You're Engaged, Now What? A Stationery Timeline

Wedding timelines. It’s an age-old question! When should I start working with my stationer? When do I need to send save the dates? How early should my wedding invitations be mailed? There are so many dates and schedules when it comes to wedding timelines, and we’re here to put any questions to rest when it comes to your wedding stationery.

As you’re planning a wedding for this summer (or really any time in the future!), make note of this important sequence for your wedding stationery. A little bit of planning will go a long way to ensure your guests know when and where you’re tying the knot!

Save the Dates - Six to Twelve Months Before the Wedding

We often get asked, “Are save the dates really necessary?” The short answer: Yes! If you’re planning a summer wedding, or a wedding near the holidays, you will want to be sure that your guests know when you’re getting hitched. This will avoid any double booking for summer vacations or holiday travel. Additionally, it can double as an engagement announcement or a holiday card, depending on the timing of your mailing.

Wedding Invitations - Two Months Before the Wedding

Your wedding invitations should go in the mail no later than two months before your wedding day. If you’re planning a destination wedding, a holiday wedding or plan on inviting a lot of out-of-town guests, you will even want to consider mailing your invitations three months in advance. This will give your guests time to plan their travel, book their hotel and purchase their ever-important wedding attire and accessories! If you’re mailing your wedding invitations two to three months before your wedding date, you will want to begin designing them with your stationer well before that! We often recommend getting started on your wedding invitation design about six months in advance of your wedding date.

Day-Of Stationery - One Month Before the Wedding

The paper party doesn’t stop after the invitations are mailed! There are plenty of other stationery items to consider for your big day including, but not limited to, programs, menus, place cards, signage, seating charts, guestbooks and more. These items take time to design and process, and you will want to get started on the design no later than one to two months before your wedding. Items like seating charts and place cards that require guest names will need to be completed soon after all RSVPs are received.

Follow Up Stationery - One Month After the Wedding

Sending your guests a personalized thank you for their presents and presence is a custom that often falls by the wayside. You get busy with married life and settling in, and it’s often easy to forget to send a thank you card! We recommend incorporating thank you card design with your day-of stationery so that they’re ready to be mailed no later than one month after your wedding day.

At Rock Paper Sisters, we take great pride in keeping our brides on track with their wedding stationery timelines. From designing, to printing, to mailing, we can keep your wedding stationery plans on track and off your mind in the wedding planning process. If you’re planning an upcoming wedding, let us take stationery needs off your to do list and get your timeline started.

Contacting your stationer early is the first step in ensuring your stationery is out to guests on time!