To me, every love story is unique, crafting a tapestry woven from shared moments, heartfelt gestures and the promise of forever. As the wedding stationer behind Blue Pumpkin Calligraphy, I understand the significance of these stories, using my design work to create bespoke wedding stationery that reflects your journey together. Today I’m bringing you the behind-the-scenes of my stationery business, where passion, creativity and dedication intertwine to curate timeless keepsakes.
The tale of Blue Pumpkin Calligraphy begins with my very own love story. In February 2020, I got engaged to my now husband. Like many couples, we eagerly began planning our wedding day, only to be met with the unexpected arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic. While uncertainty loomed, we set our wedding date for August 2022 at Elmore Court. During this time ahead of the big day, I delved into the world of wedding stationery, captivated by its intricacy and beauty, not to mention the opportunity it presented to tell a story, one invitation at a time. With a background in medieval history, archaeology and a passion for conservation, in the past I have spent many hours restoring and taking care of illuminated texts and historical documents. It is no wonder that I found myself drawn to the art of calligraphy, with each stroke showcasing centuries of craftsmanship and tradition. I was officially hooked.
Lockdown provided the perfect opportunity to hone my calligraphy skills, transforming my very basic skillset to eventually flourish in the art of each letter. A workshop at Quill London became a pivotal moment, igniting a new-found adoration for stationery design and digitalisation. Armed with an array of metallic inks, I optimistically sat down and decided that I was going to write every single wedding invitation by hand, proudly posting an image of my first attempt. Now, when I look back on that image, it is truly wonderful to see how far my skills and style have developed. I also quickly realised that it was impossible to do everything by hand, offering me a steep learning curve. Luckily, due to the covid restrictions and having to stay at home, I had plenty of time to refine my processes.
After attending an incredible stationery workshop led by Grania, the owner of Ink & Paper, I reached a turning point where I realised that this was more than just a hobby for my own celebration – it was a profession I wanted to pursue. The course allowed me to delve into the types of paper and printing options, not to mention how to use photoshop or illustrator. Learning to digitalise my own calligraphy was a huge game-changer.
I applied this new-found knowledge to my own wedding stationery, testing the waters with my Save the Date cards. There was something indescribably special about seeing the reaction of our guests as they received the invitations – reiterating just how impactful personalised wedding stationery can be. From the allure of vintage stamps to the soft touch of the handmade paper, bespoke monograms to custom venue illustrations, each piece was infused with personality, showcasing my mine and my husband’s path together. I had finished each invitation by hand adding a gold leaf, featuring a swan on a vintage stamp (that was the emblem of Elmore Court), before beautifully wrapping the paper in a vellum jacket with a hand-dyed silk ribbon and a wax seal. The envelopes were a delicate blush pink palette, where I wrote every address in full golden metallic calligraphy. Alongside my Save the Date cards, I also made our own welcome sign and seating chart by hand on a large ornate mirror.
Following our wedding day, my love affair with wedding stationery only deepened. Encouraged by friends and family, I began building Blue Pumpkin Calligraphy, a name that was inspired by my husband’s endearing nickname for me, as well as a nod to the cherished ‘Blue Pumpkin’ calligraphy nib. (My husband even has a love-heart tattoo with the word, ‘Pumpkin’ underneath it. I have a matching one but mine says, ‘Azisam’ which is Persian for ‘My Love’, which is what I call him.
I set about creating my own House Collection and signed up for my first-ever wedding fair. Fast-forward to now, Blue Pumpkin Calligraphy is the home of heartfelt, intentional and bespoke wedding stationery. From your initial enquiry to the final unveiling of each invitation, I’ll work closely with you to ensure every detail is crafted with sincerity and soul. My commitment to quality shines through in every aspect, promising you a stationery keepsake that is as memorable as your love story.
I love spending time learning all about my couple’s love stories and the little details that mean the world to them.
Discovering ways to make each piece of stationery unique to the couple, from a bespoke monogram to a custom venue illustration.
Calligraphy is incredibly relaxing, especially when I get to sit listening to Norah Jones in the background while writing out place cards.
Working with handmade paper is magical – it’s pillow-soft, tactile and romantic.
