Planning your 2022 Wedding? Let’s break it all down with our Wedding Stationery Checklist- What do I Need for my 2022 Wedding?
Save the Date Card
Save the Date Cards top the checklist as they are typically sent out around 6-10 months before your big day.
A Save the Date card gives your guest early confirmation that a formal invite is coming their way and provides them with a date and location for the celebrations.
- A destination wedding is on the cards and you plan to travel out of town or overseas.
- Your wedding will take place at a busy time of year such as Christmas or during the Summer Holidays
- Or simply if your guests live abroad and will need to save money, book flights or request time off work.
Invitation
Your wedding invitation should contain the need-to-know details about your celebrations while offering a sneak peek into your style for the wedding.
If you skipped the Save-the-Date card then this is the first impression your guests will receive. So take your time to make the design perfect and send your invitations out 3-4 months before the wedding.
Remember to include: who is getting married, if parents are hosting and where and when the ceremony and reception will take place.
It’s helpful to have an idea of the style you want for your big day. Are you thinking classic or elegant, boho or glam? This will help you narrow down your invitation design to hit the right note.
Another option is to let the time of year for your wedding help guide your colour scheme and style. A relaxed rustic style lends well to an Autumn wedding, a botanical floral design is ideal for Spring Summer. Monochrome or metallic are an elegant classic all year round and add sophistication and glamour.
Your wedding style should your personality as a couple, so feel free to share this in your design plans and have fun with it. Websites like Pinterest for fab for gathering inspiration just don’t get swept up in the trends.
RSVP Card
An RSVP card is the traditional way people reply to you wedding invitation.
Usually simple in design with checkboxes for “accept” or “decline” along with a space for guests to write their names and dietary requirements.
Traditionally RSVP’s also include a pre-addressed and stamped envelope to make it super easy for your guests quickly respond. Another great option is to also include an RSVP email address as an alternate reply option.
People are busy so it’s important to make it as easy as possible for them to get back to you. Think about if your guests are older or tech savvy and choose suitable ways for them to respond that won’t cause you a headache later.
Directions Card / Map
Directions Card is an additional insert with a written list the easiest travel routes for guests travelling to your ceremony, finding their way from a rural ceremony to a reception venue or to provide parking info.
A illustrated custom map allows you to get more creative, and share favourite locations relevant to your wedding. Especially great for out-of-towners, a map can help give them an idea of where they are going and what they can do locally.
If your ceremony and reception take place at the same location, you can simply skip this card. Instead, your main invitation should include the ceremony location and then should say “reception to follow”.
Information Card
The three-day wedding trend is on the rise. If you are planning any pre or post wedding events such as Brunch or Welcome Drinks then an additional insert card is the perfect place to provide the info.
Wedding websites are another growing trend that have replaced more traditional Gift Registry services. If you have a website or any gift registry info, save this for the extra information card.
What stationery do I need for my 2022 wedding venue?
Order of Service Booklet
If you are having a ceremony or church service then you may want to create an Order of Service.
The Order of Service helps your guests follow the ceremony and know if they need to participate.
The content can be simple with just a few lines about each stage of the ceremony. Or you can include full details such as wording to the readings, prayers and hymns and some info about the bridal party.
An Order of Service is by no means mandatory, but they are a lovely addition to your stationery and a special keepsake for your guests to take home.
Welcome Sign
A Welcome Sign is a beautiful touch to place at your venue entryway and greet your guests to the celebrations.
This can take the form of a pop-up style banner or a large rigid poster depending on how big the space is and how you would like to display your greeting. Remember you can get double use from your Welcome Sign by displaying at your ceremony and then asking a trusted friend to take this to your reception venue to be displayed at the doors to your sit-down meal.
What stationery do I need for my wedding dinner?
If you are planning a formal or sit-down dinner then assigned seating for your guests is a must! In fact, many wedding reception venues require assigned seating to ensure dinner service runs smoothly.
Assigned seating allows your guests to quickly and easily find their seats and settle in for the celebrations; no bottlenecks, no squabbling and no dithering.
By assigning seats you can ensure your VIP people get the best viewing in the house and feel central to the event and not lost in the corner.
Last but not least assigned seating allows you to separate or group guests as preferred. Sit the kids together, together, help guests mingle and get to know each other and keep the trouble makers at bay. (We all have them, don’t worry!)
To make assigned seating work smoothly you will need to arrange stationary to guide your guests to their designated tables and seats. Some venues provide their own stationery for you to use, however couples typically opt to coordinate and match their venue stationery with their wedding invitations; this ensures their styling is cohesive throughout the day.
Table Plan or Seating Chart
A Table Plan or Seating Chart displays your room layout with labelled tables or you can simply list guests under their table name or number.
Table Number Cards
Table numbers help guests see which perfectly decorated table is theirs to sit at. You can use numbers, names or pictures to help guests locate their table. Table numbers are also a big help for venue staff to easily serve food, locate guests with special dietary meals and deliver drinks orders.
Menu Card
An Irish wedding is an all-day affair and if there is one guarantee it’s that your guests will be eagerly looking forward to tucking into your wedding feast.
Menu cards get your guests excited and help them choose their main course option to speed the process for wait staff and get your dinner off to a flying start.
After your careful pre-selection, your guest will enjoy seeing what you have chosen for them so plan to print at least 1-2 to share at each table and extras for the top table.
When should I send my Wedding Thank You Cards?
Thank you Cards
Did you know it’s recommended that Wedding Thank you Cards are recommended no later than two months after your wedding?
Ready to get started working through your 2022 Wedding Stationery Checklist?
Here at Kaizen our professional staff know exactly what to ask you to make sure you have everything under control. We may even have items you didn’t know about, that will make everything so much easier to plan your special day.
It might be your first wedding, but it isn’t ours. You spend a lot of time picking a theme, planning every last detail, shouldn’t your stationery get the same treatment?
Give us a call on +353 19 036119 or email us at customer.service@kaizenprint.ie to chat to a member of our team and get your journey started.