Invitations Essentials

Save the Dates

You need to give guests advance notice about your upcoming wedding. Consider photo save the dates, magnets, scrolls and other non-traditional announcement cards.

Invitations

Typically the heart of your stationery needs, invitations they can be as formal or as casual as you’d like, the sky’s the limit for creativity.

Don’t forget to include the following wedding details on the invitation: names, event date and location.

• Invitation with Envelope – “Think of the envelope as the gift wrap to your invitation,” says Chazen, who recommends dressing up the envelope with a printed return address, guest addressing and motif, as well as colored envelope and envelope liner.
• Reply or RSVP Card – Guests send these (usually) small cards back to you to let you know if they’ll be attending the wedding.
  The cards help you keep track of your guest list so be sure to provide postage for your guests to send you the reply card.
• Social Event Invitations – “There are so many things to celebrate during your engagement,” says Chazen.

You may also need invitations (and perhaps other stationery like menu cards and thank you notes) for pre-wedding events like the engagement party, bridal showers and the rehearsal dinner.

• Reception Cards – These cards are often sent with your invitation to show the reception time and location.
  “If reception is at the same place as the wedding ceremony, you will not need a reception card,” Chazen, noting, “On the invitation, you can put at the bottom ‘Reception to follow’ or ‘Reception immediately following.’”
• Accommodations Card – This item lists hotel options and group rate information for non-locals who are planning their visit for your wedding.
• Wedding Program – Programs typically outline what’s included in the ceremony and will list the names and roles of wedding party members and ceremony participants.
• Table Number Cards – Displayed on dinner tables at the reception, table number cards help wedding guests find their table and can also help event staff and your planner keep track of everyone.
• Place Cards – Just as they sound, place cards let guests know which table they’re seated at for the reception.
• Menu Card – Many couples display menu cards at the reception to detail the different food courses including salad, the entrée and desserts. You can choose whether to have a few cards on each table or to place one at each guest’s place setting.
• Thank You Notes – Etiquette dictates you send thank you notes within six weeks of receiving any gift, order early so you have them when you need them.