What On-the-Day Stationery Do You Need and What’s Just Lovely to Have?
Lucca Studios – Journal Feature
How Thoughtful Design Creates an Unforgettable Guest Experience
When it comes to planning a wedding, on-the-day stationery is often one of the final pieces of the puzzle, but it plays a powerful role in shaping your celebration. From the moment guests arrive to the final toast, beautiful wedding signage and stationery help set the tone, guide the experience, and create those ‘stop and stare’ moments that your guests will remember long after the last dance.
So, here’s the big question, what do you actually need? And what might be a luxurious (but worthwhile) addition?
Let’s break it down.
The Essentials
These are the pieces that guide your guests and keep the day running smoothly. Done well, they feel effortless, but behind the scenes, they’re carrying a lot of weight.
1. Welcome Sign
The first impression. Whether printed on luxe board or soft linen, a beautifully designed welcome sign sets the tone for everything to come. It signals arrival, offers a moment of pause, and introduces your day with elegance.
2. Table Plan or Escort Cards
A true essential, not just a pretty feature, but a practical one. Whether minimalist or romantic, your table plan ensures guests know where to sit and can find their names with ease. We love designing these as visual moments in their own right, often in harmony with your florals or venue architecture.
3. Place Cards
These do more than show guests to their seat, they offer a moment of personal connection. Whether it’s a hand-foiled silk ribbon tied to a champagne flute or a bespoke cut name card perched on the charger, it’s a tiny detail that makes each guest feel seen and also the perfect keepsake for your guests to treasure from the day.
4. Menus
Menus sit at every place setting and are one of the most interacted-with pieces of your day. They can be as simple or as statement-making as you wish. We often recommend custom shapes, layering, or subtle embellishments to elevate this practical piece into something quietly luxurious. If you’re opting for more lavish place cards, then you may decide to place menus down the tables for your guests to pass around between them.
The “Nice-to-Haves”
These are the pieces your guests may not expect, but will absolutely notice. They add an extra layer to your day and another chance wow your guests whilst keeping your guests informed and ensuring your day runs effortlessly.
1. Order of the Day Sign
Whether you’re having a church ceremony or a civil one, guests love to know what to expect. A well-placed sign outlining the day’s flow brings comfort and clarity, all while adding to the aesthetic. If you’re unsure about adding an additional sign to your day, then incorporating the order of the day in with your welcome sign is the perfect combination.
2. Vow Books
Not always on display, but deeply sentimental. Custom vow books elevate a personal moment and they photograph beautifully, too. It ensures that the moment you speak your vows to your loved one you are holding something as beautiful as the words you are speaking. There is nothing worse than vows being read from a phone or a scrappy piece of paper. Many couples keep them as heirlooms.
3. Bar or Drinks Menus
Perfect for signature cocktails or a curated drinks list if you are offering an open bar to your guests in the evening. These smaller signs offer a moment of charm and personality, especially when paired with custom illustrations or materials like frosted acrylic or linen.
4. Something Completely Bespoke
From from tambourines hung on a wall for your guests to ‘take and shake’ before they join the party, to custom printed fans with your bespoke monogram to cool guests down on a hot day. These bespoke elements create a statement, and often become some of the most talked-about details.
Materials & Finishes: What Makes the Most Visual Impact?
When it comes to impact, it’s not just about what you include, it’s also about how it’s made.
Fabric signage (linen or silk) feels soft, romantic and elevated. Perfect for romantic countryside venues or destination weddings.
Hand-painted frosted acrylic brings a contemporary edge while still feeling refined.
Layered paper pieces, deckled edges, and hot foil detailing add depth and texture, making your stationery something that’s not just seen, but felt.
A Final Thought
The most memorable weddings don’t always have more stationery, they have well-designed, intentional pieces that echo the story told in the invitations and carry it through to the very last detail. The names, the illustrations, the colour palette, the textures, when these are thoughtfully repeated across your day, the impact is undeniable.
And that’s what we love most at Lucca Studios: building your story piece by piece, then watching it come to life in ways that creates pure magic.
Thinking about your on-the-day stationery?
We offer design continuity for Lucca couples who have worked with us for their invitations, as well as bespoke services for couples joining us for the first time at this stage. If you'd like help creating a beautifully cohesive experience, we’d love to hear from you.