Nothing beats the feeling of receiving an enquiry for my wedding stationery. Your invitations are often the first glimpse of your special day that your guests will get and it is a huge honour to be able to bring that vision to life. Your reaction to your wedding stationery is without a doubt, the best part of my profession. Receiving photographs from couples when they unbox their designs or seeing photographs from the wedding truly makes my day. Knowing I have contributed to something so special to you is hugely important to me and is the reason behind I do what I do.
Chances are, you’ve discovered that planning your wedding day takes a lot of time and organisation – and that goes for your wedding stationery too. To help you along the way, I’ve put together a quick guide that shares when to send out your save the dates and invitations, so this part of your wedding planning goes smoothly. Keep scrolling as it’s time to get clued up on all-things wedding stationery related!
18 – 24 months prior to your wedding
Start your research to find your perfect wedding stationer – someone who creates designs you love and understands your wedding vision.
Book a consultation to chat through your ideas and see if they are the perfect match.
Order a sample so you can see the colours, texture and weight of the paper before you book.
12 – 18 months prior to your wedding
Finalise your save-the-date designs and aim to send them out around 12 months before your wedding date. This gives your guests enough time to plan travel arrangements so they can celebrate with you.
Your save-the-date cards are the first thing your guests will see regarding your wedding – so it’s crucial to infuse your wedding aesthetic into the design.
Top tip – make your save the dates concise and simple – add your wedding date, location and a note to explain when they can expect to receive their invitation.
10-12 months prior to your wedding
Start the collaborative design process with your wedding stationer to decide on a design for your wedding invitations.
Choose the information you want to include in your invitations such as travel, accommodation, timings, venue and menu options.
Place your invitation order with your stationer. This will allow a few weeks for printing and delivery and will give you some wiggle room with timings.
You will then have your invitations ready to post to your guests at your convenience.
If you have decided to have signage, menu cards or place names etc then this is the time to be choosing the final designs and ordering these items.
It is important to remember that you might need your guests RSVPs before ordering personalised stationery, such as seating charts or place names as you need to know who is attending.
If you want to send personalised or generic thank you cards to your guests, after your honeymoon, this is the perfect time to be thinking about ordering these.
With a clear plan (and not being afraid to ask your wedding stationer questions along the way – I’m always here to answer any queries), you should have a seamless experience designing and ordering your wedding stationery. Remember, this timeline is a flexible guide and your specific wedding details may differ – e.g. for destination weddings then you might want to send out save the dates a little earlier.
With Blue Pumpkin Calligraphy, I’ll be there to guide you and offer advice every step of the way. I want your wedding stationery experience to feel relaxed, so that you can enjoy the process of crafting heartfelt stationery while staying on top of your timeline! If you’d like to find out more about my semi-customisable stationery collection or you have your hearts set on something truly bespoke, I welcome you to get in touch to find out more!
Your wedding invitations are so more than just sharing your wedding information with your guests. In fact, your stationery stands as a tangible heirloom that becomes a part of your overall wedding aesthetic alongside your flowers, dress and signage. Every element adds your personal touch to your love story, and it all starts with your invitations.
Blue Pumpkin Calligraphy was born from an infatuation for heartfelt wedding stationery, where I create handcrafted, heirloom-style designs that capture the essence of your love story. Incorporating those-all important wedding day details, I’ll collaborate with you to craft bespoke and beautiful wedding invitations that mean the world.
Choosing the perfect wedding stationery that reflects your unique style and creates a timeless keepsake can feel daunting. With that in mind, I’ve put together a journal feature that will help you navigate the world of wedding invitations, helping you to picture your perfect design ahead of your love story unfolding.
Reflect Your Style
Your wedding stationery is the first glimpse your guests will have into the style of your special day. You want to ensure your invitations reflect the vibe of your wedding, whether you are having an elegant manor house celebration, a grand castle as your backdrop or a rustic barn venue. Take a moment to consider your style and what resonates with you both as a couple. Are you drawn to timeless and traditional designs or a more sleek and modern approach?
