Preparing your wedding invitations is when it starts to feel a bit more real. It’s really exciting but with all the stationery options that are available to couples, it can seem daunting. But, it doesn’t need to be stressful. Read below for my top 10 things to consider when ordering your stationery.

• The Essential Information

  First things first, include you and your partner’s name, the date of the wedding, the location and the time. These four are the bare bones of your invitation, so get these jotted down first to get you started.

• RSVP Details

  RSVP details are next on my checklist. Give information on how you want your guests to send their replies back to you. It could be traditional and have your guests send back a RSVP card in the post, or a trending idea is to direct them to your wedding website. There are many companies that provide an easy DIY wedding websites like theknot.com and gettingmarried.co.uk are great examples that can really help with organising your RSVPs. You can even have a QR code printed on your invites for a fun way to let you friends easily access your website.

• RSVP Deadline

  I’ve put this under its own heading. It’s so important to give you guests a deadline for answering your invite. Your venue and caters need to know your final numbers by a certain date. Be organised and one step ahead and put your deadline date a little before it’s needed so that you have time to follow up those late replies.

Illustrated Wedding Map Extra Information Card

• Should I Include a Map?

  For some couples, maps aren’t strictly essential when sorting out your wedding stationery as most people have sat naps readily available on their phones/cars. Having said that, if your wedding reception is in a different location to your ceremony and its say off the beaten track at a family member’s farm it could be a really helpful option.

  Maps are good if you know the postcode doesn’t exactly take you door to door from ceremony to the reception. It can be so helpful for guests that don’t live in the area. I can illustrate a map for you that can match in with your wedding styles and colour schemes.

  Click here to order your custom illustrated map.

• Menu Options

  If you are having a sit down meal, then this good to have on your wedding invitations. Add ‘Extra information Cards’ that can list the choices on offer and then can easily slot in the envelopes alone with the main invite. The menu needs one side of a card to itself so you don’t end up trying to cram it in with the main invite information. I can always help with the layout of your extra information cards when ordering.

Pheasant Wedding Gifts Extra Information Card

• Gifts

  Traditionally with weddings, gifts consisted of items and gadgets for newly weds setting up home together. But these days, couples are already living together and have all the items that they need. I have worked with many of my customers to create little poems to politely request for money for honeymoons or renovations. Alternatively you can have a link to a wedding directory for guests to purchase gifts from to avoid a collection of unwanted gifts. Click here to order some extra information cards with a wedding gift poem.

• Taxi Services

  Your guests will do their own research on taxis services but it’s helpful for those that don’t live in the area and what the local taxi services are.

• Accommodation

  There might be dedicated spaces at your wedding venue for guests to stay over, so this is great to include on your invites. If there’s a wedding guest discount code that they need to quote when booking then add this here as well.

• Envelope Seals

  Needless to say, you’re tongue is going to get pretty tired if your are sealing 30+ wedding invitations. Get yourself some pretty little stickers to seal down your envelopes. Your tongue will thank you for it! Click here to order your wedding invitation sticker seals.

• Order Plenty

  Not really something to include but it’s really important to think about how many copies that you need. My advice is to order at least 5 extra cards than you think you need. It’s always lovely to have one for yourself. It’s a lovely keepsake to have and look back on in years to come.

  Keep in mind that some of your guests may not be able to come. So, it’s good to have some extra copies to send out to other friends if you have more space at your ceremony. A few extra £££’s spent here could help you in the long run and avoid having to order a whole extra print run down the line if you then need those extra copies.

Well, that’s it! My top 10 things to consider when organising your wedding stationery. When ordering with me, I am more than happy to guide you through your options. I’ve had over 5 years experience helping bride and grooms all over the UK with their stationery needs. Feel free to get in contact with me here.

