#WMG Checklist: Every Bit of Stationery A Bride Needs From The Proposal To Wedding!
BY The WMG Bride | 03 Feb, 2016 | 6365 views | 6 min read
Big wedding, or budget affair, most girls are suckers for cutesy stationery and when you are the bride you have every right to get the most adorable ones of the lot. Your stationery needs will depend on the type of wedding you have (formal, casual, destination), but a good rule of thumb is to think about what information your guests need. Wedding stationery is also a great way to showcase your personality and set the tone for your day - so here's what you really really need.
Wedding Planners + Journals To Kickstart The Process
Every wedding starts with a plan in the form of a journal. Just a cute book with interesting folders and diary details that will help you chart out your bridal journey. Look for one that's easy to carry in your bag, one that has additional spaces for visiting cards and fun stickers etc. Though we are desperately looking at an online journal ( clap clap: Wed Me Good app) a physical one to store ideas is a winner, always.
Our favourite picks are from Moleskin, Cupidity and Amazon.
Wedding Folders
At WMG, we love nice folders to keep your receipts in and to make scrapbooks out of (happy magazine tearing, you guys). Pick one for each event - Mehendi, Wedding, Reception and keep all the important receipts in place. The Bride Stripes Folder at Cupidity is perfect for all these itty-bitty things. This will comprise of sheets of papers that you will need during planning, vendor lists to the décor guy’s phone number and also to file contracts with various venues.
Engagement Invitations
Save the dates are nice to send -- especially if you are having a destination wedding, or if the majority of your guests will be traveling from out-of-town, to give them plenty of time to plan their trip. If you'd like to include additional information for your guests, consider adding your wedding website or an information/accommodation card with the Save the Date.
Wedding Invitation Cards
Wedding invitations are the best way to invite guests to attend your wedding and give the first impression of your wedding style. Have fun with your wedding invitations as they can showcase your personality and set the tone for your event. That means: Wedding card + Envelope + Sangeet / Mehendi cards ( for special people) and Reception Card)
Thank You Card
Go the extra mile and pen a note to thank your guests for coming to the wedding. Expressing how grateful you are that they're here to share your wedding day will go a long way in making guests feel appreciated and special. These also let you play the part of gracious host, particularly if you had a large wedding and didn't find time to talk extensively with everyone who was there.
Additional Ideas:
Map/directions card: A map and/or directions card is especially helpful if your venue is tricky to find or for guests who are not familiar with the area. Yes, nowadays guests can easily lookup directions on their smart phones or GPS. But if your ceremony or reception is in an area with limited connectivity, consider including one to ensure guests don't get lost. You can also get it printed on the back of each insert in the card to avoid printing an extra card.
Wedding Itinerary: This is a must for all destination weddings. This way, your guests will know exactly where and when they'll need to be. Include contact information, a timeline, key locations and dress code notes, along with any other important details specific to your event. Include a number or name for guests to call if they need anything.
Place Cards: On tables and on boards along with seating numbers and table numbers. Go creative with them - add cute caricatures or just add the wedding theme colours. Only advice: No comic sans!
Favor Tags: Use a favor tag especially if you're giving out separate gifts for guys and girls. It may be apparent to you that men get bow ties and women get bangles, but your guests may not know. Another time to use tags: If it's not totally clear that the favors are for guests to bring home, like if they're part of breakaway centrepieces. Some tags also disclose the idea of the gift. My sister gave away lungis at her Kerala wedding with a tag on how to wear it for newbies - cute!
Pluck Cards or Photo booth props: If you need any fun stuff to be held up by your friends during your mehendi or sangeet, have all of them printed beforehand. They make for kickass pictures!
Menu Cards: The card can give the guest all the juicy details of the food being served. Change it up for all events and make their mouth water!
Program Sheets: A church wedding might have one but that doesn't mean the others don't need it. Place a cute one with the order of events so your guests know when to clap and more!
Cute things: My cousin wanted designer plates but of course, since it's a destination wedding, she didn't carry the plates from San Francisco - so the other option? A circular plate-like print-out in her favourite Good Earth design that was placed on white plates to give a cute picture.
And to help you manage time scales, here is a timeline to ensure everything runs on schedule in relation to your wedding stationery:
► Save-the-dates: Six or more months prior to the date of your wedding.
► Invitations: Eight weeks prior.
► Thank-you cards: Aim to send these within three months of your wedding.
