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 Invitations
& Stationary
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Invitations: A Complete Checklist
They’re all so pretty, I know – but
before you go buying every pretty
note card in sight, let’s determine
what your needs are first by
breaking down the events of your
wedding day. You should use your
wedding style, however formal or
casual, as well as time and budget
to guide you through the process.
It's helpful to establish
consistency – whether it’s with
color, theme, or design -- and apply
it to each piece. For efficiency and
cost effectiveness, strive to order
all your stationery needs from the
same place and, ideally, at the same
time. Here's everything you need to
know about the paper products you'll
be ordering.
INVITATIONS
The centerpiece of your wedding
stationery, the invitation reflects
the tone of your wedding, whether
black tie or beach party. An
invitation can have several pieces:
the outer envelope, an unsealed
inner envelope, the invitation, a
reception card (if the party is held
at a different venue than the
ceremony), and a response card with
a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
Printed maps and hotel information
is often also enclosed.
Traditional:
These are heavy stock, 100-percent
cotton or linen paper in white or
ecru, engraved with black or
charcoal ink, and with a square of
tissue to protect the type.
Twist:
Couples are steering away from the
standard invitation and using papers
in unusual sizes and colors, with
exotic textures (perhaps relating to
the color scheme of the wedding),
and adorned with motifs, graphics,
or monograms. Waste-conscious brides
with less formal invites often forgo
the unsealed inner envelope (which
was originally used to protect the
invitation from the elements when
mail was hand-delivered - often
arriving in shoddy shape).
When to Order:
You should order at least three to
four months before the wedding date.
The sooner you order them, the more
time you'll have to proof them, make
any changes, and address the outer
envelopes (a calligrapher, for
example, may requires up to two
weeks to address 100 invitations).
When to Send:
Six weeks before the date is the
most common; eight weeks is ideal
(10 weeks for guests attending a
destination wedding). You have more
leeway if you send save-the-date
cards first.
REPLY CARDS
These cards are, of course, sent
with your invitations with a
self-addressed stamped envelope.
Traditional:
Reply cards often ask each guest to
check a box letting couples know how
many people will attend the wedding.
A date for the return of the reply
card is essential.
Twist:
Since so many people have dietary
concerns, many reply cards now
include the menu options so that
guests can check off what they wish
to eat that day. This allows the
caterer to be fully prepared for the
number of vegetarian meals needed.
Additionally, if it's a weekend
wedding, the reply card will often
include a list of activities with
check boxes so that guests can let
the couple know which events (such
as a basketball tournament or golf
outing) they plan to attend.
When to Order:
With your invitations.
RECEPTION CARDS
These cards are sent with the
wedding invitation to inform guests
where the party will take place.
Traditional:
A
small card asking guests to join the
newlyweds and their families for a
celebratory reception – listing the
date, place, and time.
Twist:
Here’s an opportunity to play with
various fonts and designs,
especially if your invitations are
classic.
When to Order:
With your invitations.
WEDDING PROGRAMS
Not only can they provide useful
information, they also make charming
mementos. Programs are often in the
form of a small booklet and include
information about the ceremony, such
as the date, the names of the bridal
party (and perhaps their
relationships to the bride or
groom), the order of events, and the
titles of readings and songs.
Couples may also choose the program
to honor deceased loved ones, to
thank important people, and/or to
explain unfamiliar rites of the
ceremony such as jumping the broom.
Traditional:
The front cover of the booklet can
bear the couple's names or joint
initials, or it can be a nice
graphic design of roses or a couple
holding hands. The pages are bound,
usually by the stationer, with a
satin ribbon or folded.
Twist:
A
less expensive option is a single
piece of heavy-stock paper with a
vellum overlay, tied together, by
you and your bridesmaids, with a
ribbon reflecting your color scheme.
Some couples are including their
favorite poetry or the story of how
they met or got engaged. Other
couples are crafting creative
programs, such as ones shaped as
fans or using colored paper stock to
stand out.
When to Order:
If
the programs will be formal and have
multiple pages, it's best to order
them with your invitations.
Otherwise, order four to six weeks
before the wedding date, to allow
enough time for proofing.
MENU CARDS
These cards are becoming a more
popular trend that provides a list
of what is about to be served.
Traditional:
Often designed as a single card in a
heavy cotton stock in a rectangular
shape and containing the elements of
the meal, including different wines
or other beverage options.
Twist:
This is a great place to list why
you've chosen a particular dish if
it has cultural or personal
significance. Drink cards (listing
your specialty drink such as
martinis) can be available for
display at the bar as well.
When to Order:
At
least six weeks before the wedding
day if the menu is finalized;
consider making your own if not.
PLACE CARDS
Place cards inform guests which
chair to sit in. (Escort cards
direct people to their tables.) Less
formal receptions can have one or
the other; don’t necessarily need
both. Good option, especially if
you’re looking for ways to cut
costs.
Traditional:
Small, tented cards that are printed
with each guest's name and placed at
the top of every setting.
Twist:
You can choose to use any kind of
prop you like to tell guests where
to sit: small stones with
hand-painted names, the tag of each
favor, even a die-cut flower to
enhance your wedding visual effects.
When to Order:
Usually with your invitations,
however there will always be the
late stragglers who respond after
the response due date. If this
happens, you can purchase them about
four weeks before the wedding day.
Also, instead of writing each
guest's table assignment on the
escort card itself, slip the card
into a small envelope that's tagged
with a table number. This way if a
no-response does show up, you can
easily swap guests' table
assignments up until the last
second. (Note this is not ideal, but
know you do have the option.)
THANK YOU CARDS
Handwritten notes -- from both of
you -- thanking guests for their
gifts and/or presence at your
wedding.
Traditional:
Cards that say "thank you" or have
your new married monogram and new
address stenciled into them.
Twist:
One
favorite idea is a picture card
or postcard with your wedding photo
(or a photo of all the guests at the
ceremony) on the front. Tip: Check
with your photographer and see if
they can offer this style as part of
your photography package. It may
help save on the invitation order.
When to Order:
With your invitations. (Or
photography package if included. If
so, it may be a good idea to pick up
a few extra packs from your local
card store. This way you can send a
card out immediately for any gifts
received before the wedding day.
Send:
No
later than one month after your
honeymoon for gifts received the day
of your wedding.
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