Planning a destination wedding is an exciting adventure, offering couples the chance to celebrate their love in a beautiful and unique setting. However, with all the excitement comes the need for extra planning, particularly when it comes to setting the tone for your celebration through your wedding stationery. To help you create the perfect travel-inspired suite, we’ve partnered with our wedding stationery expert, Vaishali Shah, Founder of Ananya Cards, who shares her top tips and creative ideas for couples hosting destination weddings. At Bride Club ME, we believe your stationery should not only reflect your style but also give your guests a glimpse of the unforgettable journey ahead!

Hosting a destination wedding can be a wonderful way to celebrate your union and share special moments with loved ones, especially if travel plays a significant role in your life. While events abroad may require more planning, they are absolutely worthwhile!

When it comes to wedding stationery, one of the best ways to make invitations personal is to take inspiration from the destination you’ve chosen. Whether or not your guests are seasoned travellers, these ideas from our expert contributor, Vaishali Shah, are sure to spark excitement and anticipation for the journey ahead.

Maps & Illustrations

Using your wedding destination as a theme can take many forms, like including maps or illustrations of landmarks, motifs, or locations.

We love creating map inserts, drawings for envelope liners, or digital illustrations that couples can use on their wedding websites too. These maps can be as detailed or stylised as you wish and make wonderful keepsakes for you and your guests. For example, invitations can include a hand-painted watercolour illustration of your venue, a blind-embossed map of a city, or a drawing of the countryside and mountains characteristic of the location you’ve chosen.

Colours & Patterns

Reflect the culture of your destination with colours, motifs, or patterns. Some colours naturally evoke certain environments – like deep forest green for mountainous regions, teal or soft sand tones for beachside settings, or vibrant oranges and pinks for tropical vibes. We love helping our couples create a colour palette inspired by the hues of their destination.

Prints and patterns can also be a fantastic and sophisticated way to convey a travel aesthetic, such as through local floral, animal, or architectural prints. For a Moroccan wedding, you might include curved arches; for a Hawaiian wedding, a contemporary palm leaf print; or for an elegant château wedding in Europe, you could feature gilded line drawings and silk ribbons for that old-world romance aesthetic.

Words & Languages

Another fun and creative way to infuse the local culture into your stationery is to choose some of your favourite (and instantly recognisable!) words from the language of your wedding destination. For an Italian wedding, you might incorporate a charming “Ciao!” on the menu or welcome sign, while for a French château celebration, a simple “Merci!” could feature on favour tags, thank you notes, or guest welcome cards. You can also create catchy phrases that embody your love for travel, such as “A love story that spans the globe” or “Pack your suitcases and join us in Paris!”

Creative dress codes, like “Desert Chic” in Dubai or “La Dolce Vita” in Italy, add personality to your invitations. If you choose to get creative with dress codes, provide your guests with a description of what it means – perhaps on your wedding website or even a Pinterest board of outfit inspiration. Including a wedding wardrobe guide that highlights suggested outfits for each event can ensure guests feel prepared and confident for all the celebrations ahead.

Photography credit: Martina H Photography

Postcards

One way many of our couples choose to reveal the destination of their international celebration is through a postcard-inspired save-the-date. This type of stationery can feel playful, vintage, and retro, conveying a sense of wanderlust and adventure. Imagine your guests receiving a postcard, instantly transported to a romantic vineyard in Tuscany or a sun-soaked beach in the Maldives!

The front can feature a real photograph of your destination or a bespoke illustration that reflects the setting and mood of your event. On the back, stay true to the postcard format by including a handwritten-style font with key details like the date, location, and your wedding website. For an extra personal touch, why not add a short note to each guest? A simple message like “We can’t wait to celebrate with you in Santorini!” will make your guests feel special and even more excited to join the festivities.

Passports & Boarding Passes

For travel enthusiasts, creating a stationery suite styled like a passport, boarding pass, or airline ticket is a fun and chic option, especially for guests travelling long distances. Boarding pass invitations can hint at the adventure to come, while details like barcodes, logos, and perforated edges add a realistic touch. You could even include a seating class or gate number for added playfulness.

To complete the look, Vaishali suggests sending luggage tags, passport covers, or travel pouches alongside the invitations. Your guests will love opening their envelopes filled with charming travel-themed elements, building even more excitement for the upcoming celebration.

Photography credit: Valery Wedding Photography

Effective Guest Communication

While crafting beautiful invitations and wedding stationery is important, managing guest communication is just as essential. Make sure to provide all necessary travel details within your invitations, such as accommodation options, local transportation tips, and any customs or traditions related to the destination that guests should be aware of. Creating a wedding website or a wedding booklet, placed in guests’ rooms upon arrival, can centralise this information. These resources can include RSVP options, event updates, detailed itineraries, and wedding wardrobe guides.

For managing RSVPs, consider using a digital RSVP service that allows guests to respond easily and keeps track of their attendance. Send reminders as the wedding date approaches, and encourage guests to reach out with any questions. This ensures that everyone is well-informed and excited for your celebration.

We hope these ideas inspire you to create a stationery suite that showcases the beauty and uniqueness of your celebrations! If you’d like support in bringing a design to life that embodies travel and adventure, we’d love to help.

Your destination wedding stationery should be as special as the journey you are about to embark on. By incorporating elements that reflect the location, culture, and spirit of travel, you can create an experience that delights your guests from the moment they receive your invitation. If you’re looking for expert guidance in crafting a bespoke stationery suite that captures the magic of your wedding destination, we highly recommend reaching out to Vaishali Shah, Founder of Ananya Cards. Her expertise and creative vision will help bring your wedding stationery dreams to life. Visit Ananya Cards Bride Club ME profile here.