You’ve got the ring, secured the venue, and chosen the date for your big day… Now what? Well, it is time to start thinking about the stationery you’ll need for your wedding! Save-the-dates, wedding invitations, and ceremony programs are the essentials and set the tone for your whole day. Here at Hitch Studio, we are here to help you create the perfect stationery that fits your style and colors.
Save-The-Dates
The first thing you will want to do is announce your set wedding date. Letting your guests know six to nine months ahead of time is the traditional time period. This allows plenty of time for your friends and family to put your big day in their schedule, plan hotel accommodations, and flights if necessary.
It is important to keep your save-the-date stationery simple and to the point. Save-the-dates are meant to be an outline of details on your wedding day. No need to go into too many specifics here!
Here is what you should include:
- You and your fiancé’s first and last names
- The wedding date
- The venue and location
- The city and state it will be held
- This is the perfect place to use your engagement photos!
- You can also include your wedding website here so guests can stay updated on your details
- Whether you send your save the dates as a postcard or in an outer envelope, include your mailing address so they know how to correspond with cards, gifts, RSVPs and more.
Wedding Invitations
The next piece of stationery on your list to send is the actual wedding invitation. Wedding invitations should be sent out six to 10 weeks before the wedding. This allows all the details on your end to be set, while also ensuring your guests will have ample time to send back the included RSVP. The invitation should contain any and all information your guests will need before attending your wedding.
Here is what you should include:
- You and your fiancé’s names (I’d say about 50% include their middle names as well)
- The wedding date and time
- The ceremony venue and location
- The reception details
- Venue
- Times of social, dinner, dance
- What your guests can expect
- For example: Dancing, adult-only receptions, or dress code
- RSVP method (Some couples prefer wedding websites for RSVP’s, some prefer mailing back RSVPs, and others encourage a call or text for a personal touch.)
- Be sure to use great envelope etiquette when addressing the outer envelope of your wedding invitation. Find some great tips from Hitch Studio here.
- Want even more wedding etiquette tips? Buy our Wedding Day Designer to make sure you have everything covered.
Wedding Programs
A wedding program is the ultimate key to your ceremony. It lets your guests in on all the details. The wedding program should reflect the style and vibe you are aiming for with the rest of your wedding. Have fun with your programs while also making it original!
Here is what you should include:
- Names, time and date of ceremony
- Timeline and description of ceremony
- Order of Ceremony
- Songs
- Singers/instrumentalists
- Prayer or readings
- Speakers
- List wedding party attendants
- Include a few details on how you met them/how you are related
- Honored family and guests
- Thank you statement (optional, but very nice)
- In Memory statement (optional, but very nice to honor those who are watching from heaven)
- Anything else that requests participation from your guests
The samples shown below are of a Christian wedding, but adapt this to fit your style, religion, theme, and couple. Make sure it fits YOU as a couple!
Your Stationery Checklist Is Made. Now How Do I Design My Stationery?
Lucky for you, you can trust the Hitch Studio stationery experts! Our graphic designers will help you customize the perfect wording, design all of your stationery requests, and discuss pricing. We are here to help. Upon ordering, you will receive a free one-on-one appointment. We will show you all available stationery options and help you find your design inspiration. The options for design are truly endless. Unlike most commercial retailers, Hitch can assemble your stationery at a low additional cost and add unique touches such as thermography (raised print), spot gloss (super shiny ink) letterpress (ink deeply pressed into the paper), and foil stamping (metallic shiny spot colors)!
Don’t forget your Thank You notes after the wedding too! Hitch can design them so everything coordinates. We mean everything. We can design your cupcake flavor tents, your reserved signs, your seating chart…anything printed at your wedding can have the same style and look so it looks cohesive on your wedding day. We’ll make sure of it!
At Hitch Studio, we are here to take the stress and hassle of designing your stationery. We can ensure your save-the-dates, invitations, and programs will be personal and unique to you. You will not find the same attention to detail and ease when shopping online. Whatever your vision is, we are here to make it happen!
