The following is a guide in preparing you for your invitation selection. Wedding stationery and favours are our specialty. Let us help you make your wedding day unforgettable with your unique and elegant style.
Wedding Stationery Defined
ACCOMODATION CARD
Gives guests information (amenities, rates) about lodging near the wedding sites. If you have arranged for a group rate, tell your guests to mention they’re with the Dawkins/Wallace wedding.
ANNOUNCEMENT CARD
Mail right after the wedding ceremony (or next day) to proclaim that a marriage has taken place. Send to anyone who did not get an invitation. Include the date, year, and city in which the wedding took place.
ESCORT CARD
Directs guests to their assigned tables; usually positioned in alphabetical order near the entrance to the reception.
GIFT-RECEIVED CARD
Preprinted note that lets guests know you received their presents and will send a personal thank-you later.
MENU CARD
Gives a course-by-course listing of the food to be served.
NAME CARD
Lets everyone know you’re changing your name (taking his, hyphenating, whatever). You can include this with the invite or announcement, or mail separately.
PARKING CARD
Informs guests about any special arrangements you’ve made for them (at a garage, for example) near the wedding site.
PEW CARD
Designates special seating for honored guests at the ceremony. Include these cards, which note the guests’ pew number, in the invitations, or mail once their response cards have been received.
PLACE CARD
Directs guests to a specific seat at their assigned table at very formal weddings.
RAIN CARD
Tells guests where the alternate (indoor) location is in the event of inclement weather forcing an outdoor wedding to move.
RECEPTION PROGRAM
Outlines the reception agenda/program only. Some couples choose this if they are not inviting all guests from the ceremony/church to the reception, or if they simply don’t want guests to read ahead regarding the events to come.
SEATING CHART
List guests alphabetically and/or by table, directing them to their assigned seats. Can coordinate with table number/name cards and is placed right outside reception door or designated cocktail area.
TABLE NUMBER / TABLE NAME CARD
Distinguishes tables from one another. Can be numerals or words.
TRANSPORTAION CARD
Lets guests know that you’re chartering a bus, or other vehicle to drive them from Point A to B on the wedding day.
WEDDING PROGRAM
Outlines the ceremony proceedings. May include readings, songs, and special acknowledgements, such as the wedding party and readers.
WITHIN-THE-RIBBON CARD
Indicates certain guests are to be seated in a ceremony section delineated with ribbons.
ORDERING WEDDING STATIONERY
When placing your order for your invitations, double check that you know:
1. Your wedding day and time.
2. Your ceremony and reception times; full names and addresses of both sites.
3. How your parents’ names (and/or his) will appear on the invitation.
4. The number of invitations and announcements you’ll need.
5. How many invitations to get? You will need to send one to: each of your attendants; every married or cohabitating couple; every unmarried guest over the age of 18 (including children still living at home, even if their parents will receive their own invite); your officiate and his/her partner. And definitely don’t forget your parents and his!
6. Your budget and overall stationery needs (invitations, programs, thank-you notes etc).
SAVING STRATEGIES
1. You’ll get a better deal if you order all your stationery needs at once.
2. Proofread your sample invitation carefully (try it backwards, too) before giving your okay to us. Ask two friends to read it as well.
3. Order at least 20 additional invitations at your initial request.
4. You need save-the-dates only if you’re marrying at a popular time (like during a long holiday weekend) or in a faraway place.
5. Avoid rush charges and late delivery by ordering your invites four - six months before wedding.
COMPOSE YOURSELF
• If you’re having a religious ceremony, your invitation should read: “request the honour of your presence.” For a civil a ceremony, the correct wording is: “request the pleasure of your company.”
• Your name and his should be consistent in style. For example, if you list both your first and middles names, so should the groom. Exception: You don’t list your last name if your parents are listed as hosts, but the groom does if his parents are co hosting. Also, he gets a “Mr.” before his name.
• Spell out all names and numbers, and never use nicknames, even if your dad has been know as “King Cole” since second grade.
• Use abbreviations sparingly. Mr., Mrs., Dr., and Jr. are fine; all other titles and honorifics should be spelled out.
INVITATION COUNTDOWN
• 12 MONTHS BEFORE – Once you set the date, make an appointment to view our unique stationery and favours. If you’re planning to send save-the-date cards, mail them as soon as you’ve reserved the wedding date and sites.
• 4 TO 6 MONTHS BEFORE – Order invitations and enclosures to allow time for printing, delivery, proofreading, addressing envelopes, mailing, and waiting for RSVPs to come in. At this time you can also select programs and wedding favours.
• 8 TO 10 WEEKS BEFORE – Have us address your envelopes. We can also provide personalized seals.
• 6 TO 8 WEEKS BEFORE – Mail or deliver invitations six weeks before wedding; eight weeks before if many guests will have to travel far or if your nuptials will fall during a holiday. Mail invitations eight to ten weeks before if you’re having a destination wedding, to give guests time to make travel arrangements.
• 4 TO 8 WEEKS BEFORE – Ask for responses from guests. If you’re having a destination wedding, ask for responses eight to ten weeks before to give you enough time to firm up plans from a distance.
• 3 WEEKS BEFORE – We can begin the process of compiling your wedding program. A draft is reviewed two weeks before final print. Telephone anyone who hasn’t sent back response card.
• 2 WEEKS BEFORE – Complete seating and place card information. We will produce draft of seating chart for your review. Once finalized we will produce, deliver and set up seating chart on day of event. Copies of the guest list will also be made available for Ushers/Hosts. Your program should also be finalized and ready for print.
• DAY OF (OR DAY AFTER) THE WEDDING – Mail announcements informing family and friends that could not make the wedding, that your wedding has taken place.
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