When it comes to your wedding stationery, there are things to do before, during, and after the wedding…so where do you begin? Here’s an overview of each wedding stationery item that a couple may need for their special day:

Save the Date Cards

Save the Date cards are basically early wedding invitations and are emailed or mailed by post to inform the wedding guests ahead of time of the wedding date and to ‘save the date’, so that they can make special arrangements (such as time off work and interstate/overseas travel arrangements) in advance.

Save the Dates are generally mailed out 6-12 months prior to the wedding and contain basic information such as the wedding date and location. If you have already selected your wedding colour theme, co-ordinate your Save the Dates with the same colour them as a consistent and stylish way to lead into the formal wedding invitation.

Once you receive your invitations, you should give yourself at least one week to proofread them for errors. Start assembling them about three months prior to the wedding date and start mailing them out 6 to 8 weeks before the big day.

Invitations

This card formally informs the guests of the ceremony. The wedding invitation wording will let the guests know who is hosting the event, the names of the bride and groom and the ceremony details such as date, time, venue and location. If the reception is held in the same venue as the reception, ‘Reception to immediately follow’ or ‘Reception to follow’, or similar, is usually included at the bottom of the invitation.

It’s a good idea to order extra invitations and envelopes to account for any mistakes and changes to guest lists from the time you order the invitations to the time you actually receive them. It's more economical to order the extras at the time of printing/ordering than at a later date. An extra 20 to 25 extras should be plenty.

 

Once you receive your invitations, you should give yourself at least one week to proofread them for errors. Start assembling them about three months prior to the wedding date and start mailing them out 6 to 8 weeks before the big day.

 

RSVP Card

RSVP cards are used to obtain information such as the number of wedding guests attending and their menu preferences to help finalise plans with reception venues and caterers. The RSVP date is set between 3 to 4 weeks before the big day to let their wedding guests know when to reply by. RSVP cards should be ordered at the same time as the invitations since they will be sent out together. One RSVP card should be ordered for each invitation.

 

Reception Menus

A reception menu is generally placed at the plate of each guest, informing them of the meals they are about to enjoy. Reception menus also make for lovely mementos from your wedding.

 

Place Cards

Place cards are placed at the table setting of guests to inform them where to sit. Place cards also identify to catering staff the guest's choice of menu items.

 

Wedding Guest book

Wedding guest books are elaborate wedding books that give your wedding guests an area to leave their best wishes and congratulations. This is one of the most treasured mementos that a bride and groom will have from their wedding.

 

Thank You Cards

Thank you cards are the perfect way to let your guests know that you appreciated their attendance to your wedding and any gifts that you may have received from them and is also the couple's first stationery that includes their newly shared surname.

 

Order your thank you cards at the same time you order your wedding invitations. It is good etiquette to send thank you’s for each of the following:
• every person or couple on your wedding guest list
• every two wedding announcements you mail (as these may also result in gifts)
• every member of your wedding party and for every supplier who assists you with your wedding

 

An extra 10 to 20 cards just in case of mistakes and additional gifts Completed thank you cards should be mailed between 2-3 weeks after you have received the gift. Any longer than 2 months is bad etiquette.