Weddingbee Blog

(All images from Ceci unless otherwise noted)

From a reader…

I’m looking for invitations on sites such as Mygatsby, whiteaisle…etc. but I don’t understand all this lingo. What should I look for? Do I really need to order the STD cards, menu, programs, rsvp cards, etc.?

These are all the wedding stationery components:

1) Save the Date Cards - Save the dates are usually sent out 6 months to a year before the wedding if you’re having a destination wedding, a large number of out of town guests, or a wedding around a holiday. This provides guests sufficient time to make travel arrangements.

2) Invitation - The invitation indicates information for the ceremony when the ceremony and reception are held in the same location. If the ceremony and reception are held in 2 separate locations but is semi-formal, you may print all the information on the invitation but make sure it’s not too wordy. For formal events held in 2 locations, a separate reception card should be used.

3) Reception Card - The reception card is usually smaller than the invitation and includes information for the reception.

(New Leafletter Press)

4) Outer Envelope - Outer envelopes were historically used because invitations got dirty during the delivery process. This way the contents would be protected and a clean inner envelope could be presented to the lady of the house. Your return address should be printed on the back flap of the envelope and your guest’s title, full name, and addresss should be printed/calligraphered on the front.

5) Inner Envelope - The inner envelope is no longer necessary, but a lot of people choose to include the inner envelope if the wedding is a formal affair. We had inner envelopes because it’s just a little more exciting to have to open that extra envelope. Inner envelopes are addressed less formally than outer envelopes with the guest’s name printed on the front. Omitting this piece is a great way to cut costs on invitations.

6) Inner Envelope Lining - For decorative purposes, the inner envelope may be lined with tissue paper or paper.

(Paper-Source)

7) Tissue paper - Tissue paper was used to separate each invitation layer because ink used to take a long time to dry back in the day. This kept each layer clean. Today it serves a decorative or formal purpose.

RSVP Cards or RSVP Postcards - RSVP cards are filled out and returned by guests so you know who will be attending. Less formal events can use RSVP postcards which will eliminate the need for an envelope (and save you money!).

9) RSVP Envelope - Guests return their RSVP cards in these envelopes. They should have your name and address printed on the front.

10) Travel Information / Hotels Cards - If you have secured a special airline rate or blocked hotel rooms for your guests, you may choose to include a separate card with this information. This is often sent with the save the date card.

11) Parking / Transportation / Map / Direction Cards - If you have made special parking/transportation arrangements for your guests, you can include a card with that information. If you have a lot of travelling guests or a venue that is difficult to find, you may also choose to include map / direction information. These cards can be included either with the save the date or with the invitation.

12) At Home Card - This is a very formal card that indicates your new address as a married couple and when you’ll be occupying that address. I think hardly anyone uses this anymore.

(cardsupply)

13) Ceremony Programs - Programs provide guests with information about the ceremony and the wedding party. They’re not mandatory, but most people choose to do them. They’re also a nice keepsake for guests.

14) Menus - Menus are not mandatory but they’re a nice touch. One can be placed on each place setting, or there can be 3 or so per table that guests share.

15) Escort Cards or Seating Chart - Escort cards are usually organized alphabetically by guest names. They indicate which table a guest is seated at. A seating chart serves the same purpose. You can allow guests to sit anywhere at their designated table or you may choose to have assigned seating with placecards.

16) Table Cards - Once a guest picks up an escort card or looks at the seating chart and finds out what table they’re seated at, they will look for the corresponding table. Table cards are usually numbered but you can be creative and choose to name them anything you like.

17) Placecards - Placecards look like escort cards and are put at each place setting designating assigned seating.

18) Thank You Cards & Envelopes - You may choose to get your thank you cards printed at the same time you print your invitations to have a uniform theme throughout.

Barebones this is what you’d need:

1) Invitation
2) Outer Envelope
3) RSVP Card
4) RSVP Envelope (Unlese you’re doing RSVP postcards)
5) Escort cards
6) Tablecards
7) Ceremony Programs

You can order everything through one company if you’d like everything to match or follow a specific theme. I ordered the 1) save the dates, 2) invitations, 3) seating chart, and the 4) programs, placecards, table cards, and menus from 4 different companies. I also made travel/accomodation cards myself and bought thank you cards after the wedding. Everything can be ordered separately and at different times. You can also make everything on the list above if you’d like and save a lot of money in the process (although it would be quite time-consuming!)

After you’ve selected your staionary, you have to choose the type of printing - engraving, thermography, letterpress, embossing, and regular printing. Read up on that here.

Additional Tips:

1) Some companies may include extra envelopes, but if they don’t order extra envelopes because you will make mistakes addressing them. Calligraphers usually request additional envelopes as well.

2) Number the back of your rsvp cards because some people will return them without filling out their names.

3) Invitations are typically mailed 6-8 weeks before the wedding date. You may want to send them out a little sooner if you are having a destination wedding or a large number of travelling guests.

4) Take a complete invitation to the post office and have it weighed so you can affix the correct postage.

5) Have the post office hand cancel your invitations because they look so much lovelier that way.

I ordered invitations from mygatsby.com for my brother’s wedding, so I’m familiar with their ordering process. It was also a lot easier knowing what to order, having been through it all with my own wedding. If you have any specific questions, please feel free to ask. Hope this helps!