With the Help of the "Perfect Wedding Guide", I have compiled a huge array of wedding stationery options, from Save-the-Dates to Thank you Cards, and everything in between. You can pick and choose the different options that work best for you and your wedding needs:
Address Change Card
Address cards give everyone your new address, your "new" name, and can include the expected return date from your honeymoon. They can be included an announcement, sent separately after your wedding, or be added as part of your ceremony program or reception event cards.
Bridal Stationery
Stationery with your maiden name or initials used to write thank you notes for engagement, shower and wedding gifts you get prior to the wedding.
Bridesmaid Luncheon Invitation
Some brides host a luncheon/get together to honor their bridesmaids prior to the wedding. Invitations are sent a few weeks ahead of time. You can give your gifts to the attendants at the luncheon or wait for the rehearsal dinner.
Envelope Options:
Envelope Liner
Liners can add elegance to your invitation. They’re attached to the inside of the envelope and can be any color or pattern.
Envelope Seals
Envelope seals add a decorative touch to your envelopes. The most common variations are adhesive stickers and stamped sealing wax. Stickers are available in a wide variety of shapes and designs, while sealing wax come in a range of colors.
Inner Invitation Envelope
Originally, when invitations traveled via Pony Express, the outer envelope were nearly completely destroyed in the mailing process. A servant would remove the outer envelope to reveal a clean, nice inner envelope and delve the nicer envelope to their master. They are completely optional and designed to protect the invitation. All that’s written on them is the title and name of the invited guest or guests and it is left unsealed. It holds the invitation, response card, response card envelope and other necessary insert cards.
Outer Invitation Envelope
The outer envelope is handwritten and has the full name and address of the invited guest or guests, with postage affixed.
Map Card
One way to make sure your guests get where you want them in time is to include a map card with your wedding invitation. Consider having extra map cards printed for your ushers to hand out at the ceremony if your reception is at a different site.
Menu/Schedule of Events Card
These can be placed on the reception tables to inform your guests of their meal and/or the schedule of the events for the evening, so they do not leave prior to special moments of the night.
Place Card
If you have assigned seating at your reception, put a place card at each table setting with the guest's name or they can be set up at the entrance with each guest's name and their appropriate table number. Another option is a seating map, with the names of guests listed on or below each table.
Reception Card
If your ceremony and reception are at different sites, reception cards can be included with the invitation along with a map to ease your guests' journey from the ceremony site to the reception.
Rehearsal Dinner Invitation
Invitations to the rehearsal dinner are optional, depending on its formality. Alternatives include notification by telephone, e-mail or word of mouth.
Response Card, also known as the RSVP
Enclosed with your wedding invitation, response cards are used by your guests to indicate whether or not they will attend. The response envelope should be pre-addressed and have postage already affixed.
Save-the-Date Card or Letter
Send these informal notices several months before your wedding to alert guests of the date so that they can make travel plans.
Thank-You Note
Thank you notes can be written up to a year after the wedding, but honestly, you should attempt to write all your thank yous for gifts and your guests' attendance with in a month or two of the wedding.
Wedding Announcement
Usually mailed a day or two after the celebration, it contains your names and where and when you were married. Best when used with a small destination wedding. In the case of a large wedding, an announcement in the paper is completely appropriate.
Wedding Invitation
The invitation contains the your and his full names, time and date, and the wedding location.
Wedding Program
A wedding program outlines the ceremony in chronological order. Programs also can introduce members of the wedding party or explain any cultural or religious elements you include in the ceremony.