When it comes time to plan your wedding, you may be tempted to skip over all of the details and jump right into the fun stuff. We get it, you want to do everything, but you also want to be sure that you won't forget anything.
That's why we've put together this handy breakdown of wedding stationery tips, trends and terms. From the coolest new designs to what exactly makes up a suite, we've got everything in here so your guests know the who, what and where of your very special day.
Let's start with the basics…
What is a wedding invitation suite?
A wedding invitation suite is a group of paper products that go along with your wedding invitations. This can include things like save-the-dates, RSVP cards and thank-you notes.
Often, when couples are shopping for stationery, they use the terms “invitation suite” and “stationery” interchangeably in their search.
Technically speaking, though, stationery is a larger umbrella term that includes gifts like notepads or notebooks as well as other small stationery items.
What Goes on Your Wedding Website vs. Invitation Suite
For the most part, you'll want to stick with imperative details, things like the date and time of the wedding on your invites.
Your website should be used for all your information, though, including directions (on maps), instructions for how to RSVP or add guests (on your online guest list), and instructions for how to dress (e.g., "dress code: formal").
If you're having an adults-only event, that information should be written solely on your site and addressed only to the invited guests, the guests who are getting the invite and coming to the party.
Other than that? Just do what feels right to you! In our experience (and again, this is just our opinion), wedding invitations are generally saved for special occasions so they can stand out against other mail in the pile (like bills!), so we think it's totally fine to keep them simple and spare if you want them that way.
What should you consider when choosing a theme and font?
Have you ever received an invitation that was a little too busy to read? Here are some tips to help make any printed piece more readable:
Choose a font that is easy to read at smaller sizes and one that can be easily enlarged. Your favourite typeface (The Oxford Times ) will do just fine for most invitations, but if you're having trouble deciphering tiny print, consider using Comic Sans as a last resort. Stick with fonts like Times Roman or Georgia for replies and save Garamond for expensive invitations.
Your wedding stationery should also coordinate with the theme, colours and feel of your special day. There are several things to consider when choosing a colour scheme, including:
The flowers you'll be using
The colours of your wedding cake
The colour of your wedding venue
Consider colour matching for your wedding invitations and reply cards. To guarantee easy reading at any size, avoid colours like red, orange or yellow. And remember: black text on white backgrounds looks cheap! Try choosing cream paper or ivory paper if you want to match your invites with other stationery items like fancy envelopes or favours.
On the other hand, finding a striking contrast between colours is also useful in making invitations look extra special; pastels (pink, lilac) are popular choices here because they don't distract too much from letter formation while still being eye-catching enough to grab attention.
Conclusion.
Your invitations are an important part of your wedding, and they should communicate your unique style and be beautiful. When you start planning your stationery there are a few things to consider:
Your budget
Your theme/style (colours, flowers, etc.)
The formality of the event (whether it is semi-formal or black tie)
All of this information helps you and your stationer pick the perfect papers for you. There are so many options available for paper and printing methods, so take full advantage of what's out there! It can be easy to get overwhelmed with all the decisions that go into designing your wedding stationery suite, so it’s helpful to have a professional guide you through the process.