Manifest Spotlight: Wedding Invite Designer Itchha Talreja

Remember Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s iconic wedding invitation? From the sterling silver temple invitation to the eloquent pre-wedding e-invite, the Ambanis set the bar pretty high with respect to how to do a big fat Indian wedding. The viral invitation cards were designed by graphic designer Itchha Talreja, who has also designed wedding invites for celebrities such as Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chaddha, Rakul Preet and Jackky Bhagnani, and Aaliyah Kashyap and Shane Gregoire.

But long before she became the go-to wedding invite designer for some of the most iconic couples in the country, Itchha was just someone who loved to draw and make birthday cards for her friends and family. Now, almost a decade later, Itchha Talreja has made an indelible mark in the industry with her visionary digital invites being a standout. These often inculcate the tiniest details relevant to her clients and are also a testament to the fact that we’re on our way to a major mindset change in terms of weddings and sustainability.

We’re seeing innovative layouts, animations, fonts and virtual languages emerge as a result of this new increase in demand for digital invitations. Read on to learn more about the designer’s creative process and how she co-creates with her clients in the most fruitful and masterful way…

In Conversation With Itchha Talreja

Manifest India: What inspired you toward graphic design, specifically wedding invitation designing?

Itchha Talreja: As a child, I was always the one making handmade cards for every birthday, anniversary, or special occasion. My mom still has a collection of them in her wardrobe, filled with Mother's Day cards and more! In school, I was the go-to person for creating diagrams and helping with art projects. Early on, I realized that if I wasn't going to be a homemaker (which was also one of my ambitions), I would certainly pursue something creative—something involving art and design.

M: You designed the invitations for Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s wedding. What stood out to you the most while designing their invitations?

IT: Radhika & Anant’s invite was all about the details, and it was all under the guidance of the perfectionist herself, Mrs. Nita Ambani. Every element had to be perfect, from the design to the carefully chosen music, down to the smallest sounds like water, birds, and peacocks.

Everything had to be in complete sync. We’ve done thousands of invites, but this one was on another level—nothing short of perfect, which is what truly made it stand apart.

M: What are some of the most interesting or heartwarming responses you’ve gotten towards your work?

IT: Even after all these years in the industry, I still get butterflies when sending the first draft of an animation or a printed invite to a client. It’s always accompanied by a quiet hope that they’ll love it. I won’t deny there’s always a bit of fear and nervousness too. I vividly remember one occasion when the father of a bride called after receiving the printed invitations. His voice sounded off, and my heart sank. But then, he got emotional—in the best way possible. Through happy tears, he said,‘It feels real now, and it couldn’t have been better.’That moment has stayed with me ever since.

I even keep a folder of messages and voice notes from clients over the years—it’s my go-to pick-me-up on tough days. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that no news is often good news. When a client doesn’t immediately message or call after receiving the invites, it’s usually a sign that everything is just right.

M: What is the most chaotic or hilarious incident you can recall witnessing while being at a wedding that you may or may not have designed the invitations for?

IT: One of the most memorable weddings I’ve been a part of was for one of my closest friends. After a lively night of celebrations, we all woke up the next morning, a bit worse for wear, only to discover that the bride had run away! Despite the unexpected turn of events, the celebrations continued. With the venues prepared, the entertainment booked, and guests who had travelled from afar, we made the most of it. It was a weekend full of fun—just without the bride! Interestingly, the invitations for this event were designed by us, and thanks to digital formats, we were able to reuse the same invites for the groom’s wedding later that year.

M: I noticed that you design your invitations with a softer aesthetic, with watercolour graphics and paintings as backgrounds, is there a specific reason you gravitate towards that?

IT: I love designs that are subtle, minimal, and pretty. I’m not one to fill every inch of space just because someone paid me to design it. The essence of good design is all about balance, and sometimes that balance comes from leaving white space. That said, it’s not always about pretty things; I also enjoy creating bold, abstract, and edgy designs. It really depends on what the client wants, the theme of the event, and what makes me proud of the work.

