"Love is beyond either condition: without spring, without autumn, it is always fresh." Rumi
To all our newly engaged couples. Congratulations! Be yourselves and create a wedding that truly reflects who you are together. We hope we inspire you and introduce you to the wonderful world of weddings.
a minute with
What ignited your passion for creating luxury wedding stationery?
Realizing there was a need for completely custom, couture invitations.
I will always want to keep challenging and pushing the limit of what’s 'expected' from a wedding invitation. This is my passion. That means using a combination of interesting materials like plexi, wood, metal, glass, Swarovski crystals and textiles from around the globe. It also means reimagining how the invitation is presented. We can make the invitation itself in the form of a fun viewfinder, jewelry box or really anything our clients desire. This is the fun part and what gets us all out of bed in the morning, the challenge of imagining what does not yet exist and experimenting with ‘different’!
Which designs do you love at the moment?
I love the mix of my soft, hand-painted floral watercolor and foil stamped details (metallic, shiny printing).
I've recently created a few commissioned floral watercolors and the addition of foil stamping as an accent results in a wonderful juxtaposition of soft and intense. I always look to fashion runways for cutting edge inspiration. It's like pairing a beautiful, flowy dress with bold jewels and accessories, it just works and it is a fun, chic balance.
Describe your experiences in working with New York brides.
Our client (especially the New York bride) minds her social graces, even in our ever-changing digital world. She is completely obsessed with design, style, and knows the impression she makes will be a lasting one. The Ceci Bride is a sophisticated, savvy, dynamic woman and is looking to simultaneously simplify and beautify her world. She is busy and craves a trusted expert that 'gets her' and can design an invitation suite that makes her look amazing and impresses her guests. She doesn't necessarily follow trends; she is a trendsetter. She loves to stand out (tastefully, of course) and with Ceci Johnson's help; she will always make the right, one-of-a-kind statement!
What are the key elements to a beautiful wedding invitation suite?
Where do I begin? We are a company for, and about, the endless desire to set yourself apart and be unique in all you do. My team and I go beyond paper and love to create a beautifully, branded experience. Think everything from welcome bags, luggage tags, lounge pillows, fabric draping, banners, personalized favors and more! Of course, we always begin with the core essentials as our base to set the tone, the main invitation, reply set, mailing envelope, information and event cards, dinner menus, thank you sets, place cards and ceremony programs. But, remember, at Ceci New York there really are no limits to what we can create for your wedding.
What advice do you have for couples choosing their wedding stationery?
Commission a talented and reputable invitation designer. That is the first step to making your process easy, fun, creative and in-line with your tastes. Not only do you want an outstanding design to show off to your friends and family, but that’s only fifty percent of the job. The other fifty percent is the service and execution. That’s what sets Ceci New York apart from the rest. We cater to your needs, track all of the tiny details (so you don’t have to) and deliver products that will surely beautify
your world.
Always remain true to your own individual style and the tone that you want to set for the wedding. Go with your gut and what moves you. It’s always right. Remember, this is the first impression your guests will have, so make it a good one! Oh, and get your guest list together as soon as possible. This will affect everything you do so, trust me, it's important to sort out
right away.
What influences your style and unique designs?
Simply put, I'm influenced by the world around me. I'm in the creative center of the world and work alongside some of the most talented people around. How could I not be inspired? Inspiration is everywhere... especially in my travels.
I love to get out and explore new cultures and cities, dive into their art, fashion, design, food... everything! I'm definitely an artist who needs to explore and learn. If I am kept in one place for too long, I go crazy! Plus, every single one of my clients is an inspiration. Simply getting to know them and learning about what makes them unique, where they're from, their culture and what they love is so inspiring. Then I mix it with my own loves and wonderful things happen.
What can a wedding day look when you venture the inner depths of Melbourne and discover a setting that offers a historic, spiritual and dramatic backdrop. Photographer Vanessa Rochelle captures the unique and charming venue Chapel 1885.
Hints of romance, delicacy and undeniable class. Dreaming of Tuscany was created for the lovers who are fantasising of that gorgeous European Wedding.
Heidi, creative director for Quill shares her love of stationery, and shares her advice on creating the perfect invitation. Including those personal touches. She illustrates elements from your day into designs which could be your venue or favourite flower.
Be inspired by the romance of blush palettes, delicate gowns and charm. Captured on the grounds of Potters in Victoria by Collections Photography.
As a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic, couples all over the world are having to make a very difficult, and often heartbreaking, decision to cancel, postpone, or adjust their best-laid wedding plans. We are sharing “Change of Plans" stories and some of those include eloping now with the celebrations to come later.
Ruffles & Bells was born out of love and beauty. We catch up with Founder and Creative Director, Eliska Lam and learn how her passion for art, design and travel became her full time obsession and asked her to share planning advice with couples to be.
Darker tones and the warmth of candle lighting create intimate settings of love at the table. Be inspired by the hauntingly gorgeous shoot capture by Story of Eve.
For lovers of textural minimal style, your natural wedding palette starts here. A setting at Hampton Estate that showcases just what you can do with white on white. Layers of dramatic foliage complimented with glassware, Wedgwood porcelain plates and stoneware. Be inspired naturally!
Capturing the beauty within the surroundings of a greenhouse against the cliffs, this romantic setting slows down time. Inspired by natures own; earthy tones and minimalist styling with a floral palette of burnt blooms inspired by the silhouette of the cliffs, every detail curated to uphold the rich understated beauty which stands in position for a lifetime.
Natural elements and the beauty of yesteryear that inspires a modern classic bride. A slower paced life where things were simpler, and heirlooms were passed down and treasured. ‘Prairie’ encapsulates history not forgotten with sustainable styling. Step back in time with old-world treasures of natural textures and hand picked floral. It's romance set in dust, warm golden tones with hauntingly beautiful shadows.
