When Should I Book My Wedding Invitation Designer?

Hello, lovers. Today we are talking about something veryyy important– when to book your wedding stationery designer. If you’re booking Paper Cliché, you’re in luck because our semi-custom process equips you with high end invitations in your hands in as little as 7-8 weeks. That being said, we always recommend giving yourself the gift of more time for the most enjoyable experience. Your wedding invitations are the first touch point of your big day for your guests so they will either leave quite an impression and build excitement… or if they are less thoughtful…. they will do neither of those things. And let’s not forget that they are one of the only tangible keepsakes you’ll actually have to hold onto after the flowers are tossed and the food has been eaten.

If a boutique stationer is a good fit for you, we recommend reaching out as soon as you think you might want to work with them! Calendars typically fill up months in advance as solopreneurs take on a limited amount of clients to uphold a high standard of service. Below is a chart to help you plan for an stress-free stationery experience. *disclaimer– this timeline reflects Paper Cliché’s semi-custom process. You’ll want to add 3-4 months minimum to these recommendations for fully custom design.

The 8-10 Rule

We strongly recommend mailing your invitation out 8-10 weeks prior to your wedding date. We call this the sweet suite spot to instill a sense of urgency in your guests (aka avoiding having it thrown in a drawer and forgotten about) while also giving your guests enough time to plan accordingly. For destination weddings, or if more than half of your guests are traveling more than 3 hours or hopping on a plane, you can add 4-8 weeks to this timeline.

Pro Tip: Finalize your guest list sheet as soon as you’re able!! This literally always takes longer than anticipated and is generally the biggest hold up in production. We provide you with your template upon booking so that you can check that off right away!

A note about December mailings: Don’t mail in December. You will regret it and you should avoid it like the plague. USPS will be up to their eyeballs and some of your invites may not make it to their destinations. Better to plan ahead and get them out before December 1 for any February or March weddings or to hold off and mail the first week of January for April weddings.

Save the Dates

Save the Dates can be sent out 8-10 months prior to your wedding date or as soon as you have booked your venue. Just make sure to reach out a minimum of 4-5 weeks ahead of the date you would like to have your save the dates in the mail. Again, more time is always better!

If you like what you see and want to learn more, be sure to check out our Customization Guide and Semi-Custom Designs. If you know you want to work with us, the best way to get started is by filling out our quick inquiry form! I can’t wait to create for you and yours.

xx dani