Weddings Summer 2009 > Planner

Alpine Creative Group

With a high-quality inventory, Alpine has worked with the likes of Ellen Degeneres and Ivana Trump. From the necessary (sets of invitations, thank-you notes, RSVP cards, and envelopes) to the elaborate (beveled-edge menus with hand-calligraphed guest names), almost everything is produced in-house. Prices vary; Alpine never charges a design fee.

Arthur's Invitations & Prints

This full-service, Union Square-area emporium features personal consultants and custom-printed suites. In-house calligraphers and graphic designers make sure that couples find what they want among the plethora of options-otherwise, they’ll do special orders. Prices range from $700 to $5,000 for a set of 100 four-piece invitations.

Bernard Maisner Calligraphy & Fine Stationary

Maisner, a professional calligrapher, is lauded for his ornate writing; beautiful, decorative detailing; and high-quality paper. His work is refined but also exudes personality. Services include calligraphy, design, and full-service engraving. Engraved wedding sets start around $3,000 for 100. Hand-addressed envelopes cost $3 to $5 per line.

Bowne & Co., Stationers

This quaint, nineteenth-century-style print shop uses letterpresses dating as far back as 1844 to make custom stationery and invitations. Announcement cards ($375 for 50), four-piece invitations ($1,100 for 100), and reception cards ($245 for 100) are all printed on Crane & Co. paper.

Buchanan-Smith LLC

Founder Peter Buchanan-Smith searches for the "uncommon beauty of common things" in each of his lively designs. Well-established in the graphic-design world-Buchanan-Smith has served as creative director for Paper Magazine and won a Grammy for his design of a Wilco album-he recently started bringing his fresh ideas to the world of invitations. Prices upon request.

Cartier

Couples love Cartier’s Social Stationery, which harks back to Jazz Age glamour. For weddings, the style is classic, conservative, and very high-end (they only offer engraving). Prices upon request

Ceci New York

At this award-winning studio, brides can choose from more than 60 ready-to-order designs from the new White Label collection, or meet with owner-designer Lisa Hoffman for made-to-order personalized invitations. A set of 100 four-piece invitations starts at $1,500 for ready-to-order, and $2,200 for couture designs.

ChereeBerry.com

Get whimsical and clean letterpress invitations-a delight to those bored with formal design houses-from this former Kate Spade designer.

Crane & Co. Papermakers

This Massachusetts-based company, which produces the paper for U.S. currency, has been making top-notch traditional cotton stationery for more than 200 years. Crafty couples love Crane’s DIY blank program kits, which come with pre-scored, pre-drilled cards and sheets tied with ribbon. From about $750 for 100 engraved wedding invitations and response cards.

From the Winter 2008 New York Wedding Guide