On-the-day wedding stationery covers everything guests see and use once they arrive: a welcome sign, order of service sheets, table plan and numbers, place cards, menus, and often a few smaller extras like favour tags or a guest book sign. Going through the day in order — arrival, ceremony, drinks reception, wedding breakfast, evening — is the easiest way to make sure nothing gets missed.
Arrival
- Welcome sign: the first thing guests see, usually with your names, the date, and a short welcome message. A2 or A3 size works well as a freestanding or easel sign at a venue entrance.
- Directional signs: useful if your ceremony and reception are in different parts of a venue, or across a car park and a marquee.
Ceremony
- Order of service: outlines readings, hymns or music, and the running order, so guests can follow along. A folded A5 booklet is the standard format.
- Seating or unplugged ceremony signs: a small sign asking guests to put phones away, if you want an unplugged ceremony, is worth printing rather than relying on someone announcing it.
Drinks reception
- Table plan: shown during drinks so guests can find their table before sitting down. A2 is a common size for a single large plan; some couples prefer several smaller A3 boards split alphabetically.
- Guest book sign: a short sign explaining what you would like guests to do — sign a book, leave a photo, write advice — placed near the guest book itself.
Wedding breakfast
| Item | Typical size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Table numbers | Small card or freestanding, matching table plan style | One per table, numbered or named to match your plan |
| Place cards | Small folded or flat card | One per guest, or per place setting if you are doing a shared table style |
| Menus | A4 or A5, sometimes one per place setting or one per table | Include any dietary symbols agreed with your caterer |
| Favour tags | Small swing tag, if giving favours | Often matched to your invitation design for consistency |
Evening reception
- Evening invitations: if you are inviting additional guests for the evening only, these typically go out at the same time as your daytime invitations.
- Bar or drinks menu sign: useful if you have a signature cocktail or a specific drinks package guests should know about.
- Photo booth or guest messages sign: a small sign explaining any evening extras, such as a photo booth or a place to leave messages.
After the day
Thank-you cards are not technically "on-the-day" stationery but are worth planning for at the same time, since ordering them alongside your other stationery means you can match the same design, paper and finish for a consistent set across the whole wedding. Many couples wait until after the day to personalise thank-you messages, but there is no reason the printed card itself cannot be ready in advance.
A note on matching your set
The easiest way to make on-the-day stationery feel considered rather than assembled at the last minute is to keep paper stock, colour palette and any foiling or finish consistent across every item — welcome sign, order of service, table plan, menus and place cards. It does not need to be an identical design on every piece, but a shared colour, font and paper weight ties the whole day together.
Final checks before printing
- Cross-check every guest name against your final RSVP list, including spelling.
- Confirm table numbers on the table plan match the numbers on your table number cards exactly.
- Check dietary requirement symbols on menus match what you have told your caterer.
- Have someone other than you proofread everything — a second pair of eyes catches typos you will have stopped seeing.
The short version
- Work through the day in order — arrival, ceremony, drinks, breakfast, evening — to avoid missing anything.
- Core items are: welcome sign, order of service, table plan, table numbers, place cards and menus.
- Keep paper, colour and finish consistent across every piece for a considered look.
- Always get a second person to proofread names and table numbers before printing.
