Wedding Stationery and Invitations
There are many different types of wedding stationery required for before and after the big day. To keep you wedding stationery consistent with the wedding invitations may require some planning on your part. To help you plan below is a list of the different types of wedding invitations and stationery you may need.
Engagement Party Invitations – The engagement invitations announce to your friends and family that you are now making a commitment to share your life with the person of your choice. The engagement invitations can reflect an independent style separate from your wedding stationery. It is unlikely you will know the theme of your wedding at this stage.
Save the Date Cards – These are basically early wedding invitations and can be sent 12 months prior to the event informing your guests of the date the nuptials will take place. Save the date cards are a good idea if you think your wedding invitations won’t get out in time or to give your guests time to make any necessary arrangements to be able to attend your wedding such as getting time off work or making travel plans.
Bridal Shower Invitation or Kitchen Tea – Your bridal shower or kitchen tea is an optional event and the invitations need only reflect date time and location of the event.
Hens or Buck Night Invitations – Hens and Bucks Night usually include a theme and may be undertaken in remote location, such as a weekend away etc.
Wedding Invitations – The wedding invitation should be sent out 6-8 weeks prior to the event. The wedding invitation lets guests know who is hosting the event, where and when the wedding will take place as well as the formality of the event. It should also include the method by which guests can inform you of their attendance.
Wedding invitations formally invites a person to the wedding and should be sent to each couple – married or living together, each single guest + partner or guest, to a whole family (if including children) and to anyone else attending that is attending and needs to know the location and details of the event other than paid attendees.
It is considerate to include a location map or map reference to assist guest getting to your wedding on time.
RSVP Cards – These are optional but are usually included with the invitations. It is common practice to order these with the invitation. They are usually included with postage paid for. They are required back between 3-4 weeks prior to the wedding to ensure you know final numbers to confirm with the reception venue.
Wedding Ceremony programs – These are becoming less popular but are a nice idea so that your guests can better follow the ceremony. It is also a good idea for the readers and allows the ceremony to be seamless.
Place Cards – Place cards are used in the reception venue and identify the seating arrangement for your guests informing them of where they should sit.
Thank you cards – Thank you cards let your guest know that you appreciate their attendance at the wedding and to thank them for the gift you received from them. Thank you cards should be sent no later than first couple of months. They are usually sent 2- 3 weeks of receiving the wedding gift.
These are just some of the invitations and stationery you will require when arranging the above event.