Some of the most common questions our clients ask us about wedding stationery involve timelines. When it comes to wedding stationery, timeline formalities are not only proper etiquette, but are also essential for planning, preparing, and even budgeting.
To ensure timely responses and correct guest information, we recommend the wedding stationery process begin no less than 11 months in advance. We’re here to help you learn what you need to send out that far in advance, and what comes next.
Let’s say your wedding date is January of 2022. Your first piece of wedding stationery, your save the date, should be in the mail to guests by April of 2021 - no later than July. We recommend planning the design of your save the dates at least one month prior to your preferred mail date. And make sure you alot time for shipping.
Pro tip: Save the dates should go out to guests six to nine months prior to the wedding date.
The next month (May 2021) should be dedicated to finding your invitation inspiration - which you may have started before you even send out save the dates. Over the course of the next few months, we recommend you shop around - talk to stationers (like me!) and find someone who understands your vision and can deliver a beautiful product.
If you are considering custom invitations you will want to start the design process no later than July so that they are ready to be sent by October. If you prefer a semi-custom suite August should suffice. But remember earlier is always better.
Pro tip: Wedding invitations should be sent out two to three months prior to the wedding.
Once your wedding invitations are sent out, it’s time to think about what stationery you may need for the day of your wedding. Place cards/escort cards, ceremony programs and wedding signage are becoming more and more popular with our brides looking to offer guests an experience with every detail. It is recommended that you start planning and designing your day of items about two months prior to your wedding. This way you can have a solid design and plan in place. Two to three weeks prior we can tweak the design to fit all of those final details and get your order ready for the big day!
By December of 2021, you should receive all of your reply cards. It is recommended that you mark your reply cards for 3-4 weeks prior to your wedding. This will give you ample time to attend to last minute details and make sure that all of your vendors are satisfied.
Don’t forget - holidays, life and work all happen throughout these timelines, so it’s important to give yourself plenty of time to get these tasks accomplished. Planning your wedding invitations and stationery should feel effortless and valuable, not stressful and daunting. Stick to our timeline and you’ll have a smooth experience.
Once everything is said and done, it’s time to send thank you notes. Thank you notes should be sent out to guests no later than one to two months after your wedding date. It’s always a nice gesture to send your wedding vendors a thank you - or even review - after your wedding day.
Pro tip: Order thank you notes with wedding stationery to save time and stress.
Want even more wedding invitation advice? Download our FREE stationery timeline guide, add it to your wedding binder and stay on track through every step of your wedding planning. To make things even easier, we’ve customized these printables by the month giving you the exact timeline for your wedding date.