When to start thinking about wedding stationery

For those of you out there who are starting the wedding planning, we get the same question a lot. When do I need to start thinking about my stationery?

So allow us to make it easy for you.

Work backwards from your wedding date – you’ll want to send your invitations out 6-8 weeks in advance, 12 weeks if your wedding is during the summer or over a holiday weekend, and even earlier if you’re having a destination wedding or many of your guests need to travel.

When ordering your invitations 6-8 weeks before your mailing date is the minimum, 10-12 weeks is optimal. For highly custom and bespoke designs? 4-6 months is preferred, but the sooner the better is the best answer.

Is it possible to get invitations completed within a few weeks if you are in a huge rush? The answer is perhaps. Will you be happy with selection, the results or the price? Probably not. You’ll likely have to settle for a very limited selection, a lower-quality invitation and/or a big rush fee.

So, how do you avoid realising 8 weeks before your wedding that you haven’t thought about invitations (and yes, it happens, and we’ve had a few couples call us in a panic in the past!)?

Well, quite simply, follow a timeline…

• Put together your guest list to determine the number of invitations you’ll need
• Start gathering photos, inspiration items etc. to help clarify your personal style and your vision of your big day
• If you’re sending out ‘save the date’ cards, start to consider what type you’d like

• Purchase and send out ‘save the date’ cards, especially if you’re having a wedding during the summer, holidays or a destination wedding
• Start looking at your options to settle on the type and style of invitation you are looking for
• Start giving some thought as to the wording of your invitation, what additional inserts you may need (reception cards, accommodation cards, map/directions, itinerary etc.)
• Determine the day-of stationery you‘ll require (menus, escort cards, programs, thank you cards etc.)

• Finalise your guest list and make sure you have full and correct names and addresses for all guests
• Determine your invitation style, additional inserts and wording and place your invitation order
• Don’t forget to proofread!!

• Address your envelopes and begin assembling all the parts of your invitations and stuffing them in the envelopes
• Order any day-of stationery if you haven’t already

• Take a test invitation to the post office to be weighed and purchase postage
• Send out the rest after a successful test

• Keep a tally of your RSVPs as they come in, make sure you keep track of both yes and no responses
• Mail any additional invitations for events surrounding your wedding (rehearsal dinner, day-after brunch etc.)

• Follow up with any guests who haven’t replied to make sure you have an accurate number for your venue

• Make sure you have all of your day-of stationery together and determine who will take care of the items (i.e. who will hand out programs, who will set up escort cards etc.)

• Send out thank you cards to your guests

Now of course this timeline doesn’t apply to every situation, but hopefully it will help you plan and stay on track when it comes to organising your wedding stationery.

And remember, we’re always here to help out with your stationery, even if you don’t know where to start.

You can look at our website for inspiration, to see our previous customers designs, or get in touch with us on 0330 010 2267 or [email protected] and we can get talking about your needs.