The wedding stationery is much more than just paper – it is the first impression of your wedding and creates anticipation among your guests. From the save-the-date card and the invitation to the menu cards and thank you cards, every detail should be well thought out. But when do you start planning, which formats and designs are ideal and what should definitely not be missing? In this guide, you’ll find out everything you need to consider.
1. when should you start with the wedding stationery?
To ensure that your invitations arrive on time, you should take care of the stationery early on. Production can take longer, especially for bespoke designs or high-quality materials.
Recommended schedule:
- 9-12 months in advance → Send save-the-date cards
- 6-8 months in advance → Design & order invitation cards
- 4-6 months in advance → Send invitation
- 2-3 months in advance → Finalize menu, seating & flow charts
- After the wedding → Send thank you cards
If you are planning a destination wedding, you should send out invitations earlier so that guests have enough time to book their travel arrangements.
2 What is particularly important when it comes to stationery?
The wedding stationery should not only match the style of the wedding, but also be functional.
Important points that are often overlooked:
- Paper quality & feel – High-quality paper ensures a classy look and makes the invitation something special.
- Format & finishing – The more individual and elaborate the design (e.g. embossing, gold foil, wax seal), the higher the costs.
- Invitation as a harbinger of the wedding – It not only gives the guests information, but also conveys the first feeling for the wedding concept.
- Clear and legible typography – Ornate fonts can be elegant, but they should remain legible.
3. save-the-date & invitation cards: What must be included?
The save-the-date card is the first announcement of the wedding, while the invitation contains all the important details.
Save-the-Date: Essential information
- Names of the bride and groom
- Wedding date
- Location (optional, if already known)
- Note: “Further details to follow”
- Optional: Wedding website with initial information
What should be included in the wedding invitation?
- Names of the bride and groom
- Date & time of the ceremony & celebration
- Location & Address
- Dress code (if desired)
- Reply card or feedback option with deadline
- Gift requests or donation information
- Contact options for questions (e.g. telephone number or e-mail address)
- Tips for overnight accommodation (at Destination Weddings)
- Wedding planner booked? Contact details of the wedding planner for organizational queries
4. avoid the +1 – This way you clearly indicate who is invited
If you really only want to invite the person invited by name and no accompanying person, you can say this in a friendly but firm way:
- “This invitation is personal and only for you.”
- “We look forward to celebrating this special day with you. As this is an intimate celebration, we ask for your understanding that the invitation is exclusively for you.”
- “Our wedding is taking place in a small circle – so we ask for your understanding that we can only consider the people invited.”
- “We have put together our guest list with a lot of love and ask for your understanding that the invitation is only valid for you personally.”
5. wedding without children – friendly formulations
If you want a child-free wedding, it is important to communicate this politely and respectfully.
- “We love your children – but we want to celebrate with you on this special day. We therefore ask for your understanding that our wedding is an adult event.”
- “In order to be able to enjoy an undisturbed celebration, we decided to have a wedding without children. Thank you for your understanding.”
- “We would like to celebrate this day with you in a relaxed atmosphere and have decided on a wedding without children. We hope for your understanding.”
- “So that we can all celebrate together into the night, we have decided on a child-free wedding. Thank you for your understanding.”
6 Design & format – What influences the costs?
The more individual the stationery design, the more complex the production and the higher the costs can be.
Factors that influence the price:
- Format & size – Standard sizes are cheaper, special formats often require custom-made products.
- Paper quality – Fine paper types such as handmade paper or handmade paper cost more, but lend a special elegance.
- Print type & finishing – Gold foil, embossing or letterpress give the invitations a luxurious touch, but are more expensive as this involves the complex production of individual printing plates.
- Extras & accessories – wax seals, silk ribbons or personalized envelopes make the stationery unique, but increase production time and costs.
If you want to save costs, you can choose a high-quality design, but do without extremely elaborate finishing or use digital elements (e.g. online RSVP).
7th invitation as an emotional harbinger – the anticipation begins here
A wedding invitation is not just an information card – it gives guests a first impression of what to expect. The colors, design and wording should reflect the wedding theme. An elegant invitation with gold embossing suggests a glamorous wedding, while a minimalist design stands for a modern, stylish celebration.
Involving the guests directly and emotionally creates a special sense of anticipation and makes the wedding a unique experience right from the start.
Conclusion: Well thought-out stationery ensures the perfect first impression
The wedding stationery is an important part of the overall wedding planning. It is the guests’ first point of contact with the wedding and should therefore be well planned. Pay attention to high-quality materials, timely planning and that all important information is included.
The anticipation of the big day begins with a lovingly designed invitation – and sets the perfect first accent for an unforgettable celebration.
