Wedding Stationery Guide
If you are confused by the wonderful world of wedding stationery you are not alone. We get asked ‘What is all this for and do I really need it?So to help, we have put together a list of the what? why? how many? and when? to make your wedding stationery selection a breeze.
Save The Date Cards
A "Save the Date" is a pre-invitation notice sent out to your guests well in advance of your wedding. It's essentially a heads-up that lets them know the date and location of your big day so they can mark their calendars and make any necessary travel arrangements early on.
Do I need them? Optional, but recommended.
How many do I need? Order 1 card per household that you intend to invite to your wedding. You do not send a card to the guests invited to the evening reception only.
When should I order them? 12-14 months before the wedding.
When should I send them out? 10-12 months before the wedding.
Menus
The wedding menu serves to inform your guests about the courses, dishes, and drinks that will be served during the reception. It sets expectations and enhances the dining experience by allowing guests to anticipate each course.
Do I need them? Optional, but recommended.
How many do I need? Order 3 per round table, 1 between 4 on long tables or 1 per guest, depending on your preference.
When should I order them? 2.5 months before the wedding.
Wedding Invitations - Day & Evening
The wedding invitation formally invites your guests to the wedding. It sets the tone and gives them a sense of the style, theme, and formality of the event. It provides your guests with all the essential details they need to join you on your special day.
Do I need them? Yes, definitely.
How many do I need? Order 1 card per household that you are inviting to your wedding. If a member of the same household is single and will be bringing a guest, it is wise to send them a separate invitation. You do not send this invitation to the guests invited to the evening reception only. Evening invitations generally have slightly different wording and should be ordered separately.
When should I order them? 5-6 months before the wedding.
When should I send them out? 3-4 months before the wedding.
Place Cards
A wedding place card is designed to indicate seating arrangements at your wedding dinner. It shows guests exactly where they are meant to sit, helping to ensure a smooth and organised dining experience.
Do I need them? Yes, definitely.
How many do I need? Order 1 per guest.
When should I order them? 2.5 months before the wedding.
Table Number / Name Cards
A wedding table name or number sign is a key component of your wedding reception decor that helps guests easily locate their assigned tables.
Do I need them? Yes, definitely.
How many do I need? Order 1 card per table, including the top table.
When should I order them? 2.5 months before the wedding.
RSVP / Response Cards
The RSVP card is used to gather responses from your guests about their attendance. It helps you keep track of who will be attending your wedding and, if necessary, collect information about meal preferences or other information you need from your guests.
Do I need them? Optional, but recommended.
How many do I need? Order 1 per invitation ordered.
When should I order them? With your invitations.
When should I send them out? With your invitations.
Information Cards
A card to give your guests all the information they need to attend your wedding (you can send these to both your day and evening guests). You can give handy travel or accommodation suggestions and also give details of any dress code etc.
Do I need them? Optional, but recommended.
How many do I need? Order 1 per invitation ordered.
When should I order them? With your invitations.
When should I send them out? With your invitations.
Welcome Sign
A wedding welcome sign serves as a warm greeting to your guests, setting the tone for the day. The welcome sign is typically placed at the entrance to the ceremony or reception venue.
Do I need them? Optional, but recommended.
How many do I need? Just one.
When should I order it? 2.5 months before the wedding.
Order of Service / Order Of The Day Cards
A wedding order of service card or booklet is a key piece of stationery that guides your guests through the wedding ceremony. It helps guests follow along with the proceedings, understand the significance of each part of the ceremony, and when to participate.
Do I need them? Optional, but recommended if you are having a religious ceremony.
How many do I need? One booklet/card per couple, one per single person and one each for the members of the bridal party.
When should I order them? 2.5 months before the wedding.
Order of Events Sign
An order of events sign is designed to inform your guests about the timing of key events throughout your wedding day. It ensures that everyone knows what to expect and when, helping the day run smoothly and allowing guests to be in the right place at the right time.
Do I need them? Optional, but recommended.
How many do I need? Just one.
When should I order it? 2.5 months before the wedding.
Seating Plan Sign
The wedding seating plan is designed to inform guests of their assigned seats at the reception. It helps to avoid confusion and ensures that guests are seated according to your desired arrangements.
Do I need them? Yes, definitely.
How many do I need? Order 1 for up to 200 guests, any more you may need 2.
When should I order them? 2.5 months before the wedding.
