Meet Andrea Mendez | Custom Wedding/Event Stationery + Signage + Details

We had the good fortune of connecting with Andrea Mendez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Andrea, we’d love for you to start things off by telling us something about your industry that we and others not in the industry might be unaware of?
My career specializing in custom wedding/event stationery and signage places me in a special niche where the graphic design industry and wedding/event industry collide. These two worlds allow me to marry (no pun intended) my art, creativity and passion for telling people’s stories. While it’s easy to assume that most of my work-life comes with a fun, party-like atmosphere, I think most outsiders fail to realize how much work goes into producing creative items. Designers are constantly trying to create something new, beautiful, outside the box, and represents the client, with every project. For some it can sometimes cause creative burnout, so it’s vital that we as designers take the necessary steps to avoid losing inspiration.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
Having a career in a field outside of the art/creative world has never been an option. Not even a fleeting thought. My 13 year journey as a graphic designer has allowed me to explore many ways to channel my creativity but when I began designing invitation suites and event details, I knew I had found my love. I was hooked on the ability to create different “stories” for different clients. After all, that’s what weddings/events are – stories. The invitation suite acts as your big day’s first impression, the book cover if you will, and I want to make the guests feel like they can’t wait to read your story. From there, all of the small details that I design for a client’s event (including welcome signs, menus and drink stirrers) only make the story more personal, thoughtful and vibrant.

I have never believed in coincidence. It is my belief that every success, failure, odd job, connection and everything in between has led you to where you are in this moment. They have made you stronger, smarter and a little more prepared. That part-time job selling fragrant lotion at the mall gave me people skills. Striving for a career path that was not my major in college was frowned upon but I followed my heart. Meeting that one person in passing that found me two years later to ask me to collaborate on a project, led to my work being published for the first time. These are all fragments of my journey that someone could easily mistake for random decisions and occurrences, but I know better.

I am where I should be, doing what I love. I hope that that can be seen within my work.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We would spend a day looking at street art, eat lunch at Genwa BBQ, and grab something sweet at Horchateria Rio Luna, catch a concert at the The Greek Theatre, have late night eats at Sanamluang Cafe and sleep in the car at Zuma beach.

Do a walking tour of Angelino Heights with Los Angeles Conservancy, grab lunch and drinks at Toca Madera, explore Olvera Street, take pictures at the Chandelier Tree, have dinner at Baan Thai and admire the Colorado Street Bridge from below.

We would hike the trails at O’Melveny Park or Franklin Canyon, eat all the crunch french toast and eggs benedict we could stomach at Blu Jam Cafe, want everything in the Corey Helford Museum dinner at Iroha Sushi of Tokyo and head up to the Observatory to look at the view at night.

Sidecar donuts for breakfast, visit The Gamble House, picnic at the top of Mt. Wilson, visit whatever is happening at the Container Yard.

Have breakfast at Republique, Venice Canals, Descanso Gardens, bombay tikka masala pizza at 786 Degrees, concert at The Wiltern end the night at Top of Topanga Overlook.

And I guess lounge for the 2 days in between, haha.

Alright, so let’s jump right in! The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there a person, group, organization, book, etc. that you want to dedicate your shoutout to? Who else deserves a little credit and recognition in your story?  
Without a doubt, my immediate response is “my family.” Covid-19 put a complete stop to weddings, events, and therefore my work. I took the “time off” to focus on my pregnancy and gave birth to my daughter during the height of the pandemic in 2020. My husband, parents and sister were there (and continue to be) whenever I needed support and I am forever grateful.

I have always been inspired by my late, maternal grandfather who was a machinist for over 40 years. He was so fluid in his environment and loved what he did so much that he “never worked a day in his life.” He always made an effort to learn new techniques and processes and I believe it was this willingness to be a student at any age that led him to push the boundaries and produce his best work.

I’d like to give credit to two amazing women. The first being Kristen Sottosanto of Stop and Stare Events, who made me have faith in myself and my ability to balance being a first time parent and re-entering the workforce. The second being Sarah Wang of My Wedding Songbird, who was so kind as to nominate my story for this interview and has inspired my work with her talent and vision.
I’m so glad our paths have crossed.

Last but certainly not least, I’d like to thank Mike and Shoutout LA for giving me the opportunity to be part of this, I appreciate it.

Thank you all so much.

Website: www.the84thhour.com

Instagram: @the84thhour

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-84th-Hour-101349459022668

Image Credits
Katie Jackson Photography