Written by Nora Culley Tuck | 4 mins
Planning a wedding takes time, focus and most importantly, patience! It’s easy to start planning and get overwhelmed by the amount of work that needs to be done and it’s sometimes hard to know exactly what should be done and when! Earthlings At Play makes it easy to source all of your stationery and signage needs for your wedding, but when should you start thinking about these items? Below I’ve laid out the perfect timeline to make sure your wedding stationery needs are taken care of!
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8 MONTHS OUT
This is the time to define and focus your design for your wedding. This includes your color scheme, overall style and small details. At the 8 month mark, so you start making decisions when it comes to the design of your stationery as well! Start looking at sets that are cohesive and give your guests a little preview of what is to come.
7 MONTHS OUT
It’s time to order your Save The Dates! You want to order them 1 month in advance so you have time to finish collecting addresses, have them printed and start assembling the envelopes. Your Save The Dates are typically less formal than your invitations, so you can choose to handwrite or print your envelopes. I typically recommend having them printed so they all look clean, cohesive and professional.
6 MONTHS OUT
Get those Save The Dates in the mail! Half a year away from your wedding is the perfect time to send your Save The Dates! It gives your guests enough time to make travel arrangements and adjust their schedules but it’s not too far away to the point where your guests have thrown it on their fridge and completely forget about it! If you’re planning in a shorter time frame and can’t incorporate your engagement photos - don’t fret! As long as it has both of your names, the date and the general location, you’re good to go!
5 MONTHS OUT
Decide on your signage! Would you like a welcome sign? Dessert Sign? Printed Table Numbers? Signage is extremely important at weddings because it instructs your guests as to what they should be doing as well as creating a branding moment in your design scheme. You want all of your signage to be cohesive so that guests know when they see the design, that it’s a part of your wedding!
4 MONTHS OUT
Start deciding how you want to send your formal invitations. Do you want guests to RSVP through the mail or online? Will guests need to select a meal or just respond with their total count? Would you like to include an accommodation/information card or direct guests to your wedding website? These are all of the questions you should be discussing with your partner and family to decide what the best course of action is for you! Once you’ve decided on these basic details, start browsing through the kits available on Earthlings At Play and find a template that fits best with your style!
3 MONTHS OUT
Order your formal invitations. Once you’ve downloaded your template and adjusted the details to fit your day, it’s time to have those babies printed! If you are planning to have your envelopes handlettered by a calligrapher, you may need to discuss your ordering timeline with them before purchasing your invitations. You can also have your envelopes ordered separately and deliver them to your artist. Make sure to have your thank you notes printed at this time as well!
2 MONTHS OUT
Now things are getting real! It’s time to assemble and mail your invitations! Everything should be sent out 6-8 weeks before the wedding with a response date 1 months before your wedding. This lets your guests know that as soon as they receive your invitation, they should respond immediately instead of letting it sit on the counter for weeks! Make sure you have the correct postage for the weight of your envelopes and that the addresses are clear enough for USPS to read. We want to avoid having invitations mailed back to you!
1 MONTH OUT
Time to have your signage printed! Remember that if you are not using a frame, please have your signage printed on Foamcore - otherwise you’ll have a droopy sign! This is also the time to order any necessary frames, easels and accessories for your signage. By this point, you should also have your final guest count, so make sure to order and update your seating chart and/or escort cards as well! Make sure to go over all of these items with your planner, coordinator or venue manager before the wedding date so everything is set up exactly how you like!
1 MONTH AFTER
Congratulations on your beautiful wedding day! Even though your wedding has come and passed, there’s still work to be done! Start writing your thank you notes and plan to have them in the mail 6-8 weeks after your wedding. The sooner you send them out, the better! Try to keep them personal and still in line with your event branding!
Read more at engagedwithnora.com