From Save the Dates to Thank You Cards: Your Complete Wedding Stationery Guide
Create a cohesive look with custom wedding stationery from VistaPrint. From save-the-dates to thank-you cards, find designs that perfectly match your big day.
Table of Contents:
- Pre-Wedding Stationery and Celebrations
- Wedding Invitations and RSVP Cards
- During the Wedding: Day-of Stationery and Accents
- Post-Wedding Stationery and Keepsakes
From the save the dates to the final thank you cards, wedding stationery is the key to setting the tone for your big day. Every detail, from the fonts to custom illustrations to stamps on the envelopes, plays a vital role in crafting a cohesive wedding brand.
Wedding invitations, RSVP cards, and other elements like place cards, signage, and more create a unified experience for your guests, making them feel welcomed and appreciated. Choosing the right stationery helps to enhance your wedding aesthetic and ensures your celebration feels unique. And it’s even better when you find a custom print partner like VistaPrint to provide all the wedding pieces you need for your wedding within your budget.
In this Complete Wedding Stationery Guide, we’ll be breaking down all the stationery essentials you need to celebrate your big day, as well as some nice-to-have extras to enhance your celebration! Let’s get into it.
Pre-Wedding Stationery and Celebrations
Pre-wedding stationery, such as save-the-dates, engagement party invitations, and bridal shower invitations, should reflect the overall theme of your wedding. It’s a chance to showcase your wedding vision to your friends and family and show them what they can expect from your event!
According to Kevin O’Connor, Vice President of Consumer at VistaPrint, when it comes to pre-wedding stationery like save-the-dates and invitations, couples should focus on two key elements: personal style and essential details.
“Your wedding is your special day! When it comes to save-the-dates and invitations, this is a time to lean into your personal style and create something that matches your vibe and offers guests a glimpse of what’s to come. It’s also essential that pre-wedding stationery provides guests with all the necessary wedding details like time, location, and dress code,” says O’Connor.
You don’t have to align your stationery design exactly with your venue’s style, but it’s a fun way to add more layers to your overall aesthetic by incorporating visual hints into your wedding stationery.
Save the Dates
- Purpose: Notify guests early to save your wedding date.
- Order By: 6-8 months before the wedding, or even earlier if you are throwing a destination wedding or inviting a lot of out-of-town guests so they can plan accordingly.
Savvy Tips: Consider matching the design with your wedding invitation suite for a cohesive feel. VistaPrint provides elements for your whole wedding journey, from custom labels and stamps to stickers!
Save-the-Date Magnet
If you aren’t completely sure what your wedding vision or theme is yet, consider a simple photo card or in this case a magnet! It will go with almost any style.
Non-Photo Save-the-Date
Maybe you need to get the save-the-dates in the mail before the engagement photos are ready, or sending a photo just isn’t your and your partner’s thing. There are so many alternative options you can customize that could work perfectly. This is one of our favorites! You can add foil, emboss, or change the colors as you like.
Save-the-Date Postcard
Why not save on postage AND send something pretty and informative? We love the idea of a postcard save-the-date. This can be made with or without a photo!
Engagement Party Invitations
- Purpose: Send these to celebrate your engagement with friends and family.
- Suggested Order By: 6-8 weeks before the engagement party. This cushion gives enough time for collecting addresses and mailing to guests.
Savvy Tip: If your friends or family are throwing a party for you and you have no control over how the invites look or what colors they use, that’s okay! Don’t forget to thank them for hosting a party in your and your partner’s honor. Don’t stress if everything doesn’t match perfectly together because VistaPrint offers so many beautiful designs.
Ring Engagement Invitation
This style may be specific to the literal groom putting a ring on the bride-to-be’s finger, but the colors, tone, and feel could still transcend across all the other stationery pieces. It’s fun, trendy, and glamorous!
Photo Engagement Party Invitation
An engagement party invitation is a great way to showcase your beautiful engagement or proposal photos! Why not turn the whole invitation into a photo that’s easily adaptable to almost any theme?
Mr. & Mrs. Bold Type
This is a very classic, traditional invite that plays up the future bride and groom. With a few color changes it could easily fit into anyone’s wedding vision.
Bridal Shower, Bachelor, and Bachelorette Party Invitations
- Purpose: Invitations for your pre-wedding celebrations.
- Order By: 6-8 weeks before the bridal shower, and 4-6 weeks before the bachelorette/bachelor party.
Savvy Tip: These pre-wedding parties can take on a life of their own when it comes to themes, so don’t feel like they need to mimic your wedding aesthetic. Include personalized party favors for your wedding party as part of these invitations, or tie in the theme with your hostess gifts.
