Getting Started with Your New Orleans Wedding Stationery
Happy New Year! And if you’re recently engaged, I hope it’s the happiest year ever. 2023 is such a fun time to be engaged and to plan a wedding–there’s so much out there to make your big day special!
And while invitations may not be the first thing on your to-do list, you should still keep your wedding stationery in mind from the beginning. (Save the dates need to go out earlier than you think!) Plus, New Orleans weddings often (but not always!) err towards traditional wedding stationery, which means you’ll want to book a stationer early on to help you with this.
Today, I’m offering some tips to help you start planning your New Orleans wedding stationery. And if we haven’t met yet, I’m Megan, a local wedding invitation designer born and raised in New Orleans. I’ve been designing wedding stationery for over 3 years, and I love creating quality, deeply personal stationery for New Orleans couples. If this sounds like something you'd enjoy, I’d love to chat with you!
benefits of hiring a local, new orleans wedding stationer
One of the best things about staying local is that you have the option to work with a person–in person. You’ll get to experience the quality and textures of fine papers that a local stationer has to offer. This is especially important if you’re interested in a custom design. Seeing the materials in person will help you visualize the invitation alongside your stationer.
Another benefit of working with New Orleans wedding stationers is that they know the city. New Orleans has a rich culture that includes wedding traditions specific to our area. A local stationer can really bring out the New Orleans vibe while at the same time guide you in local etiquette.
Finally, hiring local means supporting a local small business, which is great for the city’s economy. Plus, there’s a good chance that a local stationer will know some of your vendors, such as your venue and wedding planner, which will help the planning process run smoothly for everyone.
when to book your new orleans wedding stationery
If you’re looking to hire local, you guested it–the earlier, the better. Independent stationers book up quickly, sometimes a year in advance for custom invitations. So if you’re interested in a unique, original design, try to book your stationer one year before your wedding.
That said, if you opt for semi-custom invitations, you’ll have a little more time. Semi-custom invitations begin with a pre-designed template that your stationer will help you customize to make more your own. Since these invitations take less time to design, it’s recommended to reach out at least six months before your wedding date.
But don’t forget your save the dates, which need to be mailed 6-8 months ahead of time! If you want your save the dates to match your invitations, it’s best to find your semi-custom stationer 10 months in advance.
how to get started with your new orleans wedding stationery
Now that we’ve covered when to start, let’s talk about what will help you get the most out of your partnership with your stationer. It’s best to do research ahead of time so that you have an idea of your style. Do you like the clean and classic look? Or do you prefer something fun and colorful? Would you enjoy embellishments such as a wax seal?
Pro tip: Create a Pinterest board of wedding stationery that appeals to you and share it with your stationer when you first reach out. This will give him or her an idea of your style so that you can get the most out of your consultation.
To the best of your ability, have your guest list completed. If you’re booking a year or more in advance, you won’t need to have all the guest addresses collected at the time of your consultation. (Ask your stationer during the consult when he or she will need this.) But knowing the number of households you intend to mail to will get you the most accurate quote.
Pro tip: While most vendors will ask you for a guest headcount, your stationer will ask you the number of households or couples you’re inviting. That makes a big difference in the quantity you’ll need!
Finally, have a budget in mind that you’re comfortable spending on stationery. Custom invitations generally start between $1500–$2000 for 100 invitations, and semi-custom typically begins between $700-$1000 for 100 invitations.
Pro tip: Your boutique stationer will craft you a quality and unique invitation, much like your florist hand-crafts custom bouquets and arrangements. Expect to pay a premium for this higher level of service and quality.
I hope these tips help you get started with your New Orleans wedding stationery! I offer both custom-made and semi-custom wedding invitations. If you’re interested in working together, I’d love to hear from you!