The Perfect Timing For Wedding Invitations

Planning a wedding is a complex and time-consuming process, and the wedding invitation is an important part of it. The invitation is the first glimpse your guests will have of your big day, so it's essential to get it right. The timing of sending out wedding invitations is crucial, as you want to give your guests enough notice, but you also don't want to send them out too early. So, when is the right time to order and send out your wedding invitations?

Send out save-the-dates 8-10 months before the wedding

Sending out save-the-date cards is a fun way to get your guests excited about your wedding. They are especially helpful when many of your guests have to make travel arrangements or if accommodations near the wedding site are limited. Save-the-dates are also a great way to share your wedding website URL, so your guests can access all the information they need to plan their attendance.

Save-the-date cards should be sent out 8 to 10 months before the wedding. This gives your guests plenty of time to plan, especially if they need to request time off work or make travel arrangements. It also allows you to start the design process early, giving you ample time to iterate on the design without rushing. If you're ordering custom stationery, it's best to reach out to stationers 9 to 11 months before the wedding. This will give you enough time to find the right stationer, discuss your design ideas, and finalize the details.

When creating your save-the-date cards, be sure to include the names of the couple getting married and the wedding date prominently. You can also add a note that formal invitations will follow. If you have already finalized your wedding venue, you can include that information as well. However, it is not necessary to include all the details on the save-the-date cards, as they are meant to be a preliminary announcement.

Ordering your save-the-date cards 8 to 10 months in advance also allows for any potential printing delays. Printing times can vary depending on the complexity of your design and the stationer's availability. By ordering early, you can avoid the stress of last-minute delays and ensure that your save-the-date cards are mailed out on time.

Remember, your save-the-date cards are the first glimpse your guests will have into your wedding day, so take the time to make them special and reflective of your style. Whether you choose a custom design or a ready-made template, sending them out 8 to 10 months before your wedding will give your guests ample notice and help build excitement for your big day.

Order invitations 4-9 months before the wedding

Ordering your wedding invitations is an important step in the wedding planning process. It's recommended that you order your invitations 4-9 months before the wedding. This will give you ample time to design and produce them, especially if you're opting for a custom design or working with a stationer. Here are some benefits of ordering your invitations during this timeframe:

Design and Production

Ordering your invitations 4-9 months in advance allows for a stress-free design and production process. This is especially important if you're opting for custom-designed invitations or working with a stationer. You'll have time to collaborate on the design, make revisions, and ensure that the final product meets your expectations. Remember that it can take several weeks, or even months, to finalise a design and receive the printed invitations.

Addressing Envelopes

If you plan to address the envelopes yourself or use a calligrapher's services, ordering early gives you a head start on this time-consuming task. You can begin addressing envelopes as soon as you receive them, ensuring that your invitations are ready to be mailed by the recommended 6-8 weeks before the wedding. This is also a great opportunity to involve your wedding party or family members in the process, making it a fun group activity.

Save the Dates

If you're sending out save-the-date cards, which are typically sent 4-6 months before the wedding, ordering your invitations early ensures a cohesive look. Ordering everything from one stationer can save you money and create a unified theme across your wedding stationery. It also allows you to include your wedding website and other details on your save-the-date cards, providing guests with more information about your special day.

Mailing Invitations

By ordering your invitations 4-9 months in advance, you'll be able to mail them out 6-8 weeks before the wedding, which is the recommended timeframe. This gives your guests enough time to make necessary arrangements, such as travel plans and accommodations, without feeling rushed. It also allows you to set an RSVP deadline of about a month before the wedding, giving you ample time to finalise numbers for your caterer and create a seating chart.

Peace of Mind

Ordering your invitations early reduces stress and gives you a sense of control over the wedding planning process. You'll have time to review proofs carefully, make any necessary revisions, and address any issues that may arise without feeling rushed. This extra time also allows for unexpected delays or last-minute changes, ensuring that your invitations are mailed on time.

