You’re engaged and now in the process of planning your wedding – congratulations! You’re in for an exciting time as you work out your wedding’s details, from the date and venue to the theme, bridal shower and, of course, your save the dates and wedding invitations.
Planning your wedding stationery is part of the fun of organising your wedding. But with so many options and vendors to choose from, how do you get started? We’ve got you covered with this brief guide on what you should consider when planning your engagement announcements, save the dates and invitations.
- Design: Decide on Your Theme and Colour Palette
Your wedding theme can cover everything from colours, shades, sizes and shapes. From vintage, rustic, seasonal, beach/tropical and boho-chic – the possibilities are endless. Your wedding theme or colour palette can also guide your wedding stationery’s design.
For instance, if you’re planning a nature-themed wedding, you can incorporate green colours into your invitations and table place cards. If you’re thinking of including photos in your cards, get in touch with a photographer (check the likes of Portland wedding photography) and let them know your preferences. If you’re having a rustic barn wedding, go with white or ivory card blanks and match them with kraft recycled envelopes to create an earthy look. Autumn wedding? Try incorporating leaves and red and orange accents in your stationery.
- Wording: Essential Information to Include
Regardless of your wedding stationery’s design, theme and colour palette, your invitations and save the dates should show the most important details of the event.
In other words, your invites should answer the questions “who, what, when, where and why”. Be sure to include the following information when wording your stationery:
- The couple’s names
- The wedding date
- The wedding venue (specify if there are separate venues for the wedding ceremony and reception)
- Start time
- RSVP date and whom to reply to.
There are also conventions to be mindful of depending on how traditional or informal your wedding will be. For instance, with traditional invitations, the wording can be something along the lines of “Mr and Mrs John Doe request the pleasure of your presence to celebrate the marriage of their daughter Jane to Mr Jack Smith”. More informal weddings can be worded in a much simpler way.
- Shopping: Get Samples of Paper and Cardstock
Stationers that sell high-quality paper and cardstock will be more than happy to offer samples or swatches of their products. As an alternative, you can also approach companies that offer booklet printing and get your wedding card printed in booklet form with a paper of your choice.
Samples are great for planning how your save the dates, invitation cards and table place cards will look and feel, allowing you to see how certain colours and textures contrast or complement each other. They can also give you a better idea of how your stationery will look alongside embellishments like cord and wax seals.
- Sustainability: Using Recycled Paper
Amid the threat of climate change, every little thing you can do to reduce your carbon footprint helps. You can make your wedding more sustainable by ordering paper and cardstock made from recycled paper. These products will often have flecks and other blemishes, giving your stationery a distinctive rustic look.
- Printing: Professional Printer vs DIY
Finally, think of how you will print your invitations. If you have elaborate designs or need several hundred invitations, you’re generally better off paying a professional printer to handle the job for you.
But if you have an intimate wedding or have the time to go full DIY with your stationery project, you can print at home, provided you have a reliable ink printer that can print on thick paper. An alternative would be to write your invitations by hand – ideal if you have calligraphy experience.
Infographic created by Grown Brilliance, a lab diamond engagement rings provider
