Obsessed with: Pretty Paper {Creme Fraiche Design}

I love pretty paper. Pretty cards, pretty invitations, pretty programs--LOVE. IT. ALL. I recently met a lovely couple getting married on July 9 at The National Aviary in Pittsburgh. After they hired me as their day director (yay!!), Sara, the lovely bride, sent me their invitation so I would have all the relevant info. When I opened it, I literally squeeled with delight (seriously, ask my husband!) over how PERFECT and amazing their invitation design and theme was. See for yourself :

Naturally, I immediately researched who the amazing desinger was after said squeeling was over, so without further adieu, here is my interview with Dana of Creme Fraiche Design (a Pittsburgh gal!)

How did you start your business?

After working in advertising for nearly 10 years, I decided it was time to go off on my own. I began working for myself in 2008 and officially started Creme Fraiche Design in 2010. Unofficially, I've been designing wedding packages for friends and family for years.

What is your creative process? How do you get inspiration?

The creative process starts once I meet with the engaged couple. I'm inspired by their individual stories; How did they meet? How did they get engaged? What's unique about their relationship? From there we work together to figure out the best way to use their stories to develop their wedding package and how to effectively communicate with their guests. After meeting with the couple, I develop an inspiration board with various design elements to explain how the final design will look. The end result is a truly personalized design for the couple.

Why do you think attention to design/details are so important when planning and event/wedding?
The first interaction most weddings guests have with the couple-to-be is through a save the date or wedding invitation. It's always best to make a great first impression, and items like these should set the tone for what's to come and excite their guests to be a part of the wedding day.

What is the biggest mistake you feel couples make when sending out their invites/save the dates, etc?
Lack of consistency is probably the biggest mistake couples make. Often times couples wind up overwhelmed by choices in bridal stores and online shops. The result is that the correspondence with their guests is put together piecemeal; save-the-dates look nothing like the invitations, and so on. But consistency is important and when every detail matches — from the wedding invitation to the place cards at the reception — guests will take notice. Good, consistent design is memorable and is a simple way to elevate the theme of a wedding. Brides often tell me how much easier it is to develop a custom wedding design because they no longer need to shop around for all the separate pieces. Creme Fraiche Design is a one-stop shop for all the wedding items you need: from invitations, to ceremony programs, to thank you cards. Every detail matches the couple's wedding look.

What is one area you believe couples could 'scrimp' on when wedding planning?

Scrimping will vary depending on the couple. They should assess their strengths. If they are particularly handy and enjoy DIY crafts, perhaps they can use their skills to create decorations for their reception or make a fun guest book. A couple could also look to close family and friends to help out wherever possible. See if they would be willing to donate food or other services. Most folks would be honored to be a helpful part of the wedding day.

Amazing words of wisdom--LOVE this girl. :)

Make sure you 'like' Creme Fraiche Design' on Facebook and, of course, call her for all your design needs. :)