What would you do differently if you could do your wedding all over again? That’s the question Ashley Rosebrook and Maureen Meyer asked themselves when they set out to design their own wedding invitation line. The designers, who met at Aveda and have worked with brands like Vera Wang and Victoria’s Secret, found they were inspired not by traditional bridal magazines, but by bold, trend-setting editorial fashion design. Combining this aesthetic with the capabilities of today’s state-of-the-art digital printing, Rosebrook Meyer was born.
![Erin Invite](http://www.feltandwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Erin-Invite.jpg)
When Ashley Rosebrook got married, she says she fell in love with a blush-colored 1930s vintage gown — which she had tailored by a master pattern maker. Business partner Maureen Meyer chose to wear her mother’s 1960s gown, restyled to suit her more modern aesthetic. So it’s not surprising that the wedding invitation suites they have created are as fresh, modern and individualistic as their personal styles. Three words you simply won’t find in the Rosebrook Meyer lexicon: off the rack. The 28 designs, available exclusively at rosebrookmeyer.com, were created for fashion-forward couples who are seeking something completely new and unique.Alison invitation
Ashley and Maureen, tell us about yourselves and your new wedding invitation line.
We have a history of working in the fashion and beauty worlds and both worked for Esteé Lauder’s Aveda Corporation. Ashley designed and launched home collections for Vera Wang, Donna Karan, Calvin Klein and Gucci. Maureen worked for Victoria’s Secret Beauty and went on to build the branding for fashion startup Martin & Osa. Our work in these worlds has greatly influenced the aesthetics of Rosebrook Meyer. When researching the market, we were shocked by the lack of newness or inspiring options for brides. Though there were some companies doing beautiful invitations, the formats and papers all looked the same and most were letterpressed. We started to think of a wedding more as a fashion industry event or gallery opening. We wanted to create invitations that would inspire recipients and build excitement around the event. June invitation
This is a wedding invitation — with full-color photography?
Yes, as we learned more about emerging digital print technologies, we realized we could do some really interesting, unique formats that are different from what’s out there. For example: photographic printing; two-sided, double-thick paper-stock; and a variety of paper textures — linen, eggshell and pearlized finishes. We also incorporated more traditional techniques, like duplexing, to make the invitations super thick. We created our Sensuous collection around this photographic capability. Our thinking was that these designs could set the floral theme for the entire wedding, so it all ties together.
Jaqueline Invitation
Weddings are taking place in gallery spaces and lofts now, in addition to churches and gardens. We provide a variety of options so couples can find a look that truly coordinates with their event, as well as their styles and personalities. The traditional, letterpressed, centered-script invitation is not a one-size-fits-all option — it simply doesn’t work for a wedding that will take place in a modern space. We are encouraging brides to be consistent with the style of their event. Don’t be afraid to be different! Belle invitationWhere did your inspiration come from?
Particularly because we live in New York City, we knew there are very stylish couples out there looking for more impactful ways to announce the most important day of their lives. We started by imagining what we would want if we could “do it all over” today. We pored through stacks of new and old fashion publications and were inspired by interesting, large-scale typography as well as the different personalities that live within fashion, from more classic and demure all the way to very edgy, couture collections. On a personal level, Ashley and I bring a mix of styles to the table. She tends toward antique/vintage and I toward modern/clean, as was evidenced at each of our weddings. That juxtaposition of new and old is the heart of our brand, as you can see in the styled photography — which Ashley shot!
Sensuous mood board {mood board details are at article's end}
Sophisticated mood board
![RM_web_avantgarde](http://www.feltandwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/FW_MOODBOARDag2.jpg)
Avant-Garde mood board
How did you decide to name the invitations?Mia, Megan, Ellen, Eliza, Alison — naming the invitations was our way of giving each one a personality. We went as far as to select dresses (none of which were traditional wedding gowns), flowers and china for most of them. We put together inspiration boards for each of our categories — Sophisticated, Avant-garde, Glamorous, Classic and Sensuous — that we used internally to make sure we were really channeling that particular style. We must admit they are gorgeous!