Envelope Stickers
Wedding invitation envelope stickers are decorative stickers used to seal or embellish the envelopes containing your wedding invitations. They add an extra layer of personalisation and style, ensuring that your invitations make a memorable first impression.
Do I need them? Optional.
How many do I need? Order 1 per invitation ordered.
When should I order them? With your invitations.
When should I send them out? With your invitations.
Thank You Cards
Wedding thank you cards serve the important purpose of expressing your sincere appreciation to your guests for attending your wedding, celebrating with you, and for any gifts they may have given. They allow you to acknowledge their presence and generosity in a thoughtful and personal way.
Do I need them? Yes, definitely.
How many do I need? Order 1 per household who attended the wedding.
When should I order them? Either with your on the day stationery, or just after the wedding.
When should I send them out? After your wedding.
Still Confused?
As a guide, most brides will order the following stationery:
Save the date cards / Daytime invitations / RSVP cards / Guest information cards / Religious ceremony order of service booklets / Order of the day sign / Welcome sign / Seating plan / Place cards / Table number or name cards / Menus / Thank you cards
Please note: Whilst these are our recommended ordering times, we know sometimes things don’t go to plan so we are sometimes able (workload allowing) to do rush orders – but please contact us before placing a rush order. Rush orders are subject to an additional fee.
Wedding Invitation Wording
Crafting the perfect wedding invitation wording doesn't have to be daunting, even though it often seems overwhelming at first. Essentially, you need to convey the essential details: who is getting married, where, when, and at what time. The tone of your wording typically reflects the nature of your wedding—whether it's a formal, traditional affair or a more relaxed, informal celebration. Just as your invitation design sets the visual tone for your event, the wording sets the overall mood and expectation for your guests.
To help you find the right words, we've compiled a selection of wording examples below. We will also include these in your personalisation and customisation request email. You'll find both traditional and informal styles to match the tone of your celebration.
Please note that while the examples use ‘Bride’ and ‘Groom,’ we celebrate love and commitment between all partners, regardless of your wedding titles.
Both Parents Hosting The Wedding
Traditional Religious
Held in a religious venue,
hosted by both families and the couple
Traditional Secular
Held in a secular location,
hosted by both sets of parents
Casual Informal
Held in a casual location,
hosted by both sets of parents
Mr and Mrs Charles Hoffman
and Mr and Mrs Lucas Harrison
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their children
Alexandra Quentin
and
Brian Forsyth
Saturday, the Ninth of June
Two thousand twenty-four
half past five o’clock in the evening
Cathedral of Christ the King
Atlanta, Georgia
celebration following
Mr. and Mrs. Donald Anderson
together with
Mr. and Mrs. Liam Smith
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their children
Elizabeth May
and
Charles Smith
the twenty-second of August
at half past three in the afternoon
two thousand twenty five
The Mayflower Grace
Washington, Connecticut
dinner and dancing to follow at
Piedmont Hotel
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Hunter
And Mr. and Mrs. George Temple
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their children
Estella and
Grayson
April 24th, 2025
at 4 O’Clock
The Gardens Edge Inn
Seattle, Washington
formal reception to follow
Brides Parents Hosting The Wedding
Traditional Secular
Held in a secular location,
hosted by the bride’s parents
Casual Informal
Held in a casual location,
hosted by the bride’s parents
Mr. and Mrs. Yuri Smith
joyously invite you to attend
the wedding of
Rebecca Leigh
and
Phillip Austin
October 20th, 2024
3:00 in the afternoon
Second Presbyterian Church
Richmond, Virginia
merriment to follow
Mr. and Mrs. Geoffrey Walker
cordially invite you to attend
the wedding of
Laura June
to
Emerson Fournier
August 5th, 2024
Saturday evening at 5:30pm
Hotel Sorrento
90 Madison Street
Seattle
reception to follow
Eli and Cristina Mullins
request the pleasure of your company
at the wedding of
Clara
&
Sebastian
saturday, october 18th, 2024
6 o’clock in the evening
king plow arts center
atlanta, ga
reception to follow
Traditional Religious
Held in a religious venue,
hosted by the bride’s parents
Grooms Parents Hosting The Wedding
Traditional Religious
Held in a religious venue,
hosted by the groom’s parents
Traditional Secular
Held in a secular location,
hosted by the groom’s parents
Casual Informal
Held in a casual location,
hosted by the groom’s parents
