Wedding Invitation & Stationery – GLOSSARY TERMS

Have you ever wondered what “At Home” meant? Or what the difference between a monogram and a duogram was? If you have, then this list of stationery and wedding invitation glossary terms is what you’ve been looking for! Enjoy!

Accommodation Card: This is an optional card that may be added to a wedding invitation suite. This card should list locations and information out of town guests may need to make reservations for lodging, when attending the wedding celebration.

At Home Card/At Home: These cards are sent out to announce when the happy couple will be home from their honeymoon and their new address. The couples new address may also be published under a section entitled, “At Home,” on their wedding ceremony program.

Belly Band/Belly Wrap:  For an Invitation Card with Wrap, this is the band/wrap that surrounds the card. It may be produced from various readily foldable materials such as vellum, translucent paper, etc. Or
when produced from a thicker paper stock, such as glitter cardstock, it may also be scored for folding. 

Blind Embossing:  Is a print process used to create a raised design by pressing an image on a plate into paper. It’s called “blind” because the design, or type, is formed without ink or foil. For more information on printing processes, see our article Printing Processes for Fabulous Wedding Invitations. See also Embossing.

Border: This is a design framing the outside edge of the invitation or card. It may be a simple line or more decorative design.

Calling Card: In contrast to a business card which may list a business’ name and one’s business contact information, a calling card lists personal information, and is typically sent with a gift or left when making a social call.

Calligraphy: Literally meaning “beautiful writing,” calligraphy has traditionally been understood to mean formal or flourished writing created by hand, not machine. Presently, the term is now used to refer to both handwriting, or computer fonts, that use a large sampling of flourishes and/or flowing lines.

Card: In an invitation or stationery paper stock that does not fold.

Card with Wrap: An invitation stock that is surrounded with a wrap of vellum, translucent paper, rice paper, etc. See also: Belly Band/BellyWrap.

Centered: A copy position where text is printed centered on the card with equal space in the left and right margins.

Ceremony Card: See: Program.

Copy: A publishing and design term for wording that composes the text of any printed item.

Correspondence Card: Not to be confused with “Note Cards,” these cards do not fold and are also referred to as “Flat Cards.” These heavy-stock cards are used for social stationery, and larger sizes may be used for invitations.

As social stationery, this is more commonly used as stationery by men, whereas folded “Note Cards” are more commonly used as stationery by women. See also: Flat Card.

Couple’s Monogram: See Duogram.

Debossed: This is a an impression that is inset, as opposed to an impression that is raised from the process of embossing. See also: Letterpress and Blind Embossing.
Deckled Edge: The term used for the edge of paper that appears to have been torn/ worn on the edges.

Destination Wedding: Is the term used for weddings that take place in a location other than that of the bride and groom’s hometown. Whether the location is exotic or simply out of state, a “Destination Wedding” is one where the guests, as well as the bridal couple, will have to travel to attend.

Die: An engraved, etched, or shaped piece of metal or plastic, which transfers a process to a piece of paper stock. A die may be used to cut, fold, or perforate paper. Dies are also used in letterpress printing, foil stamping, embossing, and engraving, to transfer wording and design to the paper stock.

Digital Printing: This flat printing method is achieved by laying down a screen of colored dots (known as CMYK, for the four colors from which all colors are composed: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black). Digital Printing is a less expensive option for multiple-color printing and for images that are shaded or screened. For more information on printing processes, see our article Printing Processes for Fabulous Wedding Invitations

Dimensions: The size and measurements of a card or item. Each item is measured width by height, as in 5″ x 7″, where 5″ is the width.

Direction Card/Map Card: This is an optional card that may be added to a wedding invitation suite. This card may list where the ceremony and/or reception will be held, and contain specific instructions for arriving there. Direction cards contain detailed directions, while map cards will have a map showing main roads and landmarks. 

Double Envelopes: Formal invitations and announcements, such as wedding invitations, are traditionally enclosed in Double Envelopes. The “Inner Envelope” houses the invitation and Insert/Enclosure Cards, and it, itself, is placed inside the “outer envelope” so that it arrives in pristine condition.

Because the “Inner Envelope” holds the invitation directly, it’s considered the primary envelope, and is the envelope that is customarily lined. The guest name only is printed on the inner envelope, the envelope is not gummed, and therefore is not sealed shut.

The “Outer Envelope,” that encloses this inner envelope, is addressed to the guest, has the senders return address printed on it, and is stamped for mailing.

