In wedding planning, every detail contributes to creating an unforgettable experience. Wedding stationery, in particular, plays a crucial role. It’s more than just paper and ink; it’s the visual and tactile representation of your wedding’s theme, style, and personality. It communicates essential information and sets the mood for your guests. Here, we explore how exactly stationery helps create a cohesive and stunning wedding day and provide additional useful information related to wedding stationery.
In This Article
How Wedding Stationery Creates a Cohesive Feel
Setting the Tone
Your wedding invitation stationery is the first glimpse your guests will have of your special day. It sets the tone and gives them a hint of what to expect. A formal, elegant invitation on heavy cardstock with traditional calligraphy suggests a sophisticated, black-tie affair. In contrast, a whimsical, colorful invite with playful fonts might hint at a fun, casual celebration. By carefully choosing design elements, colors, and typography that reflect your wedding theme, you create a seamless flow that guides your guests through your wedding journey, building a cohesive aesthetic from the moment the invitation is opened.
Stationery: Papier June, Photo: Laura Gordon
Emphasizing the Color Palette
One of the most effective ways to ensure a cohesive wedding aesthetic is through a consistent color palette. Your wedding stationery can beautifully incorporate your chosen colors, weaving them through various elements like invitations, place cards, menus, and even custom postage stamps. By consistently using your wedding colors across all stationery, you reinforce the theme and aesthetic, ensuring that everything from the flowers to the table linens feels harmoniously aligned.
For example, Sarah and Liam chose to have a destination wedding at a colorful hotel in Baja California. The couple wanted to infuse their wedding stationery with vibrant colors and cactus elements, creating a “party in an envelope.” They aimed for their stationery to spark excitement for their three-day wedding festivities while maintaining a sophisticated feel. Their stationery, crafted by Papier June, included all the colors used in their wedding—orange, green, pink, and white.
Stationery: Papier June, Photo: Los Ébano
Enhancing Theme, Style, and Location
Aligning your stationery with your wedding theme reinforces the overall style and ambiance, making every element feel intentional and connected. Whether you’re planning a rustic barn wedding, a glamorous ballroom affair, or a beachside celebration, your stationery should reflect the theme and style of your wedding. Consider incorporating earthy tones and natural textures like kraft paper and twine for a rustic wedding. For a glamorous event, opt for metallic accents and luxurious materials. Beachside weddings might feature watercolor designs and seashell motifs, just like the editorial below.
This shoot, held in Ibiza, was inspired by inclusivity, minimalism, and a subtle beach aesthetic. The idea for the stationery was to create a monochromatic invitation suite and menus that would blend with the villa’s white walls and the bride and groom’s attire. An iridescent wax seal made from a real shell, the use of translucent paper, and the deckled edges of the handmade paper were key design touches that alluded to the Spanish island.
Stationery: Papier June, Photo: Elise Morgan
Carly and Christopher opted for an intimate wedding with their closest family members and friends in Big Sur, California. The ceremony took place among the magnificent red sequoias, surrounded by the cool tones of the Pacific Ocean. Axelle of Papier June beautifully captured their surroundings’ organic feel and simplicity in their wedding stationery. The way the bark of the trees, the roughness of the earth and cliffs, the waves of the ocean, and the fabric of the dress were woven into these minimalist cards and envelopes is striking.
Stationery: Papier June, Photo: Taylor Woodbury
Adding Personal Touches
Your wedding stationery offers a wonderful opportunity to infuse personal touches. Incorporate elements that are meaningful to you as a couple—perhaps a monogram, a favorite quote, or a custom illustration of your pet. These personal details not only enhance the aesthetic but also make your wedding stationery uniquely yours.
Jess and Malcolm wanted to feature the mushroom into their wedding aesthetic in a creative way. They enlisted Axelle, the stationery designer of Papier June, and Jessica Sloane, the event designer, to bring their vision to life. Axelle embossed intricate mushroom patterns on the welcome dinner invitations and enclosure cards made from handcrafted paper. Jessica used mushrooms as part of the centerpieces and as decorative items with mirrored surfaces like disco balls, adding a whimsical touch.
Wedding Stationery List
Before ordering your stationery, it’s wise to create a list of everything you’ll need for your big day. Take a look at our detailed wedding stationery list below.
Pre-wedding
Save-the-Dates
Sent well in advance, typically five to twelve months before the wedding, save-the-dates give your guests a heads-up about your wedding date and location. This early notice ensures they can mark their calendars and make necessary arrangements. Including your wedding website is a great way to provide extra details like accommodation options, travel tips, and your gift registry.
