What to Order

Save the date cards

Although not essential, Save the Date cards are particularly useful if you are getting married at a time of year when your guests may make other plans ie: Summer Holidays or Christmas.
These cards are typically sent about 6-8 months before the wedding, usually when the venue has been booked and since these cards do not contain a great deal of detail regarding the arrangements they can be sent out much earlier than an invitation.

Wedding Day Invitations / Evening Invitations

Most couples usually send out wedding invitations about 6-12 weeks prior to the wedding day to allow plenty of time for the guests to reply. The wording to be included in the wedding invitation is a matter for personal choice depending on the formality of the day and who is asking as host (the Brides parents or the Bride and Groom themselves for example). We have provided a list of standard wordings but feel free to write your own if you have something else in mind. Also included can be an RSVP address or a request for guests to specify any dietary requirements.
Most invitations will be sent as one to each couple, therefore the number of invitations you will need will be broadly half the number of guests you have invited. However it is sensible to order a few extra invites to allow for writing mistakes or for extra guests that slipped your mind when you first wrote your guest list!

Order of Service

Orders of Service are usually produced for church services to inform guests of the way the service will run, and also to include any song words and readings. These cards can be placed on individual seats or placed on display near the entrance of the venue for the guests to pick up as they enter. Typically, you will need one order of service per guest or couple as well as a few extras for the clergy and organist.

Order of the Day

Similar to an order of service, these booklets work well for weddings where events are spaced over two or more venues, or if there is going to be a break between the service and reception. They are a good way of communicating to your guests how the day has been arranged and may include addresses of venues and times of photography, speeches etc. Again, these booklets can be provided at one per person or one per couple.

Thank you cards

Thank you cards are sent out after the wedding to thank all your guests for their kind wedding gifts.
Many couples like to hand write these cards although we can provide a pre-printed insert if required.
These cards can also be used to notify friends and family of a change of address if you have moved to a new address after your marriage.
You will need a similar number of thank you cards as you do wedding invitations.

Reply cards

Reply cards are optional but they often encourage a quicker response time from your invited guests. They are placed inside the wedding invitations and are pre-printed  with all but the guests names.

Place cards

Place cards are used to show where each guest is to sit at the wedding breakfast. You would need one place card for each guest attending but It is always sensible to order a few more in case you make mistakes when writing them out.

Menu

Menu cards are used to let your wedding guests know what food will be served at the wedding breakfast. It is advisable to check with your wedding venue before ordering your menu cards as some venues may provide this service for you.