Essential Wedding Stationery Checklist with EYI Love

Happy Tuesday evening lovers! We hope you’re all enjoying the week so far and this utterly glorious weather we’re being treated to.

Isn’t it divine? We hope that whilst you sit outdoors and soak in the warmth and balminess this evening that you’ll enjoy reading through our latest advice piece.

This is what you really need to consider before you purchase wedding stationery. Featuring some of our most asked questions, this article will hopefully arm you with both knowledge and confidence to help you find the perfect paper goodies.

1. Suss Out Your Style

It’s important to envisage your wedding stationery not as a separate entity to your day (as main invites, save the dates etc will be posted long before the celebrations) but as a beautiful detail which should take inspiration from your other styling choices. Think about your day, the colour palettes you’re working with, the textures and tones that will feature and then begin to position your ideal stationery within that zone.

Are you more into the traditional calligraphy style with cursive text? Do you love the look of letterpress? Is foil a firm favourite? This is a vital first step, as once you’ve sussed out your style, you can begin to research supplier options which align with this.

2. The Supplier Hunt

Once you know the look you like, searching for suppliers who can work with your vision is key. It is rare, but we do get asked to create pieces which are very far from our aesthetic. Not all stationery suppliers are created equal; some specialise in very ornate, laser cut pieces, others like to add ribbons and bows to their items, some create bespoke stationery, others work solely with their curated collections, the range is huge.

Research and recommendations can really help you find a supplier who gets you, your ideas and the vision you have for your wedding stationery suite. I know, I know, more endless internet trawling or searching through wedding fairs, but trust me, this will save you so much time in the long run, when you are sure the supplier you reach out to knows the vibe you’re after.

3. Crunch The Numbers

It’s the B word again, but budget is another key consideration. Think about your numbers, how many guests you will be inviting and how this will impact on your final budget for stationery. Note that elements such as foiling and letterpress are pricier, as they involve a huge amount of work and skill to design and perfect.

Luxury touches such as calligraphy, edge gilding and wax seals are also often an added cost, but make an immeasurable difference to the final product. We are so often asked to quote for quantities such as 140 invitations, that has become a standard for us to ask the questions “is that total guest numbers, or invitations needed?”

Your guests will very likely come as a pair, or even a family, and as such one invitation may suffice for 3 or four guests.

Our common rule of thumb is to take you total numbers for both day and evening guests (it is important, particularly for crafts such as letterpress that we know the difference, as there will be different information for each set and thus separate plates to be made), divide them into two and add approximately 10 for singles and spares. Every wedding is different, but this is what we have found works best for our clients over the years.

4. Collaborate On A Timeline

Gone are the days of the 6 week rule, where all invitations were posted 6 weeks prior to the big day. Now, with so many variables, and the addition of items such as save the dates, the timescales have been flipped on their heads. Couples who are planning to wed in the busy summer months (we would say anything between May and September) should seriously consider sending a save the date to their day guests around a year before the big day – particularly if your wedding is abroad.

This will give your loved ones much-needed time to plan flights, accommodation, or book holidays at a different time to ensure they can be with you on your special day.

Invitations would usually be sent anywhere between 3 months and 6 weeks before the big day; as our lives get busier and busier, it is always good to give as much notice as you can.

All of this scheduling will of course impact your stationery, and considering how long items may take to make is a must! Let your chosen stationer know your wedding date, ideal send date and also the date you would like to take delivery of the items, so they can plan their order books accordingly.

5. Day Stationery

It may feel like a world away, but thinking about what items you may need on the actual day of your wedding might also help you to plan and budget your stationery more efficiently. Many venues will offer items such as place cards and menus (sometimes even table plans) as part of their packages, but if you are looking for a cohesive stationery suite, from save the dates through to thank you cards, then even getting an early quote, and asking your stationery for advice if you have interesting ideas (we LOVE a cool table plan vision!) will help you to understand the costs that are associated.

Knowledge is power as they say, so the more information you can share with your stationery supplier, the smoother and more effective the process will be.

And there you have it! Hopefully these five crucial tips will help you feel more prepared when deliberating your wedding stationery, and will also give you a small insight into the different options that are available to you.

Get creative, think outside the box and remember that elements such as invitations do truly set the tone for the incredible celebrations that lie ahead!