In our new ‘meet the supplier’ series, we chat to Maria O’Neill, the stationer, stylist, storyteller and self-professed hopeless romantic who offers beautiful bespoke wedding stationery and styling
Photo: Maria Elizabeth Photography
We all have them. You know, those friends who seem to have a never-ending list of talents, surprising you with one impressive skill after another. As soon as you meet Maria O’Neill of Maria Elizabeth Designs, hear her story and see her work, it’s clear she’s one of those special people.
We sat down with Maria, and she talked us through starting her business, her approach to wedding stationery and wedding styling, as well as what we can expect to see from her next.
So, if you're looking for someone to create beautiful bespoke invitations, signage and menus for your wedding day, as well as design your tablescape, prepare to be inspired.
What is wedding stationery?
Wedding stationery is any information about your wedding displayed physically, it's typically printed or handcrafted on paper or card.
This can include items that are sent out before the wedding such as the invitations, rsvp cards and save the dates. It also includes things on the day of the wedding like welcome signs, seating charts, ceremony programmes, menus and place cards.
Who is Maria Elizabeth Designs?
After graduating from Glasgow University in 2017 with a degree in music, Maria spent a few years working in marketing, before 2020’s lockdown led to her taking calligraphy lessons.
Her pick-me-up cards to friends and family evolved into work spotted by a wider audience, and within a year her official wedding business, Maria Manuscript, had launched.
As her skills developed, it went from strength to strength, and soon she was doing more weddings, styling bigger shoots and connecting with major names such as Jo Malone London and Prada.
In 2023, a rebrand to Maria Elizabeth and a shiny new website paved the way for a jam-packed 2024 with dream clients, awards and no sign of slowing down.
But don’t just take our word for it…
What do you get when you harmoniously combine Maria Elizabeth’s styling and stationery skills? A dreamy tablescape in tune with the theme of the occasion – in this case calling for plenty of blooms, bows and brilliantly blue chairs (Photo: Maria Elizabeth Photography)
Bespoke wedding invitations and luxury wedding styling in Scotland
Hi Maria! You started out doing stationery but you offer more than that. Can you talk us through what your clients can expect?
"I am a very hands-on supplier. I do, of course, have set services ranging from semi-custom invitations to fully bespoke invitations, alongside ‘design your day’ DIY guides all the way to full styling and design services.
"But I do much more than that. Among the things I offer that you won’t see on the official menu are the likes of texting advice on anything, brainstorming sessions, in-person drinks meetings, pre-wedding site visits, 24-hour client hub access and more.
"Everything about building Maria Elizabeth happened very organically. With my background in marketing and visual styling, I knew that blending stationery and styling would be a harmonious mix.
"It allows you as the client to have complete control, and you can trust that on the day of your wedding I will be there ensuring that, for example, your linen signage is placed, set up and styled to perfection, along with your tablescapes and more.
"My prices might be at the higher end of the scale, but this allows me to devote myself to each client by giving 100% of myself to them."
"My invitations are drawn by hand and the calligraphy is done by hand too. The paper is handmade and I do the hot foil and letterpress printing in-house," Maria shares. (Photo: Maria Elizabeth Photography)
Are printed wedding invitations better than digital invitations?
Why do you think printed stationery is important, as opposed to, say, email invites?
"Quite simply, it’s tangible. In a world where just about everything is digital, wouldn’t it be nice to have something timeless that you can hold in your hand?
"Along with photography and videography, stationery is one of the only ‘forever’ keepsakes that you’ll have after the wedding. For your guests, invitations are luxurious, personalised pieces of paper that tell your love story through design.
"They also set the tone of what is to come. Receiving a beautiful piece of mail in the post really does make people feel special."
Calligraphy wedding invitations
What makes your stationery stand out?
"My invitations are drawn by hand and the calligraphy is done by hand too. The paper is handmade and I do the hot foil and letterpress printing in-house.
"Even if you select one of my semi-custom lines your design will still be unique, as your names will be written in my calligraphy.
"There are all sorts of personalised options to make your design reflect your story – a choice of paper, silk ribbon, twine, fine-art vellum wraps, wax seals, calligraphy envelopes, fine-art envelope liners, pretty stamps and more. My aim is to bring your story to life."
A top tip from Maria: “Learn the different printing methods (digital ink, digital foil, hot foil and letterpress) and their costs before enquiring with suppliers – stationers are paper geeks so if you come prepared with knowledge they’ll love you even more!” (Photo: Maria Elizabeth Photography)
Personalised wedding stationery in Scotland
How do you uncover and include a couple’s love story in your work?
"The first thing I always say to new clients is “Tell me your story.” Imagine it as a piece of music.
"The invitations are the introduction to your theme; the styling is the development of your theme; and your on-the-day stationery is the motif – only this time it includes familial notes that nod to the people who mean the most to you.
"For example, in a recent wedding the groom’s late father used to call the couple his “cheeky little monkeys”. So, for their sweet treats bar (which was all the confectionery he loved), we designed an antique framed menu sign which contained a fine-art print of a cheeky little monkey stealing sweets.
"When we merge the on-the-day stationery and styling, this is when the ‘music’ sings at its high point. It’s your story, told visually."
Calligraphy workshop with Jo Malone
Have your projects with luxury brands such as Jo Malone London, Harrods and Prada influenced your weddings work?
"Yes, in so many ways! First, I took a lot of inspiration from these companies when I was designing my branding.
"After detailed analysis, I realised that all of these brands had a simple, timeless logo – just their name in a plain font – so I did something similar with Maria Elizabeth.
"The second is that my ideal clients shop in these stores, so it’s a match made in heaven – so much so that I am now working with Jo Malone London to create a workshop for brides to come and learn calligraphy as they relax and bask in beautiful scents."
Cheers to custom calligraphy! A twist on the classic tabletop menu card, Maria’s linen sign brings an airy elegance to this bar display (Photo: Maria Elizabeth Photography)
Award-winning wedding stationer
What are your goals for the future?
"I have just won a grant from the UK’s biggest entrepreneurial funding competition and am using this wisely to grow my brand.
"We have just become recommended suppliers with several luxury venues and planners across Scotland, England and Italy and look forward to hiring some new faces before too long.
"I’d like to say a huge thank-you to all my supporters who have helped make my dreams of being an entrepreneur come true.
"If I can do it, so can you. If you’re just starting out with a business of your own, my advice is to network as much as you can, and always stay true to who you are. Individuality is priceless."
Maria Elizabeth's dream wedding
"This is so difficult! I’d say Culzean Castle for Scotland, and Italy for the destination.
"I have worked in both and have formed personal and meaningful connections to them."
"I’m secretly doing one now… shhh!
"Aside from that, I am a huge country music fan so would be very happy to take on the weddings of Taylor Swift, Bailey Zimmerman or Kelsea Ballerini!"
"There are so many I love and respect (you know who you are). However, Aoife from Feather Grass Florals is a one-of-a-kind gem in this industry.
"Her creativity and kindness are unlike anyone else’s – book her!"
"This sounds soppy, but my dad and friends are the most incredible musicians, so all of them playing for me would be such a sentimental gift.
"I’d like a live illustrator to draw me and my guests too – what they do is just so blinking cool!"
"Photography – always! Watch this space on that front..."
Maria describes herself and her business as "here to bring your story to life"– that way when the stationery and styling come together on the day, all of your guests are able to visually experience that story with you (Photo: Maria Elizabeth Photography)
