When it comes to handcrafting the most heavenly wedding stationery, Sarah Edmondson is cuts above the rest. She is the friendly face behind beautiful stationery brand White Orchid Print and Design, who have built an enviable reputation as one of the UK’s most picture-perfect pretty paper producers. From whimsical, romantic save the dates to wax-embellished menus and table plans, Sarah has utilised a wealth of design expertise to craft a couples’ dream wedding stationery.

Read on to discover her creativity and why she's the perfect stationer for your special day.

Tell us a little about your journey into wedding stationery…

My journey into the industry began when my Grandma got married a few years ago and asked if I would design her stationery. I obviously jumped at the chance and fell in love with the process that unfolded before me. I wanted to offer my services to other people so I could continue to work amongst beautiful paper and wonderful people, and since setting up in February 2019, I've never looked back.

Describe your style...

We pride ourselves on providing elegant, timeless designs.

We love focusing on the delicate, romantic details, working with only the best materials and processes to ensure a beautiful result whatever the style and theme.

What areas do you cover geographically?

Our little studio is based in Cockermouth in Cumbria, however, we have worked with people all over the UK and hope to continue to do so as our business grows. We offer face to face consultations in our studio but we also give the option of online appointments for clients who prefer to have a conversation but are a little too far away to pop in for a cup of tea and a chat.

What are your key products for 2021?

For the past few months we have been working tirelessly on our semi-bespoke collection which focuses on timeless, stripped back designs. Each suite has upgrade options whereby you can add illustrations or other features to make the suites unique to you and your fiancé. We have also spent a lot of time this year creating a range of vow books for those of you who would like to house your beautiful vows in an equally beautiful product.

Your favourite colour scheme?

Oh there are so many to choose from! On one hand we love a summery vibe with fresh whites and hints of blush pink and dusky blue but we also love a darker colour scheme. Although not as popular, we love mixing darker colours to create a beautiful palette. We often find by adding touches of colour through embellishments you can really bring a suite to life and match it to your overall theme.

Any new trends for 2021 you would like to share with us?

We have noticed that this year, couples are opting more for personalised stationery suites. Bespoke illustrations or added embellishments relating to personal details and reflecting their individuality as a couple. We are also loving exploring more environmentally-friendly options. Using handmade seed and petal paper as sustainable, alternative materials.

How far in advance should a couple order their stationery?

As a rough breakdown we recommend sending out save the dates 10-18 months before your wedding, and sending your invitations 5-8 months before your wedding date. We always say to allow up to 6 weeks for our design process as this needs to be taken into consideration. Creating a bespoke design can take longer so you need to bare this in mind.

There is a full blog post on this from Sarah coming soon!

How many elements of stationery should a couple have e.g. table settings, menus, save the dates?

We would always suggest starting with save the dates. Within a stationery suite we always suggest having the main invitation, an rsvp card, an information card and then a menu card if your guests are getting a choice for your wedding breakfast. When it comes to on the day stationery the world is your oyster! We recommend creating place cards and menus for your tables, you then need a table number or name. We often illustrate these for people who want something a little more personalised for their day.

You then have the option of having a table plan and the added extras of a welcome sign and an event timeline board. These are always lovely and give your guests an idea of what to expect throughout the day. The other pieces to consider are order of service booklets or cards, vow books and then eventually thank you cards. There are so many pieces to think about but once you have decided on a theme and stationery style, we can help you carry that throughout each of your items to ensure a cohesive look throughout your day.”

To discover more about White Orchid Print and Design, head to their dedicated Guest List portfolio! Your big day designs never looked so beautiful.