take certain aspects from my inspiration’s life, her story, and use that to create her gown.

What is the process of creating a heidi elnora gown, whether couture or a ready-made design?
The couture process starts with an initial consultation. At the consultation, I ask the bride questions about her wedding, about how she has always envisioned herself, and about her overall theme or feel. From there I begin sketching. I usually sketch out the final gown at the first consultation. After the initial sketch, we take detailed measurements. The detailed measurements are used to create her custom patterns. The custom patterns are then used to create a muslin gown. The muslin gown is used for the basic dress fitting and then the final dress fitting follows.

A ready-made design can be bought off the rack. We will make small changes to the design by request. A ready-made gown can be ordered over the phone and does not require an initial consultation; yet consultations are encouraged to ensure the perfect dress for the bride.

How would you classify the style of a heidi elnora gown and what adjectives would you use to describe them?
The adjective would be timeless. I would classify the style of the gowns as “timeless gowns with classic lines and fine attention to detail.”

Besides the gown, what do you feel is the second most important “piece” to a bride’s look?
The second most important piece to a bride’s look would be a tie between her veil/headpiece and her flowers. They both are needed to finish the look. They are just as important as shoes and handbags are to the perfect little black dress.

What piece of advice do you give to a bride on shopping for her wedding gown?
Take your time and don’t settle. This is the most important gown you will ever wear. It should be PERFECT. It should be everything you imagined it to be and more.

What do you think is one of the biggest mistakes brides make when shopping or choosing a gown?
The biggest mistake a bride can make is choosing “the look” over “the fit.” A model in a magazine is going to look amazing in the ad. That is why the model was chosen. Sometimes brides think they will look the same. Not all styles are good for all brides. The bride should find a gown that flatters her body type and then create the look from there by adding lace or other details that reflect the initial look.

How can Connecticut and New England brides purchase a heidi elnora gown?
Brides from all over the country fly to Alabama to have a custom gown created exclusively for them.

Brides can also visit our site www.heidielnora.com to view the collection. If there is a gown that they are interested in, we can work with a local bridal salon to have the gown shipped to the salon for the bride to try on.

When a bride leaves after her emotional final fitting, taking your creation with her, it must be an incredible feeling knowing that you are such an intimate element in her wedding day. What is that like for you?
It’s AMAZING. By the time the dress is finished, the bride and I have become friends. I usually end up attending the wedding and crying with the Mom. It’s truly a proud moment for all of us.

heidi elnora Spring 2009

Are they not amazing? I am in love with every square inch of each of them. I love all the detailing and the ultra feminine, vintage feeling that they exude. Be sure to visit Heidi’s fabulous new website! She has also started a journal which I will be an avid reader of indefinitely. A thousand thank yous to Heidi for being so generous with her time to answer our questions. We are so inspired by her story!
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