Hello! For starters: I’m only cringing a little bit at the title. OK, so it’s not a dire warning about the Royal Mail. Your wedding won’t be flashmobbed by angry postmen; even postal strikes aren’t going to have that much impact on your day. So let’s not panic — this is a sensible blog post with wedding advice for couples and suppliers alike: a few things that can go wrong when you’re relying on our wonderful postal service, and how to make them go right instead. (PS do you like my pink stamps? I love Photoshop! Queen, take note!)

Pay the right postage; save on wedding invitation stamps

For anyone who didn’t know, the price of stamps is going up in April. It’s worth thinking about buying your stamps now to save lots of money. The bigger / heavier your wedding invitations, the more you’ll save by buying stamps before the 3oth of April.

The price of a first class stamp and what it covers

A standard first class stamp will cost 46p until the 30th of April, when the price will increase to 60p. Standard stamps are valid for items up to 240mm long; 165mm wide, 5mm thick and up to 100g in weight. If you’re posting 50 wedding invitations and they’re that size, that weight, you’ll save £7 (every penny counts!)

Measure and weigh your wedding invites for postage

Larger and heavier letters cost more to send. If your wedding invitations contain information sheets, diamanté buckles, or are heavy pocketfold formats, be careful to buy the right stamp for their size and weight. Never assume your wedding invitations weigh less than 100g: it all depends on the card stock you’ve used; the envelope quality, and whether you’ve included a reply slip or information sheet.

How to be sure of what your invitations will cost to post

Have one of your made-up wedding invitation packs weighed at the post office or ask your stationer to calculate the postage price for you. If you use the wrong stamps and your wedding invitations cost more to post than you’ve paid, they could be held at the delivery office while your guests are asked to stump up the additional postage cost and a £1 handling fee! Don’t forget the price increase on the 30th of April!

This happened to one of my wedding calligraphy clients this week. The poor girl felt awful as a couple of her guests had had to pay (£1.12) for their wedding invitations to be delivered!

Stamps or great big ugly postage stickers on your invites?

It might seem easier to get all your wedding invitations ready and just take them into the post office for them to add your stamps for you. If you’ve spent a lot on making your wedding invitations look good, don’t forget your envelopes. Stamps look nice but those big postage labels they use at post office counters can look awful squidged onto an envelope! Ask the counter staff to give you normal stamps instead. Even if you need more than one, two stamps look nicer than a huge sticker on your delicate little envelopes!

Wedding mail order — use Special Delivery

When you’re ordering other bits and pieces for your wedding, don’t skimp on guaranteed delivery services, and ask your suppliers how they post orders out.

Bespoke items worth £100 or more should always be sent by Special Delivery in my opinion: if the supplier charges more for this, it’s worth paying. Recorded delivery is not a viable option. In my personal experience Recorded delivery can be no better than first class: my postman never used to ask for a signature for recorded items, only for Special Deliveries. Anything ‘Recorded’ was just dumped in my porch with the normal post. Also, even if a Recorded item does go missing, you’ll have to wait a month or so before Royal Mail will accept they’ve lost it and look into the matter for you.

There is a big price difference to watch out for: Recorded delivery costs the same as first class post plus 95p while Special Delivery costs from £5.90.

See the full price list on the Royal Mail website here: Royal Mail 2012 Prices pdf

If you hover over the link it looks strange, but I promise it’s a genuine link. If in any doubt go via this page: http://www.royalmail.com/prices2012 (scroll down and click on the pdf).

Safe packaging for wedding items in the post

Don’t skimp on packaging if you are sending out parcels to suppliers or posting anything relating to your wedding: your wedding invitations, for example, for calligraphy.

I see many different packaging styles when couples send me their invitations. Some use two boxes with bubble wrap and protective foam while others simply throw placecards into a paper envelope and hope for the best.

(This week I’ve had an order for envelope calligraphy from a groom. It was very carefully packed and the envelopes arrived in perfect condition… in a box for a “cordless rechargeable leisure inflator” — which has kept me smiling all week! — it may not be beautiful packaging, but the tissue paper and careful wrapping worked like a charm.)

