You’ve chosen your venue, sent invitations, and your big day is just weeks away. With so much planning behind you, it’s time to focus on the final details that tie everything together — your wedding day stationery.

From seating charts to place cards, these finishing touches do more than inform your guests — they create an elevated experience and bring cohesion to your entire celebration. If you're one month out and wondering what still needs to be ordered, this guide will walk you through everything to include, when to start, and how to make sure nothing slips through the cracks.

When to Order Your Wedding Day Stationery

Even though wedding day stationery won’t be used until the wedding day itself, it’s best to place your order about 4–6 weeks before your event. This timeline gives you a comfortable buffer for design, proofing, printing, and delivery — so everything arrives stress-free and perfectly polished.

Here’s why we recommend starting at least a month ahead:

• Design time matters: Every piece is custom designed by a real person — no templates or auto-generators here. We work with you one-on-one to ensure everything is just right, and you’ll need time to review each piece for any changes before approving for print.


• Production & delivery: It’s important to allow time not only for design and proofing, but also for printing and shipping. Starting early gives you the best chance for everything to arrive seamlessly and stress-free. For added peace of mind, you can estimate your delivery date based on your order details and timeline.


• Day-of organization: While most wedding day stationery pieces don’t require assembly, you’ll still want time to sort and organize everything. Separating items for the ceremony vs. reception — or even creating labeled bins for each table — makes day-of setup easier, whether it's handled by a coordinator, friend, or venue staff.

Designer Tip: Already ordered your invitations through Shine? You’re in luck — we offer perfectly coordinated wedding day stationery to match every invitation suite. That means you can keep your design consistent across the ceremony and reception without having to make a dozen new decisions. Simply choose the pieces you need, and we’ll handle the rest.

Your Essential Wedding Day Stationery Checklist

Welcome Signs: A Warm First Impression

A beautifully printed welcome sign is one of the first things your guests will see — and it sets the tone for your entire celebration. Positioned near the entrance, it reassures guests they’re in the right place and adds a sense of arrival to the experience.

Whether you're hosting an indoor ceremony or a garden reception, a welcome sign adds structure and formality to your space. It’s a small detail that makes a big difference in how polished and intentional your event feels from the very start.

Wedding Ceremony Programs: A Keepsake and a Guide

A ceremony program is more than a schedule — it’s an invitation for your guests to feel connected to your wedding on a deeper level. Whether your ceremony is rooted in tradition or completely personal, a printed program helps guests follow along and feel fully present during your most meaningful moments.

You can include the order of events, music selections, readings, and — most importantly — the names of those standing beside you. For many couples, this is also a special way to honor loved ones, share meaningful details about the ceremony, or include a brief note of thanks to guests. The exact wording is flexible, so you can make it feel personal.

Ceremony programs don’t have to be long or overly formal. They can be as simple or detailed as you like — and they make beautiful keepsakes for you and your families to hold onto after the day is over.

Escort Cards or a Seating Chart? Choose What Works for Your Flow

Escort cards and seating charts both guide guests to their assigned tables — the choice depends on your venue layout and overall vibe.

• Escort cards are placed at a table and picked up by each guest.
• A seating chart is a large printed sign displaying names and table numbers in one place.

Both are elegant options — it just comes down to space, flow, and aesthetic.

Place Cards: A Must for Assigned Seating and Plated Meals

While they are very similar to escort cards, place cards serve a different purpose — and play an important role at the reception. Instead of being placed at the entrance to the reception, like escort cards, place cards are used at each individual seat to show guests exactly where to sit once they’ve arrived at their table.

If you’re planning assigned seating — especially with a plated meal — place cards are an important detail. Not only do they help guests find their spots, but they also help your catering team identify meal choices and note any dietary restrictions.

This information can be displayed subtly, using a small icon, symbol, or text in the lower right-hand corner.

Designer Tip: For plated dinners, be sure to list only one guest per card. This helps your catering team avoid confusion and keeps service running smoothly.

Wedding Menus: Form Meets Function

Wedding menus do more than list the meal — they instantly elevate your table design and create a polished, thoughtful experience for guests.

Menus can be styled in a variety of ways, from tucking them into a napkin fold to centering them on each place setting. If you’re looking to simplify your setup, you can even include guest names directly on the menu, eliminating the need for separate place cards.

In addition to enhancing the overall aesthetic, menus help set clear expectations — giving guests a preview of the meal to come and creating a more welcoming, seamless dining experience.

Table Numbers: Beautifully Practical

Table numbers are essential for helping guests find their seats quickly and comfortably — especially at larger receptions. But beyond function, they also play a visual role in the overall look of your tables.

Whether displayed in simple holders or framed for added elegance, table numbers are one of those behind-the-scenes details that help your event run smoothly and look beautifully put together.

Designer Tip: All of our table numbers are thoughtfully designed to fit standard 4x6" or 5x7" photo frames, making them easy to style with options you can source locally or through your venue.

Wedding Signs: Small but Essential Touches

Wedding signs play an important role in keeping your celebration organized and guest-friendly. These printed pieces provide subtle direction at just the right moments — guiding guests without disrupting the aesthetic of your space.

Some of the most commonly used signs include:

• Reserved: Mark off seats for family or VIPs at the ceremony
• Guestbook: Invite guests to sign in or leave a note
• Cards and Gifts: Clearly designate where to place envelopes and presents

These signs help eliminate confusion, especially in spaces where multiple areas are set up for different purposes. They’re also a great way to avoid constant questions to your planner, family members, or venue team throughout the day.

