Planning a wedding involves a lot of steps, and a timeline couples need to follow. Once you have booked your venue and have set your wedding day, it’s time to start thinking about wedding invitations! But don’t fret, as a wedding stationery artist, I know the perfect wedding invitation timeline. I will break it down for you, step by step!
12+ Months Out
The first step is to decide the size of your guest list. This will not just determine the number of invitations and save the dates you need, but also how big of a venue you need. This is also when you will start to outline your budget. Keep in mind the cost of save the dates, invitations, and wedding day stationery! At Turnage + Watts, our average couple has a budget of $1800 – $2500 for their wedding stationery. However, we offer many options for various price points to make your dream invitation come to life!
8-10 Months Out
While it might seem like your wedding day is far away, 10 months will go by very quickly! Most invitations take 3-4 weeks to make, and 1-2 weeks to ship. If you add on calligraphy or letterpress, the timeline goes up even more. This is why we recommend reaching out to Turnage + Watts 8-10 months prior to your wedding day. This way we can discuss the overall vision, and create Save The Dates that match your overall wedding theme. You will want to order your Save The Dates 8 months before your wedding day.
6-8 Months Out
This is the time to finalize your guest list and collect your addresses. Remember to make sure any old addresses you have are up to date in case people have moved.
Save The Dates take 2-4 weeks to be made and delivered. Once you have them, mail them out at least 6 months before your wedding date. This gives your guests plenty of heads up, and gives the post office time to deliver them all. Remember, it might take over a week for people to get their Save The Dates in the mail! After your Save The Dates are out, we can start working on the verbiage and design for your wedding invitations.
5-7 Months Out
With your wedding just a few months away, it’s time to design your invitation suite! We have semi-custom suites available, or can completely customize and design your invitations. If you decide on a semi-custom suite, you can customize quite a few of the details. You can select a different printing method, paper types, and add on embellishments like envelope linens and was seals. We can even do guest addressing! You will get your digital proof 5-7 days after ordering. Once your final proof is approved, it will go into production. Letterpress will take 4-6 weeks, while digital printing is quicker at 1-2 weeks.
4 Months Out
If your wedding is a destination wedding, mail them out 4 months ahead! This way guests can schedule flights and accommodations. We also recommend ordering your wedding shower invitations at this time, since most wedding showers take place 2-3 months before the wedding.
2-3 Months Out
Now that it’s just a few months out from your wedding, start to address and assemble your wedding invitations to mail out. Are you looking to save time? You can add on envelope guest addressing to any package! No need to handwrite your addresses! We can digitally print your envelopes with your guest address list and match them to your wedding suite.
This is also the best time to start to design your reception day of paper. We have a variety of reception day options, from table numbers to menus and place cards! All of our wedding day paper is digitally printed for fast delivery.
6-8 Weeks Out
If your wedding is local, make sure to mail out your invitations now. This is also the best time to finalize your day of wedding stationery needs.
4-6 Weeks Out
Believe if or not, but your wedding day is right around the corner! This is when your reply card deadline should be, depending on your venue and catering needs. Most caterers require the final headcount at least 4 weeks prior to your wedding day. This is also when you will receive and box up your day of paper goods, so they are ready for your big day. And of course, don’t forget to order your Thank You cards!
To make things even easier, we have this handy timeline for you to save to your Pinterest, above! We love creating gorgeous and customized wedding invitations and stationery for our clients, so reach out today so we can get started! It’s never to early to start designing your wedding day paper.
Photography by @julianamary, @thestyledstockshop and @socialsquares
Psst…Want to Get the Complete Guide to Wedding Invitations?
Navigating the crazy world of wedding stationery can be very intimidating. Not sure when to send your invitations? How much postage will you need? What items do you need in your suite? Confused about your invitation suite wording?
You’re thinking, “Oh my! There is so much I don’t know!”
Grab our Complete Guide to Wedding Invitations to give you peace of mind knowing that everything is going according to plan.
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