Happy New Year to all who enjoy Love My Dress! Now before we go any further with our monthly article for wedding stationery obsessives, I need to tell you something cool.
EYI Love are offering all Love My Dress readers a very generous 15% saving on all orders placed in January. That’s absolutely everything; save the dates, invites, table plans, escort cards and the rest. But you must order by midnight on 31st January to qualify so, might I invite you over to our website (after you’ve read this article, of course) to browse our designs and be inspired. Get in touch with us directly before placing your order and tell us you saw this saving here and we’ll apply the saving to your invoice.
And now for the reason I’m here sharing this article with you today; I love an essential guide, don’t you? All you need to know in one easy place, with expert tips and tricks of the trade? Count me in!
We at EYI Love, know so many of our clients use January as a sort of recap and reevaluate on their wedding planning journey, and so very often our inboxes are infiltrated at this time of year with new enquiries for the year ahead! So, an early hi to all those seeking stationery in 2020, we’re your guys! So, to help your stationery seekers along, here are our top five tips, the essential knowledge for planning and purchasing your wedding stationery.
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1. Don’t panic!
It is so easy to become overwhelmed when searching for stationery (or indeed, for many things during your wedding planning) as there are so many different options! The best advice we can give you in this area is to think about your aesthetic as a whole. Many people previously thought that invitations, or indeed all wedding stationery, are a standalone thing, sent out to guests, job done…
However, nowadays, we are seeing the birth of all-encompassing themes and trends throughout the entire wedding, from save the dates to thank you cards and all stationery in between. Consider your look, the vibe you are going for and the effect you want your stationery to have when received. Are you going for a very classical “wedding” feel, or a very pared back, minimalist celebration? Is there something incredibly meaningful to you as a couple which you wish to incorporate in some way throughout the day? (We’ve foiled people’s dogs onto their stationery before, trust us, such a fab idea!) Speaking of wondrous ideas…
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2. Find the right supplier for you!
Once you’ve discussed your dream aesthetic, look for suppliers who fit that feel. As much as we can love and appreciate lots of different wedding stationery styles, we know our aesthetic lies in modern, minimalist luxe stationery, usually featuring some fabulous foiling. Seeking out suppliers who understand your vision and have experience in bringing it to life will give you peace of mind and a great sounding board to create something personal and unique.
Recommendations are always a fantastic way of finding the right suppliers you can trust, and sometimes simply speaking to industry professionals can put your mind at rest. Give us a shout, we love a phone call to get to know our clients!
3. Now, for numbers…
From the specific items you require (think about the entirety of your needs, from save the dates to thank you cards) to the number of each, it is really helpful when getting initial quotes to clients that we have a rough idea at least how many guests will be attending each part of your celebration and the expected items you will require. This can of course be amended at a later date, and it’s great to get you thinking more about your guest list!
Our rule of thumb for calculating the numbers you require for save the dates/invitations is this. Take your total guest number, divide it by two to accommodate partners and children, and add ten, to be on the safe side in terms of spares (trust us when we say at this stage, you’d rather have 10 too many than 10 too few, an additional small print run can prove extremely costly!)
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Speaking of cost, it is also great to do a little research, have a look around and understand the costs of stationery, particularly in the style you like. Hand foiled pieces will always be more expensive than digitally printed mass-produced items, so bear this in mind when you look at stationery budgeting. It can help to tell your stationer how much you are looking to spend; they will have ideas on how to work with your budget, or will be able to suggest alternatives to reduce costs should you require.
4. Timing is key
Remember when we said don’t panic? Well, not to go back on our own advice, but timing is definitely something to watch. We take on several extreme rush orders a year, and trust us when we say it is slightly stressful for all parties. Many suppliers will have scheduled in work throughout the year, so making massive changes to this for a couple who need their invitations in two days is quite extreme.
Factor in that anything created by hand will automatically take longer than digital mass-printing. Think about when you would like to send your pieces out and work back from then. Take advice from your supplier and work together on a timeline which keeps you stress free and them on track with workloads. Luxury touches such as calligraphy and gilding are exceptional and take care and time to create – but oh my goodness are they worth that little extra wait!
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5. Prioritise the pieces you’ll love
Just as you will have done throughout your wedding planning, think about the important elements. Are you huge keen to have show-stopping invitations, but will be asking for online RSVPs? Dreaming of an incredible table plan display (we’ve seen some really incredible ones!)? Then make sure that takes priority over other pieces you may not need.
Weddings are no longer a tick box task, where everyone has the same items and there is very little deviation. We’ve created everything from invitations to bottle labels, door hangers for hotel guests to luggage tags. It really does depend on YOUR vision, and the areas where you feel stationery will really enhance your day. Stationery is truly something to treasure; pieces that people will keep, frame and use to evoke memories of an incredible celebration.
So there you have it lovelies; keep it simple, be prepared and above all, keep true to your vision! Merry Christmas!
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E.Y.I.LOVE (Everything Yours I Love) is a luxury design and print studio, specialising in beautifully stylish stationery for weddings and events. Founded by husband and wife team, Lorna and Jack McGinnigal in 2010, E.Y.I.LOVE have since developed into high-end, bespoke wedding stationers. E.Y.I.LOVE now service a worldwide clientele from their studio in Glasgow, where all products are lovingly designed, hand printed and beautifully finished.
Lyndsey Anderson View all Lyndsey's articles
When it comes to weddings, it is safe to say, I have a slight obsession! Having worked in a bridal boutique surrounded by some of the most beautiful in British couture designers and planned some seriously stunning weddings as an events coordinator, I am now a proud representative and writer for the incredible EYI LOVE, creators of luxury stationery and hand foiled delights. When I’m not writing up lovely love stories, or seeking inspiration from some of the UK's most amazing suppliers on Instagram, I can be found near the seaside on the East coast of Scotland, with my miniature schnauzer Stanley and my long-suffering boyfriend.
