Wedding stationery has a way of multiplying. You start with invitations, and before long you are wondering whether you need a reception card, a welcome sign and labels for the favors. The good news is that you don’t need everything. This checklist walks through every piece in the order you’ll use it, so you can decide what fits your day and your budget.
Before the invitations
- Engagement party invitations. Optional, but a lovely way to introduce your wedding style early.
- Save the dates. Sent six to eight months ahead, or closer to a year for a destination wedding.
- Bridal party invitations. A card asking your favorite people to stand beside you is a sweet keepsake.
- Bridal shower and bachelorette invitations. Usually sent by the hosts, but matching your wedding suite ties everything together.
The invitation suite
This is the heart of your wedding stationery, mailed six to eight weeks before the wedding.
- The invitation. Names, date, time and ceremony location.
- Details card. Reception venue, dress code, hotel blocks and anything else guests should know.
- RSVP card. Your reply-by date and meal choices, if you are offering them.
- Wedding website card. A small card with your website address or QR code.
- Envelopes, liners and belly bands. The finishing touches that make opening the envelope feel special.
- Address labels and stickers. These save hours of handwriting and keep everything consistent.
On the day
Day-of stationery guides your guests and pulls the room together. Think about what your venue needs.
- Welcome sign
- Seating chart or escort cards
- Ceremony programs
- Table numbers and place cards
- Menus
- Bar menu and signature drink signs
- Favor tags and labels
- Guest book or guest book sign
You don’t need all of these. A small wedding might only use a welcome sign, table numbers and menus. A larger reception will lean on a seating chart and escort cards to keep things moving.
After the wedding
- Thank-you cards. Send these within three months of the wedding.
- Wedding announcements. Perfect for eloping couples or friends and family who couldn’t be invited.
Keep it all matching
The easiest way to make your stationery look polished is to choose one collection and use it for every piece. Our Black & White Orchids suite has 34 matching pieces, from the engagement invitation to the thank-you card, so you never have to hunt for something that coordinates.
How to use this checklist
Start by circling the pieces you know you want. Then add up rough quantities. For invitations, count households, not guests, and add a few extras for keepsakes and last-minute additions. For day-of pieces, count tables and venue spaces.
Finally, put your order dates on the calendar. Order save the dates first, invitations about four months before the wedding, and day-of pieces around six weeks out once your guest list is final. With one matching collection and a simple plan, your stationery becomes one of the easiest parts of wedding planning instead of one of the most stressful.