In my opinion it is always worthwhile using plenty of packaging to protect valuable items whether these are wedding invitations or your bridesmaids’ accessories, and wherever you are sending them to.

If you have any further advice about posting wedding invitations or sending weddingy bits through the post, please use the comments box below to share with other couples. Wedding suppliers — do you have any more tips? Eco-friendly packaging, perhaps?

Claire x

Morning everyone! I’m on a mission today and I need your help. I’m looking for wedding stationery — the latest designs, newest trends and most exciting invitations in particular. So I’m searching for wedding invitation designers: get in touch and share your favourite designs!

Wedding invitation by Dragonfly; calligraphy by Wedding-Calligrapher.com

Wedding invitations showcase

I’m looking for as many UK wedding invitation designers as I can find to log in to the English Wedding Showcase this month and share latest, bestselling and favourite designs. It’s a unique chance to showcase your best work — and to share it with UK brides and grooms.

Then I’ll be running a competition to find the nation’s favourite, here on English Wedding blog, throughout November. The winning designer will get six months’ free advertising on English Wedding!

Don’t be shy! Enter now: choose your favourite design and upload it to the English Wedding Showcase to join in the competition. And good luck!

Claire xx

It really makes me smile to see how creative you can all be — from your blog comments, emails and when I see which English Wedding features are most popular… it’s clear you love creative wedding inspiration — so today I have a treat for you! (and me!)

As a wedding calligrapher I have a bit of a thing for paper and type — nothing pleases me more than a nice font on warm paper with a bit of a twist to it. And the trend for vintage weddings has inspired a generation of wedding stationers and brides to create some really beautiful vintage wedding invites.

These are my favourite 20 vintage wedding invites

(in no particular order!)

1. Vintage wedding invitations by PrettyWild

Come Fly With Me!… beautiful vintage inspired wedding invitations by PrettyWild set the scene for this feature — aren’t these just the most beautiful idea and perfect match for a delicate, girly vintage wedding theme?

Vintage wedding invitation by PrettyWild UK wedding stationery

2. Glamorous New York vintage invitations

Vintage wedding invitations with a fabulously glamorous and sexy finish — these vintage lace letterpress invites are stunning: they were created for a bride and inspired by the lace on her vintage gown. (more on the Lela New York Wedding Blog)

Lace letterpress vintage wedding invitation by Lela New York

3. Sophisticated and pretty blue vintage invitations

These chandeliers and swirly corner designs really stand out from the crowd, and with envelopes in pastel blue they’re ever so pretty. From Ruffled wedding blog.

vintage wedding invitations via Ruffled blog

4. Luxurious floral vintage wedding invitations

If you’re having a vintage wedding you can chose stationery that’s as pretty as pretty can be — and that’s exactly what I see in these exquisite vintage wedding invitations from Ally Hay which I found on Before The Big Day wedding blog.

vintage wedding invitation by Ally Hay via Before the Big Day

5. Ally Hay’s striking vintage wedding invitations

More from Ally Hay — these are striking, different and beautifully fitting for a vintage wedding.…

vintage wedding invitation by Ally Hay via Before the Big Day

6. Calligraphy invitations — vintage modern

I love these calligraphy invitations I saw on Oh So Beautiful Paper — letterpressed from handwritten originals, the calligraphy itself gives a vintage feel but the modern lettering adds a gorgeous twist to a vintage wedding invitation design. Love it!

vintage calligraphy wedding invite via oh so beautiful paper blog

7. Fabulously creative illustrated vintage invites

These invitations were designed by a very talented bride for a vintage garden wedding theme — I love the fairytale feel, the shapes of the invitations and the illustration of the bride and groom! I found these on Green Wedding Shoes blog.

Illustrated vintage garden wedding invitation via Green Wedding Shoes blog

8. Unique vintage wedding invitations with a twist

I found this unique vintage wedding invitation by Blue Tulip on Stiled blog — it’s from a great collection of printed wedding stationery on Etsy.

vintage floral marquis wedding invitation by Blue Tulip Design

9. Utterly elegant vintage wedding invitations

Vintage invitations can be elaborate or oh so elegant, and these vintage invites from Project Wedding are the absolute height of elegance and sophistication. A softly swirling monogram, a simple satin ribbon… for high society vintage brides!

