Hidden in the labyrinth of the Gift Center is  Jacques Oskanian's invitation and wedding accessories business. His more than 200 invitation books line the shelves on one wall, and offer something for every taste. Wedding and party accessories, from elaborate raised silver cake platters, crystal champagne flutes, and guest books to cute Just Married flip flops are displayed in showcases or cover the shelves on the opposite wall.

Jacques welcomed us with his contagious smile and open arms; he told us all about his business, which he founded in 1988. He named it Hyegraph; Hye, meaning Armenia, in honor of the country from which he came. Additionally to English and Armenian he speaks French  Moroccan and Turkish. During his many years in business he has won several awards form the Advertising Specialty Institute and the S.F. Chronicle for the Largest Selection of Invitations in the Bay Area. Customers confirm the quality of his products, his flexibility, and the great help he gives to them.

To be up-to-date, Jacques visits the stationery show in New York each year, the largest in the country. In addition to traditional invitations and announcements, he carries beautiful, elegant cards, which are my favorites. They are made of 100% cotton fiber in a variety of matching colors on which the monogram of the couple serves as the design. The other line I fell in love with comes from T-Link Invitations. They have poems and proverbs of the poet Kahlil Gibran inscribed on the back of the card. The rich copper-tone envelope made the presentation even more special. Other selections encompass red Chinese characters, invitations on a scroll, or the letter-press favorites.

For a descendant of a royal Iranian family, Jacques helped create the wedding announcements, which were written in Farsi.

"I love weddings because they are such happy occasions," he says, and I can tell he speaks the truth.

Before you order invitations