A Timeless Black Tie Invitation for a Washington, DC Wedding
We loved creating this classic monogram invitation suite for Allie and Mark as they planned their Washington, DC wedding at the St. Regis. One of our favorite suites of all time, from the refined monogram and elegant typography, to the vintage DC map, to the subtle use of gold foil and the soft gold organdy ribbon belly band that brings the suite together. The result was a wedding invitation suite that feels at home in a classic black-tie setting, while still carrying warmth, personality, and a sense of occasion that reflects the couple and their celebration.
Letterpress and Gold Foil Craftsmanship
The invitation, reply card, and rehearsal dinner card are printed using traditional letterpress, creating a textured impression you can see and feel. Gold foil is used sparingly and intentionally, adding warmth and a subtle glow without overwhelming the typography.
Each element is designed to work together, from the classic serif and script typography to the balanced layout and generous white space. This is a suite meant to feel timeless now and decades from now.
Vintage Washington, DC Map Reply Card
The reply card features a vintage Washington, DC map design, adding a meaningful local touch and a sense of place. This element works especially well for couples who love incorporating subtle geographic or historical references into their wedding details.
The contrast between the classic map artwork and the refined typography keeps the design grounded and timeless.
Monogram and Belly Band Details
A custom monogram anchors the design and appears in gold foil at the top of the invitation. The suite is finished with a gold organdy ribbon belly band that is affixed to the invitation and wraps around the back, holding the additional cards neatly in place.
This detail adds a soft, romantic layer while also serving a practical purpose. It creates a beautiful moment when the suite is opened and reinforces the sense of ceremony.
Designed as a Complete Wedding Stationery Experience
While these photos highlight the invitation suite, we began with a save the date and continued through the full wedding paper journey. From invitations and reply cards to day-of pieces such as programs, menus, escort cards, and signage, we design everything to feel cohesive from start to finish.
If you are planning a Washington, DC wedding and are looking for custom letterpress invitations with refined details and personal touches, we would love to work with you. Reach out to start a custom design conversation and explore how this suite can be tailored for your celebration!
The Filigree Border suite is designed for couples drawn to timeless elegance and rich, tactile details. Inspired by the formal Washington DC venue of the National Museum of Women in the Arts, this design blends traditional letterpress craftsmanship with velvet, gold foil, and refined typography.
The result is a suite that feels formal, polished, and enduring, perfect for black-tie celebrations and classic architectural settings.
Letterpress Invitations with Ornate Detail
The invitation and reply card are created using letterpress printing, leaving a deep, tactile impression in the paper. An intricate filigree border frames the layout, adding structure and ornament without overwhelming the typography.
Letterpress brings a sense of permanence and intention to the design. It’s a detail guests notice immediately, both visually and by touch.
Velvet Reception Card with Gold Foil
To complement the letterpress pieces, the reception card is die cut from velvet paper and finished with gold foil printing. The soft texture of the velvet paired with metallic foil creates a striking contrast to the crisp letterpress elements.
This piece is designed to stand apart while still feeling fully integrated into the suite.
Elevated Envelopes and Finishing Touches
The envelopes are finished with a custom velvet liner, adding an unexpected layer of luxury the moment the invitation is opened. Thoughtful finishing details like this are what turn a beautiful invitation into a complete experience.
Every element is designed to feel cohesive from the first impression to the final reveal.
From Save the Date to Wedding Day Stationery
Many couples begin with a save the date or invitation design like the Filigree Border, then continue the look throughout the wedding journey. From invitations and reply cards to programs, menus, escort cards, and signage, we design complete stationery suites that feel intentional and connected.
And yes, it often doesn’t stop there. We’ve been lucky to continue working with clients long after the wedding, designing everything from holiday cards to birth announcements.
Designed Just for You
The Filigree Border suite is just one example of our custom work. Colors, typography, paper selections, and printing methods can all be tailored to your event, venue, and personal style.
If you’re dreaming of a Washington DC wedding with classic elegance and elevated materials, this design offers a beautiful starting point.
Ready to Begin?
Whether you’re starting with a save the date or planning a full custom invitation suite, we’ll guide you through every step.
Get in touch to begin your custom invitation design.
For many couples, the save the date is where everything begins. It’s the first piece of your wedding story to land in your guests’ hands, and it sets the tone for everything that follows. This Washington, DC save the date design was created with that moment in mind: intentional, personal, and quietly confident.
Featuring a custom skyline illustration, this design anchors your celebration to place in a way that feels timeless rather than trendy. The layout is clean and modern, allowing your names and date to take center stage, while the illustrated skyline grounds the piece in Washington, DC without feeling literal or overdone.
A Thoughtful Foundation for Your Full Wedding Suite
We often start with the save the date, then build from there. Once the visual language is established, it naturally carries through to the invitation suite, day-of stationery, and all the small details that make a wedding feel cohesive.
This design was created with that full journey in mind. The typography, spacing, and illustration style translate beautifully across formats, from formal invitations and RSVP cards to ceremony programs, escort cards, menus, and signage. Beginning with a strong save the date makes it easy to create a wedding stationery collection that feels intentional from start to finish.
Designed for Letterpress Invitations
This Washington DC save the date concept was developed with letterpress printing in mind. The clean lines, open spacing, and balanced composition allow tactile printing techniques to shine. Letterpress adds depth and texture, elevating the simplicity of the design and giving the paper a presence that guests notice the moment they touch it.
Paired with a dark envelope and a patterned liner, the contrast adds drama while keeping the overall look refined and modern. It’s a style that works beautifully for city weddings, black-tie affairs, and couples who appreciate classic design with a contemporary edge.
Custom Invitations That Grow With You
At Digby & Rose, custom invitations are never just about one piece of paper. They are about creating a visual story that unfolds over time. We start with the save the date, continue through invitations and wedding-day stationery, and sometimes… we keep going.
It’s not unusual for us to later design birth announcements for the very same couples whose save the dates we once created! Turns out we’re pretty good at sticking around for life’s next chapters.
If you’re planning a Washington, DC wedding and looking for custom invitations that feel thoughtful, cohesive, and distinctly yours, this save the date design is a beautiful place to begin.
Ready to Begin?
If you’re planning a Washington, DC wedding and want custom invitations that feel thoughtful, cohesive, and unmistakably yours, we’d love to start the conversation. Reach out to explore a custom design that begins with your save the date and carries through every meaningful moment that follows.
