Excited to order your wedding stationery? We get it. Choosing the perfect design for your wedding invites or picking out personalised favour cards is an exciting task for any enthusiastic wedding planner, but hold your horses for just a second. When it comes to choosing your wedding stationery, it’s important to sit down with your partner beforehand and make a list of all the essential items you’ll need so you don’t blow your budget. Luckily, we’ve created a complete guide to wedding stationery to help you work out what's essential and what’s nice to have.
The thing with wedding stationery is that there are so many types and styles to choose from - it’s very easy to get carried away! If you have the budget, by all means buy as much as you like, but most people will need to narrow down the stationery items that make the most sense for their wedding.
We suggest making a list of your stationery non-negotiables first, including how much budget you have to play with. For most people, wedding invitations and thank you cards will be strict must-haves, while for those planning a large wedding, place cards and table numbers will likely need to be factored into costs.
While wedding stationery certainly has many functional benefits, it can also be a lovely way to add a personal touch to your wedding. Save the dates, place cards, welcome signs and bespoke menus are all beautiful ways to connect with your guests, while making your all-important day feel extra special. It can also help set the tone for your upcoming nuptials, giving your guests a small insight into what your wedding day will look like. You might like to choose earthy hues and leafy imagery for a rustic barn wedding, for example, or soft pinks and calligraphy for a wedding taking place during the summer.
To help you navigate the world of wedding stationery, we’ve provided a full breakdown below with items you might need before, during and after your big day. Or, skip to the end to find answers to all your common wedding stationery questions.
Before the wedding
Your pre-wedding stationery is the first impression your guests will receive about your special day, setting the tone for what’s to come. Allow your guests a glimpse into your upcoming nuptials with beautifully designed invites, and more.
Engagement party invitations
Many couples decide to host an official celebration to mark their new engagement. This might happen a few weeks after getting engaged, which means you’ll need to sort your engagement party invites fairly quickly. To save time, digital invitations are a handy choice, as you can create and send them at the click of a button. Remember to include the date, time and name of the venue.
Engagement gift thank you cards
You’re likely to receive a few gifts from friends and family at your engagement party, so it’s important you follow up with a thank you card. Remember to keep any tags and cards you receive alongside the gift, so you remember who they’re from!
![save the dates from With Love Weddings website]()
Save the dates and wedding invitations by With Love Weddings
Save the dates
If you haven’t sorted all the finer details of your wedding yet but have a particular date you’d like to lock in, you’ll need to send save the dates so people can bookmark the date in their diaries. These are typically sent six to 12 months in advance to give people enough time to plan holiday (if applicable) and travel in advance.
Save the dates are typically printed on small, simple pieces of card, and should include the date and location of your wedding, with a note that formal invitations are to follow.
Wedding invitations
Wedding invitations are probably the most important piece of wedding stationery you’ll need to factor into your wedding budget. There are two routes to go down here: paper invitations you send in the post, or digital wedding invitations sent via email. If you’re struggling to decide, take a look at our ultimate guide to digital wedding invitations to help you find out if they’re the right option for you.
Regardless, you’ll need to include the date, time and venue of your wedding. If your reception and ceremony are in different locations, make sure to explain this on your invite. You’ll also need to include RSVP instructions so people can let you know if they’re able to attend. Many people do this via a wedding website these days to easily store responses in one place, but make sure to include a phone number or email if you’d prefer people to contact you directly instead.
![wedding invitations by wonder wedding stationery website]()
The Meadow Collection by Wonder Wedding Stationery
On the day
Many of these on-the-day wedding stationery items are optional, but if you can find the budget for one or two of them, they'll add a thoughtful touch to your special day. Pick and choose your favourites, from place cards to menus.
Welcome sign
Having a welcome sign at the entrance of your wedding venue is a lovely touch that will make guests feel welcome. Not only does a wedding sign signal to your guests that they’re in the right place, but it's a beautiful way to stoke excitement for what’s to come.
Traditional wedding signs often include the couple’s name and their wedding date, but they can be customised freely to suit you. Consider the design and whether it’s in keeping with the vibe of your venue. You might like to include a hashtag that people can use if they post any photos. When it comes to how you present your sign, think about whether you’ll need to hire an easle, or prefer to use a free-standing board.
Order of the day
Order of the day cards aren’t essential, but if your wedding is particularly long or you have a lot of activities involved (perhaps over the course of a weekend), then they can be a helpful tool. This might include timings for arrival drinks, the ceremony, reception, wedding breakfast, dancing, and evening food.
Table settings
Wedding stationery for your table is a gorgeous way to add a pretty and personal touch to your overall aesthetic. There are a few routes you can go down, and of course, you can pick and choose each item according to your own requirements and tastes.
Table numbers: Especially important if you’re having a large wedding, table numbers should be placed on each table to indicate which is which.
Table plan: Place a table plan at the entrance of the room to instruct guests where they need to sit.
Place cards: Even if you don’t go super fancy with these, place cards are a functional tool that indicates to guests where they should sit.
Menus: Type up the menu for your wedding breakfast to get people excited about what they’re going to eat. The meal is often one of the most anticipated parts of the day, and it’s nice to let people know what's coming up.
Favour cards: Wedding favours are small gifts given out to wedding guests by the bride and groom. You might like to create personalised name tags to attach to each gift for a special memento to take home.
![wedding menus from lilac and white website]()
The Rachel Menu (left) and Elegance Menu (right) by Lilac & White
After the wedding
After all the celebrating is done, it's time to follow-up with a special note and a thank you. After all, what would your wedding have been without the most special people in your life in attendance?
Thank you cards
It’s been a blast! After months of planning and a fair amount of celebrating, it’s time to thank all your lovely guests for attending your wedding and to acknowledge any gifts they bought for you. Don’t hang around though. Make sure to send out your thank you cards within a few weeks of celebrations while it’s still fresh in everyone’s minds.
Wedding stationery FAQs
How much does wedding stationery cost?
The cost of wedding stationery varies depending on the item and how much you're ordering. Invites, for example, can cost between £1.50 to £4 each, which for 80 invites is between £120 and £320. And that’s before you’ve thought about save the dates, thank you cards and all the rest. Some couples choose to save money by creating their own DIY stationery, while sending your invites digitally can be a helpful cost-saving tip.
How do I know what quantities to order?
Don’t just order the exact number of invites or cards as people on your guest list. You’ll need a buffer in case any get lost in the post or are printed incorrectly. Add 10 or so extra to your order, just to be sure.
What are the most important wedding stationery items I need?
Wedding invitations are likely the most important piece of wedding stationery you’ll need to factor into costs. Save the dates and thank you cards should also be high on your priority list. Decorative extras, like place cards and wedding signs are nice to have, but not essential.
When should I order my wedding stationery?
You’ll need to order your pre-wedding stationery up to a year before your wedding day, such as save the dates and invitations. This ensures you have enough time to have them made, delivered to you, and sent to guests so they can secure the date in their diaries and make any travel arrangements.
On-the-day wedding stationery can be ordered later, around three to six months prior to your wedding. Just make sure to leave enough time for printing and delivery.
Now you've sorted your stationery, it's time to find the perfect dress! Browse our guides to the best two-piece wedding dresses, the most beautiful 1920s-style wedding dresses, and long-sleeve wedding gowns for elegant brides.