Question 1

What is your advice on planning an intimate wedding?

Accepted Answer

When it comes to buying or choosing stationery, the most important consideration is the necessity of buying in smaller quantities rather than being bound by multi-packs designed for larger affairs, which can end up being a false economy for a wedding of 50 or fewer. If your intimate setting is a personal preference, rather than due to budget, you might even have a little wiggle room to upgrade. Don't despair, if budget is a little tight, there are designs, techniques and materials that scream intimate chic without breaking the bank. Your stationer should be able to help you navigate these choices. With a smaller guest list, you have the chance to really wow your guests. For that extra special touch, address those invitations, envelopes and signage in your own handwriting or calligraphed lettering on handmade paper. Adding a headshot of you as a couple, your beautiful venue, foiled monogram, vellum jackets or belly bands to your invitations can elevate the overall look, subtly shouting luxury and showing your guests you're pulling out all the stops for their enjoyment and letting them know just how special they are to you. After all, your big day is about sharing love, and every detail counts.

Question 2

What is your advice on taking the first steps in wedding planning?

Accepted Answer

Three things are paramount. The first is: don't dive straight in, you'll probably end up spending good money after bad, and subsequently breaking the budget. The second is: know your numbers. You can't budget without doing so. And lastly: be organised. Relating each of these three points to your stationery, it's important to gather ideas, samples and to decide whether you'll want to follow a theme or particular palette. Creating a scrapbook or Pinterest board will help you stay focused and you'll be able to see a common theme emerging. Asking for samples, even if buying off-the-shelf, will give you a taste of the quality of the product you're spending your hard-earned cash on, and whether the design looks as good in reality as it does in a photo. It's just as important to get to know your stationery designer. Are they on your wavelength, are they listening to you? You'll probably have a rough idea of numbers but it helps to be a little more accurate right from the start. It'll dictate your venue size, your day versus evening guest list ratio, and can significantly reduce costs when it comes to ordering your stationery. Add-ons can prove to be costly with small quantity purchases, and changes to seating plans even more so. Consider signage and other on-the-day stationery too. Remember, it's not just about save-the-dates and invitations! Being organised gives you time and space to make the right decisions, helping you to keep track, plan, create a realistic budget and stick to it.

Question 3

What is your advice on creating a winter wonderland wedding?

Accepted Answer

Late December is the start of winter and weddings at this time are often referred to as a Christmas wedding. We must remember though that winter goes right through into March, so unless you really are looking for a festive wedding, here are a few ideas to steer away from that, while still giving your wedding stationery that elegant wintry twist. Your stationery is the first glimpse your loved ones will have of the the theme of your wedding, so creating stationery to reflect the season is a great way to let them know what to expect. Shimmering whites with hints of frosty blues or spruce/sage greens give a feel of countryside walks in the crisp frost. White on white or, ivory on ivory can also have an impactful presence. If you want to, add tartans or traditional Christmas colours, which can be integrated into floral themes such as ribbons or leaves for subtlety. This year, we see the ever-popular Kraft card making plenty of appearances. This can create a beautiful, rustic woodland or outdoor feel. Add greys, eucalyptus or cream to bring in your own personal elements. Your colours should reflect your personalities and wedding theme, but they could also reflect your venue, adding to the whole feel of your stationery.

Question 4

What are your 2023 trend predictions?

Accepted Answer

"We've seen some trends lingering on post pandemic in the wedding stationery world, but 2023 will see most of them fading as we look forward to some lovely subtle changes. Wallets will still be popular with gatefolds taking the place of the envelope style and other folded versions creeping in. "Following King Charles III's accession to the throne, I wondered whether we'd see a more formal look to invitations, with monograms at the top. It seems I was right, and fast approaching are single square or landscape invitations bearing a monogram or image of the venue either stand-alone or as inserts in pocket wallets. "Flora and foliage are still prevalent too but there will be more of an emphasis on line work rather than the heavier boho feel of recent years. Colours are also changing. I think we'll see metallics being replaced by shimmer or sheen and an increase in neutrals and stronger pastels. Font styles are evolving as well, with script being overtaken by simpler versions. "Another thing I'm aware of is the use of wax seals and there's now a vast array of colours to choose from. They go hand in hand with crest invitations and the whole look can be enhanced by envelope liners to match."

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