The Importance of Wedding Stationery

Let’s start with the obvious, you probably know your invitation’s job is to communicate the who, what, when of your wedding details to your guests. But did you know that your wedding stationery also communicates the how?

Your wedding invitations are your guest’s first introduction to your celebration and should communicate clearly how your personalities and unique couple style are going to be found in the wedding ambiance! 

Visuals give us cues of what to look for down the line. If you are having a classic wedding with a formal spin, you’ll probably stick with a traditional invitation suite. Something a bit more whimsical, like a wedding at a museum, might incorporate visuals of a slight theme or more party atmosphere.

Visuals like typography, illustrations, and wording choice give your guests a first-hand look into how your wedding will feel before they even step foot into the venue!

Educating my clients is one of my favorite things to do! The added perk is getting to learn something new myself. Sandy from Roseville Designs is an expert in the wedding invitation process here to share the nuts and bolts of her job, how she helps her clients create unique guest experiences, and how and when to start the design process.

TBM Photo

---

Where to start with your wedding stationery

Invitations, and wedding paper goods in general, are becoming an increasingly important detail for couples. What makes invitations unique to other wedding vendors is that you have a few different routes you can take depending on your budget and the experience you want.

I bucket them into 3 categories:

1. Paperie/Paper Shop: This is a brick-and-mortar shop where you typically flip through books of collections other companies/designers have made.
2. Online Store: These are websites where you can customize template designs and order online
3. Wedding Stationer: Working directly with a designer who has his/her own business. This can be for creating something completely custom or working with a collection they have.

I say this all the time, but not every individual is going to be happy with a wedding stationer. What I find consistent about my couples is that one, they care very much about their paper goods and believe it’s an important part of the overall wedding. And two, they like the creative journey they get to go on in working with me! Some couples instead prefer an experience where they can browse + choose through pre-made designs (and I am all about finding the type of vendor that works best for you!), but in this current era where couples are infusing so much of their personality into their weddings, I’m getting more + more seeking that highly personalized service.

Lily Tapia Photography

Here are the most common questions I get about what I do…

Why should I use a custom stationer if I can just order online?

It is true that working with me in most cases costs a little more than the other categories, but that is because there are a lot more services that come with a custom stationer. Timeline management, etiquette assistance, there are additional perks with a stationer vs. just adding something to your online cart. So ultimately it depends how you prioritize wedding stationery in the grand scheme of things. If you’re totally on your game and handling every detail like a boss, then maybe you don’t need someone managing this part of your wedding. But if you’re working full time and feeling overwhelmed by planning, then this may be a great fit for you.

I want to see + feel things in person. How can I do that if the vendor doesn’t have a shop?

I see more and more these days that couples are opting for phone or FaceTime consultations because of distance and busy schedules. But stationery is a tactile experience! Most stationers will send you paper samples or may have actual printed samples of their collection designs, which they’ll send to you for free or a small fee.

What are some unique ways I can incorporate paper goods and working with a stationer into my wedding day design?

Your wedding stationery should always be part of the wedding decor and not an afterthought. Right now large signage is still really popular. Seating charts, welcome signs mounted on easels, and escort card displays can set the tone for your reception, just as invitations set the tone for your wedding. Oftentimes these can be interactive too (think escort card wall with champagne glasses + drink stirrers adorned with your guests’ names), which is a really fun moment for your loved ones to have.

But the standard day-of elements can still have a big impact. When you share your tablescape mockups and floral plans with your wedding stationery designer, s/he can design your table elements (escort cards, table numbers, and menus) into the overall look. For example, if there are no in-season flowers with your accent colors, you can use them in your stationery. Every ink color is available in stationery!

The most important question to ask yourself is this: How important is wedding stationery to the vision of the wedding?

XO and Fetti Photography | Ashley Rae Studio

And don’t forget about timing…

When do I get started with a stationery designer?

I typically like to get started on save the dates 10-11 months before the wedding, and 5-6 months for invitations. I always tell couples, as soon as you have a venue + date, we can start chatting!

When should I send out my wedding stationery?

Customarily you mail out save the dates 6-8 months before the wedding, and invitations 6-8 weeks before the wedding. If you’re having a destination wedding, add 4 weeks to those timelines to give your guests plenty of time to figure out travel + hotel accommodations.

Remember, the save the dates and/or invitations are the first peek your guests get of the vibe of your wedding. Make sure that the first impression is a memorable one!

Roseville Designs is a full service custom invitation design studio that specializes in modern wedding invitations, save the dates, wedding crests, and day-of paper (programs, escort cards, menus, and much more!). I also offer a collection of semi-custom invitations for the budget-savvy couple. I love creating paper stories that give clients a consistent + unique look for the entire event. I work with clients all over the country (that’s the beauty of being in the stationery business!). However, I do serve Los Angeles, California locally as well as Fairfield County + New Haven County in Connecticut and Westchester, New York County.

Peterson Design and Photography

---

Your wedding invitations and COVID

Lots of couples have been asking lately when and how they should communicate their wedding plans to their guests. As we are well over a year into the pandemic, I believe it’s safe to assume that guests have become familiar with and understand the strain that celebrating and events have been under. 

The changes that happen are out of our hands. It’s okay to make adjustments.

As Maya Angelou said, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”

When it comes to communicating with your guests, open and radical communication is key to foster intentionality and mutual respect. 

1) Always include the information for how you and your vendors are planning to keep guests safe from COVID (or direct guests to a website for this info)

Consider sharing extra facts…

• When are masks required?
• Is the event outside, or which parts will be inside?
• Will there be spaces for guests to keep 6ft distancing if they prefer?
• Will on-site testing be utilized?
• How will the couple be interacting with guests? (hugs? distanced photos?)

2) Don’t avoid the elephant in the room. It’s time we make nice with COVID in terms of using it to our advantage. 

Let your guests know…

• it’s okay if they need to make the financial or health-weighted decision to not attend in person
• if you have decided to livestream or record your ceremony for online viewing from home
• that current plans could change as the date gets closer – will new restrictions be in place? we don’t know yet, but you are ready to adjust the trajectory accordingly

3) Consider your backup plans if guests immediately RSVP “no” to your wedding.

With government-mandated guest counts still in fluctuation depending on where you live, and the fact that some individuals cannot travel due to financial or health concerns, you may have already explored the idea of having a B guest list. When someone from your A list RSVPs no, you can reach out to the guests on your B list to invite them.

Don’t forget to order 5-10 extra wedding invitation suites if this is the case. It’s crucial to not overuse this process and keep it timely for your guests, as life and wedding planning have already been made more complicated enough by COVID. Sometimes sticking to your A list for better or worse allows your wedding purpose to speak through more clearly.

As we get a glimmer of hope on the horizon for fall and winter weddings in 2021, know that your wedding plans are just that – plans for a day! You still have room and time to make plans for a lifelong marriage, and that starts before you say I do!

Looking for more wedding planning and vendor booking insight on?? Check out this guest post from Southern California florist Kimberly as she shares all about her design process and what you should know about working with a florist.