Mail invitations 6-8 weeks before the wedding

It is recommended that you mail your wedding invitations 6-8 weeks before your wedding. This means that you should aim to order your invitations about 4-5 months in advance. If you are ordering custom designs or planning a destination wedding, it is advisable to start the process even earlier, around 6-9 months in advance. This will allow ample time for design and production, which can take up to 6 weeks for printing alone.

Mailing your invitations 6-8 weeks ahead of your wedding ensures that your guests have sufficient notice and can plan their attendance. It also allows you to set an RSVP deadline about a month before the wedding, giving you time to follow up with guests who have not responded and finalise numbers for your venue and caterer.

When ordering your invitations, consider the printing process, design, ink, typeface, paper, and quantity. These factors will impact the cost and production time. If you opt for top-of-the-line papers, custom designs, decorative extras, or formal printing techniques, you will need to account for additional time and expenses.

Additionally, don't forget to allow extra time for addressing the envelopes, especially if you plan to use a calligrapher or envelope printing services. This step can be time-consuming, so ensure you factor it into your timeline to avoid last-minute rushes.

By following these recommendations, you can ensure that your wedding invitations are mailed on time and that your guests have all the necessary information to celebrate your special day with you.

Set the RSVP deadline for 2-4 weeks before the wedding

Wedding invitations should ideally be ordered 6-9 months before the wedding. This leaves 4-5 months for design and production, with an extra month if you're ordering a custom design or planning a destination wedding. Invitations should then be sent to guests 6-8 weeks before the wedding.

It's important to set an RSVP deadline and stick to it. The deadline should be at least 4 weeks before the wedding, and no later than 2 weeks before. The ideal RSVP deadline is 3-4 weeks before the wedding. This gives you enough time to organise your final guest list and chase up any guests who have not yet responded. It also allows you to finalise numbers with your caterer, venue and other vendors, and to start work on your seating plan.

If you leave too much time between sending out invitations and the RSVP deadline, you run the risk of guests forgetting to respond. It's a good idea to send a friendly reminder to guests about a week ahead of the deadline. After the deadline has passed, wait a week before sending follow-ups to those who haven't responded.

Setting the right RSVP date is important because it helps your to-do list move along in the final weeks of planning. It's one of the last boxes to check before the big day, and it allows you to finalise details such as the number of rentals, how much alcohol you'll need and the final names for your seating chart.

Order extra invitations to allow for mistakes and keepsakes

When it comes to wedding invitations, it's always better to be safe than sorry. It's a good idea to order extra invitations to allow for mistakes and to have some as keepsakes. Here are some reasons why ordering extra invitations is a smart decision:

Mistakes Happen

Proofreading is crucial, but even the most meticulous proofreader can miss a typo or error. Ordering extra invitations gives you the flexibility to correct any mistakes that may have slipped through. It's better to have a few extra invitations than to be stuck with a batch of invitations with an error that you missed.

Allow for Last-Minute Guests

During the planning process, you may realize you forgot to invite someone important or that you have room in your guest list for a few more people. Having extra invitations gives you the flexibility to accommodate these last-minute additions to your guest list.

Keep Some as Mementos

Your wedding invitations are a special part of your big day. You may want to keep some as mementos or souvenirs. Ordering extra invitations ensures that you have some to cherish and look back on in the future.

Resending Invitations

In some cases, you may need to resend invitations. Perhaps an invitation got lost in the mail, or a guest misplaced it. Having extra invitations allows you to quickly resend an invitation without having to rush-order more.

B-List Guests

If you're managing your guest list carefully, you may have a B-list of guests whom you'd like to invite if you receive a certain number of regrets. Ordering extra invitations with a later RSVP date for these guests can help you manage your guest list more effectively.

Addressing Mistakes

Even if you hire a calligrapher or a professional, mistakes can happen when addressing the envelopes. Ordering extra envelopes ensures that you have some room for error, and you won't have to worry about running out of envelopes if corrections need to be made.

When ordering your wedding invitations, be sure to include a buffer of 25 extra invitations. This will give you peace of mind and allow for any unforeseen circumstances. It's always better to have a few extra than to be scrambling at the last minute!

Frequently asked questions