Planning a wedding involves many details, and your stationery and signage play a significant role in setting the tone and guiding your guests throughout the event. However, it’s easy to overspend in this area if you’re not careful. Maintaining elegance while sticking to a budget is crucial. Here are some practical tips to maximize your impact with a limited stationery and signage budget, ensuring every detail reflects your vision without breaking the bank.

Prioritize Essential Items

First things first, determine which stationery and signage items are essential. These typically include:

1. Invitations: Your invitations set the stage for your big day. Invest in quality materials and timeless design, but avoid unnecessary embellishments that can drive up costs or result in additional necessary postage.
2. Save-the-Dates: These are important for giving your guests ample notice, especially if you’re planning a destination wedding or a wedding during peak season.
3. Programs: Wedding programs keep guests informed about the ceremony’s order of events and significant participants. Opt for a simple yet elegant design.
4. Menus: If you’re serving a multi-course meal, menus at each place setting can enhance the dining experience and add a touch of sophistication.
5. Place Cards: These are essential for assigned seating and add a personalized touch to your reception.

Embrace Digital Options

In our digital age, some traditional paper items can be replaced with digital alternatives:

1. E-Save the Dates: Consider sending electronic save-the-dates. There are many elegant e-invite services available that can mirror the sophistication of printed versions, and you can save the printing costs for your full invitation suite. This is especially true for couples who plan to use an engagement picture on their announcements rather than complementing their wedding design.
2. Wedding Websites: Create a comprehensive wedding website where guests can find all the necessary information, such as RSVPs, travel instructions, and registry details. Not only is this convenient for your guests, but it saves on the need for an extra RSVP envelope (and postage), and potentially even a details card.

DIY Where Possible

Do-it-yourself projects can save money while adding a personal touch:

1. Design Software: Use online design tools like Canva to create your stationery. There are numerous templates available that offer professional-quality designs, and will let you order prints in whatever quantity you need.
2. Printing at Home: For smaller items like place cards or table numbers, consider printing them at home using high-quality paper and an inkjet printer. There are many links on Etsy for editable templates for these items!

Focus on High-Impact Signage

Certain signs can significantly enhance the look and feel of your wedding without requiring a large budget:

1. Welcome Sign: A beautifully designed welcome sign at the entrance sets the tone for your event. Consider using a custom wallpaper-wrapped sign, or a gold-framed mirror with calligraphy.
2. Seating Chart or Escort Wall: Instead of standard escort cards, a single, well-designed seating chart can serve the same purpose more cost-effectively. We especially love when our couples invest in a custom escort wall, bringing in elements of both personality and design into their cocktail hour.
3. Bar Menu: A stylish bar menu can elevate your cocktail hour while informing guests of your drink options. We especially love investing in a bar menu because your guests are almost guaranteed to look for/at it!

Avoid Unnecessary Signage

Not all signage is necessary. Here are a few signs you can likely do without:

1. Excessive Directional Signs: If your venue is straightforward, you can skip multiple directional signs. A concise program (or a member of your coordination team!) can suffice.
2. Menus: If you are not having a plated meal, we recommend one sign per station or smaller food item cards for a buffet with listed allergens, forgoing menus at each seat.
3. Multiple Welcome Signs: One well-placed welcome sign is usually enough. Additional signs can clutter the space and add unnecessary costs.
4. Card Box, Cake, and Bathroom Basket Signs: If the items are obvious, your guests don’t need instructions to tell them what to do!

Tips for Cost Savings

1. Bulk Printing: Print all your stationery at once to take advantage of bulk printing discounts.
2. Minimalist Design: Elegant doesn’t mean over-the-top. Simple, minimalist designs often exude more class and save money. I always recommend Letterpress on upgraded paper, when it matches the design.
3. Semi-Custom: Most stationery artists will offer semi-custom options, which allow you to choose from pre-designed templates and customize them with your own colors, fonts, and wording. This can be a great option for those looking for something personalized but don’t have the budget or time for a completely custom design.
4. Sales: Look out for sales on stationery materials or printing services, especially around major holidays. Use code WEDPLEVERMOREOCC on Minted.com for 35% off of Save the Dates and 25% off all other paper items.
5. Local Printers: Sometimes, local printers can offer better deals compared to large online companies, and you’ll also be supporting local businesses.

Maximizing your stationery and signage budget doesn’t mean sacrificing style or quality. By focusing on high-impact signage, and avoiding unnecessary extras, you can achieve a polished and elegant look without overspending. Best of luck!