our stationery turnaround guideWhen to Order and When to Send Wedding Invitations Out
Cheers to the future Mr. and Mrs.! With all the excitement and decisions that need to be made, it's easy to get behind on things when it comes to wedding planning–especially trying to determine when to order and send out your wedding invitations.
Here, I’ll share with you best practices for when to order wedding invitations and when to send them out, so you can check this off your list and keep waltzing toward your big day. Most importantly, we’ll get you one step closer to going from Miss to Mrs. (Don’t forget to scroll through for my timeline cheat sheet below.)
Whether you're hosting a lavish affair or an intimate ceremony, understanding the right timing for sending out wedding invitations is essential. We'll also discuss options for ordering invitations that fit your style and budget, as well as tips for addressing envelopes and managing RSVPs. So kick off your shoes, grab your favorite beverage, and pull your hair up–here’s everything you need to know.
before you begin…Collect all guest addresses.
This is one of those tasks that can take some time, but it'll help you know how many households you need to mail to for save the dates and invitations. Plus, it makes the stationery process go by so much faster because you already have the information ready.
To help you get started, download my Wedding Guest List Organizer here. (It’s my most-downloaded resource!)
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Three Tips for Ordering and Sending Wedding Invitations
No. 1
Consider your event date.
For destination weddings or weddings around popular holidays (like Christmas), guests will need advance notice so they can make proper arrangements. In these cases, aim to order nine months in advance and mail wedding invitations at least six months in advance (or sooner).
No. 2
Order at least five months before.
Ideally, order your wedding invitations five to six months before your wedding date or two months before you need them in hand. This allows us plenty of time for design, proofing, and production. If you're opting for custom options like venue illustrations or wax seals, order sooner to avoid any last-minute stress.
No. 3
Send at least two-three months before.
Traditionally, couples send wedding invitations two months in advance of their wedding day. However, we’ve seen couples mailing much sooner since the pandemic. Most of our couples now mail three months in advance, and this is industry-wide for wedding stationery.
your cheat sheet
Wedding Invitation Timeline
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*You may wish to order by the date you need them in hand, rather than your event date–especially if you’re having a destination wedding and need to send wedding invitations out far in advance.
Our collection of semi-custom wedding stationery allows for a more streamlined experience and gives you the unique option to build your suite to suit your turnaround time and budget.
The Importance of Timing in Ordering and Sending Out Wedding Invitations
Timing is essential to ensure your guests have enough notice to make arrangements and RSVP. Ordering and sending your wedding invitations in advance is a nice gesture because it gives everyone enough time to make arrangements and commit. Plus, it allows you ample time to finalize and plan the rest of your wedding details–like gathering everyone’s meal selections and dietary restrictions.
When it comes to ordering wedding invitations, it's important to consider factors such as the design and customization options, as well as the shipping and handling time.
Depending on your preferences and budget, you may choose to order digitally printed invitations or opt for custom embellishments. Keep in mind that custom add-ons may take longer to produce, so it's wise to allow extra time for this process.
Once your invitations are ready, the next step is to send them out to your guests.
The timing of sending out wedding invitations depends on various factors, including the formality of your wedding, the location, and the number of out-of-town guests. Sending out invitations too early may result in guests forgetting about the event, while sending them out too late may not give guests enough time to make travel arrangements.
I’m happy to help you strike that balance and find the sweet spot in terms of timing.
Remember that destination weddings will require sending out wedding invitations much sooner in advance, to allow guests enough notice to take off of work and make travel arrangements.
Additionally, weddings that fall around popular holidays (like Christmas) may also require you to send them out much sooner.
Things to Consider for When to Order Wedding Invitations
Figuring out when to order your wedding invitations involves considering several factors. First, decide on what embellishment options are most important to you and which print method you want for your invitations. Whether you prefer classic digital printing for more affordable elegance or high-end options such as letterpress printing or custom venue drawings, your choice will influence the time needed for production. Tap the + icon to learn more about each option.
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If you choose digital printing, the ordering process may be quicker, with a production turnaround time of 2 weeks after all proofs are approved.
Our couples love upgrading their digitally printed wedding invitations to double thick paper to give them more of a high-end feel.
To view more about our options, click here.
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Our couples love using letterpress or foil printing for their suite!
Order letterpress or foil invitations at least two months in advance of when you need them in hand (or sooner). Each piece is printed by hand, so production takes four weeks to complete.
This allows for design time, revisions, and printing.
Learn more about letterpress here.
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Lastly, it's important to factor in any additional elements you may want to include with your invitations, such as handmade paper, silk ribbon, or venue drawings.
These extras require additional time for production and assembly.
For the following custom options, order wedding invitations at least 3 months before you need them in hand: venue drawings, white glove assembly, vintage postage and mailing, handmade silk ribbon, or handmade paper.
Explore our custom options here.
Things to Consider for When to Mail Wedding Invitations
Once you have your wedding invitations in hand, it's time to decide when to send them out. I’m happy to walk through all of this with you! Let’s discuss the factors that come into play when determining the ideal timing for sending out your invitations.
One of the key factors to consider is the formality of your wedding. Formal weddings typically require more notice, so sending out invitations earlier is recommended.
For formal affairs, it's common to send out invitations three to four months in advance. This gives guests ample time to plan their schedules, make travel arrangements, and secure accommodations if needed.
If you're planning a more casual or intimate wedding, sending out invitations two to three months in advance is generally sufficient. This timeframe allows guests to mark their calendars without overwhelming them with too much advance notice.
