Why your wedding invitations should be one of a kind

Please introduce yourself to our readers.

Hello everyone! My name is Jordin. I am the owner & founder of Unica Forma, a wedding stationery and design company based out of Columbus, Ohio. I started this business in 2016 and have been awarded by The Knot and Wedding Wire every year, as well as featured on many popular sites since then. [Junebug Weddings, Black Bride, Wedding Chicks, etc.]

We specialize in completely custom design. We want to create a wedding suite that reflects you and your fiancé individually and as a couple. We started this business to help the people that don’t really know where to begin when it comes to their wedding invitations, but still, want them to be special. Many of our clients have told us that the wedding invitation portion of their planning unexpectedly became their favorite part of the whole process!

How did you start?

I started Unica Forma in 2016 after getting engaged myself. I was searching high and low for Bridal Shower Invitations with no luck. I couldn’t find anything that fit my theme well enough, so I decided to create my own. The feedback I got was incredible, and I even had a few people I knew in real life ask if I could make their wedding invitations. Well, I did and from there my business was born!

My favorite part of the job is getting to design! I love the challenge of blending two personalities + aesthetic to create the perfect invitation suite.

How would you describe your style?

Personal, clean, and inviting. I feel like this describes everything about how I want to be perceived. From my business + invitation work to my clothing and even my home. If you browse our website or ever visit my home, you will find personal touches everywhere. I try to add these subtly and not crowd a space, but still, create a space that I love. I want every facet of my life to feel inviting. I want people to know that they can talk to me, trust me and count on me.

Are there things that differentiate you?

Big box retailers vs. us don’t compare. We don’t have the same clientele. We design for the people who want invitations who are unique to them, that are one-of-a-kind and a reflection of their big day. We work one on one with our couples throughout the entire process. I pride myself in my customer service and my attention to detail. This is not something you could get from Minted, Shutterfly, etc.

I think it is imperative for couples to talk to multiple different vendors for their wedding day. You want to find someone who is a good fit. You don’t want to have to worry about the things you hired other people to do. Meet with the vendors, online or in person. Look up their previous work, read their reviews. Really get a feel for the company to make sure it’s a good fit. This is the biggest day of your life, and everything should be perfect!

Which portion of the process keeps you busy the most, and what takes the most energy?

Well, the assembly and packaging take the most time. All of the hands-on work takes hours per suite, but I have an intern that handles all of that right now! Thank goodness :)

The designing is what takes the most energy for me. I have to really be in the zone and ready to work on a new project before diving in. If there is ever a point where I’m not feeling it, or feel overwhelmed with the administration side of the business, I know that I won't produce my best creative work. So, I don’t. If other things distract me, I will address them first, that way when I’m designing, I am fully focused.

What are some of the most innovative wedding invitation cards?

We recently did a suite that included an antique stained handmade paper that was pretty cool! We also have been doing quite a few acrylic suites lately! (They are so hard to photograph, but they’re stunning!) We love trying new things, so if any readers want to test my abilities, please do!! :)

What do you need to include in a wedding invitation?

We actually wrote an entire blog post about this a couple of years ago! The basics: you need to include your names, the wedding location and time on the main card. Whether you’re doing traditional RSVPs or having your guests online there NEEDS to be a deadline date. This could end up being your biggest wedding planning headache if you don’t include it. All the other things that are included are based on your preference.

What quote can I write on my wedding invitation cards?

We can include anything you want! We have included bible verses, movie quotes, song lyrics, etc. in subtle and very loud ways on invitations. With our work being custom, the possibilities are endless!

What was the most difficult request you have handled?

Back in 2016 we had our first ever foil stamping order. I was still very new in my business and didn’t know the proper way to format my files for foiling. I ended up having to take a Skillshare class (use this link for 2 months free!) to figure out how to correctly submit my file! Since then we have done tons of foiling/letterpress orders, but the first one was very daunting!

Was there ever a time you had to improvise?

Absolutely! Our most popular design for 2017 and 2018 caused our paper mill to RUN OUT or burgundy pockets. They literally ran out of all of their burgundy paper, so we had to come up with a couple of different solutions that way our clients were still pleased with the outcome. Some opted for our Mars colored pockets (a little more purple than red tone), others chose our laser cut options that we had in stock. All in all, we gave them about 7 different options and didn’t end with any unhappy customers!