In this day and age, there are few events for which stationery will be more important than your wedding day. You’ll need save-the-dates, invitations, menus, place cards, table numbers, programs… and often more. For many of our clients from the area surrounding Philadelphia, custom wedding stationery is a novelty. A question we get asked quite often is this: When should I order my wedding stationery?
The short answer? As soon as possible. We recommend that you schedule your consultation at least six months in advance, but more is often best, especially if you would like to send out save-the-dates. For every type of stationery, there is a specific time to order.
Save-the-Dates: 6 to 12 months in advance of the ceremony, once you’ve confirmed the time, place, and guest list, it’s time to order your save-the-dates. These will inform your family and friends of your upcoming nuptials, allowing them plenty of time to plan ahead. They’re especially useful if you’re planning a destination wedding. If you are having a destination wedding, getting married near a holiday, or getting married during the summer months, then it is recommended that you send your save the dates out 9 to 12 months before your big day.
Wedding Invitations: These should be sent 8 weeks before the wedding, so you’ll want to have your initial consultation six to eight months ahead of time. This will give you enough time to make decisions regarding the design and other important elements and it will also give you time to address them. It is recommended that you order extra invitations in case of mistakes during this process or last-minute invites, or just to keep as keepsakes.
Wedding Favors: Order wedding favors two to four months in advance. Again, you’ll need time for assembly, which can take a while. It’s often a good idea to enlist the bridal party for help putting everything together.
Programs and Day-of Stationery: Programs are great to have so your guests know what to expect during the ceremony. It’s also nice to give something pretty to look at while they wait for the wedding party to assemble. Other day-of stationery, like escort cards, table numbers, and menus should be ordered about a month in advance of your wedding date. The more time the better! Order these at least one to three months in advance.
Thank-Yous: These can wait until after the honeymoon, thankfully—most guests won’t look for thank-yous until a few months after the wedding. They know you’re busy starting your life together! If you’re not planning on including a photo from your wedding day, order them at the same time as your day-of stationery, so we can carry over the same font and colors. Otherwise, order them as soon as you’ve received and chosen your favorite photo or photos.
Photography by Ashley Bartoletti Photography
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