Wondering when to order wedding invitations? You’re not alone! It’s one of the most common questions couples ask once they dive into planning. The truth is: giving yourself plenty of time makes the process smoother, more enjoyable, and ensures your invitations turn out exactly how you dreamed.
Whether you’re envisioning deckled edges and silk ribbon or bold color palettes and custom venue sketches, the right timeline helps everything come together beautifully.
So, When Should You Order Wedding Invitations?
Here’s a simple breakdown:
Save the Dates:
Mail 6–9 months before your wedding
👉 Book your stationer 9–12 months before your date
Formal Invitations:
Mail 2–3 months before the big day
👉 Book your stationer 4–6 months before your wedding
Destination Weddings:
Add extra time!
Save the Dates: Mail 9–12 months in advance
Invitations: Mail 3–4 months before
Save-the-Date Timeline: 9–12 Months Before Your Wedding
Save-the-dates give your guests plenty of time to plan—especially if travel is involved. That means you should book your stationer 9–12 months ahead of your big day to allow time for design, printing, and mailing.
At Tinlizzy Design Co., I guide couples through all the details, from the perfect envelope color to including your venue in a custom sketch. Save-the-dates are your guests’ first peek at your day—why not make it memorable?
Formal Invitation Timeline: 4–6 Months Before Your Wedding
While invitations usually go in the mail 2–3 months before your wedding, your design process should begin 4–6 months in advance. Why the extra time? It allows for:
- Thoughtful design (you don’t want to rush your colors, fonts, or embellishments!)
- Print production, especially if you’re upgrading to letterpress or foil
- Adding extras like wax seals, vellum wraps, silk ribbon, or envelope liners
- Stress-free assembly and mailing
I recommend booking early so we can create something beautiful – without last-minute pressure.
Why Order Wedding Invitations Early?
- You’ll have more creative freedom
Custom artwork like venue sketches, monograms, or watercolor details take time – and they’re worth it. - You avoid last-minute stress
Giving yourself breathing room means you won’t be rushing to approve proofs or worrying about shipping delays. - You can build in those dreamy extras
Think: wax seals, vellum wraps, foil printing, or curated embellishments. These make your suite feel elevated and personal – and they need a little extra lead time.
At Tinlizzy Design Co., I treat your timeline like it’s my own. We’ll walk through every step together, and your stationery will be one less thing to worry about.
What Happens After You Book?
At Tinlizzy Design Co., booking early gives us time to design your suite with intention. We’ll collaborate before designing begins over a Google Meet or in-person if you’re local to the Atlanta area. Once the vision is nailed down and proofs are ready, you’ll get to review proofs, request changes, and feel confident that what your guests open is a true reflection of you and your day.
Final Tip
If you’re asking, “When should I order wedding invitations?” — the answer is probably now. 😉
To keep everything on track, couples love having a clear timeline (I’ll help with that!) and a calm, personal experience throughout the design process. Let’s make it fun, memorable, and totally you. Inquire for semi-custom or custom wedding invitations today!
Photos by Annie Lui Photography
Graphic by Tinlizzy Design Co.
