We’ve been waiting for this debut for a while! When we heard that Jessica Williams, owner of J. Amber Creative, was releasing her latest invitation designs, we couldn’t wait to see the new additions. What’s especially great about J. Amber Creative is that her designs, while brand-spanking-new, are instant classics. They embody all that’s fresh and modern but have a way of being timeless at the same time. How she pulls off that feat time and time again, we’ll never know. But give us more!
J. Amber Creative offers two options when it comes to your wedding invitations: ready-to-order (simply choose your favorite look and customize with your text) or custom (start from zero and let Jessica design something 100% you). If you find one (or more like many) that you love, you can simply place an order or, if you like her designs but want something a bit different, she’ll work with you on a custom look. You can’t go wrong either way.
Back to her new line of invitations. Jessica has designed each suite with a specific bride in mind. Read my interview with Jessica below and see if that bride is you!
Do your new invitation designs reflect current trends or classic looks?
Most of my designs, including these, are a blend of classic style and trends, with more emphasis on the classic. I always want my designs to have a certain timelessness, so that they are just as beautiful 10 years from now as they are today. I tend not to rely too heavily on trends, but instead create designs that feel fresh and unique.
What type of wedding couple does this invitation complement (style, color, paper)?
For the Dotted invitation suite (white invitation with chartreuse dots and a solid chartreuse enclosure card), I wanted to create something that felt very modern, but still held on to a certain timelessness. I envision this design being used by a couple that’s full of tasteful, modern style. This invitation features a unique serif font for the names, and the bright color and elegant ampersand add an unexpected pop of personality. For this invitation, I see an unexpected location with a city-feel, like the Country Music Hall of Fame.
The Floral Frame invitation suite (navy + pale lavender florals) has soft, almost antique florals, contrasted against more modern and elegant fonts. This was an existing design that got a facelift at the request of a wedding stylist who wanted something less casual. I paired classic navy with soft lavender for a romantic and sophisticated look. I envision this invitation used for a garden wedding, or an elegant setting like The Cordelle.
The Deco invitation suite (aqua) was created with the intention of letting the names take complete center stage. It has updated art deco subtleties, using unique font pairings with a slightly more casual feel. This friendly invitation would be perfectly suited to a wedding at a cool, industrial vibe like Houston Station.
The Monochrome suite is one of my classic designs that also focuses on the couple’s names in an elegant calligraphy script. This invitation is beautiful in almost any color, and works equally well in letterpress or foil printing. It has a versatile beauty that can take it from an outdoor farm wedding to a beautiful hotel setting. I wanted to create a romantic invitation that wasn’t too over-the-top and wasn’t too frilly for the guys.
The Organic invitation suite shown was personalized for an actual bride who was also a photographer. As a photographer, she wanted to include a photo of the two of them. So we flooded the back with a full photo, which actually works really well since the invitations are a 5×7 size. Guests could frame it if they wanted. It’s a bit hard to tell in the photo, but this invitation features a delicate vintage illustration of a flower in the background. The bride wanted an invitation that wasn’t too formal or fussy, but still had a timeless feel. Their reception was held at a local barista parlor and ended up being the coolest setting I’ve seen!
The final photo is of a custom wedding program and menu I created for a bride that wanted to incorporate calligraphy and delicate floral details. I partnered with Elizabeth Hardin of HardInk Calligraphy for that amazing lettering. This was for a country club wedding in Connecticut, and it fit her style perfectly. I included this image because many brides forget about day-of paper goods. We do everything from programs and menus to place cards and signs.
Which is your favorite design in the collection? Why?
My favorite design is probably the Dotted suite. I base all of my designs on unique font pairings – I am constantly on the search for unusual fonts that fit my aesthetic, and this is a great example of that. I see this being used by a wide variety of couples. Even though I created it with a modern vibe, I think it could be very versatile, depending on the colors used. Soften the colors to a mint green, and you have a beautiful springtime look.
That’s my favorite of your new designs too! What’s the price range for the invitation suites?
Our basic invitation suite starts at $485 for 50 pieces, and includes the invitation, RSVP card, enclosure card, and envelopes. We have a wide variety of options for personalizing/customizing your suite with options like color envelopes, belly bands, and more. We have additional printing options of letterpress and foil printing – both of which are stunning and are sure to make an impression on your guests.
How much customization is available?
In terms of customization, your imagination is the limit. I love working with brides on entirely custom invitations. In fact my favorite design is the one created when the bride has “no idea what she wants.” I sit down with her and go over the things she does like and work to create an invitation that really fits her personality and style of the event. When I show her the proofs, and she says it’s “exactly what she was looking for,” it’s such a rewarding feeling to know I helped her find the perfect invitation to announce her most important day. I also work with existing designs and personalize them to your taste – adjusting colors, fonts, even adding a monogram. I provide all my brides with an invitation guide, paper samples, color swatches and more, so that we can work together to create the perfect paper goods.
Last but certainly not least, who was the photographer for your recent invitation shoot?
Ashley Posthuma of Photography Anthology. She is so amazing and possibly the most kindhearted person I know!
