We are excited to introduce our brand new, Bella Smooth Cotton paper — a modern and luxurious new paper that’s soft, thick, and allows for the exciting addition of digital printing. Like our classic Bella Cotton paper, Bella Smooth Cotton paper is made exclusively for us – you can’t get our papers anywhere else! Bella Smooth Cotton paper is made just for us at a historic paper mill in New England, and it’s available in 1-ply (310 gsm) and 2-ply (620 gsm) weights, in both white and ivory. This new paper is the ultimate canvas for letterpress printing, foil stamping, and digital printing. The printing capabilities on our 1-ply Bella Smooth Cotton paper are truly endless: customize wildly by pairing photographs or beautiful watercolors with our vast selection of ink and foil colors. Here are a few designs that feature our new paper – be sure to order samples to experience this new paper in person!
Briolette digitally printed + foil stamped wedding invitations by Ellie Snow.
English Garden letterpress + digitally printed wedding invitations by Chelsea Petaja. 
Lucaya letterpress, foil stamped + digitally printed wedding invitations & save the dates by Jessica Tierney. 
Modern Lumen save the dates by Racheal Bumbolo.
Photography by Kate Ignatowski.
Kristy and Sam chose a bold color combination of chartreuse, pewter and surf inks for their modern letterpress wedding invitations and save the dates. Their invitation suite featured our Farmstand invitation design, and consisted of an invitation, reply card, save the date, folded thank you notes, and coordinating envelopes. Reminiscent of a vintage seed packet, we love the sueded, vintage look of the stripes on this design. A chartreuse envelope liner in our elegant ombre pattern tied the entire set together.
letterpress inks: surf + pewter + chartreuse | fonts: knockout + futura | paper: bella cotton 1-ply ivory | envelope liner: elegant ombre pattern in chartreuse | The Write Image | customization #22704
Miranda Hattie Events put together an amazing team to create this gorgeous, Peruvian inspired photo-shoot featuring our Ursula wedding invitations! Kelle McCarter calligraphed the envelopes and table cards to match the Maura calligraphy accents on the invitation, and vintage stamps complemented the suite beautifully. Lush, exotic florals and greenery took center stage on this inspiration shoot, which took place in Florida at the beautiful Fairchild Gardens. To see more photos, check out 100 Layer Cake and Miranda Hattie Events!
Featured photography: Miranda Hattie Photography / Photographer/Videographer: Celia & Jorge of Pabelona Studio / Venue: Fairchild Gardens / Planning & Design: Miranda Hattie Events / Florist: Anthology / Makeup: Make Up By Marz / Hair: Beauty Therapy Hair Studio / Invitations: Bella Figura / Calligraphy: Kelle McCarter / Cake: Sugar Fancies / Vintage Rentals: Unearthed Vintage / Dress: Naem Khan Dress from Chic Parisien / Peruvian Skirts and Accessories: Mariluz Hurtado
This real wedding combines rustic style with a hint of glamour. A customized version of our ever-popular Simple Charms invitation, a pretty Juniper envelope liner and rustic jute envelopes set the tone for this Montana affair, which took place at Springhill Pavilion. In true love-local style, this stylish couple worked with their caterer to serve their guests a locally sourced meal, complete with several courses and wine pairings! Be sure to check out Style Me Pretty to see more photos from this beautiful real wedding.
Photography: Jeremiah And Rachel Photography | Floral Design: Habitat Events | Wedding Dress:Monique Lhuillier | Cake: Cakes From Cabin Ridge | Invitations: Bella Figura | Brides Shoes: Prada | Bridesmaids Dresses: Amsale | Catering: Food For Thought | Band: Bridger Creek Boys | Grooms Attire: J. Crew | Ceremony And Reception: Springhill Pavilion | Flower Girl Dress: Tea Princess | Photobooth: Big Sky Photobooth | Rentals: Montana Party Rentals | Wedding Design And Planning: Habitat Floral Studio
Paige and Jon Mark customized our Anais design in a romantic color palette of gold matte foil and desert ink for their modern Nashville wedding at The Bridge Building. The couple paired their invitations with our jute envelopes for a rustic meets glam look, and the gold baker’s twine and white calligraphy addressing by Jenna Rainey made for beautiful finishing touches. Featured recently on Green Wedding Shoes, we love that the bride (a creative director) drew inspiration for the colors, textures, and overall design elements from a cactus! The couple’s advice to those currently planning a wedding? “Keep your guests in mind. You want them to enjoy the night just as much as you do!”
