Wedding stationery in Dorset

Being wedding photographers in Somerset we get to work with amazing wedding suppliers in the South West! When we met the lovely Charlotte from Pastel Designs, we knew we had to hear more about her and the beautiful wedding stationery she designs. Wedding stationery is the first glimpse of your wedding that your guests will see so it’s really important to get it right. Whether you are having a rustic barn wedding, a stunning country manor house wedding or a beautiful outdoor summer wedding, your stationery should reflect your day. Here we ask Charlotte for her advice and tips on choosing your wedding stationery.

Tell us a bit about you and how Pastel Designs began?

Pastel Designs started as a side line really, I had been running my other business F&R Designs for 6 years, this is more corporate design so full blown branding to logos and web design. I have always loved trying out different paper and finishes but felt limited on the F&R Design as everything is dominated by the business sector I designed for and the cost (you can’t use super special paper or sparkles!) I did think of adding the stationery side to F&R but thought I may be niched, so Pastel Designs was born in 2017.

What products/services do you offer?

I design and print bespoke wedding stationery from save the dates to Thank you cards, having recently started using vinyl to offer a versatile and different ideas for wedding stationery. I have also invested in other machinery and am hoping to offer other original wedding stationery using wood or acrylic or even metal. I work with a local printer to make sure that my clients are receiving the best quality wedding stationery.

Do you specialise in a certain design or style?

Working bespoke with my couples I try to make the designs about them, finding out about their loves, for instance I have just delivered a Pastel Parcel and the bride to be was a florist and the husband to be was of Scottish heritage and wanted to include tartan, I managed to include both of their ideas and they were over the moon with the final outcome!

I don’t tend to add jewels or embellishments, but I do love a bit of sparkle, I love to add this with foiling. It certainly gets the wow from me!  

What is your advice for couples on choosing their own wedding stationery?

Speak with your designer, ask them lots of questions but equally tell them your ideas, loves or hates! Also, be honest with your designer, they have broad shoulders and would rather you be excited to see the end result!

Tell us which styles have been popular this year.

This year the concertina fold with the tear off RSVP has been without a doubt the most popular design, I think I have only designed one other not in that style! The stock that the invitation is printed on is also to be taken into consideration, I love Conqueror Laid, it is the highest quality paper that you can source.

Where do you find inspiration for your designs?

Inspiration is all around, from the colours in nature, to the seasons. Being a designer, Pantone does have an influence, the colour of the year this year is living coral but I can honestly say that not one of my brides have had this in their colour pallet.

I do have a little surf every now and again but this is more for different materials that I could use in my work. I have recently started using acrylic for place names and on the day wedding stationery. I am looking into bringing in a wood range so keep your eyes peeled for something different!

What do you enjoy most about your work?

I love everything about my work, I enjoy making people happy, giving them the wow factor. I really enjoy the styled shoots as I get to work with lots of talented suppliers and it is always a fab day seeing it all come together.

Which areas do you offer your services to and how long do you advise the couple contact you before their big day?

I cover Dorset and the South West and beyond! As I work with couples at the early stages of their journey it depends really , Save-the Dates, normally 12 months before. Invitations 6-9 months but this again depends if you are sending Save-the-Dates. On the day wedding stationery I would allow 4 weeks from sign off of the designs as you wont want to be rushing around at the last moment! 

What is next for you and your business?

I am still relatively new so really just to grow my business and keep making couples wedding days the best they can be! 

Thank you so much Charlotte for your time. You can find out more on all the services Charlotte provides over at Pastel Designs. Or you can follow her on Instagram @pasteldesignsuk

J&K x