Wedding Invitations 101 | Stationary

In our special series on wedding invitations for the Canadian bride, we looked at various styles within five different genres: Traditionalist, Modernist, Environmentalist, Ornamentalist, and Budget-Conscious. But as anyone planning a wedding knows, invitations are only one component of wedding stationary.

Invitation Stationary

There are also envelopes, insert cards, and save-the-date cards - not to mention the stationary that will be used on your big day: ceremony programs, table cards, and menu cards. And last but not least, there's post-wedding stationary, such as thank-you cards!

Save the Date Cards

Mailed between six months to one year before the big day, save the date cards are often used for destination weddings or just to ensure in advance that as many guests as possible can make the date. (Photo via Par Avion Design in Vancouver)

Invitations

Be sure to start the invitation design process early - three to four months in advance if you can. (In case you missed it - we've already done the style research for you: See the modernist ) Invitations should be mailed at least eight weeks prior to your wedding, and destination or holiday weddings should ideally be sent 10-12 weeks in advance. To be on the safe side, order 10-15% more invites than you think you'll need. (Photo via Unity Weddings in Montreal)

Outer Envelope

Both the guests' address and your return address should be clearly printed, whether on a label, in calligraphy, or simply by hand. (Photo via Majuscules calligraphy services in Montreal)

RSVP Cards

These days, most RSVP cards give guests a few options for their RSVP, whether by email, website, phone, or snail-mail. (Photo via The Complete Event Coordinator, Whitby)

Insert Cards

These cards include any extra details to help your guests make plans for your wedding. They often include directions or maps to the church and reception location and information on blocks of rooms that might be reserved at hotels for those who will be traveling to the wedding. If you have lots info, consider a double-sided insert card to save money and paper. (Photo via Windsor Ontario's Elegance by Design in Windsor)

Ceremony Programs

If you're printing these up yourself using a template from another wedding, just make sure you replace all pertinent information. ("Katie & John?? I thought we were at Melissa and Ian's wedding....") (Photo via Calgary, Alberta's Glimpz Invitations in Calgary)

Table Cards

A chart is usually placed near the reception entrance so that guests can note their name and respective table number, which is then found on the table card marking their seating area. (Photo via Baron Cards, Mississauga)

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Place Cards

Once guests have located their table via the table card, they can find their seat with the help of a place card. (Photo via Calgary, Alberta's The Uncommon Bride)

Menu Cards

Menu cards list all courses of the meal, including dessert as well as coffee and tea. (Photo via Milestone Moments in Toronto)

Thank-You Cards

Thank You cards may be mailed to guests within three months after the wedding. (Photo via Calgary's With Your Touch)

Also check out: The stationary mix-and-match chart

by A Timeless Celebration

To see how all this works, check out this article:

• Featured: DIY Wedding Invitations by Timeless Celebration