4 Top Tips to Stay Connected During Corona

Whether you live alone or with family your mental health, loneliness and anxiety are really important things to take care of while we are spending more time apart. You can be concerned of your own mental wellbeing or of someone else who is feeling cut off at the moment. Here are 4 top tips for staying connected during the Coronavirus Lockdown and through tier restrictions.

Send a Greetings Card

Sending a greetings card is the perfect way to someone who you think might be lonely. Try looking for blank ones so you have plenty of space to write your own message. A handwritten message, in this digital world, really lifts your mood. And it is such a pleasant surprise to have a handwritten card arrive on your door step amongst the junk mail that comes through your door. Pick up a card when you are next out for your supermarket shop and make someone’s day.

Bee Better Soon Card | Half Pint Print

Try a Video Call Murder Mystery Night.

Now these can be as elaborate as you want. I recently tried a Red Herring Game Murder Mystery Party Pack. As Bake Off fans, our group of 11 chose to do “The Great British Bump Off”. You are each given a murder suspect character and you are given pdf documents of what each character should say at each stage of the game. This gives you clues to solve the mystery. IT was such a laugh. Some really went to town and dressed up in their role. It’s definitely worth a try.

Host a Virtual Quiz

Hosting a virtual quiz every week with a group of buddies or your fellow furloughed work mates to keep in touch. Make your own questions up with topics that your group is interested in. Or if you are stuck for time, there are plenty online that you can find that everyone will love. Emoji catchphrase quizzes are always a great hit for most people. Another good idea is to set up a WhatsApp group, posting your baby photos and guessing who’s who! This works best when you nominate one person to be the quiz host and sending your photos to that person. They will then post the photos all at once. 

Shop Small and Send a Gift

But First Coffee Wall Art Print | Half Pint Print on Etsy

There’s a growing number of small business popping up around the country. They really make and sell some cute one-of-a-kind stuff. Shop around online for local crafters, for a gift for your friend. You’ll find something really special, and something that they wouldn’t find in their local area(if the friend lives further afield or in chain gift stores. A handmade gift will really seem so thoughtful and caring. Try looking on Etsy, and online market place of handmade goods. You can search by location to find someone local to you.

You Make My Heart Beet Wall Art Print | Half Pint Print on Etsy

Luxury Illustrated Greetings Card Supplier & Northamptonshire Wedding Supplier

Helloooo ! I thought it was about time I started a blog. I would love to use my blog to keep my followers what I’m up to, creative business ideas, and being self employed in general. I’d also like it to be a place where bride and grooms can read my advice on planning their wedding and for people to read reviews on other creative business start ups that I find so inspiring.

So without further ado, I best get to introducing myself…..

What is Half Pint Print?

My name is Amanda and I run a stationery shop called Half Pint Print.

My business name, 'Half Pint Print', is based on my nickname. My parents have always called me 'half pint', partly because I was so much shorter than my older sister (see photos)! Even now, aged 26, I am still stuck with it! I currently love living and working in my parents' house. Both of my sisters have moved out of our family home, so now I not only have my own bedroom (yes!!), I have also converted my eldest sister's former bedroom into my very own studio! I know, right, how convenient!

I produce a range of illustrated stationery products and art work. I have a broad wedding range - I produce beautiful bespoke floral wedding invitations and create matching stationery suites perfect for the big day. From botanical ''save the dates'', to woodland ''place cards''- I do it all! Everything I create can be personalised to the happy couple's specifications. From matching the colour scheme to including that much-loved tractor on the invitations, my stationery is special. It's the little details that really make your wedding day fantastic!

I also have a wide range of illustrated quirky greetings cards that can be personalised for any occasion. I even write messages inside and put them in the post - so the buyer can sit back and relax, safe in the knowledge that a message of love is in the post!  I love children's books and this really shines through in the characters that feature on all my illustrations. It really helps to bring a smile to the recipient of the card. 

I look forward to sharing my journey with you of doing what I love!

Please feel free to follow me on Facebook and Instagram to see my latest projects that I am working on, using the links below!