What signs do I need at my Wedding?

August 23, 2023 Angela Farley

Informative but not to mention decorative and beautiful, wedding signs are a must to keep guests informed and help them navigate your big day. Here are a few ideas for signs you may want to include at your wedding:

1. Welcome Signs: Usually placed at the entrance of the venue, a welcome sign will greet your guests and let them know they are in the right place. They display a welcome message, the names of the couple getting married and the date of the wedding. They can also be combined with the 'order of the day’, essentially creating one sign instead of two separate signs. These are usually large A1 signs printed on rigid 3mm foamex board to stand up on an easel.

2. Order of the Day Signs: An 'order of the day' or 'order of events' sign is simply a schedule of the days events and activities to ensure your wedding guests don't miss out on any important moments. This can be a list of times and events or displayed with illustrations in a timeline style. Typically it will start with the ceremony time and follow with photographs, speeches, canapés, cutting the cake, first dance, evening buffet, carriages etc. These are usually large A1 signs printed on rigid 3mm foamex board to stand up on an easel.

3. Unplugged Ceremony Signs: This is a polite message displayed at the entrance or inside the venue asking your guests to refrain from using electronic devices during the ceremony. The purpose is to create a more focused, intimate atmosphere without the distraction of smart phones, cameras and tablets. These can be large A1 signs printed on rigid 3mm foamex board or smaller A2/A3/A4/A5 signs.

4. Wedding Breakfast / Menu Signs: A sign displaying the wedding menu or sit down meal details. The term 'wedding breakfast' is a historical term that simply refers to the first meal the newlyweds and guests have after the ceremony. These can be large A1 signs printed on rigid 3mm foamex board or smaller A2/A3/A4/A5 signs.

5. Table Plans / Seating Charts: Probably our most popular and requested sign, a wedding table plan (also know as a seating chart) is a visual layout showing the table arrangement with guests seating assignments, usually displayed at the entrance or inside the venue / reception. Simply put, a table name or number with the list of guests sitting at each including the couples names and date of the wedding (usually at the top). Names can also be displayed in alphabetical order with the guest name and the table they are allocated to. These are usually large A0 or A1 signs printed on rigid 3mm foamex board to stand up on an easel. Table plans can also be individual cards pegged or attached to a display.
Table Plans — Lovestruck Stationery

7. Bar / Drinks / Cocktail Signs: These can show what drinks are available at the bar and can also inform your guests of an open bar or free drink allocation. It can also show the newlyweds cocktail choice and the ingredients.

8. Donation / Charity Signs: Often included when the couple would like guests to donate to a chosen charity and can include a QR code to link to a specific website.

9. Directional Signs: Useful to point in the direction of the wedding itself (i.e. road signs) and also areas within the venue, such as glamping, toilets, the bar, etc.

10. Toilet Signs: These can be directional and point in the direction of the bathroom or are used in the ladies / gents with a special message such as 'Freshen Up' placed next to a basket of toiletries.

11. Cake Signs: A sign (or several) placed next to the wedding cake showing the flavours of the wedding cake. These often include allergen information and ingredients.

12. Gifts & Cards Signs: Usually placed by a box encouraging guests to post messages and gifs inside.

13. Guest Book Sign: Usually an A4/A5 size sign that is displayed next to your guest book encouraging people to leave a message of congrats. They can be printed on card (ideal if you are displaying in a photo frame) or on thicker board with a strut added to the back so they are freestanding.

14. Social Media Signs: These can be used to encourage guests to take photos of the celebrations and often display a personalised hashtag for posting on social media.

15. In Loving Memory / Until We Meet Again Signs: A sign to remember lost loved ones.

16. Let Love Sparkle Signs: Placed next to a basket of sparklers which are lit by guests to celebrate the newlyweds.

Signs can be A0 / A1 / A2 / A3 / A4 or A5 and printed on rigid 3mm foamex board or smaller signs on 350gsm card.

These are just a few of the sign options you can include at your wedding, so if you have your own ideas and would like to discuss your wedding signs, please get in touch: [email protected]

What is ‘on the day’ wedding stationery?

August 3, 2023 Angela Farley

You’ve sent your save the date cards and posted your invitations, now it’s time to talk ‘on the day’ stationery and simply put, these are any printed items (typically used during the ceremony and reception) to help guests navigate your big day.

Here are a few recommendations to help things run smoothly on the day…

Order of Service: Typically a booklet or folded card consisting of the order of events during the ceremony, such as the wedding party, hymns, readings, prayers and any special customs and thank you’s. They can be complex and contain lots of pages of detailed text or very simple with just a basic breakdown of essential information. TOP TIP: remember people can share, so you don’t necessarily need one order of service per person!
Place Name Cards: These are generally a flat or folded piece of card that displays each guests name, so as they can easily find where they are seated during the wedding breakfast. They may show first names only or full names (including surnames) depending on your preference. Place name cards can be printed or we also offer a modern calligraphy service to write the names on by hand. We can also supply ‘reserved’ cards / tags.
Table Name / Number Cards: Usually an A5 or smaller A6 postcard sized piece of card positioned one per table, with either a number or name printed on both sides (depending on how you are displaying them). If names are used, they are usually created to suit the couples theme, such as places of special importance to them or perhaps films they love, be as creative as you like! These table cards are useful to help guests find their table after reading the seating plan information.
Wedding Menus: If the wedding includes a sit-down meal also know as a ‘wedding breakfast’, menu cards can be placed on each table or at each table setting. They typically list the courses and dishes that will be served and can be personalised with each guests name and chosen courses if required.
Table Plans: Also known as seating plans or seating charts, are usually large A1 signs printed on rigid foamex board and displayed near the main entrance to the venue or in the reception room. They show the table name or number with a list of guests seated at each. We also offer arched table plans as well as standard.
On the Day Venue Signage: These signs can be printed to any size you require and include Welcome Signs, Order of the Day Signs (a list or timeline of what’s happening and when) and directional signs showing reception area, toilets, glamping, bar, dance floor, food area etc. We also offer arched welcome signs / arched order of the day signs, as well as standard.
Tags and Stickers: Tags can be printed or written by hand and are used to tie around wedding favours, or simply used as guest place names. Stickers and labels are useful for sealing wedding favours that may be in bags or boxes for example.
Vows Booklets: a printed keepsake, usually a booklet or folded card, containing the vows you read to eachother on your wedding day.