By Apoorva Pagar
Every wedding starts with a plan in the form of a journal. Just a cute book with interesting folders and diary details that will help you chart out your bridal journey. Look for one that's easy to carry in your bag, one that has additional spaces for visiting cards and fun stickers etc. Though we are desperately looking at an online journal ( clap clap: Wed Me Good app) a physical one to store ideas is a winner, always.
Our favourite picks are from Moleskin, Cupidity and Amazon.
Wedding Folders
At WMG, we love nice folders to keep your receipts in and to make scrapbooks out of (happy magazine tearing, you guys). Pick one for each event - Mehendi, Wedding, Reception and keep all the important receipts in place. The Bride Stripes Folder at Cupidity is perfect for all these itty-bitty things. This will comprise of sheets of papers that you will need during planning, vendor lists to the décor guy’s phone number and also to file contracts with various venues.
Engagement Invitations
Pic via @Anietillustration / Etsy
The very first of all your functions, this invite will set the tone for your upcoming nuptials. You can go the e-vite route for this one, but a printed card does make for a beautiful beginning to your wedding journey. You can also include the theme or dress code for the engagement in the card. Bridal Shower Invites + Bachelor Parties
Pic via Geethika & Mohnish's Wedding
We know that usually it’s planned by your best girls but you can plan it along with them to make it more fun and enjoyable. Ask your girls to not tell you some part of the shower so that you can still be surprised. Also invites can also include tags, little knick-knacks and also a thank you note. Also, don't forget the bachelor party invites - or do guys like to do it over whatsapp? Either way, have it on your list. Save the Date
Save the dates are nice to send -- especially if you are having a destination wedding, or if the majority of your guests will be traveling from out-of-town, to give them plenty of time to plan their trip. If you'd like to include additional information for your guests, consider adding your wedding website or an information/accommodation card with the Save the Date.
Wedding Invitation Cards
Wedding invitations are the best way to invite guests to attend your wedding and give the first impression of your wedding style. Have fun with your wedding invitations as they can showcase your personality and set the tone for your event. That means: Wedding card + Envelope + Sangeet / Mehendi cards ( for special people) and Reception Card)
Thank You Card
Go the extra mile and pen a note to thank your guests for coming to the wedding. Expressing how grateful you are that they're here to share your wedding day will go a long way in making guests feel appreciated and special. These also let you play the part of gracious host, particularly if you had a large wedding and didn't find time to talk extensively with everyone who was there.
Additional Ideas:
Map/directions card: A map and/or directions card is especially helpful if your venue is tricky to find or for guests who are not familiar with the area. Yes, nowadays guests can easily lookup directions on their smart phones or GPS. But if your ceremony or reception is in an area with limited connectivity, consider including one to ensure guests don't get lost. You can also get it printed on the back of each insert in the card to avoid printing an extra card.
Wedding Itinerary: This is a must for all destination weddings. This way, your guests will know exactly where and when they'll need to be. Include contact information, a timeline, key locations and dress code notes, along with any other important details specific to your event. Include a number or name for guests to call if they need anything.
Place Cards: On tables and on boards along with seating numbers and table numbers. Go creative with them - add cute caricatures or just add the wedding theme colours. Only advice: No comic sans!
Favor Tags: Use a favor tag especially if you're giving out separate gifts for guys and girls. It may be apparent to you that men get bow ties and women get bangles, but your guests may not know. Another time to use tags: If it's not totally clear that the favors are for guests to bring home, like if they're part of breakaway centrepieces. Some tags also disclose the idea of the gift. My sister gave away lungis at her Kerala wedding with a tag on how to wear it for newbies - cute!
Pluck Cards or Photo booth props: If you need any fun stuff to be held up by your friends during your mehendi or sangeet, have all of them printed beforehand. They make for kickass pictures!
Menu Cards: The card can give the guest all the juicy details of the food being served. Change it up for all events and make their mouth water!
Program Sheets: A church wedding might have one but that doesn't mean the others don't need it. Place a cute one with the order of events so your guests know when to clap and more!
Cute things: My cousin wanted designer plates but of course, since it's a destination wedding, she didn't carry the plates from San Francisco - so the other option? A circular plate-like print-out in her favourite Good Earth design that was placed on white plates to give a cute picture.
And to help you manage time scales, here is a timeline to ensure everything runs on schedule in relation to your wedding stationery:
► Save-the-dates: Six or more months prior to the date of your wedding.
► Invitations: Eight weeks prior.
► Thank-you cards: Aim to send these within three months of your wedding.
By Apoorva Pagar
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