Every couple for whom I’ve provided full or partial wedding planning has asked me a question along the following lines; “When do I need to mail my wedding invitations out?” Formal etiquette for wedding invitation timing dictates that invitations should be sent out six to eight weeks before your big day. But my response varies depending on the time of year. Why would my answer vary? There are a few considerations.

Photography | Idalia Photography
Invitation Suite | Art Paper Scissors

Wedding Invitation Timing Considerations

• If you are mailing your invitations during the summer months I tell couples to add two weeks. Mail your wedding invitations 8-10 weeks before the big day. Why? Doing this allows for a little cushion for any of your guests who might be vacationing during the summer when your invite arrives in their mailbox.
• Destination wedding invitations should be sent out six months before the big day. This will allow your guests to make travel plans.
• Did you send a Save The Date? Save the Dates get mailed out 6-8 months before the big day. If you did, then you can mail your invitations closer to the 6 week mark. But if you didn’t, you will want those invitations in the mail closer to the 8 week mark, to give guests the opportunity to make accommodations for travel, finding a date, the perfect outfit, and childcare.

How to Figure Out Your Wedding Invitation Timing

Picking out, ordering and mailing your wedding invitations takes time, and the process should begin four to six months before your wedding date. Sooner if you have a more complicated design in mind. I recommend that your order your invitations sooner rather than later. Paper is not going to go bad if you have them sitting around.

Ordering Your Wedding Invitations

Once you pick out your design, one of the first things you should do is check to see how long the turnaround time for the completed job is going to be. Turnaround can have a huge impact on your wedding invitation timing. Some printers and designers can turn around your order in a matter of days. While other, more custom invitations, can take up to 4-6 weeks. My most important word of advice when ordering invitations…

• Order about 10% more of the inner and outer envelopes (not the RSVP envelope). This is for the inevitable mistakes made when addressing. Your calligrapher may require a different amount of extra, so check with them as well.
• Have them shipped using a method that provides tracking information. This is not a time to go skimpy on shipping fees. If those invites get lost in the mail, you will want to be able to know exactly where they are.
• Have them delivered with a signature required. This way there is no chance that they are left on your front stoop in the rain.
• Proofread. Then have some one else proofread! Then proofread again. Proofread! Did I mention proofreading? Have a few people read the proofs. Not just for spelling but for clarity as well

Assembling Your Wedding Invitations

You will want to give yourself 2-4 weeks for assembly in your wedding invitation timing. Here are the things to consider…

• Are you using a calligrapher? You will need 4 weeks. Most calligraphers will charge a rush fee to do invites in less than 2 weeks. Once you get the envelopes back from the calligrapher, then you can assemble them.
• Are your invites coming already assembled? Awesome. Mail those beautiful babies!
  Are you assembling your invites yourself? This is a great chance for some bonding time with your bridal party. Just save the wine for after. Some tips for assembling…
• Double check the spelling of names
• Are you using and inner and outer envelope? If you’re using an inner and outer envelope, make sure the invitation in the inner envelope is being stuffed into the correct outer envelope.
• Don’t seal the inner envelope (if you are using one)
• When stuffing the envelope: Place your invitation into the envelope, insert it with the fold going in, and the front of the invitation facing out.
• Inserts go underneath the invitation
• Seal the outer envelope using a glue stick. I know it’s tempting to use a sponge, but you really don’t want water anywhere near your invites. And there’s no way you should lick all those envelopes. If you’re a Seinfeld fan, you know why.

Mailing your Invitations

You will want to visit the post office to mail your invitations 6-8 weeks before the big day. Do not toss your wedding invitations in the mail box, or stick them at the end of the driveway with the flag up on your mailbox. You will want to take your invitations to the Post Office, and it’s going to require 2 trips. One to get the postage priced out (have them weigh your invite) and the second to have your invitations hand canceled. More on hand canceling later.

• Price out your Postage. As soon as your invitations are delivered to you, pack one up, and take it to the post office to have it weighed. Get a price for your postage. Do not guess. That could end in disaster with lots of returned invites!
• Can you get the postage you want? Check and see if your post office has the quantity of the stamp design you want for your invitation.
• Choose stamps that match your invitation! Nothing ruins gorgeous invitations quicker than ugly postage stamps. This is an occasion that getting the right stamp design matters.

Where Should I Get My Wedding Invitation Postage Stamps?

• The United States Postal Service Website for stamps. You can go online to the United States Postal Service website and order from many designs. Many of the prettiest designs are not carried at every post office. And you have a much larger selection this way. But know this. Ordering your stamps from the USPS costs almost nothing, but takes 2-3 weeks for them to arrive! So adjust your timeline accordingly.
• Custom Stamps. You can get customized stamps from a number of online printing companies, like zazzle.com, tinyprints.com, or even the USPS.
• Curated Postage. I am OBSESSED with curated postage. Check out Magnolia Postage.

Hand Canceling Your Invitations

You want to ensure that your invitations are not damaged during the mailing process. Proper wedding invitation timing is key! Hand Canceling means that the stamp gets stamped over with a rubber stamp and not run through one of those big bulky machines. Hand canceling looks prettier and you wouldn’t want to wreck your envelope (and, OMG, your calligraphy) with a bar code and a sticker running across it. But hand canceling will cost you some time at the post office. I had my wedding invites hand canceled. I sent out about 80 invites and was at the post office for about 30 minutes.

Setting Your RSVP Deadline

Let’s work back in time from your wedding date to select a RSVP date. Typically, you will want your RSVP deadline to be three weeks before your big day. Go to your calendar and find your wedding date. Adjust your wedding invitation timing according to the following considerations:

• Are there any major holidays or family events in the three weeks leading up to your big day? If there are, add a week, and set your RSVP for four weeks before the big date.
• Are you using a calligrapher to create your place cards, escort cards, or seating chart? If you are, you will need to give them 2-3 weeks with the names to avoid rush charges. And even with rush charges they will still need 1-2 weeks minimum. You will want to book the calligrapher for this job well in advance, at least 2-3 months before the big day.

A few notes regarding RSVPs…

• Make sure you remember to have them printed with the address for the person who will be managing your RSVPs.
• Be sure to include postage on the RSVP envelope.
• Mark the back of each RSVP card lightly with a number that corresponds with your guest list just in case your guest forgets to write their name on the RSVP.

Planning your wedding invitation timing like this will give you time to organize yourself once you receive your RSVPs. This way you can take care of some last minute details like getting your final headcount to your venue/caterer, create your seating plan, and order place cards/escort cards/seating chart.

Wedding Invitation Timing In A Nut Shell…

• Order Your Wedding Invites: 4-6 months before the big day
• Assemble Your Invites: 8-12 weeks before the big day
• Get Your Envelopes to the Calligrapher: 8-12 weeks before the big day
• Order Postage Stamps: 9-12 weeks before the big day
• Mail Your Wedding Invites: 6-8 weeks before the big day
• RSVP Deadline: 3-4 weeks before the big day

Are you in the thick of figuring out your wedding invitation timing? Contact me here and I’ll be more than happy to help! I can point you in the direction of your best options. There are gorgeous invites out there for every budget! If you want to learn more about creating affordable gorgeous invitations, check out this blog post right here! Are you are considering DIYing all or part of your wedding invite? Check out my DIY post on creating envelope liners for your wedding invitation.