Mr. and Mrs. John Kowalski
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of
Allegra Rose Harrington
to their son
Harris Nolan Kowalski
Saturday, August 26th, 2024
3pm at Ashton Gardens
89 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard
Sugar Hill, Georgia
reception to follow
Jean & Frederick Coppola
joyfully invite you to
the marriage of
Jessica
and their son
Charles
August 11, 2025
at 6 PM
Calistoga Ranch
Calistoga, California
reception to follow
Mallory & Kenneth Harper
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of
Sophia Renee Enriquez
to their son
Jackson Douglass
Saturday, Sepember 21, 2024
at four thirty in the afternoon
Studio 817
817 Sixteenth Street
Sacramento, California
dinner and dancing to follow
The Couple Hosting The Wedding
Traditional Religious
Held in a religious venue,
hosted by the couple
Traditional Secular
Held in a secular location,
hosted by the couple
Casual Informal
Held in a casual location,
hosted by the couple
Ava Edwards
and
Nicholas Eckerd
request the honor of your presence
at the celebration of their union
Saturday, the Fifth of August
Two Thousand Twenty-Four
at five o’clock in the evening
Mosaic Church
Austin, Texas
reception to follow
Sophia Anderson and
Jaden Harper
invite you to their wedding
September 14, 2024
Saturday at four o’clock
in the afternoon
Willow Creek Vineyard
Seattle, Washington
reception to follow
Olivia Chandler
and
Solomon Miller
invite you to their wedding
October 6, 2025 | 4pm
Foundry Park Conservatory
Seattle, Washington
reception to follow
Both Families & The Couple Hosting The Wedding
Traditional Religious
Held in a religious venue,
hosted by both families and the couple
Traditional Secular
Held in a secular location,
hosted by both families and the couple
Casual Informal
Held in a casual location,
hosted by both families and the couple
Together with Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Han
and Mr. and Mrs. George Thompson
Amanda Marie Han
and
Louis Jeremy Thompson
request the honor of your presence
at the celebration of their union
Saturday, the twenty-sixth of May
Two thousand twenty-four
at six o’clock in the evening
Saints Peter and Paul
San Francisco, California
Amelia & James Riley
Jane & Thomas Evans along with
Serafina
and
Samuel
joyfully invite you
to their wedding
October 14th, 2024
at five o’clock in the afternoon
The Cloister at Sea Island
Sea Island, Georgia
black tie reception to follow
Please join us
in the joy of celebrating
the wedding of
Emma Finch
&
Alvin Morris
Saturday, May Fourth
Twenty twenty-four
at six o’clock in the evening
The Drake Hotel
Chicago, Illinois
Special Circumstances
Divorced Parents
Both parents’ names
on separate lines
Ms. Elaine Robbins
Mr. Bradley Hunter
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Candace
and
Emerson
May 15th, 2025
at six in the evening
The Frick Collection
New York, NY
dinner and dancing to follow
Remarried Parents
You can use a similar format when
one parent has remarried
Ms. Noelle Miller
Mr. and Mrs. Sean Cartwright
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their daughter
Sophia
to
Joshua
The twentieth of June
two thousand twenty five
at six o’clock in the evening
Midtown Loft & Terrace
267 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY
reception to follow
RSVP / Response Card Wording
Wording Suggestions
Formal Wording
A reply is requested by the tenth of July
(Insert Names)
accepts with pleasure
declines with regret
Inform / Casual Wording
Please respond by the thirteenth of June
(Insert Names)
happily accepts
regretfully declines
Inform / Casual Wording
Please reply by March 27
(Insert Names)
will attend
will not attend
Meal choices:
chicken
salmon
vegetarian
RSVP / Response Cards
Wording the RSVP card is simpler than the invitation. Here’s what to include:
RSVP Date: Include a reply-by date, typically three to four weeks before the wedding, to give enough time for final preparations.
Consistent Wording: Match the tone of the invitation. For formal invites, use phrases like “the favor of a reply”; for informal invites, use “Kindly reply by.”
Guest Names: Provide a line for guests to write their names and checkboxes for accepting or declining the invitation.
The "M" Line: Traditionally, guests write their titles (Mr., Mrs., Miss, Ms.) and names here. For less formal weddings, use “Name(s)” instead.
Additional Options:
Meal Choices: Include checkboxes or icons for guests to select their meal.
Song Request: A fun addition could be a line for guests to request a song, such as, “We promise to dance if you play __________.”
Information Card Wording
An information card should be enclosed with your wedding invitation to provide additional wedding details to guests such as directions, transportation information, accommodation suggestions, dress code, wedding website and registry details to name but a few.
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