Where to Start with your Wedding Stationery

26 Aug

Hello!

eddings can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to the smaller details such as your stationery. The choices are endless; wax seals, foiling, paper textures, colours, envelopes…it can all be a little confusing at times! This is why you should choose a wedding stationery designer that understands what you as a couple want and need from your big day.

Your stationery is the very first impression of your wedding that your guests will receive. It serves a very practical purpose in setting the tone of your day and letting your guests know what to expect. Are you planning a relaxed summer wedding in an Italian villa, or a black tie affair at Christmas? The design for both of these invitations would be very different. It is also one of the only keepsakes of your wedding that will last long past the actual day.

With this in mind, spending some time on your stationery is worth it. If you are wondering where to start, I’ve put together a helpful step-by-step guide below, on where to begin.

Step 1: Pinterest/Wedding Blogs

Pinterest is a great place to start, as it is a wedding haven of inspiration! Try not to get too distracted pinning anything and everything, think about what you want for your day as a couple, what your venue is like, and the colour palette you would like to work within, then pin accordingly! As your board starts to grow, you should begin to see a style emerge. Based on this style, whether it is contemporary and minimalist or rustic and floral, you should have a rough idea of where you would like to go with your stationery. I would, however, take Pinterest with a pinch of salt, and use it for inspiration only. Many stationery photos are concept shoots and may be impractical for a real functioning wedding. You can check out Last Colour Down on Pinterest here to gather some ideas. Blogs such as Wedding Sparrow, The Lane, Over the Moon and closer to home, the Irish Wedding Blog, are great for gathering ideas from real weddings. I also love Oh So Beautiful Paper, which is all about stationery.

Step 2: Do your research

Using your Pinterest board as a reference point, begin to research wedding stationers that design in your preferred style. Instagram is a great place to start with this; try searching hashtags relating to your chosen style (for example minimaliststationery or floralinvites) or wedding directory websites, like One Fab Day or The Un-Wedding, where you can find numerous designers in one place. You should be looking for your wedding stationery around 8-12 months in advance of the big day (particularly if you are interested in a custom design).

Make sure you are researching stationery designers within your price range. It is important to find a wedding stationery designer that aligns with your aesthetic and that you would love to work with. Make sure you have already researched their prices or received a quote from them before you begin. This will avoid any rush printing or choosing a designer that you are not happy with, just because they are within your budget.

Step 3: Order a sample

Not every couple orders a sample pack from potential wedding stationery designers but you wouldn't order your wedding cake without tasting it first, right? It is important to check the quality and colour of the invitations you are ordering to ensure it is what you are expecting. Most designers charge between €5 - €15 for a sample pack, which is a small price to pay for peace of mind! You can order a sample pack from Last Colour Down here.

Step 4: Book!

At this point, you should have a good idea of what you as a couple would like for your stationery, and what is available on the market. Booking as early as you can is advisable, to secure your place with the your dream wedding stationery designer. You can book a free consultation call with me if you are interested in custom wedding stationery here.

If your wedding stationery has fallen down the priority list a little (which happens!), some designers do offer rush printing, but this is not always the case. You should be looking to book your wedding stationery designer 8-12 months in advance of your wedding day.

Finally, enjoy the process as much as can. Your stationery is the first tangible piece of your wedding that you receive (as well as your guests!) and there is nothing like opening that box and seeing your names together on your invitations to make it all feel real!

Dee

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