A Boutique Custom Stationery Design and Concierge Service.

Hi, guys! My name is Jordin and I am the owner of Unica Forma, A boutique custom wedding stationery design business based out of Columbus, Ohio! When I am not working with clients you can find me cuddled up on couch watching Netflix with my husband, or reading my @GirlsNightInClub book of the month!

How did Unica Forma come to be?

Unica Forma started when I was planning my own wedding. I spent hours looking through invitation designs on Minted, Wedding Paper Divas, etc. and everything seemed stock template focused with no custom options to uniquely reflect the personality and taste of individuals. I am a self-taught graphic designer, and thought hmmm. Why don’t I just design my own? Well I did, and once I sent them out the inquiries started rolling in. I realized then that there was a place for me and my designs in the industry, and I hit the ground running. I never looked back.

Why should people invest in wedding stationery?

The invitation is the first point of contact with your guests; your opportunity to invite people to share one of life’s most important and memorable events. The invitation is the first opportunity to tease out details of the event, to build anticipation, to generate excitement. The invitation should be as unique and representative of the couple as every other detail of the wedding. The invitation also acts as an endearing and enduring keepsake for the close relatives and friends, so you want to take the time to create an elegant wedding announcement that will stir emotions for the event as well as become a cherished keepsake.

Why is The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz your favorite book to gift?

The Four Agreements are very simple, but very profound. To embrace and live each of the Four Agreements is to find yourself experiencing personal freedom. It is a very fast read, and it will change your life.

You mention on your website that you and your husband are Netflix addicts. If you could only pick one show to binge, what would it be?

Wow, this is a tough one. To truly rewatch over and over again? Probably The Office. Funny and nuanced, many laughs pass after pass.

How do you help a bride with a very specific idea? How about a vague idea?

Interacting one on one with my brides is the best part of the experience. I get to listen to their unique vision and assist in interpreting their vision into a physical reality. If a bride knows that she wants to incorporate a specific element in her design (i.e. certain florals, or a motif) I pitch different ways for her to include that element throughout various paper options, whether it is on the envelopes, the liners, a custom tag, napkins, on the back of the invitations. I draw on my experience to offer the most elegant and tasteful options; I always give my client options and mock ups, so they have a tangible representation of their final vision.

When clients have general ideas of what they want, but no solid vision I get to tap my reservoir of design expertise. I love blending a variety of different ideas and making a cohesive design that really showcases the couples esthetic, personality, and wedding design.

Is there a design idea you are dying to try?

Acrylic. I am so ready to do a suite on acrylic. I recently reached out to a local screen printer and she said she can do it, so I am going to run a few samples to her in the next few weeks. I can’t wait!

What should a bride look for when thinking about wedding stationery?

They need to get an idea of what style they want to pursue and their budget. Styles and techniques like minimal, florals, foil stamping, etc. and the amount of the overall wedding budget to designate for their paper needs. Figuring out your stationery budget is something a lot of brides don’t address early enough in their wedding planning process. Custom work comes with a custom price tag, and a lot of brides don’t understand the expense associated with the elements they envision encapsulating the final product. (Laser cut pockets, letterpress printing, etc.)

What is one thing you learned from your own wedding day?

SLOW DOWN. Take a minute (or 30) to slow down and look around. The day goes by so quickly and you don’t even realize it until it’s over. I actually wrote a post about it, and that is by far my biggest piece of advice for future brides. You’re gonna miss it!

You do more than just wedding stationery, why is paper design important for all life’s events?

It’s a way to express yourself! It is a medium and method to memorialize a unique event that is beautiful to view and hold. The evolution of digital quality, card stock, and texture design allow individuals to create samplings that are an experience unto themselves. The act of creating a finished product is deliberate and thoughtful; a welcome reprieve from the anonymous, digital medium. If you have a newborn, you can post 100 pictures of them on Facebook, but you should always send out a birth announcement with a photo of your little one as keepsake. Your grandparents may not have Facebook and regardless would love a hardcopy; there is still something about the feel of paper that trumps the digital media. Explains why books have not become extinct in the digital age. Not to mention, everyone loves getting meaningful mail.

What do you wish people knew about a paper design business?

It is really labor intensive. Even as a newbie, I had no idea. I thought “I know how to use Photoshop, I can do this”. Design is merely the tip of the iceberg. Envelope liners are done by hand. Addressing envelopes, foil stamping and letterpress all require you to manually feed the press one at a time. The assembly portion of the suites and packaging is time intensive. Not to mention the hours you spend on consulting and creating the perfect design.

What is one thing that is on your personal bucket list, and one thing on your professional bucket list?

Personal: I really want to go to the Amalfi Coast. A beautiful and idyllic region on the western Italian coast. It’s a newer obsession of mine, but I think about it all the time.

Professional: My business has experienced steady growth for the last 2 years, and I have set some lofty goals for year 3. For example, I want to expand my paper product offerings to include other special occasions and life events. I also want to launch a portion of my blog to help other small business owners to navigate the labyrinth of starting a business. I think I have a lot of information to share regarding basic business principles, design, social media marketing, and web design that will assist fledgling startups, so stay tuned. I also plan to participate in 3 bridal shows by April of 2020 (I’ve never done one.), so I look forward to my first. Essentially, I want to be a better-rounded and inspiring resource for my clients.

Unica Forma can be found at unicaforma.com and instagram.com/unicaforma_

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Alecs Kay Photography is a Wedding & Portrait Photographer in Fargo, ND

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