How to Choose a Theme for Your Wedding Stationery

Choosing a theme for your wedding stationery might seem like a small detail in the grand scheme of planning your big day—but it’s one of the most impactful decisions you’ll make. Your stationery sets the tone from the very first moment your guests receive your save the date card. It offers a glimpse into your style, personality, and the kind of day they can expect.

A carefully chosen stationery theme brings cohesion to your entire celebration. It connects everything from your invitations and table plans to menus, place cards, and thank-you notes. It’s also an exciting creative step that helps you visualise your wedding as a whole.

Here are 10 important things to consider when choosing your wedding stationery theme—each one will help you create a wedding that looks and feels just like you imagined.

Start with what you know best—you. Your personal style should guide your theme choice. After all, you’ll want to feel completely comfortable and authentically yourself on the day. Think about:

• How your home is decorated

• The colours and styles you wear

• The places you feel happiest

If your home is full of clean lines and modern décor, then a minimalist or contemporary wedding style might be perfect. If you’re always crafting, baking, or love all things vintage, then shabby chic, rustic, or whimsical themes could be more “you.”

Weddings are a celebration of two people, so bring in elements that reflect your relationship. What are your shared hobbies, passions, or dreams? What brought you together?

Jot down words, places, and ideas that describe your journey. For example:

• Love travel? Incorporate vintage luggage tags into your invitations.

• Met at university? Use book-themed details.

• Bond over music festivals? Go for a laid-back boho or festival vibe.

Let your stationery be a reflection of the story you share.

Your chosen venue will strongly influence your wedding’s theme and mood. Think about the character of the space:

• A stately home might lend itself to a vintage or classic formal theme

• A barn may suit a rustic, countryside look

• A beach or destination venue could inspire a light, breezy coastal style

• A tipi or outdoor setting might spark a festival or bohemian theme

Also consider the colours already present in your venue. For example, hotels with bold interiors might limit your palette, so you may want to choose stationery that complements rather than clashes.

The season you’re getting married in can influence colours, textures, and even paper choices.

• Spring: Pastels, florals, light and airy designs

• Summer: Bright, bold colours, vibrant motifs

• Autumn: Rich tones like burgundy, copper, and deep green

• Winter: Cool whites, icy blues, or warm golds and burgundy

Let nature guide you. If flowers play a big part in your day, speak with your florist about what’s in season and use that as inspiration for your stationery colours.

When you close your eyes and picture your wedding, what do you see?

• Soft pinks and vintage lace?

• Crisp white and navy with modern lines?

• Rustic wood, fairy lights and meadow flowers?

Your dream vision—whether it’s something you’ve always imagined or something you’ve recently been inspired by—should be central to your theme. Don't shy away from embracing it fully.

Websites like Pinterest can be a treasure trove of ideas for themes, colours, and styles. Create inspiration boards to gather your favourite ideas:

• One board for stationery

• Another for dress styles

• One for colour palettes, table décor, or flowers

Just be careful not to fall down the rabbit hole. Too many options can overwhelm and confuse your choices. Use online inspiration to refine your style, not to endlessly expand it.

It’s great to involve people you trust in the process—but don’t feel pressured to please everyone. Ask for input if you're stuck, especially from people with a good eye for colour or style. Bridesmaids can help guide dress choices and colour options too.

However, your day should ultimately reflect you and your partner. If you’re unsure about strong opinions from family or friends, thank them for their thoughts—but follow your gut.

As with all aspects of wedding planning, your budget matters. Some themes are more affordable to execute than others.

For example:

• A minimalist design using white card and a spot colour can be stylish and cost-effective

• DIY touches—like handwritten place cards or ribbon-tied menus—can save money and add personality

• Keeping your palette simple helps with decor, flowers, and coordination

Don’t stretch beyond what’s comfortable. Some of the most elegant weddings have come from creative thinking on a modest budget.

Are you aiming for a fun and relaxed celebration? Or a more classic and formal affair? Deciding the mood you want will naturally lead to theme ideas.

• Fun and informal: bright colours, playful fonts, quirky illustrations

• Romantic and traditional: soft colours, floral motifs, elegant scripts

• Modern sophistication: clean lines, bold typography, neutral tones

Ask yourself how you want your wedding to feel for both you and your guests. Let that feeling guide your design decisions.

Once you’ve chosen your theme, stick to it. Consistency creates a polished, coordinated look that elevates the entire event. It doesn’t mean every item has to look identical—but using the same fonts, colours, or motifs across your stationery will tie everything together beautifully.

Match your:

• Save the dates

• Wedding invitations

• Order of service

• Menus

• Table plans

• Place cards

• Thank-you cards

...to create a seamless and elegant experience from start to finish.

Planning your wedding stationery theme should be an exciting and enjoyable process. It’s your chance to be creative and bring your vision to life. Whether you’re drawn to timeless elegance, boho vibes, or bold modernism, your stationery can help tell your story in a way that feels personal and true to you.

At Dotty About Paper, we offer a wide range of beautifully designed wedding stationery collections to match every style and budget. Once you’ve found your theme, we make it easy to carry it across your full wedding suite—saving you time and helping your big day look effortlessly coordinated.