Duogram: Duograms are design compositions of the names, or the initials, of a couple. A “Duogram” of initials is formatted with the surname initial in the center and in a larger size than the other letters, the bride’s first initial on the left, and the the groom’s first initial on the right.

These types of initial “Duograms” are sometimes informally referred to as a couple’s monogram. See also: Monogram. 

Ecru: This is the common industry term used for cream or light beige colored paper stock or ink.

Embossing:  Is a print process where the image or text is raised up from the paper. A metal plate is pressed into the paper from behind to create a raised or embossed image. This can be done in combination with ink or with no ink, which is called Blind Embossing. For more information on printing processes, see our article Printing Processes for Fabulous Wedding Invitations. See also Blind Embossing.

Engagement Announcement: Not to be confused with a Save the Date, Engagement Announcements may be sent out to family and friends before a wedding date has been set, to announce an engagement and when it occurred.

Engraving: Is a type of printing process where lettertype or images are etched into a copper plate and the plate inked. The paper is then forced against the plate with extreme pressure, which draws the ink from the depressed areas onto the paper. The resulting indentations, or bruising on the reverse, shows that the paper has gone through the engraving process.

Envelope Lining: An envelope lining is a decorative paper or tissue that lines the inside of the envelope. For formal invitations requiring two envelopes, the inner envelope is lined. 

Escort Card: This is a small card, or “Foldover,” used to designate table assignments at a reception. The card will list the guest’s name, as well as the table where they are to be seated. “Escort Cards” are commonly placed, in alphabetical order, at the entrance to the event reception, so that guests may pick them up upon entering the room. Once arriving to their table, guests may find the more formal “Place Cards” designating their assigned seats, but if not, they are free to sit in a seat of their choice. See also: Place Card.

Event Card: An optional card that may be included with a wedding invitation. “Event Cards” are more commonly found included with invitations for “Destination Weddings” or for weddings which are planned with various events occurring over the course of a number of days. They would include a list of events and/or a detailed schedule and timeline for the guests.

Flat Card: Also referred to as “Correspondence Cards,” these heavy-weight flat cards are used either for social stationery or invitations. See also: 

Correspondence Card and Panel Card.

Flat Printing: Traditionally known as Offset / Lithography, flat printing is recognized by clean edges and a smooth print. Flat printing is recommended for images that are shaded or screened. Digital Printing is also referred to as flat printing.

For more information on printing processes, see our article Printing Processes for Fabulous Wedding Invitations

Foil Stamping: “Foil Stamping” which has skyrocketed in popularity, is a printing process where sheets of colored foil are heat-stamped onto paper. Foils are generally metallic in finish. For more information on printing processes, see our article Printing Processes for Fabulous Wedding Invitations

Foldover: Also known as a “Note Card” or “Informal,” this is card that is folded in half, and most often is the card format used for thank-you notes. See also: Note Card.

Font: A typeface, or set of letters of a particular type style.

Halftone:A flat printed reproduction of a photograph or other artwork having highlights, shadows, and intermediate tones.

Informal: Also known as “Thank-You Notes,” this is a small “Foldover” with a person’s name or monogram printed on the front. Often, “Informals” are ordered as part of the wedding invitation suite. Their initial use is for sending acknowledgements and thank yous for wedding gifts. But they will also later serve as the new couple’s social stationery, for sending an expression of gratitude for a gift received, a dinner, or any other occasion.

Ink Color: Color chosen for printed copy, monogram, motifs, etc.

Inner Envelope: When using formal Double Envelopes, the envelope that lies closest to the invitation. See Double Envelopes.

Insert/Enclosure Card: The generic name given to any one of the additional cards that may be included with a wedding invitation. This would include the “Reply Card,” the “Reception Card,” the “Direction Card/Map Card,” the “Accommodations Card,” “Event Card,” “Website Card,” and under special circumstances, may even include a “Rehearsal Dinner Invitation.”

Invitation: A card used to invite a guest to an event. Invitations should include specific verbiage which extends an invitation for a specific purpose, and should also include a date, time, and location of the event. If not written on an additional card received with the invitation, instructions on how to respond should also be included.

Kalogram: A stylized composition of type that incorporates a persons name or their name and address, i.e., a name and address laid out as a design element.

Letterpress: The oldest known process of printing, this centuries-old technique presses inked plates of raised words and images directly into paper. The process leaves a crisp “Debossed” impression that can be further enhanced by printing on thick paper with tactile qualities.

Logo: Similar to a motif, a logo is a design or drawing of a company brand identity.

Map Card: See Direction Card/Map Card.

Menu Cards: When serving a plated dinner at the reception, a menu card describing the dishes you have selected will tell your guests what to expect, and heighten their anticipation.

