WEDDING STATIONERY CHECKLIST & GUIDE
This blog post is purely to give inspiration and guidance to those who want it. If you have a unique idea that you love, then go for it! I also have a post running through all the design and printing techniques here so you can start to plan the style of stationery you want.
Here is a list of all the items you might want to consider when ordering your stationery:
Pre - Invitations
Save the Date Card
Envelope + Address (+ Senders Address)
Wedding Website
Welcome Page / About Us
Travel & Accommodation
Gifting Information
Menu / Drinks
RSVP
Invitations
Day Invitation + Guest Name (s)
Evening Invitation + Guest Name (s)
RSVP Card + Return Envelope
Information Card (s)
Envelope + Address (+ Senders Address)
Menu
Venue Map / Illustration
Cover Card
On the Day
Welcome Sign
Order of Service / Program
Seat Reservation Cards (service)
Confetti Bags
Seating Plan
Table Numbers / Names
Placecards
Food & Drink Menus
Bar Menu
Wedding Favours
Kids Activity Packs
Drinks Tokens
Bride / Groom Cards
Mother / Father Cards
Bridesmaid / Groomsman Cards
After the Day
Day After Brunch / BBQ Items
Thank You Cards
Photograph / Video Hosting
Luxury Embellishments
Now we’ve gone through the items you might need, let’s run through all the design options and embellishments that you can add to make your stationery perfect for you and your wedding.
Vellum / Paper Wrap
A vellum or paper wrap is a full sheet of paper that completely covers your invitation / save the date. The details cards, rsvp and return envelope etc all sit inside the wrap as well. It is normally sealed with wax or closed with ribbon etc, then placed inside the envelope.
Bellyband
A bellyband is a strip of paper that wraps around and holds together your paper goods. If you want to add a dark tone into your colour palette, but don’t want the cost of letterpress, a bellyband this is a great way to do it. You can also add guest names onto a bellyband if you have a letterpress design which can’t be personalised to each guest.
Wax Seal
There are a huge variety of options when it comes to wax seals. They come in many colours, from matt white to pop pink and metallics such as gold and bronze. Extra details can also be added to them such as gold leaf and dried flowers, or even marbling two colours together. You can pick either a ready designed seal or a custom design, such as your initials / monogram.
There is also the option to buy the seals ready made, with a self adhesive sticker on the reservse. However, the stickers don’t bond to the paper as strongly as sealing the wax directly onto the paper. If you are sending invites abroad I suggest putting the wax seal inside the envelope, attached to say a bellband or vellum wrap.
Sticker
Sticker can be made in many different shapes and sizes ( circles, rectangles, hearts etc). They can be metallic, foiled, embossed, digitally printed or plain. They can also be made out of any paper colour, so you can match them to an accent colour in your suite.
Ribbon / Tassel
Depending on your budget your choices can run from a collection colour organza to hand dyed pure silk. Ribbons can have straight clean edges, or can be frayed to give a more organic look. Tassels can wrap around items or be attached through an eyelet.
Eyelet
Eyelets are metal rings that are punched through paper in order to attach two layers together. Or to add a loop for ribbon or a tassel to go through.
Pocketfold
Pocket folds traditionally are a trifold piece of card with a paper pocket at one end. The invitation would be mounted and stuck in the centre with the information card, rsvp etc sitting in the pocket on the right hand side. More modern styles come in all different shapes and styles and don’t have to have the paper goods mounted or stuck onto them.
Invitation Sleeve
A sleeve is basically a paper pocket that you can slip your invitation / save the date / order of service / menu into. Similar to a fancy gift card. You can also add ribbon etc to create even more layering. An invitation sleeve still needs to go inside an envelope as it is open at the top.
Interior Envelope
Interior envelopes are mostly an American wedding trend. However if you want to include a vellum envelope in your suite I would suggest it for this. There are many beautiful pictures online of vellum envelopes, but I do not recommend using them alone. Use them in a combination, either as an outer or inner envelope.
Envelope Liner
Envelope liners are an additional layer of paper added to the inside of your envelope. They can be plain, pattern or textured and can be used to beautifully tie in a colour palette or illustration etc.
Cover Card
A cover card is a decorative extra you might add to your suite. It is a single or folded card that features one design element. For example it could be a venue illustration, your names, family crest or a poem. Think of it like the opening titles to your stationery.
I hope that has given you lots of inspiration and ideas to think about … if you want more details on anything I mentioned feel free to send me an email!