We recently caught up with Eliza Rees from Invitation Designs by Eliza, who kindly gave us an exclusive interview:

Tell us about your work

My business is called ‘Invitation Designs by Eliza’. I hand make invitations and stationery for weddings and events. I love creating the invitations to start and then match everything for the actual event all perfectly which is what we call ‘stationery.’

How did you get interested in invitation design?

I have always been a crafty person – I’ve always had the love for creating something that’s unique and hands on.

What products do you sell?

The majority of my work is for weddings; however I can create just about anything made from paper and cards for all types of events. The most popular items I make are save the date cards, invitations, menus, place cards, seating plans, welcome signs, table numbers and framed one off pieces with photos and quotes.

Do you have a favourite invitation design?

I love too many themes and colours – I don’t think I could ever have just one favourite. I have had my work featured on the TV show My Kitchen Rules (MKR), that was really exciting.

I have even made a card for the Queen’s wedding anniversary that a very loyal fan ordered from me. I am extremely lucky that I’ve been a part of many exclusive events that I have created stationery for and have been involved with so many professionals to create dreamy styled shoots.

How do you source your materials?

I have searched for years to find the right products. I test everything out until I find something I am truly happy with. I wouldn’t use a product for a client that I wouldn’t 100% use for myself. Everything is all high quality and I am a great shopaholic so I can always find something somewhere.

Can you describe a typical day?

Sitting at my desk on my phone or computer replying and chatting to my wonderful clients. Or sitting up late playing catch up (like I am doing now.) Or zoning out and creating something stunning for someone with music or Netflix on in the background just enjoying every second of the creation at hand. There are no two days the same, it’s lots of fun.

What’s been the highlight of your career so far?

There are so many highlights so far, I think it would have to be having my work featured on TV on the Channel 7 show My Kitchen Rules. I had so much support from family and friends, even though I had to keep it a secret for so long from them. I still chat to my clients and even though I didn’t get recognition on the TV show I knew it was there and so did all the amazing people in my life, they were so happy for me.

The people I get to work with and who support me are what make it all worth it.

What do you love most about what you do?

That I have the ability to translate what my client is thinking and produce something that people may not be able to portray but know when they see it that it’s ‘The one.

I also love that I get to keep up with the trends, not that I have ever followed trends before but it’s fun seeing what people are loving and then comparing to years before.

Who or what inspires you?

The people around me inspire me, other entrepreneurs who do well and go out of their comfort zone for good things, it inspires me to push the limits and accomplish something for myself as well as for others.

Do you have any predictions for the stationery industry?

There will always be a market for handmade items. It’s one of those special pieces that people love and enjoy holding in their hands. Weddings are perhaps the best market for handmade and unique items which is great because I simply LOVE weddings and a love story.

Do you have any plans for the future?

Just to do exactly what I am doing and do it better each day, I would love to be able to be in a position to create a team of amazing people to work for me and help make more beautiful stationery.

About Invitation Designs by Eliza

Award-winning and published Australian boutique stationer Eliza Rees offers an extensive selection of beautifully tailored bespoke invitations and all the matching stationery for your wedding day, or other special occasions.

Eliza uses only the highest quality sustainable products, papers and cards, ornamented with beautiful laces and satin ribbons, recycled twines and hessians encrusted with Swarovski crystals and buckles. All of the popular designer brands are available, which means Eliza will create a gorgeous piece every time that shouts “WOW!” With the ever-growing vintage, rustic and floral market, there is always something new and stunning that’s recycled and ready to be put to a challenge. With metallics and foiling now becoming very popular, Eliza has gold, rose gold, silver, charcoal, copper, red, pink and many more foiling options available that is perfectly paired with geometric embossing and Eliza’s stunning glitter collection.

All on crisp cards and paper with everything done by hand and personalised to suit your wedding theme and budget. Eliza can create all your matching stationery with endless options of new and exciting gorgeous pieces, before the day, on the day and while you’re enjoying being husband and wife.

Eliza would love to have the opportunity to work with you for your wedding invitations and stationery and be able to take that tiny bit of stress away. A full bespoke service is available with a large range of designs. Head to the Invitation Designs by Eliza website for further information.