Top 5 wedding Stationery Tips

Wedding Stationery is important to provide a clear idea about your wedding design or theme (although don’t give too much away). Once you have agreed on your wedding guest list. 

You need to decide how to notify your guests about your forthcoming nuptials, this includes everything from the wedding stationery style, to the wording you use, when to ask guests to reply by and more. So here are my top 5 tips that you need to consider when deciding on your wedding stationery.

1. When to send your wedding stationery

Below are suggested timescales for when to send out your wedding stationery to guests. You will also need to factor in the design and printing time for any stationery. Using a stationery designer is a good idea, as they are the experts and can tell you what is possible, with the design, colours, all the extras and timescales. 

Suggested timescales

• Save the Dates - these need to be sent out  9-12 months before your wedding date (and longer if its a destination wedding)
• Invitations- these need to be sent out 6-9 months before your wedding date (and longer if it's a destination wedding).
• RSVP - Reply-by date - This depends on when you send your invitations out, however, this should be at least 8 weeks before your wedding day. This gives you enough time to finalise guest names and numbers, your menu and on-the-day stationery.
• You should allow around 3-4 weeks for guests to reply after sending them the invitation. This gives guests plenty of time to reply, as well as plenty of time for you to finalise guest names, menus etc.

The above timescales also apply if you are sending everything out electronically.

2. Wording to use on your wedding stationery

If you are intending to send a paper invitation (or have one on your wedding website), it's important to include the key details and use the appropriate wording.

Below are a few examples of what to include

• Always include both your full names, date, time and venue.
• Name the person/people invited - this helps reduce any confusion about who is or isn't invited
• Include any dress code 
• RSVP Information - which should be an email or website that guests can reply to.
• Extra details should include any gifting or travel information, hotels nearby, details about parking, the time that your wedding will end (sometimes called ‘Carriages’ for more formal wording).

Also don’t forget to order spare invitations, in case of additions and to ensure that you have your own copy to have as a keepsake.

3. Tracking your wedding RSVPs 

Establish a system for recording all replies and gifts. Since replies and gifts are normally sent to the return address on the envelope or with the RSVP, be sure that the person or people at that address – can keep track of responses and gift deliveries.  The best and most efficient way of tracking all your RSVP is creating a wedding website. If you have booked a wedding planner for a full or partial plan service, we can track the RSVP’s for you.

4. How to ask for cash in your invitations

Below are 3 fun ways to ask your guests for cash instead of a gift on your wedding day. This wording can be added as an insert with your wedding invitation or on your wedding website, along with a link of how to donate to your fund or honeymoon.

• We would really prefer your presence rather than your presents! However, if you insist money towards [edit as needed - our honeymoon/revamping our home etc] would be greatly appreciated.
• The most important gift to us is having you share in our special day. But if you wish to contribute in some other way. We would love a few pennies to put in our pot, for our honeymoon trip after tying the knot.
• We’ve lived together quite a while and all the bills are paid, we’ve got our plates and pots and pans, our plans have all been made. We would appreciate your help though to send us on our way. A contribution to our honeymoon in a land quite far away.

5. On the day Wedding stationery that you may need

Stationery on your actual wedding day can be super useful to provide key information to guests, whilst also elevating your wedding design. The on the day stationery should be decided 6-8 weeks before your wedding, to allow time for them to be designed and printed, especially if you are working with a wedding stationery designer.

Here is a list of the types of stationery items you may need for your wedding day

• Order of Service
• Welcome Sign
• Order of the Day Sign
• Table Plan
• Table Numbers / Names
• Table or personalised Menus
• Place Cards
• Favour tags
• Bar Menus
• Venue signage

I hope you have found these tips on your wedding stationery useful. Need help and guidance with planning your wedding ? Then please do get in touch.

Natasha