Harriet Shepherd from Amoretto Wedding in Lancaster gives us the low down on the top ten things you need to know about your wedding stationery

1. What do I need?

Most stationery companies will provide a full range of co-ordinating items. Things to consider include: Save the Date cards, daytime invitations, evening invitations, Order of Service or Order of the Day for a civil ceremony, place names, table names, menus, seating plan and last but by no means least, Thank you cards.

Don’t feel you should have all of these things, just the ones you think you really need. It is worth checking with your venue if they include any table items in your package but also remember to ask to see examples to check you like the style.

2. When should I send my invitations out?

Around four months before your wedding is ample time to send out your invitations, however if you are getting married on a week day, Bank Holiday or peak holiday time it is wise to send them a little earlier, six to eight months or send save the date cards.

3. When should I order my Invitations?

This depends on what style of stationery you go for but generally speaking about six to eight weeks gives you plenty time for samples, proofing and production. Remember if you are going for something off the peg and bespoke it’s not just the production time but also securing space in your stationer’s diary, so the earlier the better.

4. What information do I need to give and request?

Your main invitation should state the obvious, date, time, venue etc. Beyond this it really depends on what kind of day you are having. Things to think about include accommodation, directions, transport, gift list or gift list alternative, contact details for your venue/wedding co-ordinator/you, menu choice, guest food allergies and song request for the evening reception.

5. Do I need an R.S.V.P?

Obviously you need to know if your guests are coming. Providing an RSVP card is helpful for your guests and makes them more likely to respond quickly. Remember to provide an RSVP date and address and request the other information you require from them at the same time. If you don’t want to provide a card just make sure you provide an address and response date on your invitation.

6. Should my invitations match my bridesmaids?

Not necessarily, many couples like to have a neutral invitation that does not give anything away to their guests. Remember you can always change the colour of your ‘on the day’ items like menus and place names to match your flowers and colour scheme.

7. Should I ask for a sample?

Yes! You should always receive a sample to check the quality, especially if you are ordering online. In addition to this you should request for a PDF to be emailed to you showing all the text layouts first. This is extremely important, as it is your responsibility to check all the details, such as spelling of names, dates, times, postcodes etc. If you notice a mistake after you have given your approval you will have to pay to have them re-printed. It’s a really good idea to get someone else to check over them as well.

8. I can’t decide on a style, what should I do?

If you don’t have a clear idea what you want then don’t panic! Look for inspiration in magazines and online wedding blogs and find out if there are any wedding fayres in your local area. A really good idea is to meet with a stationer that will show you examples and make suggestions personalised to you and your interests and quirks. Your stationery should represent you as a couple as well as your big day. Remember it’s the first thing that your guests will see about the wedding so it sets the tone for the whole event.

9. How many of everything do I need?

Remember you don’t need an invite for every guest, just one per couple. Other items like Order of Service and menus can also be shared, although if you’ve given your guests a menu selection before the day a personalised menu can be helpful for both your guests and your venue.

10. Have I forgotten anything?

If you are on a strict budget don’t forget to include postage in your figures. Many styles of stationery, particularly hand crafted ones, will cost more than standard postage so check before you get set on a design.

About us

Amoretto Wedding provide bespoke hand crafted stationery incorporating luxurious textured cards, fine lace and classic embellishments. Visit www.amorettowedding.com for inspiration and to book a personal consultation.