Wedding stationery is so much more than a few pieces of paper. Stationery is an integral part of event branding. Your stationery tells your story, sets the tone, and invites your guests into an experience: your wedding experience! As a wedding stationery designer, I consider every element of event branding, starting, of course, with the first piece of stationery your guests will receive: the save-the-date or invitation that lands in their mailbox. 

What is Event Branding? 

Most people don’t think of weddings when they hear “event branding,” but your wedding is the ultimate event! It’s the celebration of your love and commitment, when people from all corners of your life gather together. It deserves to feel iconic! And that’s where event branding comes in. We’re not talking about corporate name tags or embroidered blazers; we’re talking about the colors, textures, and designs that make your wedding feel immersive and unique. 

Your Invitations are Your First Impression 

Your wedding stationery helps identify your event and show your guests what to expect. Therefore, your event branding should feel cohesive and intentional. Imagine if your invitation was designed with pastel stripes and polka dots, but when guests arrive at your wedding, the colors are soft and neutral. Your guests might worry they’re at the wrong event! Things don’t need to be too “matchy-matchy,” but they do need to be cohesive. This cohesion is what carries guests from receiving the invitation to arriving at your wedding, without any unwelcome surprises. 

Your invitations are the perfect place to hint at the theme or location of your wedding. Take these invitations I designed for a wedding in Italy, for example. I intentionally included the same arches and orange trees that featured at the venue in Tuscany. This was a little way to tie the event branding together and create a smooth, immersive experience for guests. 

The Role Texture Plays in Storytelling 

You might not think a simple paper invitation can hold that much texture. Well, you’re about to be surprised. Anyone who knows me knows I love texture because of how it can elevate even the simplest designs or color palettes. Think of a simple black and white color palette. Maybe you love the classic pairing, but want to dress it up a little. Add a blind (white-on-white) embossing to your paper stock and boom, instant elevation. Or consider adding a black velvet lining to the envelope! Add a wax seal, and you have an absolutely stunning invitation suite. 

I worked with one couple who wanted their wedding to feel like a classic supper club at a steakhouse. I took the natural elements of their theme—wood and leather—and designed something simple yet interesting. Another couple’s theme was “West Elm meets Mad Men” (I mean, how cool is that?). I printed a card onto wood veneer to capture that mod feeling, and even made menus on little clipboards as a nod to Mad Men! 

Creating a Cohesive Event Brand from Start to Finish

The invitations are only the first part of event branding, and it takes a team to create a truly cohesive event from start to finish. That’s why I absolutely love partnering with wedding planners and designers! The most creative things happen when we bounce ideas off each other. Most often, planners will share their overall design with me, including linens, place settings, lighting, and florals. They also share the color palette and (most helpfully) why they chose the palette they did. This helps me use stationery to match and elevate their event branding so every element feels personal. I work closely with the planner to make sure every detail is perfect before we even show it to the couple! The absolute best part is when the couple sees the details come together. It’s like Christmas morning. 

Event Branding Expert 

Branding your wedding doesn’t have to be complicated. But the best things happen when we have room to be creative! You wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and it should feel like it! I would love to partner with you (or your wedding planner!) to create unforgettable event branding and stationery that invites your guests into the celebration of your love. Explore my wedding stationery services and contact me to get started! 

Vendors:

Emmy + Jordan: 

Event planning and design: Amy Zaroff Events

Photography: Photogen, Inc

Chloe + Nick: 

Event planning and design: Sofia Ocampo Events

Event photography: La Moment Photography

Flat lays: Glorianna Chan

Kendra + Mike

Event planning and design: Grit & Grace 

Photography: Abby Jiu