Franklin Dean
Wedding invitations are a crucial logistical element of your big day. They are the first look at the style or theme of your wedding for your guests. It is important to get them right and send them out at the right time. The entire process of getting wedding invitations made, including design, printing and shipping can be as quick as 2 weeks. However, the design time can vary depending on the number of revisions and level of customization. The normal recommendation is to send out invites 6-8 weeks in advance, but some people prefer to give themselves more time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time to design and print wedding invites | 1-2 weeks |
| Time to assemble wedding invites | 2-4 weeks |
| Time to mail wedding invites | 6-8 weeks before the wedding |
| Time to receive RSVPs | 4-8 weeks before the wedding |
| Time to send save-the-dates | 3-5 months before the wedding |
| Time to send engagement party, bachelor party, and bridal shower invites | 1-2 months before the wedding |
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What You'll Learn
Printing and shipping times
The printing and shipping times for wedding invitations can vary depending on several factors, including the chosen printing method, level of customization, and shipping destination. Here is an overview of what to consider:
Printing Times
The printing process for wedding invitations typically takes around 5-7 business days. However, this timeline can be shorter or longer depending on the specific printer and your chosen printing method. For example, foil printing usually requires an extra week for printing and production, resulting in a delivery time of approximately 10-14 business days. Some companies offer rush order options, which can significantly expedite the printing process, sometimes as quick as a 3-day turnaround.
Design and Customization
The design process can influence the overall timeline for your wedding invitations. Customized designs often involve back-and-forth communication with the designer, and the number of revisions and the level of customization requested can extend the design time. It is recommended to be as specific as possible in your design instructions to streamline the process and reduce potential delays.
Shipping Times
Shipping times can vary depending on your location and the shipping method selected. Standard ground shipping is typically included for free, but the delivery time can range from a few days to up to 6 days within the United States. If you have a specific deadline, it is advisable to work closely with the printer to determine the best printing and shipping solutions to ensure your invitations arrive on time.
Assembly and Mailing
Allow yourself 2-4 weeks for assembling your wedding invitations. This includes tasks such as stuffing envelopes, sealing, and addressing. If you plan to use a calligrapher, they usually require 4 weeks, and a rush fee may apply for expedited services. Once your invitations are assembled, take them to the post office to have the postage priced out and your invitations hand-cancelled. This process may take some time, especially if you have a large number of invitations.
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When to send out invites
When it comes to sending out wedding invitations, timing is crucial. The general consensus is that invites should be sent out around two months or six to eight weeks in advance. This allows your guests enough time to make plans and arrangements, such as booking accommodations and travel, without giving them too much leeway for them to lose track of the date.
However, some sources suggest that sending invitations out three months in advance is not too early, especially if your wedding is around a major holiday like Christmas, or if many of your guests are travelling from out of town or out of state. In this case, sending invitations four months in advance is advisable, to give your guests ample time to book flights and accommodation.
On the other hand, sending invitations too early may result in your wedding not being at the forefront of your guests' minds as the day approaches. It is also important to consider the time it takes to receive RSVPs. You may want to set an earlier RSVP date to ensure you get responses and have a final headcount, which will help with creating seating charts and sending out thank-you notes.
The entire process of designing, printing, and shipping wedding invitations can be completed in as little as two weeks, depending on the printing method and level of customisation. However, it is recommended to allow more time for any potential delays and to avoid added stress.
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Invitation design
The entire process of designing, printing and shipping wedding invitations can be completed in as little as two weeks. However, the design process can take longer depending on the number of revisions and the level of customisation. If you are in a hurry, some companies offer rush order options, which include priority assignment and faster responses from designers.
The design of your wedding invitation should be brief yet informative, and it should set the stage for what guests can expect from your wedding, including the tone, theme and colours. For example, if you are planning a rustic event, you might like to opt for a simple invitation printed on recycled brown paper.
When it comes to the text, it's important to choose a font that is legible. While it can be tempting to select a non-traditional or unusual font, you'll want to make sure that your guests can easily read the invitation. Popular fonts include Abraham Lincoln, Aphrodite, Catherine de Beaumont, Coneria Script, and Wanderlust Letters.
