Your Ultimate Wedding Stationery Checklist
Hello!
Planning a wedding is no easy feat. There are so many elements to consider and you are making big decisions weekly, that can greatly affect the day you want. On top of all that, this is probably the first time you are doing any of this! This means that research is a big part of every item you consider for your wedding day, and a big time-eater! The following blog post aims to give you back some of that time, when it comes to your wedding stationery. I’m laying it ALL out for you, every item of stationery that you may (or may not) need, what exactly it does, why you need it, and where it fits in your wedding timeline. I get asked a lot about what is needed in a wedding stationery suite and hopefully this guide will help you form a clearer picture of what you need to make your stationery unique to you.
So many people are just beginning their wedding journey or are back to the drawing board due to Covid-19. If you find yourself at the planning stage (maybe for the second time!) this handy guide may help you out. This is the first time you may have ordered stationery, or worked with a graphic designer, so laying it all out and starting from scratch will help you decide what you need (or want!) in your wedding stationery.
Save the Date (optional)
What is it?
The function of a Save the Date is to indicate to your guests the date (and year) that you and your partner have booked your wedding for. No other information needs to be shared at this point.
Why do I need it?
While sending a Save the Date is optional, I would highly recommend sending one. It gives guests coming from abroad time to plan their trip, and it also helps to eliminate any last minute cancellations or no shows on the day. If your guests have had 12 months notice of this date, there is no reason why they should not be able to make it.
Where does this fit in the wedding timeline?
I would always recommend sending out a Save the Date as soon as you have booked your wedding venue. Sending a Save the Date out nice and early also gives you a little bit of extra time to play around with your invitation.
Forever, Darling from the Luxe Collection
Autumn Flutter from the Studio Collection
Morning Dew from the Studio Collection
On The Day
Welcome Sign (optional)
What is it?
A Welcome Sign is a large sign that states your names and the date of the wedding, in order to Welcome your guests to the church/venue/ceremony location.
Why do I need it?
A Welcome sign does what it says! It helps guests know that they are in the right place, and makes them feel welcome. This sign can be used several times through out the day, and moved from church/ceremony location to the reception area to the dining room.
Where does this fit in the wedding timeline?
On the Day stationery should be finalised 2-3 months before your wedding date.
Order of Service (optional)
What is it?
An Order of Service card is usually a an A5 or DL sized card, that is distributed out at the ceremony. It provides information on the running of the ceremony, or may contain information on the members of the bridal party.
Why do I need it?
An Order of Service is completely optional, but some couples opt for it as a keepsake and a way to remember their ceremony.
Where does this fit in the wedding timeline?
On the Day stationery should be finalised 2-3 months before your wedding date.
Ceremony Booklet (optional)
What is it?
A Ceremony Booklet is similar to an Order of Service, but it includes more details. For example, it may contain full readings, prayers or lyrics to songs. They are typically A5 in size, and contain a minimum of 8 pages.
Why do I need it?
An Ceremony Booklet is completely optional, but some couples opt for it as a keepsake and a way to remember their ceremony. It is used more traditionally in church weddings.
Where does this fit in the wedding timeline?
On the Day stationery should be finalised 2-3 months before your wedding date.
Image by Foran and Sauvauge
Custom Menu and Place Name, photography by Dora Kazmierak, tableware by Signature Rentals
After the Wedding Day
Thank You Card
What is it?
The final item you need to complete your wedding stationery! It is considered a must, and very polite to send a Thank You card to everyone who attended your wedding. Alot of couples like to include an image of them from the day, taken by the photographer.
Why do I need it?
Good manners! Designate someone on the day to help you remember who gave which gift, so you can really personalise the thank you note.
Where does this fit in the wedding timeline?
2-3 months after your wedding date.
The items discussed above are the basic paper goods needed for a wedding. There are many add-ons and extras that you can opt for, in order to personalise your stationery further. If you have any questions about your wedding stationery, please get in touch and we can chat!
Modern Love Save the Date from the Luxe Collection
Invitation and Envelope
What is it?
Your invitation and envelope is the most important item in an invitation suite. It gives your guests the vital information needed to ensure that they know who is getting married, where your wedding is taking place and what time they need to be there.
Why do I need it?
This one is a no brainer - if you have no invitation, you may not have any guests at your wedding!
Where does this fit in the wedding timeline?
