FashionBride Interview with Patricia of Cre8ive Invitations

It’s impossible to work in this field and not to have certain favourites, of course you like everyone and appreciate every individual piece, but there are a few people who you simply can’t help but like. Patricia, the owner of Cre8ive Invitations, is exactly that type of person.

Her absolute love for her work and her incredible talent make you love every piece she signs. To my delight Patricia accepted the invitation of answering my FashionBride questionnaire. Here is the result! Enjoy!

When did you decide to become a designer & why did you find this domain interesting?

I was designing and creating invitations for family and friends for years as a hobby before it became my full-time career. I have always been passionate for all things paper plus great design. As a child I loved to collect notebooks, diary’s, paper dolls – anything paper. So after leaving corporate life in the fall of 2004, I knew I needed to combine my two favourite things; 1) love of paper & 2 ) unique design. During my research, I noticed very little had changed since choosing invitations for my own wedding more than 20 years ago. I am now one of the fortunate few where my passion is my job.

Talk us through the first years of your work. Maybe you could tell us what did change in time? Are your designs different from the very beginning?

Our first years were exciting – everything was new! New life experiences, new vendors, new clients. I was gratified to find the invitations that I had created ‘for fun’ over the years were embraced by all. The buzz & word of mouth generated by my first clients reinforced to me that I was indeed on the right track. Many of those very first clients are still clients today!

Our designs remain unique, elegant and fun, but we’ve been able to offer much more since our beginning; brilliant Swarovski Crystals, elegant Glass beaded Papers, unique textures and eye-popping embellishments. Elements sourced from all over the world.

Why should a bride-to-be choose one of your designs?

If a bride-to-be is looking for truly unique design coupled with stunning papers & embellishments, then we can help. Our designs are fresh & original and strike an emotional chord with our clients – both bride & groom-to-be alike. They arrive for their first consultation unsure & perhaps a little overwhelmed by the list of pre-wedding ‘to-do’s’. But they leave our studio with incredible excitement knowing that their invitation will truly set their event in motion & IGNITE EXCITEMENT to their big day.

Do tell us a bit more about your inspiration sources.

Inspiration for our designs sometimes come from the most unusual places. For instance, a series of events posted on a white board during an FBI TV show triggered the creation of our very popular “Time Line”. Our clients love them! We incorporate icons, dates/times & a brief description of the event along a time-line. At a glance, guests can see exactly what is happening where & when.

Inspiration is everywhere – travel, nature, architecture, interior design & so much more.

Have you got any piece you’ve created that has special meaning for you? Can you describe it or can you show us a picture?

One of my favorite pieces is an invitation I created following a trip to Paris, France. I fell in love with the city. The language, the lifestyle, the romance & of course the iconic Eiffel Tower. We created a square invitation with soft, romantic feathers. On the cover we added a shaker box brimming with faux pearls & micro beads that move around & ‘shake‘. Within the shaker box is an image of the Eiffel Tower at the end of a long tree-lined path. We added a brilliant Swarovski Crystal accent to the tip of the tower for added glamour.

As it turns out, we’re not the only one that loved how this invitation turned out.
It’s currently featured in;

• WedLuxe Magazine – The Daydream Issue – Toronto & Eastern Canada, Summer/Fall 2010
• Elegant Wedding Magazine – Toronto, Volume 2, 2010 – 2011
• image attached

From your point of view, what should a perfect wedding be like?

A ‘perfect wedding’ can be different things to different people. Some may like a party or night club atmosphere, others may prefer a casual backyard gathering under the stars, while some couples may prefer a cocktail party feel with comfortable seating & soft music. Regardless of the mood or theme you want to create, continuity is key. Keep your chosen theme consistent. Pay special attention to the details of your chosen theme and you’ll be guaranteed a day that you and your guests will never forget.

Tell us what would you offer and, maybe, other brands can’t.

Cre8ive Invitations is founded on two key principles; provide a unique product with outstanding Customer Service. From the first moment a bride contacts us whether through a referral, our website [ www.cre8iveinvitations], Twitter [Twitter.com/Cre8iveInvite] or print media, our ability to engage with & earn a client’s trust is foremost in our minds.

We have been told by Event Planners & Brides alike that from the very first consultation where themes, colours & visions come to life, to the very last Thank You card we create following their event, we were always there to consult, guide, recommend & create an unforgettable product with an exceptional vendor experience.

Last but not least, do you have any advice for FashionBride readers?

Have fun & enjoy the planning & preparation of your big day. Planning a wedding is for most, the biggest event they will ever organize. But all too often the ‘fun’ is lost among the long ‘to-do’ lists. Remember to allow yourself plenty of time & have fun along the way !!