Planning your stationery can be overwhelming, especially for your wedding. Plan my stationery? Yes, it’s something you’re going to want to plan for. I’ve curated some answers that may help you and your partner best prepare for the investment of invitations, rsvp cards, thank you notes, escort cards, and everything in between!
Order 8-14 months
before the wedding.
What’s it for?
The minute you book the venue is the best time to order a save-the-date. This card goes out 6-12 months before the wedding to be sure your guests mark their calendars ahead of time, especially if you’re having a destination wedding, and can be as elaborate or simple as you like.The wedding website can be listed here to direct them to all the details.
Do I need it?
If your wedding is going to be in a popular vacation spot or season, your guests will need a save-the-date so they know to book as early as possible. If you’re on a tight budget, it’s best to skip letterpress for the save-the-date and opt for our signature vintage postcards instead.
Order 5-12 months
before the wedding.
What’s it for?
Your Invitation is what tells your guests that you’re having an event! It ensures that your guests get all of the important information in a timely manner so they can adjust their schedules to be in attendance.
Do I need it?
Well… If you want people to show up, then Yes, you absolutely do.
What’s it for?
The R.S.V.P. card is a way for you to keep track of “Who all is going to be there”. Those who return the RSVP will be counted & those who don’t, won’t.
I’d advise that even if you decide to go the electronic route with your RSVP’s – still order some physical ones for your older family members who may have an issue with using their phones or computers to let you know they’re coming.
Do I need it?
Yes. Yes you do. You’ll find that when you’re further in your planning, you’ll need those head counts.
What’s it for?
If you have guests coming in from out of town for your event, it’s a great way to help them find lodging. It’s also a great way for you to help keep your event together. Some hotels offer special rates if your guests are booking within a “block” and this is a great way to share this information.
Do I need it?
I’d suggest it, but it’s not “needed” unless again, you plan on having some older family coming in from out of town who would receive the information easier if it was printed for them.
What’s it for?
Sometimes when you’re planning your wedding, the ceremony is in one location, but the Reception is in another location. If your design has a lot happening with it, it’s easier to read and easier to share information if the reception details are separate from the invitation itself.
Do I need it?
Only if the reception venue is in a different location than the ceremony. This information can also be added to your program with a map to help your guests get there.
What’s it for?
This is the special invitation that you’d send to your bridal party. It’s a nice way to remind them that they’re special to you and to remind them about the wedding rehearsal!
Do I need it?
It’s a nice gesture to send one, but it’s not always needed.
What’s it for?
If your wedding has a lot of information that’s too much to put into the invitation suite, this a GREAT way to share with your guests.
Do I need it?
If you have a wedding website, Yes.
What’s it for?
Your Wedding Website is the perfect way to get the most out of your engagement photos, keep the details of your upcoming event interactive, and a way for your to update your guests quickly.
You can share your love story, collect RSVP’s, show off photos, share booking information and so much more with your website.
Do I need it?
I’d suggest it, but it’s not “needed” unless you have a lot of information to share that would be too much to put into an invitation.
(Yes, we design wedding websites too)
What’s it for?
When having a super formal wedding, invitations come with an inner and an outer envelope. The inner envelope is normally specially designed to be part of the experience of opening the invitation itself.
Do I need it?
If you’re going to do a super formal event, or if you just want “the drama” (in a good way) then Go for it!
What’s it for?
The envelope liner is a special way for adding a little more color, and privacy to your invitations. if there’s a special illustration, color, or image that you’d like to add to your suite, or if you’d like to give your guests an additional surprise when they open the invitations this a great option.
Do I need it?
If you’d like to give your invitations an extra touch of “flare” and if it’s in the budget, it’s a nice luxury option.
What’s it for?
If you’ve ordered a lot of enclosure cards but you didn’t opt for one of the pocket style envelopments, then this is a nice way to keep all of the pieces of your invitation suite together.
Do I need it?
It’s usually a decorative stripe of paper/ribbon/lace that wraps around the cards to keep them all together.
Order 2-4 months
before the wedding.
What’s it for?
The ceremony program is how your guests know what’s happening during the ceremony. It can be a traditional bi-fold pamphlet, postcard, or it can be something useful like a fan in the summer (think garden or beach weddings)
Do I need it?
If your wedding party is extremely small or if you don’t have a lot of people involved during the ceremony, then no. but if you’re going to want your guests to participate or if you would like to give credit to those who helped during your wedding & reception, then yes, I’d advise it.
What’s it for?
Your Vow Holder is a special item that can help keeping your vows together. normally purchased as a 2 piece set (one for each partner). it’s a nice luxury item and keepsake for your and your spouse to remember your vows and your special day.
Do I need it?
Like I said, it’s a beautiful keepsake that can be customized to fit your event and a photo holder can be added so that you and your spouse have a special momento from your wedding.
What’s it for?
It’s placed at each table setting and lets your guest know what you’re about to eat & sometimes what’s about to happen next during the reception.
Do I need it?
If your guests select their meal during the reception, or if it’s doubling as the program for the reception as well; then yes – it’s important to have.
What’s it for?
The escort cards tell your guests where to sit during the reception.
Do I need it?
Yes. If you’re having a large reception, it helps your guests find their seat without much fuss. Your escort cards can be a nice display on the table that enters the reception area, OR it could be a beautiful sign that has your guests table & name on it.
What’s it for?
The place card is the card that is places at the place setting where your guest sits. Most Formal events place guests in specific seats, where more casual/ semi formal just place guests as specific tables.
Do I need it?
If your wedding is formal (black tie, white tie), Yes. Your menu can also serve as a place card if you choose to put their name on the menus themselves.
What’s it for?
To tell your guests Thank You for coming to your event and any gifts you receive.
Do I need it?
American etiquette and most cultures require a thank you sent to your guests & bridal party after the wedding.
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