Wedding Stationary: What you actually need (and what couples always forget)
When people hear “wedding stationary” they think of one thing: invitations. But the truth? That’s just the beginning!
We recently sat down with Michelle, owner of Rella Event Stationary, and it quickly became clear that stationary isn't just about pretty paper and it’s one of the biggest factors in how smoothly your wedding day actually runs. So if you’re planning your wedding and wondering what you really need (and what’s just nice to have), here’s everything you should know.
Your wedding stationery journey starts earlier than you think
Most couples don’t realise that stationery starts long before invitations even enter the chat. Once you’ve secured your date, your first step is usually save the dates, especially is you’re getting married during peak times like school holidays or bank holidays. People book trips early now, and if you don’t give them a heads up, you risk loosing key guests before you’ve even sent an invite. From there, your stationery flows in stages:
Save the dates
Invitations
On the day stationery
And it’s that final stage that couples massively underestimate.
The 5 Must have wedding stationery items
If you strip everything back to the essentials, there are five pieces of stationery that genuinely make a difference to your day:
Table plan
Place cards
Menus
Table numbers
Reserved seating signs
These aren’t just decorative, they’re functional. They keep your day organised, avoid confusion, and crucially prevent awkward moments… like guests sitting in the wrong seats. Everything else? It’s a bonus!
The “Nice to have” extras (That couples love)
Once your essentials are covered, this is where you can start adding personality. some of the most popular additions right now include:
Welcome signs
Order of the day signage
QR code photo sharing signs
That last one is a game changer. Instead of chasing guests for photos after the wedding, couples are now using QR codes placed around the venue so guests can upload pictures instantly. It’s simple, modern and actually useful, which is exactly what good stationery should be!
DIY vs Professional stationery
This question came up a lot, especially with tools like Canva making DIY more accessible. And yes, you can design your own invitations. But here’s what most couples don’t factor in:
Print settings and colour accuracy
Card types and thickness
Professional finishing (Foiling, embossing, layering)
Time (A LOT of time)
Designing something on screen is one thing. Turning it into a polished, physical product is another. Add in the hours spent assembling, fixing mistakes, and reprinting… and suddenly “Saving money” doesn’t always feel like it!
Timing is everything (and where most couples go wrong)
If there’s one piece of advice that came up again and again, its this…
Work backwards from your venues final numbers deadline.
Your RSVP date should be at least a month before that deadline. Why? Because you’ll need time to:
Chase guests who haven’t replied
Finalise your table plan
Confirm dietary requirements
Without that buffer you end up stresses and your venue ends up chasing you while you’re still chasing your guests!
When to send wedding invitations
As a general rule:
Save the dates 12-18months before
Invitations 6-8 months before
One th day staionery 5-6 weeks before
And one big tip… don’t send out invites over Christmas!
They get lost in the chaos, put to one side an forgotten which ultimately result sin more chasing later down the line!
Wedding stationery isn’t just about how things look, it’s about how your day flows. Done well, it keeps everything organised, elevates your styling and creates a seamless experience for your guests! Done poorly or left to late and it becomes one of the biggest stress points during your planning. So wether you go fully bespoke or keep things simple, the key is this…
Plan early
Prioritise the essentials
Make sure everything works together!
Because the little details, really pull everything together!
Love from Totally Absolutely Engaged x