Wedding Invitations and Save The Dates

This week on 52 ’Til I Do, we got to talk about all things wedding stationary with our very special guest, Nicole from Emery Ann Design! From save-the-dates, wedding invitations, thank you notes, and signage we’re here to report on all of the tips and tricks to sending everything out on time, in style, and with confidence.

“I Want Custom Stationery, Where Do I Start?”

If you and your partner want custom stationery for any part of your wedding, like save-the-dates, menus, announcements, or thank-you cards, the first step is scheduling an introductory call with a stationer like Nicole from Emery Ann Design. This gives you and your designer a chance to get to know each other and what you're looking for in your stationary such as colors, design, wording, and print methods. This also gives you plenty of time to understand the timeline of working together. 

Timeline and When To Get Started 

Custom stationary cannot be produced and created overnight, so how far in advance should you connect with your designer? Well, as with all wedding planning, there's a range. If you're wanting fully custom stationary, you should connect as far in advance as 12 months. However, if you're only wanting a few semi-custom pieces, anything from 6-8 months can work as well.

When you start planning out when to send your invitations, you also need to take your venue and catering counts into consideration. Most venues and caterers will need a final guest count about 4 weeks before your wedding date. To give your guests enough time to RSVP, and to give yourself time to follow up with anyone who hasn’t, you’ll want to send your invitations around 8–10 weeks before the RSVP date. If you are having a destination wedding or many guests from out of town, sending invitations 12 weeks before your RSVP date is usually the way to go.

This gives you plenty of time to collect responses, finalize your numbers, and contact any late RSVPs. 

What Is An Invitation Suite?

Many stationery companies offer a service called an invitation suite, and as Nicole explains, it’s one of the most convenient ways to handle your wedding invites. An invitation suite typically includes the following essentials:

• The Main Invitation- On the main invitation your first and last names should be clearly visible, as well as the date, time and location of your ceremony.
• Response Card (RSVP)- With digital RSVP collection becoming increasingly popular, you may still want to include an RSVP card (an enclosure card) in your envelope to your guests. This will have the QR code for your wedding website or the direct URL with the instructions to RSVP by a certain date and where to submit this RSVP. Should you choose to go the paper route, you will need the RSVP card and a  pre-addressed, stamped envelope for guests to send back. 
• Details Card- The details card is another enclosure card that shares extra information about your wedding such as the dress code, accommodations, website link, or directions for your guests. If your ceremony and reception are at two different locations, this is helpful information to include on the card as well. Again, with the rise of technology, if you want to lean less traditional and formal, this can all be on your website that you are directing guests to to RSVP. 
• Mailing Envelope- The mailing envelope is often customizable with return address printing, liners, or decorative touches. 

The Inside Scoop on the Budget

When seeking out stationary services, you can either purchase a custom service, or a semi custom service. A custom service can range anywhere from $2,500-$7,000, while a semi-custom service ranges anywhere from $1,000-$3,500. When you have your consultation with your designer, they’ll take both your budget and your stationery wishlist into account. By understanding what you’re hoping to include, like invitations, detail cards, signage, or thank-you notes, and how much you're comfortable spending, your designer can create a plan that delivers everything you want, while staying within your budget.

To Kid or Not to Kid

The proper etiquette on a wedding invitation is simple, whoever is invited should be listed by name. So, if children are welcome, their names should appear on the invitation. If not, only the names of the adults invited should be listed. That said, not everyone reads between the lines, so it’s perfectly okay to clarify your guest list boundaries elsewhere. A great way to do this is by including a note on your wedding website or on a details card in your invitation suite. Something like: “While we love your little ones, this will be an adults-only celebration.” Being clear and kind with your messaging helps avoid confusion. How you design your guest list is entirely up to you! Whether you want a kid-free night of dancing or a family-friendly celebration, the key is to communicate it early and respectfully.

The Most Common Misconceptions and Myths

“Etiquette Doesn't Matter!”

Etiquette is one of the most important (if not the most important) parts of your invitation and stationery. While it might seem like the wording doesn’t matter as long as the message is clear, the truth is, it absolutely does. Certain phrases carry specific meanings, and the way you phrase your invitation can set the tone and provide clarity for your guests.

Your Hosting Line

The hosting line on your wedding invitation is your opening line that shows who is hosting and paying for the wedding. On your hosting line, you want to make sure you are actually honoring the people who are hosting, and not just putting people names on there to be nice. Some common examples include:

• “Together with their families…”
• “Mr. & Mrs. Smith request the pleasure of your company…”
• “Mrs. & Mrs. Johnson request the honor of your precense…”
• “(The Marriers) invite you to celebrate with them…”

“I Can Do It Myself, It's Going To Be Thrown Away Eventually!” 

It’s easy to think wedding stationery isn’t worth the effort because it’ll eventually be tossed. But when your guest opens their invitation or save-the-date, there’s an emotional reaction that goes far beyond paper. Seeing their name written on a beautifully addressed envelope, complete with thoughtful postage, sets the tone. Then they open it to find an elegant liner, layered textures, and intentional design choices. It’s not just paper, it’s the first experience of your wedding. It signals the care, thought, and excitement that’s gone into the celebration to come.

Etiquette Tips From Nicole! 

• Addressing Invitations Without Children: Only include the names of the individuals invited on the envelope. For example, “Mr. and Mrs. John Smith” implies the invitation is just for the couple. If children are invited, their names should appear below the parents’ names on the inner envelope or directly on the outer envelope.
• Request Lines: Use “the honour of your presence” for ceremonies held in a house of worship, such as a church or temple. For secular venues, opt for “the pleasure of your company.”
• No Zip Codes on Invitation Cards: Zip codes are used by the postal service for sorting and delivery and should only be included on the mailing envelope, not on your formal invitation or insert cards. Leaving them off keeps your suite refined and formal.

Final Thoughts 

Wedding stationery can be more than paper, it’s the first glimpse your guests get of your big day. From invitations to thank-you cards, it helps set the tone, reflect your style, and make a lasting impression.

Working with a designer like Nicole from Emery Ann Design can bring your vision to life. Whether you go custom or semi-custom or fully DIY, thoughtful stationery is a beautiful way to start your wedding story.

For more tips and tricks, tune into the full episode of 52 ‘Til I Do on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Have more wedding stationary related questions? Send us a message at hello@marryment.com or get in touch on our social media—we love helping couples navigate this part of wedding planning! Be sure to get in contact with Nicole too! 

Photo Credit to JNA Visuals

Marryment proudly serves couples all across Chicago and the surrounding Chicago Suburbs including popular areas such as Schaumburg, Elmhurst, Naperville, Evanston, Joliet, Oak Park, Skokie, Barrington, Downers Grove and Northbrook, to name a few. We also love destination weddings. We'd love to be a part of your wedding day! Schedule your free planning call with us today.

‍