When to Send Invitations

Invitations can become quite a thorn in your planning process, but we have some tips to avoid that from happening!

First, if you are planning on creating a fully custom invitation suite, you need to reserve your invitation designer around 10-12 months out from the wedding! Designers can only take on so many weddings, and if you're getting married in Spring or Fall, you will need to plan accordingly. If you are planning on doing semi-custom or pre-designed, then it is good to determine your design selection about 8 months before the wedding date. For example, for a June 20 wedding, you will begin working and designing with your designer around December, with an estimation of finalizing proofs and sending the suite to the printer in early February. Allow 1 month for printing, then your invitations and envelopes are in hand in March, and you would send your invitations out by mid-March, with an RSVP due date of May 10. This will allow you to follow up with non-responders and be within the 3-4 weeks out deadline most vendors have for finalizing counts, the seating chart, floor plans, etc and ordering your day-of paper details. You or your planner will receive the day-of paper items 1-2 weeks before the wedding, being sure to organize and alphabetize in advance!

This beautiful invitation suite was created by chez la mariee and photographed by Rebecca Theresa Photography.