Meet Molly Feighner Jenness of Fingerprint Designs.
Molly has over 12 years of graphic design, illustration, copywriting and photography experience. Molly believes she brings a unique set of creative skills to the table to meet the needs of brides that ranges from illustrating the perfect monogram, filigree or map of the day’s events, to designing the invitation suite a bride has always dreamed of sending to her treasured guests. Molly, says “she will not only meet your expectations, she will exceed them.”
Molly conceived Fingerprint Designs to satisfy the needs of the discerning bride who is looking for unique and beautiful wedding stationery. As she strives to tailor each design perfectly to match each couples unique personality, the décor of their event and the event details to perfection as well as use the best printing methods available. Her goal is for your wedding stationary to make the best first impression to your guest.
When asked what she finds most challenging about being an invitation designer, she said the challenge comes with combating the myths and nonsense that bridal magazines and some online publications (ie. blogs) fill brides’ heads with about what they can and can’t afford before they’ve even spoken to a professional. Or they dictate what trends to follow, colors to use and “what’s hot” this season. Molly says she’s a “firm believer in following your heart and budget! to create the design of your lifetime.”
When asked what sets her apart from her competitors, Molly says that every design she creates is completely unique to each couple so much so that she retires a design once it has been used. Because she believes everyone deserves to have a design as unique as their fingerprint. Going on to say, she poses artistic talent that many in her field don’t and that many of her competitors farm out illustrations or photography work, or that they purchase stock art to use in their designs. Molly can actually draw, write, design and has photography experience so she does all of the creative design work. Add marketing and managing and with Molly you get a one-stop-shop and a professional who can deliver any project.
When asked what she loved most about this business , here is what Molly had to say; It’s truly an amazing moment to see the look on a bride’s face when she sees her printed save the dates or invitations for the first time. So what has been your best wedding experience to date? That’s like asking a mother to pick her favorite child! Oh my goodness…They are all so memorable in their unique and special ways. To call one “the best” would be unfair. I’ve seen just as much joy and happiness in a “budget bride” as I have in a “all or nothing bride,” so comparing them on that level doesn’t make sense. And creatively, each bride has her own unique style, flair and taste – it’s totally subjective. They are all my brides and they are all the best!
Okay, so what is the craziest wedding experience you have had? I would say it was meeting the near-impossible deadline of a two and a half week turnaround! Of course, I didn’t tell the bride it was next to impossible, she was already quite worried and upset having been turned down by a few other vendors at the time. After our initial consultation, we immediately got to work on the design and I had stressed to her that communication was key if this was going to work. Thankfully, she was on top of her game to answer emails and calls promptly thereby keeping the flow of the design process going smoothly. We nailed the deadline to get the files to my printer and they did an amazing job getting the invitations back to me a few days early! Everyone was extremely pleased and very relieved!
Molly, if you never made another dime doing this would you? Good question! I think I would! The reason I would choose to continue to participate in this business is the people I meet and interact with and the level of satisfaction I receive when I know I’ve done things right for a couple. There’s nothing better than witnessing the joy of well-received invitations for me, at least. It’s the first step in getting the guests to the party in the first place and that’s pretty important!
Earlier, you mentioned the challenges associated with the myths that magazines and blogs put in heads of brides about what they can and can’t afford or what’s trendy. Aside from those challenges, what five mistakes do you see brides make with regards to your particular wedding industry? 1. Typos, believe it or not, it happens. Most of the time it’s a person’s name, so proofs should be read carefully and have another set of eyes read them as well 2. Following trends blindly without thinking them through. What are you going to think of that design in 20 years? sometimes, less is more 3. Addressing the envelopes yourselves. This task should be left to a pro. 4. Not ordering enough invitations. Always consider late additions, returned mail, lost invites, and you should order extra envelopes in case of addressing mistakes. 5. Not reading contracts carefully. This applies across the board to all vendors – read before you sign and make sure you understand what you’re signing!
What are three pieces of advice you would like to give brides? Start early to give yourself plenty of time, especially for custom invitations. Do your homework to have some ideas about what you like and dislike which is just as important. This will also help jumpstart your consultation. Don’t be afraid of new ideas – take a chance. Inspiration comes in all forms and from all places and it doesn’t always have to come form a wedding magazine, blog or book. Inspiration can come from anywhere so be open to it.
What 1 industry secret you would like to share with brides? Ah, a sneaky question… I can’t speak for all stationers, but I can reveal that I personally do not mark up printing costs. My brides pay exactly what I would pay, and that’s saying plenty.
Before we go, we’d like to ask one last question. What dream wedding would you like to do? Letterpress everything, with blind emboss embellishments! But seriously, every time I sit down with a new client I am designing a dream wedding, that’s the beauty of my job. I have the privilege of designing dreams, they just happen to be my client’s.
Thank you Molly for sharing your industry knowledge with us!
Contact Information:
Fingerprint Designs
6703 Levelland Rd, Suite A
Dallas, TX 75252
Phone: 214-755-9035
Email: molly@fingerprintdesigns.us
Website:www.fingerprintdesigns.us
