burgundy flowers wedding favour tag

2022: A great year for me at By Jo Wedding stationery Cardiff

Well, what can I say, that was a year and a half! Quite literally in some respects. With pretty much all covid related restrictions lifted, 2022 saw a return to ‘normal’ for us in the wedding industry. So, with full scale celebrations back, and nearly two years’ worth of postponed events to catch up with, to say it was busy was an understatement. I’ve enjoyed every minute though, here are my favourite bits. A year in the life By Jo wedding stationery Cardiff

Busiest year ever for By Jo wedding stationery Cardiff

It’s been my busiest year EVER in my little Cardiff invitations studio, with us working on over 120 weddings. And that’s just the new ones, I didn’t count all the postponed weddings that finally happened this year in that total. As you can imagine, we barely had time to have a cuppa, let alone write them all up and post about them. So here are just two of those that made it to my blog. There will be lots more real wedding posts this year, keep a look out for them!

I launched some new products and design collections

Well, I say launch. It was more a case of catching up and finally getting them on my website for all to see! Any of you lucky enough to have visited me in my studio, or caught up with me over Zoom, will have seen (and even bought) some of these before they were ‘website official’. I have one more to add before the end of the year, and then a BIG list of ideas for next year. So watch this space, and make sure you’re signed up for my newsletter to get the VIP sneak peek before everyone else.

Award winning year for By Jo wedding stationery Cardiff

I can’t write a review of the year without mentioning them (again) can !? I am super honoured to have been awarded the title of best wedding stationery in Wales (south east region), by the Welsh National Wedding Awards. It really does mean the word to me. Sadly I couldn’t make the glitzy awards ceremony and dinner, so I had a little celebration of my own (and in a style that is a bit more me). Go have a read of my blog to find out more

Best wedding stationery Wales: How I celebrated this honour

But that’s not all! I have, just last month, achieved a runner up title in the Best of Welsh Wedding Awards as well. How fab is that! So not one, but two shiny new logos to display on my website.

regional winner the welsh national wedding awards best wedding stationery
best of welsh wedding awards, runner up best wedding stationery

The BEST feedback from my happy couples

Now, while awards are fabulous, perhaps the best feeling comes when I couples I have worked with send me a little message or card telling me how much they have enjoyed working with me. These really give me a warm fuzzy glow and remind me why I put in all the hard work. Here are some of my favourites from this year:

Anna & James – May 2022

Just wanted to say we absolutely love our wedding invites and so many of our guests have commented on how beautiful they are. We will not hesitate to recommend you to friends. Thank you xx

Chris & Lucy – August 2022

I just wanted to let you know that the menus & place cards arrived this morning. They are so cool and so much better than we imagined. Thank you ever so much for all your hard work!

Gemma & Michael – October 2022

Just want to say thank you for our save the dates we loved them they look very classy thank you so much!

You can read more lovely things my couples have said about me here

Pinterest is go for By Jo wedding stationery Cardiff

This year I was determined to ‘break Pinterest’ – you know, in the same way that pop stars say they’re going to break America!? Well, I’m getting there. It’s taken a while to get all my board tidied up (you don’t all need to be seeing my favourite recipes and Christmas shopping lists) and aligned with the pages on my website. I’ve been taking a few course, reading a tonne of blog posts, and following some really cool experts for their tips and advice. I am now posting regularly with pretty (and helpful, I hope!) wedding invitation-related tips and advice. It would be great if you come over and give me a follow!

Follow By Jo Stationery on Pinterest

Behind the scenes: what did I do when I wasn’t in the studio?

I went to gigs and festivals and saw lots of live music. I swam in the sea, took a flight on a zip line, watched the sun rise and set again for the Summer solstice, and got back to regular yoga classes. I got back in the campervan for some trips: Devon & Cornwall, the West Country, the Midlands and Mid/West Wales. I’m very much looking forward to doing more of all these things next year and ticking off some other bucket list items.

wedding stationery designer Jo in shorts and a hoody, next to her camper van on the beach

And to finish, a little peek into my plans for next year

January wedding fayre with The Wedding Guild of Wales
I’m so excited to have been invited to exhibit with The Wedding Guild of Wales, at their first (and huge!) wedding fayre of 2023. Come and find me, along with many other fabulous suppliers at The Vale Resort and Hensol Castle on Sunday 15th January, 11am until 4pm.
Click here to pre-register for your free tickets

My first eco wedding fayre with Sero Zero Waste
This is a brand new event, taking place at Sero Zero Waste at Tredegar House in Newport. I’m so excited to be exhibiting alongside a host of other businesses that all want to help you make your big day a little more eco friendly. More details will be coming soon, but for now, save the date: Saturday 25th February.

More new wedding stationery collections & products
Sunflowers for sure and something with boho vibes are top of my list. I’ll also be adding favour tags, some new signs, and stickers to my product range. Make sure you keep following me on the socials for updates.

Online ordering for eco friendly wedding invites & stationery – it’s a definite maybe
I’m looking into some ways to include products that you can buy online too, some physical and some digital. This is going to take some working out, so stay with me!

And that’s it from me for this year. That’s my round up of highlights from the year and a little peak into my plans for next year. All that’s left for me to say is a massive thank you. For sticking with me when things got manic, for voting for me in those awards, and for generally being the best with all your kind words and reviews. I can’t wait to get cracking on all those orders I already have booked in for 2023, and of course, I’m excited to meet lots of new couples and hear your ideas and dreams for your wedding stationery.

Have a wonderful festive season and I’ll see you in the new year,
Jo x

PS – want to be the first to know about my plans in 2023? Pop your details in that form below and sign up for my newsletter.