Wedding Essentials sat down with the guru on all things paper and the mastermind behind over three hundred completely unique wedding invitations for Omaha couples: Kaleigh Wiese, founder and operator of Méldeen.

WE: Is there a wedding you have attended where you have been particularly struck by an adorable detail or creative touch?

KW: This is just a small detail from several years ago, but I went to an outdoor ceremony in early spring. Since it was outdoors the weather can be unpredictable so the bride and groom provided a monogrammed throw blanket for every two seats! It was just chilly enough that everyone needed them, and it was so simple and sweet. Smaller, more caring details that reflect the guest and think of their needs really stick in my mind.

WE: We adore your invitations, but what else can Meldeen offer the bride? Can the collaboration extend past just the invite?

KW: Méldeen has been doing wedding related branding since 2008 and tallied up over 300 invitations since then! It’s all girls here and we absolutely love what we do, which is creating customized invitations. We don’t use templates, but rather focus on creating a brand for the couple. That brand can extend from save the dates, to invites to programs, to signage, to napkins to pillows in the reception area– we bring in all of the elements of the brand or monogram that can be used to personalize the whole wedding.

WE: What is one of the most memorable invitations you have created?

KW: We just completed an invitation that was a collaboration between about ten different vendors in the United States! It included handmade paper with a letter press, hand illustrated sleeve, an envelope hand cut in New York, and a typeset of each guest’s name on the envelope! Every element was very thorough;  it included beautiful grays and pastel tones, so very hand touched. We also are working on the programs which include paper doilies imported from France, pieces of twine, and baby’s breath– so very exciting and original!

WE: What are some current invitation trends that brides are requesting?

KW: The RSVP postcard is very trendy right now, because it makes it infinitely easier for the guest to send back their response! Most brides are trying to focus on something that connects and reflects their wedding. For instance, a shabby-chic wedding could incorporate fabric, a barn wedding could have the invitation printed on wood paper– anything that creates a distinct, textural connection to the wedding.

Don’t forget to stop by the Méldeen booth at the Wedding Essentials Idea Show on October 21! Anyone who books a free consultation that day will receive twenty percent off their invitation order.