Wedding Stationery: Your Questions Answered

Wedding stationery doesn’t always just stop at the invitations. Depending on the type of wedding you’re having, there may be enclosures that go along with the invitation, or cards that need to be sent before the actual invitation goes out.
 
Here are some commonly asked questions:
 
 
 
What are “Save-the-date” cards?
 
These are precursors to the wedding invitations. Save-the-date cards are usually for the benefit of out of town guests who need to know the wedding date well in advance. These cards can also be used if the wedding will take place on a public holiday or holiday weekend, to ensure that guests have enough notice and can reserve the date to attend the wedding.
 
 
 
What should we include along with the invitation?
 
You can enclose:
 
1. A reception card, which states the date, time and venue of the reception. If you prefer not to use a reception card, you can include your reception information onto your wedding invitation.
 
2. A ceremony card is used when only a few guests are invited to the ceremony but all are invited to the reception.
 
3. If either the wedding or the reception is held at a location which is far away from where the majority of the guests live or if it is a new or unusual location, it is a good idea to enclose a small map with the invitation.
 
4. For formal weddings, it is appropriate to include a response card. This is a small, stamped and pre-addressed card which guests fill out and post to the bride and groom, to indicate whether they would be attending or not.
 
5. Registry card.
 
 
 
Who gets an invitation to the rehearsal dinner?
 
If you’re having a large or formal rehearsal dinner, invitations are a wonderful way to herald the news. Traditionally, invitees include the members of the wedding party and their significant others, any children in the wedding, their parents and the family of the bride and groom.
 
 
 
What format should the wedding program follow?
 
Think of it as a ceremony guide for your guests. Your wedding program can be an outline of your ceremony, listing the readings, poems and music you’ve selected. 
 
It can also be an itinerary that lists and explains religious or cultural aspects of the ceremony in chronological order.
 
Many brides and grooms also use programs to introduce members of the bridal party and to talk about the role they’ve played in their lives.
 
Whatever you decide to include in your program, be sure to order extras to keep as mementos.
 
 
 
Do we really need to send out “thank you cards”?
 
As a rule of thumb, thank you cards should be sent within one month of the wedding.
 
Once any pre-wedding gifts are received, thank you cards should be sent immediately. Monetary gifts should also be followed up with a thank you card as well.