About Celebration Sesign Studio - invitation specialist

Interview with Jo Westaway

"Jo, how did you get into designing?"
"I love designing. I love creating. I love beautiful things. That's me to a tee! I'm very fortunate that all the paths I've walk down in life have led me to this point where I work and design in an area I absolutely love.

After graduating with a degree in graphic design from Griffith University, I've worked for some of Brisbane's leading graphic design studios, public relation firms and government departments. In 1996 I went out on my own and started a graphic studio. Somewhere along the path my design focus changed from corporate to personal design specialising in invitations and event stationery for weddings, engagements, birthdays and babies. In 2007 I re-named and re-branded my business to Celebration Design Studio : invitations and design for love, life and little ones."

"So you started out designing for corporate clients, why did you specialise in designing invitations?"
"Unlike so many in my industry, I did-not go into business after making my own wedding invitations and then try and turn it into a job. It was my corporate graphic design clients who approached me to design their engagement and wedding invitations. They then spread the word and it ended up that I was designing invitation and event stationery full time. They were telling me through their bookings, their testimonials and their referrals, this is the direction I should take my business [the client is always right, right!].

I do enjoy graphic design work, but I love, really love designing and creating personal stationery.
Mind you if you are looking for business graphics, give me a call, I can help with this too!"

"We love your invitation designs, but what sets you apart from all the other invitation businesses?"
"We are different because we offer a range of pre-designed ready-to-order invitations with our Celebration Range.
And for those looking for something unique, one-of-kind or just can't find it anywhere designs, we also have our Custom Design Service. Having both means that no matter what your style, budget, timeframe is we can create you the perfect invitation."

"OK Jo, this all sounds so wonderful, but it all seems expensive.
Are we going to be able to afford it?"
"Absolutely, you can afford it! As you can see with our Celebration Range, we offer a diverse range that covers all budgets. Our range starts with gorgeous printed invitations from under $5.00 to the other end of the budget spectrum where we have multi-layered, hand assembled, ornately embellished and folded invitations.

Our Custom Design Service also covers all budgets. You're right to think some of our designs look expensive. Yes, we do get to create invitations involving luxurious embellishments, detailed illustrative work and luxurious production techniques like embossing and die-cutting. And you're right to think that these can cause the cost to rise. But, we also have created custom designed invitations that cost similar to our Celebration Range invitations. How can we do this? It's about meeting your needs: your design needs, your event needs and your budget needs too."

"Who do you work best with?"
"Great question! I work best with couples that want their invitations to be a conversation piece that evoke excitement for their guest. If you want your invitations to capture your desired look and feel and be as individual as you are, then we’ll work great together! If you want to see innovative and memorable invitations – whether glamorous as a red carpet, spectacular as a glittering gala, as formal as a black tie affair or peaceful as a stroll on the beach, I’m your designer!  If you expect to experience individual attention and exceptional service, we’ll be great."

"Who is not going to benefit for your services?"
"Now, that is a tough one!  I would love to be able to help everyone in designing their wedding invitations, but not everyone will truly appreciate what I can offer.  Some people think that an invitation is nothing more than a piece of paper that simply outlines the time, date and venue of your wedding.  My services will be of little benefit to these people as they may not recognise that an invitation not only provides information but it makes statement about you.

Also, I cannot help someone who wants to make a DIY invitation.  If you are DIYing because you love paper crafts and know what you are doing – go for it and enjoy it! However if your not craft inclined, computer savvy and very steady handed, or if you are choosing DIY because you think it will save you money, please read my blog on ‘The true cost of DIY invitations’ before you go any further.  If nothing more, at least you will know what’s involved."

"Do we need to meet to have our wedding invitations created?"
"No, we don't need to meet, we can do all our communication over the phone, via email and fax. We do love to meet with our clients, but this isn't always possible or practical - many of our couples are form out-of-town or interstate. Celebration Design Studio has worked with local customers of Brisbane, Ipswich, Caboolture, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast customers that we have never seen face to face. We have also worked with customers all across Australia from Townsville, down to Hobart and from Sydney across to Adelaide and Perth. Got to love technology!"

"I have definite design ideas and know exactly what I want.
Will I lose control if you are creating my invitations for me?"
"That’s great if you know what you want. You obviously have done lots of research and planning already.
As a professional designer, I know how important it is to work with my couples to help them achieve what they need. So if you know what you want, then that is what we can do. Of course if what you want is another designer’s design, I cannot copy their work, however we can use their designs as inspiration to springboard us to create something just for you.

May I just add here for the couples who are listening and who don't know what they want or who want to explore the options. We'll take the time to get to know you, and understand your style, taste and personality.
We then look at or help you define the tone for your event. Together we look at shapes, styles, colors,
layouts, fonts, embellishments, paper and card choices and wording options.
Some inspiration starting points to consider, and helpful in the design process are:

• pictures and swatches of fabric from your dress/bridesmaids’ dresses
• pictures of your floral arrangements
• details of your venue – possibly a leaflet, photographs
• magazine clippings that you particularly like
• examples of any other stationery that you like
• photographs or illustrations"

"Can we have our stationery in another language, (other than English)?"
"Yes. Supply us your wording as a Microsoft Word document, typed in the language required. If the language uses alphabet characters other than English, please check with us to see if we have the font."

"Jo, we've had professional engagement photos taken, can we use these on our invitations?"
"Yes, what a lovely idea! Though you do have to have written permission from the professional photographer."

"Will you work with other vendors I have already found or want to work with?"
"Absolutely! We are team players and we know what a difference we can make by working with your vendors. We are happy to work with event planners and stylists, ceremony and reception venues, florists and cake designers, and any other vendors and suppliers who you may need us to."

"May I get in contact with some of your past clients to see how they worked with you?"
"Sure! Our past clients love talking about how much they loved working with us and how thrilled they are about our invitations and event stationery. You can also read what they thought of us in our testimonial section."

"Do you take credit cards and do you offer payment plans?"
"Of course! We accept credit through PayPal. We also accept EFT [direct deposit], personal cheque or cash.

We offer payment plans with our Custom Design Service. A deposit of 50% required at time of signing the design contract, with the remainder due at final proof stage and prior to print production.

Ready-to-order Invitations under $200 require the total amount owing at signing of the contract. For orders over $200 we accept a payment plan, with a minimum deposit of $200 or 50% of the order [which ever is greater] at signing of the contract, with the remainder due at proof stage and prior to print production."

"Jo, this sounds exactly like what I have been searching for! What's the next step?"
"Awesome! The next step is to call me at 07 3202 7275 or email me to set up your free consultation. I would love to hear about your vision for your special wedding day! During our meeting I’d love to take you through the packages we offer and see which one works for you!"

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