Your wedding stationery sets the tone for the entire day. It’s the first thing your guests see and the last thing they keep. From the save-the-date card that lands on the doormat to the order of service they hold during the ceremony, every piece tells a story about who you are as a couple.
Start With the Feel, Not the Design
Before you start browsing Pinterest for design inspiration (you will, everyone does), think about the overall feel you’re going for. Rustic and relaxed? Classic and elegant? Bold and modern? This will guide every decision from paper stock to font choice to printing technique.
If you’re after something traditional and luxurious, hot foil printing on a thick textured card is hard to beat. The weight of a 540gsm Colourplan card with a gold foil monogram says ‘special occasion’ before anyone even reads the words. For something more contemporary, a clean digital print on a smooth white stock with a pop of colour works beautifully.
Think About the Full Suite
Wedding stationery isn’t just the invitation. A full suite might include save-the-dates, invitations with RSVP cards, information inserts, order of service booklets, table plans, place name cards, menu cards and thank you cards. You don’t need all of these, but it’s worth thinking about which ones matter to you early on so the design stays consistent throughout.
One of the advantages of working with a local printer is that you can order things in stages rather than committing to everything at once. Get the save-the-dates done first, then come back for the invitations once you’ve finalised the details. This also spreads the cost, which is always welcome when you’re planning a wedding.
Paper Stock Matters More Than You Think
The paper you choose makes an enormous difference to how your stationery looks and feels. A lightweight 300gsm card might work for a simple digital print, but if you’re adding foil or embossing, you want something with substance — 540gsm or above gives a beautiful deep deboss.
We work with GF Smith’s Colourplan range, which comes in over 50 colours with various embossed textures. It’s premium stock and it’s priced accordingly, but when you’re producing something for the most important day of your life, the difference between cheap card and quality stock is immediately obvious.
Custom vs Templates
There’s no shame in starting with a template or an existing design and adapting it. Many couples find something they like on Pinterest or Instagram and want something similar but personalised to their day. A good designer can take that inspiration and create something unique for you without starting from a blank page.
That said, if you’ve got a specific vision in mind, a fully custom design is the way to go. Our in-house designer Lisa works closely with couples to bring their ideas to life — from initial concept through to the finished printed product. It’s a collaborative process and honestly one of the most rewarding parts of what we do.
When Should You Order?
Save-the-dates should ideally go out 6–12 months before the wedding, with formal invitations following around 3 months before. That means you want to be talking to your printer at least 8–10 months ahead to allow time for design, proofing and printing.
If you’re getting married and want stationery that people actually keep rather than recycle, come and have a chat. We’ll show you paper samples, foil colours and examples of previous work so you can see and feel the options for yourself. No pressure, no hard sell — just honest advice from people who’ve been doing this for over two decades.