We spent time before talking about how to make the most of your invitation budget, and today I’m talking about when to invest your money into your stationery.  After years of working with brides all around the world, I’ve come across a handful of details that consistently receive rave reviews from clients and guests’ alike.  Here’s the top five wedding stationery details that are worth the splurge.

 

 

 

Working with a live Designer

Here’s the skinny:  working with a live designer will cost more than working with a big box store like Minted, and there’s many a reason for that.  While I can’t complete with their pricing, I can offer you free samples, advice, live design service, and will guarantee you the quality of your invitations.  Even if you’re purchasing from a semi-custom collection, you’ll be dealing with an experienced designer.  I’m here to answer your questions and curate unique details for you.  This one-on-one access to a live designer can (and will!) save the many headaches and loads of time.  If you have the budget, and you have the option of working with a local stationer, you won’t regret it.

Wax Seals

Take one look at my website or my Instagram, and you’ll instantly know how obsessed I am with wax seals.  And guess what?  So do your guests.  Think about it… how often do you get special mail?  Wax seals are a simple way to elevate your snail mail and call attention to your envelope, and show your guests that it’s something truly special!  Creating a custom wax seal for your stationery can be another way to create an heirloom for yourself as well.  You can reuse the design on your thank you notes and future stationery, and keep it forever as a token of your love story.  Wax seals are one of the few wedding investments you will still be able to use long after the wedding day is over.

 

Letterpress and Foil Printing

Luxe cotton paper and shiny foil truly elevate your stationery and take it to the next level.  It provides a tactile experience that make guests stop to really take it all in and appreciate the details.  If you have a limited budget, consider letterpress and/or foil stamping your formal invitation and digital printing your enclosure cards.  It’s an excellent compromise!  Feel free to get creative.  There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to stationery.

Envelope Liners

Aside from wax seals, my favorite embellishment is envelope liners.  They’re such a fun way to inject color and personality into your invitation suite, and allow you to really get creative with the liner options.  While some brides choose a solid color, many opt for a bold pattern like my popular Pittsburgh map or a cascading floral design.  When it comes to envelope liner designs, the sky is truly the limit!

Watercolor Maps

Oh, be still my heart.  Watercolor maps are all the rage right now and rightfully so.  Ideal for out of town weddings or local weddings with many out of town guests, these watercolor keepsakes make for lovely direction cards and are truly a work of art.  Consider including one if your ceremony and reception are at two different locations and you have more than one hotel accommodation, if you have the budget for a watercolor map, or if you love them as much as I do.