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We talk to top stationery designer Debs Smith of Bee Happy Designs to find out the on-trend colours and styles for 2012. Wedding stationery is a little bit of your wedding guests can have to hold and imagine the smile you will put on all those faces when your save the date card or invitation lands on the mat. It also tells them a lot about the day you are planning so make this a first impression they will love with Debs' bang up-to-date style tips.

2012 Colours
Debs' number 1 colour tip for 2012 is orange, "either in a bold way to make a statement or as accents to a more subtle colour scheme". Tangerine works well on its own or is the perfect partner for many other colours; it makes a strong combination with black, chocolate, white or blue and simmers with yellow or gold. Depending on your style Debs suggests using orange as your main colour printing onto orange card or introducing it as a ribbon or as part of the motif.

Here are some tangerine designs from the Bee Happy Designs collection:

We asked Debs for other on trend 2012 colours and her tips include some familiar colours but in some new shades. "Yellow takes on a golden hue for 2012", this versatile colour is perfect when paired with other bright colours for summer weddings and combines with rich autumn colours for events at that time of year. Pink is always a wedding favourite and this year will be hot as a vibrant shade on its own on clean white card or combined with other neon shades or classic navy for 2012s look. Dusky purples, greens and pinks are on trend and Debs has some gorgeous designs for these shades:

2012 Style
Debs has 3 big style tips for fashionable wedding stationery, "soft florals are set to be seen in all things wedding this year", ranging from smaller delicate designs to larger sweeping blooms. Flowers are always popular, work in most colours and this will continue in 2012. Flowers are a perfect compliment to two other trends - quintessential English themes or ethnic designs so talk to your designer about incorporating these to suit your day.

As a contrast geometric lines and patterns are big for 2012, giving a simple, non-fussy way of featuring your colours, in sharp contrast or shades that blend. Colour blocks are divided by sharp printed lines or ribbon for a romantic touch and can be softened by a swirly font. Vintage has been in vogue for a while and Kate's dress sparked a lace revival which Debs sees in many designs for 2012.

2012 will continue the 2011 trend for finding ways to personalise your wedding and Nottingham wedding stationery designers Monty Manatee, are developing a unique database of wedding venue drawings that can be personalised with the season of your big day, flowers colours and more.

Check out the stationery designer on this site, discover the work of designers on nearby sites using the links on the homepage and visit the Bee Happy Designs site or get in touch with Debs at her Leicestershire studio.