Choosing the Right Invitation: Your Style, Your Way
Guest Blogger: Collette Broeders – le papetier vert
Meet our guest blogger – Collette, the owner of le papetier vert, is an artist located in Windsor, Ontario specializing in beautifully handcrafted invitations and papers. All papers are handcrafted in her design studio and paper mill and are customized to suit the vision of her clients.
Setting the Stage
There’s magic and wonder in the experience of first seeing your invitation and feeling that tactile, sensory experience when you first touch it. Since your invitation will set the stage for your wedding, how do you figure out what your invitation should look like?
The process in choosing the right paper and perfect design can seem overwhelming and there are many factors to take into consideration. As a new couple this is likely the first stationery you will design together so look to create something as personal and unique as your relationship. Let’s look at a few things to consider that will help ease your way into creating your very own personalized stationery.
Budget
Budgeting should be the first item on your list when it comes to planning your wedding. The cost of wedding invitations can range from very affordable to high-end expensive. Remember that your wedding invitation suite will include the invitation, an RSVP response (unless you wish to use an electronic method) and possibly detail or reception cards, if necessary. You may also wish to incorporate additional paper accessories such as table numbers, menus, a seating chart, place cards or other creative ways to add to your décor.
Paper
From vintage rustic to country chic to stylish elegance, choosing the right paper is as important as choosing your design. Paper can vary in texture, material, feel, colour and price. And, if you’re as concerned about sustainable living as we are, we’ve got you covered! At le papetier vert, we take environmental sustainability seriously and believe in reducing our impact on the planet in the way we conduct and operate our business. We’ve been creating artisanal paper in our studio for over 20 years using traditional methods of hand papermaking.
Our papers are tree-free, eco-friendly and made with the finest quality of natural plant fibres and pigments. These beautiful and unique papers are like no other found on the local market and are custom made specifically for you. We offer a generous variety of papers that can be embedded with flowers, greenery, shimmery inclusions and even real 18K gold. We also create plantable papers using post-consumer and biodegradable material, embedded with a variety of seeds that become a unique invitation intended to grow with love.
Colour
Just as your style and design are important choices for your invitation, the colours you choose help to tie everything in together. Whether it’s the décor and flowers, or the colours worn by your wedding party, the coordination of your colour is the start to bringing your vision to light. While some couples choose an invitation colour to coordinate with bridal party attire or décor, others choose colours from the venue to arrive at a color scheme. The colours of your reception space and its surroundings, whether it’s the vintage tables in the dining room or a view of the lake, can also spark ideas. When it really comes down to it, choosing your colour is personal and unique to your preferences.
Style and Design
Now for the fun part! There are plenty of resources that offer wedding invitations and paper accessory ideas such as Pinterest, Instagram, wedding sites and popular magazines. You may be interested in a themed wedding or a style that is very much your own that incorporates your common interests or beliefs as a couple. Start with what you wish to envision for your wedding style and where the event will occur along with any special touches you wish to add. Jot down your interests as a couple and note a few of your favourite things that you’d both like to see.
Since the invitation sets the stage to your event, think about what impression it will leave with your guests as they open your envelope. For example, if you’ve having a garden wedding, choose an invitation that sets the stage for that style of wedding by creating an invitation full of greenery. Where you anticipate an elegant wedding, set the tone by creating a sophisticated and stylish invitation. Choosing your theme and style allows your designer to create an invitation that has been customized with your personal touch.
Your Way!
And finally, if you’re feeling overwhelmed or don’t know where to start, ask your designer for help in gathering inspirational ideas. Your designer can help you sort through the tough decisions in finding your unique style along with assisting with the wording on your invitation.
I hope you found some tips on finding your style, your way when choosing your invitation suite and paper accessories.
With love and kindness,
Collette at le papetier vert