![FW_MIA](http://www.feltandwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/FW_MIA.jpg)
Mia invitation
Some companies use patterns and motifs to set their invitations apart; we use typography. We had a lot of fun “playing” with the type in an abstract, artful way— using overlays, larger scales, deconstructing the type, etc. As we mentioned, we had both always been inspired by this “typography as art” tendency in fashion mags. Katya invitation
The print quality is incredible. How do you print your invitations?
Our invitations are printed at Hennegan on an HP Indigo digital press. This technology has come so far in recent years! It is really the advancements in digital print technology and the papers made specifically for these machines that enabled us to create this business. And we needed the quality and attention to detail that Hennegan is known for to be in the luxury market. Tell us about the lusciously thick paper stocks you’ve chosen.
We use Mohawk Superfine Eggshell and Via Linen. We had so much fun with the linen! It looks so modern in ultra-white. Both of these papers offer a level of luxury only recently available in digital print technology. And our envelopes are Superfine Eggshell 100 lb. text, so they feel quite premium.
![FW_ASHLEY](http://www.feltandwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/FW_ASHLEY.jpg)
We looked at colors in fashion and provided a range to give people options. We edited the full color palette for each suite in terms of what we think looks best as well as to yield the best print quality. Your sample kit is unique. Who should order one, what does it cost, and how does the process work?
It is important to note that we exist solely online. This can be intimidating for brides, as they are used to being able to touch/feel the paper types and see the color palette in person. So we designed a sample kit that is available on our website for $15, including shipping. It arrives in 2–3 days and includes all the elements a bride would otherwise see in the store: paper options, color palette and print quality. Online shopping and networking is the way of the world now, and so we wanted to provide that convenience for brides. If a bride falls in love with three our four of the designs and wants to “try them on” like she might a gown, is that possible? Is there any way to preview the look?
In cases like this, we typically speak directly with the bride first. In special instances, we will send the customer three sample layouts using their names.
![FW_MEGAN](http://www.feltandwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/FW_MEGAN.jpg)
This changes from day to day, as we love what we do. Today, Ashley would choose Megan {above} because she loves the mix of the large scale serif type with the ultramodern format. A bit of old and new, classic and modern. I also love the chocolate color. Maureen would choose Elena {below} because it is so unique. I love the interesting formats — horizontal for the invite and square for the save-the-date — and the incredibly clean and bold-but-elegant typography. I would probably do it in a soft black and design the whole wedding around that — a chic mix of black, white, ivory and greys.
![Elena](http://www.feltandwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Elena.jpg)
Rosebrook Meyer offers sophisticated wedding invitations and related materials that use cutting-edge production methods, all available through the convenience of a seamless, online ordering system. Custom designs are available. All items in the line, with the exception of pearl papers and vellum overlays, are printed on Mohawk papers.
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Sensuous Mood Board:
From left to right: Rosebrook Meyer “Jaqueline” invitation, Lanvin dress, Rosebrook Meyer “Ella” save-the-date, Valentino dress, Classic Century Dinnerware by Eva Zeisel, Donna Karan dress, J. Mendel dress, Chloé dress, Jars dinnerware, Rosebrook Meyer “Brianne” invitation, Juliska glass.
Sophisticated Mood Board:
From left to right: Rosebrook Meyer “Erin” invitation, I Gotici Torse glasses, Donna Karan dresses, Rosebrook Meyer “Mia” save-the-date, Gucci dress, Chanel dress, Cynthia Steffe dress, Rosebrook Meyer “Alison” invitation, Narciso Rodriguez dress, Vera Wang top, Alice Goldsmith plate.
Avant- Garde Mood Board:
From left to right: Rosebrook Meyer “Wren” invitation, Chado Ralph Rucci Dress, Hervé Leger by Max Azria dress, Rosebrook Meyer “Ashley” invitation, Narciso Rodriguez dress, Rosebrook Meyer “Wren” save-the-date, Nason & Moretti glasses, Bottega Veneta dress, Crate and Barrel “Edge” champagne flutes, Rosebrook Meyer “Elena” invitation, Narciso Rodriguez dress, J.L. Coquet plate.
All copy (c) Felt & Wire, Photos courtesy of Rosebrook Meyer.
All copy (c) Felt & Wire, Photos courtesy of Rosebrook Meyer.
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