Modern Vintage Wedding Stationery: Something Old, Something New
Modern vintage wedding stationery
Modern vintage wedding stationery is the Scribed by Sophie signature style, combining contemporary techniques and modern materials with nostalgic designs that evoke the best of what’s been. Whether it’s regal romance in the form of Bridgerton-inspired wedding invitations, an antique aesthetic straight out of a centuries-old castle, or a pattern that reminds you of your granny’s wallpaper but fashionable, I’m here for it. There are so many fun and chic design concepts to play with, and I want to show you some of my favourite ‘something old, something new’ combinations to inspire your own wedding stationery. Here are 5 ways to deliver on antiquated yet elevated, Sophie-style..
5 dreamy ways to achieve modern vintage wedding stationery
Luxury Cardstock & Deckled Edging
There’s something so satisfying about the feeling of a premium piece of card between your fingers, and to me this is a necessity rather than a luxury for your wedding stationery. We’re talking about one of the most exciting and important invitations you’ll ever send, one of the most meaningful menus you’ll ever create, and the most heartfelt seating chart you’ll ever re-do 20 times. Selecting only the best luxury cardstock is a Scribed by Sophie non-negotiable, and there’s no denying that a sumptuously thick, beautifully textured piece of stationery feels modern and elevated.
Take that little lovely and give it some deckled edges, however…then you’ve got yourself a decadently dated finish, perfect for a soft and familiar feel. Eric & Juliet’s vintage vampire wedding stationery was the perfect example of this - gorgeous off-white menu and place name cards with torn edges, giving the illusion that they’d been stored in a Scottish castle for centuries of spooky feasts. I love it - how about you, wonderfuls?
2. Premium Vellum & Antique Patternwork
I love vellum. Like, I seriously love it. That soft, silky finish with beautiful translucent quality is one of my favourite things to include in your modern vintage wedding stationery designs, and it can be used in a variety of different ways including overlays and wraps. Although it appears chic and contemporary, vellum has actually been around since the ancient Egyptians - so maybe this section should be better renamed ‘something old, something older’!
Vellum wraps are a lovely way to bundle up different items of stationery when sending them to your guests, for example an invitation, a schedule for the day and a song request card. We can nest them all safely inside a velvety vellum leaf to add to the joy of unwrapping and unpackaging such a special delivery. It also works perfectly as an overlay sheet, allowing the details of the card beneath to just peek through at first glance.
Photo credit : by Emma OliviaAntique patternwork is just stunning on vellum - muted antique florals and flowing foliage designs in pretty pastels are some of my favourites. When I create these vellum overlays and wraps, I feel almost as though I am taking someone’s favourite black and white romance film and recreating it in full colour - the best of the old combined with the appeal of the new.
3. Vintage Finishes with Elegant Envelope Liners
Nothing says luxury quite like an envelope with a lining, an everyday item elevated to elegant new heights. If there was ever a time to luxe up your envelopes, it’s when they contain your wedding invitations! Creating sumptuous patterned liners allows for creativity and playfulness, a treat from the moment the seal is pulled back. We can add some of that old world charm by working with vintage finishes, both in and on the envelope.
Silk ribbons hold almost as big a place in my heart as vellum, and I think they are the perfect addition to modern wedding stationery to bring it beautifully back in time a bit. They always make me think of handwritten scrolls tied with a ribbon and hand delivered to Lords and Ladies, or birds flying with tiny notes attached to their ankles.
Photo credit : Sarah HurjaSo, you’ve got your little bundle of wedding stationery tied with a silk ribbon, slipped inside a luxuriously lined envelope…how about a wax seal to finish it all off in style? Wax seals are as old as time, but there are now many modern techniques for creating them with that perfect irregularity and polished quality we all desire. Whatever colour or motif you want for your wax seal, we can achieve it, quite literally putting your own stamp on the loveliest letter you’ll ever send.
4. Hand Calligraphy & Chic Lettering Techniques
The clue is in the name (Scribed by Sophie) - I am a huge fan of hand calligraphy. I love getting lost in the sweeping scratch of a nib on paper when working my way through a list of calligraphy place name cards or personalised menus, and the fact that this is still such a popular option is testament to the longevity of the desire for a human touch.
Even lovelier still, though, is a combination of hand lettering and chic modern typography techniques such as letterpress and foiling. It’s the answer to our quest for the perfect combination of script and type, and can be combined on the same item of stationery for a finish that is utterly luxurious. This vintage ‘pearls & pears’ concept showcases this blend perfectly.
5. Pristine Packaging
Last but definitely not least on my list of modern vintage wedding stationery ideas is all about the packaging. I absolutely love gifting, and taking time to pack everything up and present it beautifully - Christmas is one of my favourite times of year, and giving is so much more fun than getting for me! This carries through into every item or bundle of wedding stationery I send out.
Gifting
We’ve been giving gifts for as long as we’ve been walking the earth, likely because that human connection I mentioned earlier is a vital part of our lives. That’s why I consider the packaging process to be both gorgeously old fashioned and magnificently modern; it’s the same concept as it’s always been, except we’ve luxed it up somewhat over the years.
Bringing everything together and wrapping it all up is almost my favourite part of your wedding stationery journey with me, and I’ll never skip or skimp on this part.
Which was your favourite modern vintage wedding stationery pairing? These are all techniques and methods I use when designing your bespoke pieces, and I’m always looking for new ways to give something old, something new a whole new meaning. To start designing together, contact me.
