Your Faithful Guide to Wedding Stationary and Signage
Photo by: Anna Zajac
At Fierce Productions, we believe the little details are what make your celebration unforgettable—and wedding stationery is one of those small-but-mighty elements that sometimes gets pushed aside, but leaves a lasting impression.
From dreamy save-the-dates to polished place cards, wedding stationery tells your story while keeping your guests informed and engaged. The Fierce team guides couples through all the steps — we even have in house designers and printing partners who can help create everything for you. If you need some assistance, here’s your complete guide to the what, when, and wow-factor of wedding stationery:
Pre-Wedding Stationary
Save the dates
The first official announcement of your wedding! These should go out 8–10 months before the big day and must include your wedding date. Save the dates are important because it shares with guests WHEN your wedding is so they can block off their calendar and begin to make travel plans. Feeling ahead of the game? Include your wedding website for early peeks at venue info or your love story. And don’t be afraid to set the tone with colors or designs that hint at your theme.
Wedding Shower Invites
If a wedding shower is on your agenda, we can help coordinate gorgeous invites that reflect the vibe—whether it's bubbly brunch or candlelit soirée. Like a classic invite, you will want to include the date, time, venue, and probably a dress code for guests — allowing them to understand how upscale or casual the shower is.
Wedding Invitations
Invitations are sent out once more of the planning is finalized, and are typically sent out 3-6 Months out. Wedding invites are also when you’ll start collecting RSVP’s. Whether you are collecting RSVP’s digitally or through the mail, make sure it includes when you want guests to arrive, the location of your ceremony (and reception if at different locations), menu selection (or food details if buffet), and the RSVP deadline date. The RSVP deadline is important because it let’s guests know when to respond. Trust us when we say you will most likely follow up with guests right before the RSVP deadline, so make sure to limit your numbers by sharing the cut off date. Unlike the Save the Date, your invites should match the colors or theme of your wedding so guests can start to comprehend the wedding scale.
Essential details to include:
Wedding date (yes, again!)
Ceremony & reception locations
Start time
RSVP deadline and method
Dress code
Meal selections with dietary restrictions (for plated meals)
Wedding website link
Need guidance on design or wording? We’ve seen it all and can share examples or connect you with design and printing pros if you're looking for something bespoke.
Day of Wedding Stationary
Welcome Sign
A wonderful way to greet guests to your celebration! Not always necessary, but especially helpful for multi-site weddings or unique venues. Include both names and the wedding date for a stylish first impression—and possibly a keepsake for your home later on.
Ceremony Programs
Whether printed or displayed on signage, programs help guests feel informed. It usually includes a run down of important details for the ceremony. It can be as informational, playful, or elegant as you please.
Details to include:
Names of key participants (couple, officiant, readers, wedding party)
Ceremony outline or timeline (processional, readings, exchange of rings, etc.)
Cultural or unique traditions explained in brief (if doing something unique)
Optional “unplugged” message if you’re requesting no phones
Seating Assignments
Guest seating isn’t just about order—it’s an opportunity to add style, personalization, and even storytelling to your event. While it might seem like a logistical step, how you guide your guests to their seats can become a design moment of its own.
There are three primary formats to consider, each with its own purpose and possibilities. Your choice may depend on the formality of your event, the guest count, your catering format, and whether you’re embracing a traditional or more laid-back vibe. We always walk couples through the pros and considerations of each option to ensure a seamless guest experience, while also supporting your catering team and keeping the flow of your evening on point.
Seating Chart: Displayed list with guest names and table assignments
A seating chart is a large-format board or sign listing guest names alphabetically (or by table) with their assigned table number. It eliminates the need for hundreds of printed cards and creates a strong visual moment as guests enter the space. This is a perfect option if you have open table seating or buffet styled meals.
Creative Ideas: Creating a seating chart can be a fantastic option for creative expression. You can have a mirrored sign with hand-painted acrylic, or custom fabric backdrops, or have vinyl records representing each table. The creative ideas are endless!
Escort Cards: Guest name + table number
These are typically displayed near the entrance to your reception. Each card features the guest’s name and their assigned table number. Escort cards are perfect if you want a simple but elegant way to guide guests, especially for larger weddings. It allows guests to choose where they sit at the assigned table. This is a great option if you are doing buffet styled. If you are doing a seated dinner, then you would add meal options so the catering team knows who ordered what.
Creative Ideas: You can pin the cards on a greenery wall, you can have them nestled in tiny envelopes with personalized messages, you can have them placed on tiny macaroon boxes for guests. They also don’t have to be literal cards—they can be anything you want that fits your wedding’s theme or your personal story.
