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Writer's pictureMolly Shellenberg

When to Start Designing and Ordering Custom Wedding Stationery: A Guide

Planning a wedding involves countless details, and one crucial aspect is designing and ordering your custom wedding stationery. From save-the-dates to invitations, menus, and place cards, each piece contributes to setting the tone for your special day. But how far in advance should you start the process? In this blog post, we'll discuss the ideal timeline for designing and ordering custom wedding stationery and explore the reasons behind starting early.


The Importance of Time


Wedding stationery plays a significant role in creating a cohesive and personalized experience for your guests. It not only reflects your style and theme but also serves as a practical communication tool. Giving yourself ample time to design and order your custom stationery ensures that you have enough room for creativity, revisions, and addressing any unforeseen circumstances that may arise along the way.

  1. Start 6-9 Months Before the Wedding: Ideally, begin the process of designing and ordering your custom wedding stationery six to nine months before your wedding date. This timeframe allows you to secure your stationery designer or vendor, discuss your vision and preferences, and collaborate on the initial design concepts. It also allows for any necessary revisions and iterations to ensure that the final product aligns perfectly with your wedding theme.

  2. Save-the-Dates: Send Out 4-6 Months in Advance: Save-the-date cards are typically sent out four to six months before your wedding. Starting early ensures that you have sufficient time to finalize the guest list, gather accurate addresses, and work with your designer to create unique and eye-catching cards that capture the essence of your upcoming celebration. This timeframe also accounts for any potential delays in printing and mailing.

  3. Wedding Invitations: Send Out 8-12 Weeks in Advance: Wedding invitations are typically sent out eight to twelve weeks prior to the wedding date. By starting the design and ordering process early, you have ample time to craft elegant and personalized invitations that reflect your wedding style. It also allows for addressing, assembling, and mailing the invitations, taking into consideration any additional inserts or enclosures you may need to include.

  4. Day-of Stationery: Start 6-8 Weeks in Advance: Day-of stationery, such as programs, menus, place cards, and table numbers, should be designed and ordered around six to eight weeks before the wedding. This timeline ensures that you have finalized your guest list, seating arrangements, and menu details. Collaborating with your stationery designer during this period allows for seamless integration of your wedding theme and ensures a cohesive visual experience for your guests.

  5. Factors to Consider: While these timelines provide a general guideline, it's important to consider individual factors that may affect your specific situation. For instance, if you're planning a destination wedding or have a large guest list, you may want to start the design and ordering process even earlier to accommodate the additional coordination and production time. Additionally, be aware of any holidays or peak seasons that may impact production and delivery timelines.



Designing and ordering custom wedding stationery is an exciting and essential part of the wedding planning process. By starting the process early, you give yourself the necessary time to collaborate with designers, create personalized and cohesive stationery, address unforeseen challenges, and ensure a smooth experience. Remember, each piece of stationery contributes to setting the tone and making a lasting impression on your guests, so allow yourself the luxury of time to bring your vision to life.

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