Wedding stationery seems simple until you’re staring at a blank template wondering whether to write “request the pleasure of your company” or just “invite you to celebrate with them.” Here’s a straightforward guide to getting the wording, timing and content right, so you can order with confidence.
When to send everything
- Save the dates: 6–12 months before the wedding, earlier for a destination wedding or a date that falls on a bank holiday weekend.
- Invitations: 3–4 months before the day, giving guests enough notice without the reply cards going missing at the bottom of a drawer.
- RSVP deadline: 4–6 weeks before the wedding, giving you time to confirm final numbers with your caterer.
Getting the wording right
Traditional wording centres the hosts — usually whoever’s paying — with a line like “Mr and Mrs Smith request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter.” If both families are contributing, or the couple is hosting themselves, modern wording sidesteps the question entirely: simply “together with their families” or the couple’s names leading the invitation.
There’s no rule that says you have to pick one style over the other — plenty of couples blend formal structure with a more relaxed tone further down the card. What matters more is consistency: match the tone of your invitation to the formality of the day itself, so guests know what to expect before they’ve even RSVP’d.
What to include in the suite
A complete stationery suite typically covers:
- The invitation itself
- An information card (venue, dress code, accommodation, transport)
- An RSVP card or clear digital RSVP instructions
- Gift registry details, ideally on the information card rather than the invitation itself — including registry information alongside the invitation is considered poor form by traditional etiquette, though most modern guests won’t bat an eyelid at a discreetly placed line
For the day itself, order slightly more than your final headcount for order of service sheets, place cards and table plans — 10% extra covers last-minute changes without a reprint.
If you’re not sure how to phrase your registry request without it feeling awkward, our Wedding Registry Ideas post covers exactly that. And if you’re building out your guest list and seating plan at the same time, our Wedding Planning Timeline lays out the order to tackle it all in.
You don’t have to figure this out alone
The Big Day Bulletin exists to make this process feel less overwhelming and more enjoyable. Whether you’re at the very beginning like right now, or knee deep in seating plans and supplier emails, we’ve got guides, ideas, and honest advice for every stage. Browse the blog, bookmark what’s useful, and come back whenever you need it.
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