Learning how to select the perfect wedding stationary is an important element of planning the perfect wedding. The first things your guests will know about your wedding will be the clues given to them with your wedding stationary and the pieces of it that you select. The colors, styles and formatting of the envelope, inserts, print and paper all tell your guests about your wedding style. From formal to casual, elegant to fun, the wedding stationary you choose helps set the tone for your guests and your wedding.

There are a wide variety of types of wedding stationary a couple may choose to use. The colors, style, formatting and paper should blend seamlessly from one type of announcement to the next.

Calligraphy tends to imply a formal theme or elegance in tone. Red, white and black are very common choices of color with more formal, elegant themed weddings. Bold, brilliant hues suggest playfulness and fun, lending themselves well to tropical and ‘off-beat’ themes. Metallic colors in print and design also tend to say “formal” or “elegant” about a wedding theme.

The design chosen... to accompany the stationary also clues the guests in to the theme. A seashell says “tropical”, while a fancy flourish or fleur-de-lis says “formal”. A fish may tell the guests of the couple’s love for fishing and that the wedding itself will be a fun tribute to the joy of fishing.

The first piece of wedding stationary a couple may choose to use may be for an engagement announcement or engagement celebration. This sets the framework for all the stationary that will follow. This piece should match what will come next, whether it be the wedding invitation or other pieces that come in-between.

The next piece of wedding stationary a couple may wish to use is known as a “Save the Date” card. This notifies guests well in advance, in a casual way, of the wedding date so proper planning and scheduling can take place. This is especially important for those guests who will have to travel far or need time off from work and from other obligations in order to attend the wedding.

Pre-wedding and shower stationary comes next on the list. Events that occur before the wedding would fall under this category. Though these events may be planned by people other than the couple, they will set the tone for the events they announce. The colors, style and theme may not match those of the other stationary, but they should match the style and theme of the event they announce. This helps guests to know what to expect, what to wear and the type of event that is planned, whether it be formal or very casual.

The wedding invitation itself is typically the invitation and two envelopes. One envelope, the smaller of the two, is known as the inner envelope. This envelope is for the names of the guests. The wedding invitation is placed inside of it. The other envelope, known as the outer envelope, is used for the names and address of the guests being invited. The inner envelope and wedding invitation are placed inside this envelope. The wedding invitation is the piece de resistance of all wedding stationary. This is the particular set of wedding stationary that announces the theme, style and colors of the wedding to the guests.

Choosing the perfect wedding stationary is about more than perfect wedding stationary. Some couples use their wedding stationary as inspiration for their custom wedding cake, floral arrangements and decorations. Choosing stationary colors, style and formatting that will be pleasing to the eye when replicated in so many ways is important to creating a theme that flows from one element to the next.

Talented designers can find creative ways to incorporate the various aspects of the wedding stationary into the other elements of the wedding. This congruence in theme, style and color helps create the perfect wedding. The elegant fleur-de-lis on the stationary can become an integral part of an elegant wedding cake. Likewise, that off-beat cartoon character theme selected for the stationary can be used on a cake that will amaze your guests.

Andrea Boley is a writer and blogger and wedding enthusiast.  She has been writing articles and blogging for over 10 years and is always happy to share her passion for life and experiences through her work.  She currently writes for Storkie on all things related to weddings.