roses on my table

I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck.
Emma Goldman

Elsje Designs in Bloemfontein on 6 August 2010

To book a consultation on 6 August, please phone Linnett on 021-9767111 or email art@elsje.co.za.


Trendspotting: Vintage Visions

The vintage trend is here to stay. This collage from Elsje Designs will prove that going vintage is a fabulous opportunity to try something old with a modern twist.

Vintage design elements can add interest to your wedding stationery. Many of these are old patterns or antique artwork but incorporated in a fresh new way. 19th century old English images are integrated with today's hottest colours, to create a must-have stationery look, and damask, crochet and lace patterns have taken the wedding industry by storm. When combined with just the right font, these patterns mix the old with the new, and become truly show stopping!

There are several ideas to create the mood for a vintage-inspired wedding. One of the popular choices at the moment is retro save the date or wedding post cards. Not only does this make for easy mailing, but Post Cards are cost effective, fun and something different. To complement the vintage style, we often suggest the use of a signature silhouette, whether it's a bird perched on a branch or a woodsy scene of trees with a romantic Victorian couple, silhouettes are becoming an invite classic. These shadowy designs give a refined yet whimsical touch to wedding stationery. An Elsje Designs classic is the vintage chic stitched invitation featuring vintage illustrations like old bicycles, colonial african elements, old calligraphy or ornate frames, botanical artwork etc.

For more ideas on vintage save the date cards, invitations, thank you cards, menus, order of service, rsvp and place cards, please subscribe to our blog www.elsjedesigns.blogspot.com to receive regular eye candy or visit www.elsje.co.za for more information.

Inspirational video clip on the calligraphy of Massimo Pollelo

Massimo Polello - Latest Works 2010 from Photophilla on Vimeo.

Nana-Mari and Follie's big day!

written by Nana-Mari, a bride that got married recently:
I was a very fortunate bride all around, everything was effortless and beautiful because I had the best wedding planner who provided me with the best service providers one can ask for. And one of those, were Elsje Designs. I knew exactly the look I wanted, but didn’t really know how to put it all together. But and after a short meeting and some descriptive words (like ‘glamorous, heavy, theatrical, black, patterns’ etc). They knew exactly what I wanted and I never had a worry since! Not only did they know, they were also very excited about it! I think because my choice of stationary and the whole theme of the wedding were a little bit different. Where normally a bride would say: ‘white’, I would say: ‘black’. This could be a risky business!! But they designed it perfectly. From invitations to menus to church pamphlets, our monogram, ‘thank you’ gift boxes, our favourite poem on a big banner, even beautiful fans that had to be brought in at the last minute due to the heat! It was all just perfect! I never had to change a design because I maybe didn’t like it, as the whole theme was pulled right through in exactly the style and feel I wanted. And of course, the service was impeccable.

I think it is very important to have the right stationery at your wedding. It really sets the tone of the whole event. The moment your guests open their invitation, you are giving them a hint, an idea, of what you have dreamed up for your day. And also, it gives away what type of person you are, what type of wedding you are going to have. It’s almost like… a signature, on every page of your day. YOUR signature, on YOUR day.

Elsje Designs really helped us put our signature on our wedding day! THANK YOU!!

Nana-Mari van Zyl

The wedding planner:
Izandi van Wyk, I do, mobile 084 405 7449, email izandi.ido@gmail.com

The photographer:
Ryan Graham, mobile 083 602 9888, email ryan@rgphotography.co.za
website http://ryangraham.bigfolioblog.com

Clever concept: Portable and compact office

tim vinke: kruikantoor

Card of the week: Glam puzzle 21st invitation

Trendspotting: succulents

Schalk and Huibre's wedding rings.

Photo credit: Ian Mitchinson [info@ianmitchinson.com]

Trendspotting: succulents!

The latest trend! An Elsje Designs favourite - wonderful to see how beautifully they’re being used in wedding decor and be an exceptional gift for your guests too! Aside from being hardy (no worries about them wilting!), they are beautiful to photograph and work well with so many wedding styles: modern, rustic or classic.

Order the indigenous aloe vera from our www.elsje.co.za online shop - I can't imagine a better gift to give to your guests!

Visual inspiration from Gia, Flights of Fancy [gia@paperdollsdesign.com]

Bride of the Year 2010

As always, the SA Weddings Bride of the Year 2010 event was a show-stopping event, held at Val de Vie Polo and Wine Estate in Paarl. Elsje Designs was proud to contribute to this fabulous affair with invitations, festive goodie bag tags, VIP place cards and a fun Q&A board for the finalists.

You're invited to our studio

Book your consultation for your social stationery now and receive two beautiful gifts to make your celebration or wedding planning much easier:

• this gorgeous guide will give you handy hints; tell you what's in and what's hot for your stationery; our favourite favours and lots of visual treats

• and a "to do" notebook to help you tick off your tasks as your big date is drawing closer: Eg when to mail your invitations, when to start with your stationery-on-the-day etc.

You are invited to book your creative brainstorming session with me, during which we discuss your wedding or celebration and I will personally guide you to create an unforgettable day. We look forward to creating your special social signature!

Please phone 021 976 7111 if you would like to make an appointment - weekdays during 9am and 6pm or on Saturday, 17 June (we are normally closed on Saturdays) at R300.

A consultation is normally an hour, but we are more than happy if you want to stay longer!

...and for those whom live far - please visit our online shop!