Deborah Chan
Wedding stationery is an essential part of wedding planning. It includes printed materials such as invitations, save-the-date cards, thank-you notes, and more. To create your own wedding stationery, you can use online platforms such as Canva, which offers editable templates, fonts, and graphics. You can also order DIY wedding stationery kits from companies like Cards & Pockets, which provide the materials needed to create your own invitations and other stationery items. When designing your wedding stationery, it's important to set a budget, establish a timeline, choose a theme and color scheme, and select the specific stationery items you'll need.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of cards in a traditional wedding invitation suite | 5 |
| What the cards in a wedding invitation suite could include | The invitation card, RSVP card, "Details" card, rehearsal dinner invitation-combined-with-RSVP, and an envelope |
| What to include on the invitation card | Names, date, time, location, and dress code information |
| When to send "Save the Date" cards | One year in advance |
| Information to include on "Save the Date" cards | Full names, city, wedding date, and that a formal invitation will follow |
| Additional paper goods that can be included | Accommodation cards, table name cards, thank you cards, and menus |
| How to design wedding stationery | Use a platform such as Canva, Paperless Post, or Vistaprint, or create your own design and source paper and printing services |
| How to save time and money when designing wedding stationery | Use a platform with templates, such as Canva, and apply your design across different stationery sizes |
| How to print wedding stationery | Print directly from the platform, such as Canva, or source a printing service |
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What You'll Learn
- Choosing a kit: Opt for a free sample kit to explore options and decide on a style
- Customising: Use templates, fonts and graphics to personalise your kit
- Printing: Select paper stock, quantity and proof your design
- Timeline: Create a schedule for sending out each piece of stationery
- Budgeting: Set a budget and factor in costs for design, printing and addressing
Choosing a kit: Opt for a free sample kit to explore options and decide on a style
Wedding stationery is an essential part of wedding planning. It includes all the paper goods, from the invitations to the thank-you cards, that you will need before, during, and after your wedding.
To get a sense of the different options available and decide on a style, it is a good idea to order a free sample kit. VistaPrint, for example, offers a free wedding stationery sample kit that includes 10 or 11 individual stationery samples. These samples showcase a variety of trims, finishes, and styles, as well as different paper stocks and finishes, ranging from smooth matte to lightly textured linen. This allows you to see and feel the quality of the paper and decide which option suits your wedding aesthetic or "brand identity" best.
Other companies, such as WeddingWire, also offer free invitation samples that can be personalised with your wedding details. These samples usually include colour charts, envelopes, and a stationery timeline.
By ordering these free kits, you can explore different options, get inspiration, and make more informed decisions about the style and design of your wedding stationery. This can also help you stay organised and on budget.
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Customising: Use templates, fonts and graphics to personalise your kit
Customising your wedding stationery kit is a fun and creative process. You can use templates, fonts and graphics to personalise your kit and make it unique to your wedding. Here are some tips to help you get started:
Choose a Template
Start by selecting a template that resonates with your style and wedding theme. There are many online platforms, such as Canva and VistaPrint, that offer a wide range of free and premium editable wedding invitation templates. You can choose from various styles, including minimalist, rustic, vintage, floral, and more. Pick a template that you can easily personalise and edit to match your vision.
Customise with Fonts
Fonts play a significant role in the overall aesthetic of your wedding stationery. Consider choosing 2-3 fonts that complement each other and reflect your wedding style. For a modern wedding, you might opt for sans-serif fonts, while serif fonts are more traditional. Calligraphy and display fonts can be used for titles, adding a touch of elegance. Explore different font combinations and experiment with the various font options available on platforms like Canva.
Add Personal Graphics
Incorporate personal graphics or illustrations to make your wedding stationery truly unique. You can include a custom illustration of your wedding venue, a photo of you and your partner, or even your pet! These personal touches will make your stationery more meaningful and memorable. You can also use graphic design elements, such as your wedding colour palette, monogram, or logo, to create a cohesive look across all your stationery items.
Maintain Consistency
When customising your wedding stationery kit, it's essential to maintain consistency across all items. This includes using the same fonts, colours, and design elements throughout your invitations, RSVP cards, thank you cards, and any other stationery pieces. Consistency creates a polished and coordinated look that reflects your wedding theme and personal style.
Proofread and Finalise
Before finalising your design, take the time to proofread your work and get a second pair of eyes to check for any errors. Ask for input on your colour palette, font choices, and overall design. This step ensures that your wedding stationery is not only aesthetically pleasing but also free of any spelling or grammatical mistakes.
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Printing: Select paper stock, quantity and proof your design
When it comes to printing your wedding stationery, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind: paper stock, quantity, and proofing your design. Firstly, selecting the right paper stock for your wedding stationery is crucial. The weight of the paper, or cardstock, is typically measured in pounds, and it can range from 45# to 300# or higher. Thicker cardstock, generally starting at 100#, is recommended for a more luxurious look and feel, especially if you're printing the invitations yourself. However, thicker cardstock may be more expensive and may not be compatible with all printers, so it's important to consider your budget and printing method. Some printers may also have specific requirements, such as printing on standard-sized sheets and trimming them down later.