photography: Taylor Lord // venue: The Bridge Building Nashville, Tennessee // event design: Jessica Sloane // event planner: Leah Kutil with The Bridge Building // florals + flower crowns: Melissa Broadwell of Vintage Florals // wedding dress: BHLDN ‘Laverne’ Gown // hairpieces: veil by Veiled Beauty // earrings + reception belt: BHLDN // shoes: BHLDN // bridesmaid dresses: various vendors chosen by bridesmaids // hair + makeup: Elaina Karras of Lucy Pop Salon andAmanda Gros // groom suit: Indochino // videography: Anchor Heart Films // paper goods: (the bride) Paige Foley Design and Bella Figura // calligraphy: Jenna Rainey // catering: Infinity Restaurant Group // cake: Dessert Designs // music: Party of Five // welcome boxes/favors: Kaldi’s Coffee // chalkboard artist: (the bride) Paige Foley Design // linens + chairs: Liberty Party Rental
Hello from Brooklyn! I’m Courtney from Swiss Cottage Designs and I’m so excited to be a part of the Bella Figura family. I love the unique styles and print methods Bella Figura offers to their brides. I am certainly looking forward to the 2015 release, it’s going to be a good one full of new treats (especially from us!) Thanks for having us on the blog!
This blog post is a peek into our life here in Brooklyn. I founded Swiss Cottage Designs in 2009 after working in the design industry for 4 years. While those years were filled with amazing professional experiences, I always knew I wanted to work for myself. Thus, SCD was born! We specialize in illustration, invitations and custom branding. In the last 5 years we’ve had the pleasure of working with brands such as Warby Parker, Crown Publishing, and of course, Bella Figura! As well as many, many wonderful couples and planners. I feel so lucky to be in such an amazing and inspiring industry.
We’re located in Carroll Gardens, a Brooklyn neighborhood of tree lined streets, historic brownstones and about a million places to grab tasty treats (it’s kind of a problem, really.) We have a home studio which means the neighborhood becomes sort of like a co-worker. We have two huge windows in our office that look out onto the street. I love glancing over to watch the neighborhood pass by our windows. I see the seasons change all from the comfort of my little desk. While the space is small, we’ve made it work for us with clever organization and about $800.00 worth of IKEA storage boxes. I love the freedom that working out of my home provides, and while it’s not for everyone, it certainly works for me.
I have tried to make the space a place where I feel calm and really want to spend time in. Because, if I’m being honest, I’m in here a lot! I have a large inspiration board above my desk that I’m constantly tinkering with; adding and subtracting new bits and pieces. I’ve reached capacity on wall space as each open spot is filled with pieces of art to inspire me throughout the day.
A day typical day (if there is such a thing) around the studio consists of lots and lots of emails, drawing, scanning, painting, designing, packaging, eagerly awaiting shipments from the printer, opening said shipments with bated breath, more emails, drawing, packaging and of course illicit amounts of coffee and tea. Running a business is the most incredible experience yet can be just as equally frustrating! There are days when the printer jams all your envelopes, a FedEx package goes missing and a press run comes back wrong and you just want to phone it in. Then you have days that are better than anything you could have imagined. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Asking “What styles can you calligraph?” is like asking a chef, “How many ways can you cook chicken?” If you understand your craft, you know that there are endless variations. And the more you learn, the more there is to learn. Understanding letter forms is the start to taking any font and adapting it for hand-lettered script. Today, Bella Figura calligrapher Sarah Hanna is sharing her favorite calligraphy trends — from the most popular styles and ink colors to the different ways people are using calligraphy to add an extra special touch to life’s most important events.
Trending now: without question, Victoria. I think that is because it is traditional with a personality. Generally, I match the script from the invitation – if that is my calligraphy, excellent. I can match almost any script, though. Black ink is and always will be the most classic, formal ink for addressing wedding invitations. I do, however, custom-mix a lot of gold, amethyst, and pewter.
Classic Victoria hand calligraphed envelope
Classic Victoria hand calligraphed envelope
Embellished Victoria hand calligraphed envelope – Sarah Hanna’s most lively style
Classic Callaway – the up-and-comer (Callaway is the new kid, but she is bound to be the next homecoming queen!)
Classic Callaway hand calligraphed envelope
The hand-written note is making a come-back! Just ask the
New York Times. Emotion comes alive in a way that electronic communication simply cannot. I am often commissioned to calligraph a toast or a quote or something special to be framed. It doesn’t have to be long or fancy (or written by you)…just intentional. In the words of that brilliant booze-hound
Don Draper, “Make it simple, but significant.”
Unique uses for hand calligraphy: I get a lot of interesting requests. I was recently asked to be part of a truly elaborate beach engagement! My client commissioned me to hand-paint their song on 4 canvas banners. She also had me calligraph promises on 30 different cards to be tied with ribbon to a tree over the candlelight picnic. Her girlfriend is a wedding photographer, and my client made up an alias email and hired her to photograph this special engagement…..but when she arrived to photograph the engagement, she realized it was for her! She said, yes, yes, yes!!
