Inspired by Script: Getting through the minefield of Wedding Invitations & Stationery, while still keeping your sanity!

So, you've booked a date for the big day and there's tons to think about! It's easy to feel overwhelmed and confused, especially as you've never done this before right?

Don't worry! I've composed this Wedding Stationery Check List, to help you decide what you need, what's important, what's not and what is right for you depending on your budget and the type of Wedding you have planned.

Don't forget: ALL our help and advice is FREE and we are only too happy to offer help and advice to any Bride who needs it. CALL 01609 776 866 during opening hours.

I composed this list to give out to my visiting Brides both at the Studio and at Wedding Fairs.

NOTE TO READERS: If you find this list useful, whether you are a Bride to be or a fellow Wedding Business supplier, please feel free to share via Facebook, tweet, blog or any other means. Sharing is caring :-)

Ok... let's get down to that list!

MUST HAVES

Day Invitations & Evening Invitations

Of course.... these are a MUST. Remember when ordering to order 1 per couple or family!
This may sound like common sense, but it's amazing how many couples come to me for their stationery and ask for one per person :-)

Seating Plan

If you are having a simple buffet, there is no need for a seating plan and if you want people to mingle, this sign is a great idea!

However.... whether this would work in 'real life' is anyones guess I feel :-)

HOT TIP if you are having problems working out your seating plan This post has a great idea using Post It Notes!STEPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL SEATING PLAN

Place Cards

As a trained Calligrapher with over 25 years experience, this is one of the most pleasurable jobs I get to do. I find it calming and relaxing and dare I say it NON TAXING and almost meditative :-) People LOVE to see their names written in beautiful calligraphy. You can always of course print them on the computer, but the effect is never quite the same :-)

Table Names or Numbers

NICE BUT NOT ESSENTIAL

Save the Date Cards

These are a modern day phenomena. I'm not dismissing anyone who wants to send these out, but unless your Wedding is going to be abroad and people need plenty of notice to save up to come to your destination wedding, I really don't see the point. Save the dates are sent out to inform the guests that a date has been set but not where or what time and from my experience they are sent out over a year in advance.

If any Bride reading this has sent out SAVE THE DAY CARDS, would you share with me why you did? I'd love to know :-)

R.S.V.P.

Most Brides I have worked with this year so far have chosen to add RSVP cards to their orders. I think this is a fab idea as it (hopefully) promotes a quick response. All the people invited to the Wedding have to do is check a box and post back.... simple :-)
Money not gifts request card

Menu

This is a personal choice thing and definitely not necessary as the menu is already set. BUT if you want your menu's to help create a look and a feel and blend with the centre table decoration, they can enhance to 'look'.

Order of Service

Order of Service are more common for couples who are having a Church Wedding. These also make lovely keepsakes of the couples choice of Hymns and Prayers.

Post Box

To be honest, I'd never even heard of a WEDDING POST BOX 2 years ago and was more than a little perplexed by why people would even want one. Then I read a post which mentioned that as the majority of couples already living together first these day, many of the cards contained money..... fair comment.... but then I read on some forums that it's more than a little common for these cards to go missing and even (horror of horrors) STOLEN, while the Bridal Party were out having their photos taken!

I was asked by a Bride if I could make one.... and the rest as they say is history!
I would advice that if you don't have a Wedding Post Box (and you can make your own if you are on a tight budget) that you at least prepare somewhere safe to put your cards.

Wishing Tree / Guest Book

The Guest Book is pretty self explanatory. I've always found guest books, whether used for a Wedding, Birthday or other special occasion a bit of a pain in the bum. Guests get distracted, feel that the big white page is too intimidating and very often someone has to have the responsibility of personally going round and asking people to sign it and make sure it's passed along and kept moving.

Far better, in my opinion is the Wishing Tree and tag idea. People find the idea of writing on a little card and then tying it to some branches or a Wishing Tree somehow a bit magical and are far more likely to do this than sign a book. Afterwards the tags can be taken off and stored in a box.

Thank You Cards