Full-script calligraphy juxtaposed with edgy elements, such as a black and white abstract pattern for the envelope liner, make for a modern look.
Charleston Weddings: What are you seeing that’s new and fresh with wedding invitations this season?
Markey Mossman: I think we are leaving cutesy watercolor crests and maps in the past. For 2023, I have many clients for whom I’m creating intricate surface patterns to be used on their invitation suite as well as table linens, napkins, etc. I’m also seeing an array of combination printing methods and die-cut shapes. And texture is in—handmade paper, grass cloth and woven textural elements, wood grain and leather paper, sewing as a form of adhering cards together. The more texture, the better.
CW: What’s one of the most standout invitation suites you’ve been tasked to create lately?
MM: We created a fun suite for a wedding with Hill & Co. recently. The colors were black, white, and chartreuse, and the wedding was full of disco balls, overflowing arrangements, and velvet lounges. We used a mix of traditional elements such as letterpress full-script calligraphy on double-thick cotton paper, but made it edgy by placing the text at an angle, incorporating a custom black and white abstract pattern for the liner of the midnight black envelopes, and bringing in a bright pop of color and texture using a chartreuse velvet ribbon. We used white calligraphy for the addresses and a custom selection of bright green vintage stamps.
Mossman created a skyline highlighting the steeples in Charleston and used soft pastels for this suite.
CW: What tips do you have for couples when it comes to picking their stationery?
MM: Go with your gut. Don’t base your decisions on other individual’s preferences or fleeting trends. Let your designer know your budget first thing, so that they can present something that is truly in line with what you can afford. Be straightforward with the elements that you definitely want to see on your invitation suite, and be specific in your feedback with your designer. The more detailed information, the smoother the process will be. And before reaching out to a designer, create a mood board of 10 to 15 stationery suites or even interior design elements or florals that you’re drawn to that you can share with the design team.
