Every summer I make it a point to visit the Ashland Shakespeare Festival at least once. Over the years I have seen most of the traditional Shakespearian plays performed, so this time I thought I would try something new. Sarah Ruhl’s Dead Man’s Cell Phone is the delightful story of meaning and personal relationships in our crazy world of modern technology.
There were a couple segments that dealt with both printing, letterpresses, stationery and life that I would like to share with you. There is certainly a level of wisdom and thought surrounding the printing process that Ruhl, who was not a printer, put into this play. Think about the words, ideas and implications of writing:
Dwight: All the digital–stuff–the information bits—flying through the air—no one wants to remember. People say I love you—on cell phones—and where does it go? No paper. Remembering requires paper…I work at a stationery store. I like paper.
Jean: I love stationery. Do you do monograms? And the embossed invitations?
Dwight: We do.
Jean: I love those! When you touch the invitations, it feels so nice. Creamy, and thick, and you can close your eyes and feel the words. I think heaven must be like an embossed invitation.
Dwight: Yes. Creamy, and flat and deep. Like skin. Or—heaven—you were saying about heaven?
Jean: I’ve never sent out an embossed invitation. But I’d like to. One day.
It is good to know that someone else gets as excited about invitations, monograms, embossed printing and beautiful stationery as we do. In a world of emails, websites and impersonal interaction, the power of the written word on paper has only increased.
When thinking about your wedding invitation sets, consider the impression they will make on your guests. Flat, lifeless, traditionally printed invitations are acceptable, but will never carry the same symbolic power and significance as a bold, textured, handcrafted letterpress invitation.
Written by Nick
Invitations by Ajalon
View our letterpress wedding invitation gallery.
