A complete wedding stationery checklist covers three stages. Before the day: save the dates, invitations, details and RSVP cards, envelopes and finishing touches. On the day: signs, ceremony booklets, a table plan, table names, place cards and menus. After the day: thank you cards. Order invitations 4 to 6 months ahead and on-the-day pieces 6 to 8 weeks ahead.
At a glance
| Item | When to order | Quantity rule of thumb |
|---|---|---|
| Save the dates | 10 to 13 months before | One per household, plus about 10% spare |
| Invitations | 4 to 6 months before | One per household, plus about 10% spare |
| Details cards | With invitations | One per invitation |
| RSVP cards | With invitations | One per invitation |
| Envelopes | With invitations | One per invitation, plus extra for mistakes |
| Welcome sign | 6 to 8 weeks before | One |
| Order of the day sign | 6 to 8 weeks before | One |
| Mass booklets or order of service | 6 to 8 weeks before | About one per two guests, plus extras |
| Table plan | 6 to 8 weeks before, names after RSVPs | One (two for large rooms) |
| Table names or numbers | 6 to 8 weeks before | One per table, plus top table |
| Place cards | 6 to 8 weeks before, names after RSVPs | One per guest |
| Menus | 6 to 8 weeks before | One per guest, or one per table to share |
| Favour tags and stickers | 8 to 10 weeks before | One per favour, plus a few spare |
| Thank you cards | With invitations or after the wedding | One per household or gift |
What wedding stationery do you need before the day?
Pre-wedding stationery sets the tone for everything that follows. It tells guests what kind of day to expect long before they arrive.
Save the dates
Send 9 to 12 months before the wedding, or 12 months or more for destination and bank holiday weekend weddings. They are optional, but very helpful when guests need to travel. See our save the dates.
Invitations
The centrepiece of your stationery. Order 4 to 6 months before and send 8 to 12 weeks before the day. Choose from flat wedding invitations or a gatefold invitation that holds your details inside.
Details cards
A separate card for directions, accommodation, timings, transport or your wedding website. It keeps the invitation itself clean and elegant.
RSVP cards
An RSVP card with a clear reply-by date, usually 4 to 6 weeks before the wedding. Include space for dietary requirements and a song request if you like.
Envelopes, belly bands and wax seals
Envelopes protect the invitation and are the first thing guests see. A belly band (a paper band wrapped around the suite) holds several cards together neatly. Wax seals add a finishing touch and pair beautifully with textured papers and foil.
What wedding stationery do you need on the day?
On-the-day stationery guides guests from the moment they arrive until the last dance. It is also where your colour palette and finishes really show.
Welcome sign
A welcome sign at the entrance greets guests and confirms they are in the right place.
Order of the day sign
A simple timeline: ceremony, drinks reception, dinner, speeches, first dance. Guests love knowing when the food is coming.
Mass booklets or order of service
A booklet or card that guides guests through the ceremony. Our order of service works for church, civil and humanist ceremonies. Read our wedding mass booklet guide or the civil and humanist ceremony booklet guide for what to include.
Fans
An order of service fan is a practical alternative for summer and outdoor ceremonies.
Table plan
A seating chart shows guests where to sit. Our guide on how to do a wedding table plan covers layout and design.
Table names or numbers
Table name cards sit in the centre of each table so guests can find their seat quickly.
Place cards
Place name cards mark each guest's seat. They can double as escort cards or carry a small dietary symbol for your venue's team.
Menus
Printed menus let guests see what is coming and can be placed at each setting or shared one per table.
Bar menus
A small sign listing signature drinks, often named after the couple or a place that matters to you.
Favour tags and stickers
Personalised tags and stickers finish favours beautifully. Browse our personalised favours.
Napkins, coasters and matches
Printed napkins, coasters and matchboxes are small touches that guests notice and often take home.
What stationery do you need after the wedding?
Thank you cards are the final piece. Send them within about three months of the wedding. Many couples order thank you cards with their invitations so the design matches, while others wait and add a photograph from the day.
How many invitations do you need for a wedding?
You need one invitation per household, not per guest. A couple or family living together receives one invitation addressed to everyone invited. Add about 10% spare for late additions, keepsakes and the occasional mistake when addressing.
For place cards, count one per guest. For mass booklets, allow about one per two guests, as couples and families tend to share, plus extras for the celebrant, readers and musicians.
How long does wedding stationery take to make?
At Meridian Studio, every order begins with an enquiry and a tailored quote. Your first digital proof arrives within 2 to 4 working days. Once you approve the proof and pay in full, production times are:
- Invitations, save the dates, RSVP and thank you cards: dispatched within 7 working days.
- On-the-day stationery: 7 to 10 working days.
- Signage, embroidery, engraving and favours: 10 to 15 working days.
Read more on our how it works page, or see the full schedule in our wedding stationery timeline.
Which papers and finishes should you choose?
Choosing one paper and one finish for the whole suite makes everything feel connected. Silk 350gsm gives crisp colour; Uncoated 350gsm feels soft and natural; Tintoretto Gesso and Neve 300gsm are Italian textured stocks with real depth; and Old Mill 300gsm has a gentle, tactile surface. Compare them in our paper guide.
For finishes, choose from gold foil, rose gold or silver foil, embossing and debossing, or laser engraving for signs and keepsakes.
What can you leave off the list?
Not every wedding needs every item. For a small wedding, you might skip save the dates, use a single order of service card instead of a booklet, and combine the welcome sign with the order of the day. Focus on what helps your guests and what you will love looking back on.
You can browse every piece in our wedding stationery collection.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most important wedding stationery?
Invitations and RSVP cards matter most, because they bring guests to the day. On the day, a clear table plan and place cards make the biggest practical difference.
How many spare invitations should you order?
Order about 10% more than your household count. Spares cover late additions, addressing mistakes and keepsakes for family.
Do you need one mass booklet per guest?
No. About one per two guests is usually enough, since couples and families share. Add extras for the altar, readers and musicians.
When should you order on-the-day stationery?
Order 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding, and finalise names on place cards and the table plan once your RSVPs are in.
Should thank you cards match the invitations?
It is a lovely touch but not essential. Ordering them with your invitations keeps the design consistent and saves a job after the wedding.
If you would like help working out exactly what your day needs, we are glad to advise. Request a quote and we will put together a suite that suits you.
