Wedding Day Stationery Essentials

July 23, 2020

design & decor, vendors

When most couples think of their future wedding stationery, they mostly envision items like save-the-dates, invitations, RSVP cards, and thank-you cards. However there are many other elements of day-of wedding stationery and printed elements that serve an important purpose for your big day. The thing we love about reception stationery is that it’s an opportunity to carry the esthetic from your invitations into your wedding day. Not only will these elements ensure that the theme and style of your wedding stays consistent, but also helps guests to feel more informed throughout the event (hence the term “guest communications”). While many of these details are optional, they will bring provide a big impact to your overall design!

Ceremony & Reception Stationery Essentials

Below is a list of stationery and guest communication pieces for your wedding day. You can use this list as a starting place and let your ideas flow.

Welcome sign

Set the tone of your wedding day immediately to guests upon entering the venue. What a hospitable way to welcome guests and make them feel like honored guests!

Seating chart

This is a great opportunity to tie in your aesthetic with your seating chart. Every guest will be viewing this piece so this can be a fun focal piece!

Ceremony programs

Programs tell the who, what and where of your ceremony. They are a great place to include details about the wedding party for guests who may not be familiar with friends and family members on the bride and groom’s side. It can also be the perfect place to explain any religious customs for guests as well as information or fun facts that are important to the bride and groom. If your ceremony and event are going to be held in two different venues, printing a map on the back of program can help make sure everyone arrives at the correct location.

A visually appeasing alternative to individual programs
is a large order of events sign to welcome guests.

Escort or place cards

Escort cards are placed near the entrance of your reception and will direct guests to their assigned table. Place cards, on the other hand, will already be at their place setting/seat. While these aren’t mandatory for buffet style dinners, they are needed for plated dinners. These place cards will dictate to the caterers which meal they have ordered (beef, chicken, vegetarian, etc.) This is usually shown through an emblem in the corner or different colored wax seals.

Vow Books

If you are going to take the time to write your own vows, then you will want somewhere special to write and keep them. A custom wedding vow book is the perfect keepsake!

Menus

For most plated dinners, your guests have already selected their meal on their RSVP, so consider a beautiful menu card as a way to remind them of what they’re getting and what salads and sides will accompany it.

Table numbers

There are lots of fun ways to display table numbers these days. A few of our favorites are on wine bottles, rustic wooden numbers or acrylic numbers. A classic calligraphed card can also be simple yet elegant.

Bar Essentials

Whether it be a signature drink sign, personalized cocktail napkins or hashtag sign, it’ll be a welcome addition to your bar!

Buffet signs

For a buffet or dessert table, it’s a nice gesture to place buffet signs to inform guests of menu choices. It will also give the guests something to look at while they wait for the food and will help speed up the buffet line. If you have guests with any allergies or food sensitivities, this info can be a lifesaver.