navy bilingual handmade wedding invites

Wedding Stationery South Wales – Navy handmade wedding invitations for a micro Cardiff wedding

I met Catrin & Osian in the middle of August 2020, just after I got back from a couple of weeks holiday. They were very excited to be planning their small, intimate wedding at Rhodris by the Lake, Canada Lake and Lodge in Cardiff, South Wales. I had been recommended by some of their friends, whose stationery I made a few years ago. With a very short lead time, just over a month, I got to work quickly creating a small but perfectly formed suite of navy handmade wedding invitations and stationery for them.

Classic navy blue and blush colour scheme

Before any design meeting in my studio I send out a little questionnaire to get an idea of the colour scheme and theme that the couple are looking to achieve. Catrin’s description of her chosen colours was “Navy and blush, dusky pink, antique rose”. I couldn’t wait to meet them and get designing with this colour palette. I worked with a lot of blush, rose gold and pinks over the past few years and I never tire of it. Such a classic and elegant colour for weddings and the navy gives it a sophisticated, grown up feel.

Navy and blush handmade laser cut wedding invitations

Cardiff wedding invitations design meeting

Luckily (pre local lockdowns) Catrin and Osian were able to visit my studio just outside Cardiff, and while they were with me we finalised pretty much all of the design and details for their navy handmade wedding invitations. They had a clear idea of the theme and ‘feel’ for their wedding but weren’t sure how to pull it all together in the stationery. Having them with me in the studio meant I could mock up designs and show them how different materials and elements would work together. Finally, together, we achieved just the look they were after. Catrin also took some offcuts of the card and ribbon I would be using to help with colour matching other details of the wedding decor.

Navy handmade wedding invitations

The final design for their navy handmade wedding invitations combined the blue with a soft blush pink, perfect or an intimate early Autumn wedding. Together with them, I designed around some dramatic navy blue laser cut invitation wraps that I had in stock. I added a soft blush pink insert printed in navy, with a hint of sparkle in a champagne glitter border. The invitations were then wrapped in a beautiful champagne cream satin ribbon, tied in a bow.

Navy blue and pink handmade wedding invitations

Small wedding? No problem, no minimum order

As I have no (or very low) minimum order quantity, Catrin and Osian could order just the nine handmade wedding invitations they needed. Because of the quick turnaround I worked with them to come up with a design that could be made with materials I already had in stock at my Cardiff studio.

Bilingual handmade wedding invitations

With it being a small, intimate wedding there was very little extra information to be included with the invitations, nor did they need a reply card to be included. Catrin & Osian did want their handmade wedding invites to be bilingual though, so I came up with a layout that worked with the text in both English and Welsh. I also personalised the invitations, printing the guest names into each one. This meant I could tie up the ribbons and all Catrin & Osian needed to do was pop them into the envelopes and deliver to their guests.

Navy blue and blush personalised wedding place cards, Welsh language

Bespoke wedding place cards

To complete the suite of handmade wedding stationery, Catrin and Osian asked me to make coordinating place cards for their micro wedding reception. I designed these in layers of navy blue, the champagne glitter and blush pink card, printed with each guest’s name in a navy script font. Adding the bride and groom’s names and wedding date makes them into a lovely keepsake too I think. Again, because all my stationery is handmade to order, the small number of just 25 was no problem at all.

Other Cardiff wedding suppliers

When I met with Catrin & Osian we also had a chat about what other suppliers they had booked and were looking for. They hadn’t yet found a florist, so gave them details of fellow Cardiff wedding professional Petal Power. Anne-Marie is based in Creigiau so was perfectly situated, local to Cartin and Osian and also to the venue, Canada Lodge and Lake. Anne-Marie’s floral creations for the big day were beautiful.

Pretty pink and cream bridal posy

What Catrin said about her navy handmade wedding invitations

After picking up her navy handmade wedding invitations and matching place cards, Catrin emailed with a short note simply saying:

We love them! Thank you. Guests also love the invites! 
You have been fantastic so will definitely recommend you. 

Diolch Catrin, I loved making the stationery for your small but perfectly formed Cardiff micro wedding, I hope you had a fabulous day. Llongyfarchiadau Mr & Mrs Lloyd!

If you’re planning a micro wedding in Cardiff or South Wales, do get in touch to see how I can help with your handmade wedding invitations and stationery. I have no minimum order, so can design and make as little as five invitations, as well as any coordinating stationery you might need for the ceremony and reception. Get in touch to arrange to visit me in my studio, or to chat on the phone.

Catrin & Osian’s navy handmade wedding invitations and stationery were based on these collections:
Laser Cut Luxe & Glitterati

Flowers: Petal Power Wales

Venue: Rhodri’s at Canada Lodge and Lake

navy and blush laser cut wedding invitation

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