One of the big decisions in planning a major event like a wedding, a quinceañera or anniversary celebration is the style of invitations. Because formal invitations have been around for decades, planners and creators are always looking for something new.
Sonia Cardona of Maricopa hand designs and creates invitations in her Sorrento home studio and sells nationally and internationally as Ink & Love Artsy Proposals. She sees both modern and vintage trends and also creates her own. She started her online business in Surprise in 2011 and moved to Maricopa in 2014.
LACE
In a variety of styles and colors, but even familiar vintage or French lace can be used in new ways to create covers and pockets. When not done precisely, lace glue can leave marks or “sweat,” as Cardona calls it, on paper stock, something for clients to watch for.
SILK
Not just used for ribbons anymore, silk is used to create flowers, pockets and borders for invitations in classy and playful forms.
RHINESTONES & PEARLS
Again drawing on old-fashioned elements to create new looks, faux gems fit an array of modern styles from fancy to shabby-chic without being gaudy.
WOOD
Real wood is making a splash on the market, but Cardona did not settle for a wood-like paper stock or even creating just a flat wood card. Instead she labored for weeks to create an actual wood product that can be half-folded or tri-folded and makes a memorable announcement.
BOLD COLORS
Color is the most changeable trend in the invitation business. The standards for weddings are whites, pale pinks and grays, but solid colors like plum, aqua and navy are pushing in. Even flashier hot pinks, reds and gemstone colors are becoming the norm for quinceañeras.
ALTERNATIVE
With the legalization of same-sex marriage have come more requests for invitations specific to gay weddings. Cardona has adapted her ideas for both genders.
InkAndLove.etsy.com
847-346-9784
This story was published in the Winter Edition of InMaricopa the Magazine.
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