There’s no greater feeling than receiving a gift that’s been thoughtfully made just for you. In the magical world of weddings, one of the most meaningful gestures you can offer your guests is a personalised, handmade invitation that brings instant joy. To explore how these unique creations leave a lasting impression, Melbourne Wedding & Bride’s Josephine Day sits down with Lesley Tsourdalakis, proud business owner and graphic designer at Personally Invited, to talk all things wedding invitations.
Lesley has been immersed in the world of weddings from a young age, beginning her journey as a hairdresser before discovering her passion for graphic design. “I always loved the buzz and energy of weddings when young, getting caught up in the excitement of the day, doing hair and making brides look their best. But I prefer the comparative calm of a more peaceful design studio these days,” she reflects. While studying graphic design, Lesley discovered a deep affinity for typography and fell in love with the art of printing. “There is something very timeless about using exactly the right tone of language, beautifully laid out on gorgeous cardstock, so I guess it was a natural progression to move into this field,” she continues.
Personally Invited is a boutique stationery business in Melbourne’s leafy north, built on the joy of celebrating life’s milestones. Lesley’s vision remains unwavering, adding a touch of magic to every occasion through thoughtfully designed, handcrafted invitations. “At Personally Invited, we have built our small business through relationships. We pride ourselves on our communication and the ability to form rapport with our customers. Our couples have the luxury of working with one designer the whole way through their process rather than being transferred from one member of the team to another.”
Image courtesy of Personally Invited
LOVE IN PRINT
Whether a mother-of-the-bride or a lifelong friend, every wedding guest deserves to feel one-of-a kind and truly valued – so why not treat them to a five star experience from the very beginning? For Lesley, this sentiment lies at the heart of every custom invitation she designs. “The design process is a collaborative time between myself and the couple – envisioning what they would like, and the tone they are setting for their whole day through their choices.” She thrives on getting to know her clients, their story, and their vision. As a self-described perfectionist, she carefully checks every detail and finds joy in adding personal touches and handcrafted embellishments that make each suite uniquely reflective of the couple. Most couples already have a vision for their wedding before approaching the design stage, which helps Lesley refine the finer details – from colour schemes and fonts to imagery and wording – to create an overall cohesive story.
Above all else, Lesley believes that when a guest receives an invitation, they should feel genuinely loved and welcomed. “When guests take the time to let the couple know that they loved receiving an invitation, it sets them up for success while they plan the many other things that need to be done before their wedding day,” she says. “If guests are to comment favourably about the quality, colours or themes of invitations, I believe our couples bask in the knowledge that their guests think they have great taste and made good choices that reflect their style.”
MAKING A STATEMENT
As with many things, it’s the fine details that make the most lasting impression – and this is something that Lesley takes great pride in. From textures and layers to specialty finishes, every design choice is deliberate and impactful. “If an invitation can appeal to a person’s sense of touch in addition to sight, it is bound to leave a more lasting impression,” she states.
Personally Invited uses only the finest cardstocks in Australia – ranging from delicate translucents to luxurious, weighty papers. Elevated print effects like letterpress, foiling, and embossing add to the feeling of luxury. For couples seeking a truly luxe look, Lesley recommends full invitation suites with layered elements such as RSVP cards, wishing wells and detailed cards. Additions like monogram cut-outs, prose reveals, name tags and intriguing shapes all work together to create unique and memorable designs. Even lush silk or velvet ribbons can raise the elegance factor.
When it comes to trends, Lesley says simplicity done well never goes out of style. “Lush colours, interesting fonts and the introduction of different invitations.” Hand drawn elements, delicate bows and venue illustrations – especially of historic buildings – remain popular. She also notes the enduring charm of shaped cards, which bring a sense of fun and cohesion to a couple’s entire wedding stationery suite.
FINESSE FINISHES
Understanding the style and tone of a couple’s wedding is a crucial step in ensuring every element – from the ceremony to the stationery – feels cohesive and intentional. That’s why Lesley works closely and collaboratively with each couple to bring their unique vision to life.
Whether it’s an intimate city elopement or a grand celebration surrounded by nature, each wedding has its own mood, and Lesley ensures the invitations reflect that. “Through communicating with our customers every step of the way, we can get a deep sense of the type of day they have planned,” she says. Pinterest boards and inspiration images often help guide the aesthetic, allowing her to design with confidence and clarity. “We send proofs, take photos of things which we believe will enhance their choices and send stock/ print samples if needed, working backwards and forwards to refine their choices until they are 100 percent happy with the outcome.”
Personally Invited also offers a range of existing designs to suit a wide variety of styles. Whether it’s a bold colour palette, a sketch drawn by the groom, or lyrics from a shared favourite song, Lesley believes that the little, personal touches make all the difference. “If we have made items that the couple love, we know we have done our job in bringing their vision into full fruition.”