If you’re planning your wedding and are looking for trusted local suppliers, then read on…
I will be posting a weekly blog this month featuring some of the wonderful vendors I have had the pleasure to work with. They are all local suppliers and creatives and I can highly recommend their work and services.
Looking for wedding stationery?
The first to feature is Perch & Plume, creator of wedding stationery for couples who wish to make a statement both on their wedding day and in the months leading up to it.
Eimear is the owner and designer at Perch & Plume and is based between Belfast and Lisburn and offers shipping across the UK and Ireland.
Specialising in romantic and fine art style designs, each design is hand drawn or painted by Eimear and paired with beautiful textured papers that are in keeping with the soft muted colour palette that defines Perch & Plume.
Budget and Pricing
Q. What budgets do Perch & Plume cater for?
A. Prices for prints with envelopes range from £1.50-£2.40 depending on the size of the stationery and the quantity ordered. I then have a range of supplies such as ribbons and wax seals with various prices to cater for a range of budgets. For customers who aren’t on a tight budget, I also have a range of cotton handmade papers which are very special!
How do we book?
Q. Do we need to book an appointment?
A. Bookings are only required for bespoke designs. I take on a limited number of bespoke clients each year to ensure that each client’s design is given the time and consideration it needs. My ready-to- order collection of designs can be ordered 2-3 weeks in advance.
Samples
Q. Do you provide stationery samples?
A. I have non-personalised sample packs for each of my designs which can all be ordered on my Etsy shop, or via PayPal, so that potential clients can get a feel for specific designs and details. I’ll soon be offering sample packs with a mixture of designs for clients who are finding it difficult to make their mind up! Bespoke clients also receive an exclusive sample pack as part of their package and this includes swatches of every card, envelope, ribbon and wax that I work with.
Q. Do you offer envelope-addressing and wax seal stamping?
A. Wax seals are another of my favourite details. These are all available in a wide range of colours and designs, and I can also design customised wax seals with your initials or an illustration that is unique to your stationery design.
Q. Can you help with wording?
A. Yes. I have lots of different templates on wording for wedding stationery. Many clients are happy for me to choose the wording and will forward me their specific wedding details; whilst other clients might have specific wording in mind that I then work with.
Design choice
Q. Do you offer semi-custom design or only custom design?
A. I have a collection of semi-custom designs that are all available to view on my website and can be ordered on Etsy or via PayPal. These designs can be all be adapted in terms of font style, layout and colour, so clients can often mix and match elements of different designs. For clients who would like something unique to their wedding, I offer a bespoke design service.
Ordering and delivery time
Q. How long will it take from ordering to delivery?
For ready-to-order designs, the processing time is 1-2 weeks with shipping taking 3-5 working days. Bespoke designs must be booked in advance as the processing time is 3-4 weeks. This all depends on the communication between the client and I, as well as the number of adaptions needed.
Payment
Q. Do we need to pay a deposit?
A. The ready-to-order collection doesn’t require a booking fee unless a client wants to ensure that a slot is reserved well in advance, or for larger weddings. Bespoke clients pay a £50, non-refundable deposit to secure the design slot for their wedding stationery. This often constitutes the bespoke design fee, depending on the complexity of the design and the number of illustrations required. For day-of stationery requiring for example, 10 separate table name illustrations, the design fee would understandably be greater.
Inspiration
Q. What inspires you as a designer of wedding stationery?
A. I’m always inspired by nature – particularly flowers and birds (hence the name, Perch & Plume!) I also love vintage and intricate details and textures. When creating a bespoke design, I like to have a shared Pinterest board with the client, so that I can see their colour palette and vision for their day. Sometimes I’m inspired by their wedding cakes, bridesmaid dresses, flowers – my Swans design was actually inspired by a bridal gown!
Q. What are your favourite colour palettes?
A. I’m definitely drawn to soft, muted colours as opposed to bright and bold. I love soft pinks and pastels, but every now and again I’ll experiment with something a little bit duskier, like the teal and rust tones I used in my Autumn Luxe design.
Q.What type of client normally chooses to work with you?
A. Clients that work with me usually value high quality stationery and ideally share my love of details and nature. Your wedding stationery isn’t just something to be ticked off your to-do list – it’s your guests’ first glimpse into your special day. I always get excited when a customer wants the “whole works” with ribbon, wax seals and envelope liners – they just make my designs so much more special.
Q. Favourite part of your job?
A. The best part of my job is getting the opportunity to be a part of someone’s wedding day and hearing how happy they are with their stationery. I love everything about weddings – the flowers, décor, bridal style, the venue – I could spend all day looking at inspirational wedding photographs. So getting to work alongside other local wedding suppliers, whether it’s for a real wedding or styled shoot, is also very special.
Eimear advises…
Q. Specific advice for couples searching for their dream wedding stationery.
I would definitely advise customers to research wedding stationers and find someone who they think will bring their vision to life and who truly loves what they do. For timings, Save the Dates can be sent at least a year in advance and invitations are traditionally posted 6-8 weeks before the wedding, but this can also be done up to 6 months before. However, always check with your venue/caterer when final guest numbers are due by, as this will determine the RSVP date on your wedding stationery. And don’t forget to take into consideration the minority of guests who you might have to chase up for RSVPs – there’s always at least one!
To get in touch with Eimear and to see more of her wonderfully romantic deigns, go to https://perchandplume.wordpress.com
To see more from this shoot featuring Perch and Plume stationery, check out my Romantic Elopement at Blackhead Lighthouse blog from 2020 when I had the pleasure of working with local vendors and creators to put together a romantic windswept shoot at our local lighthouse on the Antrim Coast! http://romantic-elopement-at-blackhead-lighthouse
