Designer Stationery to Suit Your Wallet

Kate Holland of ruby & willow is a leading New Zealand stationery designer who recognises that in these financial times, weddings can put a strain on your budget. She offers us some expert advice on how to have designer stationery at a fraction of the cost!

You've probably heard it several times before: your wedding invitation sets the tone for your special day. And yes, whilst it is a cliché, it is also very true. It plays an important role in the overall wedding theme, potentially even dictating the look of your reception. Even more, once the tables are cleared, the flowers are given away and the dress is stored, your photos, your invitation and your stationery are your only real keepsakes of the day.

In these challenging economic times, it's tempting to try to do some things yourself. Yet while it's not altogether impossible, you certainly need to have the creativity, the time and the materials to make it really work. 

If you speak to a stationery designer, and you are honest about your budget limitations, they will work with you to create a concept that pleases everyone...and you may be surprised at what you can get.

Choosing a ready-made design is always going to be a more cost effective option. The design portion is already done, which saves you quite a bit of money. It also means that all your designer needs to do is personalise the stationery with your details. However, if you can't find anything that perfectly suits, custom-designed stationery is still within your reach. Keep in mind that the more assembly your design involves  (i.e. ribbon, layers on card mounted together, booklets), the more your costs will be - the time put into producing these invites can be the most expensive component.

One of the most cost-effective options is to have a fabulous design that can be printed onto card. This eliminates the need for fancy papers and the assembly of ribbons, embellishments etc., while still giving you the option of textured or metallic card. To jazz it up a bit, wrap a band around the invite with beautiful printed or patterned paper. Alternatively, one of my current favourites is adding a bit of "flair" with an envelope liner. This looks especially great using contrasting patterns or colours. Otherwise, keep the invite itself quite simple and have a vibrant print inside the envelope.

At the heart of it, a wedding is about you. Your invitation should therefore be a personal representation of you and your day. Take your 'theme' into consideration, but please, this does not mean literally. It's more about 'branding' your day and giving it a recognisable trait, such as threading a monogram throughout your stationery or using a chic colour palette. First and foremost, match the tone of the invitation to the event you are planning. The next step is to pick out a colour you are using throughout the wedding; use it as a key feature or an accent throughout the entire stationery ensemble. If you haven't decided on your colours, stick to a neutral palette, so that any colour you eventually choose will work with your stationery. I like to think of invitations like an outfit - they can range from the very understated elegance of a single invitation card with envelope (a shift dress and pearls), to the full ensemble with information and response card, envelope liner and maps, all encompassed in a pocket and wrapped in an organza ribbon (an avant garde gown accented with a feather fascinator).

Lastly, whilst emailing an invite or RSVP may seem like a convenient and easy option, where's the romance in that? If there is one moment in life when you can indulge in a little romance, it's a wedding. As the replies land in your mailbox, the excitement, and with many guests writing a personal note, they also make for a sentimental keepsake.

Most of all, this should be an enjoyable process, so work with someone whose work you love! If you do that, you can't go wrong.

(Photo above is a ruby & willow original design.)