First, a little background about Vanessa Kreckel. She’s the visionary and brains behind Two Paperdolls, an award-winning stationery design firm in suburban Philadelphia. Inspired by textiles, nature, architecture and all things vintage, she is passionate about the art of storytelling for clients’ weddings and social events. Vanessa started Two Paperdolls as a hobby over 12 years ago, creating unique custom invitations for friends and family until she took a giant leap of faith to start a business of her own. Vanessa’s custom invitation business became a sensation in the design world, attracting clients from all over the world to in search of impeccable design and letterpress goodness. We thought we’d ask Vanessa to explain what a “wedding stationery suite” is in today’s bridal market. Here’s her answer… 

When we think of wedding stationery, we think of it as a ”suite” of many paper elements with a unifying tone or design motif.  But the suite does not have to use the same exact design over and over again. The magic is in the subtle variations on the theme and how all the pieces of the suite come together to tell a story. But what’s in today’s “wedding stationery suite?”

Well, it depends. Most commonly, we see the following list of wedding stationery items: save-the-dates, wedding invitations, ceremony programs, seating cards (escort sets), dinner menus, favor tags, thank you notes and welcome basket tags or letters. Generally, bridal couples are selecting a more formal look for the main stationery elements:  the wedding invitations, menu cards, ceremony programs and escort sets.  Yet, for the most part, the save the dates, favor tags, welcome notes, table numbers and thank you notes may get a more light-hearted styling of the same overall design.

Very rarely are the save-the-dates as formal in tone as the wedding invitations. A nod to tradition, yes, and definitely with a similar vibe to tie it back to the overall wedding design if it’s known that early in the planning. Beginning with the engagement announcement or save the date, a strong design concept can be used throughout the wedding suite for continuity. Everything from cocktail napkins to menus and signage can  reflect back to the overall wedding invitation design that is developed with your stationer. We often combine printing methods in our wedding suites, using our letter presses for the main pieces and engraving for others. Blended with hand calligraphy, typography and stylish fonts, the pieces all tie back to each other.

But no matter what you do, make sure to end as beautifully-appointed as you began: with elegant thank you notes that will remind your guests of the wonderful event they attended. It’s a lasting, thoughtful impression treasured by many.

For more information on Vanessa Kreckel, we invite you visit Two Paperdolls as well as her blog Louella Court.