Lovestruck Stationery offer a large range of professionally designed and printed ‘on the day’ stationery to suit every wedding. We are based in Portishead, near Bristol and all large format signs and on the day wedding stationery can be delivered to anywhere in the UK.

If you’d like to chat through your ideas with us, please email us:
[email protected] or call Angela or Mark on 07967 558819

Photo credits: Venetia Norrington Photography | James and Kerrie Photography

What are foil blocked wedding invitations?

July 16, 2023 Angela Farley

Luxury copper foiled No.10 wedding stationery

Foil Blocking v Digital Foiling

Gold, copper, silver and rose gold - our top four foil options available to add a touch of shiny luxury to your wedding invitations and elevate your stationery to another level.

There are two different ways of applying these foils to your wedding invitations, so lets start with the one that’s been around longest…

Traditional Foil Blocking or as it’s also know ‘hot foil stamping’ has been around for many years (possibly first used to add gold leaf to manuscripts) and uses metal dies under pressure and heat to stamp the foil onto the card, giving a desirable, tactile impression in the card. A metal die (or stamp) usually made from magnesium or brass has the design etched onto it. It’s then fixed to a press, heated up and foil is passed between the die and the card under pressure, transferring the design onto the card in foil. This technique can be time consuming to set up and take the press operator time to perfect. It also requires one die per artwork version, which is reflected in it’s cost and the reason traditionally foil blocked stationery is more expensive.

In house hot foil press for producing luxury foiled wedding invitations

Magnesium die plates used in the hot foiling process to create your luxury wedding stationery

2. Digital foiling or ‘toner foiling’ as it’s sometimes known, is a far more recent technology which eliminates the need for costly dies and set up time. Instead of a die or stamp, the design is digitally printed onto the card stock in black toner ink. Very smooth card or laminated card works best. The printed card is then passed through a pressurised heat source (like a laminator) where the toner heats up and acts like a glue. When the foil is passed over it under pressure, it sticks to the black ink transferring the foil to that specific area.

An example of gold digital foil also known as toner foil

Both techniques have their pros and cons, so which to use may depend on budget, requirements and essentially the desired outcome.

One process may suit an item better like, for example, place name cards. These require a different name on each card so would suit digital foiling. The main wedding invitations would be better using traditional foil blocking, unless each invitation needed to have the guest name added in which case digital foiling would be the best choice.

Here at Lovestruck Stationery we are lucky enough to have our very own in-house hot foil press (a beautiful powder green John T Marshall), where each item of luxury wedding stationery is meticulously foiled by hand, in our studio based by the coast in Portishead.

Drop us a line if you’d like to discuss foiling options for your wedding stationery
[email protected]

What is wedding stationery and why do I need it?

June 21, 2023 Angela Farley

Printed items that are used in relation to a wedding are known as ‘Wedding Stationery’ and include save the date cards, invitations, RSVP cards, guest information cards, order of service, place name cards, seating plans, table name/number cards, venue signage, welcome signs, order of the day signs, menus and thank-you cards, to name but a few!

Wedding stationery can be very useful, here’s a few reasons why....

Save the date cards: these are often the first item of stationery you will send out in relation to your wedding and are generally sent a good 8-12 months before the wedding day. They are usually a small postcard sized card that displays your names, the wedding date and the location (usually if abroad) and are useful as they allow your guests the chance to pencil in your wedding date in their calendar, increasing the chance of attendance.

Invitations: Wedding invitations are a formal way to announce your wedding and invite people to attend. Not only do they provide important details like the date, time, and venue, allowing your guests to mark their calendars and make necessary arrangements but in their design, they give an overall feel in terms of the theme and style of your big day - formal, rustic & relaxed, festival etc.

RSVP cards: These are generally included with the invitation and allow your guests to respond and confirm if they can/can’t attend, special dietary requirements, son/menu choices etc. This allows you to form an accurate headcount for planning purposes, such as caterers, seating arrangements, dietary needs and general logistics.

Organization and Information: Additional stationery such as guest information cards, order of ceremony, table plans and venue signage help guests stay informed and organized during the big day. They provide important information about the schedule, order of the day (a timeline of events), seating arrangements and menu choices, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone.

Keepsakes and Memories: Wedding stationery will often be kept and cherished by the couple and their loved ones, serving as a reminder of the happy day.

Wedding stationery will help set the tone of your wedding and add a touch of elegance, sophistication, and organization to the celebrations, keeping guests informed and creating a lasting impression of your special day.

[email protected]