If you're having a destination wedding or if many of your guests will be traveling from out of town, it's best to send out invitations earlier to allow for travel arrangements.
Aim to send out destination wedding invitations six months in advance, giving guests enough time to book flights, accommodations, and any necessary time off work.
Additionally, consider any major holidays or events that may coincide with your wedding date. Sending out invitations earlier in these cases is advisable, as your guests may need to make special arrangements.
Traditional Timeline for Ordering and Sending Wedding Invitations
Following a traditional timeline can help ensure that you order and send out your wedding invitations with plenty of time to spare. While these timelines can be adjusted based on your specific circumstances, they serve as a helpful guide for most weddings.
when to order: 5-6 months in advanceIdeally, you should start the process of ordering your wedding invitations five to six months before your wedding date or two to three months before you need them in hand. This timeframe allows for design, proofing, and production time. If you're opting for some of our custom embellishments, give yourself the additional time to avoid any last-minute stress. (And, don’t forget to download that guest address form here to get a head start.)
when to send: 2-3 months in advanceOnce your invitations are ready, we’ll carefully wrap up your stationery for shipping and include detailed instructions for assembly, postage and mailing. All of our wedding invitations and save the date cards include complimentary guest and return address printing, which makes assembly a breeze.
Traditionally, wedding invitations are sent out eight weeks before the wedding date. This gives guests enough time to RSVP and make any necessary arrangements. However, most of our couples are choosing to mail much sooner. It’s common for couples to mail three months in advance.
For destination weddings or weddings with a large number of out-of-town guests, it's customary to send out wedding invitations six to eight months in advance. This provides guests with preliminary information about your wedding, allowing them to start planning their travel and accommodations.
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start earlyBegin the process of ordering your wedding invitations as soon as possible to allow for any unexpected delays or revisions.
Tips for Ordering Wedding Invitations
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Consider your budgetWedding invitations come in a wide range of prices, so it's important to determine your budget before starting the ordering process.
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be cohesiveYour wedding invitations will reflect the overall theme and style of your wedding. After all, this is the first impression guests will have of the big day!
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order samplesCan’t stress this one enough! Samples allow you to ensure the quality meets your expectations and to see how the design and colors look in person.
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PROOFREAD CAREFULLYBefore giving final approval for printing, double-check all the details on your wedding invitations to avoid any last-minute mistakes.
Tips for Sending Wedding Invitations
Once your wedding invitations are ready, it's time to send them out to your guests! We include careful instructions for postage, mailing, and assembly. Or, you may choose to add our white glove assembly service. Here are some tips to make the process seamless:
assemblyYou may prefer to add on our white glove assembly service. If you prefer to DIY, we will provide careful instructions for assembling each suite. Before stuffing each envelope make sure all enclosure cards are assembled, such as your response and details cards.
Consider postageBefore sending out your invitations, take a fully assembled invitation to the post office to determine the correct postage required. Invitations with double thick paper, ribbon, or wax seals will require additional postage. If you add postage and mailing to your suite, we’ll handle all of this for you. If you prefer to DIY, we recommend taking an assembled suite to the post office to estimate postage.
follow upIf you haven't received an RSVP from a guest within the specified timeframe, it's acceptable to follow up with them to ensure they received the invitation and to confirm their attendance.
Mistakes to Avoid When Ordering and Sending Wedding Invitations
While ordering and sending out wedding invitations may seem straightforward, there are a few common mistakes to avoid:
Ordering too few invitationsIt's always better to order extra invitations to account for any last-minute additions or mistakes. Having a few extra invitations on hand will save you from unnecessary stress.
RSVP DATE TOO CLOSE TO EVENTSet your RSVP date at least four weeks in advance of your event date. (Or much sooner for a destination wedding!) This allows you time to make wedding day plans, like your seating chart.
Waiting too long to orderStarting the ordering process early allows for a more relaxed and enjoyable experience. Waiting until the last minute may result in rushed decisions and limited options.
Alternative Options for Your Wedding Invitation Suite
If you're looking for alternative options for your wedding invitations due to time constraints or budget preferences, there are several creative choices to consider:
online response cardConsider having guests reply on your wedding website, rather than using a traditional mail-in response card. This will save you the cost of having an additional envelope as well as on postage costs. This is also a great option if you’re tight on time.
digitally printed wedding invitationsDigital printing (or flat printing) offers a quicker turnaround time and more affordable elegance. Our couples love upgrading their digitally printed wedding invitations to double thick paper for an ultra high-end look.
combining your details cardsIf sustainability is important to you, consider combining details cards together to save on paper. For example, your accommodations and transportation details can be included on one card together. While I’ll never recommend jamming a bunch of text onto a card (as not to overwhelm guests), combining details cards can be elegantly done by reducing wording and giving guests only the need-to-know info.
utilize your wedding websiteCut down on the cost of all the additional cards by making use of your website. Your website is a great place for accommodations, transportation information, and weekend events.
So Happy for You!
Ordering and sending out your wedding invitations is an important part of the wedding planning process. By understanding the importance of timing, considering factors such as wedding style and location, and following a traditional timeline, you can ensure that your invitations are sent out with ample notice. Remember to take your time when ordering wedding invitations, considering factors such as design, customization, and budget.
Alright–you did it! Now, you’re well-equipped to order and send out your wedding invitations like a pro and you’re one step closer to Mrs.