Wedding Stationery Etiquette Guide 2025

By Bride & Groom Direct’s head designer – thirty years of ink, foil and fond memories on the press floor.

Why Etiquette Still Matters in a Digital World

Etiquette is simply the art of making others feel at ease. In wedding stationery it manifests as clarity, warmth and timing – three qualities that an email or social‑media post rarely achieves. A beautifully printed suite slows the recipient down long enough to sense the significance of the day you are inviting them to share. Clear wording eliminates guess‑work (“What shall I wear?” “Where do I park?”), while coherent design sets an emotional tone that lingers from the first envelope to the final thank‑you. Get the etiquette right and your stationery becomes the silent maître‑d’ of the celebration – welcoming, directing and reassuring guests at every step.

Planning Your Paper Timeline

Announcements & Engagement Notices

The engagement announcement is your soft launch. Once the ring is firmly on, you have three options:

1. Traditional newspaper notice. If parents are contributing, they may enjoy the formality. A brief template appears on our Wedding Etiquette page.

2. Printed engagement cards. Perfect for older relatives who treasure physical keepsakes.

3. A concise email or social post. Acceptable for modern couples, but remember older family members may miss a digital update.

Timing: Within four weeks of the proposal keeps excitement high and rumours low.

Save‑the‑Dates

When: Post 8–12 months before a UK wedding. Stretch to 12 months for destination celebrations or peak school‑holiday weekends when flights and accommodation vanish quickly.

What to include:

• Your names

• Wedding date

• County or city (avoid the full address – venues can change)

• “Formal invitation to follow”

Skip dress codes, gifts and accommodation for now; those belong in the invitation suite. Browse ideas in our Save the Date gallery and consult our Colour Schemes guide to ensure early pieces align with the palette you’ll use later.

Formal Invitations

When to post:

Posting too early can back‑fire: guests assume they have plenty of time, mislay the card and RSVP late. Too late and diaries fill up. Use our printable schedule in When to Order Wedding Invitations to stay on track.

RSVP Strategy

Printed RSVP cards still generate the fastest, most complete response – especially from older relatives. Under‑35 lists cope with digital forms, but a hybrid (card plus QR code) captures every demographic. Return‑by date should be six weeks before the ceremony to cover caterer deadlines.

Building the Perfect Invitation Suite

Core Components

1. Invitation card – the who, what, when, where.

2. RSVP vehicle – card with envelope or QR link.

3. Details card – travel, parking, gifts, website URL.

4. Inner envelope / pocket fold – optional but keeps inserts tidy.

5. Outer envelope – protects decorative inner layers.

Optional Enhancements

• Evening‑only invitations – clarify reception‑only attendance.

• Map insert – useful for rural venues.

• Accommodation card – for multi‑day celebrations.

• Rehearsal‑dinner or brunch invite – tuck behind the main card.

• Liners, vellum wraps, wax seals and ribbons – elevate the unboxing moment. Inspiration lives in our Finishing Touches gallery.

Modern, Inclusive Wording

The most popular contemporary UK layout:

Alexandra Smith & Jamie Hughes
request the pleasure of your company
at their wedding celebration
on Saturday, 17 May 2025
at 2 o’clock in the afternoon
Holkham Hall, Norfolk
Reception to follow

Key points

• Use full names for clarity in blended families.

• Titles (Mr, Ms, Dr) are optional; be consistent across envelopes, place cards and the Order of Service.

• Spell out dates and times for formality.

• Include a line for dress code only if essential (e.g., “Black Tie”).

For wording scenarios – divorced parents, deceased relatives, same‑sex couples – see our Invitation Wording Guide.

Proofing, Quantities & the Agony of Reprints

Proofing checklist:

1. Print the digital proof at 100 % size.

2. Read aloud – the ear catches double words the eye skips.

3. Check every name, date and postcode against an official source.

4. Recruit two fresh proof‑readers.

Ordering formula:

• One invite per household

• + Vendors (photographer, celebrant, band)

• + Keepsake suites for photographs & memory boxes

• + 10 spares for last‑minute additions or postal losses

Reprints hurt twice – they cost almost as much as the original run and delay postage. Our Order FAQs explain how to amend a proof without restarting the print queue.

Day‑Of Stationery: Guiding Guests with Grace

Order of Service & Ceremony Programmes

The Order of Service is equal parts ritual and roadmap. It tells guests when to stand, when to sing and where to look for readings. One per guest is ideal; one per couple suffices if you are watching pennies. Choose from single A5 cards for civil ceremonies or folded booklets for church services in our Order of Service collection.

Signage, Seating & Table Plans

Table plan: Display both an alphabetical guest list and table‑by‑table map – visual learners will thank you. Heavy board mounted on an easel withstands barn‑door drafts better than a flimsy printout. Explore styles in Table Plans.

