When to Send Wedding Invitations–Timeline to Order & Send Custom-Made Invites
If you’ve landed here, then chances are you’ve just gotten engaged in 2022. Congratulations! This year will be a whirlwind of planning for one of the best days of your life.
And to kick off that special day, you’ll need great invitations. How else will your guests know what to plan for and what to expect on your wedding day? We’re here to help you design beautiful custom-made wedding invitations that are both deeply personal and practical. And practical starts with the timeline.
When to Send Wedding Invitations & Save the Dates
First, let’s get the mailing timeline down. If your date is set more than six months from now, then you’ll need to send save the dates BEFORE the invitations. Save the dates are simple cards that inform guests of your wedding date and location. They’re sent out 6-8 months in advance so that guests can add your event to their calendar way ahead of time. For more about save the dates, check out this blog.
The wedding invitations typically go out 6-10 weeks before your wedding date. If you’re having a destination wedding or a sit-down meal, then ere closer to 8-10 weeks. Why so soon? Early delivery allows guests time to make final travel arrangements. Secondly, sit-down dinner receptions often require place cards. Enough time must be given to gather a headcount for place cards and seating charts to be produced. For more about what goes into wedding invitations, check out this blog.
So to get started, grab your calendar. Count 8-10 weeks backward from your wedding date and mark the day you need to send the invitations. Then count 6-8 months back and circle the mail date for your save the dates.
When to Order Wedding Invitations & Save the Dates
This answer depends on the type of wedding invitation you’re looking for. You can order economy invitations from print-on-demand sites like Minted and Zazzle and receive them in a matter of weeks.
If you prefer to work with a stationer, you can also order semi-custom invitations for a quick turnaround time of 3-5 weeks. (Save the dates usually arrive a little sooner.) This is a great option if you’re looking for something that both fast and high-quality.
But custom-made wedding invitations take a little more time because they are designed and illustrated from scratch, created especially for your wedding day.
The timeline for custom-made stationery is broken into two parts: the design phase and the production phase, both of which vary depending on the complexity of the design.
The design process typically takes between 6-8 weeks.
The production usually takes between 3-4 weeks.
This means that you’ll have to start looking early! If you’re hoping to get custom save the dates, then start inquiring about 11-12 months before your wedding. You may not start the design right away, but with the wedding boom of 2022, many invitation designers are already booking up. If you want first dibs, then start looking as soon as possible!
If you only want custom invitations, then you’ll need to book a designer no later than 6 months before your wedding date. Again though, with the wedding boom, it's good to start sooner than that. Custom design inquiries begin with a consultation and booking process, so you should reach out to stationers quickly!
Custom-made wedding invitations are a great way to personalize your wedding and excite your guests for the big day. If you’re interested in custom-made wedding invitations, reach out to us! We still have availability for 2022, and we’d love to chat with you!