Your Wedding Invitation Timeline: When to Start, What to Expect, and What Not to Stress About

If you’ve just dipped your toes into the world of wedding invitations, you’ve probably noticed there are a lot of opinions out there about when to start. As a calligrapher and stationer who has helped dozens of couples bring their wedding paper to life from save the dates to day of signage, I’ve learned that a clear, simple timeline makes everything easier. From historic Charleston venues and Hilton Head seacoasts to the Asheville and Blue Ridge Mountain regions. No matter where your celebration is happening, you deserve a process that feels organized, calm, and honestly a little bit fun.

Below is an easy breakdown of when to begin, what each step includes, and the things you absolutely do not need to stress about.

When to Start Your Wedding Invitations

Most couples start their invitations six to eight months before the wedding. This gives you enough time for design, revisions, printing, and addressing without any rushing. If you want custom artwork, calligraphy, or specialty printing like letterpress or foil, closer to eight to ten months is ideal. If you are planning a destination style wedding starting earlier is especially helpful. Destination weekends often include additional details such as travel information, accommodations, and event inserts, so a little more time is always beneficial.

Semi custom suites (where you personalize an existing design) can move faster, but beginning early still keeps everything smooth and enjoyable.

Your Wedding Invitation Timeline

Six to Eight Months Out: Inquire, Vision, and Start the Design

This is when we chat about your vision. You’ll share things like your wedding colors, floral inspiration, venue style, and the overall feel you want. This helps me build a design direction.

Once your contract and retainer are complete, design officially begins. For custom suites, this is where I create artwork, lettering, or layout ideas. For semi custom suites, we personalize the base design with your colors, wording, and upgrades. Everything starts taking shape here.

If you are planning a Southern destination wedding, this is also when we pull inspiration from your location, whether that is a charming Charleston courtyard, a scenic lodge in the Blue Ridge Mountains, or a resort-style Hilton Head venue. Fine art textures like letterpress, blind embossing, and handmade deckled edges pair beautifully with Southern wedding settings, whether your celebration feels historic, classic, romantic, or mountain inspired.

Four to Five Months Out: Proofs, Revisions, and Final Approval

This is the phase where you see everything come together. You’ll receive digital “proofs,” which are just preview images showing exactly what your invitation suite will look like. We review wording, layout, colors, spacing, and any artwork.

For most fully custom suites, final approval happens right around the four month mark. For semi custom suites, approval usually happens a little closer to five months out because the design foundation is already complete. This step is simply about making sure everything looks perfect before printing.

Destination style wedding often have multiple events, such as welcome gatherings or farewell brunches. This is the perfect time to finalize any weekend detail cards that will be included.

Three Months Out: Print Production

Once you approve your final proofs, your invitations go to print. The production timeline depends on the type of printing used for your suite. Digital printing: the fastest option, usually ready in about a week. Letterpress or foil: takes a bit longer (two to three weeks) because each piece is pressed individually by hand. This is the exciting part where your designs finally turn into real, beautiful invitations you can hold.

Eight to Ten Weeks Before the Wedding: Assembly and Mailing

After printing, everything is assembled. This includes adding ribbons, wax seals, vellum wraps, or envelope liners. Then stuffing and sealing envelopes

Most invitations are mailed eight to ten weeks before your wedding date.f you are planning a destination style wedding in the South, such as Charleston, Hilton Head, Asheville, or anywhere really, mailing invitations about twelve weeks out is ideal so guests have time to plan their travel. This window is ideal because it gives guests enough time to plan without sending things so early that they get forgotten or misplaced.

What Not to Stress About

1. RSVP Dates

You don’t need an overly early RSVP deadline.Simply set yours for four to five weeks before the wedding. This gives enough time to finalize head counts with your venue and caterer without overwhelming your guests.

2. Everything Matching Perfectly

Your save the dates do not need to be identical to your invitations, menus, or wedding signage.They just need to feel cohesive. Think of your paper pieces as members of the same family, not identical twins. When I design for my couples, I focus on creating a flow from the first paper guests see to the last sign they read at the wedding.

3. Mailing Too Early

Sending invitations too early can actually cause confusion.Guests might set them aside and forget.Stick to the eight to ten week window, unless you’re hosting a destination or international celebration.

Why Working With a Stationer Makes the Timeline Stress Free

Hiring a stationer means you always know what comes next. I guide you through your wording, help avoid common etiquette mistakes, keep your timeline on track, and handle everything from printing to assembly.

I regularly work with couples planning weddings across the South, including Charleston, Hilton Head, Asheville, and the Blue Ridge Mountain areas. This means I am experienced in creating suites that include travel details, accommodations, and weekend schedules without overwhelming your design.

Whether you choose a fully custom fine art suite or a semi custom design from my collection, you will have a clear and stress free process from start to finish.

Ready to Start Your Invitation Journey?

If you are newly engaged or planning ahead, this is the perfect time to reach out. I often work with couples hosting Southern destination events, and I would love to help you create a suite that fits your location and style. You can browse my semi custom suites or inquire about a custom design through my contact form. I would love to help you create something beautiful from your invitations all the way to your day of details.