Wedding Stationery Timeline (What to Order & When)

Written By TBU Design Group
timeline illustration of when to send wedding stationery. Save the dates, 6-8 months. Formal Invitations, 6-8 weeks. Send thank you cards as you receive gifts

You said "yes" — now what? Before you get lost in Pinterest rabbit holes (no judgment, we live here too), let's talk stationery timelines, because yes, there's an order to all of this and yes, it matters.

Here's the cheat sheet: Start with your save the dates about 6–8 months out, especially if you've got guests traveling far and wide. Your formal invitations should go out 6–8 weeks before the big day (or 10–12 weeks for destination weddings). Then comes all the fun day-of goodies — programs, menus, signage, table numbers — which you'll want to finalize 4–6 weeks out.

Now here's a tip most couples don't hear until it's too late: order your thank you cards early — and start sending them as gifts come in. Bridal shower gift from Aunt Carol? Send a thank you this week. Engagement present arrives in the mail? Send one now. You'll be so grateful you did, because no matter how on top of it you are, there will always be a natural pile of thank yous to send after the wedding. Getting a head start means that post-honeymoon stack feels manageable instead of overwhelming.

Working with a stationer early makes all of this so much easier. At Viola & Beatrice, we love getting in at the beginning of the process so everything feels cohesive, intentional, and so you — from the first envelope your guests open to the last thank you they tuck into a keepsake box.

Ready to map out your stationery journey? Email us or book a free intro call and let's build your timeline together. ✉️

TBU Design Group

Not just a collection of brands, but a collection of people, ideas, and passions.

TBU Design and TBU Design Group founder Kelsey McDonald has had an artistic flair for most of her life. Believing in the power of design, problem solving, the ability for simplicity and organization to alleviate stress and experience to drive creativity, she founded Blue Umbrella in 2009 after graduating with a degree in Design and English from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities.

McDonald has helped designed and produced numerous projects ranging from intimate and stylized events and wedding, to business brands, logos and strategies, to simple stylized greeting cards. Having guided many clients through this exciting, yet sometimes confusing process, it has shown her what it takes to both customize and personalize any goal that is brought before her. McDonald has had over 15 years of professional client-based design experience. She has help small business hit the ground running as well as work will with some of the industries heavy hitters. What started out as a small wedding invitation adventure, has now grown into four businesses and a passion to help and support others on their own business journey.

 

 

 

 

https://www.tbudesigngroup.com/
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