Every bride-to-be should have a personalized stationery checklist for the wedding. Let Wedessence help make the process easy and fun.
“The more you invest in a marriage, the more valuable it becomes.”
— Amy Grant
There are two ways to go about getting the wedding stationery ready: (i) visit stores (online or in person) and place the order; or (ii) take on a DIY project. That decision is entirely up to you; but one thing we can help you with is getting all the essential stationery for your wedding.
Stationery Checklist
Let this checklist be a guide that will help you find and order the perfect wedding stationery. We have provided a column where you can write down the exact quantity for the stationery as well.
| PRE-WEDDING | Qty. |
| □ Engagement announcements | |
| □ Engagement party invitations | |
| □ ‘Be My Bridesmaid’ cards | |
| □ Bridal shower invitations | |
| □ Bachelorette party invitations | |
| □ ‘Save the Date’ cards | |
| □ Rehearsal dinner invitations | |
| □ Wedding invitations |
| WEDDING DAY | Qty. |
| □ Order of service | |
| □ Wedding program | |
| □ Reception program | |
| □ Escort cards | |
| □ Place cards | |
| □ Table numbers | |
| □ Menu cards |
| POST WEDDING | Qty. |
| □ ‘Thank You’ cards | |
| □ Address change announcements |
The exact quantity of stationery, from the engagement till the wedding, will depend on the number of guests invited and how many people will be attending for each of these events.
Stationery Ideas for the Wedding
The key to having the right stationery for your wedding is the combination of your personality and a little bit of creativity. So, follow your heart, and take a look at a brief overview of each item of stationery you will need for the big day.
Pre-wedding Stationery Items
Engagement Announcements
He proposed! Now, what’s next? Sending out your engagement announcement is the first step. There are tons of ways to let your family and friends know that you’re engaged. Email or send out mails to everyone and spread the happy news. If you want, you can even personalize a few pictures of the both of you, and text everyone.
Engagement Party Invitations
Mostly, engagement parties are intimate where close friends and family members are invited. You can choose to invite as many guests as you like by sending out beautiful invitations for the occasion. Here too, you can choose to send the invites via email.
Save the Date Cards
It is essential that you send out the ‘Save the Date’ cards at least 6 months before the wedding. The card will contain information, such as the couples’ names, along with date and venue for the wedding. If you are having a destination wedding, give your guests about 12 months’ prior notice.
‘Be My Bridesmaid’ Cards
Sending a ‘Be My Bridesmaid’ card is a beautiful gesture and a clever way to ask your girlfriends to become an integral part of your wedding. Once you set the date for the wedding, it’s best to send these cards out as soon as possible.
Bridal Shower Invitations
Typically, a bridal shower is held between 2 months to 2 weeks before the wedding. It’s not mandatory for the bridesmaids to host the shower; however, many follow this tradition. So, depending who is hosting the party, you need to coordinate with her to figure out how many invitations are going to be sent out.
Bachelorette Party Invitations
The party can be hosted by a maid of honor, bridesmaids, close friends, colleague, and/or relatives of the bride-to-be at least 2 to 3 nights before the wedding. Send out the invitations one month in advance so that the guests also have time to RSVP.
Rehearsal Dinner Invitations
The rehearsal dinner invitations are sent out by the groom’s parents. So, chances are you won’t have to worry too much about sending the cards out. But do make sure that the invitations are sent 3 to 4 weeks prior to the big day.
Wedding Invitation Set
One of the most essential stationery sets to order, the wedding invitation set has a lot of information for the guests. Place the order about 4 to 6 months in advance so that you can send the cards to the guests 2 to 3 months before the wedding. The set will include details like your names, the date and time, ceremony and reception venue(s), RSVP deadline, gift registry details, travel and accommodation information, along with maps and directions.
Wedding Day Stationery Items
Wedding Program Cards
According to your preference, you can choose to make the wedding program as detailed as you feel necessary. The program will contain information about the exact order of the ceremony along with information about the couple, ceremony location, bridal party, and the wedding date.
Order of Service Cards
Since the order of service will have detailed information (a detailed version of the wedding program) about the bridal party, order of service, wedding date, readings, songs, etc., finalize the details a month in advance. Place individual programs on the seats for each guest or have the ushers hand them before the ceremony begins.
Reception Program Cards
This card informs guests about how the event will progress after the ceremony. It includes information from the bride and groom entering the venue till they leave for their honeymoon. Place the order for the cards along with the wedding invitation set or one month prior to the wedding. These cards can be handed out before the ceremony begins and/or as they enter the reception venue.
Escort Cards
Located on display at the reception area entrance, the escort cards help guests find their seats easily. So, once you receive all the RSVPs to the wedding, plan the seating arrangement, and order the escort cards.
Place Cards
Depending on the wedding theme and colors you’ve chosen, come up with a creative idea for the place cards and escort cards so as to reflect it. Order the cards along with the escort cards.
Table Numbers
Choose to name or number the tables at the reception for the guests. This way, they can walk directly to their respective tables to find their seats. Be creative with the table cards, but be sure to reflect the theme of the wedding.
Menu Cards
After finalizing your menu with the caterers, place the order for the menu cards one month in advance. If you are having a small, intimate reception or a buffet, you don’t have to print out the menu.
Guest Book
At the welcome table, place the guest book for the guests to sign in. If you want, you can even leave a few prompt questions for the guests to give their valuable input. You don’t have to place an order for the book, if you don’t want to. There are many craft and wedding stores that have tons of beautiful wedding books on sale.
Favor Tags
Now, depending on what the wedding favor will be, you will have to order tags or labels along with gift bags and boxes. If you want, order the favor tags together with the escort cards and place cards as it’ll be roughly the same quantity.
Post Wedding Stationery Items
Thank You Cards
Order the cards at least a month in advance so that you can write down the names of guests and a small note personally. Remember to send the cards out within two weeks of receiving the gifts.
Address Change Announcement Cards
Along with the thank you notes, if applicable, send your new mailing address. You can choose to send this information via email.
Finalize your stationery depending on the theme for the wedding. Also, be sure to keep your budget in mind as you shop for stationery. It’s quite easy to get carried away and go overboard on your budget while planning a wedding.
