Wedding Stationery Timeline
Wondering when to order and send your wedding invitations and other stationery? Check out this quick guide to help you get started and start planning!
Save-the-Dates: 9-12+ Months prior to the wedding
Once your venue has been chosen, and your date has been set and confirmed, you can start ordering and sending your save-the-date cards. Even if your Wedding is a year or more away, family and friends are always waiting to hear when your big day is, and they will be excited to add it to their calendar.
Bridal Shower Invitations: 1-2 Months prior to the shower
Typically Brides will choose to have their Bridal shower hosted 1-2 months prior to their Wedding. In order to give your guests enough notice, send out your invites 1-2 months prior to the event with an rsvp date of 1.5-2 weeks before the date. This will give yourself enough time to narrow down the amount of supplies you will need.
Wedding Invitations: 6-8 Weeks prior to the wedding
Sending your invitations 6-8 weeks prior to your Wedding will allow guests enough time to send their response cards back, and give you enough time to finalize your numbers and menu with your venue prior to the Wedding. This is a recommended timeline. Some prefer to send their invites 3-4 months in advance. It is important to give guests 12-14 weeks notice prior to a destination Wedding to allow for travel plans.
RSVP Due Date: 2-4 Weeks prior to the wedding
Your RSVP cards should be returned to you 2-4 weeks prior to your Wedding. This will give you enough time to get your numbers into your caterers and venue before the deadline. This will also allow for time to track down guests who have yet to respond. You will also need to decide the seating chart and order any name/escort cards. Remember, it could take up to 2 weeks to have your name cards designed, printed and delivered to you. Plan accordingly!
Additional Wedding Stationery: 6-8 Weeks prior to the wedding
Remaining Wedding stationery should be ordered 6-8 weeks prior to the Wedding. This could include programs, menus, place cards, seating charts, thank you tags, etc. If you can, it is best to order these items when you order and mail your Wedding invitations.
Thank You Cards:
This is a topic that is strongly debated by many. We all know that the first few months following the Wedding can be quite hectic. Although preferred within one month of the Wedding/receiving the gift, thank-you notes can be sent out within 3 months after the Wedding. For the bridal shower, try to send the than-you notes out before the wedding. Within one month is preferred. Order your thank-you cards at the same time as your invitations so they are ready to be personalized right away. If you want to include a wedding photo on the thank-you cards, supply your photo to the designer as soon as possible.
