Wedding stationery timeline. What’s that I hear you ask? Well, it’s an outline of what wedding stationery you might need for your big day and when you will need it. Wedding stationery covers all manner of paper and card products that will be needed at different points in your wedding planning journey.
You’ll need save the dates and invitations before the day, stationery for your ceremony and reception on the day, and thank you cards afterwards. In this blog I’ll explain how to work out your own, personal wedding stationery timeline.
Save the date cards
You should send save the date cards 18 months to 2 years months before your wedding day, but ideally no later than a year in advance. As soon as you have booked the date and venue you are good to go. They are not essential, but they can be useful if you are getting married during peak wedding season (May to September in the UK) or at other popular holiday times.
When to send save the date cards
What are save the dates and do you really need them
Wedding & evening invitations
You should send your wedding invitations around 6 to 8 months before your wedding. Send them earlier if you decide not to send save the dates, or later if you do. Of course, this timeline isn’t set in stone, if a different timescale works for you, go with that. Do remember though, to factor in enough time to get your replies back and numbers confirmed for your venue and/or caterers.
You don’t have to send out your wedding and evening invitations at the same time. Evening ones can go a little later if you want to. It’s a good idea to have them made at the same time though. You should order your wedding and evening invitations 8 to 10 months in advance of your wedding.
When to order wedding invitations
When to send wedding invitations
Ceremony & reception wedding stationery
This is often referred to as wedding day stationery or on the day stationery. Order the stationery for your wedding ceremony and reception at least 8 to 12 weeks before the big day so that it is all ready in plenty of time. This includes things like your order of service, order of the day, wedding signs, table plan, menus & place cards. Also think about little finishing touches, such as confetti bags or cones, personalised sweetie bags, a guest book and a post box.
What stationery do you need for your wedding ceremony
What stationery do you need for your wedding reception
Thank you cards
Don’t forget the all-important thank you cards. A personal handwritten note, thanking your guests for their company, cards, gifts, and good wishes is essential. You should aim to send thank you cards soon after your wedding, ideally within 2 to 3 weeks. Up to three months after the big day is acceptable. To make sure you have them in good time, order them with your other stationery and collect them before your wedding.
What to write in your wedding thank you cards.
How to work out your own wedding stationery timeline
So that’s the basic outline of a wedding stationery timeline. Start with your wedding date and work backwards to find out when you need to order each part of your stationery. As a quick reference, I’ve created this wedding stationery timeline graphic. Save it to your wedding planning boards on Pinterest, so you have a handy guide and a quick link back to this post when you need it.
1.
Save the date cards
send 12 to 18 months before the wedding
order 12 to 24 months before the wedding
2.
Wedding & evening invitations
send 4 to 8 months before the wedding
order 8 to 12 months before the wedding
3.
Wedding day stationery
have ready 1 to 2 weeks before the wedding
order 8 to 12 weeks before the wedding
4.
Thank you cards
send within three months of the wedding
order as soon as you can after the wedding
Reserve production slots based on your wedding stationery timeline
When you order wedding stationery with me, you can reserve production slots for each batch of stationery up front. You can then relax knowing that I will be in touch at just the right time on your wedding stationery timeline to confirm all the details and make each part of your order.
Read more about when to order your wedding stationery and how to reserve your production slots.
If you’re ready to find our more about working with me, why not head over to my page all about How to Order Wedding Stationery.
Want to dig around and get to know me a little better first? It’s OK, I get it. Why not come and find me on Instagram or give me a follow on Pinterest. It would be great to see you there.
If you’d like your own, free, printable wedding stationery timeline and checklist pop your details in the box below, or click here for a little more info about it first.