Hints & Tips:

7. Wedding Stationery

The wedding invitations can be part of a coordinating set of stationery, which can include Wedding and Evening Invitations, Reply Cards, Order of Service Cards, Thank You Cards, Place Cards and Menu Cards.

The stationery should be chosen and ordered at least 3 to 4 months before the wedding, if possible.

Wedding Invitations:

  • send these out 8 to 12 weeks before the wedding day
  • they are usually sent from the Bride's parents, but can come from the Bride and Groom themselves
  • allow one invitation per couple plus extra for single guests
  • order extra copies as souvenirs for both sets of parents, and for your own album

Evening Invitations:

  • send out at the same time as wedding invitations, or a little later, no less than 6 weeks prior to the day
  • they are to invite guests to attend the party after the main reception
  • they can be sent from the Bride and Groom, or from the Bride's parents
  • allow one per couple and extra for single guests

Reply Cards:

  • these can be enclosed with the day and evening invitations, so that guests can reply easily
  • they are preprinted with standard text, and a space for the guests to write their names
  • they include envelopes which can be printed with the return address

Order of Service Cards:

  • get advice from your minister regarding the hymns you wish to include (usually 2 or 3), and what the actual order of service will be
  • you will need to decide on the music to be played for the Bride's entrance, and the Bride and Groom's exit from the church
  • allow one copy per guest, or couple, plus extra for the minister, organist, choir, and friends who are only attending the church; they will need to be printed at least 2-3 weeks before the wedding

Place Cards:

  • these are necessary for seating arrangements at a formal reception and are usually handwritten
  • a table plan displayed in the dining area is also a good idea; arrange this with your caterer
  • you should order an extra 10% to allow for errors when writing them

Thank You Cards:

  • these can be ordered to coordinate with the rest of your stationery
  • they can be preprinted or blank for your own words, and are supplied with matching envelopes

Stationery Checklist:

  • Wedding & Evening Invitations and Reply Cards
  • Map or directions for guests who don't know the area
  • Order of Service cards
  • Place Cards and seating plan
  • Thank You Cards
  • Cake boxes
  • Matchbooks or coasters as souvenirs for the guests

Invitation Wording:

For help and ideas on wording for the Invitations and Order of Service please click here

Back to top

Calendar ~ Who Does What! ~ The Dress ~ Photographer
Transport ~ Flowers ~ The Reception