FROM ‘YES’ TO ‘I DO’
Your wedding stationery timeline unfolded
Timing is everything when it comes to wedding stationery! From sending out save the dates and invitations, to gathering RSVPs and writing thank-you notes, I’ve got the ultimate guide to keep you on track. Let’s dive in and make your planning a breeze!
Let’s role play!
The best way I find to understand timelines is to give an example.
So, let’s imagine Alex and Riley are getting married on the 14 October 2026 and they want to use my Penguin Book Collection. They want to send their Save the Dates a year in advance and their invitations four months before their wedding day. They also want a Table Plan, Table Names and Place Cards for their wedding day.
So, let’s get our math on!
Based on this date, Alex & Riley would be looking at this timeline:
Save the dates
Order: mid-September 2025 (or sooner)
Design scheduled for: September 2026
Delivered to them: early October 2025
Invitations
Want to send: July 2026
Order: end of May 2026 (or sooner)
Design scheduled for: June 2026
Delivered to them: early July 2026
Top tip: RSVP best practice
Whether collecting responses physically or digitally, set a short deadline to encourage quick replies and avoid chasing guests.
Day stationery
To be delivered by: start of October 2026
(2 weeks before their wedding day)
Order: July 2026 (or sooner)
Design scheduled for: September 2026
Thank you cards
Order: pre or post-wedding (your choice!)
Delivered: 2-4 weeks after order received
What does your timeline too like?
Unpopular opinion:
You don’t HAVE to do Save the Dates
This might seem like an odd statement coming from a wedding stationer, but you don’t HAVE to do Save the Date cards.
It’s all about what you want to do, your personal situation and how much notice you need to give people. If you’re guests will need to book their travel and accommodation far in advance, you may want to give them as much time as possible – especially for destination weddings or if you’re guests are needing to travel to you.
It can also give you a little breathing space with sending out your invitations – people know your date and that the wedding is happening, they just need to know the finer details.
Or you might have all your information and want to jump straight to invitations!
Not sending Save the Dates might also free up some budget to spend elsewhere – whether that’s on your wedding stationery, another element or something totally separate! It really is up to you.
