From save-the-date announcements, wedding invitations, reception menus, thank you cards and so much more, wedding stationery plays a remarkable role throughout the wedding process. To help our readers better plan and choose from these many options, we got the insider tips from some of Las Vegas’ best stationery vendors: 1st Impressions Invitations, Alligator Soup, Paper and Home and Visionary Pen. For the last installment of our stationery blog, we are going to provide you with their tips and ideas for your day-of stationery!
Planning Your Day-Of Stationery
Michael Coxen from Paper & Home said the day-of wedding stationery should tie in with your overall theme and feel. Whether you’re having a traditional religious ceremony or a modern service, your stationery can help reflect this. Cathy Colbert, owner of 1st Impressions Invitations added that she often creates a logo or monogram that gets used throughout the wedding stationery and on other collateral as well. She suggested that you ask your stationery designer for the final logo file so it can be used on other items, such as gobo lighting, photo booth strips and cakes.
Owner of Visionary Pen, Paula Gold said she has printed on just about anything — from wood, cork, fabric and even a flip-flop. Since every couple is different, she works to tailor everything to their style, theme and budget. For a couple who loved cocktails, she created custom coasters that were used as a save-the-date. For a couple getting married in Napa, she created cork coasters that doubled as wedding favors. There is no limit to what can be achieved with your day-of stationery and collateral!
To do something special for your guests, Helen Edell, owner of Alligator Soup suggested creating a hospitality bag. If your guests are from out-of-town and staying at a hotel, you can have the bags handed out upon check-in. Or, you can simply have a member of your bridal party hand them out to guests as they arrive at the wedding. The bags can include everything from bottled water, chapstick, sunscreen, a welcome note, itineraries and even your favorite treat. You simply provide the materials and then Helen can package everything together for a nice presentation that coincides with your theme.
Ceremony Stationery
Paula, owner of Visionary Pen said many couples are bringing together two different cultural and religious traditions and often times their guests aren’t always familiar with these rituals. To help your guests better understand, you can use your program to explain the traditions being represented during your ceremony. This allows your guests to become a part of the new family and also creates an opportunity to enrich everyone.
Michael from Paper & Home added that you could also explain the importance and meaning of your ceremony in your wedding program. Even if you are having a more silly and lighthearted service, your program can include that information as well.
At the Reception
For seating arrangements, Cathy, owner of First Impressions Invitations said creating an arrangement board is a great option to personalize your wedding. The board can be executed several different ways, but she said many couples choose to use their engagement photos as a watermark with their guests’ seating assignments written over the picture. The board makes a wonderful keepsake for you and also makes it easy and organized for your guests to find their table.
For menus and escort cards, Michael from Paper & Home said you could include a custom monogram, a small story, a drawing, or anything! He also mentioned that your table numbers don’t need to be numbers at all. You can use casino names, cities you’ve traveled to, or even photos of you as children.
For signage, you can include “In Loving Memory” signs honoring those loved ones who have passed, themed signs around the reception area directing your guests and framed quotes or pictures throughout the venue to really personalize your wedding.
For fun, Cathy from First Impression Invitations said consider adding a “mad-lib” card to each place setting to get your guests involved. These can be crafted to be wedding specific and they offer your guests something fun to fill out throughout the night. Paula from Visionary Pen added you could ask your guests trivia questions or have a Q&A with each other, which are great icebreakers for everyone.
And finally, don’t forget to thank your guests! Cathy from First Impression Invitations said in lieu of a menu card, you could use a thank you note at each place setting or simply include a note on your program. Another great option is displaying a thank you sign by the gift table or in the reception area. These are great ways to thank your guests for celebrating with you and show your appreciation.
Overall, just be yourself, have fun and let your wedding stationery help your personalities shine on your bid day!
For more wedding planning tips and information, please visit http://www.bridalspectacular.com. Also, be sure to save-the-date to attend our Autumn Bridal Show August 16 and 17 at Cashman Center where you can meet Helen, Michael, Cathy and Paula in person!