Make a Stationery Statement

A table plan is probably not the first thing that comes to mind when planning a wedding, but things like this are very important if you want the big day to run smoothly. Many people choose to make their own invitations and place cards, but this can just add more stress to your planning. Brides have enough to think about already, without the pressure of choosing the satin ribbon or the organza one for their postbox (yes, some people do have postboxes, we didn't make that up). So, if this is you, and you simply don't need anything else to think about, what are your options?

The Online Shop 

We all know that the internet is vital for your wedding, whether it be to find the shop with wedding dress of your dreams, or to read through the many internet wedding magazines, even to find your wedding theme. However, when it comes to purchasing invites, the internet unfortunately has its flaws. With a physical shop, you can go in and check on the progress of your stationery at any time, using proofs to make any amendments you feel are necessary along the way. Most online stationers have started providing proofs, which is a big help; you want to make sure what appears on the screen is actually what you're getting. We say that if you are unable to request a proof from an online store, don't take the risk! Wedding invitations go quite a way in setting the tone of your wedding, and you don't want to trip up at the first hurdle. Another difficulty with buying your invites online is that if you want to match up your invitations, save-the-date cards and table plan (a subtle but chic idea that the keen eyed among your guests will notice...and appreciate) it can be hard to recreate an invitation design by yourself on something else. To overcome this problem, many sites have started to offer a package deal, where all the necessary items can be bought together and personalized, which is a great idea. There is, however, a last problem to the online store, the fact that your invites may lack that unique quality. There is probably someone out there ordering the same invites as you right this second. This doesn't matter, we hear you say, because each customer writes their own message and date and name on their invites, so they would be different. But picture this. You've just ordered your dream invitations online, very pleased with yourself for finding such an elegant style at such a fantastic price. Then the post arrives. You pick it up, and recognise one of the envelopes, but you don't know why. Once you open it up, you realise with a sinking heart that this is an elegant invitation to your best friends wedding. And the reason you recognised it so quickly? Why would your heart be sinking? You've just ordered the exact same style!

The Stationer's Shop

If you think ordering online is a bit risky, what about going to the local stationer's shop. It resolves all the problems you may have had with seeing proofs before your final invites, or having emergency name changes halfway through their creation. One thing you do have to compromise on is price. It is well known that online orders are a lot cheaper, as you can usually get them at a discount. The invitations may take longer from a store as well, so remember to leave enough time to get them sent out to all of your guests. we recommend sending them out three to four months before your big day, to make sure everyone has time to put it into their diary, buy outfits and maybe book time off work. In our opinion, going to an actual shop to buy your invites seems to provide more peace of mind, you know the shops have a reputation to uphold, so are sure to make your invitations absolutely perfect. Going in to talk to someone who can give advice on what works and what might not is also a huge bonus, and you should value their opinion, although do remember that it is your design, and you have the final say. 

The Bridal Shop

This may seem an odd place to go to get your stationery, and if you ask in some boutiques, they may look at you like the stress of wedding planning has finally gone to your head. However, quite a few bridal shops do make their own bespoke stationery. a way to find out is to check out a shop's website, it will usually say on there, along with some pictures of the kind of styles they are able to make. The choice can be more limited than at a specific stationer's shop, but if you have a certain colour in mind, like the colour of the bridesmaid dresses, they will be able to get a perfect match on ribbons and such like. They are often very flexible, and will cater to your needs. We may sound slightly biased, because we make bespoke stationery at our bridal shop, but we understand that this way isn't for everyone. It isn't as cheap as it would be online, but it is a lot less likely that anyone will have the same style invitation as you!

We hope that this has helped you to decide on where you want to source you invitations and stationery from. This is an area of weddings that is often overlooked, or left to the last minute, but if you get invites and table plans organised early enough, you can avoid all the stress that comes with it.