The Stationery Timeline: When to Order Each Element of Your Wedding Paper Suite
Creating beautiful wedding stationery takes time—especially letterpress pieces that require custom design, plate-making, and careful printing. Understanding the timeline helps ensure your paper elements arrive with plenty of time for addressing and mailing.
8-12 Months Before: Save the Dates
If you're planning a destination wedding or marrying during a holiday weekend, send save-the-dates 8-12 months in advance. For local weddings, 6-8 months is appropriate. This means ordering your save-the-dates approximately 10-14 months before your wedding.
Design Elements to Consider:
Will you use engagement photos?
Do you want to establish a visual theme that will carry through to your invitations?
Would you like custom illustrations of your venue or meaningful locations?
4-6 Months Before: Wedding Invitations
Order your main invitation suite 4-6 months before the wedding. This allows time for:
Design consultations and concepts
Review of proofs
Plate-making for letterpress
Printing and assembly
Hand-addressing (if using a calligrapher)
With letterpress printing, each color requires its own plate and press run, adding time to the production process. Rush orders are possible but often come with additional fees.
2-3 Months Before: Day-of Stationery
Your day-of stationery creates a cohesive experience from invitation to celebration. Items to consider include:
Ceremony programs
Menu cards
Place cards or escort cards
Table numbers
Thank you cards
Welcome bag notes or itineraries
Ordering these elements 2-3 months before your wedding ensures consistency in design and allows you to incorporate final details like menu selections.
Post-Wedding: Thank You Notes
Order thank you cards along with your invitation suite to ensure design consistency. We recommend having these ready before the wedding so you can begin sending thanks for early gifts and continue after the honeymoon.
At Invitobella, we guide you through each stage of this timeline, ensuring your stationery arrives with plenty of breathing room before each milestone. Proper planning means less stress and more time to enjoy the beauty of your custom paper elements.
