What Wedding Stationery Do I Need?
Image: Jessy Papasavva Photography
Your wedding stationery plays a very important role in your day. In addition to providing information for your guests and setting the overall tone of your day, your stationery will also tie the wedding style together giving a cohesive look throughout.
There are many pieces of wedding stationery that you could have, here is a guide of the stationery you may need and some options you may like to have.
BEFORE THE DAY
Save the Date
Save the dates are not essential however, they inform your guests of the wedding day in advance so that they can keep the day free and begin to make plans to attend your wedding. The only information they need on them are your names and the wedding date. We recommend that they be sent a year before the date of your wedding for destination weddings and 6 to 8 months for a local wedding.
Your Formal Invitation
The wedding invitation is an essential part of your wedding stationery. It gives your guests a little taste of what is to come on your special day. It informs your guests of the details of your wedding therefore it should be very clear. Include the ceremony and reception details with their location and time, dress attire, gift list information, a map and any links to a wedding website you may have. You will need to make it clear as to whether the guest is invited to the whole day or just the evening reception and who exactly is invited. If you have not sent out save the dates, we recommend that your wedding invitation is sent out four to six months before your wedding date. If you have sent save the dates, invitations should be sent at least eight weeks before the wedding.
RSVP
You will need to know if your invited guests are attending or not therefore, the RSVP is an essential piece of stationery to have. Your RSVP should clearly state the name of the guests invited with tick boxes to let you know whether or not they are coming and if you have a food choice include this so that they can tick their option. You may wish to include a stamp addressed envelope to make it easier for guests to post these back to you.
Image: Jessy Papasavva Photography
ON THE DAY STATIONERY
Order of Service/Ceremony
Your Order of Service will guide your guests through your wedding ceremony and can include order of events, wedding hymns and readings if having a church ceremony.
Welcome Sign and Table Seating Plan
The welcome sign and table seating plan should be displayed at the entrance of the reception where guests will be able to check which table they are seated at when they enter the venue. Seating plans are recommended for formal receptions. If your reception is informal, you may want to opt out of having a seating plan.
Table Numbers
Your wedding table numbers or names will differentiate one table from another guiding your guests to their seats. They need to be large enough to grab their attention and clear enough for them to read. They can be integrated into your table centrepieces adding an extra element to your décor.
Place cards
Individual place cards mark each guests place setting at the table and can be designed to complement your table decor. If your wedding is informal without assigned seating, you will not need place cards.
Menu
Your menu enables guests to see what food is going to be served as well as reminding them of what they ordered if you offered pre-ordering of their meal. It can also be incorporated into your overall design and add another dimension to your wedding décor. If you don't want to have the extra cost of individual menu cards consider a large menu printed or handwritten and placed in the reception area. There are so many creative ways to display your menu at your wedding. Go here for creative wedding menu display ideas.
Image: Jessy Papasavva Photography
AFTER THE WEDDING
Thank You Cards
When your wedding is over, you can send your guests a heartfelt thank you in the form of a thank you card. Your thank you cards should generally be sent out 2 – 3 weeks after your wedding and are normally sent in appreciation of the particular gift they gave you.
This blog has highlighted the essential stationery and some non-essential stationery pieces that you may need. Be as creative as you wish with these and if you need help to design an extra special wedding day, get in touch here.