Metallic: The quality of having a metal reflective sheen. Also, lustrous sparkling metal-based colors. Various paper stocks may be considered “Metallic,” as well as certain inks. 

Monogram: Monograms are a very popular choice for printing on one’s social stationery, and typically include an individual’s first, middle, and last initials typeset in an attractive design. 

When the middle letter of a person’s monogram is larger than the two on the sides, the sequence of initials is: first name on left, surname in the center, and middle name on the right.

When the letters are all the same size, the sequence of initials from left to right is: first, middle, surname.

Traditionally, “Monograms” are the initials of just one person, however, the contemporary usage of a monogram bearing a couples’ initials has become quite popular lately. The proper terminology for this sort of “Couple’s Monogram” is a “Duogram.” See also: Duogram.

Motif: This is a printed symbol or a design used to embellish invitations or stationery sets, such as a fleur-de-lis, an image of a sparrow, a floral element, etc.

Moving Card: These are cards sent out to notify people that you have relocated and have a new address or phone number.

Multiple-Color Printing: Is a term used when a card uses two or more ink colors, of the same printing process, on one side.

Multiple-Pass Printing: Is a term used when a card uses two or more different printing methods on any one side. Most commonly, there is an additional charge for each additional “passes.”

Multiple-Side Printing: Is a term used when a card is printed on the front and back of a card. For a “Foldover,” it is when the card is printed on the front and on the inside panel. Most commonly, there is an additional charge for each additional “side.”

Note Card: Are small “Foldover Notes” with a person’s name or monogram printed on the front. They are most commonly used as a “Thank-You Note,” but are equally appropriate for any type of social correspondence. See also:  Thank-You Note. 

Outer Envelope: When using formal Double Envelopes, the envelope that encloses the “Inner Envelope” and is addressed for mailing. See Double Envelopes.

Panel: When a center section of invitation or stationery stock is depressed or raised, and “framed” by a raised area of paper, the center section is referred to as a “Panel.” The term also refers to a tri-fold invitation or card, which have a left, middle, and right panel.

Panel Card: An individual sheet of heavy-weight stationery; also known as a “Flat Card.” These are may be used as stationery or invitations.

Pearlized: Is a term referring to a frosted, shimmering finish, typically found in ink, paper, or envelope linings. The process incorporates a luminous pearly finish to the item, not to be confused with a “Metallic” finish.

Pew Card: See Within-the-Ribbon.

Place Card: This is a small card, or “Foldover,” used to assign seating at a reception. The card will list the guest’s name (and may list a meal selection, if the option appeared on the “Reply Card”) and will be placed at the guest’s assigned seat at their table. See also: Escort Card. 

Program: The schedule, or agenda, provided in a booklet form or in card form, to inform guests of the sequence of events. For a wedding ceremony, it may also list the wedding party and additional pertinent information, along with the order of service.

Proof: A proof is a digital sample of your product set up with your particular information applied. Finished items will be printed according to approved “Proofs,” therefore they are essential for checking the actual type size, placement, spelling, and wording of your order. 

Raised Printing: See Thermography.

Reception Card: This card provides information about the time and location of the wedding reception and is sent as part of the invitation suite. In situations where the ceremony and reception occur in the same location, the “Reception Card” may be omitted.

Registry Information: Crane & Co.’s The Wedding Blue Book of Wedding Etiquette states, “It is in very poor taste to include a card announcing the store at which you are registered. That is too much like asking for a gift.”

Because of this, we strongly recommend that brides list registry information on their wedding website only, and add a “Website Card,” or additional verbiage on one of their existing Insert or Enclosure Cards directing them to their website. For specific verbiage, see Website Card.

Reply Card: Also called a “Response Card,” this card is sent with the invitation suite so that guests may formally reply with the names and number of people who will or will not attend. A reply-by date is also given to inform the guests of the latest date the card should be returned by. The return address is printed on the front of the envelope, and postage is generally included as a convenience to the guests. 

Response Card: See “Reply Card.”

Return Address: A return address should be included on all mail sent by post, informing the Post Office where to return the envelope, should the envelope prove undeliverable. The “Return Address” may or may not contain a name, but must list a street, city, state, and zip code as the address. On formal invitations, the “Return Address” is typically printed on the back flap of the envelope.

RSVP: The initialism “RSVP” comes from the French expression “respondez s’il vous plait,” which literally translates “respond if you please.” It is important to note, that when “RSVP” is included on an invitation, the host is requesting that the invited guest respond to them whether they are ~not~ attending the event, as well as whether they are attending.

