If you’re wondering what day-of stationery you need for your wedding, here’s the essential day of wedding stationery checklist! In it, you’ll learn which wedding paper goods you actually need so you don’t miss a thing.
From programs to escort cards, welcome signs to table numbers, here’s the wedding stationery you need to have — and why.
We’ll cover the following wedding stationery items:
1. Ceremony Programs
2. Place Cards and Escort Cards: Plus, What’s the Difference?
3. Escort Cards
4. Table Numbers
5. Seating Chart
6. Menu
7. Favor Tags
Wedding Stationery Checklist: Day-Of
Here are the 7 wedding items your day-of stationery list needs to have. Let’s begin with programs.
1. Programs
Ceremony programs are an essential item if you want to outline your ceremony’s order of events and make a lasting impression on guests at your event. Some think a program is just a sheet of paper with readings and songs on it, but it’s so much more when you pour your heart into it.
A ceremony program becomes a heartfelt memento when you include a thank you message to your guests, formally announce your wedding party attendants, and include names of lost loved ones who have passed as a heartfelt tribute.
I can’t think of a more personal way to show appreciation to your guests and to the attendants who are lending their support on your wedding day.
READ: Wondering about quantity? Here’s how many wedding programs you should order. Good to know!
To inspire yours, here is one of my favorite examples from the collection at Minted. As you can see, everything is customizable from start to finish including font, colors, paper type, shape, size, and more.
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Programs? Check! Next up in our wedding day stationery checklist: seating cards. These are also known as place cards and escort cards and they are important.
2. Place Cards & Escort Cards
When it comes to wedding day-of stationery you don’t want to forget, make sure place cards and escort cards are at the top of your list.
Some couples forget these cards, especially because they get them mixed-up and think they’re the same thing. These two important cards play different roles in your wedding and you’ll need to have both.
Note: if you are using a seating chart (see #5), you can skip the escort cards.
Escort cards tell guests which table is theirs.
Once they reach the table, they will then look for their place card.
Place cards tell guests which seat is theirs at that specific table.
A place card is important to have if you are serving plated meals at tables vs. a buffet.
If it’s a buffet, place cards are optional (but a nice touch).
For plated meals, though, place cards are essential day-of stationery because you’ll use these stickers to note which dish is theirs.
This is very important and helpful for caterers to make sure they’re serving the correct meals to guests based on their RSVP card responses. :)
Here are some examples of place cards as a visual.
You can shop more designs here.
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Here’s another essential to use: a welcome sign. Let’s discuss whether this is a must-have for the day of your wedding — or not.
3. Wedding Welcome Sign
A welcome sign makes sure your guests know they’ve arrived at the right place. It’s nice to feel welcomed, isn’t it? A sign is the right way to do it at a wedding.
While a welcome sign is technically optional, it is important if you’re holding your wedding in an outdoor setting, at a unique venue, or if your reception is held where multiple events or weddings are taking place at the same time.
In addition, it adds another element of personalized decor to your space — and who doesn’t love that?
You can get a custom welcome sign made here and display it on an easel or hang it up outdoors, as shown here:
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We’ve covered a few stationery pieces, but your wedding reception wouldn’t be complete without this next one: table numbers.
4. Table Numbers
When it comes to day of wedding stationery, here’s an important one: table numbers.
Without table numbers, how will guests know where to be seated? How will caterers know where to bring out plated meals, who still needs to receive cake slices, and which table asked for more coffee?
Table numbers keep things very organized and, if they’re not already on your wedding day checklist, make sure you add them.
And… the number one rule of table numbers: make sure you have them double-sided, so guests can see the number on either side. You also want to make sure the table numbers are very easy to read.
Place them at the center of your table so they’re easy to spot.
As you can see, there are many designs from which to choose! You can find more here.
If you prefer, table names work great, too, but we recommend you still include a number so the table is easy to find, fast.
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Now that you have table numbers, you probably know what’s next: yep, a seating chart. Here’s what you need to know.
5. Seating Chart
We mentioned in #2 above that if you opt for a seating chart, you can omit escort cards.
This is because the seating chart itself informs guests where to be seated, but just on a larger scale. A seating chart is perfect for medium to large weddings (and it’s surprisingly easy to make a wedding seating chart), while escort cards are better for smaller wedding celebrations.
A chart is a great way to cut the cost or space required for escort cards, since you can place one single sign on an easel at your entryway and you’re set to go.
You can find gorgeous seating charts here that are easy to customize.
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Next up: what’s for dinner? What’s what your guests will be wondering! Make sure you have a prominent menu on display.
6. Menu
Menu cards are one of the wedding day stationery items that often gets overlooked. Menus ought to be mandatory; guests love to read what’s coming up for dinner, especially if it is served family-style or if there is a buffet.
Plus, when your menus look this good, they aren’t just a wedding stationery item to check off of your list: they become a part of your table decor! As you can see in these designs below, they’ll really add a little something to your tables.
Crave more menus? Browse here to see them all!
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Last but not least, let’s discuss the final paper component: favor tags.
7. Favor Tags
Once you decide what kind of wedding favors you’ll give to guests, you may need tags to make them wedding-ready.
Luckily, you can get personalized tags here that coordinate with other day of wedding stationery mentioned in this article.
Just find a design you love, edit to your liking, and order them. Upon arrival, all you need to do is add a bit of ribbon and you’re all set with unique favors guests will enjoy.
Shop favor tags here.
Does wedding day stationery need to match?
The colors and styles should coordinate, yes. But do you need EVERYTHING to match? No! In fact, it’s more fun to mix-and-match, like this!
And there you have it: everything you need for wedding day-of stationery! For optional wedding paper goods that may fit your event, keep reading.
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Optional Wedding Day-Of Stationery
Oops, don’t go just yet: you may also need to pick up three more items. These three wedding day essentials are helpful to have for your reception:
– wedding gifts & cards sign
– bar sign
They’ll be placed on tables at your reception so guests don’t miss:
1) taking a favor
2) placing a card in a designated box (like this with a lock, must-have!) or a present on the table, and
3) signing your guest book
4) seeing your bar menu, especially if it is a signature cocktail
I hope it helps!
To shop EVERYTHING for your wedding day-of stationery along with other necessities (i.e. invitations and save the dates before the wedding, thank you cards for after), click here to shop Minted.com.
And if you need any help picking out your stationery, try a FREE 30-minute virtual consultation with their team here! They’re happy to help. :)
Hope it helps!
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