Wedding Stationery to Consider for your Wedding Day

One topic we are constantly asked about by our clients, is in regards to Wedding Stationery! When you look online, there are so many options to choose from; from size, to color, to wording, to script, and so much more… it is overwhelming to say the least! So before you order the stationery you think you may need, it is a great idea to put together a list of stationery items that are a) essential, b) items that you would like if budget allows, and c) stationery items that you just do not need! This will not only help you organize what you need to order, but it will also limit your options, and help you stay on budget!

So with that being said, we want to share with you the list of all wedding stationery to consider for your wedding day! Please head to our Contact Page on our website if you have any questions, or if you would like a Wedding Planner to assist you with organizing/ordering/managing all of your stationery needs! We would love to help! xo

Before the Wedding Day:

Engagement Party Invitation

For those of you throwing an engagement party to celebrate the momentous occasion, an Engagement Party Invitation will be needed! Whether it is online or to be physically mailed, your guests will need to know the details in advance, and we’re sure you will want those RSVP responses to help with ordering food, rentals, beverages, etc!

Save-the-Date Card

Once you have booked your wedding date + location(s), it is time to order your Save-the-Date cards, which let your guests know of the exciting future plans to mark on their calendars!! We typically recommend ordering + sending these at least 6-8 months in advance, but of course, the earlier the better! Some couples like to take their engagement photos first to use on these cards, but that is completely up to you & your preference! Start considering your wedding colors as well so all of your paper items are cohesive.

Additional Tip: On you Save-the-Date cards, please make sure to include: your names, your date, the city/state of your wedding, and your wedding website for more information!

Bridal Shower Invitation

Traditionally, this will be hosted by your family/bridal party, but whomever is planning this incredible event, should send these invitations usually about 2-3 months in advance! Help those hosting by sending them the list of guests you would like to attend, with their addresses/how they should be addressed! These invites should include your name of course, location, timing, RSVP details, your wedding website again, attire requested, and any Registry details (if website does not clearly indicate). Also, if your shower has a theme, please make sure this is noted as well!

Rehearsal/Welcome Dinner/Night Before Event Invitation

Are you planning on hosting some/all of your guests the night before the big day as well? Well another invitation should be sent out for this as well! The more details you can send your guests, the better! Again, please indicate the typical who/what/where/when/why, and indicate to your immediate family/bridal party if they should arrive earlier/somewhere else at first for a possible ceremony rehearsal if that is what you have planned!

The Wedding Invitation

Your Wedding Invitation can range in many ways depending on how much is in your budget / your style / what is needed and important to you! We have listed below all of your options to add to your invitation, but at the end of the day, as long as your invitation indicates your names / date / location(s) / timing / your wedding website / how your guests can RSVP and by when, everything else is just additional!

• Outer Envelope
• Inner Envelope
• Belly Band
• Invitation Card
• Reception Card
• Directions/Map Card
• RSVP Card
• Hotel Accommodations Card

If you want to save money/want to save on paper, but do need to express many/all of the details above: on the very bottom of the invitation itself, please write something like “For all details regarding our wedding day (and to RSVP by ____ – if doing online RSVPs), please head to our website www.____.com.”

On your Wedding Day

Ceremony Programs

These are optional, especially if the ceremony is on the shorter side. If you choose to create one, it typically includes the couple’s name, date, location of the ceremony, a brief welcome, an overview of the proceedings, and the names of everyone involved in the ceremony.

Vow Booklets

Are you and your spouse writing your own vows? Do you want to make sure this is written down somewhere forever? Well Vow Booklets are the latest trend for those wanting to exchange their own words during the wedding ceremony! You can order a beautiful booklet for each that matches your color scheme, and that would look beautiful holding during your ceremony so your photos are not tarnished by a loose leaf piece of paper.

Escort Cards / Seating Chart

Escort Cards or a Seating Chart help direct guests to their assigned tables. Individual cards or a sign listing the names of guests and their designated tables are usually placed at the entrance of the reception/during cocktail hour!

Additional tip: We recommend ordering these in alpha order by last name vs. by table number. Guests will be able to easily find their table #/card if it is in order by last name, instead of going through each and every table, which can cause frustration or long lines.

Place Cards

Place cards are more formal than escort cards and are, therefore, optional. They’re typically used for sit-down receptions, and are for those that want to assign their guests not only table numbers, but the actual seats themselves! If you LOVE to organize, this may be a task for you!

Table Numbers

These are very important to have when doing assigned tables/seating at your dinner reception. Guests need to know where they are going when they enter your reception space, so indicating a number on each table is recommended.

We love when couples get creative with their table numbers! Whether that is adding photos of each of them at the age of the table number (example: Table #2, would have a photo of the bride & groom at the age of 2), or by doing table names instead of numbers (example: places the couple has visited: table #4 = The Paris Table, or table #10 = The Fiji Table). With etsy.com + pinterest.com, your options are absolutely endless!

Menu Cards:

Menu cards give an overview of what will be served during your Dinner Reception. Some Menu Cards allow your guests to select their meal choices when they sit down and servers will collect before serving, and some Menu Cards just list the options that are offered at your Buffet/Stations/Family Style Meal. This not only allows your guests to know what they have to choose from, but it will also help with buffet lines since your guests will know exactly what they want vs. checking out each and every item while in line, & deciding then.

Signage

You could truly have signage for absolutely everything in your wedding, so we listed below items we have seen a lot at weddings, and depending on your style, what is important to you, and your budget, you may choose them all, just a few, or none of them at all as they are not necessary, but are aesthetically pleasing.

• Welcome Sign, Gifts/Cards Sign, Guest Book Sign, Signature Drink Sign, Directional Signs, Bar Menu, Hashtag Sign, Dessert Table Sign, or 2020’s favorite “Spread Love not Germs” sign! The list goes on & on!

Thank You Cards

The polite thing to do is to send out a Thank You Card to each of your guests that either attended your wedding, and/or sent you a thoughtful + generous gift to celebrate your marriage! Handwritten notes are few and far between, so guests will truly appreciate receiving a personalized thank you addressing just how much their presence, & their generous gift means to you both! Try sending these out about 3-4 weeks after the big day/receiving the gift, but if it’s a little after, your guests will understand!

Bonus Tip: Try to add in something personal in each card to really make your guests feel important! They will LOVE it, and cherish your card forever! xo