what stationery do you need?
A few quick questions and I'll build you a tailored list- the essentials for your day, plus any finishing touches worth considering.
Step 1 of 9
first- a little about your wedding
here's what I think you'll need
Based on everything you've told me- grouped by when you'll need them.
fancy any finishing touches?
Totally optional- these are the lovely little flourishes you can add to any suite. Tick anything that catches your eye.
ready to make it official?
I can take you straight to the quote builder with all of these items pre-ticked. Pick a design, drop in the quantities, and you'll get an instant quote.
working out what you need
What each piece of wedding stationery is for, and when it's worth including.
Before the day
The stationery your guests see before the wedding does two jobs- it tells them when and where, and it sets the tone for the day you've planned. Save the dates come first, 9 to 12 months before the day for UK weddings and 12 to 18 months for destination, giving guests time to ring-fence the date, book travel and arrange time off work. Invitations follow around 4 to 6 months before the day (sooner for destination weddings), with a details card for the practical bits (accommodation suggestions, dress code, travel info) and an RSVP so you can finalise numbers. If you're collecting replies online via your wedding website, a QR code on the details card does the same job without a separate reply card.
On the day
On-the-day stationery pulls everything together visually and helps your guests know where to go and what's coming next. An order of service is almost always needed for church weddings (8 to 12 pages so guests can follow along with hymns and readings), and is a nice addition for civil or celebrant-led ceremonies. If you've got assigned seating at the reception, a table plan, table numbers and place cards keep things running smoothly. Menu cards suit plated meals while sharing or family-style can get away with one per table. Add a welcome sign, cards and gifts sign, or an order of events board if you'd like a little extra signage to add to your styling.
After the day
Thank you cards are the only piece of stationery you'll send after the wedding. Order one for every household invited (day and evening guests), plus a few extra for suppliers, friends and family who sent gifts, and anyone who went above and beyond on the day. Flat or folded is a style choice- both work beautifully.
Finishing touches
Belly bands, envelope liners, wax seals, foil detail and coloured envelopes are the extras that lift a suite from lovely to unforgettable. Hand-drawn illustrations- your venue, a map, a pet portrait, a signature cocktail- weave personality through every piece. These sit at the top of the budget pile and are entirely optional, but if any of them have been on a Pinterest board for months, this is your sign to go for it.
wedding stationery FAQs
What wedding stationery do I actually need? +
The essentials for most weddings are save the dates (if planning far in advance or getting married abroad), invitations (day and evening if split), a details card for anything that doesn't fit on the invitation, RSVPs to find out who's coming, an order of service if having a religious ceremony, a table plan and place cards for assigned seating at the reception, and thank you cards. Everything else is a lovely finishing touch rather than a must-have.
Do I need save the dates? +
Save the dates are definitely worth sending if you're planning a destination wedding, or if your day falls on a peak date (bank holidays, summer weekends, Christmas and New Year period). Aside from this, you can funnel your budget into your wedding invitations and on the day stationery instead- unless you really love the idea of save the dates!
When should I send my wedding invitations? +
For UK weddings, send invitations around 4 to 6 months before the day. For destination weddings, give guests more notice- 6 to 8 months is a safer window so they can book flights and accommodation. If you've sent save the dates, your invitations can go out a touch later since guests already have the date in their diary.
How many wedding invitations do I need? +
You'll need one invitation per household, not per guest. So a family of four, or a couple living together, only needs a single invitation. I always recommend ordering around 10% extra to cover last-minute additions, keepsakes for your photographer and parents, and the odd one that gets lost in the post. The invitation count calculator will do the maths for you based on your guest list.
Do I need separate day and evening invitations? +
If you're inviting different guests to the ceremony and reception than you are to the evening party, yes- separate invitations make it crystal clear who's invited to what, and avoid any awkward confusion. If every guest is coming for the whole day, one invitation design does the job.
Do I need an order of service? +
Church and religious ceremonies almost always have an order of service so guests can follow along with hymns, readings and prayers (typically 8 pages, 12 if you've got a lot of music or readings). Civil and celebrant-led ceremonies don't need one at all, but a shorter 4-page booklet is a lovely keepsake if you've added readings or vows guests will want to hear again.
Do I need RSVP cards if we have a wedding website? +
Not necessarily. If you're collecting RSVPs online via your website or a QR code, physical RSVP cards aren't essential- a QR code on your details card can send guests straight to the online form. Some couples still like to offer both, especially for less tech-savvy guests, but either way works beautifully.
How far in advance should I order my wedding stationery? +
The latest you'll need to place your order is 6 weeks before you want your stationery to arrive for a Design Shop collection, and 10 weeks before for bespoke design (where everything is created for you). That said, if you already know I'm the designer for you, it's always worth booking your slot in advance- it guarantees I've got time in the diary for you, and takes one more thing off your planning list. I take a limited number of weddings each month so I can give every couple proper attention, so slots do fill up- especially around peak season.