‘Expect Nothing Less’ Birthday Invitations
It’s my birthday week and I wanted to share with you the invitations I sent out to friends this year! There’s something to be said about building anticipation into any festivity you host. I’m such an avid proponent of delivering print invitations. I believe it’s a lost art that I’ve found has been swapped with digital efficiency and convenience. Of course time is fleeting and a gathering had is always better than no gathering at all, so no knocks to my evite sending friends. Interestingly, if it’s not worthy of a fun invitation, I usually lean towards no gathering at all. I should probably work on that, ha. But maybe that’s just the Sartorial Host way!
I’ve always been passionate about elevating the care and consideration people feel just knowing that I was thinking of them. For me, it often starts with the invitation. Last year I hosted a pretty spectacular landmark birthday and although this year feels a little underwhelming compared to last, no birthday should feel the shadow of the last! Apparently after delivering this year’s invitations, the response was “I expected nothing less”, which is always nice to hear! So here you go… the ‘Expect Nothing Less’ birthday invitations.
A TALE OF CELEBRATION
Every good print invitation starts with the art of letterpress. Over the years I’ve learned much about this technique and interestingly, back in the day, the true sign of a skilled letterpress printer was to see absolutely no impression. The die blocks were only meant to kiss the surface of the people leaving just the ink behind. But in time the practice and effort of letterpress revealed a different impression that is now a staple in the wedding industry. There is a beauty to the visual tactility that is second to none.
I wanted this year’s invitation to read like a page out of an archaic text, a bit of Shakespearean nuance blended into the details of the event. I found a beautiful wood etching that illustrates a beautiful dinner scene with guests dressed to the nines and I found it only fitting as a depiction of the night to come. I also designed the invitations to incorporate larger text to showcase the impressions of the letterpress. Running my fingers along the textural illustration and text, so good!
Last year’s invitation was wrapped in true silk ribbon placed in a custom linen box. So it wouldn’t be fair to this year’s invitation to merely send it in a mere envelope…
A GLASS BOX
MAKEs EVERYTHING PRETTY
I will be hosting a dinner at Comedor, a modern Mexican restaurant located in downtown Austin. Olson Kundig, the architect, designed a stunning modern black steel and glass structure that houses the restaurant. After deciding on Comedor, I spotted these glass boxes at Ikea and the idea immediately came to me. I loved the idea of setting the invitation in the door of the glass box that swings open to a small bonsai plant. Much like the life we will be bringing to the party at Comedor, this living bonsai brings life to this invitation. Because the letterpress card covers half of the front glass panel, it gives a look into the space without detracting guests from reading the invitation.
IN GROSGRAIN FASHION
I wanted guests to have a few different interactions with the invitation, so it wouldn’t just be me handing them a glass box. I wanted there to be a reveal within a reveal. Cue the black kraft wrapping paper and ribbon. Also, I really just wanted to have custom grosgrain ribbon printed. Having my name on the ribbon is a fun touch and it acts as a calling card to let them know who is sending them the package. It would be a little redundant for me to have a card and envelope on top of what is actually another “envelope” and card invitation, so the ribbon acts in two regards. Now I have tons of yardage of extra ribbon for future pretties.
A gift within a gift within a gift
In addition to the glass box, invitation, and bonsai, I included a fun little instructional book on how to care for bonsai trees. I wrapped them in natural kraft paper and contrasting black waxed cord to coordinate with the overall aesthetic. The books were then placed inside the glass box behind the invitation, so it would only be revealed once guests open the glass door. With this layered invitation, I imagined guests opening each door to reveal a new delight and I don’t think it disappointed!
