Wedding Stationery Do's & Don'ts

We have asked our very creative stationery gurus to provide us with some tips, tricks and trends regarding your stationary and of course, the etiquette thereof.

Your stationery is an element of your wedding day which gives away a small hint of what is expected on your day – what your guests can look forward to when attending the event. Your stationery should be personal and unique – emphasizing exactly what you want to represent as a couple.

LetterChef (Click here to view page)



What must be said in a wedding invitation?

What must or must not be said on your wedding invitation depends on the unique feeling or theme you want to portray on your wedding day. There are no set rules, as long as the words in your invitation reflects both you and your groom’s personalities - fitting in with the bigger picture of what you want the day to look and feel like.

One of my favorite wordings for a less traditional wedding:

Romeo & Juliet
decided to tie the knot,
and invite all friends and family
to share in their joy.

A few things you should rather not say in an invitation:

There are few polite ways of asking for money. If you really have to, avoid asking for money in the same page as the actual invitation - do so in a special information section together with accommodation tips, and any other valuable information that your guests might need.

Do not put the words “no children” or “date allowed” on your invitations, but rather address the invitation to the person or persons it was intended for (make sure you spell their names correct). It is bad manners to attend a wedding uninvited. Most people know that, but if you are worried about some guests, rather give them a call: “I’m looking forward seeing you and ___ at our wedding, the invitation is on its way, I’m very sorry but children are not catered for.”

Lara’s Designs (Click here to view page)



Examples of different Stationery Ideas:

Invitations can be printed on wood, Perspex and fabric. You can incorporate laser cutting, foiling, and embossing. With all these options available, a good place to start would be to sit down with your partner and decide what style of invitation would best represent you as a couple. It could go any which way, whether it’s natural, classic or modern.

Once your RSVPs are in you can start arranging the seating plan. This can be displayed at the pre-drinks area while you are having your photos taken. Ribbons can be suspended from the trees with each table’s seating plan printed on a card and attached to the end of the ribbon. Beautifully designed seating plan layouts can be printed on large canvases; these make a stunning feature when displayed on easels. Seating plans can also be printed, placed in frames and arranged on a table at the pre-drinks area. Another more personal way of informing guests where they will be seated is to have escort cards designed. Little envelopes can be printed with each guest’s name on the outside. A small card with the words ‘please take your seat at table one’ printed on it, will be placed inside the envelope.

Another fun decision is choosing your wedding favours. Gorgeous boxes of yummy treats always go down well. Other firm favourites are parasols or Chinese hand fans for the ladies; perfect for an outdoor ceremony. Pashminas in your wedding colours are also a lovely idea. Cigars are always enjoyed by the gents. Saplings are gifts that can be enjoyed for many years and will be a beautiful reminder of your wedding day.

2011 Trends by Elsje Designs (Click here to view page)



Colour

Grey still seems to be the most popular hue for 2011. Paired with black or with vibrant pops of color, including pink red and yellow, it is bound to set you apart from the crowd!Beautiful ocean-inspired colours such as navy blue, moss green, aqua and turquoise are also on trend. Nude shades and natural palettes would add a more subtle and classic feel to your stationery.

Architecture

Both new and old architecture seems to make a statement for 2011. Buildings, bridges, monuments and other architectural details add class and sophistication when printed on your “save the date” or invitations. For certain couples, architectural images tell a specific story; this could be a hand drawn artwork of trips previously taken by the couple. Illustrated maps will also suit this trend well.

Font Love

Fonts are vintage yet chic this season. Vintage lettering and handwritten-inspired fonts, calligraphic fonts as well as old world typewriter fonts add a nostalgic appeal to your wedding stationery.




Invitation Books

Invitation books are the perfect option for couples planning a destination wedding.

Your invitation book can be book-bound or hand-stitched to add an old world appeal.The formal invitation would appear on the first inside page followed by all the information that your guests could possibly need to join you on your wedding day - your wedding itinerary, extra celebrations, travel, accommodation, information about the destination, sights and attractions. Beautiful vintage artwork and monogramme detail complete the look.

Letter pressed Stationery

Letterpress wedding stationery is still as timeless as ever. Embossed lettering creates a soft and romantic feel - this design statement mixed with various modern techniques offer endless opportunities.



Nature

Nature-inspired and ethereal stationery are perfect for summer garden weddings. Floral, birds, butterflies or tree motifs can be foiled on natural brown paper or even recycled paper for an eco-inspired look. Soy ink replaces traditional ink this season - paired with green and recycled papers, this shouts eco friendly stationery. Intricate origami birds and hearts made out of old newspaper print will finish off this look perfectly.

By Invitation - Monique Mann (Click here to view page)



HOW TO GO ABOUT CHOOSING YOUR WEDDING STATIONERY

For every special occasion in life, especially involving your wedding, the right stationery will help you to communicate and share the special moment with your loved ones.

It is with the invitations that the tone is set for your special day as this is the first glimpse of what is to come. Not only will your invitations perform the functional role of communicating the important details of the occasion, such as the venue, time and dress code, they should also depict the theme and feel of the occasion with a bit of personality – your personalities.

THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE CHOOSING YOUR INVITATIONS

• The theme or feel that you would like your wedding stationery to portray
• The venue – would you like your wedding stationery to compliment the venue?
• The colour scheme
• How formal will the occasion be?
• The number of guests
• Your budget

Once you know the answers to these, your wedding stationer will guide you as to what wording will be appropriate for your invitations and will also discuss the other items that you may need to send out with the invitations, such as directions, accommodation details etc.

Your wedding invitation design should then tie in with the other stationery that you will choose, such as orders of service and reception stationery. This does not necessarily mean that the exact same design be copied to other stationery but should rather be echoed on other items ensuring that the stationery compliments your décor and the desired feel is created at the wedding.

Stationery truly is one of the elements you need to put some extra thought into while planning your wedding, whether it’s your invitations, your favours or your Thank you cards – Remember: It is a representation of you as a couple and now; Husband and wife.

These are just some of our Stationery Gurus – if you would like to get some more ideas, experts opinions or quotes, please feel free to contact any of them or myself at jana@saweddings.co.za.

Wedding Stationery Do's & Don'ts | Bridal Alerts