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From Pinterest to Post Office: Your DIY Wedding Stationery Blueprint

Designing your own wedding stationery can be a fun, creative, and cost-effective way to infuse your celebration with personal style. Whether you're going for whimsical and romantic or modern and minimalist, DIY stationery gives you full control over every detail. In this guide, you'll find everything you need to know — from choosing what pieces to include and selecting your paper, to printing tips, addressing options, mailing guidelines, and clever ways to save. Let’s bring your wedding vision to life, one piece of paper at a time!



Step by step guide


Step 1: Determine what stationary elements you would like to include

Your unique needs may be different and there is not a cookie cutter stationary protocol. However, here are some stationary elements you should consider:

Save the Dates

Invitation Suite

Programs

Menus

Placecards

Welcome Note

Table Numbers

Photo Sharing QR Code

Seating Chart

Guest Gifts

Thank you Cards 

Ultimately, your budget and your unique priorities will determine what stationary to include.


Step 2: Establish your stationary aesthetic

Do you want fun, colorful, and vibrant? Do you want classic, timeless, and elegant? Do you want whimsical, floral, and dreamy? Stationary is a great way to channel the overall vibe you are looking to achieve. Browse through Pinterest to start getting some fun ideas and inspiration! You can view my Stationary Pinterest Board here!


Step 3: Start Designing

This will most likely be determined by your budget and the scope of what you are looking for. If you are working with Gathered Co. for partial or full planning, stationary design is included! However, if you are not there are some other avenues you can take. There are incredible stationary vendors for a higher scale experience, but you can also use it as a fun DIY opportunity! You can use tools like Canva and/or Etsy to design your own. For a full DIY Stationary Guide, read this blog!


Step 4: Wording

Wording your stationery thoughtfully sets the tone for your entire celebration. Whether you prefer formal, traditional phrasing or something more fun and casual, your wording should reflect both the style of your event and your personality as a couple. Double-check names, dates, times, and addresses for accuracy, and consider consistency in tone across all pieces — from your Save the Dates to your thank you cards. There are plenty of online templates and examples to guide you, or you can write your own! If you're feeling stuck, lean into phrases that feel natural to you — and don’t forget to proofread everything (twice!).


Step 5: Choose a high quality cardstock

The paper quality is so important to achieving an elevated look! Look for a cardstock that is at least 100lb thickness. I love this linen textured cardstock that comes in a variety of shades!


Step 6: Consider getting them printed locally

There are several online printing services (Canva & Vistaprint are my favorites if you go this route). However, consider getting them printed locally! Nothing beats a real person taking care with your prints and bringing a detailed eye to the project. Prints Plus in Potosi, MO is my favorite! When bringing the designs to the print shop, have a detailed list of quantity, sizes, and specific notes for each design. Here are some common stationary sizes for each item:


Save the Dates

 5" x 7"

4.25" x 6"

4" x 6"


Invitation Suite

Main Invitation: 5" x 7" (A7)

RSVP Card: 3.5" x 5" (A1)

Details Card: 4.25" x 5.5" (A2) or 4" x 6"

Envelopes: A7 (5.25" x 7.25"), A1 (3.625" x 5.125")


Programs

4" x 9"

5.5" x 8.5"

5" x 7" (for booklets or folded styles)


Menus

5" x 7"

4" x 9"

4.25" x 11"


Placecards

2" x 3.5" (flat)

3.5" x 4" (folded to 3.5" x 2")


Welcome Note

5" x 7"

4" x 9"

4.25" x 5.5" (A2)

4" x 6"


Table Numbers

4" x 6"

5" x 7"


Thank You Cards

4.25" x 5.5" (A2 – flat or folded)

3.5" x 5" (A1 – folded)



Step 7: Assemble

Have fun with assembly! I like to wrap the Invitation Suite in vellum wrap. You can get these plain, printed, or even decorate them with pearl stickers to fit the vibe you are going for. From there, you can explore wax seals, ribbon ties, play around with dried flowers, and more! Have fun during this stage! 


Step 8: Address

Hand Address

  • A classic and personal choice.

  • Use a good-quality pen (like a calligraphy marker or fine-tip ink pen).

  • Make sure addresses are legible and centered — consider pencil guidelines to help you line things up.

  • Consider getting a return address stamp


Address Stickers

  • Use pre-printed address label stickers for a clean, uniform look.

  • I like using these wrap labels which can include your return address & mailing address.

  • You can create matching labels in Canva, Avery.com, or another template service.


Print Directly on Envelopes

  • Use this tutorial to use Canva as a design platform!

  • Print directly to envelope


Ask the Printing Shop

  • Ask the printing shop if address printing is included with the purchase of your invitation suite!


Step 9: Time to mail them out!

Assemble & Weigh Before You Stamp

  • Take a fully assembled invitation suite (including RSVP card, any enclosures, wax seals, etc.) to the post office before buying stamps.

  • Suites that wigh over 1 oz or are non-machinable (square, bulky, include embellishments) will require additonal postage.

  • Ask the clerk to check if your suite qualifies as "non-machinable" - these require a surcharge (typically around $0.40 extra)


 Choose Your Stamps Thoughtfully

  • You can buy custom stamps from third-party vendors or use USPS Forever Stamps.

  • Make sure to get:

    • Invitation Stamp (based on total weight & size — often $0.68+)

    • RSVP Envelope Stamp (usually one Forever Stamp, currently $0.68) if you are not doing a virtual RSVP

  • Pro tip: Buy a few extra stamps in case you need to resend any!


Hand-Canceling (Optional but Beautiful)

  • Ask your post office if they offer hand-canceling — this avoids your invitations being run through a machine, which can smudge or bend them.

  • Not all locations will do it, so call ahead or ask for advice. Some couples opt to pre-stamp and drop off at a central processing center to reduce handling.


 Double-Check Addresses

  • Triple-check spelling and zip codes!

  • Use clear block or script font that’s easy for postal machines to read.

  • Avoid placing any important text or design elements too close to the edges of the envelope.


 When to Mail

  • Mail invitations 8-10 weeks before the wedding

  • RSVP deadline should be 4-5 weeks before the big day.


Consider a Test Run

  • Mail one invitation to yourself before sending the whole batch.

  • Watch for issues like damaged envelopes or returned mail.


Return Address

  • Include a return address on the back flap of the outer envelope or on a small label.

  • This ensures undeliverable invites make their way back to you. 



COST SAVING MEASURES


  • Send your Save the Dates virtually! This can be really convenient especially if using a contact collector with your wedding website. 

  • Avoid using excess ribbon or wax seals to keep the weight of your invitations under 1oz keeping mailing cost lower.

  • Utilize an online RSVP platform to avoid paying for RSVP postage.

  • Combine some elements. For example, make your menu double sided with a welcome note on the front and menu on the back! Or put the photo sharing QR code on the back of your table numbers. 

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