Wedding Stationery Basics

Your stationery is a way to set your wedding apart from all others. The invitation sets the tone for the festivities to come, announces a couple’s new life and reveals their personal style. Yes, it tells guests where to be, when to be there and what to wear but, most of all, it lets your guests know how important it is to have them at one of the most meaningful events in your life.

While most people know the invitation is important, most couples-to-be have never purchased fine stationery before and have no idea where to start, often asking the same three questions.

How many invitations do I need?

You’re expecting 150 guests but that doesn’t mean you should order 150 invitations. Think about your guest list in terms of couples, families and individuals and that’s your number. Each couple and family will get one invitation. Individuals and guests who are invited with a date also receive one each. Then add 25. It is always better to have a few extras since it is expensive to order reprints later. For a guest list of 150, I usually recommend orders of 85 to 100 invitations.

When should I mail my save-the-date cards? What about the invitations?

As exciting as it is to be planning a wedding, save-the-dates should not be sent until after the guest list has been finalized, since everyone who receives a save-the-date should also get an invitation to the wedding. Save-the-dates generally get mailed six to eight months before your wedding date. Send them a year in advance if your wedding is near or on a major holiday or requires extended travel for your guests.

Wedding invitations should be mailed four to six weeks before the wedding. For summer and holiday weddings, it’s better to mail them at least eight weeks before to allow guests to make appropriate travel plans. If you send save-the-dates, there’s no need to rush the invitation. Guests make up their minds pretty soon after they receive them. And if you mail the invitation too early, guests may procrastinate on returning their RSVPs or end up forgetting them altogether.

How much should we budget for our wedding stationery?

The amount you actually spend will depend on the type of wedding you are having and the style of invitation you want. As a general guide, be prepared to spend at least 3-5% of your overall wedding budget on paper products. For couples planning luxury weddings, the average spent goes up to about 8-10%. Cost varies based on the quality of the invitation ensemble, the printing method used, the number of enclosures, and the quantity ordered. Don’t be afraid to be really honest with your stationer about your budget. If you don’t want your invitations and accoutrements to cost more than your dress, for example, speak up. There are unlimited options and your stationer should be able to help you find what fits your wedding and your budget.

invitation images: adeaux Bespoke Bridal Paper

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