Your Wedding Stationery Wardrobe

Save the Date Cards
This is the first “official” announcement of your wedding day. It doesn’t have to match the invitation and it’s often sent as a postcard. It must have the name of you and your partner, the wedding date and the words “formal invitation to follow.”

The Wedding Invitation
Your guests will use the invitation as a guide to your wedding. It should have the names of the hosts, the bride and groom, the day of the week for the ceremony in addition to the date, time and location.

Enclosed within the outer envelope of the invitation are:

• An unsealed inner envelope
• A reception card: It should include the date, place, and time of the reception
• The response or RSVP card, with a self-addressed, stamped envelope
• A map or a directions card

Rehearsal Dinner Invitations
Usually the groom’s parents are responsible for this invitation and it doesn’t have to match the wedding invitation.

Wedding Programs
These small bound booklets with the couple’s names on the front are used as wedding keepsakes. They include the date of the wedding, the names of bridal party members and their relationship to the bride or groom and the order of events.

Menus
A menu card is used at each setting for a formal, seated dinner at a banquet table. For individual tables, you can have just one menu at each table. They should include a description of what will be served and a list of beverage choices.

Seating  Cards
These tell guests at which table they are seated. They should include the person’s name and table number.

Table Cards
Are placed on each table with a name or number to help guests find their seats.

Place Cards
Place cards tell guests their assigned chair, usually this is place at the head of each place setting.

Favor Tags
The tags include a personal message, the couple’s name and the wedding date.

Thank You Cards
Used to respond to early gifts, and to thank your bridal party and the person who hosts your bridal shower. These notes have the words “Thank You” printed on the front and include a handwritten note inside, along with your new address if you are moving.

Most wedding stationery designs include a thank you note that matches the invitation. However, many couples are confused as to whether or not the message should be printed or handwritten.

The Essential Wedding Thank You Note

While there is no hard-and-fast rule on this, for most people, a handwritten note is a much more personal way to thank someone for their time, good wishes and wedding gift. This task is a lot easier if you compose the wording beforehand and use a calligraphy pen or hire a calligrapher to write these special messages for you.

The other important thing to keep in mind is the wording of your message. If you are inviting a large number of people, there will be some that have a close relationship with you which requires a different wording than for someone you don’t know very well.

Addressing family members and close friends by their first names is acceptable, but you should always address others with their full name and title.

Your thank you note should acknowledge the person’s presence at your wedding and/or reception as well as their wedding gift if one was sent. Regardless of how you feel about what was given, it’s most appropriate to be gracious and appreciative of the gift.

In addition to these sentiments, for the members of your family and close friends, a nice touch is to let them know that you will share memories of your honeymoon when you return.

The design of the wedding thank you note often includes a photo of the couple on their wedding day, but you can make it more personal for the recipient. Have your wedding photographer take pictures of each guest as they arrive at the reception. Enclose this photo signed with your names and the date of your wedding with the thank you note.

When a person has given you a monetary wedding gift, it is always important to not only acknowledge the gift itself, but to let the person know how it will be used.