A Step-by-Step Guide to Launching Your Wedding Stationery Business
Are you finally ready to launch your own wedding stationery business? In this step-by-step guide, I’ll show you how to go from concept to creation and establish a successful wedding stationery business.
Whether you dream of designing custom invitations, semi-custom stationery, or selling invitation templates on Etsy, I’ll walk you through all of the essential steps to get started. From setting up your business legally and creating a standout brand identity, to sourcing quality materials and effectively marketing your services, I've got you covered. No more waiting around, friend: inspiration favors the brave!
so excited for you!
Launching a wedding stationery business can be exciting and overwhelming, but with the right strategies and tools, you can turn your dream into a reality.
(And yeah, I know “dream to reality” kinda sounds like a refrigerator magnet, but I’m gonna go with it anyway!)
Building a successful wedding stationery business has been one of the most fulfilling and rewarding things I’ve ever done, so let's dive in and start building your brand from the ground up.
Identify Your Ideal Client
Three of the most beneficial things you can do before starting your wedding stationery business, is discover your area of expertise, identify your ideal client, and determine your niche within the wedding stationery industry.
Wedding stationery encompasses a wide range of products, including invitations, save the dates, place cards, thank you cards, and more. You may be more equipped or more passionate about some of those products over others.
And, while you can certainly add all of those products to your lineup, take some time to reflect on your interests and strengths.
Start simple. Expand later.
i. your area of expertise
Are you drawn to classic and elegant designs or do you prefer a more modern and contemporary style? Do you have a knack for calligraphy or illustration?
Consider these things when it comes to identifying your area of expertise. What are you the best at? And, what are you the most passionate about designing?
ii. your ideal client
Once you have discovered your area of expertise, consider your ideal client within the wedding stationery market. This one exercise is the key to fueling your growth.
Is your ideal client eco-friendly, traditional, high-end, etc.? When you understand your ideal client, you can tailor your products and marketing to attract more people like them.
iii. research the industry
Next, do a little market research by looking at other wedding stationery businesses to see what they offer and how you can differentiate yourself.
This research will give you valuable insights into industry trends and help you identify gaps in the market that you can fill with your unique products and services.
In this free training, you’ll learn how to align your business with your unique lifestyle, so you can fuel your growth and reach your full potential as a stationery designer
Get crystal clear on your passion and area of expertise.
Create a Plan for Your Wedding Stationery Business
Now that you have a better understanding of how to position yourself in the marketplace, you can gain additional clarity on your ideal client by doing market research for your wedding stationery business. This will help you understand your ideal client on a more personal level. And I know, it might seem boring or skippable–but I promise it makes a huge difference in setting yourself apart.
Don't find customers for your products, find products for your customers. – Seth GodinGo beyond creating a “fake” client profile.
Now, of course, you can create a fake persona based on made up demographic information such as age, location, and income level. But, I encourage you to go much deeper–find a real person or base it on yourself. Learn more about their interests, wedding themes, and design preferences. Consider reaching out to engaged couples or newlyweds who fit your ideal client profile to gather firsthand insights through email surveys or a quick Zoom call.
Keep your finger on the pulse when it comes to wedding trends and what style of invitations will resonate most with your ideal client. Follow wedding blogs, scroll through places like Pinterest or Instagram for ideas, or hop on over to TikTok to see what your ideal client is talking about when it comes to wedding stationery.
This will help you create designs that resonate with your ideal client and set your wedding stationery business apart from the competition.
Setting Up Your Wedding Stationery Business
legal and financial considerations
This sounds like the intimidating part, but don’t worry–I’m going to equip you with one of the best resources for creative businesses.
First, you might consider forming an LLC or other legal entity for your business. (Talk to a legal professional to determine what will work best for your wedding stationery business.) Second, have a contract in place.
One of my favorite resources for this is The Creative Law Shop. I’m passing the baton to them for this portion because they’re the legal experts who can get you all fixed up.
(And yeah, this is the kinda resource a lot of small businesses gatekeep, but I’m more interested in you building a solid foundation to launch and grow your wedding stationery business.)
3 Tips to Sourcing Materials for Your Wedding Stationery Business
As a wedding stationery business, the quality of your materials and equipment plays a significant role in the final product and overall client experience. Sourcing high-quality materials is essential to create beautiful wedding stationery that will impress and delight your clients.