The promise cards for the engagement was a really meaningful one. Wedding toasts and vows mixed with custom painting is a favorite. Right now, I love doing the custom nursery rhymes. And of course, every Christmas, the Santa letters are fabulous! And I am REALLY excited about my new line of Artful Correspondence – hand-illustrated correspondence card sets.
Favorite calligraphy trends: Art that has staying power always gets my vote. A symbol or monogram that can be used after your wedding (which look fantastic on dance floors!), the bride’s married name custom-designed so she can put it on letterpressed stationery and more is an excellent gift. I love these trends, especially the ‘avere’ ‘tenere’ chairs….mais bien sur!
How did you get your start as a calligrapher? My mother Kaye Hanna is an incredible artist, master calligrapher, and my instructor. So, I am turning into my mother! Truthfully, if I end up with a fraction of her talent, I will be a lucky girl.
Blue Danube hand calligraphed envelope
London script – perfect for your thank you note to Her Majesty. Or your wedding at Ascot.
Honoured Guest hand calligraphed envelope
Embellished Honoured Guest – a fuller version of Honoured Guest
We worked with The Village Invites to create Tracy and Alexander’s vibrant Eleanor wedding invitations, which feature hand calligraphy from Elizabeth Hardin and bold fuchsia ink. Our Morocco motif was used on the envelopes and coasters in fuchsia and aquamarine inks and paired beautifully with the colorful stamps used on the invitation envelopes. We loved seeing photos from this colorful destination wedding on Style Me Pretty – be sure to check out the full gallery!
Photography: InTandem | Event Planning: SIGNATURE, Event Consulting & Design | Wedding Dress:Susan Neville | Invitations: Bella Figura | Ceremony Venue: Esperanza Resort | Reception Venue:Esperanza Resort | Bridesmaids Dresses: Jenny Yoo
We loved seeing photos from this real Bella Figura wedding on Snippet & Ink earlier this year! Jessica and Jason chose our Miranda invitation design complete with Belle hand calligraphy accents and an elegant monogram by Maybelle for their Duke Chapel wedding. Prussian Blue ink was used throughout this ivory invitation set, which included an invitation, reply postcard, a cute events card with hand calligraphy accents and adorable motifs, and lined inner envelopes featuring our Modern Floral pattern in deep blue to tie everything together. Check out Snippet & Ink to see more photos from this gorgeous wedding!
Photographer: Kate Headley / Event Planner: Erin McLean Events / Church: Duke Chapel / Venue, Catering, Cake: The Barn at Fearrington in Chapel Hill, North Carolina / Stationery: Maybelle for Bella Figura / Officiant: Rev. Bruce Puckett / Gown: Jenny Lee / Sash: Lula Kate / Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Earrings, Hair Accessories: Paris / Tuxedo: Isaia / Shoes: Salvatore Ferragamo / Cufflinks: Tiffany & Co. / Bridesmaid Dresses: Amsale / Floral Designer: Mary Stevens of Fearrington House / Organist: Dr. David Arcus / Music: LaNelle David Bluegrass Band, Attraction Band / Videographer: Rising Moon Films / Photobooth: Shutterbooth / Makeup: Makeup For Your Day / Transportation: Loni’s Antique Cars, Caravan Bus, Horizon Coachlines
If you are looking for ways to make the most of your stationery budget without having to sacrifice the style and beauty of letterpress, consider our 6+ printed pieces discount. When you order 6 or more letterpress printed or foil stamped pieces, you’ll receive 10% off your entire order. Mix and match to create the stationery package that best suits your needs – and if you need help, let us know. We are happy to help with creative ways to keep your budget in check while still making all your stationery dreams come true. Here are 6 ways to save with 6 printed pieces:
Save the dates and invitations
If save the dates and invitations are the most important components of your stationery trousseau, you can easily take advantage of the 6+ printed piece promotion and still wow your guests with stunning stationery and stylish design. Not all weddings call for programs and menus, so don’t feel like you have to have them if they aren’t part of your stationery must-haves. These pieces will set the tone for your wedding and give your guests a preview of the celebration to come.
save the date | save the date envelope | invitation | invitation envelope | reply card | reply card envelope
Traditional, formal invitation set
If you are hosting a very traditional, very formal wedding and want your stationery to reflect that, consider this combination of the most necessary pieces. Along with your invitation and printed outer envelope, a reply card and reply envelope are the most formal way to request a response from your guests. Keep your reception details separate from the invitation by including it on its own card (you’ll note whether or not there is a dress code on this card, as it’s most formal not to include that on your invitation). A direction card will help guests make their way to your ceremony and celebration.
