If you are in the beginning stages of wedding planning or knee deep and just a few weeks away from your big day, you know that the jist of the wedding planning process all comes down to one thing: priorities. And, determining those is sometimes crystal clear, but when it comes to wedding stationery, it can be easy to become overwhelmed by all of the options out there. Working with a custom stationer is far from an "out of the box" experience, and here's why:

THE PROCESS

The process on the whole is very similar, however, the big difference that makes working with a stationery designer is that you work one on one with the same person throughout the process. It begins with a meeting or phone call where all of your questions can be answered on the spot - and I mean all of the questions! If you've started the wedding invitation process and received any samples in the mail, you know that there are endless options when it comes to paper types, print methods, and wording - oh, the wording!

When working with a custom designer, they will work hands on with you to talk through each and every nitty gritty detail that pertains to your wedding day. Like many other aspects of the wedding planning process, the stationery is one that you may have opinions of other parties involved in your planning, and the custom designer is equipped to listen to all of your ideas and differing opinions to help you decide on the best choices for your style and your wedding budget.

DID YOU KNOW...

If you choose to incorporate calligraphy - whether that be for addressing your envelopes, or adding "spot calligraphy" to your invitation suite, a custom stationery designer will often have relationships with several trusted calligraphers. You will be provided with personal recommendations for calligraphers that fit the style and aesthetic of your invitation design. And, the logistics are all handled for you.

GIVING BACK

Since 2014, I have worked with nearly a hundred brides in both the Washington, D.C. area and beyond. I absolutely love getting to know each of my couples and the biggest compliment I have received over the years is my ability to work with couples with a variety of different design styles, and a portfolio to prove it. I believe that the couple is what drives the design, and not the other way around. I feel strongly about giving back, and 5% of all custom design services are donated to the Alzheimer's Association, in memory of my grandmother who was my first inspiration in chasing my creativity and who taught me the importance of family and honoring your legacy.

I am always available to lend an ear and talk through your questions about custom stationery - whether that's picking a font that's both light and airy and legible (!) or determining your preferred way to incorporate fine art details like custom watercolor into your design.

*This post was written by Caitlin Wechtaulk of Third Clover Paper

Photographer credit Katelyn James Photography

About Sincerely Pete

Sincerely Pete is a full-service wedding planning and design company in Washington, D.C. and Alexandria, VA who believes in a personal, curated & customized approach to each wedding couple we work with, taking their values & personalities into account and keeping the relationship as the focus of the wedding. We plan Washington DC weddings, Virginia weddings, Maryland weddings and destination weddings all over the world.