Reception stationery, also known as on-the-day or day-of stationery, includes a wide range of elements designed to communicate lots of vital information to your guests. Usually printed on paper or card, it also forms part of your wedding décor – a tangible detail you can style beautifully.
Having shared lots of information about wedding invitations, today I’m diving into reception stationery in more detail. Here’s everything you need to know…
What to Order
You may not need or want every item on this list, but it’s a good starting point to get you thinking about all the different elements. Simply pick and choose the pieces you need.
Order of Service
Your Order of Service usually takes the form of a full booklet designed to guide your guests through the various stages of a church ceremony. As well as bible readings, music and hymns, it contains any wording guests are expected to say aloud during the service.
Order of the Day
An Order of the Day is generally a much smaller booklet, a single card, or a large board placed at the front of the venue. It features a brief run-down of the day ahead, telling guests what to expect and when things are likely to happen.
Place Cards
Your place cards indicate where guests should sit during the wedding breakfast. They’re printed with guests’ names and displayed as part of the place settings at each table.
Table Names or Numbers
Identifying the name or number of each table, these items are usually printed on a single card and displayed alongside your floral centrepieces and/or other decorative details.
Table Plan or Seating Chart
This is simply a list of each table that also depicts who is sitting where. Traditionally, table plans have been printed on a board and displayed on an easel, usually at the entrance to the reception room. Nowadays, I create lots of impactful, unique installations designed to do the same job, such as hanging hoops and fabric banners. You can discover more about this service here.
Menus
A simple menu card placed at the centre of each table gives guests an idea of what they’ll be eating. If you’ve collected menu choices in advance, an individual card at each place setting will remind guests what they’ve ordered and make it easier for your caterers while serving food.
Guest Books
I love creating hardbound A4 books that are blank inside for your guests to pass around and write messages in. As an alternative, I can also design bespoke signing posters, or come up with something even more unique as part of my wedding styling service.
When to Order
I always recommend ordering your reception stationery approximately three to four months prior to your wedding. The summer months can be super busy, so it’s important to secure a spot in my schedule.
If you’ve ordered invitations from me and I’m also supplying your reception stationery, you’ll be advised to set an RSVP deadline that’s at least six to eight weeks before the wedding. I’ll start asking for final numbers and wording with around six weeks to go, and you’ll want at least a fortnight to chase stragglers and put together your seating plan. The latter tends to take a lot longer than you think!
As well as bespoke designs, I also offer reception stationery within the House Collection. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.