Dan: Today I’m here with Emma-Jane from Carynwen Wedding Stationery, based in a lovely little village in Carmarthenshire, West Wales. We’re sat in her garden craft studio, which is an amazing space to work from. I’ve driven through here a few times but never realised you were tucked away here! Firstly, how are you?
Emma-Jane:
I’m very well, thank you!
Dan:
Let’s start at the beginning can you tell us a little bit about how the business started?
Emma-Jane:
I started back in 2011, but really it began when I got married. I couldn’t find anyone to create bilingual Welsh and English wedding stationery. Welsh is my first language, and although my husband is Welsh, he doesn’t speak it, so I wanted both.
In the end, I made my own stationery, and then friends and family started asking me to make theirs too. When I had my eldest in 2010 and my maternity leave was ending, I decided not to go back to work and instead turn it into a business.
Dan:
And it’s grown from there?
Emma-Jane:
I’d like to think so, yes!
1. What role does wedding stationery play in the overall wedding experience?
Emma-Jane:
Traditionally, receiving an invitation through the post was something really special, and I still think it is. It’s the first impression your guests have of your wedding day.
Everything then flows from that your order of service, place cards, table plan it all ties together. It creates a cohesive feel throughout the day.
I know email invites are more common now, and I understand the cost side of things, but there’s something really special about having a physical keepsake.
Dan:
From a photography point of view, it really does make a difference. Even though we don’t see the invites being sent, we do see them on the wedding morning and in the details, and it all adds to the overall look.
Emma-Jane:
Exactly it all comes together visually.
2. How has creating your own wedding stationery influenced how you work with couples now?
Emma-Jane:
Every wedding is unique, and I think stationery should be too. Even if someone chooses a design I’ve done before, they’ll usually want to tweak it different colours, flowers, layouts.
It’s very rare that I make two identical sets.
For me, it’s about getting it exactly right for the couple. I’d rather redesign something multiple times than have someone feel like they’re settling.
Dan:
It’s got to feel right you don’t want to make do for your wedding.
Emma-Jane:
Exactly.
3. What are the biggest mistakes couples make with wedding stationery?
Emma-Jane:
I would never discourage DIY that’s how I started but if you don’t have a background in crafting, it can be tricky.
People often get stuck with design, wording, or printing issues. And by the time you’ve bought all the materials and had to redo things, it can end up costing more.
Dan:
We actually did that ourselves bought DIY packs, got the printing wrong, had to buy everything twice.
Emma-Jane:
It happens a lot! If you are going DIY, I’d just recommend doing your research first. There’s more to it than people expect card types, weights, textures it can be overwhelming.
4. When should couples order their wedding stationery?
Emma-Jane:
Save the dates are usually sent around 12 months before the wedding.
Invitations can go out about 6 months before, or slightly later if you’ve already sent save the dates.
If guests need to book time off or travel especially for destination weddings then it’s worth sending them earlier.
In terms of ordering, I usually recommend getting in touch about 2 months before you want to send them. That gives us time to design and then produce everything properly.
Dan:
And on the day stationery follows the same style?
Emma-Jane:
Yes, it usually follows on from the invitations so that everything ties together.
5. How important is it for stationery to match the overall wedding style?
Emma-Jane:
It depends on the couple. Some go completely neutral so they don’t reveal their colour scheme. Others bring in personal elements flowers from their bouquet, Welsh details like daffodils or love spoons, or even themes like travel or rural life.
There’s so much flexibility it’s about what feels right for them.
Dan:
And you help guide that process?
Emma-Jane:
Yes some couples come with clear ideas, others have no idea at all. We go through samples, discuss preferences, and build something from there.
6. What key details do couples often forget on invitations?
Emma-Jane:
The biggest one is the time of the wedding.
Also RSVP deadline, full addresses, and separate ceremony and reception locations if needed.
Dan:
Time feels like quite an important one to miss!
Emma-Jane:
You’d be surprised how often it happens.
7. What do couples realise too late when it comes to on the day stationery?
Emma-Jane:
The table plan is probably the biggest last minute panic.
I always mention it as an option, but sometimes couples forget to order it until the final week.
Dan:
That’s a stressful one to leave late!
Emma-Jane:
It is but we got it sorted.
8. What are the benefits of using one supplier for all stationery?
Emma-Jane:
Consistency. Same card, same font, same quality.
Even something as simple as ivory card can look completely different between suppliers.
If you want that cohesive look across your wedding invitations through to table plans it really helps to keep it with one person.
9. Do you have a favourite design you’ve created?
Emma-Jane:
That’s like asking if I have a favourite child!
But I do love my Welsh love spoon design. It’s something a bit different, and you can tie it into wedding favours as well with personalised keyrings.
10. What’s the difference between handmade and mass produced stationery?
Emma-Jane:
With handmade, everything can be customised colours, fonts, wording, even individual names on each invitation.
With large print companies, you’re usually limited to set templates and minimum quantities.
I’ve even handled everything for couples printing, addressing envelopes, posting them which you just wouldn’t get with a bigger company.
11. Where should stationery sit in a wedding budget?
Emma-Jane:
It really varies.
You might have simple invitations starting around £1.60, mid range around £3 to £4, and premium designs up to £7.50 each.
It depends on materials, finishes, and how bespoke you want it.
Everyone’s priorities are different some want luxury materials, others want something simpler but still beautiful.
12. What advice would you give to couples planning their wedding stationery?
Emma-Jane:
Don’t be afraid to experiment.
Often the design you think you won’t like ends up being the one you love. There are so many textures, colours and styles it’s worth exploring them.
Closing Conversation
Dan:
We’re sat here in your craft studio in Carmarthenshire, surrounded by all these different textures and designs it’s a great experience for couples to come and see everything in person.
Emma-Jane:
Yes, I think being able to see and feel the materials makes a big difference.
Dan:
Thank you so much for taking the time to chat today. It’s been really interesting to hear more about the process behind wedding stationery especially something we see so often at weddings across West and South Wales.
Emma-Jane:
You’re very welcome, thank you!
Website: www.carynwen.com/