Education

  • How the custom stationery process works

    Couple kisses during reception in black and white photo - Classic and Neutral Wedding at the Garden Theater in Detroit, Michigan - Recap by wedding invitations designer Leah E. Moss Designs with photos by Niki Marie Photography

    People often think that having something custom-made for them is a really complicated process. If that’s you, that’s cool. I get where you’re coming from, but I’m here to try and change your mind! Just because something is special and an investment, doesn’t mean it has to be convoluted, off-limits, or beyond your reach. Let me explain how the custom stationery process works, from start to finish, for every couple that I get the privilege of welcoming into the Leah E. Moss Designs family.

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  • Tips for reception invitation wording after a private wedding

    tips for reception invitation wording after a private wedding

    There are lots of reasons why you might need reception invitation wording after a private wedding.

    We all know that 2020 was the year of the postponed wedding. Couples navigating the pandemic answered the inevitable “what the heck do we do now” question. For some, a complete postponement was in order – and that’s amazing. Other couples opted to make things official privately that year and postponed their larger celebration until the following year – for lots of reasons, this was my personal vote! 

    Fast forward, and you may still need to have this come into play, even in our post-pandemic world.

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  • Wedding Stationery Checklist

    Ceremony program, table number, escort card, cocktail napkin, invitation suite all coordinated - Wedding stationery checklist - Leah E. Moss Designs - photo by Blaine Siesser

    When most people think of wedding stationery, the first item that comes to mind is the invitation. And that makes sense – usually, the invitation suite is the star of the stationery show! But, the invitation isn’t the full picture. In fact, it’s only one piece of a much bigger puzzle. Working with a stationer allows you to have cohesion from your save the dates all the way through to thank you notes. Plus, having one vendor for all of these items saves the headache of cobbling it together (and hoping it sort of matches) from multiple sources. Let’s dive into this wedding stationery checklist from start to finish!

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  • 4 inspiring takeaways from business owners’ pivot strategy

    4 inspiring takeaways about pivot strategy - Leah E. Moss Designs

    With weddings, events, workshops, and art fairs getting postponed/canceled left and right, the paper community of vendors has had to be nimble and figure out ways to navigate this pandemic. When the stay-at-home order first came into play, I wasn’t sure what to do – I had to sit with the uncertainty for a bit. I’m in the process of developing something now as part of a pivot strategy, but these women sprang into action early on and came up with amazing changes to their business. They’ve each inspired me in their own way, and I can only hope that what I have up my sleeve is as helpful to and warmly received by the community as theirs have been. Without further ado, let’s dive in!

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  • 3 Types of Wedding Invitations Postage

    Vintage postage, Spencerian calligraphy, gold ink calligraphy, charcoal envelope - 3 types of wedding invitations postage - Leah E. Moss Designs

    When we were newly engaged, my grandparents took me and Adam out for a congratulatory dinner and surprised us with a gift. We opened a beautiful silver and crystal serving set, designed for a decanting bottle of wine and four glasses, all on a tray. It’s an heirloom piece that was theirs as newlyweds. It sits in our display case in the dining room, and it hearkens back to a time long ago – I love it every time I walk by. I think the exact same way about postage – there’s something deeply nostalgic about stamps. I can’t be the only one who thinks this (uhhh tell me I’m not alone, please!). But at any rate, stamps are the final important detail to consider with your stationery; you’ve got options for your wedding invitations postage. If you’re not working with a custom stationery designer to help you with this step, I’ve explained each category here in this blog.

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  • Your wedding affected by the coronavirus?! Here’s a game plan for your stationery.

    Wedding affected by the coronavirus - bride and groom portrait from first look by Casey Brodley - blog by Leah E. Moss Designs

    I remember when we were planning our wedding and I was really stressed about some drama that came up due to our “adults only reception” policy. I had a good cry about it – and a glass of wine, too. Even though you’re getting ready to have an amazing day, the logistics to make that happen are complicated! In hindsight, this feels so minor. Planning a wedding is always stressful, but in the midst of a global pandemic?! It’s… a lot. Your vendors feel your pain. If you’ve had to reschedule, our hearts ache alongside yours – but we’re already getting ready to help you celebrate down the road! If you’re feeling uncertain about what’s to come and how that will impact your event, so are we – but we’re here to navigate the course for you. In this blog post, I’ll outline my expert tips for your wedding affected by the coronavirus, with different suggestions based on the date of your scheduled event.

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  • Wedding Invitation Wording Etiquette

    Many years ago, my grandma gave me her copy of “Emily Post’s Etiquette,” from the 1950s, as a gift. She had inscribed the front cover with her maiden name, since she had clearly gotten the book as she worked through her own wedding invitation wording etiquette, and is the queen of manners and all things proper.

    The well-loved volume showed signs of wear and tear. I read it cover to cover, fully engrossed in it. It’s one of my most prized possessions and it sits on the top shelf of a bookcase at home, in a rightful place of honor. My friends know me as a sort of Miss Manners, or maybe the Grammar Police. Depends on the day. Nerd alert, but here we are.

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  • Jennifer and Brad – Imagining their wedding invitations for every season

    Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt’s Malibu wedding in 2000 (Y2K y’all) was THE event of the new millennium, fitting of course for THE couple. Those were simpler times. Since these two made scrunchie-rocking hearts flutter everywhere, I’m sure I wasn’t the only grown-up 90s kid who freaked out with excitement about even-totally-far-flung dating rumors. In that spirit, I’ve reimagined their wedding invitations for every season – each version reflecting a different vibe for the big day.

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  • Invitation Printing Options

    Blue grey letterpress with modern calligraphy wedding invitation - Wedding Invitation Printing Options - Leah E. Moss Designs

    My sister in law Jackie is a public defender. As a talented, passionate attorney, she’s an expert in her field and helps people all day long. Likewise, my brother Henry is an emergency room doctor. He is equally smart, ambitious, compassionate, and helpful. Between the two of them, they’re a total power couple – they really know their stuff! But, like most of my clients, they were totally overwhelmed and uncertain about all of the wedding invitation printing options available to them. Yikes.

    After helping so many couples navigate this, I decided it was high time to write a blog post explaining these invitation printing options. Let’s dive in! (more…)

  • Invitation embellishments to take your stationery over the top

    Vintage postage on burgundy envelope with cobalt blue invitation and plaid liner - Invitation embellishments to take your stationery over the top - Leah E. Moss Designs

    It never fails – I get a sweet note from a client after her invitations have gone out, explaining how much her guests have raved over their suite. More often than not though, it’s the invitation embellishments that people have commented on, saying “your envelope calligraphy was so pretty – we put it on the fridge, too,” or “oh my gosh, that wax seal was to die for,” or “wow the envelope liner was so extra – and we loved it.” You don’t want your loved ones to simply receive their invitation and know about your upcoming wedding – you want them to receive it, feel honored and wowed, and in turn, get pumped to be on your dance floor all night long. That, my friend, is where invitation embellishments come in.

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