If you’re a couple that loves the finer details and are looking for something a little more personal when it comes to certain elements of your day, why not consider getting some bespoke stationery?
With bespoke design, you work closely with a stationery designer as they create a design from scratch and bring your vision to life.
Photo by Mantino Photography
When it comes to choosing a designer, make sure to do plenty of research to see what’s out there before you book. Stationery is certainly not a one-designer-fits-all type of thing, so make sure you find someone whose style you love and whose work will fit the aesthetic of your day. If you’re having a modern, minimalist wedding, you’ll want a stationer with a more modern, minimalist style.
Remember that every designer will specialise in different things. I for example, specialise in illustrated stationery in a modern and elegant style, so you wouldn’t want to come to me for design if you’re looking for something more traditional or retro-inspired.
Additionally, some wedding stationers use stock illustrations rather than painting or drawing themselves (nothing wrong with that) but it might mean that you don’t have the same level of flexibility as you would with someone who does their own artwork, so that’s something to consider too.
Whether you’re looking for bespoke save the dates and invitations or on the day stationery, the possibilities truly are endless. I know the countless options available can be overwhelming, so I thought I’d share some ideas of things you could include in your design to add that extra special, personal touch.
VENUE ILLUSTRATIONS
If you’re familiar with my work, you’ll know that I love a venue drawing, whether it be painted with soft watercolours or delicately sketched in pen and ink.
Lots of couples choose to feature an illustration of their venue on their save the dates or invitations, as it helps to build excitement and gives guests a sneak peek of the wedding. But also, once your wedding day has passed your venue will become an important part of your story as a couple, so you’ll be wanting one as a keepsake too!
CUSTOM WEDDING CRESTS
A crest or monogram is like having your very own wedding logo. Whether you’re looking for something sleek and minimal, or something more illustrative and whimsical, it should reflect you as a couple and the overall aesthetic of your day.
Some of my more illustrative wedding crests usually feature the couple’s wedding flowers but have also been known to include something more personal like a pet, hobby or something relating to the venue (e.g. seashells for a beach wedding).
For a cleaner, more modern look, couples tend to opt for a more classic design with their initials and wedding date.
If your wedding crest is something that gets designed quite early on in the planning process, you can feature it in other elements of your wedding too, like on the day stationery items or bespoke wax seals. I’ve even had couples feature their monogram on their cake before!
Photo by Natalie Stevenson Photography
Photo by Victoria Reilly Photography
CUSTOM PET PORTRAITS
We animal lovers treat our pets as part of the family but in most cases, wedding venues aren’t very pet-friendly so they sadly don’t get to be part of the big day.
If you’re wanting your pets to be included in your day without actually making an appearance, why not include them on your stationery?
I’ve painted cats on order of service booklets, dogs on seating plans and birds on welcome signs. And quite often I’ll get asked to sneak a dog or two onto a wedding invitation too!
MAP ILLUSTRATIONS
Nothing says attention to detail quite like an illustrated map. Whether you have guests flying out for a destination wedding, or you just want to showcase your local area, a map will add that thoughtful touch.
Most couples like to include a map when they send their invitations to build excitement for their day but there’s nothing to stop you from including one as part of your day stationery too.
Some couples feature a bespoke map on welcome cards or on an order of the day/weekend but I’ve also worked on some pretty unique map seating plans.
Photo by Victoria Reilly Photography
CUSTOM DRINK ILLUSTRATIONS
This is probably more for on the day stationery than invitations but a bespoke cocktail illustration or two can add a lovely touch to a drinks menu.
To make it that extra bit personal, why not invent a signature drink each that your guests can drink on the day?
Photo by Valery Villard
ILLUSTRATED TABLE NAMES
Bespoke table names add a lovely touch to your wedding tablescape. The possibilities are endless when it comes to table names but my advice is to make them personal to you.
If you love travel, why not feature your favourite locations? If you love your garden, you could feature a different flower for each table. Your guests will love the personal touch and will appreciate all of the thought you’ve put into everything and you’ll get some unique artwork to keep too.
Photo by Victoria Reilly Photography
BESPOKE FLORAL ILLUSTRATIONS
If you’re a lover of flowers and have a clear vision of what you’re having for your day, why not get a bespoke floral stationery design to match? That way, you’ll be giving your guests a subtle sneak peek of your wedding when you send your invitations, while ensuring that everything’s cohesive on the day too.
Photo by Natalie Stevenson Photography
Photo by Natalie Stevenson Photography
Photo by Jessica Holt Photography
Hopefully you’re feeling inspired and are bursting with ideas for your own wedding stationery.
Don’t forget to get in touch with your preferred stationer early, as most designers tend to have limited availability for bespoke design and the lead times are usually longer too. My lead times are currently 8-10 weeks for bespoke invitations, just to give you an idea.
If you’ve seen something you like and would like to reach out for a quote, feel free to get in touch here.