The Vendor Edit: OrgaNick Studio

Nick Nelson is a graphic and wedding stationery designer located in Central Illinois. He works closely with his couples to create their dream wedding stationery including invitations, save the dates, and other wedding day items that will make your dream wedding a reality! I’ve asked him some questions to dive deeper into his thoughts on personalized wedding day stationery and why it’s so important to him and his clients.

what inspired you to become a wedding stationery designer, and what keeps you passionate about it?

I have always been drawn to design, particularly the emotional connection that comes with creating something personal & meaningful. Wedding stationery in particular was intriguing to me because it is (quite literally) the most important/meaningful day of a couples’ lives. The idea of designing something that sets the tone for their love story is truly fulfilling. What keeps me passionate would be the variety. Every couple has specific interests & their own story - capturing this into an invite or save-the-date is a challenge I will always be willing to accept. Making sure the wedding day is portrayed perfectly through custom stationery is end-game.

can you walk us through your creative process when designing custom wedding invitations?

It will always start with a conversation with the couple to discuss their initial thoughts; colors, theme, personal attachments (certain florals, icons), etc. This step is mainly to nail down style; are they wanting their day to scream elegant? rustic? informal? whimsical? Once we have that, I will begin experimenting with custom color palettes, typography & layouts. Yes, I use Pinterest, too! After I refine a couple of designs, I present them to the couple. I want them to feel immediately connected to every detail, so feedback is so important. (I won’t be upset or mad if you say it isn't spot on, just know that most of the time I’m pretty close). Once the design is finalized by the couple, I prepare all files for print. Yes, double-checking every. single. detail. The final step is just to be geeking out in my office over how great the stationery looks before I package it up & send it your way!! 

what are some unique or standout projects you’ve worked on that you're especially proud of?

Easy.

Zoe Wood’s wedding suite. It is the most personal suite I’ve ever done. A custom drawing of the lighthouse in the place she is getting married, her own handwriting turned digital, and colored envelopes? I mean, come on. It is perfect.

Personalized stationery for my aunt, Mary Simms. She, herself, is a strong, beautiful person - and the stationery had to match. She received  thank you cards, postcards, and a letterhead that all maintained a cohesive design; dark, emerald green monogram on a crisp white background with smaller green elements making an appearance.

I had an absolute blast creating custom Christmas cards this year! The holiday season always brings out the creative spirit and it is always so special. I loved getting the chance to design cards that were so personal to families & their loved ones. The amount of bows and custom illustrations I had to draw…kind of made me want to cry…but it was rewarding when I saw how much it meant to each individual client. There is nothing better than a client's face when they really realize how custom their card is - I mean it when I say  “you’re the only person who has this card design”.

what are the most common mistakes couples make when it comes to wedding invitations and how do you help them avoid those?

Overloading the invitation: couples sometimes try to include every detail, from the venue's parking instructions to the dress code. While it is tempting to get everything in there, too much text can overwhelm the design…and quickly. I will help by guiding couples to focus on the essentials, (remember the 5 w’s? 4 of those come in handy here; “who, what, where, and when”) and suggest additional detail cards if necessary. 

The correct wording: the wording of your invite is just as important as the design. Couples often get stuck on what to say - or- how to say it, especially when it comes to things like who’s hosting. Another classic example: “who’s name goes first?”

Ignoring RSVP details: with all the thoughts and planning that consume a couples mind during this time, they sometimes forget how clear this part needs to be. I make sure to include a clear call to action for guests to respond. My favorite solution is a separate mini card that has solely RSVP details.

By offering personalized consults and clear guidance, I can ensure the couple’s vision shines through without all the unnecessary stress. I am here to make sure your wedding stationery is a perfect reflection of you - right down to the name order!

how far in advance should couples start working with a stationery designer, and what’s the typical timeline?

Earlier the better. I will always recommend starting as early as possible to ensure everything feels perfect and runs smoothly without a rushed feeling. I’d say couples should start looking for a stationery designer ~6-9 months before their wedding. This gives enough time for the design process, revisions, production & delivery. (And a little cushion never hurt anybody!) 

typical timeline

6-9 months: 

Initial consultation: we’ll chat about your vision, style &  preferences.