The most common wedding invitation size is 5 x 7 inches, which allows plenty of space to include specific details such as the venue address, wedding date, and design elements. However, there are plenty of other sizes to choose from, including 6 x 6 inches (square), 6.25 x 8.25, and slim options such as 4.25 x 9 inches.
To make the design process as smooth and quick as possible, be as specific as possible in your design instructions. This will give your designer a clear idea of what you are expecting and allow for a faster turnaround time. It's also a good idea to have someone else review the invitation before it goes to print to catch any errors.
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Assembly
The assembly of wedding invitations can take anywhere from a couple of days to several weeks, depending on the complexity of the design and the number of invitations being assembled. Here are some key factors to consider when planning for the assembly of your wedding invitations:
Design and Customization
The design process can take as little as a few days to a week or more, depending on the level of customization and the number of revisions required. It is important to be as specific as possible in your design instructions to ensure a smooth and quick design process.
Printing and Shipping
Once the design is finalized, the printing and shipping process can take around 2-3 weeks, depending on the printing method and shipping destination. Rush order options are available if you need your invitations sooner. Standard printing and shipping typically take around 5-7 business days, while foil printing can take an extra week for production.
Addressing and Calligraphy
If you plan to use a calligrapher to address your envelopes, allow for an additional 2-4 weeks. Most calligraphers charge a rush fee for work completed in less than two weeks. Alternatively, you can assemble and address the invitations yourself, which can be a fun bonding activity with your bridal party.
Timing Considerations
It is generally recommended to send out wedding invitations 6-8 weeks before the wedding, although some sources suggest sending them out 2-3 months in advance, especially if many guests are travelling. Therefore, be sure to plan your assembly process accordingly, allowing for enough time to print, assemble, and address the invitations, as well as time for guests to RSVP.
Postage and Mailing
After assembly, you will need to take your invitations to the post office to have them weighed and priced for postage. This process may require two trips to the post office: one for pricing and the second for mailing. You may also want to consider hand-cancelling your invitations to ensure they are not damaged during mailing and to preserve any calligraphy or custom stamps.
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Postage
When it comes to wedding invitation postage, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure a smooth process. Firstly, it's important to order your stamps early enough to avoid delays. Standard stamps can be purchased from the post office, but if you're looking for custom or curated stamps, consider ordering them online, allowing for a lead time of about 2-3 weeks.
Secondly, the weight of your invitations will impact the postage cost. It's recommended to take a complete, assembled invitation to the post office to be weighed and priced accurately. This step is crucial, as guessing the postage could result in returned invites. While you're at the post office, purchase a few extra stamps, just in case.
Thirdly, consider hand-cancelling your invitations. This means that each stamp will be marked by hand instead of being run through a machine, which could damage your carefully crafted invites. Hand-cancelling also adds a nice touch, especially if your invitations feature custom calligraphy or wax seals.
Finally, timing is essential when sending out your invitations. The general rule is to mail them 6-8 weeks before the wedding, giving your guests enough time to RSVP and make travel arrangements if needed. For international guests, it's advisable to send invitations 9-12 weeks in advance to account for longer delivery times and travel planning.
To summarise, here's a timeline for postage-related tasks:
- Order postage stamps: 9-12 weeks before the wedding.
- Visit the post office to get the correct postage priced out: 6-8 weeks before the wedding.
- Mail your wedding invites: 6-8 weeks before the wedding, or 9-12 weeks for international guests.
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Frequently asked questions
The entire process, including design, printing, and shipping, can be as quick as two weeks. However, the timeline depends on your chosen printing method and level of customization. For example, foil printing typically requires an extra week for production.
It is generally recommended to send out wedding invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding. However, if many of your guests are traveling, you may want to send them out three to four months in advance to allow ample time for travel arrangements.
The latest you should send out wedding invitations is one and a half months before the wedding. However, sending them out at this time may result in a lower number of positive RSVPs, as guests may already have made plans.
