When To Send Out Your Wedding Invitations

Planning your wedding stationery can feel overwhelming, especially when navigating save the dates, invitations, RSVP deadlines, and day-of paper goods. To make things easier, here’s a clear, stress-free timeline to help you stay on track—whether you’re planning a local celebration or a destination wedding.

9–12 Months Before the Wedding

This is the time to establish your style and find a stationer.

• Choose your design direction, color palette, and printing method (letterpress, foil, or digital). Letterpress and foil invitations will often require a longer timeline due to their handmade nature.

• Start building your guest list to figure out how many invitations you’ll need.

6–8 Months Before

Save the Dates go out during this window. If you're planning a destination wedding, aim to send your save the dates 8+ months in advance.

4–6 Months Before

Begin designing your formal invitation suite.

• Finalize important wedding-day details - ceremony start time, RSVP date, etc.

3–4 Months Before

Your invitations should be printed and ready to assemble. This is also a good time to review your guest list in case any of your guests have moved.

8–10 Weeks Before

Mail your invitations! This window ensures enough time for RSVPs and travel planning - especially for guests coming from the mainland or abroad. If you're planning a destination wedding, aim to mail out your invitations 12-16 weeks before the wedding to give guests ample time to arrange travel. 

4–6 Weeks Before

Order your day-of stationery, including:

• Menus

• Programs

• Escort cards

• Place cards

• Bar menus

• Welcome signs

• Table numbers

A smooth stationery timeline allows more time for creativity, fewer deadlines, and a calmer wedding-planning experience. The benefit of working with a stationer through this entire process is that we'll handle all these details for you! If you're ready to begin designing your custom letterpress suite, I’d love to help bring your vision to life.