BBQ Wedding Shower Invite
We love a themed party! This BBQ invite is an easy way to throw a low-cost shower but also incorporate a casual, laid-back vibe for your whole engagement to the wedding day season.
Floral Bridal Shower Invite
When it comes to bridal showers, you can’t go wrong with a beautiful floral motif. And if you can find an invite that will mirror the flowers being used in the wedding, even better!
Destination Bachelorette Party Invitation
Choose a bachelorette party invitation style that draws inspiration from the location. From mountains, beaches, or even the city, you can create a whole vibe out of the destination of your bach bash!
Wedding Invitations and RSVP Cards
As we’ve stated before, your wedding invitations set the tone for the wedding day itself. It’s the first impression your guests see when it comes to the actual day. Make sure your wedding invitations match your visual aesthetic or theme, whether it’s a destination wedding or a traditional ceremony. VistaPrint is a great place to shop for all your needs because of the quality for the price, the wide assortment of designs to match any wedding style, and their 20+ years of experience in the industry.
Wedding Invitations
- Purpose: Officially invite guests to your big day and provide all the major details: what, when, where
- Order By: 4-6 months before the wedding.
- Details to Include: RSVP card, reception card, venue information, wedding website link, and any additional inserts such as the guests’ guide or even rehearsal dinner invitations.
Savvy Tip: Incorporate elegant envelope liners and a wax seal to add sophistication.
Elegant Monogram Invite
This elegant monogram invite is a gorgeous invitation for any wedding. From the serif fonts to the floral motif, this elegant invitation would be perfect for a variety of venues and seasons.
Bold Blue Floral Invitation
You may want a pop of color or a bold look for the first impression. This invitation uses traditional fonts with modern design elements that work amazingly together.
Starfish Invitation
If you are having a destination wedding, you might want to play up elements of your wedding venue or reception location. Select wedding invitations with nautical or beachy details for a destination vibe.
Circle Stamps
If you’re using a monogram or other motif, grab a circle stamp and use it on everything from envelopes, packages, tags, favor bags, etc. It really adds an extra personal touch– and as a bonus, you can use it after the big day, too!
Envelope Seals
Seal your envelopes with custom sticker seals. Use a similar design motif on the wedding invitations to pull the whole look together.
RSVP Cards
- Purpose: Gather responses from guests so you can budget accordingly when it comes to rentals, food, and drinks.
- Order By: Include with your wedding invitations.
Savvy Tip: Ensure the response card includes clear options for meal choices (if applicable) and instructions for how guests should reply (mail or wedding website). Consider using a custom illustration or logo to make your RSVP card unique.
QR Code RSVP Card
Save money on postage by offering your guests the chance to RSVP via a QR code. VistaPrint provides a free QR code generator.
Response Card
Elegant, user-friendly, and straight to the point. Your guests will appreciate the formality of this design and simple-to-follow instructions when filling out their information.
Fun and Playful RSVP
Let your and your partner’s personality shine with a fun-loving RSVP card. Your wedding doesn’t have to be boring and neither does your response card!
During the Wedding: Day-of Stationery and Accents
Don’t overlook your day-of stationery. It plays a crucial role in ensuring your wedding runs smoothly and guests feel informed. It’s also a chance to let the theme of your invitations and wedding vibe continue throughout the day in a cohesive thread.
Creative, personalized touches can truly elevate the guest experience on your wedding day. “There are so many creative and unique day-of touches that can personalize the experience for your guests,” says O’Connor.
“Custom napkins, guest books, or welcome signs with fun personal facts, for example, can take a wedding to the next level. These thoughtful accents not only create a sense of sentimentality but also set the tone for the evening, creating a memorable environment for your guests.”
Ceremony Programs
- Purpose: Wedding programs can be very detailed or very simple but the main goal is to outline the order of service. The wedding program can also include readings, songs, and special moments.
- Order By: 1-2 months before the wedding.
Savvy Tip: Match your programs with your wedding stationery and choose fonts that are consistent throughout your invitation suite.
Family Badge Monogram Program
You used your personal monogram on your wedding invitations and stamps, seals, etc. Why not also add it to your 6×9 wedding program?
Wedding Itinerary/Program
If you would like a taller, skinnier version for your wedding program or you want a full weekend itinerary consider this style and design.
Menu Cards and Table Numbers
- Purpose: Provide meal options and/or guide guests to their seats.
- Order By: 1-2 months before the wedding.
Savvy Tip: Include table numbers, place cards, and escort cards as part of the reception stationery to maintain a cohesive look.
