You should select your design before firming up your ideas on paper and cards etc. Simply because design will largely dictate what paper and card you can use. For example;

If you have a card with a folded insert, you will not be able to use single sided papers.

If design you choose requires a translucent or vellum paper remember to assess your printer’s capabilities, especially if you want to print onto translucents. An alternative is to have translucent blank and overlay it onto printed sheet.

Choose your envelopes now, or at least check out cost. This is something so many brides overlook and budget can take a hard knock at last minute. Most matching envelopes are expensive - there’s no getting out of it – best you can do is to shop around for a reasonable price. Some invitations look okay in a plain white envelope but do try to get matching ones because if you create an invitation to die for it’s going to look fairly ordinary stuffed into a plain white envelope. That is whole point of creating your own stationery, to enable you to have exactly what you want and save money at same time. There are some stunning new colours around at moment which will literally spoil you for choice. Although envelope almost always goes straight in bin, it is ultimate finishing touch to your creation – and first impressions can be lasting. If that is important to you then it might pay to spend extra. It’s also a nice touch for those who will keep invitation as a memento of your wedding.

Square invitations and non standard size invitations are considered oversize and will cost more to post. Check with your postal office regarding any extra charges, taking into account number of overseas invitations you may have to send out.

The 50th anniversary is commemorated by gold and flower is violet. A gift certainly doesn't have to be gold, wrap a gift in gold paper or paper decorated with violets.