Noteworthy Designs – Laura Hit
Interview by Sharon Auld
At the time of this posting my dear friend Laura Hit from Noteworthy Designs has made the decision to close her doors. I was so sad to hear this as Laura is an amazing person and I really wanted to feature Noteworthy Designs as my very first Vendor Spotlight. However, I can completely understand her decision to retire from business. Laura is one of those people who gives her best to everything she does! Laura and her husband Mesh have a beautiful baby girl and I am not surprised she would want to dedicate more time to her beautiful family.
I decided to post my interview with Laura despite the fact that she will no longer be taking on clients. It’s my wish that brides know that there are some really fabulous, caring vendors out there to work with! We also wanted to take this opportunity to wish Laura the best of luck with everything she chooses to do, and if in the future Laura opens Noteworthy Designs or another business we would honoured to work with her! Well, here’s the interview:
I am so excited to introduce our very first vendor interview on the Naturally Chic Blog! If you aren’t familiar with Noteworthy Designs, then it’s time to get acquainted! Noteworthy Designs is a fabulous, hand-made custom stationery company located in Calgary, Alberta. Noteworthy Designs is owned and operated by Laura Hit.
Laura Hit Noteworthy Designs
Laura is a wonderful friend, colleague, and one of the nicest, most down-to-earth person I have met in the wedding industry! Not only is she crazy talented, but she’s the kind of person who really cares about her clients. She is so easy to work with! You can expect nothing less than exceptional customer care with Noteworthy Designs.
How did Noteworthy Designs come about?
Since I was a little girl, I always liked doing crafty type projects. I love creating things with my hands – things unique and special. I specifically liked working with paper and began to teach classes to make cards and do some rubber stamping. I had friends and family asking me to make them cards and help with wedding invitations and it just kept growing. It was in 2007 when I decided to officially open Noteworthy Designs and pursue it further.
What Stationery Products do you offer?
Currently we specialize in one-of-a-kind custom handmade stationery including the full wedding line (save the dates, invitations, programs, thank you cards, etc) as well as birth announcements, greeting cards and really any type of stationery someone is looking for. That’s what I love about doing custom work; we can provide exactly what the client desires.
For those brides that want to “do-it-yourself”, we have packages to suit those needs as well. It can be fun to get your bridesmaids, family and friends together and create them with help. Noteworthy Designs will help you to design, get supplies and/or prep the supplies to make sure your DIY goes well and looks amazing.
You are a certified wedding planner, how does that help you when working with brides?
I am certified through the Wedding Planners Institute of Canada and did coordinate weddings until I pursued stationery full-time. This has come in handy, knowing how important the budget is to the couples. I do what I can to make the couples dream invitations fit inside their budget. Changing the cardstock, layout and embellishments can all help to still have the stationery they desire on the budget they can afford.
Pulling everything together to coordinate, match and flow is also key to a great wedding. Your wedding invitation is the first glimpse into what your wedding will be like. I always ask my clients what they would like their guests to wear at their wedding – that helps to determine the look of their invites. Plus making your invites unique and fun can only leave the invited guests waiting for more!
What are the latest stationery trends brides are asking for?
Bling is always popular and can take a simple invite to glamorous and special. Personalization is the way of weddings these days. Bringing out the couples personality, story and relationship is what makes weddings unique and memorable. I love it when couples step outside of the box and go with something that truly matches who they are. As well, pockets and unique folds is something couples are wanting. Making their invite interactive and almost like a little gift that their guests can open seems to be quite popular.
What are the current color palettes you are seeing?
Purples! There are lots of couples using various shades of purple for their weddings. Modern couples still love the silver accents, too. Even though turquoise is this year’s “in color” and you see it all over the place, I haven’t come across any brides using it in their weddings.
What tips do you have for couples choosing their wedding stationery?
Know your budget. Yes, stationery can range in prices and can easily increase in price if you aren’t careful.
Order more invites than you think you need. Plus make sure you keep one for yourself as a keepsake!
Have more than one or two sets of eyes proofread your invites before signing any approval to print forms! You want to make sure there are no errors!
Consult with a professional stationer to ensure you have the proper etiquette and wording for your stationery.
Who in the wedding industry inspires you?
Jennifer Sbranti from Hostess with the Mostess is a huge inspiration. What I love about that site (www.hostesswiththemostess.com) is that all the parties she throws, everything coordinates. From the invites to the place settings to the décor – it all goes beautifully.
Who else inspires you?
When designing stationery, specifically for weddings, talking to the couple inspires me! I love hearing their love story and how it unfolded and brought them to this point in their lives where they are making a commitment to one another. I love incorporating personal touches to each piece of stationery.
What is one thing that people would be surprised to learn about you?
Ooohh, that’s always a tough question! Makes me really think. Let’s see…prior to owning Noteworthy Designs, I worked with people with disabilities. My most memorable job was working at a resource center for kids with Down syndrome. I loved my job. What else…we just celebrated my grandpa’s 102 birthday! I am his youngest grandchild (of only 4) and am the mother to his only great-grandchild. I think he is one of the oldest people with such a small number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren! And lastly, I have the most joy-inducing, smile making, love producing daughter you will ever meet!
What’s your favorite part of a wedding?
My favorite moment at a wedding ceremony is watching the groom’s face as his bride walks down the aisle. I love to watch the emotion on his face – excitement, in awe of his beautiful wife and the love that just pours out.
My second favorite part of a wedding is to see what the couple did different than the “norm”. Like I said earlier, something that makes the wedding personal. It’s an added bonus when that includes stationery that Noteworthy Designs created!
That’s a Wrap!
It has been an absolute pleasure and privilege to do this interview! Thank you so much Laura for taking the time to talk to the Naturally Chic readers today. You can visit Noteworthy Designs at www.noteworthydesigns.ca . Thank you so much Laura for taking the time to talk to the Naturally Chic readers today. I truly believe great things are in store for Laura in all that she does.