Your wedding design is a unique way to tell the story of who you are as a couple. So it’s only fitting that your wedding invitation reflects that too! After all, it’s the first impression guests will have of your big day. Many of the couples we work with as Colorado wedding planners choose to have personalized wedding stationery designed just for them, and the team at Richard’s Notebook (our in-house artisan paperie) is honored to be their partner in that process. We love seeing their ideas come to life on paper! It really allows us to maximize our design schemes and create an immersive wedding experience from start to finish.
From these experiences with our clients, we hear questions many brides and grooms have about custom wedding stationery. So here are a few of the most important things you should consider.
Your wedding style. When commissioning a customized stationery suite, remember that it should be an extension of the overall look and feel you want to create for your wedding day. For example, are you planning a formal, black tie affair or a relaxed, rustic mountain destination wedding? In which season are you marrying? Do you have a theme? These are some of the questions your designer will discuss with you, before translating ideas into font, color and design suggestions.
When to order. Couples are often surprised by how long it can take to order custom stationery. However, when you consider the designer has to create, refine, print, assemble, address and mail your paper goods, with unique detailing and hand drawn elements, it’s an art that takes time. Start working with your designer at least 8–12 months before your wedding date to make sure everything is ready in good time.
What to order. Along with wedding invitations and save the dates, you may also wish to order other elements. These may be inserts to the main invitation suite, such as RSVP or information card. You might also consider day-of paper goods like menus, place cards, table numbers or ceremony programs. Consider matching thank you cards and ordering these early too! You can send them as gifts arrive so you don’t have a giant to-do list after the honeymoon.
How many to order. When planning invitations, some couples make the mistake of thinking that 1 guest = 1 invitation. Some will be arriving as a couple or family, so you will need to go through your guest list and come up with the number of households. Don’t forget the wedding party, as well as your parents! Your final order should also include around 20% extra for emergencies, keepsakes, and a 10-15% overstock of envelopes for your calligrapher (everyone makes mistakes!).
Wording. Your designer or wedding planner will often assist with the wording, so that it reflects your personalities and family circumstances, as well as the right level of formality. It can take some time to get just right!
Finishing touches. It’s the little details that really make an invitation suite stand out. For example, bespoke illustrations, hand addressed calligraphy, decorative or personalized stamps, wax seals, velum wraps, special paper, foils and so on. Allowing your designer the time and creative freedom to play will pay off with paper goods that your guests won’t soon forget!
Beautiful wedding stationery acts as both an introduction to your event and a keepsake, so it’s worth giving it expert attention.
Photo by Carrie Patterson Photography, Stationery by Richard’s Notebook
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