The Ultimate Guide To Wedding Stationery [With Infographic]

Original content: The Ultimate Guide To Wedding Stationery [With Infographic]

It is easy to underestimate the stress that might be involved in choosing and making all of the required wedding stationery. With wedding planning there is so much to do and stationery is only one small part of the whole. In reality, the sooner you have this part figured out, the better. Especially as stationary for weddings is required at almost every step of the way.

From engagement party invites to wedding invitation programs and thank you notes. We have created a stationery guide to help you figure out which are absolutely necessary, and in what order, below.

Essential Wedding Stationery Advice

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One of the very first steps, which will help you plan accordingly for your wedding stationery is to create a stationery items list. This list will guide you with the when’s and the how’s.
The next will be to decide how; will you be using a stationer? Will you be creating your wedding stationery yourself? Your budget and available time would be a good guide for this decision.
At this point you will want to know how much it will all cost, crosschecking with all the items of your list so you know how much to allot to this.
There is also the decision of the printing. Would it be digital, letterpress or calligraphy?
Would you consider going paperless entirely and cut the costs and time by sending your wedding invitation program, thank you cards, and others electronically?

These are all factors you need to consider when creating your wedding stationery, and more.

Before the Wedding

Create a checklist to guide you on the necessary stationary needed before the wedding. Below are a few of these items; some essential while others are optional.

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Engagement party invitation: If you have an engagement party, then invitations will be required.
Save-the-date cards: These inform your guests on the date of your upcoming nuptials so they can create time in their busy schedules.
Bridal shower invitation: Keep on your list to cross out after your maid of honor has sent out the cards.
Bridal shower thank-you cards: Just like wedding thank you cards, these acknowledge your gratitude to the guests at your bridal shower for their time and gifts.
Bachelor/bachelorette party invitation: Again, not to be sent by you, but have on your list just in case.
Rehearsal dinner invitation: For every member of your bridal party and anyone else required to be at the rehearsal dinner.

Related postSave The Date Wording: Etiquette Tips And Examples

The Wedding Invitation

There are numerous methods for making and designing wedding invitations and also different types of wedding invitation papers. You might want to have a wedding invitation checklist to help you create your Invitation stationery just right.

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Invitation card: The most essential stationery before the wedding.
Reception card: this is necessary if your reception is in a different location from the wedding.
Directions/map card: A map which leads your guests to the location for the ceremony if needed.

At the Wedding

Some paper elements are needed during the wedding too and need to be created beforehand. While not all are essential, some wedding day stationary will definitely help your day run smoother.

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Ceremony program: Mostly essential for the wedding ceremony.
Escort cards: This helps with assigned seating and guides guests to their allocated tables and seats.
Place cards: Another way to designate seating is with place cards.
Menu cards: This helps guests decide what to eat and what not to, especially for those with dietary preferences or restrictions.

After the Wedding

There isn’t so much needed after the wedding, however that doesn’t make this one piece of wedding stationery any less important.

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Thank-you cards: Sent to the guests after the wedding, these show your gratitude for their attendance and for the gifts they gave. If you prefer not to wait until after the wedding, you could consider thank you place cards wedding.

This guide was created to help those who might be unclear about what items they need to complete their wedding stationery. We hope that we have been able to paint a clear picture and that this guide has been able to help you create the beautiful stationary needed for your big day. Remember that not all are essential, some are definitely optional. A few of which most necessary are the wedding invitations, save the dates and the thank you cards.