Wedding Stationery Timelines: When to Book and Send Out Your Invitations

Properly timing your wedding stationery is crucial to ensure everything runs smoothly leading up to your big day. Here’s a comprehensive guide on when to book your stationer and when to send out your various wedding stationery items, based on the timeline of your wedding.

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Booking a Stationer

To ensure you have ample time for design, revisions, and printing, it's recommended to book your stationer 8-12 months before your wedding date. Here's a month-by-month breakdown:

  • January Wedding: Book by April of the previous year.

  • February Wedding: Book by May of the previous year.

  • March Wedding: Book by June of the previous year.

  • April Wedding: Book by July of the previous year.

  • May Wedding: Book by August of the previous year.

  • June Wedding: Book by September of the previous year.

  • July Wedding: Book by October of the previous year.

  • August Wedding: Book by November of the previous year.

  • September Wedding: Book by December of the previous year.

  • October Wedding: Book by January of the same year.

  • November Wedding: Book by February of the same year.

  • December Wedding: Book by March of the same year.

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Save-the-Dates

Save-the-date cards give your guests ample time to make travel arrangements and plan for your wedding.

  • When to Send: Send save-the-dates 6-12 months before the wedding.

  • Destination Weddings: For destination weddings or during peak holiday seasons, send save-the-dates closer to the 12-month mark.

Invitations

Wedding invitations should be sent out to your guests with enough time for them to RSVP and make necessary arrangements.

  • When to Send: Mail invitations 6-8 weeks before the wedding date.

  • Destination Weddings: For destination weddings, send invitations 10-12 weeks in advance.

Here’s a timeline for mailing invitations based on your wedding month:

  • January Wedding: Mail invitations in mid-November to early December of the previous year.

  • February Wedding: Mail invitations in mid-December to early January.

  • March Wedding: Mail invitations in mid-January to early February.

  • April Wedding: Mail invitations in mid-February to early March.

  • May Wedding: Mail invitations in mid-March to early April.

  • June Wedding: Mail invitations in mid-April to early May.

  • July Wedding: Mail invitations in mid-May to early June.

  • August Wedding: Mail invitations in mid-June to early July.

  • September Wedding: Mail invitations in mid-July to early August.

  • October Wedding: Mail invitations in mid-August to early September.

  • November Wedding: Mail invitations in mid-September to early October.

  • December Wedding: Mail invitations in mid-October to early November.

RSVP Deadline

  • When to Set: Set the RSVP deadline for 3-4 weeks before the wedding date to give yourself enough time to finalize the guest count and seating arrangements.

Day-of Stationery

This includes programs, menus, place cards, and other stationery items needed for the wedding day.

  • When to Order: Order day-of stationery 2-3 months before the wedding.

  • When to Finalize: Finalize details such as guest list and seating chart 3-4 weeks before the wedding.

Sample Timeline for an August Wedding

Planning your wedding stationery involves a series of steps to ensure everything is prepared and sent out in a timely manner. Here’s a detailed timeline for an August wedding:

August Wedding

12+ Months Before the Wedding

  • August (Previous Year): Begin researching and booking your stationer. This allows ample time for designing and revising your invitations.

10-12 Months Before the Wedding

  • October-November (Previous Year): Start working on save-the-dates. If you’re planning a destination wedding, send these closer to the 12-month mark.

6-9 Months Before the Wedding

  • February (This Year): Finalize the design of your save-the-dates and have them printed.

  • February-March (This Year): Send out save-the-dates to your guest list.

6 Months Before the Wedding

  • February (This Year): Start designing your wedding invitations. Confirm all details, such as venue, timing, and RSVP information.

4-5 Months Before the Wedding

  • April (This Year): Finalize and order your wedding invitations. This gives you time to review and make any necessary changes before printing.

3 Months Before the Wedding

  • May (This Year): Send out your wedding invitations. This gives guests plenty of time to RSVP and make travel arrangements if necessary.

6-8 Weeks Before the Wedding

  • June (This Year): Confirm and order your day-of stationery, including programs, menus, place cards, and any other printed materials needed for the wedding day.

3-4 Weeks Before the Wedding

  • Early to Mid-July (This Year): Set the RSVP deadline. This gives you enough time to follow up with any guests who haven’t responded and to finalize your seating chart and catering numbers.

  • Mid-July (This Year): Finalize your guest list and seating arrangements. Make sure all day-of stationery is printed and ready.

1 Week Before the Wedding

  • Late July to Early August (This Year): Assemble any welcome bags or final touches that include stationery items.

Wedding Day

  • August (This Year): Ensure all day-of stationery is delivered to the venue and set up as planned.

Summary Timeline

Booking Your Stationer

  • August (Previous Year)

Save-the-Dates

  • Design: October-November (Previous Year)

  • Send: February-March (This Year)

Wedding Invitations

  • Design: February (This Year)

  • Order: April (This Year)

  • Send: May (This Year)

Day-of Stationery

  • Confirm and Order: June (This Year)

  • Finalize Details: Early to Mid-July (This Year)

  • Print: Mid-July (This Year)

RSVPs

  • Deadline: Early to Mid-July (This Year)

Final Preparations

  • Assemble Welcome Bags: Late July to Early August (This Year)

  • Set Up at Venue: Day Before or Day Of the Wedding

Conclusion

Staying organized and adhering to this timeline will help ensure that all your wedding stationery is prepared and delivered on time. This allows you to focus on other aspects of your wedding planning and enjoy the journey to your special day.

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