Wedding Stationery Timeline Guide

April 13, 2022

"I'm engaged, now what?"

Timelines are a huge part of planning a wedding, and stationery items are a big part of the advance planning. This post should hopefully help with when to send certain items, since wedding stationery is about a lot more than just invitations!

Non-Destination Wedding

If you're having a wedding at a location which doesn't necessitate a lot of travel, this is the timeline for you! If it's on a weekday, lean to the more advanced side of these ranges. 

1. Decide on design preferences. Do you want letterpress? Are there specific must-have colors that you want to use? This will be important information to have when booking someone to make your stationery. 
2. 6-8 months in advance - Book a designer/stationer. Letterpress is a time consuming process, and so stationers like Papillon Press often have a 6-8 week lead time from booking to when you get your items. 
3. 4-6 months in advance - Send Save the Dates! Information you'll want to have by now to share with guests are the date and the city you're getting married in. 
4. 4-5 months in advance - Book your invitation designer. Papillon Press offers a 10% discount to any client who books us for both Save the Dates and Invitations.  
5. 2-3 months in advance - Send Invitations and inserts such as Response Cards, Detail Cards, Maps, etc. Be sure to request that guests RSVP by 2 weeks before you need your final count. 
6. 2-3 months in advance - Order your day-of stationery like menus, programs etc. 

Destination Weddings

If you're having a destination wedding (it doesn't have to be Italy, if people are driving more than a couple hours and may need to get a hotel, this counts as a destination wedding), you'll need to use a different timeline. 

1. Decide on design preferences. Do you want letterpress? Are there specific must-have colors that you want to use? This will be important information to have when booking someone to make your stationery. 
2. 10-12 months in advance - Book a designer/stationer. Letterpress is a time consuming process, and so stationers like us often have a 6-8 week lead time from booking to when you get your items. 
3. 9-11 months in advance - Send Save the Dates! Information you'll want to have by now to share with guests are the date and the city you're getting married in. 
4. 5-6 months in advance - Book your invitation designer. Papillon Press offers a 10% discount to any client who books us for both Save the Dates and Invitations.  
5. 3-4 months in advance - Send Invitations and inserts such as Response Cards, Detail Cards, Maps, etc. Be sure to request that guests RSVP by 2 weeks before you need your final count. 
6. 2-3 months in advance - Order your day-of stationery like menus, programs etc. 

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