So You're EnGAYged, a LGBT wedding blog

Check out our new So You’re EnGAYged-approved vendor, Take It Personally by Christine! She designed this awesome bride-bride invitiation just for us!

With an incredible sense of humor, Leigh Wells fills us in on getting “legit” as a calligrapher to riffing on traditional forms.

Please tell us a little bit about your business.

I have had a successful commercial illustration business for the last fifteen years, working for magazines, publishers, and advertising. Early in 2009, I decided to offer calligraphy services to individuals, families and couples for their special events.

How did you get into doing what you do?

After being interested in calligraphy since I was a kid, then studying typography as a designer and incorporating many types of lettering into my illustration work, I finally decided to get “legit” about calligraphy and teach myself how to letter with a finicky dip pen.

What do you wear when you’re doing what you do?

A Marie Antoinette getup of sorts. The best part is the very, very tall powdered wig. (more…)

Daniel Sroka’s work at Modern Ketubah speaks for itself – inspired by nature and his beautiful photographs, they are truly works of art.

First, for our readers who aren’t familiar, what’s a ketubah?

A ketubah is a work of art that uses images and words to express the love and commitment of your marriage vows. While the ketubah has its roots in the Jewish wedding tradition, its beauty has become embraced by couples from all different religions and cultures.

Please tell us a little bit about your business!

I am an artist and designer who creates fine art wedding ketubahs from my abstract photography of nature. My ketubahs are designed specifically for non-traditional couples, such as interfaith, multicultural, and same-sex couples. My ketubah designs combine beautiful images of flowers, leaves and nature with accessible, modern language, making them perfect for couples from all different backgrounds. (more…)

One of the coolest things about Heather Toupin of heatherjeany’s work is that she does all the printing herself, color by color, one by one, and pays very close attention to detail at every step of the way. Check out our interview below!

Please provide your business’ mission or vision statement.

My goal at heatherjeany is to work with you to create the wedding invitations of your dreams. Whether this consists of customizing one of my current designs or creating something brand new and unique I strive to make the perfect invitations and paper goods to set the tone for your wedding. Since I began making invitations for my own wedding in 2005 my little business has grown into a full time job. I’ve worked with so many wonderful people and every day i feel so fortunate to have the job I do.

What do you love about what you do?

I love the design process; working with different people to come up with just the right design, but the real icing on the cake for me is the printing. I love the repetitive nature of screenprinting, with the music in my studio turned up loud it’s so satisfying to see my designs materialize on paper, layer by layer.

How did you get into doing what you do?

I have always had a love of printmaking. In college I took as many printmaking electives as I could fit into my textile design major. I learned the ins and outs of screenprinting at that time and I’ve been doing it ever since. For 10 years after I graduated college I worked as a textile designer, during that time I started up heatherjeany with a small run of screenprinted folded cards. As my little business grew fate stepped in as my “real job” ended with the closing of the mill I was designing for. At that point I decided it was make it or break it time, and look at me now! I’m making it! I’ve been doing heatherjeany full time for 2 years now.

What do you wear when you’re doing what you do?

A lot of things that I probably shouldn’t and as a result i have a lot of ink on some pretty cute clothes :) besides that I like to wear shoes with no laces, tank tops, short pants and short skirts but never shorts or long skirts. My hair is crazy corkscrew curly so I usually have that up in a pony with a big flower fascinator.

How is your business “green”?

I try to use recycled cardstock and envelopes whenever possible, I’m excited that my paper supplier is adding more and more recycled options as this is something important to me and many of my customers. I also like to stress that I do all the printing myself, color by color, one by one, and pay very close attention to detail at every step of the way.

If you have done work for at a gay wedding, what is one thing you had to change your assumptions about?

Honestly I didn’t have to change any assumptions about the gay weddings that I’ve done invitations for. It thrills me to be part of the union of two people in love, no matter the gender.

Do you have a favorite “moment” that happens while you’re doing your job?

Yes! When I’m printing the final layer of color and I finally see all the time spent designing/editing/prepping/printing all come together. It’s so satisfying.

Rave time!

“Other than the “marrying my best friend” part, these invites are my favorite aspect of the wedding! Heather is so talented and I couldn’t be more pleased.”

“Heather is the greatest thing that has happened to our wedding so far! Creating wedding stationery with her has truly been the most enjoyable part of planning the wedding by a long shot. Heather is creative, intuitive, and responsive, and she really cares about getting things done right. Best of all, she is a genuine pleasure to work with! I would recommend her services to anyone without hesitation or reservation. Thanks again, Heather!”

“I GOT THEM!!! YOU ARE A F-ING ROCK STAR!!!!!! You are TOO MUCH. I love you Heather.”