Wedding Stationery Timeline: When to Order Each Piece from Save the Dates to Thank Yous
Planning a wedding involves juggling countless decisions and deadlines, and your stationery is no exception. From Save the Dates to wedding invitations and thank you cards, timing each piece correctly can help ensure a smooth, stress-free experience.
At Raspberry Creative, we believe great design takes time. And when you know what to expect, you’re better prepared to make decisions with confidence.
This guide will walk you through the ideal timeline for ordering every piece of your wedding stationery so nothing falls through the cracks.
First Things First: Why Timeline Matters
Unlike off-the-shelf stationery, custom and semi-custom suites involve collaboration, proofing, printing, and sometimes assembly. That means more time, and more need for planning. Rushing can lead to limited options, missed details, and costly rush fees.
Use this timeline as a planning tool to stay ahead.
Let’s Break it Down by Stationery Type
Save the Dates
These are your guests’ first heads-up about your wedding date and location.
💡 Order 8–12 months out (earlier if you’re having a destination wedding or expecting a lot of out-of-town guests).
💌 Mail 8+ months before your wedding date. This gives your guests enough time to plan, make travel or childcare arrangements, etc. Remember, attending a wedding as a guest can be expensive so giving your guests enough time to plan makes it easier for them to celebrate with you on your special day.
Wedding Invitations
This is your official wedding announcement; where, when, and all the must-know info.
💡 Start the design process 4–6 months before your wedding for semi-custom invitations, 8-10+ months for custom invitations.
💌 Mail out 8–10 weeks ahead of the big day (12 weeks or more for destination weddings).
Need RSVPs back earlier? Send invitations earlier, too. Coordinate with your venue or caterer to make sure you know when you need your final head count.
RSVP + Detail Cards
These are typically included with your invitation suite. If you’re collecting RSVPs by mail, allow extra time for return mail and guest response. Detail cards are essential for travel, accommodations, or weekend plans.
Day-of Stationery
Includes ceremony programs, menus, escort or place cards, table numbers, signage, and more.
💡 Finalize these 4–6 weeks before the wedding.
📦 Have them in-hand at least 1–2 weeks before the wedding day.
Thank You Cards
While technically post-wedding, don’t wait to get these ordered!
💡 Order about 1 month before your wedding so you’re ready to send them out soon after.
💌 Send within 1–2 months of receiving gifts—or earlier if possible!
Tip from a Former Bride: One of the best tips I’ve ever received from a former Bride I worked with was how she took her thank you cards on her honeymoon and she and her new husband worked on them on the plane in route to their honeymoon. This ensured they got done quickly while everything was fresh in their minds and it helped pass the time on a long flight.
Pro Tips for Staying on Track
Work backward from your wedding date. Add a buffer to avoid stress.
Group orders where possible. Save time and shipping costs by ordering RSVP cards, detail cards, and invitations together. This is becoming less consistent as couples choose to DIY parts of their wedding stationery. Save yourself the hassle of coordinating and logistics by ordering everything togehter as a suite.
Don’t forget your envelope addressing time! Whether you’re hiring a calligrapher or writing them yourself, allow extra time before mailing.
Want a Done-for-You Timeline
We make planning your wedding stationery simple. Our clients receive personalized timelines with their orders—so they never have to guess when or what’s next.
👉 Ready to start planning? Contact us here or browse our invitation suites to get inspired!