Directional signage: A single wooden arrow marked “To the Bar” prevents twenty anxious questions. Banners, welcome boards and selfie back‑drops abound in Signs & Bunting.

Place Cards, Menus & Small Touches

• Place cards anchor décor at eye level and avoid chair‑scramble chaos. From classic folded tent cards to laser‑cut acrylic, browse Place Cards.

• Menu cards reassure guests with dietary needs and spark conversation. One per guest feels luxurious; one per table is acceptable for family‑style dining. Deep‑dive article: Why You Need Menu Cards.

• Aisle runners, ring pillows, guest books and post boxes add polish and practicality – see our Wedding Accessories overview.

After the Wedding: Gratitude & Address Changes

Thank‑You Notes

A handwritten thank‑you posted within six weeks of returning from honeymoon strikes the perfect balance between promptness and authenticity. Mention the gift specifically – “Your Le Creuset casserole has already hosted its first beef bourguignon” – so the message feels personal. Coordinating designs: Thank‑You Cards.

Change‑of‑Address Inserts

Moving house after the wedding? Slip a printed address card inside your thank‑you rather than mailing a separate notice. Printed address cards help guests keep physical address books current.

For design templates visit Your Stationery.

Sustainability Without Compromising Luxury

Couples often fear that eco‑friendly equals rustic or dull. Not so. Three options deliver both conscience and glamour:

1. Recycled cotton rag: Soft texture, takes letterpress beautifully.

2. Seed paper: Guests can plant the paper after the wedding – ideal for favours or place cards.

3. FSC‑certified bamboo: Naturally white, strong, perfect for foil stamping.

Cold‑foil printing allows metallic shine to be stripped away during recycling, unlike traditional hot‑foil blocking. For short‑lived pieces such as welcome signs, responsibly sourced plywood printed with UV ink can be reused as garden art.

Need more ideas? Browse our DesignLab for custom finishes.

Budgeting & Hidden Costs

Stationery budgets rarely implode because of invitations; they creep through unplanned extras ordered at the eleventh hour. Run your finger down this list before you sign off a print job:

For a full breakdown read 14 Hidden Wedding Costs.

Postage, Packaging & Delivery Tips

1. Assemble one complete invitation and weigh it at the Post Office before bulk‑buying stamps. Anything over 100 g or thicker than 5 mm triggers Royal Mail Large Letter rates.

2. Wax seals look enchanting but can crack in sorting machines. Pay the “hand‑stamp” surcharge and present envelopes over the counter.

3. International mail to Australia, Canada and parts of the USA suffers the longest customs delays; opt for tracked services.

4. Bride & Groom Direct ships suites flat, unsealed and banded, letting you tweak components and control final weight. Delivery details live on our Delivery Information page.

5. Keep one assembled suite on your desk as the master reference when queries arise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do we still need paper RSVPs in 2025?
If most guests are under 35, a digital form is fine, but printed cards delight older relatives and become charming keepsakes. Many couples include both.

How strict should we be with RSVP deadlines?
Very. Caterers charge per plate and hire companies per chair. Send a gentle reminder the day after the deadline, then reallocate seats.

Is it rude to mention gifts?
Not when handled discreetly. Mention your registry or charitable preference on the details card or wedding‑website insert. Steer clear of demanding cash.

Can evening‑only guests receive a different design?
Yes, but maintain the same typography and colour palette for cohesive branding.

Must menu cards list allergens?
Legally the caterer must supply allergen information on request, but printing symbols shows care and prevents frantic kitchen dashes.

For more answers delve into Wedding Invitation FAQs.

Next Steps with Bride & Groom Direct

1. Request a free brochure to explore paper stocks and finishes first‑hand.

2. Use our Marriage Calculator to count down the weeks until “I do.”

3. Contact our design team for bespoke sketches or to adapt any collection piece.

4. Read verified feedback on Trustpilot and shop with confidence.

5. Ready to order? Our step‑by‑step guide How to Order explains proofs, payment and delivery in plain English.

Bringing It All Together

Etiquette is the quiet choreography behind every seamless wedding. A guest who receives a thoughtfully worded invitation understands where to be, when to RSVP and how to dress. A guest who finds their name beautifully calligraphed on cotton card feels expected and welcome. A guest who opens a warm, personal thank‑you just weeks after the confetti settles remembers your day with fondness for years to come.

Between those milestones lie dozens of paper decisions, each an opportunity to reinforce the story you and your partner are telling. With the right timeline, precise wording and a sprinkle of design magic, your stationery suite will not only guide the celebration – it will become a cherished keepsake long after the last slice of cake is enjoyed.

When you are ready, we will be here with proof rounds, colour swatches and time‑honoured advice until every envelope leaves your desk with confidence. Here’s to stationery that feels as considered as the vows themselves – and to a 2025 wedding woven together by the simple power of well‑timed, beautifully crafted paper.