2020 has been a very strange year for us all, but I know it's been especially trying for couples wanting to get married.

With lockdown 2.0 happening so late in the year, it's understandable that engaged couples will be wondering if even their 2021 wedding will be able to go ahead as planned. Now obviously, I don't have a crystal ball (oh how I wish I did!) but I'm really optimistic that weddings of some capacity will be able to go ahead and as an industry we're fighting for it to happen as much as we possibly can. (For more info, make sure you check out whataboutweddings.co.uk to stay up to date!)

If you're getting married during the first half of 2021, now is the time you'd usually be looking at ordering and sending your invitations. As this year has been anything but 'usual', I imagine you'll be wondering what your options are and what your next steps should be.

Most couples I've spoken to fall into one of two camps: 'We're getting married no matter what our guest numbers are' or 'We want to get married with our full guest list, so will postpone if we need to'. I'll include some options for each camp, so you can get that ’invitation’ box ticked off your checklist.

‘We're getting married no matter what our guest numbers are'

If you fall into this category, I'd recommend you order your invitations as normal but perhaps start to think about who will 'make the cut' if you do need to reduce your numbers. To see my handy stationery timeline and find out the best time to order, click here.

To keep your guests in the loop, I'd recommend setting up a wedding website (if you haven't already), just so they can stay updated on everything. It's also a good idea to make sure you've got everyone's email address, so you can send out digital updates if need be.

If it gets a little nearer to the time and it looks like you may have to postpone, most stationers will be very happy to hold off on printing your designs until you're completely ready to do so.

And if you've already sent your invitations out and need to postpone nearer the time, most stationery designers (myself included) are still offering free re-designs of your invitations and you can either send this out digitally, or pay for printing at cost price.*

'We want to get married with our full guest list, so will postpone if we need to'.

If you're in this camp, it's not quite as straightforward but there are still lots of options available to you! If you haven't sent save the dates, it might be a good idea to send a digital invitation out to your guests with your current date (just so they keep it free) but include a link to a wedding website where you can update them with any potential changes.

If printed invitations work better for you, have a look at the advice above and remember that you can always hold off on printing until nearer the time, or get a free re-design if you do choose to postpone.*

Obviously, I can't ignore the financial impact this pandemic has had on everyone, so it's completely understandable that some of you may be worried about spending money on invitations in such an uncertain time. Here are some top tips for reducing your stationery spending**:

• Opt for a digital invitation instead.

• Consider an 'invitation only' option, skipping any additional cards.

• Forgo the coloured envelopes.

• Order an 'off the peg' or 'house collection' design, rather than something custom. (You can see mine here)

Hopefully this guide has given you a little more clarity when it comes to ordering your invitations. The most important thing is that you do what’s right for you as a couple, and don’t feel pressured to send anything out before you’ve thought everything through.

*Please note that some stationers may have different offerings, so please be considerate when reaching out to them. I'm sure they'll be more than happy to help!

**These tips are based on my own pricing structure. Be mindful that other stationers may offer different money saving solutions.

Photos by Natalie Stevenson Photography

Accessories by Rachel Sokhal Bridal