What Wedding Stationery Will I Need?

If you're getting married, then you'll need plenty of wedding stationery! From the save the dates before the wedding to the thank you cards, here's your essential wedding stationery checklist...

Before the day

• Save the dates
• Invitations
• RSVP cards

On the day

• Order of service
• Table plan
• Table numbers
• Place cards
• Menu

After the day

• Thank you cards

Save the dates

Save the dates do exactly what they say on the tin - they let your guests know the wedding date in advance so that they keep it free! Unlike invitations, save the dates aren't necessary, but they allow you to let people know the date further in advance without necessarily having other details sorted. We highly recommend saving the date if you're getting married in the peak summer months, when people are likely to book holidays, if you're marrying on a weekday to allow people enough time to book time off work, or if you're marrying abroad and people will need extra time to organise and pay for flights. 

The only information your save the dates need on them is your names and the date! You don't need more information about the location unless you're intending to marry abroad. 

We recommend that you get your save the dates sent out a year in advance. 

See more information on save the date cards here.

Wedding invitations

Wedding invitations are an essential part of your wedding stationery, so they are very important to get right! Whether you choose to go professional and use a wedding stationery service or want to make the invitations yourself using a DIY wedding stationery kit, you'll need to make the essential details clear, such as date, location, accommodation options and any gift list information. You may want to include a map and links to any wedding websites you have set up. 

It's crucial to be clear on your invitations whether the guest receiving it is invited to the entire day, or just the evening reception, and whether they have any plus ones. 

We recommend sending your invitations around six months in advance.

See more information on wedding invitations here.

RSVP cards

An important element to include in your wedding invitations is the RSVP card to allow guests to tell you whether or not they're coming! These are usually small cards with spaces for guests to tick yes or no, and let you know how many people will be attending and their dietary requirements (this is very important, as the last thing you want is for guests to have an allergic reaction or not be able to eat on your day!). It's up to you whether you pre-pay postage, or ask your guests to pay for stamps. In this case, we also recommend that you include an option to RSVP by text or online. 

One clever trick is to number your RSVPs and make a note of corresponding numbers and guests' names as you send them out, so that in case the names are smudged, illegible or left blank (it does happen!), you can see who has replied. 

We recommend giving your guests an RSVP deadline of 4 weeks before your wedding date, so that you have plenty of time to chase. 

Order of Service

The Order of Service is given out at the ceremony, and includes information on what is going to happen. If you are having a church ceremony, the order of service should include the hymns, readings, and vows. It is also nice to include the date and venue of the wedding so guests can keep the order of service as a memoir of the day. If you are having a civil service, you would include the date and venue again, but in addition, you could also include any poems or speeches and who they're being read by. 

Table plan

The table plan allows you to organise the seating of your guests at the reception. Seating plans should be displayed at the reception entrance so that people can check it as they go in. We recommend organised seating for most wedding breakfast set-ups, but if you're having a relaxed outdoor festival or picnic wedding, you may prefer to skip the table plan. 

Table numbers

You'll need numbers or names on the tables so guests can tell them apart. It's easy to make your table numbers part of your centrepieces, and you could have fun with them. Why not use photos of you and the groom, your favourite movies or album covers, or pictures of places you've visited as a couple as part of your table name?

Place cards

Table place cards are put on the table above each place, so that the guests know where they're seated. We recommend place cards so that your catering team can coordinate the table plan with any catering requirements. 

Menu

Your menu allows guests to see what they are going to be served. If you're on a tight budget, then you may feel a menu is unnecessary, but we find that people like to be able to see exactly what ingredients are included in their meals. Plus, if they've pre-ordered, it's nice to be reminded of what they asked for! 

Thank you cards

Once your big day is over, it's important to write your thank you cards to everyone who sent you presents and attended your wedding day. We recommend writing the cards as you open presents, so that you don't lose track of who gave you what. Why not coordinate your thank you cards with the rest of your stationery, so guests can complete their matching set?

Thank you to Paper Tree Design for use of some of their beautiful images. 

Find your nearest wedding stationery supplier here!