Choosing designs: explore different design ideas, special touches, materials, etc.

5-6 months:

Finalizing designs: We will work on the first round of designs for the invitation suite. This includes your invites, RSVP cards, detail cards, and anything else you may need.

Send to print: When designs are finalized and approved, they are sent to print. Depending on complexity of the design, type of paper, any special treatments, printing can take a couple weeks.

3-4 months:

Assembly & shipping: After printing, your invitation suite is assembled. Once everything is perfectly packed, I ship your stationery to you. If you have personalized addressing or any other custom features, this is also the time to get those things done. 

2-3 months:

Mailing: I recommend mailing your invites (not save-the-dates, those need to go a lot sooner) about 8-12 weeks before the wedding day. This gives guests 2+ months to RSVP and make travel arrangements. It also ensures that if there are any delays in shipping, you have that extra cushion again.

1-2 months:

Day-of-stationery: As the wedding day approaches, we’ll work on any additional stationery you need; programs, menus, table numbers & signage. These details often come later in planning, as the couple may need to finalize guest lists and seating arrangements. 

Final touches

Thank you cards: After the wedding, I recommend sending thank-you cards within 2 months. These are to be part of your initial stationery order or created afterwards to match your wedding theme (& include a picture of the newlyweds).

what’s one piece of advice you give every couple when it comes to their wedding paper goods?

I can already tell I’m gonna rant with this answer, but please follow along.

trust in your love story & let it guide your wedding stationery.

Your stationery is more than just an invitation, it’s the first glimpse into your wedding day, and it should feel like an extension of who you are as a couple. Instead of getting caught up in trends or trying to please everyone, take a step back and think about what truly reflects you. Whether it's the color of your childhood home, the place where you got engaged or a shared hobby, those personal touches that you share with me will create something beautiful that feels true to you. I’ll also say this for the millionth time; in a world that has become so digital, these tangible pieces of your story are truly special. You can frame your invitations and have them forever (a lasting memory that captures a life-changing moment; an heirloom that becomes part of your story for years to come) when you design with intention, it makes the experience so much more meaningful, and it’s a keepsake you’ll treasure long after the wedding.

besides invitations, what other types of wedding stationery do you design, and how do they tie into the overall aesthetic of the day?

We offer a full suite of wedding stationery to ensure that every moment of your big day, and days leading up to it, are beautifully captured on paper. Here is a list of the additional stationery I can create:

engagement party invites

bridesmaid proposal cards

save-the-dates

bridal shower invites

rsvp cards

ceremony programs

place cards

table numbers

menus

thank you cards.

why do you believe it’s important for couples to invest in a stationery designer rather than going the diy or template route?

It offers something far beyond just paper.

Personalization & uniqueness: DIY’s or templates (regardless of how much you think it does), can’t capture the essence of what makes your day special. After all, it is your day, not the million other people who used that template this year.

Expertise & guidance: A designer brings expertise to the table. valuable advice on color schemes, typography, (i could argue this to be the most important of all), paper types, and layout. DIY can lack professional polish & it can be easy to overlook important design details that can make your stationery truly stand out.

Quality & craft: When you work with a designer, you’re not just getting a design, you're investing in quality. (like a photographer & professional photos, wink wink). Foil finishings, embossing, and other premium paper finishes require pristine attention to detail. Designers know how to ensure that your design translates beautifully into print.

Time & stress savings: I am sure you are stressed enough. You don’t need to figure out how to design, print, and assemble your stationery. I’ll do it for you! 

Cohesion: When you work with a designer, everything—from your invitations to your thank-you cards, signage, and more—can be beautifully coordinated. A cohesive design ensures that every piece of stationery feels like it’s part of a larger story. DIY options can sometimes feel disjointed (because they don’t always allow for the same fonts, colors, styles, etc. between all the different elements).

more about organick:

name: Nick Nelson
business: Organick Studio

social media: @organick.studio
favorite drink: pour-over coffee. Do other drinks exist?
favorite season: Anytime it’s above 60 degrees, I’m happy.