The Ultimate Italian Wedding Stationery Guide with LouPaper
Planning stationery can be a bit of a headache. We’re often asked what’s actually required, how to tie in your design theme from the start, what timeline to work to and how to get your on-the-day stationery to Italy…
La Lista member LouPaper has shared some of her stationery wisdom with us so that together we can answer all of your stationery queries!
As soon as you have booked your venue.
Save the dates are optional, but we highly recommend getting these out to guests in one form or another. With an Italian wedding it’s imperative that your wedding date is in your guests’ diaries ASAP. You don’t want your guests booking holidays or making other plans.
Alongside your save the date, we’d recommend building a basic wedding website, to inform guests of the outline of your plans. This should answer any questions they may have at this early stage and save you becoming a personal FAQ.
If you’re going for printed stationery, allow at least 4 weeks for the design, proofing, production and delivery of any stationery order.
6-8 months before the big day.
As invites usually contain more detailed information about the wedding and are the trigger for people booking flights and accommodation, we usually suggest throwing tradition out the window and getting these out to guests 8, even 10 months before the wedding. As flights are released 12 months before the wedding date (and that’s when prices are usually lowest) it makes sense to get your invites to guests nice and early, so they can make the most of this.
Always add an ‘RSVP by’ date, we advise 12 weeks before the wedding. This gives you time to chase up guests that haven’t replied and get that stationery briefed in. Bear in mind that if you’re taking stationery from the UK you need that printed and in your hands before you fly to Italy. The 12 week RSVP deadline gives you time to get the stationery sorted without rushing and brief all necessary suppliers.
Always check the postage before sending your invitations. If you have multiple cards tied together with twine, this may require a large letter stamp.
Louise says, “One of the most common mistakes my clients make is thinking that each guest needs a wedding invitation or save the date each. Remember that most of your guests will be part of a couple or family attending the wedding, so they don’t need an invite each.”
As a rule, you’ll typically need around 60% of your total guestlist, so if you’ve got 100 guests, you’ll need about 60 invites or save the dates. It’s always important to calculate your numbers before attaining any quotes, so you’re able to get an accurate cost ready to add to your budgeting spreadsheet!
“I always advise to order a few spares, for any last-minute additions and keepsakes. Sadly reprints of small quantities are rather costly, due to the printing time required, so save yourself the effort and $$$, and pop a few extras on to your first order.”
10-12 weeks before the big day
On the day stationery really helps to style your venue and carry your chosen theme and colour palette through your big day.
You’ll need your guest list for the day semi-finalised before some of these items can be started. Things like your table plan, menus, dietary requirements and your guests names. Don’t be afraid to brief in your on the day stationery at this 10 week point - most weddings have subtle changes to table plans and guests list right up to the wedding so expect that your table plan may not be accurate on the day.
The age old conundrum - How to fit a table plan in your suitcase?
“There are so many other options for any large signage you need that are much more suitcase friendly, things like printed fabric table plans, hanging displays cards or escort card styles.”
Or alternatively foam boards do exist in Italy so another option is to get them printed there!
Looking for some table plan ideas and inspiration? Check out wedding planner member Wiskow & White’s Pinterest board here.
Thanks so much to member LouPaper for sharing all of her wedding stationery expertise with us! If modern-luxe gorgeousness is your thing, go check out her profile now.
Are you starting to think about the look and feel of your wedding but not sure where to start? Check out our article How to Design a Unique Wedding for some tips on getting started and how to get those creative juices flowing.
Written by Beth Butler, marketing person and lover of all things weddings; with a particular passion for beautiful photography, muted florals and a good cup of tea.
