There is an invitation waiting to be designed just for you, better than you imagine it could be!" This just about says it all. Elli Bernacchi and her staff offer the finest in personalized service and individualized attention for creating your perfect invitation.

Though she began a custom stationery and imprint business in 1991, Elli realized there was a great void in the invitation industry for unique, custom invitations. With a passion for specialty paper and calligraphy, Elli sought out importers of unique handmade papers, romantic ribbons, and unusual type styles. Her company is built on the idea that clients should be able to feel and touch the actual invitation. Pulling samples together, Elli spends a tremendous amount of time and energy bringing her client’s vision to reality. While working with Elli on several weddings, I could feel her excitement in creating a sample before one’s very eyes. "Assembling an actual piece brings an abstract idea to life for the brides," exclaims Elli.

Her studio is filled with a large selection of handmade, imported, and specialty papers; ribbons, one-of-a-kind or traditional invitations; programs, maps, and exquisite frames. Her line of guest books and photo albums ranges from beautiful, natural flower-embedded covers to elegant silks and brocades. Most of her national and international treasures come from her visits to the annual National Stationery Show in New York, the largest show in the country. She can take a traditional invitation, embellish it with unique paper and ribbon, and create a happy medium between traditional and custom styles. Budget-minded clients can help with production, thereby cutting costs dramatically.

In 1998 her daughter received a fine arts degree from UCLA and does free-lance calligraphy, illustrations, and graphic design for her mother. Elli also has access to a business with a fine letter press. A selection of her invitations is available at Flora in Allied Arts, Menlo Park.
See also: Do-it-yourself invitations

Before you order invitations