Planning the best wedding ever: picking your stationery
Photography: The Santoros | Stationery: White Vines Studio
We caught up with the wonderful Ben from White Vines Studio to pick his super-stylish design-focused brain on all things wedding stationery. From where to get your inspiration, to the important questions to ask potential stationers, we’ve got the insider scoop.
Specialists in modern wedding stationery that’s full of personality. Based in Surrey, head designer Ben creates stationery for weddings in Italy. Inspired by many summers in Italy and the Italian weddings he's got to experience in his role, he combines his passion for all things Italy with over 20 years of graphic design experience to create unique designs, perfectly suited to each wedding.
They have a range of timeless, and oh so Italian collections available as well as a bespoke design service if you're looking for something more personal like venue drawings, bespoke wedding crests or vintage keepsakes.
Any top tips for couples when they first start thinking about the look and style of their stationery?
You can’t go wrong with staying authentic to yourselves, and your own styles and tastes, as well as taking inspiration from where you are getting married. It’s easy to get tempted to take a route away from something that you instinctively like. Try and keep it simple and follow your gut, not trends.
Often drawing inspiration from the venue/country/location can really help guide your style, tones of colour at the same time as suiting the vibe of where you are getting married.
What are the best ways to find and pick you stationer?
It depends on a number of variables, most importantly budget. For the lower budgets there are some great ‘off-the-shelf’ options out there, if you don’t require much control over the design. The higher the budget the more bespoke options are available to you. Like finding any supplier, it’s about matching style, budget and type of service - making sure they’re everything you need and want. With bespoke stationery, flexibility, skills and experience are key.
Photography: Benjamin Wheeler | Stationery: White Vines Studio
What key questions should couples ask their potential stationer?
When you chat to potential stationers make sure you get clear on the following:
Exactly what the costs are and whats included.
How many drafts are included and how flexible are they to make changes small or large.
Exactly what they’ll be delivering and the materials used (paper-weight, paper-type, even envelopes)
A good stationer will be able to advise you on the best timings for sending your save the dates and invites. Make sure your clear on the timings so you can get organised.
Don't be afraid of asking too many questions! A great supplier will be more than happy to answer them.
Stationery: White Vines Studio
How can couples make their stationery really personal to them and reflect their unique style and personality?
You can style your stationery the way you style your home - the colours, shapes and any prints, artists, or simply magazine layouts you like. All these things are your design personality and can be ‘you’ in stationery.
You can also take ideas from your own lives/experiences together, any hobbies you share perhaps your wedding venue/location/country is a popular source of inspiration. I’ve drawn crests for couples that bring together elements of their lives and hobbies for example.
Are you looking for someone epic to design your wedding stationery, who is just as passionate about Italy as you are?
Check out White Vines Studio’s profile here or find out what they’re up to on Instagram @whitevinesstudio
Wondering when the best time is to send your save the dates and wedding invites? Check out the Ultimate Italian Stationery Guide to see our easy to follow timeline.
Written by Beth Butler, marketing person and lover of all things weddings; with a particular passion for beautiful photography, muted florals and a good cup of tea.
