Bridal Stationery and Etiquette
There are several heartfelt ceremonies involved when two people are pledging themselves to one another, and they all require special stationery. Weddings are huge events celebrating the couple and using matching stationary for each event only makes the whole experience more special.
Save the dates
A popular new trend, save the dates are cards, or sometimes more creatively, magnets, sent to guests that live near and far as far in advance of the wedding. Since out of town guests need to make travel arrangements or request time off, these cute and thoughtful notes have become part of wedding traditions. The cards usually list the date and location.
Shower Invitations
Bridal showers take place a few months before the wedding. Invitations to the shower should be sent out one month prior. The person who volunteers to host the shower is responsible for sending the invitations, receiving the RSVPs and planning the shower. The bride should provide the guest list so that no one is inadvertently uninvinted, such as the groom's family. Many showers have themes, lingerie or cooking, and guests bring gifts reflective of the theme.
Wedding invitations
The invitations reflect the wedding itself, so it should express the personality of the couple getting married. Thick, glossy paper and fancy envelopes indicate a fancy wedding, while a simple invitation indicates a simple wedding. There are generally two envelopes associated, an inner envelope holding the invitation and is addressed with the guest's name and an outer envelope that holds the inner envelope. The outer envelope is addressed and sent through the mail. If the invitation is to a single, and are allowing guests, address the inner envelope to the invitee “and Guest”. An RSVP card is included and there should be a stamp on the return envelope for easily returning the RSVP card.
Thank you notes
Send out thank you cards for each gift you receive, within two weeks of receiving the gift. Your note should be handwritten and mention the gift specifically. If a guest gives you a gift at your bridal shower and another at your wedding, send a thank you note for each.
Other invitations
Some brides and grooms send out invitations to the bachelor and bachelorette parties or to the rehearsal dinners. This is a matter of personal choice.