We asked contemporary wedding stationers Scissor Paper Stone to give us some tops tips on ordering wedding stationery.

• How do I choose an invitation?
Our stationery ranges from the classic and elegant, to cool and funky. Be inspired by a colour you love, or a flower from your bouquet, or your wedding venue - clean and contemporary, or elegant and traditional. It should reflect both yours and your grooms taste, and give your wedding its own unique identity. You must also be aware of budget - luxurious handwrapped invitations in tissue and ribbon are gorgeous, but more costly.

• When should I choose them?
You need to order your wedding invitations at least 3 months before the wedding date. By then you will have confirmed the venue, ordered the dress and have an idea of your flowers - so your stationery can reflect your overall look. You can order your stationery in 2 stages, firstly the invitations and later items for the service and reception - this will give you more time to finalise details such as menus and the Order of Service.

• Who should be invited?
Deciding on who to invite can be difficult - discuss the guest list with your groom and both sets of parents. It should reflect a balanced picture of both of your lives, but you will always be constrained by budget or size of venue, and it is almost inevitable you will disappoint somebody - remember, you can’t invite everyone! You can split the list between day invitations (where guests attend the ceremony and reception) and evening. You will need to order one invitation for each couple or single person invited to the wedding and reception, with a few additions.

• Who sends out the invitation and how far in advance?
The invitations need to be sent out 6 weeks before the wedding to allow your guests time to reply. If your wedding is planned near Christmas or a bank holiday you will need to send out your invitations earlier, so your guests have time to book hotels. Traditionally, invitations are sent out by the brides parents, but the couple may prefer to do it.

• What information should be included?
You will need the venues and times of the wedding and reception finalised to order. A reply address can be printed on the card or an additional reply card can be sent out with your invitations. You may wish to include a dress code eg: Black tie
Guest Information cards give directions to the venue, accommodation guests can book nearby and wedding list details.
Order of Services include your chosen entrance music, hymns, prayers, marriage and benediction - you will be able to obtain this from the Church you are getting married in and must always check it with the clergy before ordering. And Menus for the reception offer details of your wedding banquet - this will be obtainable from your caterer’s or reception venue.

• Ideas for a traditional bride
Insignia - Your initials entwined to form a unique motif to brand all your stationery.
White Rose - Pure and simple with whites and creams creating a subtleelegance.

• Ideas for a super-fashionable bride
Butterfly - layers of butterflies in sage greens and pistachio create a pretty, modern invite using the fashion motif of the moment.
Print - A striking black and white floral pattern, for contemporary modernists.

• Ideas for a small, informal ceremony
Snapshot - Create you a stylish wedding invitation thats truly personalised using a photo you love - a moment on holiday, your favourite place, whatever you want!
Type - Cool and quirky, bold colours and modern type for a more informal invitation.