Engagement Party Invitations
If you’re hosting an engagement party, these invitations should be at the top of your list. They help build excitement and anticipation for the upcoming wedding.
Bridal Shower, Bachelor, and Bachelorette Party Invitations
For those planning these events, these invitations add a fun and personal touch, setting the stage for memorable pre-wedding celebrations. The invite should feature the location, date, time, theme, and dress code, if applicable.
The Wedding Invitation Suite
Invitations
The main card for the main event! It should contain more detailed information than the save-the-date, such as the couple’s names, the hosts’ names, the date, time, location, venue name, dress code, gift information, and whether plus ones or children are welcome. And, sure, choose a design that reflects your wedding style, whether formal, casual, modern, or vintage.
RSVP Cards
These cards help you track who will be attending so you can plan accordingly. Sometimes, guests are directed to RSVP via email or a website. Otherwise, the cards should be sent with a pre-stamped envelope, making it easy for guests to respond.
Reception Cards
If your reception is at a different location from the ceremony, include these cards to ensure guests know where to go and when. Share the exact time, name, and address of the venue.
Maps/Itinerary Cards
Help your guests find their way with a custom map or clear directions. It is especially helpful if your venue is off the beaten path or remote. You can also include this information on your wedding website.
Accommodations Cards
Provide information on hotel room blocks and nearby lodging options, making it easier for out-of-town guests to plan their stay. This information can also be included on your website.
Outer & Inner Envelopes
If you’re going for a complete invitation suite that stands out, it should include an inner and outer envelope. The outer envelope should have the recipient’s address on the front and postage stamps in the upper right-hand corner. The inner envelope should include the title and last name of the invitees.
Wax Seals and Belly Bands
They are not mandatory but can be used to tie your whole aesthetic together.
Extras include rehearsal dinner, welcome dinner, and farewell brunch invitations.
Stationery: Papier June, Photo: Laura Gordon
Wedding Day
Ceremony Programs
Programs give guests a rundown of the ceremony and introduce the wedding party. They help guests follow along and feel more connected to the proceedings.
Menu Cards
Display the delicious options your guests can expect at the reception. Menu cards add a touch of elegance and let guests know what’s being served.
Place Cards
Stylish place cards guide guests to their assigned seats, ensuring everyone knows where they’re sitting and helping organize the reception.
Escort Cards
Escort cards are often used in conjunction with place cards to direct guests to their tables. They’re typically displayed at the reception area’s entrance.
Table Numbers
Clearly mark each table with stylish numbers that fit your wedding theme. It helps guests find their seats quickly.
Signage
Welcome signs, directional signs, and other informative or decorative signage enhance the overall aesthetic and help guide your guests.
Guest Book
A guest book is a place for guests to leave their well wishes and advice. It is a beautiful keepsake that you can cherish for years to come.
Cocktail Napkins & Signs
Cocktail napkins and bar signs are essential for adding a personal touch to your wedding reception. They enhance the decor, provide a cohesive look, and can include fun messages or details about the couple’s favorite drinks or include their pet’s image, for instance. Plus, they offer practical information to guests, such as signature cocktails and bar etiquette.
Favor Tags
Custom tags can include your names, wedding date, and a thank you message.
Thank-You Cards
Show appreciation to your guests for their presence and gifts. Sending thank you cards after the wedding is a thoughtful gesture that lets your guests know how much you appreciate them.
Tips for Choosing Your Wedding Stationery
Start Early: Begin planning your stationery as soon as you have your wedding theme and color palette. It will give you ample time to collaborate with your designer and make necessary adjustments.
Set a Budget: Quality stationery can be an investment. Decide on a budget early on and focus on the pieces that are most important to you.
Hire a Professional: A professional stationery designer can bring your vision to life and ensure all elements are cohesive and high-quality.
Think About the Details: Don’t forget about the little things—envelope liners, wax seals, and custom stamps can add an extra touch of elegance.
Stationery: Papier June, Photo: James x Schulze
Wedding stationery is an important component in creating a cohesive and memorable wedding aesthetic. By thoughtfully designing each piece to reflect your theme and style, you create a consistent and beautiful narrative throughout your special day, from the first save-the-date to the final thank you card. Embrace the power of well-designed stationery to make your wedding day an unforgettable experience.
