As some of you may know we recently selected the winner for our Destination Elopement Giveaway in Big Sur! As we were hand-selecting the creative partners for this project it was important to us that we worked with people who are blazing their own trail in the wedding industry. People who stay true to who they are and their passion for their work. People who when you see their work… you know EXACTLY who it is! When it comes to paper, Ashleigh Duhon of Model Paper Design does just THAT!
Photo: Kelly Hornberger Photography
For those of you who don’t know, our relationship with Ashleigh goes all the way back to our very FIRST styled shoot at The Houstonian Hotel in Houston, Texas. When we were a newer business with no previous relationship with Model Paper Design, Ashleigh took a chance on us and welcomed us to the Houston market with open arms. This was our first experience working with her and one that we will NEVER forget!
Photo: The Drakes – Photography & Videography
Fast forward to now and we have had the pleasure of working with her for a number of different clients and projects. Ashleigh’s aesthetic and eye for detail truly sets her apart from other artists in the industry. One of the things that we love most about her work is that you can’t put her in a box and she totally encapsulates the meaning of understated luxury in her art!
Photo: Joseph West Photography
Because Ashleigh is a master of her craft we wanted to ask her what her top 3 do’s and don’ts are when designing for her clients! Here is a window into her process and why designers like this are worth EVERY penny for their expertise and art!
Top 3 Do’s When Creating Invitations and Stationery?
1. Communicate every option available to your client to help guide them into the most comfortable decisions
2. Choose one dramatic design element and focus on that throughout the suite. For example, if my client is really looking to have a bold envelope liner, let’s make the envelope liner the star of the show. We’ll then add subtle details such as texture, color blocking, or small illustrations throughout the suite as well as little backup dancers who are there to enhance the show.
3. You will hardly ever hear me say something is impossible. I design by the “Why Not” philosophy. “ Of course we can incorporate tiny unicorns into the design, I don’t see why not. Here’s a better way we can make it work”
Top 3 Don’ts When Creating Invitations and Stationery?
- 1. Don’t try to incorporate every color in your client’s mood board into their wedding suite. Things can get really busy really fast. Instead, I design with a minimal approach in mind. I choose 2-3 main colors to design with and use them as my guide throughout the suite. This also helps when you want to incorporate a pop of color into a certain piece within the suite. This way it is less likely to have all of the colors in the rainbow fighting with one another.
2. Research which papers and materials that will hopefully be in stock before you present your design to your client. Of course, some things are out of our control and things go out of stock unexpectedly, but the more work you do behind the scenes to try to avoid this the better for you and the client.
3. Do NOT add your wedding website to your wedding invitation. Pretty please Lol. This is what detail cards are for.
As wedding planners, we have so much love for Ashleigh’s process and how she is truly client-centric. If you’re working on your wedding invitations and this resonated with you make sure to contact Ashleigh with Model Paper Design to start customizing the invitations, stationery, and signage of your dreams!
