When it comes to wedding stationery, there are certain items which are essential (such as the actual wedding invitation itself, the RSVP card, wishing well card, etc.) and there are some items which are optional and the choice to have them will depend on the type of wedding you’re planning, the budget, formality, theme and more. It is really up to you whether you decide to include all of them or just select a few. All the same, it’s best to do everything in keeping with the same style throughout. Here is your essential wedding stationery guide to help you get in the know about what stationery you may need to order.

Engagement Announcements

Part of the groundwork you have to lay for your wedding is the announcement of your engagement. This is when you let everyone know about the big news and perhaps give your guests a glimpse of what’s to come. Some couples skip engagement announcements in their wedding stationery. But in case you want to include them, make sure that they reflect your personality as a couple. Be as traditional or as modern as you like. Since knowing the exact theme of your wedding may be too far away at this point, you can just have the invitations designed according to what you feel is right for the moment. Engagement invitations don’t necessarily need to match the theme of your wedding or your wedding invitations, thus you have room to do something a little different if desired.

Save the Date Cards

Save the Date Cards serve as a prelude to the formal wedding invitations which you will give your guests once the details of the wedding have been taken care of. Save the Date cards contain basic information about the wedding such as the location and date of the wedding. Specific venue details can be saved for the actual wedding invitation to come. Save the Date cards are ideally sent at least six months in advance to allow guests the ability to manage their schedules ahead of time. These are particularly helpful when you are having a destination wedding and guests need to fly in from other locations. Save the Date cards can reflect the same colors or theme for your wedding, if you already have chosen the theme by the time the Save the Date cards are sent out.

Wedding Invitations

The wedding invitation is the formal invitation you are going to send to your guests at least six weeks prior to the wedding. The wording on the invites should include the names of the bride and groom (of course), who’s hosting the party (either the bride and the groom or the parents of either bride or groom), location of the wedding ceremony and reception, and more. You can also include a dress code on the invitation if you have one, and a RSVP date can also be included at the bottom of the invitation.

RSVP/ Acceptance Cards

Including RSVP Cards with your invitations is a great idea, as they allow guests to easily communicate their acceptances. RSVP cards usually contain lines where guests can write their names and the number attending, and you can also include a space for guests to write down their special dietary requirements if they have any.

Popular RSVP card styles include having a small insert card placed inside a self-addressed envelope or alternatively, a postcard style RSVP card is also another great idea.

Wishing Well Card

A Wedding Wishing Well can be set up at the wedding reception for guests to provide their gifts of cash in an envelope. A Wishing Well Card is often inserted with the invitations and sent to guests. Many view these cards as an accepted way of offering guests a cash wedding gift option. This is a practical alternative to having a bridal registry as it essentially provides a couple with flexibility to use your gift and in most cases, will greatly contribute to paying off the cost of the wedding. Usually people choose to print a nice little poem on their wishing well cards, asking guests to contribute to the wedding by the gift of cash.

Escort Cards

Escort cards are placed near the main entrance of the reception venue and are used to escort guests to their designated table. Upon their arrival, guests look for names, get their cards and proceed to their tables. Escort cards may reflect your wedding theme and may be put together with wedding favors.

Place Cards

Save yourself and your guests the trouble of finding their seats in the reception by using place cards. These cards are placed on the tables in front of the seat of each guest to let them know their designated seating. Place cards also come in handy for the catering staff by way of identifying guests and their choice of menu.

Table Cards

Table cards are used for helping your guests identify their tables. These cards traditionally carry numbers that match those on the escort cards, but you can put your creativity at work, by putting something unique like symbols or names or by using different colors (complementary with your wedding theme) on the table cards.

Thank You Cards

Show your gratitude to all the guests present on your wedding day. Send them thank you cards after the wedding is over, to let them know how much their presence meant to you. Thank you cards should be sent two to three weeks after the wedding or if you can, immediately after you have received a gift. Give them to everyone who came to your wedding, including members of your wedding party, suppliers and vendors.