In my debut blog, it felt obligatory to write something from the heart. Is this an expected topic coming from a stationery designer? Perhaps. But I hope to shed some light on a wedding detail that gets overlooked by so many.

 

Recently, detail shots have become such an essential component of your wedding day photography. Your photographer will most likely set aside time for a styled flat lay to capture all of those beautiful, sentimental items: your rings, wedding shoes, “something old…something blue,” and of course, your wedding invitations and paper goods. Now, I’m not telling you to invest your hard earned money in custom designed stationery just for pretty pictures. Their value runs so much deeper than that.

 

We’ve all heard the importance of a first impression, and an invitation is just that! It’s the opening act and sets the stage for your celebration. From the moment your guests open the envelope, they will begin to anticipate and envision your ceremony and reception. And just like that, a tone has already been set.

 

“Why should I spend extra money on something that is just going to get thrown away?”

Well, this statement may hold some truth if your invitations are not a true keepsake. Will many guests discard your invitation after they’ve served their purpose? Sure. Will your close family members? Probably not. Will you? Never. An invitation should become an heirloom and serve as a remembrance of the day you vowed your love and commitment. Every time you look back on your keepsakes, you want them to be a lasting reflection of the day you said “I do.”

 

Keep in mind, stationery goes far beyond just an invitation. An entire collection is carefully crafted from Save the Dates to Wedding Invitation Suites to Day-of Essentials. Utilizing the same elements creates effortless cohesion throughout the lifespan of your wedding events. This becomes especially important at your ceremony and reception as your guests are ushered between many spaces throughout the evening. You don’t have to be a sucker for minutia details like me to appreciate how something as simple as a monogram can tie everything together and make every element purposeful and intentional.

The custom route includes a lot of intangible things that add value and save you a ton of time throughout your wedding planning. Keep in mind, you are getting a service and not just a product. Your custom stationery designer will provide timeline etiquette and ensure your items are mailed within the proper time frames. Many couples enter the process with an overall vision of the day but articulating that on paper goods is a little harder. A stationer will come to the table with experience and help navigate a design that coincides to your aesthetic, in addition to making sure it encompasses your personality! They will get to know your unique story and craft a design that is reflective of you and your loved one. Lastly, your stationer will fully address your envelopes and assemble the suite, which is a huge time saver.

 

Are you sold yet on the idea of bespoke invitations?

Sure, you can find a nice template off of a pre-made invitation site, but they won’t be “you.” You are making an investment and exhausting a lot of energy to make your day memorable. Your personal details quickly become essentials into making your wedding day feel complete, and they deserve a big spotlight. The expertise and care of a custom stationer will be an investment well worth it!

 

megan bauer // northern vine design