Invitation Maven

The Party Starts When The Invitation Arrives

Get your party started right with the Invitation Maven

Meet the Invitation Maven

Hi! My name is Marlene Widawer, but I am also known as the “Invitation Maven.” Maven means “expert” in Yiddish, and people call me that not only because of the beautiful invitations they receive, but because they so much enjoy the experience. A creative, interesting and unique invitation is the first thing your guests will see and is the best way to get the party started. And I LOVE working with my clients to create the perfect invitation for their event.

Here at Invitation Maven, everything we do is truly custom designed and made. It goes from your imagination to our discussions and right into your design. Get your inspiration from anywhere, and we’ll make it a reality. Invitation Maven isn’t just about the finished invitation, but in the memories you make along the way. I love working with people, and my passion is to help my clients create memories that last a lifetime.

Invitation Maven Marlene Widawer
Photo by Gloria Mesa Photography (GloriaMesa.com)

Do you have a question about invitations or decor for your upcoming event?

Let’s start talking! I’m happy to answer questions for you, imagine the event with you, and share with you what’s possible.

As Seen In

What Are Truly Custom Invitations™?

The Invitation Maven creates truly custom invitations that are much more unique, creative and personal to you than what you’ll ever find in a catalog. Go to other sites and you can customize their pre-made designs with your name, date and event location. That’s “personalization” not “customization.” We don’t “customize” an already-created design. Instead, we start from a blank canvas and design a full invitation suite -- exactly as you envision it -- together.

Wedding invitation suite

Custom Invitations

Laser Cut Wedding Invitation

Custom Wedding Invitations

Your wedding invitation is the preview to the most important day in your new life together, and should reflect your personality and style. Start dreaming here.

Bat Mitzvah Invitation

Custom Bar/Bat Mitzvah Invitations

A Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah is a special day in your child’s life. Your invitation suite should reflect not only the fun and excitement of the party, but the significance and traditions of the milestone as well.

Birthday Party Invitation

Custom Birthday Party Invitations

Life is meant to be enjoyed and celebrated; what better way is there to celebrate life than to recognize a special birthday with a party? Plan yours today!

charity event invitation

Custom Corporate & Charity Event Invitations

Whether you are planning a gala, awards dinner, retreat, golf tournament, or a fundraising event, your invitation is your guests’ first look at the celebration that awaits them.

We also do other kinds of custom invitations and announcements, including baby shower invitations, birth announcements, graduation party invitations, graduation announcements, holiday cards, and just about anything else you can think of.

Photo Gallery

Do you have a question about invitations or decor for your upcoming event?

Let’s start talking! I’m happy to answer questions for you, imagine the event with you, and share with you what’s possible.

Laser Cut Designs

Want an invitation and event decor that your guests will be talking about for years to come? Incorporate custom laser cut elements into your design for a unique and truly magnificent touch of elegance. Laser cutting allows us to add detailed and intricate design elements to your invitations and event decor that will take it from gorgeous to truly unforgettable.

Laser Cut Designs; Cake topper cut out of wood with initials "B" and "R"
Laser Cut Designs; table number with runner and "Javelin"
Laser Cut Designs; wedding invitation suite

Preferred Vendor at these Venues

Very Happy Clients

I used Marlene/Invitation Maven for my Son's Bar Mitzvah. In addition to designing and printing the invitations and the handouts for the service, she designed and made the centerpieces which were amazing. My son's theme was Poker and each table had large playing cards as the center piece with a special "set of cards' for the kids tables centerpieces. Her attention to detail and personal touch are just some of the many reasons I would recommend using Invitation Maven.

~ Simone Roland

She did an incredible job on our wedding invitations. She has more colors to choose from than an actual paint store. Tastefully designed, wonderful customer service. I can't recommend her highly enough!

~ Samantha C.

