When to Send Wedding Invitations: Timing Tips for Brides
When planning your wedding, knowing when to send wedding invitations is essential to ensure your guests have enough time to RSVP and make necessary arrangements. Whether you’re planning a large formal event or a more intimate gathering, following a timeline for sending invitations, Save the Dates, and other wedding stationery will keep you organized and stress-free. In this guide, we’ll break down exactly when to send out wedding invitations, how to plan your stationery, and key tasks to complete leading up to the big day.
12 Months Before the Wedding: Initial Planning
Getting an early start on your wedding planning is crucial. At the 12-month mark, you should begin setting the foundation for your Wedding invite timing and other essential aspects of your wedding.
- Determine Your Budget:
Set your overall wedding budget, and decide what your priorities are. Every couple’s budget is unique, so focus on what matters most to you. Avoid relying too much on generic budget calculators, as they often overlook personal preferences. - Draft Your Guest List:
Your guest list is critical when considering when to send wedding invitations. Keep your budget and venue capacity in mind while creating your list. For tips on managing your guest list, check out our guide on creating an organized guest list. - Hire a Wedding Planner (If Needed):
If your budget allows, a wedding planner can help you stay on track and manage all your tasks, including planning your stationery timeline. - Choose a Theme and Color Scheme:
Deciding on your wedding’s theme and color scheme early on will influence the design of your stationery items. - Plan Your Engagement Photoshoot:
Engagement photos are often used in Save the Dates, so plan this photoshoot early to ensure you have images ready when needed. - Start Designing Your Save the Date Cards:
Once your guest list is drafted, you can begin designing your Save the Dates. These cards give guests an early heads-up and are the first official piece of wedding stationery you’ll send.
9-8 Months Before: Planning Your Invitation Suite
At this point in your planning, it’s time to start thinking about the design and details of your wedding invitation suite.
- Plan Your Invitation Suite:
Think about what items you’ll need for your invitation suite, such as RSVP cards, details cards, and envelopes. Begin visualizing the design and feel that match your theme. - Design Bridal Shower Invitations:
If you’re having a bridal shower, begin working on the invitations now. Bridal showers typically take place 3 months to 3 weeks before the wedding, so make sure your invites are ready.
6 Months Before: Send Save the Dates and Finalize Invitations
As you approach the 6-month mark, it’s time to focus on mailing your Save the Date cards and finalizing the design of your invitations.
- Mail Your Save the Dates:
When to send out wedding invitations might differ from when to mail Save the Dates. Save the Dates should be mailed 6 months before your wedding, or earlier if you’re hosting a destination wedding. These cards help guests mark your date on their calendars. - Mail Bridal Shower Invitations:
Send your bridal shower invitations around this time as well. Give your guests plenty of time to RSVP and make any necessary arrangements. - Finalize Your Invitation Suite Design:
Work with your stationery provider to finalize the design for your wedding invitation suite. Be sure to proofread everything and ensure all important details are included. - Order Extra Invitations:
Always order 5-10% more invitations than needed. These extras will cover any last-minute guest additions or address errors.
8-10 Weeks Before: Mail Your Wedding Invitations
At this stage, it’s time to mail your formal wedding invitations, which is one of the most critical steps in the wedding stationery timeline.
- Mail Your Wedding Invitations:
The recommended timeframe for when to send wedding invitations is 8 to 10 weeks before the wedding. However, for destination weddings, send them out 15 weeks before to allow guests more time to make travel arrangements. Be sure to set an RSVP deadline approximately 4 weeks before the wedding date. - Begin Designing Ceremony and Reception Items:
Now is also a great time to start designing items for your ceremony and reception, such as programs, menus, table numbers, and place cards.
4 Weeks Before: Finalize Ceremony and Reception Stationery
As the big day approaches, make sure your ceremony and reception stationery is completed and ready to go.
- Finalize Ceremony and Reception Stationery:
Review and finalize items like wedding programs, escort cards, and other necessary signage to ensure everything is in place for your guests.
2-6 Weeks After the Wedding: Send Thank You Cards
After the wedding, it’s important to promptly thank your guests for attending and for their gifts.
Mail Thank You Cards:
Ideally, send out thank you cards within 2-6 weeks after the wedding. This simple gesture shows your appreciation and wraps up your wedding stationery timeline. Find out more about our production timelines today.
