Almost everything you do for your wedding is about celebrating your love, making it a really special event, and coming up with unique ideas to wow your guests.
And all that starts with your wedding stationery, something we always see as an opportunity to have fun and be creative.
And one trend that really sets your party apart? Personalised portrait illustrations on your paper goods.
Perfect for save the dates, wedding invitations, and even as a special wedding gift, custom portraits can be created to reflect your favourite styles, whether that's whimsical or modern.
There are so many stationery designers and illustrators getting in on the trend, all you have to do is find someone whose style you love, and chat to them about creating a custom order.
They might ask you to send a photograph if their style is quite detailed, or it could be something more simple with just your eye, hair and skin colour needed, to create something really sweet. And of course, you can always add in children, pets, or backgrounds as you like.
As with anything custom-made, bespoke wedding stationery can be a bit pricier than the standard collections, but for something entirely unique that will make your guests smile, if you're as stationery-obsessed as we are, we think it could be worth it!
To help you find a stationer you love, we've listed 10 awesome illustrators whose pretty portraits we just can't get enough of…
1. Rifle Paper Co
Anna Bond of Rifle Paper Co. is basically the rockstar of wedding stationers.
Her handpainted, floral-infused designs have been imitated the world over, but there's a reason her beautiful stationery is still the original and best of its style.
2. Jordan Grace Owens
We're a tad obsessed with these personalised paper dolls by Jordan Grace Owens, and think they would make the loveliest wedding gift ever.
Jordan also creates custom prints, totes and pins, so her Etsy shop is well worth checking out for ideas.
3. Wide Eyes Paper Co
We just love the simple, yet precise feel of Wide Eyes Paper Co‘s custom stationery.
This boutique Portland design studio uses watercolours and wood, along with paper and print to create quirky rustic stationery.
4. Shhh My Darling
Italian design studio, Shhh My Darling are purveyors of marvellous and whimsical paper goods.
Definitely one for fine art lovers, their beautiful illustrations are a little more realistic and stylised than many others.
5. Rebecca Wetzler
Rebecca Wetzler is a fashion illustrator that cool couples will adore.
Having worked with some of the biggest fashion brands and magazines in the world, her signature style is edgy, colourful, and utterly beautiful.
6. Bow & Arrow Press
With a fun, playful style, London-based Bow & Arrow Press create some of our very favourite greeting cards – especially their wedding ones like this one above.
While they don't specialise in custom wedding stationery, they can be contacted for commissions, and personalised pieces from their collection.
7. Chicks ‘n Hens
With retro, colourful illustrations, Chicks ‘n Hens are the ones to choose if you're looking for something really detailed and fun.
Check out their envelope liner too, for added personalisation.
8. Stroopwoffle
Stroopwoffle create cool line style drawings, that really stand out, and have a story book feel to them.
They've also teamed up with stationers Kavamore Press to create letterpress versions for a luxury twist on the trend.
9. Heart & Fox
We have a really soft spot for Heart & Fox, and their romantic and creative paper goods.
Not just your average illustratiors, chat to them about adding in floral frames, outfit changes, banners and backdrops.
10. And Then, You Could Always DIY
Perhaps not for the faint hearted, (or entirely unartistic), we do love these DIY illustrated invitations by wedding blogger Amélie aka Queen For the Day for her own wedding. Check out her post on how she did it.
Aren't all these portrait styles so cool though? Ever since I saw Amélie and Christophe's invitations above, I've been kind of obsessed with personalised portraits!
Have you found any great illustrators? Please do share them in the comments below!
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