Your Wedding Stationery Timeline
When should I even send those invitations out?
Stationery timelines can be confusing. There’s a lot of information out there on when to send your wedding invitations, all giving slightly different advice. This is my take on wedding stationery timeline and what I recommend to my clients.
With proper planning, you can reduce stress as your wedding day gets near, ensure your guests have enough time to make travel plans, and gives you plenty of time to get the custom designs you’ve been imagining.
Engagement Party Invitations
When to send: 4-6 weeks before the party
Feature a simple celebratory design. Most likely, you want something that’s light and joyful that represents you and your fiancé as a couple. Don’t forget to include the location, date, time, and hosts. You can also include a registry or wedding website if you’ve already started the planning process.
What to Include: Time/Date, Location, RSVP information
Save the Dates
When to send: 9-12 months before the wedding.
Your Save the Dates are the first impression your guests will have of your wedding day. They don’t have to be very intricate and detailed (but can be if that’s your vibe!). You also don’t need to have a lot planned yet to send them out. You just need to secure a date at your venue. Sending your Save the Dates soon after you set a wedding date will give your guests enough time to make travel arrangements if needed. Remember- you might not be having a destination wedding, but if your guests have to travel, it’s a destination wedding for them.
What to include: Your names, wedding date, and location (city is ok- doesn’t have to be the exact venue name). You can include a wedding website, but it’s not necessary yet.
Design ideas: calligraphy names, engagement photo, venue illustration, custom monogram
Wedding Invitations
When to Send: 10-12 weeks before the wedding date
When to start designing: No later than six months before the wedding for custom designs
Your wedding invitation is arguably the most important piece of your wedding day. Without it, your wedding is basically an elopement or a courthouse ceremony (not that there’s anything wrong with that). But if you want your guests to show up, you need to tell them when it is, where it is, what time it starts, and any other details that are important for your wedding day. And remember- this invitation will likely sit on their fridge for months, and they’ll be looking at it every day. Make it pretty, something they want to look at.
What to include: Main invitation, details card, RSVP or website card, RSVP envelope prestamped (if applicable), map, weekend timeline
Design Ideas: Whatever your budget allows! Think calligraphy, vellum wraps, venue illustrations, folios, ribbons, wax seals, calligraphy addressing, and embroidery details
Your RSVP Date
When it Should Be: 4-6 weeks before the wedding (6 weeks is better and less stressful)
Why it Matters: This gives you time to track down any late RSVPs, and give final headcounts to your vendors. It makes the final days before your wedding a little less stressful. If you’re working with a designer for day-of wedding paper, they will need to know your guest list early to produce your paper goods and ship them to you on time.
Day-Of Wedding Paper
When to Begin Planning: 2-3 months before your wedding, finalize pieces 4-6 weeks before, once RSVPs are confirmed
Often overlooked and rushed to get in time before the wedding day, day-of paper goods can really make your guest experience top-notch. With clear signage, they’ll know exactly what to expect, what to do, and where to go. And yes, you need a seating chart.
If you work with a designer, they can help you create a cohesive look for your wedding, almost like a brand. These pieces will be heavily photographed, and they’ll elevate your decor and tablescape.
Items to Consider: seating chart/escort cards, place cards, menus, ceremony programs, table numbers, welcome signage, bar signs, signature drink sign, favor signage, vow books, etc
Keep in mind you may not need everything on this list, and that’s ok!
Thank You Cards
When to Send: Within 3 months after the wedding, sooner for engagement party/shower thank yous.
And finally, you’ll want to send your guests a thank you for coming to your wedding. Tip- buy them ahead of time, and they’ll be ready for you when you return from your honeymoon.
Design Ideas- Wedding photo, calligraphy names and date, color-coordinated envelope, custom monogram
With so much information out in the world, sometimes it can feel more overwhelming than helpful. Hopefully, this has given you some guidance for what to expect when it comes to wedding stationery.
If you need more guidance, I’m always happy to help! Send me an email, and hopefully I can answer any questions.
If you want to start the design process, check out how we can work together to make your wedding invitations come to life.
(the package for couples who need invitations ASAP)
