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Main Content

– the –

PERFECT INVITATION

is closer than you think
St Joseph Michigan wedding invitation designer

CLASSIC & REFINED

expertly crafted stationery

that fits your style and matches your colors?

Yes, it does exist!

You just want to properly set the tone for your wedding - it’s going to be an unforgettable celebration, and your guests need to know it’s not to be missed.

So your invitation needs to be a little preview of the merriment to come, something that excites and intrigues your guests so they RSVP:

"We wouldn't miss it for the world!"

Then you’re in the right place!

I’m Sarah, and I create tailor-made wedding stationery for brides searching for a simple, classic invitation design with just the right amount of personality.

With 10 years of experience in stationery design, I’ve had the privilege of translating ideas and inspiration into frame-worthy wedding invitations for hundreds of brides.

Banter & Charm is a Michigan wedding invitation design studio in St. Joseph (right along Lake Michigan!) Not local? I serve brides throughout Michigan and northern Indiana, Notre Dame, Chicago, the Midwest, and across the US!

About_family first

A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS

family first

These three people. :::heart:::
My husband, Jake - my best friend, biggest supporter, sounding board, and the vodka to my soda. His entrepreneurial spirit is what inspired me to start my own business.
 
Our kids, Abby and Alex: do you have any idea what it’s like to live with a miniature version of yourself and your husband? Amazing and terrifying at the same time, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

About_typography

TYPOGRAPHY ENTHUSIAST

(see also: font snob)

I've never considered myself a traditional artist - my drawing skills are limited, and I'm too impatient for painting. But if you need something typeset, I’m your girl!
 
I definitely judge a book by its cover, and on more than one occasion I've purchased lotion or liquor based solely on the packaging. And no matter how delicious the treats in the window look, I’ll walk straight past a shop that uses Papyrus in its logo.

About_baking

MADE FROM SCRATCH

I get it from my mama

Some of my fondest childhood memories involve baking with my mom. She made pretty much everything from scratch- cookies, jam, bread, pizza, you name it, she made it. (Something I didn’t fully appreciate till I was much older!)
 
Saturday afternoons, you’ll find me in the kitchen, baking from scratch just like mom- and also trying to keep the flour away from Alex’s reach and Abby’s fingers out of the mixing bowl!

About_margaritaville

MIDWEST MARGARITAVILLE

On the rocks, no salt

No, I'm not a huge parrot head, but I did spend my early 20s bartending at a Key West inspired restaurant, complete with a bar made out of a boat and a Jimmy Buffett cover band.
 
While my bartending days are behind me, I met my husband while working at that same bar, so it will always hold a special place in our lives! (And yes, I still make a mean margarita!)

About_crossfit

RESTING GYM FACE

burpees don't like you either

How can you tell if someone does CrossFit? They'll tell you! 😂
 
I try not to be one of those people that talk incessantly about CrossFit, but it’s definitely a big part of who I am. Six days a week you'll find me at the gym (many times at 5:30 am) It's more than just a workout - that hour of the day is "me" time. No computer, no kids, and usually no thinking (because it's hard to think when you're focused on not dying).

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Every bride deserves a

WEDDING INVITATION

that expresses her own style

Have you ever been shopping for something, and you know exactly what you want but you can’t find it? The right style in the wrong color, the perfect dress but the wrong size... Well, I help brides that are facing that same struggle, searching for the perfect wedding invitations. They can stop wasting time scrolling and pinning, and create the invitation they’re dreaming of.

I make the entire process feel effortless and stress-free, while helping each bride craft the invitation she is dreaming of. No more frustration over designs that are “almost perfect” or wondering how to make someone else’s idea of “elegant” fit her vision.

SEE WHAT MAKES MY PROCESS DIFFERENT
Sarah Brown wedding invitation designer

AS SEEN IN

featured in brides magazine
featured on minted
featured on style me pretty
featured on 100 layer cake

Need a starting point?

GET INSPIRED

Browse Banter & Charm’s portfolio to see samples of how previous brides have customized their wedding invitations.

 

Take any look from the portfolio and make it yours in a few simple steps.

 

Get Inspired

Stress-Free

INVITATIONS

In an era of evites, your wedding invitations are likely the first formal, printed stationery you've sent and you want to get it right.

But all the information out there is overwhelming! Follow these quick tips to avoid common wedding etiquette mistakes.

5 tips for flawless invitations

Fall in love

AT FIRST TOUCH

A picture may be worth a thousand words, but nothing compares to holding an invitation in your hands! Feel the impression letterpress makes in soft cotton paper, see light reflect off rich gold foil, and compare paper weights and envelope colors in person.

