The Wedding Invitation Timeline No One Tells You About (and How to Avoid Last-Minute Stress)
Planning your wedding comes with so many details — and if you’re like most couples, wedding invitations probably feel like just one more thing on your already packed to-do list.
But here’s the thing: your wedding invitations set the tone for your entire day. They’re the first glimpse your guests get of your style and your story — and getting them out on time is just as important as choosing the perfect design.
The problem? Most couples don’t realize how much time they actually need to plan, design, and mail their invitations.
In this post, I’m breaking down the wedding invitation timeline no one tells you about — so you can stay ahead of the game and avoid unnecessary stress!
When Should You Order Your Wedding Invitations?
If you take nothing else from this post, remember this:
Start your wedding invitation process about 6–8 months before your wedding date.
Yes, really.
Here’s why: between finding the right stationer, dreaming up your design, approving proofs, waiting for printing, and then assembling and mailing your invitations, the weeks fly by.
If you wait too long to start, you may end up paying rush fees, compromising on design, or feeling completely overwhelmed.
Why Your Order Date and Mail Date Are Not the Same
A common misconception is that you can order your invitations at the same time you want to mail them.
In reality, you should be mailing your wedding invitations 8–12 weeks before the wedding — but that means you need to order them months before that.
Here’s a quick example timeline:
| Task | When to do it |
|---|---|
| Start working with your stationer | 6–8 months before |
| Finalize design & approve proofs | 4–6 months before |
| Printing & production | 3–4 months before |
| Assemble & address invitations | 2–3 months before |
| Mail invitations | 8–12 weeks before the wedding |
So, if you want to mail your invitations in mid-July, you should ideally start working on them in January or February.
The Hidden Deadlines No One Talks About
Even if you nail the big deadlines, there are smaller, hidden tasks that can sneak up on you:
✅ Ordering vintage or specialty stamps before they sell out or go out of print
✅ Booking a calligrapher if you want hand-lettered envelopes (they book up months in advance!)
✅ Giving yourself time to weigh a fully assembled invitation suite at the post office — so you know exactly how much postage you need
✅ Accounting for holidays, travel, or other events that might delay mailing
When you work with a professional stationer (hi, that’s me), I help you keep track of all of these little details so nothing slips through the cracks.
How I Can Help You Stay On Track
If all of this feels a little overwhelming, you’re not alone. Most couples don’t know where to begin when it comes to wedding stationery — and that’s exactly why I’m here.
When you work with me, I’ll:
✨ Create a customized timeline based on your wedding date
✨ Guide you through all your design options
✨ Help you choose the perfect wording & etiquette for your invites
✨ Manage the printing, production, and even assembly if needed
✨ Make sure everything arrives on time (and looking stunning!)
Ready to Start Your Wedding Invitations?
The sooner we start, the more options you’ll have — and the less stressed you’ll feel.
If you’re ready to check “wedding invitations” off your list and actually enjoy the process check out my custom wedding stationery services, get in touch with me here, or send me a DM. Let’s make your wedding stationery as unforgettable as your big day.