No. 1Do your research.
Research suppliers and wholesalers that specialize in wedding stationery materials. Look for suppliers that offer a wide range of options, from different types of paper and envelopes to embellishments such as envelope liners and vellum. Request samples to ensure the quality meets your standards.
No. 2Invest in the right tools.
Invest in the necessary tools for your wedding stationery business. This may include a high-quality printer (I use the Canon IP8720 for really small jobs and then outsource everything else), cutting tools, scoring tools, a tape runner for envelope liners, etc., depending on your design preferences and production volume.
No. 3Secure the right production partners.
In most cases for starting a wedding stationery business, it’s easier to outsource all of your printing and production rather than trying to print on your own. This frees up time in your business to work on other tasks and ensures consistent quality among your stationery products.
If you don’t have access to high quality vendors (or time to find them!), you don’t have a reliable way to produce your products.
My vendor guide gives you direct access to vendors and resources that I’ve relied on over the past decade.
Designing and Creating Wedding Stationery Products
Now comes the creative part–designing and creating your wedding stationery products. This is where your passion and expertise will really shine through, as you bring your clients' wedding visions to life through your beautiful designs.
Sometimes the hardest part is getting started. So, just go for it. Start simple. Get fancy later.learn design
Learn how to use professional design software like InDesign or Illustrator, so you can establish yourself as a serious designer. If you plan to sell templates on Etsy, invest in a user-friendly platform like Templett.
build your portfolio
Brainstorm design ideas and create a portfolio showcasing your unique style. Consider honing in on a specific design style that caters to your ideal client’s preferences. Create at least three invitation styles to attract your ideal client.
photograph your work
Experiment with taking photos and videos of your work, so you can showcase it on social media. Keep it simple. You don’t need a ton of props or flowers–a little can go a long way! Consider purchasing mockups to add variety.
Scale your business for exponential growth by starting a semi-custom collection. Enroll in my free mini-course below.
Curious on how to design a semi-custom collection?
Pricing Your Wedding Stationery
One of the most common things I’m asked about as a wedding stationery educator is how to price your services.
Pricing is crucial to ensure profitability. The truth is, you can’t quit your 9-5 unless you price for profit. Consider factors such as material costs, production time, and overhead expenses when determining your pricing strategy.
Start by calculating the cost of materials for each item, including paper, envelopes, embellishments, and printing costs. Factor in the time it takes to design, assemble, and package each product. Then, factor in items like packaging and overhead expenses, and add your markup.
For a full breakdown of how to price your wedding stationery, see this post.
Marketing Your Wedding Stationery Business
I’m not talking about just growing your audience here. Instead, focus on attracting the right clients to your wedding stationery business by showcasing your work on social media and other marketing platforms.
Once you’ve established your website or your Etsy shop, find one marketing platform to help market your wedding stationery business. If you love being on camera or filming your work, Instagram or TikTok are great choices. If you prefer showcasing your designs through photography and/or video (and you don’t want to appear on camera!), Pinterest is perfect.
From there, create visually stunning images and videos that inspire and captivate potential customers. Share behind-the-scenes glimpses of your design process, client work and testimonials, and real wedding features to build trust and credibility.
Collaborate with wedding planners or photographers to expand your reach and tap into their existing networks. Offer to provide samples or discounts for styled shoots or weddings in exchange for exposure and referrals. Building relationships within the wedding industry can lead to valuable partnerships and a steady stream of customers.
Don't overlook traditional marketing methods such as attending bridal shows, getting featured in local media outlets like the news or a magazine, and participating in local wedding events. These offline opportunities allow you to connect with engaged couples face-to-face and showcase your products in person.
Whether you’re an aspiring or established stationer, learn how to streamline your business through a semi-custom collection with this checklist of 33 must-haves.
Scale Your Business with a Semi-Custom Collection
Hey, there! I’m Valerie–a South Alabama wife & mom of two, decade-long stationer, and multi-six figure entrepreneur.
I’m obsessed with helping stationers like you achieve success in their business through sharing a simple, step-by-step strategy, without the stress and overwhelm of figuring it all out on your own.
I started Betty Lu Paperie in 2013 with zero money for advertising, zero following, and zero business experience. Fast forward to today–after building both Etsy and my own website to six-figures–I’m ready to spill the tea on all the things you need to start a wedding stationery business.
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