A Guide to Your Wedding Paper Goods Checklist

The wedding invitation is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to your paper goods.

Wedding stationery serves two major purposes, besides providing logical information about your day from the date, time, and location, it also gives your guests clues about what they can anticipate from your wedding so they can get excited for what’s to come. Your paper goods are yet another opportunity to show off your personality and style as a couple.

All too often, most couples overlook the little stationery details such as save the dates, table numbers, welcome signage, and more! Below, we’ve provided a checklist of the paper goods you’ll most likely need for the duration of your engagement. These stationery items are an important and functional part of your wedding day and shouldn’t be neglected, since it’s these smaller details that really make a wedding shine!

Here is the guide to everything you will need:

Before the Wedding:

• Engagement Announcement/Party

The first introduction of your wedding festivities is if you are having an engagement party. This is your time to be creative with your paper goods.

• Save the Date

These are essential, especially for destination or out of town weddings, and are typically sent out 9-12 months before your big day! You can go as simple as a postcard or a full suite. Make sure to include your wedding website so guests can check regularly for updates.

• Wedding Invitation Suite

Paper wedding invitations feel special, literally. You’re starting your wedding celebration off with a tangible symbol of your love and commitment to each other. When guests receive a physical invitation, they know this celebration is special and more important than the slew of other things they likely have on their calendars. Things to include are an informational card that also contains your wedding website, reception information, directions or maps, and a Response card with a pre-addressed return envelope. 

Helpful TIP: Number the back of your response cards for easier tracking if a guest forgets to write their name or forgets to designate their meal choice or total number of guests. Finally, don’t forget to add postage to your response card.

For the Wedding:

• Decorative Signage

This is the first thing your guests will see when they arrive at your wedding. These are sweet and sentimental signs – entrance or welcome signs, quotes, sweet thoughts, informative signage, etc. that bedeck both your ceremony and reception. Make sure this signage is large enough for guests to see.

• Ceremony Program

These are not mandatory good, but they can be helpful if your vow exchange includes themes and practices that some guests may be unfamiliar with – especially for an interfaith or religious-based ceremony.

• Guest Book Signage

Should you so choose, you can display a traditional guest book, or even smaller guest cards, during the ceremony or cocktail hour.

• Escort Card/Place Card or Guest Seating Board

To start, the escort card or guest seating board is used to direct guests to their predetermined table and the place card is to assign a guest to a specific seat. Escort cards, especially when you’re not having a place card, also work as a name tag and gives guests the chance to get to know each other’s names. 

• Table Numbers

When you have assigned seating, table numbers are a must. This helps denote a table’s number clearly and visibly. Be creative when it comes to naming/numbering your tables. Name your tables after your favorite travel destinations, rides at Disneyland, or number your table after important dates in your relationship (ie. 1: The Day you met, 18: Wedding Day). We recommend a frame!

• Menu

The best way to greet your guests when they sit at their table is a beautiful menu card at each place setting. Whether it’s a plated meal, family-style, or a buffet, your guest will appreciate knowing what they will be dining. Your menu is also a great way to thank your guests for attending.

• Napkins

Whether a personalized message or quote on bar napkins or a Thank You message on dinner napkins at each place setting, this is a great way to add a customized and personalized touch to your wedding design.

• Bar Signage

To keep lines short at the bar, it’s great to have a sign or two at your bar describing what is available. We love signage that is creative. Think visually and create signage denoting your drinks and be colorful.

After the Wedding:

• Thank You Card

Last but certainly not least, your thank you cards are just as important as your invitations. It’s the final piece of your wedding stationery, and it helps your guest remember how much fun they had on your special day. Be sure to order these with your invitations or other stationery pieces so you will be ready to roll after opening those gifts!

The key to success when it comes to your wedding paper goods needs is to start early and that’s where we come in. We offer customized wedding invitations and other wedding paper good services.

Interested in looking further into how we can help with your wedding planning? Send us an email to see how we can help make your dream day come to life!