When your "Save the date" or even your wedding invitation arrive in the post, it's often the first chance guests have to find out more about the style of your wedding.

From summer flowers to glizy golds, art deco themes or traditional - your invitation helps set the scene for the big day, which is why it's so important to get it right.

Charlotte Hewson, founder of London-based bespoke wedding stationery design house Chartula Studio, says allowing plenty of time to explore different colours, styles and themes is the key to success.  Think about the style of wedding you would like; the venue, time of year and, of course, the two of you are great places to take inspiration from.

Deciding your budget is also critical, there's no point in choosing the most gorgeous hand-finished design in gold encrusted card if your finances won't stretch to it.  Decide how much you can afford to spend and what items you would like to get for that price.

On its website, www.chartula.co.uk, Chartula has plenty of design ideas and offers tips and advice on how to get value for money.  It even has an online calculator, enabling brides to see just how much their stationery will cost, and includes a "single run saving" feature, demonstrating how much can be saved by having all of the stationery printed in one go.

Planning ahead and working closely with your stationery designer ensures the most cost-effective approach as they will show you money-saving tips, such as how menu covers can double up as order of service covers, and escort cards offer an easily updated alternative to formal table plans.

Chartula Studio has a wide range of styles and designs for all tastes, from its gorgeous floral collection to fairytale laser-cut styles in a myriad of colours.  Its boutique range offers the perfect starting points for brides on a budget, while its bespoke showcase collection is the place to look for something really special, with prices on application.

Supplied by Charlotte at Chartula Studio Ltd 

www.chartula.co.uk

020 7138 4055.