Remember to incorporate personal touches into your design, such as a bespoke monogram, a customised illustration or hints towards where you met each other or where you live. This will not only make your invitations visually appealing but will make your guests smile as they resonate with these hidden meanings.
The choice of paper and printing techniques can elevate your stationery from beautiful to breathtaking. I offer a variety of paper style and printing options, so that the end result aligns with the overall effect and style you want to achieve from your invitations. The fun part is then to decide on the type of printing – from elegant, embossed letterpress printing to more modern foil stamping.
Consider all of your stationery
Your wedding stationery journey doesn’t begin and end with invitations. Consider creating a cohesive suite of wedding stationery that includes save-the-dates, RSVP cards, menus, place cards, and thank-you cards. This will create an overarching consistent design throughout your whole wedding and give your guests a visually appealing experience that will be talked about for years to come.
Finding a wedding stationer that understands your vision and can work with your style is imperative to ensure your invitations are exactly how you imagined. Start by researching for someone whose aesthetic you connect with and really love. Don’t hesitate to ask questions! Here at Blue Pumpkin Calligraphy, I love nothing more than working with loved-up couples to create wedding invitations that will be a lasting reminder of your special day.
Blue Pumpkin Calligraphy delves beyond just offering a wedding stationery service; I’m here to deliver a seamless experience that’s filled with pockets of magic at every turn. I’ll guide you every step of the way from your initial consultation to the final product – thoughtfully curating your bespoke designs. My commitment to making personalised handmade wedding invitations with meticulous attention to detail ensures that your stationery is not only beautiful, but also a true reflection of your love story.
You can browse through my latest collection here, immerse yourself in my semi-customisable designs or follow me on Instagram for endless wedding stationery inspiration!
As a wedding stationer, I’m constantly inspired by the wedding industry as well as my lovely couples. I get the opportunity to use my creativity and artistic flair to design bespoke stationery that reflects the unique essence of each couple I work with – and this starts with adding personal touches that tell a story throughout your wedding stationery. Today I’m offering you an insight into the world of Blue Pumpkin Calligraphy and how I ensure your stationery is a personal work of art. Discover some of my beloved touches that can be added to your wedding stationery to elevate its design and to ensure it truly feels like yours.
Bespoke Stamps
There’s something undeniably romantic about the timeless elegance of bespoke stamps. These custom-made stamps can feature anything from your initials to a family crest, or even a favourite flower! Essentially, I adore incorporating something that holds a special meaning to you and your partner. Whether you opt for a classic wax seal stamp or a modern rubber stamp, adding this unique touch to your wedding invitations will help set the tone for your special day.
This is more than just a design feature; it’s a personal and lasting symbol of your new union as a couple. Incorporating your initials or a combination of your names into a beautifully crafted monogram adds a personal (and luxurious) touch to your wedding stationery and will make it a lasting memento of your wedding day. Whether you choose to have your monogram delicately embossed in gold foil or intricately illustrated with custom calligraphy, your monogram can become the focal point in your wedding stationery set.
If you want to add another dimension to your wedding stationery and make it stand out from the crowd, then this is the perfect addition to your wedding stationery style. By incorporating these translucent overlays or wraps you create a sense of anticipation as your guests unwrap their invitation. This design choice is also perfect if you want to infuse your invitations with an ethereal and delicate feel.
Take your wedding stationery to the next level by adding a beautiful textural element. We can work together to create a refined look by using romantic and carefully chosen silk ribbons. Whether you use the ribbons to tie together your invitation suite or throughout your entire on-the-day stationery, this tactile element will elevate the overall presentation of your stationery.
In addition to these beautiful options for adding finishing touches to your wedding stationery, there are countless other ways you can incorporate personal and sentimental elements into your stationery. From custom illustrations of your wedding venue to a quote from your favourite song or a map of where you met your partner. At Blue Pumpkin Calligraphy, I’ll collaborate with you both to weave in unique elements that make your stationery a true representation of you both and the story you share together.
The key to adding a personal touch lies in authenticity and the ability to infuse every detail of your wedding stationery with meaningful elements. Don’t be afraid to experiment and incorporate details that you love – this will not only make your stationery aesthetically stunning but also serve as a treasured memento for you and your guests.
