Planning a wedding is a beautiful journey, but it also comes with a lot of timelines, especially when it comes to your stationery. From your engagement party invitations to your wedding thank you cards, it’s important to send each piece at the right time to give your guests (and yourself!) a stress-free experience.
As a custom wedding invitation designer, I always encourage couples to plan ahead. Especially if you’re dreaming of fully custom wedding invitations. In fact, I recommend starting the design process at least nine months before your big day. This allows us the time we need for revisions, printing, assembly, and postage. (Trust me, your future self will thank you.)
If you’re new here, welcome to Kindly Delivered! I’m a custom wedding invitation and stationery designer based in Ohio. I work with couples across the country to create heirloom-worthy paper goods that are as meaningful as they are beautiful. If you’re ready to get started, you can explore how we can work together here or reach out directly.
Let’s walk through the complete timeline for when to send wedding invitations, and everything else you’ll need to plan your stationery suite with ease.
1. Engagement Party Invitations
First up: the celebration that kicks it all off! Engagement parties are a lovely way to share the joy with friends and family soon after the proposal. These are typically hosted by close friends or parents of the couple.
When to send engagement party invitations:
Around 1–3 months after getting engaged.
Just keep in mind: anyone invited to your engagement party should also be invited to your wedding, so plan your guest list thoughtfully from the start.
2. Save the Dates
Save the dates aren’t always necessary, but they are absolutely essential for destination weddings or weddings held during busy seasons. They help your guests plan ahead, especially when travel is involved.
When to send save the dates:
4–6 months before the wedding
12+ months in advance for destination weddings
Save the dates should only go to guests you’re absolutely certain will be invited to the wedding. (If you’re still finalizing your guest list, it’s okay to wait a little longer.)
3. Wedding Invitations
This is the heart of your stationery suite—and it’s where I really shine as your designer. Your custom wedding invitations set the tone for your entire celebration and should reflect the mood, style, and experience your guests can expect.
Most couples include:
- A main invitation card
- An RSVP card with envelope (or QR code for online RSVPs)
- Details card with accommodations or transportation info
If you’re not sure how many pieces you need, I walk through that in more detail in this blog post.
When to send wedding invitations:
2-3 months before the wedding
4–6 months for destination weddings (or longer if you did not send save the dates)
Want to feel confident about your invitation details? My wedding invitation etiquette blog covers everything from wording to RSVP tips—so your suite feels polished, thoughtful, and stress-free.
4. Bridal Shower Invitations
Bridal showers are usually hosted by the maid of honor, a close friend, or a family member. It’s customary that anyone invited to the bridal shower is also invited to the wedding itself.
When to send bridal shower invitations:
6–8 weeks before the bridal shower
This gives guests plenty of time to RSVP and find the perfect gift.
5. Bachelorette and Bachelor Party Invitations
Whether you’re hosting a weekend getaway or a one-night celebration, these invitations help set the tone and get guests excited. They’re usually sent out by the maid of honor or best man—but I also design these for clients who want a cohesive suite across all their pre-wedding events.
When to send bachelorette party and bachelor party invitations:
4–6 weeks before the event
Earlier if the party involves travel
And yes, you can absolutely match the vibe to your wedding aesthetic.
6. Rehearsal Dinner Invitations
The rehearsal dinner is typically hosted the night before the wedding and includes your immediate families, wedding party, and anyone involved in the ceremony.
When to send rehearsal dinner invitations:
3–6 weeks before the dinner
Some couples include rehearsal dinner details as part of their main invitation suite, especially if most guests are out of town. Others prefer to send a separate invitation for a more personal touch, either works!
7. Wedding Thank You Cards
Your thank you cards are one of the most heartfelt (and often overlooked) parts of your stationery suite. I offer full custom thank you card design to match your overall suite, or stand alone beautifully on their own.
When to send wedding thank you cards:
- Within 2–3 weeks of receiving a gift during planning
- Within 1–3 months of the wedding itself
While traditional etiquette allows up to a year to send wedding thank you cards, guests really do appreciate receiving them sooner. (And it keeps your to-do list from piling up!)
For a full breakdown on writing your thank you cards, this guide might help!
A Note on Wedding Stationery Samples
If you’re someone who likes to touch and feel before making decisions, ordering wedding stationery samples is a great idea. I offer custom samples for couples who want to explore paper types, print methods, and embellishments in person before committing to a final design. (Plus, they’re just so pretty to receive in the mail!)
When to Send Wedding Invitations and Other Wedding Stationery
There you have it—a complete timeline for all your wedding stationery, from save the dates to thank you cards. Thoughtful timing allows you to fully enjoy each moment without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. And when you work with a custom wedding invitation designer (hi, that’s me!), you’ll have a built-in guide throughout every step of the process.
If you’re ready to start creating timeless paper goods that reflect your love story, I’d be honored to bring your vision to life. Click here to start your custom wedding invitation journey or come say hi on Instagram for a look behind the scenes!
