At P3 Events, we are all about the details of design — which includes stationery! While this may seem like a daunting part of planning, we are here to outline what you need (and the less necessary stuff) for your wedding. From main invitations to sentimental extras, we got you covered. And stay tuned until the end for a stationery DISCOUNT & be connected with a stationery vendor we think you’ll love!

What are All the Possible Types of Wedding Stationery?

Pre-Wedding:

• Save-the-Dates (sent 10 months before)
  • Not mandatory, but a nice “soft-launch” of your wedding date. Includes the location, your wedding website, and that a formal invitation will follow. Excellent for destination weddings because its a courtesy that allows your guests enough time to plan & book their travel.
• Engagement Party Invites
  • A formal engagement party will generally have customized invites sent to guests. Send 2-3 months in advance. For a more casual affair, send 6-8 weeks.
• Wedding Invitations (sent 4 months before)
  • This can be as simple as an envelope and card. However, if you want something elevated for a unique design, try an invitation suite, which includes: envelope liner, mailing envelope, information card, RSVP envelope + card, the actual invitation, reception card, and seal.
• Bridal Shower Invites
  • Sent by members of the bridal party or family of the bride/groom 2-3 months in advance.
• Bachelor/Bachelorette Party Invitations
  • Best for larger groups attending this event. Send 2-3 months in advance (sooner if there’s travel involved). Always include all the details and guest expectations.
• Rehearsal Dinner Invitations
  • Normally one of the bride or groom’s family hosts this event and will handle these invitations. Otherwise, the couple may choose invites that match the main wedding invitation suite.

For the Wedding:

• Welcome Sign
  • Gives a warm welcome to guests as they arrive for the event.
• Programs
  • Optional stationery that lists an overview of the proceedings and names of everyone involved in the ceremony. Better for longer ceremonies or wanting to honor the individuals participating in the ceremony events.
• Menus
  • Gives an overview of what will be served for the meal.
• Welcome Dinner Invitations
  • A separate invitation card for a formal event that is being hosted by someone else. Can be sent out with invitation suite, includes “weekend events,” lists attire required, and properly credits the host.
• Table Numbers
  • This provides some organization and visible direction for guests trying to find their table (so make sure font is big enough to see). Helpful if you’re having a larger wedding.
• Seating Plan & Escort Cards
  • These help guide guests to their assigned tables. Can be passed out or placed at entrance of reception
• Place Cards
  • The formal (optional) cards that designate what table a guest will sit at. This card will be at the reception table to show what exact seat the guest is in. Usually for sit-down dinner receptions to help venue determine which guest is getting what meal.
• Vow Books
  • If you want a sentimental way to preserve and remember your vows, custom vow books are great to include in your stationery needs.
• Guestbook
  • Included at the welcome table for guests to sign a little note to the couple. This stationery piece elevates the welcome table. Also, it gives guests something to do before the ceremony starts (especially if they arrive early!)
• Favor Tags
  • A nice, personalized touch on guest favors.

Post-Wedding:

• Thank-You Cards for Guests
  • A note of appreciation, and courtesy to guests who attended (especially ones who gave or sent gifts). If you want to include photos, they can be sent out a little later.

Do’s & Don’t of Wedding Stationery

DONT just compile “inspo” photos for your OWN wedding stationery needs

DO compile a detailed list of your stationery must-haves and absolutely-nots.

DONT hire a wedding stationery vendor and only communicate with them once or twice.

DO allow plenty of time in your schedule to work with your stationery vendor.

DONT include unnecessary information to accommodate guests on your invites. It ruins the clean, streamlined aesthetic you want.

DO use separate inserts, cards, or a wedding website to include information about post-wedding accommodations, directions, rehearsal dinner, wedding timeline, registry, etc.

DONT forget to spellcheck for possible grammar mistakes.

DO proofread your stationery many times. Even ask family and friends to proofread incase there’s something you didn’t realize you missed.

Online vs. Custom Wedding Stationery

Personally, we love BOTH options and think you should pick whichever one bests fits your budget.

CUSTOM: If stationery design & maintaining the aesthetic of your wedding is important to you – pick a custom stationer. They have have the knowledge and experience when it comes to printing methods, paper options, post office requirements and wedding etiquette. 

ONLINE: If you love DIY and the personalized experience of managing your own stationery needs – then, go the online route! This option has ease of use, plenty of options for design customization, and a low-budget option.

Wedding Stationery by BASIC INVITE

Speaking of the online option…we want to introduce you to BASIC INVITE. We partnered with them for this blog to showcase what makes them unique and standout from other online stationery sites. Additionally, we have a special discount code you can redeem at the end of this blog!

About –

Basic Invite is one of the few websites that allows customers almost unlimited color options with instant previews online. Once selecting a design, customers can change the color of each element on the card. With over 180 colors to choose from, the invite is sure to be exactly how they want it. Their nearly unlimited color options are what sets them apart from almost any other online stationery company.

Other Special Features –

• Custom Samples- Basic Invite is one of the few websites that allows customers to order a printed sample of their actual invitation before they place their final order. They can see the paper quality and how it will print, and make sure the card is perfect. 
• Over 40 Different Colors of Envelopes- Basic Invite has over 40 different envelope colors to choose from. With so many options, customers can make their envelope match the invitation. Also, all of the envelopes can be closed quickly and securely since they are “peel and seal.”
• Address Capturing Service- Basic Invite offers an address capturing service that allows customers to share a link on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or any other social media to request their friends and family’s addresses. Guest addresses are stored in the customer’s account and can be selected during the design process. Basic Invite offers recipient address printing at no cost on all card orders.
• Foil- Foil cards are available in gold, silver, and rose gold. Customers can choose flat or raised foil on all of Basic Invite’s foil designs.

Use This % Discount CODE!

In fact, right now Basic Invite is offering 15% off with coupon code: 15FF51 . Please copy and paste these keyword links into the post (as they are written): save the date template / wedding program template

For more awesome wedding planning advice, check out our other blog “How to Keep All Your Wedding Shit Together… Besides Making a List.”

Find Them on Socials: @basicinvite

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