When to Order Your Wedding Stationery: A Complete Timeline Guide
Your wedding stationery is one of the first creative decisions you’ll make when planning your big day. Knowing when to order wedding stationery helps avoid stress and last-minute compromises. This guide explains the ideal timeline, from save the dates to on-the-day details.
What wedding stationery do you need?
A full wedding stationery suite may include save the dates, wedding invitations, RSVP cards, details cards and envelope addressing. These are designed as a cohesive set, with calligraphy, layout and optional illustrations such as venue drawings or maps.
On-the-day wedding stationery includes place cards, menus, seating charts, vows, monograms and wedding signage. These items can be ordered individually or as a package. Seating charts can be written on paper, fabric, wood, vinyl or large-format prints.
Wedding stationery can be digitally printed, letterpress printed, or fully hand-made and hand-written for smaller, intimate weddings.
👉 You can view some of my wedding calligraphy services here.
When to send save the dates
Send your save the dates as soon as your venue is booked. This allows guests to reserve the date early, especially for summer weddings or destination celebrations. Ideally this should be 9-12 months before the wedding
When to order wedding invitations
Order your wedding invitation suite at least 6 months before your wedding date. This allows time for design, proofing, calligraphy, printing and postage.
Invitations should be posted around 3 months before the wedding, assuming save the dates have already been sent.
For destination weddings, order and post the invites earlier to give guests time to arrange their travel and accommodation.
When to order Day-of Wedding stationery
Day-of stationery is ordered closer to the wedding, once guest numbers, seating plans and menus are confirmed.
Wedding signage, place cards, menus and seating charts should be ordered 8–10 weeks before the wedding. While some items can be completed quickly, last-minute requests may not always be possible during busy periods.
And who wants to spend the final days before their wedding collecting stationery from your supplier.
When to book your wedding calligrapher
The sooner the better. Even if your wedding feels months away, booking early secures studio time and allows careful planning. Early booking avoids rushed decisions and limited availability, especially during peak wedding season.
What can affect wedding stationery timelines?
A number of things. The complexity of the design plays a key role, as more detailed or custom elements need extra time.
Printing methods also matter. Digital printing may only take a week, while letterpress and gold foiling take longer. Calligraphy is a time-intensive process, especially for larger guest lists, and special materials may need to be sourced. Details such as wax seals, illustrations, proofing, assembly and postage should always be included in the timeline.
How long does design and production take?
A full wedding invitation suite usually takes 1-2 months to complete. This may sound like a lot so let’s break it down. You can expect 2–4 weeks for design. Printing, depending on your preferred method can add another 2-4 weeks. Calligraphy, like envelope addressing or hand-writing the guest names on the invites can add another week or two, depending on the numbers.
Day of the wedding stationery and signage may be quicker. Of course you need to factor how busy your artist is with other commissions.
If you want a fully custom design embrace the time it takes. This will allow your artists to create something unique and unforgettable just for you. The extra time is for you as well. If you are going the extra mile commissioning custom design or calligraphy, you want to give yourself time with your designer. Being led through the creative process by an expert professional, without the pressure of a looming deadline, can be a wonderful and exciting experience.
Common wedding stationery mistakes
A common wedding stationery mistake is providing a handwritten guest list. This can cause delays if names are unclear. Misspelt names also slow production once calligraphy or printing begins.
It’s important to decide how guests should be addressed. Formal or informal styles can be decided on depending on the occasion and your relationship to the guests, but consistency helps your stationery feel polished and intentional.
Destination Weddings and International Guests
For destination weddings, order stationery at least 9 months in advance and post 6 months before.
International invitations should be posted early. With foreign names double-check the spelling even more carefully.
Destination wedding can impact your timing and choices for day of the wedding items as you may have transport to consider. Large rigid seating charts may not travel well. Fabric wedding signage and seating charts are not only on trend but easy to pack in a suitcase. And of course – order earlier!
Can wedding stationery be ordered in stages?
Yes. Order your invitation suite first. Decide what cards you need. Day-of wedding stationery can be ordered later, ideally 8–10 weeks before the wedding.
Save this timeline for reference on when to order your stationery.
What happens if you are late?
Sometimes life just happens. If you are already past the recommended dates for ordering or posting your wedding invites or place cards, don’t worry. Usually this means simply that the more time consuming options or harder to source materials may not be achievable. Contact a local vendor as soon as you can and they will know exactly how to help.
While custom design, gold foiling or calligraphy may not all be possible with a very short deadline, there are other routes to explore. Many vendors offer customisable wedding templates. They can be quickly updated and printed digitally. Digital print is a great option for quicker turnaround and it costs less.
For ‘day of’ items – I often get contacted for place cards or menus just before the wedding. While I recommend 8-10 weeks I know that’s not always possible. I always try my best to help, but even if I am already inundated with other work, I try to recommend another stationer or calligrapher.
So if you are short on time speak to your stationer or calligrapher and make them aware. They can advise you on the best options achievable within your timeframe and make the necessary arrangements to get everything to you on time.
Final tips for a stress-free stationery order
Set your stationery budget – discus this openly with your stationer/calligrapher. They will be able to suggest the most appropriate printing method.
Decide on your style – formal and elegant or modern and casual? Your wedding stationery gives your guests a hint of what to expect on the day. Your stationer or calligrapher can make their design recommendations inspired by your day overall aesthetic.
Book your stationer or calligrapher early. This will ensure you get your preferred supplier or artist.
Spell check everything! Your calligrapher will write everything exactly as you have supplied it. If they have to query any spellings, your order will take longer.
For calligraphy, always provide 20% extra paper or envelopes. Mistakes happen. More guest names get added last minute. Having extra stock means your calligrapher can react quickly and prevent delays.
Quick Wedding Stationery
Timeline Checklist
9–12 months before
✔ Book your stationer / calligrapher
✔ Order save the dates
6 months before
✔ Order wedding invitation suite
3 months before
✔ Send invitations (longer for destination weddings)
8–10 weeks before
✔ Order place cards, menus, wedding signage, seating chart
Final weeks
✔ Final checks and delivery
2 months after the wedding
✔ Send Thank you cards
….
I provide bespoke wedding stationery and calligraphy services in Yorkshire, working with couples in Leeds, Manchester and across the UK. From luxury invitation suites to on-the-day wedding signage, each piece is thoughtfully designed and hand-finished with care.
