Your wedding invitations are more than just paper and ink—they are a tangible piece of your love story, a cherished keepsake that sets the tone for your most magical day. With every delicate detail, from the soft texture of handmade paper to the timeless beauty of calligraphy, your invitations whisper the first chapter of your celebration to your guests.
But the question is, when should you order them? And when should they be sent? Thoughtful timing is key to ensuring your invitations arrive with grace and ease, allowing your guests plenty of time to prepare for your beautiful day. Let’s walk through the ideal timeline for ordering and sending your wedding stationery, so every detail unfolds just as it should. Here's a guide to ordering your wedding invitations in more detail.
When to Order Your Wedding Invitations
Creating wedding stationery is an artful process that takes time. To ensure your invitations are as elegant and refined as your love story, I recommend ordering them at least 4 to 6 months before your wedding. This allows for:
Thoughtful design & proofing
Specialty printing techniques such as embossing or foiling
Hand-finished details including wax seals, silk ribbons, or deckled edges
Envelope addressing in calligraphy or print
Adequate time for assembly & mailing
If your suite includes custom illustrations, hand-drawn venue sketches, or intricate embellishments, you may want to begin even earlier (6 to 8 months before your wedding) to ensure everything is crafted to perfection.
Considerations That May Affect Your Timeline
Custom vs. Semi-Custom Suites – Fully bespoke designs take longer than pre-designed collections.
Printing Methods – Handcrafted techniques like letterpress, foil stamping, and embossing require additional time.
Envelope Calligraphy – If you’re opting for hand-addressed envelopes, this will add extra weeks to your timeline.
Guest Count – The more invitations you need, the more time the process will take.
Handmade Paper or Specialty Materials – These often have longer lead times due to artisanal production methods.
A Note on Extras - If your suite includes wax seals, vintage stamps, silk ribbons, or vellum wraps, you’ll also need time for careful assembly. Many of my clients love to incorporate these heirloom details, and I’m always happy to guide you through selecting the perfect finishing touches!
When to Send Your Wedding Invitations
Once your invitations are beautifully finished and carefully packaged, it's time to send them into the world.
For Local Weddings - We recommend mailing your invitations at least 2 months before the wedding.
For Destination Weddings - Send invitations 12–16 weeks before, so guests can arrange travel and accommodations.
Worried About Guests Missing the Date? - If you're planning a multi-day wedding or a destination celebration, why not send an itinerary or an extra details card to keep your guests in the loop? You can seamlessly add this to your invitation suite for a perfectly coordinated look!
The Importance of Save the Dates
A beautifully designed save the date is like a whispered promise of the celebration to come. It lets your guests know to mark their calendars well before the formal invitation arrives. This is ideal if you're having a destination wedding!
When to Order and Send Save the Dates? - Be sure to order your Save the Dates at least 12 months in advance and send them out 9 months before the wedding. If you're planning a destination wedding, you might want to give your guests a bit more notice.
RSVP Deadlines & Following Up
A good rule of thumb is to request RSVPs 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding. This allows time for:
Finalising your guest count
Preparing seating arrangements
Confirming meal choices with your caterer
Making any last-minute adjustments to your stationery (such as place cards or menus)
Gentle Follow-Ups - If some guests haven’t responded by the deadline, don’t worry—life gets busy! A friendly follow-up one week after the deadline is perfectly fine.
Rush Orders & Last-Minute Invitations
While I always encourage couples to start early, sometimes life doesn’t go as planned, and you may find yourself needing invitations in a shorter timeframe.
For rush orders (less than 4 weeks before mailing):
A 20% rush fee will apply to cover expedited design, production, and shipping.
Certain luxury materials (like handmade paper or custom letterpress) may not be available with an accelerated timeline.
Consider digital RSVP options to save time on return mail.
Still Unsure about the Timing?
Excited about sending our your invitations but still unsure about the timing? No worries at all! I've provided an estimated timeline just for you. Simply select the month of your wedding to discover when to order your wedding stationery by category. Let's get started!
Keep in mind, these timeframes are approximate and might differ depending on the intricacy of your order and your chosen wedding stationery designer.
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Let’s Create Something Beautiful!
Your wedding invitations are the first tangible touchpoint of your love story, and I would be honoured to bring them to life with artistry and intention. If you’re ready to create something romantic, meaningful, and beautifully crafted, I would love to design an invitation suite that feels like a work of art. Let’s begin your stationery journey today!
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