M: Though print invitations have a charm that cannot be replaced easily, how do you think a person can strike a balance between really wanting print invitations for their wedding and also making sustainable, environmentally friendly choices?

IT: Nothing quite matches the charm of a printed invitation, but it's essential to be mindful of how it's used. Sustainability is a significant challenge in our industry, yet there are ways to incorporate eco-friendly practices. For example, we often use seed papers that can be planted and returned to the soil or opt for ethically sourced papers, where more trees are planted for every sheet used. Many premium paper companies have embraced this as a standard, and we ensure that our invitations reflect these sustainable choices. While it's impossible to do everything perfectly, even small changes can make a big difference.

M: What do you think is going to be a major trend in terms of wedding invites in the next 2-3 years?

IT: The major trend will be personalization and more digitalisation. I think clients are moving away from basic designs and looking for something that feels unique and uncommon. Digital invites with 3D elements and AI are definitely going to be what’s trending next.

M: When you’re strategising while designing wedding invites, how much do you take graphic trends into consideration?

IT: We don’t believe in following trends, and that’s usually a big challenge for us. Every invite demands a lot of research and development in terms of design. We take considerable time on each project because we want our invites to be completely unique—nothing that’s been done before, whether by us or anyone else. As the saying goes, the best trend is 'not to follow one,' and that’s a mantra we live by.

M: I also noticed that you take your clients’ personal stories into serious consideration, what has been the most memorable and heartfelt instance of you incorporating a client’s personal details into your invites?

IT: One of our brides, who called herself a ‘Sabyasachi princess' and was an avid coffee lover, was marrying a stand-up comedian with a passion for ramen. Their wedding in Portugal inspired us to create a logo with an azure watercolour finish, reflecting the charm of Lisbon’s streets. The design featured a modern-day princess in her Sabyasachi attire, sipping coffee from her signature Starbucks cup, while the groom, sporting a crown to complement his bride, enjoyed a bowl of ramen. The logo beautifully captured their personalities and the playful, unique spirit of their wedding.

M: On that note, how do you ensure the invites are personalised to each couple?

IT: The whole idea behind personalising invitations is really about getting to know the couple on a deeper level. It involves plenty of conversations, and more often than not, I end up making friends along the way. I've been fortunate enough to attend many of their weddings too! We usually start the process with a fun round of questionnaires. After all, isn’t it better to truly understand your clients? Are they fire signs or water signs? Do they love to party or are they homebodies? These insights not only help with designing the perfect invitation but also give a glimpse into whether our stars align!

Manifest Cheat Sheet

M: Who do you think should come to Itchha Talreja Designs for their wedding invites?

IT: Every couple looking for something out of the box doesn’t want the same old caricatures. They’re after a one-of-a-kind art piece that they'll cherish forever. Plus, they want someone who can be both an agony aunt and a friend throughout this whole journey.

M: How would you define your style of work?

IT: My art style is a bit hard to pin down—not super minimal but not maximal either. I like to call it 'maximinimal'. It’s contemporary and always evolving. I’m not a fan of putting artwork in a box; I love to experiment with different forms and styles to keep things fresh. Sometimes my designs come out pretty, sometimes they’re bold, but they’re never monotonous!

M: How far in advance should couples reach out to you?

IT: We usually work anywhere between six months to one year. This gives us enough time to create, go back and forth, and have room for revisions if needed. But the sooner, the better! We take on limited projects, so slots fill up fast.

M: Can you give us an insight into the pricing details of your invitations?

IT: Pricing is subjective…totally depends on what one wants, how much effort it requires, and deliverables. But essentially, the pricing starts from INR 1,00,000 onwards.

M: What is your delivery/turn-out period?

IT: The timeline really depends on the couple's vision and the level of detail involved. Sometimes, we complete the design in a week, while other times it can take several months. It's all about putting in the effort to ensure everything is just right!