wedding papers?

Question

obviously there's the invitation itself, but what are all the other things?! like reception cards, and response cards (ok, so i get that one) and what not?

and another thing about wedding papers, who actually used a program for their wedding? i know i've seen a lot of people saying they have, but i don't think it's necessary. (then again i don't think it's necessary to have a lot of other things either, like place cards...i think people should sit where they're comfortable...)

basically i guess i'm just asking what are all the papers that are associated with weddings, other than the license, invitaiotn and response card? and how many of them are actually necessary, or good to have?

i know it's my own wedding and i do plan to only use the basics (invitation and RSVP card, plus a little side note about medieval weddings with the invitaiotn, so people aren't like whoa! dude!! what is this?!!) i'm just wondering what all the other pieces of paper people send out are and what they're for.

Answer 1

There are all kinds of stationary used for weddings. Here are the ones I can think of off the top of my head:

Save-the-date cards/newsletter - typically mailed to out of town guests at least 6 months prior to the wedding to inform guests of the date of a wedding so they can begin their travel preparations; some include information on hotel blocks, airline, and other travel information

Wedding newsletters - often sent to wedding party members to inform them of upcoming events (attendant meetings, dress fittings, deadlines to order tuxes, rehearsal times, rehearsal dinner, expected responsibilities, contact information, timelines, etc.); sometimes wedding newsletters are sent all guests to provide pertinent information (i.e., registry locations, travel information, things to do in the area, etc.)

Wedding invitations - official invitation requesting the presence of guests; sometimes reception information is added at the bottom or corner of the invitation when the reception is in the same location as the ceremony

Reception cards - provides location and time of reception

RSVP cards - requests guests to complete to inform hosts of whether they will be in attendance

Map/direction cards - provides a map or directions to the ceremony and/or reception location

Additional Enclosure cards - used to provide in additional instruction or information that has not already been provided on the invitation, RSVP, or map cards (rehearsal dinner, etc.)

Wedding programs - provides an overview of the order of service and explantion of cultural traditions; often includes names, relationship, and place of residence of important family members and wedding party members; may also provide information regarding reception activites (location, directions, menu, start time, etc.)

Place cards - designates the place setting or table number for guests at the reception

Menu cards - informs guests of the menu for the reception

Gratuity cards/envelopes - nice way to hold gratuities or final payments for vendors

Wedding announcements - used to announce your marriage to family and friends you were not able to invite to the wedding

Thank you cards - thank guests for their presence and/or gifts

Here's what we used:
-we combined a save-the-date card with our Christmas greeting cards since we had a lot of out of town guests;
-mailed wedding newsletters to provide hotel and travel information for out of town guests and special instructions for attending the historic site where our wedding was to be held;
-in our invitation mailing we included the invitation (with reception info at the bottom), RSVP, and map cards with direction since we had a lot of out of town guests;
-we also provided wedding programs to give an overview of our ceremony, list the names, relationships, and locations of our wedding party and family members since our families hadn't meet before the wedding (live in different states), provide the menu for our buffet, and provided instructions for the tour of the grounds that was being provided immediately after the ceremony
-assigned seating was required by our venue, but instead of purchasing place cards, we asked guests to see one of our hostesses for their assigned table
-I bought a couple of cute gratuity card thanks to serve as both a thank you card and holder for gratuities for our musician and videographer
-we also mailed wedding announcements to all the other family members and friends we did not invite to the wedding
-and the last thing we used were thank you notes

Answer 2

It all depends on the type and size of wedding you are having. If you are sending out invitations by mail (may I suggest a cute refridgerator magnet with the date and persons who are getting married) make sure to ask people to RSVP at least 3 months in advance. I say 3 months because people tend to procrastinate and although you may not need an account of all those planning on attending until 2 months before (for seating and catering purposes) it's always good to give people an extra month or so to arrange travel plans etc. Also, you may state in the invitation "Guest + 1 person" to avoid anyone having to stand at the back of the church or be seatless (not to mention food less) when it comes to the reception dinner.
Thank You cards are nice - and should be sent out a week after the wedding . Or, if you choose to you can simply (after recieving the final count and names and addresses of all those attending - make gift bags / keep sakes) place them with parting gifts to those who RSVP and attended.
I say, invitations are necessary for wedding above 20 people. Basically, To avoid confusion. If it's a small wedding you can personally invite people at an intimate engagement party.
Programs are for those weddings that may have bands playing for may have other people making speeches at the reception etc. I personally don't like to use programs - I fear that people will take a shortcut and purposely miss parts of the wedding.
Guest books are cool - but try to personalize it - like have the guests write mini notes etc. instead of just initialling their name.

Answer 3

Really, I think that the type of wedding, and amount of people, is the reason that many people have programs, and place cards.

I personally am not going to use place-cards, but I hear that it's good if you are going to have more than 150 people, so that things aren't so confusing.

I am going to use a program though, because we have a limited time for the reception, so I think it will help people know what's going on.

Everything is optional (minus invites, and license), even RSVP cards, because you can create your own website and have people RSVP there. It helps you save money, and it's easier for your guests.

Answer 4

Don't forget to order your Thank You notes too (if you want them to match your invitations) when you order your invitations. Other "papers" you could have are menus, direction cards, some people do a "welcome" note for people staying in hotels. You can definitely break the bank with wedding stationary when you start adding all these papers up (plus special inks, calligraphy, etc, etc) it gets crazy! I personally really like a program at weddings. Especially when I'm only familiar with the bride or groom and not all the people in the wedding.

Answer 5

Any papers, except for the license, invitations and RSVP cards are optional. It just depends on what you want to mess with. I did not want to mess with any of it so I sent out invitations with RSVP cards. I had finger sandwiches and other finger foods and chairs around the dance floor so people basically sat whereever they wanted. I did not have a program either. It all just depends on how much you want to do.

Answer 6

What do you mean by wedding papers? There are 2 "papers" that you need. The first is a marriage license and the 2nd is the papers you sign after the exchange of vows so you can get your marriage certificate

Answer 7

I think you have them all ....I didn't do place cards either and didn't use a program; as a wedding goer, I prefer NOT to have a program, when I get one, I find myself constantly looking at the program, "to see where we are" instead of just sitting back and taking it all in.........

Answer 8

i think your right some of the stuff in a invitation is so unnecessary i did not have a program and people sat where they wanted and were quite happy the only tables that i had that were reserved were the table for my parents which where close to the head table so if it was time to do something then they where close!

Answer 9

i think you got it
in a wedding you only have to have the invitations and license
the only other thing i put in the invitations were directions and my wedding was great

Answer 10

its your wedding day stop worrying about what everyone thinks you should have and just do it your way and have a great time.