Full disclosure: Marlene is my cousin so I'm biased, but that doesn't mean I don't think she's the bomb when it comes to planning an amazing party for the dual 50th birthday celebration for my wife and our friend, Susie. With barely two weeks from inception to party time, there wasn't time to engage Marlene in her forte as the Invitation Maven. Instead, she took on the roll of party planner, and she did an incredible job. Normally, throwing a party makes my head explode. This time my head stayed intact because Marlene made sure the I's were dotted and the T's were crossed. She was on top of all the details and coordinated everything with the venue staff and the food providers. What's more, she had everything handled during the party which enabled me and my co-host, George, to fully engage with our guests and enjoy the festivities. Thank you, Marlene!

~ Rich Abronson

I would never recommend any other invitation business but Invitation Maven! Marlene Widawer is so very creative and talented and takes the time to understand the needs of her customers. She then creates such works of art! I have had several clients use her services and they have been totally pleased with her work. Marlene's invitations are beautiful and custom! She takes such pride in her work and has such a friendly personality!

~ Elana Davidson Gomberg

I used Invitation Maven/Marlene Widawer to do my daughter's Bat Mitzvah invitation and was amazing from the start to the end. Personal service-through the whole process and SO creative! LOVE how the invitations came out! Highly recommend for any occasions.

~ Carmit Weissman

Invitation and Party Decor Services

Invitation Stuffing and Mailing Services

Invitation Services

Our services don’t stop when the invitations are printed. We can help you with invitation addressing, custom postage, stuffing and mailing, response tracking, and more. Make your event stress-free with our help.
 

Our services don’t stop when the invitations are printed. We can help you with invitation addressing, custom postage, stuffing and mailing, response tracking, and more. Make your event stress-free with our help.

Party Event Decor; table number sign

Party and Event Decor

From sign-in boards, event programs, and seating cards to centerpieces, table numbers and more, we will bring the beauty of your invitations into your event.
 
 

From sign-in boards, event programs, and seating cards to centerpieces, table numbers and more, we will bring the beauty of your invitations into your event.

Graphic Design for custom water bottle labels

Graphic Design Services

Whether you need a logo for your event or business, new business cards, brochure or marketing layouts, or anything else in print or on the web, our professional design services will give you the look you want.

Do you have a question about invitations or decor for your upcoming event?

Let’s start talking! I’m happy to answer questions for you, imagine the event with you, and share with you what’s possible.

Our Blog

These 4-foot wide by 8-foot tall hedges were blown down by severe winds the night before our event.

Why You Should Hire an Event Planner – Even During a Pandemic

A real-life story about how an event planner didn’t let high winds blow everything for her client I have written a few articles stressing the importance of hiring a professional event planner (you can read many of the reasons why in my articles, here and here). As an event professional who is often on-site while … Read more

Rich golds and greens are featured in this boho chic invitation suite

Best of the Blog 2020: Black and White at Our Love in Color – Urban Boho Wedding Inspiration

2020 wasn’t all bad! Invitation Maven has been featured in the Best of the Blog 2020: Black and White at Our Love in Color! Do us a solid and vote for #3 – Urban Boho Wedding Inspiration. Click here to go to the contest page. Below are some photos of our work from this gorgeous … Read more

Teal Hot Pink Wedding Invitation - Missy and Peter

Neon Wedding Invitation by Invitation Maven Featured in The Knot

Invitation Maven is proud to announce that one of our custom invitation suites was just featured in The Knot! Missy and Peter had a distinct vision for their February 2020 wedding: NEON, and the colors in the invitation suite introduced Missy and Peter’s guests to their unique neon color palate. As you can see in … Read more

Affiliations & Associations

Rising Tide Society
Association for Creative Industries
Craft Industry Alliance
Printing Industries Association of Southern California (PIASC)
Wedding and Party Professionals
JNET (Jewish Business Networking)

Schedule Your Inspiration Session

It’s never too early to start planning your event and to decide who you are going to work with. Let’s schedule your inspiration call or meeting. We’ll talk about your event and start imagining how wonderful it’s going to be. Fill out the form on this page and let’s get started.

Contact The Invitation Maven

Contact The Invitation Maven