Boarding School is a Portland, Oregon based design collective providing bespoke invitations, fine paper goods,
and limited day-of signage items for weddings and events.
please note :: as of 2022 BSC is going on hiatus and is not currently accepting bookings or inquiries.
thank you for understanding.
Established in 2016 in Austin, Texas by our Founder + Creative Director, Jess Astrella, we have created cohesive visual identities, luxury paper goods and unique signage for dozens upon dozens of discerning clients, both working directly with brides & groom and their families, as well as industry-leading wedding planners.
Because we collaborate with world-class industry vendors and wedding professionals, we're happy to say we regularly receive top marks for our work and are consistently featured in many reputable online and print publications including Martha Stewart Weddings, The Knot, Style Me Pretty, Grey Likes Weddings, Magnolia Rouge, Green Wedding Shoes, Artfully Wed, Carats & Cake, Ruffled Blog, and Southern Weddings.
And because we love extra credit - we are proud to be able to say that our work has been shot on 5 continents!
Over time, the shape of the Collective has changed as we’ve seen talented artisan colleagues come and go.
The hands doing the work may change, but the heart of the work is always the same:
our ability to tell your story using a unique, cohesive, artful, visual language.
As of 2021, BSC offerings include the following:
Save the Dates
Invitations ::
- Full service only -
An information packet is available herePersonal Stationery & Thank You cards
Available on a limited á la carte basisCalligraphy & Brush Lettering Envelope Addressing ::
Inquire for pricing and available stylesSmall “Day-Of” Paper* Goods ::
Including but not limited to:
Welcome booklets, Programs, Place Cards, Escort Cards, Table Numbers, Menus, Bar Menus,
and Small Directional Signage*Some items are available on other materials such as tile, glass, lucite, agate, leather, etc. Please inquire.
Fabric Signage
Digital Spot Calligraphy Services
ALL RENTAL PRODUCTS, INCLUDING LUCITE CUBES, HAVE MOVED TO THE TALENTED HANDS OF LETTERED BY VALERIE.
WHILE OFFICIALLY UNAFFILIATED WITH BSC, IT’S A HAND-OFF TO AN ARTIST WE ADMIRE AND TRUST.
We are not a real boarding school, but we do like ivy covered brick, romantic woodsy color palettes, crisp notebooks, candlelit hallways and the exclusivity of quality. We love old textures and new attitudes - traditions made modern.
We aim to help make your event beautiful, navigable, enjoyable, and memorable.
Photo :: Maria Lamb
Jessica Astrella
Founder & Creative Director
A freelance calligrapher + illustrator, Jess started Boarding School Collective to serve a rapidly growing client base looking for reliable, consistent, lovely art signage for weddings in the Austin area.
While she did not attend a fancy East Coast boarding school, she did apply to and get rejected from f i v e fancy East Coast liberal arts colleges.
It all worked out, though - she moved to New York in 2010 anyway, worked in advertising, picked up a souvenir (husband, Matt), moved to Austin to start this company, picked up another souvenir (dog, Mozzarella) and moved home to Portland, Oregon. In August 2019, they welcomed a beautiful baby girl into the family, and by December 2020 a sweet baby boy joined the fray. Time is now a precious commodity!
She also runs her own non-wedding brand, j.rocro arts + letters, through which she gets to freelance in graphic design, paint pet portraits, provide spot illustrations, dabble in logo+brand work, execute custom lettering projects, and offers a smattering of greeting cards + prints.