Place Cards: Guest name + table number + meal choice
These are positioned at each guest’s seat and often include their name, table assignment, and meal choice (if you’re serving plated entrees). This shows guests exactly where to sit. Sometimes you will need a seating chart to first guide guests to the table, and then they will find their specific seat. This option helps catering staff deliver meals efficiently and reduce guest confusion as they will know where everyone will be sitting before the event.
Creative Ideas: Much like the escort cards, the place cards don’t have to be literal cards. They can be personalized figures, crystals, candy bags, wooden carvings, anything that matches your design and color palette and acts as decor for your tablescapes.
Table Numbers: Table number or identifier
These identifiers sit on the table itself and are essential for helping guests find their seats once they’ve located their table assignment. Don’t forget to consider how the table numbers will be displayed! You can add a pop of personality to your tables by choosing a table number holder, frame, floral pick or other creative display option that embodies your style.
Creative ideas: You can keep it classic with printed numbers, or infuse personality with names of cities you've visited, favorite books, inside jokes, or objects that tell your love story. Whatever you choose, make sure they’re legible and visible across the room.
Food Menu
Whether you're hosting a full plated dinner, a brunch buffet, or a small-bites reception, a thoughtfully styled menu helps guests feel informed and excited. It’s also a subtle way to highlight the care you've put into curating the culinary experience.
What to include:
Courses or stations, depending on your format (e.g., appetizers, entrées, desserts)
Descriptive names or ingredients for each item (especially helpful for dietary preferences. Important to have prior too if guests selected meals during RSVP)
Notations for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or other common dietary options
Any special food elements (e.g., family recipes, themed dishes, cultural specialties)
Display formats to consider:
Printed menus at each place setting for formal meals
Shared menus per table or per dish for family-style or grazing layouts
Framed or mounted signs at each food station or buffet
As always, your menu design can mirror your wedding’s aesthetic—whether it’s deckled-edge paper with gold ink for a romantic affair, or clean modern typography on frosted acrylic for a contemporary vibe.
Bar Menu
Whether you’re serving classic cocktails, signature sips, or a curated beer and wine list, this is your chance to showcase personality and even tell a bit of your story.
What to include:
Signature cocktails (with clever names or personal backstories)
Wine, beer, spirits available
Non-alcoholic options (especially if you’ve crafted a zero-proof drink)
Any special notes (e.g., “try our favorite summer sangria!” or “his & hers picks”)
We love helping couples style these signs in unexpected ways—mirrored trays, watercolor illustrations, or even etched acrylic panels that glow under moody lighting.
Card/Gift Table
This is a practical necessity that doubles as a styling opportunity. It prevents confusion and gives your thoughtful guests a clear destination to drop off cards, gifts, or well wishes—especially helpful in large or multi-room venues.
What to include:
Simple message like “Cards & Gifts” or something more personal: “Your presence is our gift, but if you brought more…”
Couple’s names or initials
Thank-you sentiment (optional): “Thank you for celebrating with us!”
Elevate this area with intentional styling—florals, framed photos, a lockable card box, or heirloom objects that tie into your theme.
Guestbook Sign
A small but important nudge—beautiful signage near your guestbook helps ensure guests understand what it is and what you’d like them to do. You’d be surprised how many people pass it by without a gentle prompt.
Ideas to include:
A message like “Leave us a note for our next adventure” or “Share your favorite memory with us”
Instructions if you’re using something unconventional (a typewriter, Polaroid guestbook, voice recording station, etc.)
Your names and wedding date for keepsake value
Whether it’s calligraphy on a vintage mirror or a printed card in a sleek stand, your signage sets the tone—fun and playful, romantic and refined, or minimalist and modern.
Post Wedding Stationary
Thank You Cards
An essential wrap-up detail. Whether handwritten or printed, personalized thank-you notes go a long way. We’re happy to offer ideas on format and timeline so this last piece doesn’t fall through the cracks.
BONUS: The Wedding Website
Though not really considered stationary, your wedding website should be the base of all wedding information for your guests.
If taking this route, information like the date, important times for events, eventually an RSVP link and registry, some FAQs, the wedding party if including, and links for transportation/hotels will be included. Basically anything you think your guests would have a question about—put it on the website.
No matter where you fall on the DIY-to-done-for-you spectrum, Fierce Productions is here to make sure your stationery journey is smooth, stylish, and true to your story. Some of our clients love handling every design detail themselves—others tap our team for strategy and supplier recommendations. Either way, you’re in expert hands.
Let us help you translate your wedding vision into beautifully coordinated details guests will love (and actually remember).
Photo by: Andrea Godfrey
DO YOU HAVE A BOLD VISION FOR YOUR WEDDING?
Fierce Productions is a Chicago based event planning company specializing in curating unique, bold, non-traditional weddings and events. Our talented team of professionals can handle all of your event needs including planning and coordination, design and styling, vendor and talent management, fundraising, marketing support and beyond - get in touch to learn more!