Favor Tags: A Polished Touch for a Sweet Send-Off

Whether you’re sending guests home with mini bottles of champagne, homemade cookies, or local treats from your wedding destination, favor tags add a personal, polished finish to your wedding favors.

These small tags are more than just decorative — they’re an opportunity to say a simple thank you, share a meaningful message, or include your names and wedding date for a sweet keepsake.

Because favor tags are so easy to customize, they work beautifully with just about any type of gift — and they bring intention to a detail that might otherwise go overlooked.

Custom Signs: Designed Just for You

Need a sign that’s a little more specific? Our custom signs are the perfect solution for personalized wording, unique setups, or creative moments throughout your celebration.

Whether you’re displaying a bar menu, a timeline of events, or inviting everyone to be fully present for an unplugged ceremony, our custom signage allows you to tailor the message while keeping the design cohesive.

You can choose from a wide range of sizes — from small 4x6" signs to large-scale 24x36" pieces. Just enter your wording, and our designers will create a layout that fits your text beautifully and matches the style of your invitation suite or day-of stationery.

Designer Tip: Custom signs are a great way to tie in personal touches — like naming your signature drinks after your pets or including a fun message for your photo booth. Our team will ensure it feels elegant, intentional, and true to your overall aesthetic.

Looking for Something Else?

If you’re envisioning something you don’t see on our site, we’d love to help. Just reach out with what you’re looking for — big or small — and we’ll explore what’s possible to create a piece beautifully tailored to your needs.

What If My RSVPs Aren’t Final Yet?

If you’re still waiting on a few RSVP stragglers (it happens!), you don’t have to delay placing your wedding day stationery order.

We recommend one of two approaches, depending on your preferences:

Option 1: Order Everything at Once

• Place your full order upfront with the quantities you expect to need.
• Your designer will begin working on the pieces that don’t require guest names.
• Once RSVPs are finalized, send over your guest list and final quantities. She will then lay out the personalized pieces (like place cards or seating charts) and adjust quantities before the approval process.

Option 2: Split Your Orders

• Place an initial order for items that don’t rely heavily on guest names or counts (programs, signage, table numbers).
• Later, place a second order for personalized pieces (place cards, escort cards, seating charts) once your RSVPs are confirmed.
• This allows your initial pieces to be printed and shipped as soon as they’re ready, while personalized pieces are completed after RSVPs are finalized.

Both options keep your timeline on track while giving you flexibility. It really comes down to whether you’d prefer everything handled at once or to receive part of your stationery sooner.

Final Touches: Thank You Cards

Thank you cards would traditionally be sent within three months of your wedding — but having them ready to go ahead of time makes it much easier to stay on schedule. No matter what wording you choose, from gifts and kind gestures to the love and support of your guests, a handwritten thank you is one of the most meaningful ways to express your gratitude.

If you didn’t order your thank you cards with your invitations, now is the perfect time to add them to your order. They may feel old-fashioned, but they’re one of the most meaningful ways to express gratitude — and your guests will genuinely appreciate the time and thought you put into each one.

Designer Tip: For large guest lists or tight timelines, we offer interior message printing, so you can include a pre-written note and simply sign your names. It’s a thoughtful, time-saving option that still feels personal and polished.

FAQs About Wedding Day Stationery

What is considered wedding day stationery?

Wedding day stationery includes all printed materials used on the actual wedding day — from ceremony programs, menus, place cards, and escort cards, to table numbers, custom wedding signs, seating charts, and more. These pieces guide guests, keep your event running smoothly, and enhance your overall design.

When should I order wedding day stationery?

We recommend ordering your wedding day stationery about 4–6 weeks before the wedding. This gives you plenty of time for design, proofing, printing, and delivery without any last-minute stress.

If you’re cutting it closer, you can place your order up to 2 weeks before the wedding, though rush printing and shipping will be required. For a personalized estimate, visit our Estimate a Delivery Date page.

Do I need both escort cards and place cards?

Not necessarily. If you’re assigning seats, you’ll need both a seating chart (or escort cards) and place cards at each setting. If you’re assigning tables only, you can choose between escort cards or a seating chart and skip place cards altogether. For plated dinners, we highly recommend using place or escort cards with meal indicators to help servers deliver meals seamlessly.

What size should wedding signs be?

Sign sizes vary depending on their use. Welcome signs and seating charts are typically larger (around 20x30” or 24x36”), while bar menus, table numbers, or reserved signs are smaller (4x6”, 5x7”, or 8x10”).

If you’re not sure which size to use for a sign you have in mind, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our designers can help recommend the right sizes based on your needs.

Can I match my wedding day stationery to my invitation suite?

Absolutely — and we encourage it! All of our wedding day stationery is fully customizable to coordinate with your invitation design for a seamless, cohesive look throughout your event.

Bringing It All Together

Your wedding day stationery may feel like the finishing touch, but it plays a vital role in creating a celebration that feels intentional, polished, and completely you. From ceremony programs and welcome signs to table numbers and favor tags, these thoughtful details help your day run smoothly while elevating the guest experience.

The best part? With Shine, the design work is already done. Every piece of day-of stationery is available to match your invitation suite, so all you need to decide is which items will make your celebration feel complete. Our designers will handle the rest — ensuring everything arrives beautifully crafted and on time.

And if you need something you don’t see on our site, feel free to contact us — we love creating custom pieces tailored to your vision.

Your wedding day deserves nothing less than perfection, and we’re here to make sure every detail feels just right.

Photo Credit
Escort Cards: Jennifer Larson Photo