invitation | invitation envelope | reply card | reply card envelope | reception card | direction card
Day-of pieces
To carry your wedding stationery style on the through the big day, be sure guests have a ceremony program detailing the who’s who of your wedding party and a rundown of the ceremony. At the reception, direct them to their seats with stylish place cards and get their mouths watering with menus detailing what is to come. Give them something fun (and functional) to take home with letterpress or foil stamped coasters. And don’t forget you’ll need to thank everyone for joining you on your special day. What better way than with coordinating thank you cards and envelopes?
program | place card | menu | coaster | thank you card | thank you card envelope
Invitations, ceremony and beyond
If you’ve fallen in love with letterpress printing and want to get the most for your money, this combination will stretch your stationery style from the pre-wedding invitations all the way to the post-wedding thank yous. In addition to your invitations and printed envelopes, opt for a reply postcard (less formal but still effective). Include a program so your guests can follow along during your ceremony, and have coordinating thank you cards and envelopes to send out thanking them for their presence (and presents) on your big day.
invitation | invitation envelope | reply postcard | program | thank you card | thank you card envelope
Destination invitation set
Destination weddings often call for additional details to be included in the invitation package – your guests will need to know how to get there, where to stay and where to play, and they’ll be looking to you to help them prepare. Our pocketfolds are the perfect enclosure to keep all of these details organized for your guests – and they provide another place to showcase your wedding style. Letterpress print on them – foil stamp on them – or do both! Include a card (double sided if necessary) that gives all of the wedding details – like hotel accommodations, directions to the venue and rehearsal dinner and brunch locations. The pocket allows you to include additional cards if necessary, like maps to local hotspots or menus from the best places to grab a bite. If your destination wedding is an intimate affair with just the closest of family and friends, ask them to reply via your wedding website or email address to eliminate the need for the reply envelope.
pocketfold | invitation | invitation envelope | accommodations card | directions card | brunch card | reply card
Here’s the fine print: all pieces need to be printed at the same time, and pieces that are already discounted (like free favor cards) don’t count toward the 6 pieces.
Our Celeste wedding invitation design gets a rollicking makeover for Sarah and Matthew’s summertime wedding. Elegant hand calligraphy and metallic opal envelopes balance the bold Purple Shine foil for an invite that is both festive and formal.
letterpress ink: garden | foil stamping: purple shine | font: streamline | paper: bella cotton 1-ply + 2-ply ivory | foil edging: purple shine | hand calligraphy accents: spencerian style | envelope: metallic opal | envelope liner: classic color pattern in regalia | customization #16942
Right now, we’re featuring Ellie Snow as our Designer of the Month – that means April is all about Ellie (and all of her designs are on sale!)! We’ve been sharing some of Ellie’s design inspiration, a day in her life, and today, we’re giving you a peek inside her studio — both her former studio and her brand new, under-construction studio in the DIY District of Durham. We’ll let Ellie take it from here!
For the past couple years, the Hello Tenfold studio was in an old, rehabbed textile warehouse turned into artist studios (and before that, at my dining room table!). But this year, when a small space in a busier part of Durham, North Carolina became available, a photographer friend and I jumped on it. Just last month we moved in and are slowly getting settled. The location of the space is perfect — a short distance from my house, and across the street from a dangerously good coffee shop and many great restaurants. It’s a part of town lovingly called the “DIY district,” named for the many start-ups in the area.
Above: Ellie’s former studio
Above is a photo of the new space, which used to be a garage, before it was fixed up for us earlier this year. Our landlords removed the garage doors and replaced them with storefront windows, painted, and cleaned up a bit, but we’ve also had to get creative with ways to hide (or learn to love!) the flaws in an older building. I hired a carpenter to make some inexpensive built-in display shelves in what used to be a doorway, and we’ll cover the rough concrete floors with a variety of rugs.
Although it’s a small space, we felt strongly about having a couch to make things cozy and comfortable, and a meeting table, so we’ve also had to be careful with how much stuff we brought into the space — for me, that meant filling my basement at home with miscellaneous envelopes, paper, and old invitation samples! It felt great to pare down to the essentials, and sharing a space means I need to be a little neater (I can really make a mess, yikes). I’ve been stocking up on attractive looking storage baskets and boxes, and covered my glass front cabinets with patterned tissue paper and re-purposed table runners to hide the not always organized samples, ribbons, and envelopes inside. We have lots of touch-up painting to do. We’re shooting for early May to have a studio opening party, so there will be more peeks coming over the next month! You can see more images and current projects on my blog, Mint.
Many thanks to Ellie for letting us peek inside her new space! We’ll be back with an update when the studio is complete – stay tuned! And be sure to shop Ellie’s designs – you can save 10% on any order (or 20% if you order 6 printed pieces or more!). Start shopping now.
