Wedding blogs and magazines are always encouraging you to 'put your own stamp' on your day... but what exactly does that mean? Creative wedding planner and BLOVED writer Susie from Knot & Pop teamed up with stationery designer Berinmade to show you how it could be done...

At Knot & Pop we recognise that couples can sometimes be influenced by the wider wedding world, swept away with the current trends and images that are everywhere across Pinterest and in magazines. What we however want to get back to is for the couple to look to themselves for inspiration, first and foremost.

Chatting one day to Erin from Berinmade, we were discussing the story-telling side to a wedding and how important it is for us as wedding professionals to really get under the skin of a couple to ensure what we create for them, feels uniquely them.

Rather than feeling dictated, guided or pressured to conform to 'trends', which is added pressure, we wanted to put focus on the couple, as their story and personalities is all the inspiration you need in creating a day that is unique to them.

To show and highlight to couples the process that Berinmade takes when working with them in producing her gorgeous bespoke wedding designs, I therefore suggested that it would be great to show this journey.

To illustrate her approach, I created a fictitious couple for her (which was a lot of fun!), writing a story and doing a lifestyle mood board for her in order to set the scene for her to pull her ideas from.

From there Berinmade took inspiration from their loves and lives together to produce a unique invitation and wedding stationery suite that was wholly reflective of them.

As a wedding planner, and entrusted by the couple to understand their visions and dreams for the day, I then acted as the filter, casting my eye across Berinmade's amazing initial design drafts to feed back on any small alterations to ensure that the finished suite would be 'so Tom and Arieta'.

Teasing out some of your tales is so important when designing your wedding stationery suite with a designer - having them understand you to produce something beautifully bespoke. Berinmade is a master at this, as you'll see from the ideas she developed below for this couple.

The Love Story - By Knot & Pop

Having popped the question in Paris, Tom and Arieta have set their I Dos for early November.

Tom and Arieta met at university, where they both studied Music and spent their days courting listening to endless New Orleans Jazz masters - Tom liked to think he was the 'extra' member, singing along badly to the sounds - he thought romantic serenading, she thought 'this guy is a loon'.

But she saw the sweet and funny side, and Tom learned to fine-tune his whaling - a bit!

They are old-school romantics at heart. Their relationship is centred around their love of music, second only to their love of each other. They own a tasteful vintage typography poster collection, a weathered wooden dining table, and love to have friends around to share a bottle of wine and listen to their favourite records.

The couple love to holiday - who doesn't!? Holidays have involved various musical journeys, with lots of late nights at intimate gigs, with one of their favourites being a little gig they went to in Paris in Winter - lots of French food, good wine and various soloists playing...it was all so French and insanely romantic.

Music is still at the core of this couple, both in loves and life. Tom now works as a Music Sound Engineer, and Emma works in Music Therapy, where she helps kids to connect and build confidence through music.

So what kind of wedding will this couple be throwing come November? With a French bistro feel in a rustic well-loved barn, the music will be sounding aloud, that's for sure!

The Design Process - by Berinmade

So what would their invitations be like? The concept of the whole suite centres around a CD compilation (because in the early days of their relationship it was all about thumbing through music at HMV before the iPods took over) entitled "At Last" sung huskily by Etta James. The title is also a cheeky nod towards all those friends and family who always asked "so when will you tie the knot?"

The CD case is made out of tactile kraft textured card, interspersed with blocks of teal to steer it away from rustic and keeps it looking modern. Susie and I agreed that the colours should kept quiet simple-not too girly, just a little earthy, because that's what their home would look like so why not extend that to their invitations? I incorporated a linear floral illustration to mirror the natural setting that the wedding day itself will have. The typography plays on the idea of musical notes reaching highs and lows as their favourite song swells and retreats.

The inside CD pocket is hand-sewn with thread to hold the CD in, keeping that element of tactility and detail. I especially love the incorporation of copper foil here to give an understated luxurious touch that says "this is a special keepsake". Tom and Arieta are super sentimental, and would love for their friends to keep their wedding invitations too.

The RSVP wording is also a playful touch referencing their love of music, and the mood of the party, with a Song Request line. Guests tick "Be there with my dancing shoes!" if they're coming, and "Sorry to be sitting out on this one!" if they can't.

Their reception will be like them: genuine, relaxed and casual. A jazz band will be playing softly in the background during the drinks reception. I therefore playfully used "pick a seat" on their escort cards, with a copper guitar pick with each guests' names printed on them which they can take away as a souvenir of this special day.

At the end of the evening, guests can also take home lots of the leftover home baked goodies made by Tom's mum - handed out in simple kraft bags pressed in copper with their brush lettered names and a leafy motif.

So, as a couple, before reaching to share your 2000 Pinterest references with us, share your stories, tell us your tales, and we'll then help to create a day that weaves your personality throughout, to give you your day, your way.