Planning Your Wedding Stationery Timeline: When to Send What
Are you newly engaged and wondering where to begin when it comes to wedding stationery?
Look no further as we are here to help you navigate your stationery—from Save the Dates to thank you cards, we’ve got you covered with a simple timeline to keep things stress-free.
Why Your Wedding Stationery Timeline Matters
Beautifully designed stationery is your first chance to set the tone for your wedding day. It’s how you keep your guests informed, set the scene and get them excited to celebrate with you. A clear timeline ensures you avoid last-minute rushes and gives your guests enough notice to mark their calendars.
The Ultimate Wedding Stationery Timeline
8-12 Months Before the Wedding
Guest List: Start by finalising your guest list and asking everyone for their addresses as this is something that will probably take longer than you think!
Create a spreadsheet to keep everything organised—this will save you so much hassle later.Research Stationers: Google, Instagram and Pinterest will be your best friends as you get inspired and reach out to stationers you’re interested in working with. Get quotes, ask about their timelines, different print processes and start getting inspired for your stationery design.
10 Months Before the Wedding
Order Save the Dates: If you’re planning to send Save the Dates which I highly recommend, especially for destination weddings or busy seasons, this is the time to place your order as the design and print production can take up to six weeks.
8 Months Before the Wedding
Send Out Save the Dates: Your Save the Dates are the first glimpse your guests will get of your wedding, so make them count! These are especially useful for helping guests book time off work or plan travel.
Only send these to your day guests (you don’t want to confuse evening-only invitees).Take Note of Declines: As RSVPs aren’t typically required for Save the Dates, keep track of any early declines so you can adjust your headcount.
8-6 Months Before the Wedding
Order Invitation Suites: With your Save the Dates out, it’s time to design and order your invitations. Whether you’re going classic or modern, make sure your invitations match the overall vibe of your big day.
6 Months Before the Wedding
Send Invitations: If you didn’t send Save the Dates, get your invitations out around 6-8 months before the wedding. If you did send them, 4-6 months is perfect. Don’t forget to include RSVP details and any extra information guests might need, like accommodation and travel recommendations.
Set an RSVP Deadline: Make the RSVP date about 6-8 weeks before the wedding. This gives you enough time to finalize seating plans, catering numbers, and any last-minute details.
1-2 Months Before the Wedding
Order On-the-Day Stationery: Think menus, place cards, signage, and anything else you need for the big day. This gives you plenty of time to account for design, printing, and shipping.
5 Weeks Before the Wedding
Follow Up on RSVPs: Inevitably, there will be a few guests who haven’t RSVP'd. (We’re looking at you, Uncle Mike.) Take this time to chase up any missing responses.
After the Wedding
Send Thank You Cards: Once the dust has settled (and you’ve returned from your honeymoon), take some time to send thank you cards to your guests. Aim to do this 1-2 months after the wedding to keep the love going.
Enjoy the Process!
Planning your wedding stationery might seem like a lot at first, but with a clear timeline, it can be one of the most enjoyable parts of your wedding journey. Each piece of stationery is a little milestone on the way to your big day. Take your time, stay organized, and most importantly, have fun! After all, this is your love story—make it uniquely yours.
