Wedding Stationery Terms

There are a lot of terms that you will encounter in wedding stationery once you become engaged.  Some of the terms you have probably heard of but there are probably some you haven’t.  Read through this list for all the terms you need to know.

Invitation: The invitation contains all the information necessary for your guests to actually attend your wedding including the couple’s names, who is hosting, date, time, and location. The invitation is a single card that is part of an invitation suite.  By etiquette it should not include RSVP info, registry info, or wedding website on the actual invitation itself.  All of that information should go on an insert card in the invitation suite.

Invitation suite: An invitation suite includes all the pieces that will be mailed together to each guest household.  The invitation suite can include the invitation, RSVP, directions card, reception card, wedding website card.

Save the date: A save the date tells your guests the date of your wedding to get on their calendars.  Traditionally save the dates only include the couple’s names, the wedding date, the location (usually city and state only), and the wording “invitation to follow.”  About half of the couples I work with include pictures but that is not required.  Only those that will definitely be invited to the wedding should get a save the date.

Wedding announcement: After your wedding, if you have people you would like to inform that you got married (like if you eloped, had a small wedding, or a destination wedding) you could send a wedding announcement.  Using a picture from the wedding is usually included.  You will want to include the date and location of your wedding including your names.  You can decide if you want to use your maiden name or your married name.

RSVP: An abbreviation of a French phrase for “respond please.”  An RSVP is your way of asking your guests to let you know if they will be attending the wedding.  If you are having a plated dinner this is also where your guests will inform you of their dinner choice.  Traditionally this is a separate card included in the invitation suite but as technology as advanced many couple utilize online RSVPs.

Insert: Any additional cards included in the invitation suite.  Examples of inserts are reception cards, direction cards, wedding website card, and accommodations.

Mat: A mat is a piece of card stock that is added to the back of an invitation to give a layered look.  Typically the mat is ¼” to ½” bigger than the invitation that is being mounted.

Pocket: A pocket has 3 panels: a tab/flap for folding, a panel for mounting the invitation to, and a pocket for holding insert cards, the RSVP card and envelope.  When folded it will look like an envelope but it will still need to be put into an envelope for mailing.

Belly band: A piece of paper or card stock normally 1-2” thick that is wrapped around a pocket or invitation suite to hold it all together.  Can be plain card stock, custom printed, or laser cut.

Envelope liner: A piece of paper mounted inside an envelope flap to make the envelope more unique.  It can be a solid color, patterned, custom designed, or foiled.

Inner Envelope: Traditionally wedding invitation suites included two envelopes- one for mailing and one to keep the invitation nice and neat.  An inner envelope can also help make sure guests know who is invited by printing the names of the invited guests on that again (in addition to the outer envelope).

Outer Envelope: This is the mailing envelope that you will write the guests’ names and addresses on.  Over time, this has become the only envelope used in wedding suites as the traditional inner envelope has fallen off in popularity. 

Wedding Day Stationery: All of the paper items that are used on the wedding day itself, during the ceremony or reception.  Examples of wedding day stationery include menus, programs, and signs.

Menu: A menu includes what is being served during the reception.  Normally each course is listed separately. 

Program: This is used during the wedding ceremony.  Traditionally, this includes the order of service of the ceremony as well as names of the parents of the couple, the wedding party, and the officiant.

Escort card: This is a card that tells the guest what table they are to sit at.  This will tell them the table to sit out but nto what seat to sit at once they get to the table.   The same information can be conveyed by using a Seating Chart sign.

Place card:  This card is placed at the seat at the table that they guest is to sit at.

Keywords: wedding, wedding budget, wedding theme, invitations, save the dates