Lemon Wedding Menu
Showcase the food, keep with the wedding color or themes, or play with typography. There are so many ways to make your menus fun but also informative!
Black and Gold Table Numbers
Make it easy for your guests to find their seats with these mounted 5.5 x 8.5 table number cards.
Place Cards
Keep the theme going from the place card to the table with these table cards you can print on or hand letter.
Welcome Signs, Seating Charts, and Guest Book
- Purpose: Greet guests as they arrive at the venue and allow them to leave a keepsake message.
- Order By: 1-2 months before the wedding.
Savvy Tip: Consider adding personalized cocktail napkins, paper coasters, or even custom wine labels to elevate the guest experience.
Acrylic Welcome Signs
Utilizing a similar design to your wedding invitation in your wedding signage is a great way to create a cohesive effect for your wedding day details!
Foam Board Seating Chart Sign
Welcome your guests to the reception with an easy-to-read seating chart! A sturdy foam board seating chart is a practical way to show your guests where to sit while also tying the visual details together from your wedding stationery.
Guest Books
You can also carry your design aesthetic through to your wedding guest book. Personalize your book further with your engagement photos for a truly custom keepsake for your guests to share their well-wishes!
Cocktail Napkins
While we know that your guests are going to use them and throw them away, customized cocktail napkins are a fun way to pull in your wedding theme or showcase your personality. Pro tip- if you use your wedding monogram or initials, you can keep the extras and use them when you host guests at home after the big day!
Custom Coasters
Customized photo coasters are another fun option to personalize your wedding reception items. Utilize one of your engagement photos for a cute detail to use during cocktail hour.
Post-Wedding Stationery and Keepsakes
After your big day, it’s important to follow up with your guests. Your post-wedding stationery can help you leave a lasting impression. Don’t forget the photos and any wall art or calendar gifts you may want to order for yourselves or friends and family!
Thank You Cards
- Purpose: Show appreciation for your guests’ attendance and gifts.
- Order By: 1-2 months after the wedding or any time during the engagement so you can send thank you notes as the gifts come in.
Savvy Tip: Include a personal note and, where possible, a custom illustration or photograph from the wedding to tie it all together with the rest of your stationery. You have a year after your wedding date to thank everyone! Bring a stack with you on the plane so you can start on your honeymoon and make sure you split the stack with your new spouse!
Folded Photo Card
Don’t keep the wedding photos to yourself, use them on your thank you cards! We love a folded note card that provides ample space to include a personal message.
Flat Non-Photo Card
Order these as soon as you get engaged! You don’t have to wait for the photo proofs to come back and you start thanking your friends and family right away.
Folded Initial Stationery
Another thing to consider when ordering thank-you notes is to skip the “thank you” altogether. That way you can get more bang for your buck and use your new married stationery for any correspondence not just specifically thank you notes!
Photo Books and Wall Art
- Purpose: Preserve your wedding memories with custom photo books and prints.
- Order By: 1-3 months after the wedding, once you’ve received your professional photos.
Savvy Tip: Choose a layout that aligns with the style of your wedding, and don’t forget to share these keepsakes with close family and friends. Photo books make great gifts and are an excellent way to get more mileage out of your wedding photos.
Photo Books
Fill the pages with memories from your engagement to your wedding day or create books for each journey in your relationship!
Canvas Prints
Display memories from the big day on your wall with these canvas prints. Comes in a variety of sizes and layouts!
Desk Calendars
These make a great gift for parents or family friends but also would be the perfect way to remember your and your new spouse’s best day every day!
Get All the Items on Your Wedding Stationery Checklist
Choosing the right stationery provider is essential when it comes to creating a cohesive and memorable wedding experience. With so many options available, it’s important to find a provider that offers high-quality, customizable designs that align with your unique wedding style.
Planning a wedding involves countless decisions, and every couple’s vision is unique.
“With so many choices out there, it’s important to select a provider that not only delivers custom, high-quality stationery within your budget but is also flexible and accommodating as your vision develops,” says O’Connor. “While setting the tone for your big day through your stationery is important, the key is finding a partner that helps you create pieces you’re truly proud to share with your loved ones, both before and after the celebration.”
VistaPrint stands out by offering a wide range of personalized options with the ability to upload custom illustrations to elegant stamps, and even complete wedding invitation suites.
Their services ensure that your stationery not only complements your vision but also adds a personal touch to your special day. Thoughtful and well-timed wedding stationery, from engagement party invitations to final thank-you cards, helps set the stage for a beautifully coordinated wedding that tells your love story. Explore VistaPrint’s extensive selection of wedding stationery and custom products to start crafting your perfect wedding brand today!
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