One reason we opened the studio was to give brides an up close and personal look at all things weddings: dresses, linens, floral, stationery, etc. It helps to touch and see and experiment with these things in person, and Debra Saba of Luxe Expressions makes experimenting with stationery oh-so-fun! Debra specializes in letterpress designs and printing methods (when the words and art are actually pressed down into the paper instead of just being inked on) and does the best custom artwork. I asked her a few questions and learned about this ex-jet-setting stationery designer!
Q: Why did you join StudioWed?
Debra: I was only 1 year into living in Georgia when I joined StudioWed. Not new to design or my company, just new to Georgia. My husband’s career took us from LA, to Charlotte, NC, to Georgia in the span of 3 years time and so I had to quickly merge myself into this group of talented Southern design and event world and so StudioWed was truly a blessing. I joined when it first opened its doors and I am here to stay.
Q: Why do you love working with brides?
Debra: From a business perspective, I used to be a Project Manager for a consulting firm and most of my clients were going through merger and acquisitions and so I had years of working with grumpy folks to say the least. I know love working with clients that are coming to me because they are HAPPY! They have a Happy Bride (or Groom) to be glow about them. I adore it.
Q: What’s your favorite trend happening in stationery?
Debra: There are a lot of trends but utilizing hand calligraphy into the invitation and having them letterpress printed gives the invites a WOW factor. I work with one of the best Master Hand Calligraphers to accomplish this.
Q: Do you service events other than weddings?
Debra: Yes of course. We offer baby invitations, social cards, corporate literature, and bar/bat mitzvah invitations. We also offer some “design only” but only take a few of those projects a month.
Q: What is your favorite quote?
Here’s a tidbit about me, I collect quotes. I know it sounds odd, but I have hundreds of them. I snag them form people’s email address, from those who sent them to me, etc. This is one of my favorites: “Every man’s life ends the same way. It is only the details of how he lived and how he died that distinguish one man from another. “ — Ernest Hemingway
Q: If you could get remarried today, what would your color scheme be?
Debra: Yellow and Gray. I love this combo.
Q: What is your favorite Atlanta attraction?
Debra: The Aquarium followed by boating on Lake Allatoona.
Q: Did you have another career before going into the wedding industry?
Debra: Sure did, consulting/project management. I got my degree in journalism with a minor in graphic design….had planned to work for a magazine in Chicago but worked a summer job as a beverage cart driver at a golf club before graduation….met the owner of the consulting firm and got sucked in. I loved every minute of it but got tired of the travel. I was what was called “90 percent utilized” meaning I was in a plane going somewhere 90 percent of the year….I was single, to say the least. I now LOVE LOVE LOVE what I do, and would never leave the wedding industry.
Stationery really can set a good event apart from an exceptional event, and the designers at the studio are so awesome at what they do. Thanks, Debra!
Click here to find out how you can win a custom monogram from Luxe Expressions or another StudioWed stationery designer. A free engagement session from a StudioWed photographer is up for grabs, too, so check it out!