Glamorous vintage wedding invitation from Project Wedding blog

10. Vintage wedding stationery with calligraphy by Laura Hooper

I’m a huge fan of Laura Hooper’s calligraphy and these vintage wedding invitations from Laura’s collection are so beautiful!

vintage calligraphy invitations by Laura Hooper calligraphy

11. Striking vintage wedding invites with red

These vintage inspired wedding invitations use splashes of red to give a playful look to the design — the soft backgrounds and vintage fonts keep the design very charming and olde-worldy! These vintage invitations are from Oh So Beautiful Paper.

Vintage wedding invitations with red detail from Oh So Beautiful Paper

12. Blue vintage wedding invitations

I love the colours in this rustic blue vintage invitation design — this was recommended by a bride to be on the Wedding Bee blog forum.

Rustic blue vintage wedding invitataions via Wedding Bee blog

13. Couture vintage wedding invitations from Scotland

I’ve always loved invitations from Wanderlust Cards in Scotland — Audrey’s creations are spectacular and these beautifully adorned vintage couture wedding invitations are out of this world.

Vintage couture wedding invitations from Wanderlust Cards in Scotland

14. Cherry Gorgeous vintage rose wedding invitations

Go big and bold in vibrant blues with this pretty wedding invitation from Cherry Gorgeous. The blue rose and pastel polka dots combine to make a striking and unusual vintage wedding invite design.

Vintage blue rose wedding invitations by Cherry Gorgeous

15. Illustrated and fun vintage wedding stationery

This vintage wedding invitation from Momental Designs is pretty and full of fun — I love the little rhyme on the front! (The blog post is full of gorgeous wedding invitation designs — pop over and read the whole thing, if you like this you’ll love it!)

Vintage inspired wedding invite from Momental Designs

16. Letterpress invitations for vintage brides from Cardlab

I love Cardlab’s letterpress stationery, and these classic and elegant invitations fit a sophisticated vintage wedding theme. I can personally recommend Cardlab, having written calligraphy on their invitations many times — it’s beautiful quality and they’re a great team to work with.

Vintage letterpress wedding invitations from Cardlab in the UK

17. Letterpress vintage invitations by Emma-Jo

I’ve just discovered Emma Jo, who creates beautiful letterpress wedding invitations in the UK. This vintage wedding stationery collection has swirly and carnival fonts, beautiful letterpress printing and gorgeous colour combinations — worth checking out!

Bespoke vintage wedding stationery in the UK by Emma-Jo

18. Vintage invitations — Made With Love!

Clare from Made With Love has created the most colourful vintage wedding invitations I’ve seen — they’re like a summer garden all tied up with lace. I love these! (found on the Wedding Invitation Shop blog)

colourful vintage wedding invitation by Made With Love stationery

19. A quirkier vintage — invitations by Hello! Lucky

For the alternative brides and grooms out there, these quirky vintage wedding invitations by Hello! Lucky could be right up your street!

alternative vintage wedding tattoo invitation by Hello! Lucky

20. Navy blue vintage invitation by Sarah Drake

This wedding invitation suite from Style Me Pretty blog is by Sarah Drake, and inspired by wedding inspiration board on the blog. I love the rich colours, and the dark styling is very sophisticated. Gorgeous!

Vintage navy blue wedding invitation suite by Sarah Drake on Style Me Pretty

If you’re thinking of making vintage wedding invitations, have a look at the English Wedding guide to making vintage invites.

Found a gorgeous vintage wedding invitation on the web? Share it in the comments below — links are allowed

Damn it! Bloggers have rules: every Monday you do this, every Wednesday you do that… and the good bloggers play by the rules and get a buzz going every week. Guess who’s a bad wedding blogger? Haha.