 

Order Samples

WHAT PREVIOUS CLIENTS HAVE TO SAY

Omg they’re so pretty! A year later and they are still the only wedding related item that’s in a frame in our house Again thank you so much, to this day I still say that my favorite part of the wedding was the invites/paper. (You know besides the whole getting married part)

- Carolyn, Bride

Banter and Charm
2019-09-26T15:44:23+00:00

- Carolyn, Bride

Omg they’re so pretty! A year later and they are still the only wedding related item that’s in a frame in our house Again thank you so much, to this day I still say that my favorite part of the wedding was the invites/paper. (You know besides the whole getting married part)
https://banterandcharm.com/testimonials/caroyln-bride

WHAT PREVIOUS CLIENTS HAVE TO SAY

Sarah was wonderful to work with! She was very accommodating to any special requests I had and was super helpful with providing a detailed process before I even ordered. She stuck to each of the deadlines she outlines when I placed my order and I was very pleased with my final product. I received quite a lot of compliments on how beautiful my invites turned out!

- Kristina, Bride

Banter and Charm
2019-09-26T15:46:18+00:00

- Kristina, Bride

Sarah was wonderful to work with! She was very accommodating to any special requests I had and was super helpful with providing a detailed process before I even ordered. She stuck to each of the deadlines she outlines when I placed my order and I was very pleased with my final product. I received quite a lot of compliments on how beautiful my invites turned out!
https://banterandcharm.com/testimonials/kristina-bride

WHAT PREVIOUS CLIENTS HAVE TO SAY

I just received my wedding invitations and am over the moon at how perfect they are! Sarah was incredibly helpful in selecting the right colors and paper to make sure everything was just right. I’m so excited to get them in the mail! Thank you so much Sarah! I absolutely love them!

- Jennifer, Bride

Banter and Charm
2019-09-26T15:48:27+00:00

- Jennifer, Bride

I just received my wedding invitations and am over the moon at how perfect they are! Sarah was incredibly helpful in selecting the right colors and paper to make sure everything was just right. I’m so excited to get them in the mail! Thank you so much Sarah! I absolutely love them!
https://banterandcharm.com/testimonials/jennifer-bride

WHAT PREVIOUS CLIENTS HAVE TO SAY

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your time and effort. I am blown away by the beauty of your work. I love all things paper and know that your work has already brought my event to another level.

- Andrea, Bride

Banter and Charm
2019-09-27T20:00:26+00:00

- Andrea, Bride

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your time and effort. I am blown away by the beauty of your work. I love all things paper and know that your work has already brought my event to another level.
https://banterandcharm.com/testimonials/andrea

WHAT PREVIOUS CLIENTS HAVE TO SAY

I cannot say enough good things about Sarah! My wedding package (invitations, favor tags, thank you cards, programs, etc.) are gorgeous! I have received so many compliments on them. But even more impressive, is Sarah. I had to change the whole look of my wedding (went from a destination wedding to back yard garden wedding) and she was so patient, flexible, gracious and kind throughout the entire process. I even love and appreciate the way she packages and ships everything. You cannot go wrong with Sarah. She and her work are amazing!!!

- Dina, Bride

Banter and Charm
2019-09-27T20:01:16+00:00

- Dina, Bride

I cannot say enough good things about Sarah! My wedding package (invitations, favor tags, thank you cards, programs, etc.) are gorgeous! I have received so many compliments on them. But even more impressive, is Sarah. I had to change the whole look of my wedding (went from a destination wedding to back yard garden wedding) and she was so patient, flexible, gracious and kind throughout the entire process. I even love and appreciate the way she packages and ships everything. You cannot go wrong with Sarah. She and her work are amazing!!!
https://banterandcharm.com/testimonials/dina

WHAT PREVIOUS CLIENTS HAVE TO SAY

OH MY GOODNESS SARAH!!! These invitations are BEAUTIFUL!! Thank you so much for being apart of our big day. You have been nothing but helpful during this entire process. You are amazing! I can’t thank you enough!!!

- Meghan, Bride

Banter and Charm
2019-09-27T20:02:22+00:00

- Meghan, Bride

OH MY GOODNESS SARAH!!! These invitations are BEAUTIFUL!! Thank you so much for being apart of our big day. You have been nothing but helpful during this entire process. You are amazing! I can’t thank you enough!!!
https://banterandcharm.com/testimonials/meghan
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ABOUT ME

I’m Sarah, and I create tailor-made wedding stationery for brides that need a simple, classic invitation design with just the right amount of personality.

Banter & Charm is a Michigan wedding invitation design studio based in St. Joseph. Not local? I serve brides throughout Michigan and northern Indiana, Notre Dame, Chicago, the Midwest, and across the US. Read More…

Make sure your invitations are

EMILY POST-APPROVED

Avoid common etiquette mistakes with this free guide.

