What's going on with Wedding Stationery?

Posted on 22nd April 2026 by Papermill Direct
Filed under Wedding cards and stationery, DIY Wedding Stationary Advice, Wedding Stationary Business Advice, Wedding Stationery, Reviews of Products

Creating invitations has changed a lot over the past years. No longer do we stick to the standard A5 Blank Card with a flat RSVP sheet for replies. Now we add interactive elements, bespoke images, and tantalising textures to really elevate our personally procured designs. Invitations have become the face of the party, the first taste of the incredible day the recipient has been invited to join.

If you've always been a lover of stationery or have dreamed of this day since you were young, then this may be second nature to you. Of course, you want your invitation to be as breathtaking as your big day!
But for everyone else, we might ask why invitations have suddenly become so extra?
This shift in how we want to present our wedding stationery is a cultural shift that's come about due to the rise in digital media. With a high percentage of couples now using websites to ensure all the important information is available to their guests, the invitation has become an opportunity for couples to let their personalities shine and get creative. Combined with trending 'unboxing' videos, couples want to create an experience for their guests that starts the moment they receive the first Save The Date card in the mail. In a world where AI can create anything, couples want their invitations to symbolise them and their relationships; real, beautiful, and sometimes slightly imperfect.

Envelopes divider

So, how do you make invites that make the recipient feel like an influencer as they open it?
You make them yourself!

It's about Personality

With sites like Canva, it's never been easier to design your own invites. Utilise sites like Pinterest and Instagram to get the creative ideas flowing. With Pinterest, you can create a board so all the inspiring images you see can be kept in one place. If the thought of starting from scratch is a little overwhelming, use sites like Creative Fabrica for templates you can then add your own personal touch to.
With more couples choosing to include bespoke sketches of either their venue, maps, or plans for the day, the demand for pre-creased card blanks that are easy to print is high, and we at Papermilldirect are ready for it!
All our Card Blanks come pre-creased but packaged flat, making them easy to print on and giving you more time to add the extra final touches.

Make them with Quality Card

Printer paper won't do if you want to create a premium product.
But you know what does? Our Card.

Specifically Textured card. The reason why Linen Cards and Hammered Cards are so popular with crafters and wedding stationers is because of how quickly recipients want to touch them! The tactile experience of holding a textured card and running your fingers over it to feel the change in texture gives instant gratification; it makes people feel as though they are holding something that has been refined and curated especially for them. We associate embossed cards with effort and craft, which can't be replicated through email or a phone screen.
Even when printing on textured card, the imperfections created from the grooves and indents add to the unique and individual nature of invites.
If you're using a website to ensure all the important details are available to your guests, investing in a quality card is a great way to give a maximalist feel to your invites. Try layering cards to give an A-list feel to your invite.

Utilise your Envelopes

Your envelopes are your secret weapon. Quality envelopes (115gsm or above) will catch the eye of the postie delivering them, and premium pearl envelopes will have that same postie asking your recipient if they need a plus one.

On average most people may not think about envelopes too much, they encase the letters and go in the recycling, end of! BUT even someone who has never thought too closely about the envelope they're holding will be able to tell the difference between a really nice one and a pretty naff one. It may seem obsolete when you know where the envelope ends up, but it's about the experience, remember? You're creating anticipation for your big day, and it starts as soon as they pick up that invite.

Use your envelope to tie in colours that the guests will see on the big day. If you're creating table plans in Misty Pink then you could use Misty Pink envelopes.

If you're sending all the details and RSVP's in one letter, then use alternating cards and envelopes as we did below.
We used Woodstock Betulla C5 Envelopes to send our invites out and included Woodstock Cipria C6 Envelopes for the RSVPs. The RSVPs was printed on Woodstock Betulla Card 285 gsm, and we created belly bands in both Woodstock Cipria and Woodstock Betulla to tie it all together.

Flat lay 2

Wedding Invitation & Envelope

What we used:

A5 Gate Fold Card - Antique Alabastor Textured Card 300gsm
C5 Envelope - Woodstock Betulla 120gsm

We sell the A5 Gatefold Cards pre-creased but packaged flat, making them really easy to print on once you have created your design.
For A5 Gatefold card blanks, we created a template with three sections.
Section 1 measured: 75mm x 210mm
Middle Section measure: 148mm x 210mm
Section 3 measured: 75mm x 210mm

Belly Bands:
Woodstock Cipria 120gsm cut to 320mm x 50mm
Woodstock Betulla 120gsm cut to 320mm x 25mm

To make the Belly Bands, we'd recommend purchasing A3 (420mm x 297mm) to ensure you can cut a strip that will be long enough to wrap around the card. A4 may work, but it would be a tight fit.
We used paper to make the belly bands, as it is easier to manipulate and doesn't crease as 'harshly' as heavy 285gsm card does.

Save the Date Reminder

Save The Date - White Translucent Vellum 160gsm cut to 99mm x 210mm
Date Card - Woodstock Cipria 285gsm cut to 99mm x 210mm

Our Translucent Vellum Card makes creating interactive invitations so easy! We love how you can see the print from the undercard peeping through and creating these was so easy!
We created a design measuring 99mm x 210mm and placed it 3 times on an A4 document (210mm x 297 mm). We then printed and cut the A4 card x3 times. Then we used a hole punch in the corner of the card and added ribbon.
This created an unusual and memorable save-the-date card that will catch the eye of all your recipients. You will need a laser printer to print on vellum, or email us at Hello@papermilldirect.co.uk to inquire about Vellum Printing

RSVP & Envelope

A6 RSVP Postcard - Woodstock Betulla 285gsm
C6 Envelope - Woodstock Cipria 120gsm

When picking your RSVP envelopes, be sure to pick a colour that stands out to you! You don't want any replies to get lost and forgotten. Be sure to pick something that will stand out against clutter and junk mail, if you're a touch forgetful then grab a storage box so you can keep all those replies safe.