Wedding Paper Timeline

Dallas Wedding Stationery // Sarah Ann Design

Engaged? Congratulations! This is such an exciting season of life—and one worth celebrating! As your ever-growing to-do list gets longer, take a moment to plan your paper timeline. After all, delivering pretty invitations to your guests is the only way to ensure your loved ones can celebrate this special milestone with you!

Here’s the breakdown of a traditional wedding paper timeline, from start to finish:

YOU’RE ENGAGED! He popped the question; you said yes. Pop the champagne! Before you dive into wedding planning, take time to celebrate with friends and family. Hosting an Engagement Party? Feel free to get in touch if you want to send a customized invite to all your loved ones.

8–12 MONTHS PRIOR // DESIGN SAVE THE DATES
Once you have a date set and venue booked, it’s time to start thinking about Save the Dates. Yep, it’s starting to feel real! This is the time to get in touch with your designer; we’ll talk all about your inspirations for the big day, and how your Save the Date design will fit into your vision. Or, if you’re really ahead of the game, knock out your paper details in one fell swoop with a semi-custom invitation suite design that includes a corresponding Save the Date.

Plus, now is the time to start collecting addresses! Tracking down accurate contact information for all your guests is no easy feat. Decide on a target guest count, then draft your list of names. Use Google Sheets, or take advantage of resources like The Knot and Wedding Wire to track guest information. Be sure to include his and her sides of the family, and stick to your target guest count to avoid going over budget.

6-8 MONTHS PRIOR // SEND SAVE THE DATES 
Save the Dates are traditionally sent 6–8 months prior to the wedding. If you’re hosting a destination or out-of-town wedding, you’ll want to aim for send-out closer to the 8-month mark. If you’re hosting a local wedding, 6–7 months is plenty of time for your guests to mark their calendars. As mentioned above, be sure to give yourself plenty of leeway for custom design and printing; add on a bit more time for calligraphed envelopes.

Need more information about Save the Dates? Stay tuned to the blog!

3–4 MONTHS PRIOR // DESIGN INVITATION SUITE
Woohoo! Guests have marked their calendars, thanks to your pretty Save the Dates. But now it’s time to follow up with the formal invitation. Generally, when it comes to invitation design, the earlier the better. With ample time before send-out, we can craft a fully customized invitation suite that captures the essence of your love story in a distinctive design. Or, for quicker turnaround, select a semi-custom suite with a few handcrafted details. Again, leave plenty of time for printing, shipping, and envelope calligraphy.

6–8 WEEKS PRIOR // SEND INVITATIONS
Get these gorgeous paper details in the mail! Nothing will create excitement and set the tone for your big day like opening a bespoke invitation suite. Consider hand-canceling your envelopes to ensure a beautiful delivery. Then, get organized to collect RSVPs as they start to come in.

4-6 WEEKS PRIOR // DAY-OF DETAILS 
From menu and programs, to escort cards and sweet love notes to your husband-to-be… the possibilities are endless! Again, earlier is better when time allows; with plenty of leeway to create customized items, your ceremony and reception will be filled with memorable details guaranteed to make an impression on guests.

Plus, don’t forget invitations for all those “leading up to” events… bridal showers, day-before brunches, and rehearsal dinners are all better with a little paper love! Plus, you’ll want to hold onto these invitations as keepsakes from all these treasured celebrations.

GET MARRIED! It’s here! The wedding day has finally arrived! Tie the knot with the love of your life, and begin life’s greatest adventure together. Congratulations, newlyweds!

LIFE AFTER I DO After your return from a relaxing honeymoon, settle into married life with your sweetheart. Within three months of the wedding, be sure to write a personal thank you note to each of your guests. A coordinating thank you note design is the cherry on top of a beautifully crafted wedding suite!

And don’t forget to treat your paper pieces with care after the big day has come and gone. Frame your wedding invitation as a keepsake in your new home, or adhere it to the inside cover of your wedding photo album. Consider having your vows calligraphed as a gift to your new spouse (perfect for the traditional one-year paper anniversary!). Take time to preserve these cherished heirlooms; they’re lovely keepsakes you’ll treasure for generations.

Note, these guidelines provide a standard for a traditional wedding paper timeline. However, more time should be allotted for destination weddings. This is a courtesy to your traveling guests, who will need ample time to book tickets, request time off work, and make travel arrangements.

With this timeline in mind, your Dallas wedding stationery will be in tip-top shape. The time between the first step and the last is so much shorter than it seems… engagement will fly by before you know it! There’s nothing more exciting than partnering with an engaged couple on this wonderful journey. Ready to dive in? Let’s chat! I would be so honored to accompany you during this season leading up to marriage.

Dallas Wedding Stationery // Sarah Ann Design