Ordering invitations is much, much more than just ordering invitations. From the moment you are engaged, there is a flurry of paper needs – from the save the date to the final thank you note. A smart bride-to-be knows that planning well in advance will ensure your guests are invited on time, seated at the correct table, and finally, thanked properly for their gifts – all with a cohesive, put-together look.

Knowing up front which items you will have custom designed saves on ink, printing, artwork, and paper cost. Using this list can help you prioritize which items you need and the order in which you will need them. So, when your custom invitation designer asks you what you are ordering, have this list handy:

Save the date
Invitation and response card
Reception card
Direction card
Confirmation packet
Bridesmaids brunch invitation
Welcome itinerary
Ceremony program
Escort card
Place card
Table card
Seating chart
Menu card
Gift Tag
Announcement
Thank you note

Sending a Save the Date helps invitees plan to attend you wedding. A save the date does more than asking family and friends to mark the date on their calendar. It gives them advance notice to ask for vacation time from employers, find discounts on airlines, and book hotels. Save the dates range from formal – a white card with black engraving – to contemporary – a sleek c.d. Save the dates go out as early as nine months in advance, if your guests are traveling from a great distance.

The paper, color, printing, and calligraphy on your Invitation informs your guests about your wedding day – will the event be formal or relaxed, traditional or contemporary, evening or daytime, inside or outdoors, by the beach or in the city? The invitation includes a Response Card – either a folded or flat card with a self addressed and stamped envelope, or a post card. The response card allows your guests to say if they are attending, or regretfully, cannot attend; their choice in dinner; and a date by which they should respond. The Reception Card is included in the invitation. The reception card is used when the reception is held in a different place from the wedding ceremony. To save, the reception information can be included on the invitation, especially if the ceremony and reception site are at the same location. The Direction Card to the ceremony and reception site is included with the invitation. The direction card can be a map, written directions, or both. Invitations are traditionally sent out six weeks in advance. Your Announcement will have the same information and look as your invitation, and is sent after the wedding day.

When the response cards are returned, you will probably send out a Confirmation Packet with information about how to get there, where to stay, and what to do for the weekend. The Welcome Itinerary is traditionally included with a gift basket provided for out of town guests. The basket, bag, or bottle of wine is left at their place of stay. The itinerary lists the events for the weekend, convenient shops, and places to eat.

The Bridesmaids brunch invitation is sent to each of your bridesmaids to thank them and take care of any last minute preparations for your wedding day. The newest trends in these invitations are to personalize the card for each bridesmaid by using the color of their dress, or quotes about your friendship.

For the day of the wedding, your guests will begin with a Ceremony Program. The ceremony program guides the guests through the service. It gives the overall structure of the ceremony, names of the family members, bridesmaids, groomsmen, and others involved in the wedding party. The newest trends in programs are to have them match the colors for your wedding, and to have personal embellishments, such as special quotes. Many guests save the ceremony program as a keepsake from your wedding.

Escort Cards are placed at the entrance of the reception area to guide guests to their table. Escort cards are traditionally done with an envelope inscribed with the guest’s name on the outside and a card with the table number inside. Escort cards can also be a folded, or flat, and decorated. If you have a specific seating arrangement, place cards are used at each seat around the table. Table Cards are displayed in frames, or within the floral centerpiece. Seating Charts are large displays showing where the tables are arranged and who is seated at which table. Seating charts can be used alone, or in addition to escort and place cards. If your guests have a choice in their meal, and it was not indicated on their response card, your guests will need a Menu Card. The Gift Tag goes with the parting gift for the guests attending your wedding. Traditionally placed at the door, the newest trend in gift tags is to have them paired with the escort cards, or to place them on the table.

Thank You Notes should be one of your biggest investments. It is the last item you will send as part of your wedding set to thank people for their generosity, and the first item you will send as a newly married couple. Stationery is also the first anniversary gift. The smart bride will order enough personal stationery to send thank you notes and last well into the second year of correspondence. By ordering paper and printing in larger quantities, you will save. Also, ask your designer to save the plate, so you can continue to have your stationery printed for years to come.

When you order invitations, start early – selecting specialty paper, fine printing, and calligraphy all take time. Beginning well in advance allows your designer more options to creatively combine items to save on cost, and design a more cohesive look to all your correspondence. Consider combining orders for friends and family that are throwing parties for you. Along with your invitation set, the groom’s family will be ordering invitations – from the Rehearsal Dinner Invitation to the Groom’s Party Invitation. Friends will send invitations for your Shower and Engagement Parties.

Keep your paper chase list handy, and your organization will pay off. Your eagerly expecting guests will be sure to receive you invitations on time, and in style.