How Much Should I Spend on Wedding Invitations?
Several years ago, I wrote a post about the cost of letterpress wedding invitations. It remains one of the most popular pieces of content I've written to-date. It's a question people want answers to. And, while the information in that post is some four years old,...
Here’s Why No One’s Coming To Your Party
You'd think they actually wanted my presence - or at least my money. I was invited to an industry event recently, presented by an organization I wasn't familiar with. From what I can tell, it was their big annual event, maybe even a fundraiser. It was close enough to...
I am not a printer
I received an inquiry recently. It's the kind I used to get all the time. I don't get them often anymore. Someone needed stationery printed. Notice - I didn't say "someone needed stationery." They needed it printed because they already had the design and the specs...
A Way to Say “I Love You”
Are you familiar with the act of someone crossing out their name or monogram on stationery? You might have seen it before and wondered why someone would do that. It’s a ritual that can be seen in cards by Yves Saint Laurent, Princess Di, and many others. It’s...
Tearing it All Up
I recently wrote about the problem with tearing paper - well, specifically when you're tearing paper to mimic the natural, deckled edge of a handmade sheet. But sometimes you just have to tear some paper. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtxQIpi0fkM One of the things...
It’s a Little Less Quiet in the Studio These Days
For the longest time, A Fine Press has been me - Matthew Wengerd - and the incredible free-agents I bring in to help me complete certain projects. But that model can't sustain every project I want to do. Sure, there's something to be said for being lean, but there's...
He Made What With What?
I have to admit: I've been a little obsessed with Making It on NBC. It could be my love affair with Parks and Recreation. It could be my mancrush on Jimmy DiResta (Nick Offerman's not so bad, either). I won't spoil it for you here, don't worry, but one of the things...
The WHY of Deckled Edges
I made a promise to myself that I'd only do it once. I felt a little uneasy the entire time, but I powered through it. It hurt like hell - both my hands and my heart (a little) - but I powered through. I tore the edges of a piece I was making and I faked a deckled...
This Week in Weddings
It was incredible timing to wake up today to Seth's blog post on "coming attractions." The key takeaway was this: If someone insists on experiencing your experience before you give them the experience, it’s really unlikely you’re going to be able to delight them. I...
Featured in Harpers Bazaar Hong Kong
Well, I can't wait to get one in my hands, but I'm thrilled to see the images from the 2018 issue of Harper's Bazaar HK's Bazaar Bride issue! And a very big thanks to Tim Ku for his patience as I gathered some things to send to him for this feature. And what great...
A Luxury Wedding in the French Quarter
What a spectacular couple! When Ashley called to discuss her vision for her wedding, I was SO excited to explore the possibilities for their invitation. She and Paul compliment each other in so many ways and the yin and yang of their relationship became a recurring...
Custom Postage Just Took a Hit
I just found out that one of the most popular services offering custom postage is temporarily bowing out of the game. Well, I hope it's temporary. That's right. Zazzle.com is not offering custom postage right now. I have several friends with open orders left in limbo...
Getting to the Heart of It
Occasionally you come into contact with someone and it just clicks. For some people, it happens all the time. Others, not so much. I'd like to think I can have an engaging conversation with almost anyone (especially if it's in-person - body language helps a ton!)....
The Signature is Dead, Long Live the Signature
I did it. Did you do it? I think it's a rite of passage to spend your grade school years filling a notebook with subtle permutations of your very own name. Exploring the letterforms - their shapes and the beautiful interstitial spaces. At some point, we become aware...
You Don’t Have to Send Wedding Invitations.
You don't have to send out printed wedding invitations. There. I said it. And the collective world of stationers just lost their minds. // I don't know if you're aware, but stationers are a strange lot. They live and die by Emily Post and Pantone's color of the year....
Stationery Is a Proxy
Stationery is a proxy. It stands in for you when you’re not there. Whether it’s your business card or the invitation to the biggest day of your life, your stationery should be undeniably yours. So you that people would recognize it even if your name was nowhere to be...
Three Ingredients to Stationery They’ll Never Forget
This week, it dawned on me. In working on the video for my latest project, I sussed out what all of the most impactful memorable stationery projects I've worked on have in common. There are three key ingredients that make for stop-you-in-your...
Giant Human Skulls
I'm obsessed with skulls. With the exception of Jes Gordon, you're unlikely to find anyone in the wedding industry who appreciates them as deeply as I do. The beauty. The metaphor. That's why I was thrilled to hear about Ron Mueck's show at the National Gallery of...
What do I call myself?
I don’t know about you, but I like exploring the edges. That gap between the known and the unknown. I’m not talking about living life full-on in the unknown, but the place that bridges the two. Where you recognize enough to orient yourself but still get to experience...
Pantone’s Color of the Year Is….
Last month, Pantone announced its color of the year. I didn’t mention it. I didn’t mention it because I was busy with wonderful clients, fun projects, and solid family time. But also, I didn’t mention it because I just don’t care. Really. Could. Not. Care....
Who said anything about glossy?
I don’t know if he was a troll or just a little out of touch. A gentleman replied to the headline of my recent video, “Why You Shouldn’t Send Holiday Cards.” "More trash to throw away, can’t recycle it." I thought, boy that’s cynical and ignorant. And maybe it was...