Wedding Stationery Timeline
The process of designing, printing, and mailing wedding stationery pieces can be overwhelming. There’s a good chance you haven’t had much experience sending physical invitations in the mail before or even working with a designer. Luckily, I can help with both.
When it comes to stationery, there is no set rule on when you have to accomplish any one task but I’ve created a timeline that should give you an idea of when to start projects and give your designer time to execute them. Sometimes those dates creep up on you fast and it’s good to have a sense of when you should be at least thinking about the next task at hand. As with any project, it’s always best to leave yourself more time than you think to cross these items off the list.
1 YEAR AWAY/VENUE BOOKING
When should I send Save the Date cards?
Once you have booked your venue or at around the one year mark until your wedding, you might wish to send Save the Dates. 1 year to 6 months from your wedding date is a good time to start the design process as you have the most important information needed: the date! If you are planning to do an engagement shoot or have already completed one, it is very common to include a select few of these images on the card itself.
6 MONTHS AWAY
When should I hire a designer for wedding invitations?
Start the invitation process about 6 months from your wedding date - whether it’s collecting inspiration photos, contacting designers for quotes, or actually starting the design - this is a good time to get the ball rolling. Some processes take longer than others or ordering in special stocks might take some time so keep your options open and start early!
3 MONTHS AWAY
When should I send out invitations?
Around 3-4 months from your wedding date is when you should aim to mail your invitations. If assembly is not included in your package, grab a bottle of wine and have yourself a night packing up those invites, sticking stamps (they don’t really have the lick-able ones anymore) and sealing envelopes. You can drop off a box of invitations at your local post office rather than dumping them in one of those metal bins - saves any damage that might happen to them. Also, don’t forget to include a return address just in case - this will save you trouble down the road.
1 MONTH AWAY
When should I set my reply/RSVP due date?
Set your RSVP due date for one month prior to the wedding date. At this point, you can start contacting anyone who has yet to respond.
When should I start day-of wedding pieces?
One month prior to your wedding date is also time to focus on the day-of pieces. Even if you haven’t secured your final attending list (you’ll likely still be chasing people down at this point), you can start the design of these pieces. I always recommend having the design ready and doing any last changes closer to the print date. Nailing down the design takes time so it’s best to get that out of the way while you’re waiting on those last minute responses.
THE BIG DAY
What stationery do I need for the day of my wedding?
It’s go time! You can opt for menus, place cards, seating charts, signage, etc. - take a second to consider how your day plays out and what will help guide the guests at each stage. If you think it’s necessary, it is always a nice touch to have that custom element for your attending friends and family. If you are not personally responsible for setup of the day-of pieces (your wedding planner, venue coordinator or trusted friend should probably take on that task), you will likely have to arrange to drop them off pre-wedding. That way when you arrive, every piece is in place and you can enjoy the day.
TWO WEEKS POST-WEDDING
When should I send out thank you cards after my wedding?
The party doesn’t stop once the wedding is over! You’re going to want to thank your guests for attending and for those generous gifts. Two weeks following your wedding is a good time to get cracking on Thank You Cards. It’s best to start this process right away - the longer you wait after the wedding, the harder it will be to complete (especially if you are hand writing each card). An alternative to the completely personalized hand-written card is a pre-printed message with your signature below. A lot less writing but still has a special touch. You can also opt to wait until you receive edited photos from your photographer to include on the card - it’s a great way to share them with your guests.
I hope this timeline helps you along in the process of planning your wedding. I think the most important thing to remember is that every wedding is personal and unique so the timing, the elements, and the distribution of budget is different for everyone. There is no right or wrong way, just what works for you :)