So, after a break of — um — a couple of weeks? I bring you another fabulously papery lettery blog post with wedding stationery, calligraphy, graphic design and type. I hope it inspires you — I hope you enjoy today’s papery goodness.

Photo credit: Our Labor of Love Source: Style Me Pretty

I found this gorgeous wedding on Style Me Pretty — lots of lettery details and this picture of the old velvet-lined suitcase with pegged cards saying C-A-R-D-S for you to pop cards inside… well it makes me giggle, it’s so cute! Photo by www.ourlaboroflovebyheidi.com

Vintage wedding invitations

Are you looking for vintage wedding invitations? Read my list of the best 20 vintage wedding invitations on the web!

Gorgeous paper bags and calligraphy from Before the Big Day wedding blog

With a little imagination, you can make paper bags one of the most exciting details for your wedding tables, favours, place settings… and I LOVE the calligraphy on the one in the top middle. This inspiration and more from Before the Big Day UK wedding blog.

Pick Your Seat — wedding table signs found on Junk Shop Bride blog

Imaginative directions for wedding guests — and pretty hard to miss! Found at Junk Shop Bride this week.

I have a vested interest in wedding readings, and like Aisling and Anna from Any Other Wedding I’ve seen some great ones and some lesser wedding readings, shall we say! It all comes down to the speaker, and Aisling and Anna have written the definitive guide to reading at a wedding for you — full of brilliant advice. (I know I’m supposed to be blogging Wednesday Writes, but reading’s much the same thing…)

Bar sign via Lucky Orchid Wedding blog

This is a bit different, and I love the calligraphy — with bold, swirly handwriting you could create the same effect: wedding signage in a fab calligraphy style! This is from A Lucky Orchid Wedding blog.

Artcadia and Denise Hagon Calligraphy

Oooooh this makes me jealous! But Denise Hagon’s calligraphy is fabulous: curvy, sculpted and exciting. Artcadia letterpress stationers worked with Denise to create this new calligraphy Save the Date design.

Photo credit: David and Kendrick, Our Labor of Love photography

I tried to make paper flowers the other day and if I learned one thing it was to find examples and instructions first! Guessing didn’t work! Discover Paper blog to the rescue… If you peer at these beautiful paper flower creations I think you’ll maybe figure out how to make them — fab paper roses for your wedding.

That’s this week’s Wednesday Writes for you — I hope you like. I already have some more papery, calligraphy treats lined up for you, so maybe next week I’ll be a good blogger and come back with more!

{it’s full of papery goodness, and very small and neat… } if you’re old enough, whistle the rest!

• Above: beautiful and unique letterpress wedding invitations from Artcadia — this is a new range called Early Bird
• Scratchy Save the Dates from www.swisscottagedesigns.com on the Oh So Beautiful Paper blog — with a little guessing game for wedding guests too!

I’ve written a list of the best 20 vintage wedding invitations on the web — perfect for inspiration and ideas for your wedding stationery

• Cake signs — is this a stationery step too far? Or just an extra excuse for pretty signage at your wedding? Lucky Orchid blog has some ideas for wedding cake signs
• Ornate embossed letterpress wedding invitations from Bella Figura
• I love these floral wedding invitations from Made With Love - they’re so perfect for spring!

• Beautifully written quirky calligraphy wedding invitations by Renee Troy, with a seaside theme
• If I could write this beautifully in pencil I’d be a happy lady indeed! A self-indulgent, calligraphy link for you: from Long Village Lettering

Part two of the new weekly* feature every Wednesday on the English Wedding Blog: Wednesday Writes.

This week on Wednesday Writes:

• The anatomy of a wedding invitation. This is fab, from A Lucky Orchid Wedding. Your invitation — it has the invitation in, but what other bits can you include?
• Gorgeous embossed Elegant Jolie Letterpress invites from Bella Figura : these are fabulous:
• Cute illustrations on vintage style Save The Dates from Craft-Lovely
• 15 years together: a lovely calligraphy commission and some insights on being married — I love this from A Place for Lettering
• My favourite though has to be this handmade Book of Love by new friend Nia Fiori at Gallery 6 Studios in Cheshire. Perfect for all your wedding planning scribbles and handbag size too!
• See Nia Fiori’s Book of Love on etsy. It’s gorgeous!!!

