When should you order your wedding invitations?

It’s a common known fact that Wedding Invitations are mailed out 6 – 8 weeks before the wedding date or 12-15 weeks in advance for a destination wedding... But not many know when to order invitations!

We believe that 6 to 9 months before is an ideal timeframe to create beautiful, meaningful custom invitations to set the tone for your special day. This timeline will help you avoid rush fees, expedited shipping and mistakes made in a hurry. It also gives you enough time to research and find the best choice for you!

Here’s a cheat sheet for your ideal wedding invitation timeframe:

9 Months Before: Start your research once your colour palette is finalized – scour Pinterest, Instagram, speak to wedding vendors or planners. Check for turnaround times of different wedding stationers and decide whether you want a custom or semi-custom invitation suite.

8 Months Before: Order samples from stationers that you like to see the options you have for paper, envelopes, printing processes, embellishments, etc. Look out for things like the time taken to receive the invitation, the quality, colours, etc. Try to finalise a guest list and get an approximate quantity of invitations that you would need to order.

7 months before: It would be ideal to book your stationer and calligrapher if you need a custom suite and special printing processes like letterpress, foil stamping, etc. Negotiate terms, get an idea of the process and specify if you would need envelope addressing.

6 Months Before: For custom invitations with special printing processes - Finalise your wording, wedding events and details with the stationer and order your invitations. This gives your stationer plenty of time to bring your vision to life.

4 months before: If you require a semi custom suite and digital printing with little to no embellishments, you can order your invitations now. Ordering at this time limits proofing, editing and accounting for delays.

Tip: Order Extra invitations in case you have any last minute invites and to cover mistakes made during addressing.

2–4 before months before: Stationers start the Assembly and addressing process in order to send the invites out 6 – 8 weeks before the wedding. Invitations can also contain RSVP inserts with envelope and prepaid postage.

1 month before: Following the above timeline should give your guests an adequate amount of time to meet the RSVP deadline of a month before the wedding date.