If you’re a hand lettering artist or calligrapher in the wedding industry, chances are you already offer your services for wedding signage, envelope addressing and place cards.

But maybe you’ve been thinking of expanding and you’re interested in designing stationery suites, or even working in collaboration with wedding invitation designers, but you’re not entirely sure where to start.

Krista Murphy, the designer behind Wishtree Invitations and Design knows everything it takes to create a custom wedding invitation suite, and will cover the very basics all the way to the most luxurious additional elements that can be included in a suite.

So, what’s even IN a stationery suite?! How big is each piece? How do you source paper, envelopes, and printers? Check out the replay below to find out!

PS.. Krista is part of the biiiiiig project reveal coming at the end of the month! Each week, there’ll be little hints about what the project is, so stay tuned for these!

The links below may be affiliate links where appropriate. This means that your purchase through these links may result in a few cents in payment to me, to support creating further resources like this one! That being said, I will never suggest supplies that I do not personally use and fully recommend.

Obviously not everyone has the budget to include the bells and whistles for their wedding invites, but you can still create a stunning suite and cover necessary bases!

So, what are the very basics needed for a traditional wedding invitation suite?

Invitation:

• Size: A7 (5X7) is most common
• Couples names
• Parents names
• Date and time
• Location
• Website (optional)

RSVP:

• Size: A2 (4.25X5.5) is most common
• To be mailed back or filled online (website/email to be will be included)
• Option to fill in if the invitee(s) can or cannot attend
• Meal choices and/or dietary restrictions
• Shuttle services if needed

Envelopes:

• One large envelope to hold all of the elements
• Address to invitee(s)
• Return address
• If needed, one smaller envelope for the RSVP (addressed and stamped)

If your couple has a larger budget and wants more customizations, there are SO MANY amazing elements that could be added to their suite. Here are some of the options Wishtree offer:

• Gold foil
• Array of paper options
• Map with accommodations
• Embossing
• Custom wax seals (with initials or monogram)
• Pocket folds
• Ribbon
• Letterpress
• Belly band
• Custom stamp with return address
• Liner
• And of course, custom calligraphy!

Kirista has been in the wedding industry designing suites for 9 years and has some awesome tips to share with us!

Tips:

• Give yourself a minimum of 6 weeks for RSVPs to be returned
• Be mindful that smaller envelopes, for example, A1 (3X5), can be rejected from the post office as they are easily lost in the mail
• NEVER use a wax seal to secure a an envelope (as it could melt or get stuck to other pieces of mail). If your couple wants this added element, an outer envelope with a regular seal should be used
• White envelopes are classic, but do dirty easier than coloured options
• We don’t get often receive mail anymore, so using a colourful envelope is another fun way to add excitement for the recipient
• If you are having a calligrapher address the envelopes, be sure to order about 15% more envelopes in case of error

If you want to learn more about sourcing envelopes and paper make sure to turn into the video here, and watch the whole interview. There is soooo much more that goes into designing an invitation suite, you don’t want to miss out on more of Krista’s knowledge.

Thanks so so much Krista for taking the time to share all of this valuable info with us! Be sure to check out Wishtree Invitations and Design on Instagram (give her a follow!), or inquire about their services on their website.