Feeling lost in stationery jargon? Let me walk you through it, one letter at a time. This whimsical A to Z covers everything from Authenticity, Bespoke and Cohesion to Details cards, Envelope addressing and Finishing touches, with proper practical nuggets along the way (your guest list is one per household, not one per person!), plus ordering timelines, postage tips, QR codes, vellum and table names. The plain-English glossary every couple needs.
Meet the newest member of the Hawthorne and Ivory family: personalised wedding guestbooks, and I am so proud of these. I give them the proper introduction they deserve, talking through the thoughtful details: hardback ring binding that lies flat for prosecco-buzzed guests, colour choices in black, white, silver or gold, and an optional satin ribbon tie that’s just bloody gorgeous. Each one customised with your names, date, and any extra touches you fancy.
Wedding planning can feel like sand slipping through your fingers, so let me be your stationery fairy godmother. In this post I explain exactly how a professional stationer takes one big task off your plate: expert help with timing, wording, etiquette and printing, the peace of mind that everything lands on time, and stationery that genuinely wows your guests. You brief the vision, I handle the rest, and you get your time back.
Why don’t I offer digital invitations? I get asked this a lot, so here’s my heartfelt answer. This post is a love letter to paper: the clatter at the letterbox, the textured card in your hands, the tangible connection a screen simply can’t match. I talk through how paper invitations demand attention, become cherished keepsakes, and set the tone for your day, so years on you can open that box of mementos and relive every moment.
Feeling daunted by the seating chart? You’re not alone, and I promise it’s more manageable than it looks. In this post I walk you through it step by step: starting with your venue’s floor plan, deciding where you and your wedding party will sit, grouping your guest list, and assigning tables before seats. I’ve also included really important advice on accessibility, with help from celebrant Kathryn, so every guest feels genuinely included, not just accommodated.
To send save the dates, or not to send? My answer is a resounding yes, and in this post I explain exactly why. I cover how they give guests advance notice to book time off and travel (especially handy for destination or midweek weddings), how they act as a lovely pre-invitation, and how they let you show off your wedding theme and build anticipation early. I also share when to send them: around twelve months before, or eighteen for destination dos.
Chasing RSVPs can be a real headache, but it doesn’t have to be. In this post I share four simple ways to encourage your guests to reply: giving clear instructions on how to respond, including a pre-addressed (ideally stamped) return envelope, offering a few different ways to get back to you, and setting a crystal clear deadline. I also pop in advice for the inevitable stragglers, because a gentle nudge usually does the trick.
Come behind the scenes on one of my all-time favourite bespoke suites. Jo and Tom wanted their wedding stationery to capture their travels as a couple, so I wove in the Taj Mahal, Mount Everest, Mount Fitz Roy, an illustrated portrait of the pair, and a now-legendary monogrammed llama. I share how it all came together in plum watercolour florals and carried through to their order of service, menus and table plan, plus the loveliest email they sent me afterwards.