*I missed it last week because I’m naughty. I was so busy writing calligraphy I couldn’t write a blog post so I have to apologise for that one. Oops.

Bella Figura pink letterpress stationery theme

There are lots of words that start with W. It took a while to come up with the right name for this weekly feature — but I think Wednesday Writes covers it nicely.

Wednesday Writes on English Wedding

Every Wednesday I will be indulging my love of papery things and sharing my favourite new invitations, paper accessories, calligraphy and more with you. I know I’m not the only one here with a passion for paper and letters — so I hope you enjoy Wednesday Writes from today.

So to kick off…

• a fab pink stationery colour scheme from Bella Figura (as shown above)
• swirling Spencerian script on letterpress invites from Wild Ink Press
• destination wedding invitations, Greek styley with blue bits from Oh So Beautiful Paper

Gorgeous aquatic blues from Wanderlust Cards

Beautiful pearl jewelled wedding invitation from Wanderlust Cards

I love these invitations by Wanderlust Cards, who are based in Scotland. Their wedding stationery always has such a luxurious feel to it: this intricate little jewel embellishment with three pearls is my favourite, but I love the blues above as well.

Artcadia new wedding invitation the Knot

Artcadia (seen back in November on the English Wedding blog) have launched this new range of eco friendly manilla wedding invitations which I love! The knot design is sweet and I love the fonts and colours they’ve used.

• Calligraphy wedding invitations by Urbis Scriptores — I’m a big fan and I love their new Louise boxed wedding invitation design
• The Paperie has some gorgeous wedding diaries and planners (great if you’re newly engaged)
• These floral wedding invitations from Sparkle & Rose on the Wedding Invitation Shop Blog are really pretty and elegant

Beautiful boxed calligraphy invitations for luxury weddings by Urbis Scriptores

Wedding invitation made of magic! by Hummingbird Cards

This is wedding stationery that will get everyone’s attention — if you want a dash of luxury, a hint of quirkiness and a sackful of originality, let me show you The Hummingbird Card Company!

They’re a bit of a UK wedding blog favourite having featured on some of the very best blogs I subscribe to… Love My Dress, OMG I’m Getting Married, Whimsical Wonderland Weddings… and with very good reason: The Hummingbird Card Company is creative and inspiring, different and unusual with a choice of designs for every kind of wedding — whether you’re a tad alternative or having a classic, luxury wedding day, you’ll find a Hummingbird wedding invitation that is perfect for you!

I love this framed design with the layered filigree butterflies — it’s incredible how complex and delicate a design can be, and then to layer the butterflies so the wings are in 3D as well… beats Avatar any day. This is a beautiful keepsake or gift — even for anniversaries.

How do they do it?

Every design is created with a beautiful technique of laser cutting, allowing the artwork to be burnt away from the card leaving a delicate lace-like structure. I’d love to be a fly on the wall in the Hummingbird studio for this.

The laser cut designs are The Hummingbird Card Company’s signature — with doves and butterflies, hearts, trees and baubles you’ll fall in love with a design from these guys I know!

The wedding stationery collection is more than just invitations: I love these little mobile decorations for the way they play with sunlight. Use them as table centres or on a wall feature where they’ll cast a pretty shadow. And make sure your wedding photographer sees them too!

The classic butterfly design from Hummingbird. Instantly recognisable, incredibly beautiful — and as a calligrapher I can’t tear my eyes away from the swirly detailing in the wings… love this! (They also have their own calligrapher at The Hummingbird Card Company… and from what I’ve seen he or she is pretty amazing! Bah humbug..

So if you’re looking for wedding stationery that’s pretty enough to please everyone, clever enough to impress all your guests and distinctive with all the quirky charm you could hope for… check out The Hummingbird Card Company.

… and just because EVERYONE else blogged them first, doesn’t mean I love them any less. They’re amazing! I’m just slow.

Claire x