CONTACT

Feel free to contact me anytime:

 hello@banterandcharm.com

 Schedule a phone consultation

BANTER & CHARM

205 Main Street #331
St. Joseph, Michigan 49085
–
by appointment only

banterandcharm

I'm a mom, wife, and stationery designer specializing in classic and elegant letterpress wedding invitations based in southwest Michigan

Sarah Guse Brown
Oh navy blue 😍⁠ This sophisticated and classy Oh navy blue 😍⁠
This sophisticated and classy invitation suite may be from a few years ago, but it still makes my paper loving heart happy every time I see it! Metallic silver letterpress on super thick navy blue card stock is just the beginning! @katiewhitcomb captured this perfect close up (and aren't the bride's earrings stunning as well?!!)⁠
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#basilicabride #notredameweddings #venueND #letterpress #customweddinginvitations #customstationery #weddinginvitationdesigner #classicinvitations #invitationdetails #formalwedding #foilinvitations
Thinking about sending your first Christmas card a Thinking about sending your first Christmas card as a married couple this year? Or how about letting your holiday card do double duty as a save the date announcement? I've got you covered with Banter & Charm's 2023 holiday collection! Follow the link in bio to see a variety of Christmas save the dates and newlywed holiday cards!⁠
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#holidaycards #mintedartist #mintedholiday #sendmoresnailmail #ourfirstchristmas #firstchristmas #christmascard #snailmailrevolution
Yes I know, it's not even Halloween yet - let alon Yes I know, it's not even Halloween yet - let alone Thanksgiving - but if you're planning on sending save the dates in the next few months, why not make it a Christmas card / save the date?⁠
Or what better way to celebrate your first married Christmas, than with a Christmas card showing off your wedding photos.⁠
Visit the link in my profile to see a round up of my favorite First Christmas cards for newlyweds and holiday save the dates.⁠
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#holidaycards #mintedartist #mintedholiday #sendmoresnailmail #ourfirstchristmas #firstchristmas #christmascard #snailmailrevolution
Unique, out of the ordinary invitations are great Unique, out of the ordinary invitations are great and sooo much fun to design, but I'll always have a sweet spot in my heart for a classic and traditional design. There's a reason some things never go out of style - whether it's a little black dress, the perfect shade of red lipstick, or a perfectly typeset letterpress invitation, they all have a timeless aesthetic that will look classy, not dated, 20 years from now.�⁠
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#banterandcharm #iloveletterpress #designisinthedetails #monogrameverything #southernbride #southernwedding #thedonnellyhouse #alabamabride #customweddinginvitations #letterpressinvitations #customstationery #classicinvitations
Incorporating a bride’s color palette into her w Incorporating a bride’s color palette into her wedding invitations has become one of my favorite puzzles to solve! There are so many ways to combine colors through the various pieces in an invitation suite, and something as simple as using a colored envelope for the RSVP card can have a huge impact on the overall look.⁠
Looking for ideas on how to use your wedding colors in your invitation suite? Head over to the blog for more tips!⁠
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#theweddingstationeryguide #weddingplanningtips #stationerydesigner #weddinginvitations #behindthescenes #therisingtidesociety #communityovercompetition #weddingwednesday
Nicholas and Victoria's invitation suite for their Nicholas and Victoria's invitation suite for their wedding in Philadelphia featured so many of my favorite things! Wax seal ✔️ Vellum ✔️ Foil ✔️ Venue Illustration ✔️ Colored envelopes ✔️ Hand calligraphy ✔️⁠
Absolutely in love with how it all came together 😍⁠
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#banterandcharm #venueillustration #venuesketch #customweddinginvitations #letterpress #onmydesk #behindthescenes #wip #letterpressinvitations #customstationerydesigner #goldfoilweddinginvitations #fineartwedding
This invitation suite for Alison and Anthony's wed This invitation suite for Alison and Anthony's wedding at Congress Hall in Cape May, New Jersey, was filled with so many stunning details 😍 From the silver foil and black letterpress to the monogram wax seal and edge painting, nothing was overlooked. ⁠
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#fineartweddings #capemaywedding #customweddinginvitations #stationerydesigner #designisinthedetails #dailydoseofpaper #weddinginspo #detailshot #invitationideas
Are you team photo or no photo for the save the da Are you team photo or no photo for the save the date card? Either way, I've got you covered! Whether you want to show off your sweet engagement photos or you prefer a formal announcement Banter & Charm has plenty of styles to choose from. Not sure which you want? I'm happy to help out!⁠
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#fineartwedding #dailydoseofpaper #customweddinginvitations #customdavethedatecards ⁠
#stationeryaddict #bridetobe #engagementring⁠
#luxurywedding #loveauthentic⁠
#weddinginvitations #banterandcharm
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