Designing bespoke wedding invitations: a real case study
A destination wedding in Southern Bulgaria
When Winnie and Ivo got engaged, they envisioned a destination wedding that honoured both of their backgrounds. Ivo is originally from Bulgaria, and the couple chose a romantic wine estate in the mountains of Southern Bulgaria as their venue.
From the beginning, they knew their bespoke wedding invitations needed to feel elegant, personal, and inclusive. With guests travelling from around the world and speaking different languages, the stationery had to be bilingual and welcoming — a first glimpse into their celebration.
Turning inspiration into something personal
Like many couples, Winnie arrived with saved inspiration and a clear sense of colour and style. What she wasn’t sure about was how to transform those ideas into bespoke wedding invitations that felt uniquely theirs, rather than a copy of something already seen.
They also had practical concerns: which stationery pieces were essential, how timelines would work, and how to balance design with budget. Because this was a destination wedding, sending a Save the Date quickly was important. At the same time, they didn’t want to rush the main invitation suite.
We began with a bilingual Save the Date, digitally printed for speed and featuring a hand-drawn venue illustration by Winnie’s sister. Guests received early notice, and we gained the time needed to design their full bespoke wedding invitation suite with care.
What is included in a bespoke wedding invitation suite?
A bespoke wedding invitation suite can be as minimal or as elaborate as you wish. Most couples choose a combination of essential and optional pieces based on practicality and aesthetic preference.
Before the wedding
Save the Date
Bridesmaid proposal cards (optional)
Hen or stag invitations (optional)
Core invitation suite
Wedding invitation
RSVP card and reply envelope
Details card (optional)
Wedding weekend itinerary (ideal for destination weddings)
On-the-day stationery
Place cards
Menus
Table numbers
Seating chart
Ceremony programmes
Vow books
Favour tags
After the wedding
Thank you notes
Winnie and Ivo’s bespoke wedding invitations
Every element of Winnie and Ivo’s invitation suite was chosen with intention.
Their bilingual Save the Dates ensured every guest felt included. The main invitation was letterpress printed on luxurious cotton paper, wrapped in vellum and tied with a velvet ribbon for a soft, tactile finish.
The RSVP and details card echoed the custom illustration used throughout the design. Although the couple had a wedding website, they chose printed details cards so the full suite could become a lasting keepsake.
For the wedding day, I hand-wrote each place card in calligraphy, leaving space for wax seals to be added later.
What information do you need before designing bespoke wedding invitations?
Many couples worry they must finalise every detail before approaching a stationery designer. In reality, clarity develops through collaboration.
A few essentials help shape the process:
Wedding date and venue
Estimated guest numbers
Overall tone and atmosphere
Budget range
Colour or design inspiration
With these foundations in place, timelines can be planned and materials recommended, allowing creativity to flourish.
Winnie and Ivo wanted a celebration that felt traditional yet warm. We created bilingual wording to reflect this. Soft blues and lavenders, inspired by Winnie’s palette, guided the invitation design and later influenced the reception décor.
The design process for bespoke wedding invitations
Creating bespoke wedding invitations follows a carefully structured process:
Initial consultation
We explore the couple’s story, wedding plan details, required stationery items, inspiration, and budget.
Mood boards
I present you with 2-3 mood boards and colour themes, so we can explore ideas together that I refine for you later.
Design development
A full visual mock-up of the invitation suite is created and adjusted through feedback.
Final approval
Every detail is reviewed before sending the design to print.
Printing
Depending on the technique, production takes two to four weeks.
Assembly
Envelope liners are fitted, wax seals stamped, and ribbons carefully tied to complete the suite.
Postage
The finished invitations are sent to the couple for posting.
Telling a love story through design
The beauty of bespoke wedding invitations lies in storytelling.
Winnie and Ivo loved timeless calligraphy, so I hand-lettered their names and digitised them for use across the suite. But it was the bespoke floral wreath illustration that became the centrepiece of the design.
Inspired by Winnie’s one-shoulder wedding gown it was open on one side. The flowers symbolised their heritage — the Bulgarian rose gently intertwined with the Ghanaian cocoa flower.
The venue illustration by Winnie’s sister added a deeply personal touch to the Save the Date. We also created a custom wax seal featuring the couple’s initials framed by lavender.
Materials, printing and finishing touches
The invitation was letterpress printed on heavyweight cotton paper chosen for its soft texture and deep impression. Lavender envelopes were hand-addressed in soft grey ink for a refined finish.
Final details included a vellum wrap, custom envelope liner, antique gold wax seals, and velvet ribbon tying the suite together.
Timeline and production planning
Premium print techniques such as letterpress require careful planning and can take three to four weeks.
Couples typically need one invitation per household rather than per guest. Printing a few extra invitations is always recommended for last-minute additions, photography, and keepsakes.
From consultation to completion, Winnie and Ivo’s bespoke wedding invitations took approximately two months: just over a month for design and illustration, two weeks for printing and calligraphy, and a final day for assembly. Read more about when to order your wedding invites here.
Investment in bespoke wedding invitations
Custom illustrations, monograms, letterpress printing, foiling, and calligraphy are premium design choices that require craftsmanship and time.
These thoughtful details do more than impress guests. They become meaningful heirlooms that preserve the memory of your wedding day.
The final result
Winnie and Ivo were thrilled with their finished invitations and excited to continue planning their celebration. Months later, Winnie shared:
“The result was stunning! Ellie took the time to really get to know us and included us at every stage of the design process. The stationery portrayed our relationship perfectly, and every time we look at it, it transports us back to our special day.”
Thinking about bespoke wedding invitations for your own day?
If you’re dreaming of wedding stationery that feels personal, thoughtful, and unmistakably you, I’d love to hear your story. Designing bespoke wedding invitations is a special, collaborative process — we start with a relaxed conversation about your ideas, your plans, and what matters most to you.
If my work resonates with you and you’d like to explore what we could create together, you’re warmly invited to get in touch. I’d be delighted to chat about your wedding.
