We were lucky to catch up with Chelsey Huff recently and have shared our conversation below.

Chelsey, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start big picture – what are some of biggest trends you are seeing in your industry?

One of the biggest trends I’ve noticed recently is the comeback of vibrant colors in wedding stationery. For the past few years, neutral and muted tones like beige, ivory, and blush pink dominated the scene, but now couples are leaning into bold, bright palettes. I’ve seen requests for everything from deep emerald greens and bright pinks to mustard yellows and rich oranges.

One couple I worked with last summer, for example, wanted their entire invitation suite to reflect their energetic personalities and their summer garden outdoor wedding. They chose a mix of bright coral orange, pink, and yellow for their suite. The result was stunning and perfectly captured the bold, vibrant feel they were aiming for.

The return of vibrant colors brings a fresh opportunity to create standout designs, allowing couples to express their personalities in unexpected ways. I believe this shift toward bold hues is also reflective of a broader cultural trend. After years of more subdued celebrations, especially during and after the pandemic, couples now want to infuse their weddings with joy, personality, and a sense of vibrancy. Color has become a way to celebrate life and happiness in a bold, unapologetic way.

However, it can be challenging to balance these bold hues without overwhelming the overall aesthetic. It requires careful attention to the mix of shades and how they complement the venue and decor. But when done well, vibrant color schemes can bring wedding stationery to life in a way that truly leaves a lasting impression.

Chelsey, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Chelsey, the owner and designer behind Chelsey Huff Design. My journey into the world of wedding and event stationery began over ten years ago, fueled by my passion for design and creativity. I’ve always loved the idea of celebrating life’s significant moments through personalized and beautiful details, and stationery is such a vital part of that experience.

I offer a variety of products, including custom wedding invitations, day-of stationery like menus and place cards, and acrylic signage. My focus is on creating pieces that reflect the unique style and personality of each couple I work with. I understand that planning a wedding can be overwhelming, so I strive to make the stationery process as seamless as possible. I pride myself on providing excellent customer service and attention to detail, ensuring that each piece not only looks stunning but also meets my clients’ needs.

What sets me apart from others in the industry is my commitment to personalization and creativity. I love collaborating with couples to bring their visions to life, whether it’s through unique color palettes, mixed media designs, or incorporating meaningful elements into their stationery. I believe every wedding tells a story, and I aim to help couples express that narrative through their stationery.

For anyone considering working with me, I want them to know that my approach is all about collaboration and communication. I’m here to guide them through the design process, providing creative insights while ensuring that their vision is at the forefront. My goal is to create stationery that not only enhances their wedding day but also serves as a cherished keepsake for years to come.

Can you talk to us about manufacturing? How’d you figure it all out? We’d love to hear the story.

While I design and create the concepts for my stationery, I outsource the physical printing to some of my favorite and most trusted printing suppliers. Early in my career, I worked at a print shop, which gave me invaluable hands-on experience with the printing process. Even though I don’t handle the physical printing myself due to space constraints, that background knowledge has been instrumental in finding the perfect suppliers to bring my designs to life.

Having that early experience in the print shop taught me the ins and outs of quality control, different printing techniques, and how to communicate my vision to the printers effectively. When it came time to outsource, I knew exactly what to look for: suppliers who prioritize quality, precision, and reliability. This allowed me to maintain the high standard of craftsmanship my clients expect, while also ensuring that every piece is printed beautifully.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned along the way is the importance of building strong relationships with suppliers. Communication is key. By being clear about my expectations and maintaining a collaborative relationship, I’m able to ensure that the final products match the original design perfectly. It’s also been a reminder that while I don’t do the physical printing myself, having the right partners allows me to focus on the creative process and designing custom stationery that reflects my clients’ unique style.

Do you sell on your site, or do you use a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc?

I recently launched my own shop directly on my website using WooCommerce. This has been an exciting step for my business, allowing me to offer a range of semi-custom products that give couples the flexibility to personalize their wedding stationery while still working within a set framework. These semi-custom designs allow clients to choose from curated design templates and then tailor them with their own colors, fonts, and details, making it both personal and efficient.

I chose WooCommerce because it offers a high level of customization and gives me full control over my online shop. Since I already had an established website, integrating the shop directly made sense. It allows me to keep everything under one brand and provide a seamless experience for clients without redirecting them to external platforms.

One of the biggest pros is that I can maintain complete creative control over my shop’s look, feel, and functionality. I’m able to add new products, update listings, and interact with clients directly on my platform. However, one of the challenges is that it requires more hands-on management compared to platforms like Etsy or Amazon, where many logistics are handled for you. With WooCommerce, I’m responsible for everything from updates to security, but ultimately, I believe the benefits of control and brand consistency outweigh the extra work.

By offering semi-custom products, I’m able to cater to couples who want beautifully designed stationery without the full cost or timeline of a completely custom suite. It’s a great middle ground that allows me to provide high-quality designs while also expanding my reach to a broader audience.

If you’re interested in exploring my semi-custom designs or learning more about how I can help bring your wedding stationery vision to life, I invite you to visit my shop and discover the perfect pieces for your special day! https://chelseyhuffdesign.com/shop-by-collection/

Contact Info:

• Website: https://chelseyhuffdesign.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chelseyhuffdesignllc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chelseyhuffdesignllc

Image Credits

Jacoby Andrick Photo

Ern Photography

Natalie Jo Artistry

Bee Brook Photography