When choosing the quantity of wedding stationery to order, it's essential to first determine your exact requirements, including the number of invitations, save-the-date cards, thank you cards, and any other stationery items you plan to include. Finalising your guest list and gathering addresses early on will help ensure you order the correct number of invitations. Sending out save-the-date cards and invitations in a timely manner, typically 6-8 months and 2-4 months before the wedding, respectively, is also crucial for accurate quantity estimation.
To ensure your design prints perfectly, it's important to proof your design before finalising the printing process. This includes checking for any errors or inconsistencies and ensuring that all relevant details, such as guest names, postal addresses, and confirmed wording, are accurate and up to date. You may also want to consider resizing your design to fit different stationery sizes or custom dimensions, which can be easily done using specific tools or features provided by some printing platforms.
Finally, when selecting a printing service, it's worth looking into their guidance and support. Some services offer step-by-step guidance to ensure your design prints perfectly, while others may provide tips and inspiration to help you create a cohesive design aesthetic across your wedding stationery. By carefully considering these printing aspects, you can ensure that your wedding stationery is not only visually appealing but also accurately represents your wedding plans and personal style.
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Timeline: Create a schedule for sending out each piece of stationery
Planning a wedding can be stressful, but creating a schedule for sending out your wedding stationery can help you stay organised. Here is a suggested timeline to help you create your own schedule:
Save the Dates
The first step is to send out "Save the Dates" to your guests. This will ensure they keep your wedding day free and give them enough time to plan, especially if they need to travel. It is recommended to send these out around 6-12 months in advance, and for destination weddings, it is best to send them at least 8 months in advance.
Wedding Invitations
The next step is to send out your formal wedding invitations. This should be done 2-4 months before the wedding. Sending them out earlier will give you more time to send out additional invitations and finalise the headcount. It is also important to consider any potential delays in the mail.
RSVP Deadline
When sending out your invitations, be sure to include an RSVP deadline. This should be set for around 2-3 weeks before the wedding. This will give you enough time to finalise numbers with your vendors and create a seating chart.
Thank You Cards
After the wedding, it is customary to send out thank you cards to your guests. It is recommended to send these within 4-6 weeks after the wedding, or within 3 months of receiving a gift. This is a nice way to show your appreciation and avoid offending any guests who may feel forgotten.
Remember, this timeline can be adjusted to suit your specific needs and the size of your guest list. It is also important to allow enough time for designing and ordering your stationery, especially if you are creating custom designs or using calligraphy services.
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Budgeting: Set a budget and factor in costs for design, printing and addressing
Wedding stationery can be expensive, so it's important to set a budget and stick to it. The first step is to decide how much you want to spend in total on your wedding stationery, including design, printing, and addressing. This will depend on your overall wedding budget. Experts recommend setting aside 4-6% of your total wedding budget for stationery, including Save the Dates, the Invitation suite, and Postage. If you have a small budget, digital printing is the most budget-friendly option. This involves setting up a file on a computer and printing it, without the need to manually mix ink.
The cost of wedding stationery can vary widely, depending on the paper, colors, printing methods, and accents you choose. The number of invitations you need will also impact the cost. If you're planning a small wedding with 80 guests, it will cost less than a larger event with 400 guests. However, you may get a price break for higher quantities. For example, 50 invitations may cost $5 per set, while printing 300 may only cost $3 per set. It's a good idea to order about 10 more invitations than you need to account for last-minute guest list additions and to keep some as keepsakes.
The way the invitation is printed is the largest factor influencing the cost. Printing methods such as offset printing, thermography, letterpress, and engraving are more expensive than digital printing. The cost of engraving, for example, starts at $2,000 for 100 invitations. The number of colors used will also affect the price, with each additional color adding 25% to the cost. Accents such as foil stamping, envelope liners, and die-cut edges can also increase the price of your wedding invitations.
When budgeting for wedding stationery, consider all the items you will need, including Save the Dates, invitations, RSVP cards, Thank You cards, and Day-of Pieces like menus, programs, and escort cards. You can also create matching items such as favor tags, coasters, and napkins. Don't forget to factor in postage costs for RSVP return envelopes. To stay within your budget, make a list of all the items you need and their estimated costs before placing your order.
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Frequently asked questions
Wedding stationery kits can include save-the-date cards, wedding invitations, RSVP cards, thank you cards, menus, table name cards, and accommodation cards. You can also include details cards, which provide additional information for your guests.
You can design your wedding stationery using a variety of apps and platforms, such as Canva, Paperless Post, and Vistaprint. These platforms offer customizable templates, fonts, graphics, and colours to suit your wedding style and theme.
When choosing a wedding stationery kit, consider your budget, timeline, and desired theme or colour scheme. Decide which stationery items you need and whether you want to include additional items such as handmade paper, deckled edges, or stamps on vellum. You can also order free samples from some providers to help you decide.