You should be looking at sending your wedding invitation out 2-3 months before your wedding. I always air on the side of caution, and like to send everything as early as possible. The outdated notion that invitations should be sent out 6 weeks prior to your wedding is just that – outdated. Chances are, your wedding is not the only invitation that your guests have received this year, so the more notice you can give, the better. In 2018, I was invited to 6 weddings, all in the space of 3 months - people have busy lives and full weekends!
If you have not sent a Save the Date, you should send your invitation sooner (3-4 months out from your wedding date)
RSVP Card (optional)
What is it?
RSVP stands for the French ‘ répondez s’il vous plaît’ meaning ‘please respond’
An RSVP card is a small card that is included with the wedding invitation. The RSVP card is a way for your guests to indicate if they are coming to your wedding or not. Traditionally, the guest fills out the RSVP card, and returns by way of post. Very often the couple will provide a stamped addressed envelope for the guests. More and more, couples are opting for a digital RSVP, by way of text message or email. Some couples have wedding websites, where guests can RSVP online.
Why do I need it?
An RSVP card is optional, and if budget is an issue, forgoing the RSVP card in favour of a phone number or email could be a good way to reduce costs. However, a huge number of couples that I work with say that sending the RSVP card is sure fire way to ensure that you get your guest numbers back on time! Maybe it is something to do with the novelty of posting a small card, but 9 times out of 10, the RSVP card makes it back before the inevitable chasing of responses begin. By providing a phone number or email, you leave yourself open to chasing a larger number of your guests for responses.
Some couples include asking for dietary requirements on their RSVP card, which can be a great way of finding out how many vegetarians/vegans/specialist diets you may have on your guest list. This information can then be relayed back to your caterer, so that they can be prepared. The last thing you want is for the caterer to run out of vegan meals and one of your guests to go hungry. Some couples have fun with the RSVP card, and ask for song requests. This is your wedding, so do what suits you!
Where does this fit in the wedding timeline?
If you opt for an RSVP card, it should be sent with your invitation.
Details card (optional)
What is it?
Depending on the type of wedding you are planning, you may wish to include a Details card. A Details card is generally smaller that the invitation, and in included when sending the invitation. It contains any information you wish to guest to know in advance of your wedding. Typically this includes a list of accommodation, details on transport, directions from the church to the venue, Day Two information, rehearsal dinner information, notes on children attending the wedding or information about gifts. Anything you deem important for your guests to know prior to your wedding should be included on your Details card.
Why do I need it?
A Details card wholly depends on the type of wedding you are planning and perhaps how savvy your guests are! Some couples like to provide a list of accommodation in the area, some couples are happy for their guests to look after themselves. If you are planning a wedding abroad or have a large number of guests coming from abroad, a Details card would be very useful for extra information.
Where does this fit in the wedding timeline?
If you opt for a Details card, it should be sent with your invitation.
Image by Christina Brosnan
Table Plan
What is it?
A Table Plan is vital to your guests to ensure that they know where they are seated for the meal. It is usually a large sign (typically A1 or A0) and it placed somewhere very visible during the drink’s reception.
Why do I need it?
To avoid confusion at mealtime, particularly if you have a large number of guests.
Where does this fit in the wedding timeline?
On the Day stationery should be finalised 2-3 months before your wedding date.
Table Numbers
What is it?
Table Numbers are smaller cards that sit on the tables at mealtime so your guests can easily fond their seat. Some couples opt for simple numbers, some couples like to call their tables after something that means something to them as a couple. I’ve seen travel destinations, books and songs used as ‘table numbers’.
Why do I need it?
Again, it helps your guests distinguish the tables from each other and find their places easily.
Where does this fit in the wedding timeline?
On the Day stationery should be finalised 2-3 months before your wedding date.
Place Names
What is it?
Place names are functional in that they tell your guests where they are seated. They are normally a small business card sized item, with each guests name on it. They can be folded or flat, or even printed on your menu.
Why do I need it?
Place cards help your guests identity their seat in the dining room.
Where does this fit in the wedding timeline?
On the Day stationery should be finalised 2-3 months before your wedding date.
Menus
What is it?
A menu for your guests outlines their meal choices and lets them know what to expect. Usually the menu is an A5 or DL size, and is placed on the table before the guests arrive.
Why do I need it?
Menus help your guests choose their meal, and act as a keepsake. Sometimes, the meal is the thing that some guests look forward to the most!
Where does this fit in the wedding timeline?
On the Day stationery should be finalised 2-3 months before your wedding date.
Custom Menu, photography by Dora Kazmierak, tableware by Signature Rentals