Save-the-Date Card: Once only sent to keep guests from making other plans during  popular dates of the year, these cards have skyrocketed in popularity and have become a common component of the Wedding Paper Trousseau.

A “Save the Date” is typically sent one year to six months before a wedding, or other special occasion, to notify guests of the event date, which then allows them time to make vacation and/or lodging arrangements. This is especially helpful for out-of-town guests who will need to make travel arrangements to attend, and also a necessity for “Destination Weddings” where every guest will need to make travel and lodging arrangements in advance. 

Seating Chart: This chart used in lieu of “Escort Cards” to designate table assignments at a reception. The chart should have a main entry for each table and list the individual guests assigned to each one. “Place Cards” may also be placed at assigned seats once the guests arrive at their tables. See also: Escort Card and Place Card.

Table Number Cards: Upon entering the reception, guests are informed, via Escort Card or Seating Chart, the table to which they have been assigned. “Table Number Cards” serve to clearly label each table and direct your guests to their assigned seats. Since they are clearly visible during the entire event, a lovely addition to any reception are “Table Number Cards” that echo the theme/branding of your wedding and invitation design.

Thank-You Note: Also known as an”Informal,” this is a small “Foldover” with a person’s name printed on the front. These are used as an expression of gratitude for a gift received, a dinner or any other occasion.

Interestingly enough, etiquette dictates that proper “Thank-You Notes” be printed with the individual’s name, as opposed to the commercially available notes which are printed with the words, “Thank You,” on the front. 

Thermography: Thermography is a printing process that was created to imitate the look of engraved printing, yet at a more economical price. Sometimes called “Raised Printing,” “Thermography” is achieved when a powdered resin is applied to wet ink and heated to create a raised surface. 
For more information on printing processes, see our article Printing Processes for Fabulous Wedding Invitations

Typestyle: A specified font or lettering style.

Typography: Is the art and technique of arranging type to make “Copy” readable and appealing when displayed. This includes selecting typefaces, point size, line length, line-spacing, letter-spacing, and adjusting the space within letters pairs. When selecting a typestyle for your printed item, the tone of the event, or the company or individual it is representing, should be considered during the selection process.

Vellum: Is a soft, translucent paper with a smooth finish, often laid over an invitation or used as a “Belly Wrap.”

Vellum Finish: Is a finish applied to paper at time of milling. Vellum stock is uncoated and smooth to the eye, but it has a has a slightly rough surface to the touch, similar to that of an eggshell.

Website Card: An optional business card sized card that may be added to your “Wedding Invitation Suite.” This card typically has the verbiage: “For more information about our wedding, please visit: wedding-website-address.com”

As it is considered poor form to include registry information in one’s wedding invitation, we often suggest adding a “Website Card,” or verbiage such as the above, to an existing “Insert/Enclosure Card.” Given, of course, that on the given wedding website, there’s a section for registry information.

Wedding Announcement: Typically sent to inform people of a marriage, or to announce a marriage, “Wedding Announcements”  are sent to individuals who were not invited to be guests at the wedding, as is often the case for smaller, more intimate weddings.

Wedding Invitation Suite: The entire suite or group of cards mailed along with your wedding invitation. This would include the invitation and all the additional “Insert/Enclosure Cards” sent with it. See also: Insert/Enclosure Card.

Wedding Paper Trousseau: Including the “Wedding Paper Suite,” your “Wedding Paper Trousseau” would consist of the entire suite of paper products generated for your wedding. This would begin with “Engagement Announcements,” “Save the Dates,” “Bridal Shower and Luncheon Invitations,” “Bachelorette/Bachelor Party Invitations,” and “Rehearsal Dinner Invitations” before the wedding.

It would also include day-of items such as, “Programs,” “Within-the-Ribbon Cards,” “Escort Cards,” “Place Cards,” “Seating Charts,” “Table Number Cards,” “Menu Cards,” “Thank You Gift Tags.” Also included would be additional optional signage that might be required for your reception, or for your guests such as “Welcome Cards/Letters,” and “Do Not Disturb Signs,” to hang on the hotel room the morning after the wedding.

Within-the-Ribbon: Also known as “Pew Cards,” these cards are enclosed with the “Invitation Suite” of family and close friends, informing them that
they are to be seated in a special section during the ceremony. The cards should be shown to Ushers upon arrival, so that they may be shown the designated area for seating during the ceremony. 

“Z” Fold: Is a sheet of paper or card folded twice to give the invitation or note an accordion or three-panel look.