Don’t Let Your Wedding Invites Be a Stress Story

Planning a wedding is exciting—but let’s be honest, it’s also a lot. Between venues, vendors, dresses, and guest lists, it’s easy to overlook the finer details. But one mistake many couples make is underestimating the time needed for wedding invitation printing.

If you're wondering when to order wedding invitations or how to avoid last-minute panic when the big day is nearing, this guide is for you.

We’ll walk you through the ideal timeline, common delays to avoid, and how to keep things smooth (and stylish) from start to finish.

Quick Overview

At a Glance: What You’ll Learn About Wedding Invitation Printing

• Best time to order: Why 4–6 months out is the sweet spot

• Common printing delays: Design approvals, proofing, and postal hiccups

• Tips to avoid stress: Backward planning, buffer time, and communication

• Printing timelines for extras: Save the Dates, RSVP cards, menus, etc.

Want to dive deeper into your wedding stationery timeline? Keep reading!

When Should You Order Wedding Invitation Printing?

The short answer: start the process around 6 months before your wedding day.

Here's how the timeline typically breaks down:

6–8 Months Before the Wedding

• Finalise your guest list

• Choose your design or meet with your stationer

• Start the quoting and style review process

This stage is about inspiration and decision-making. If you’re going custom, now’s the time to book your designer and discuss paper types, printing methods (like letterpress or foil), and theme.

4–6 Months Before the Wedding

• Place your official printing order

• Approve final design proofs

• Include extra prints for keepsakes and last-minute guests

This window gives your printer time for production, quality checks, and delivery—with some breathing room.

2–3 Months Before the Wedding

• Mail out the invitations

• Allow 2–3 weeks for postage, depending on local vs. international guests.

Pro Tip: Guests appreciate extra time to plan, book travel, or RSVP—especially if you're having a destination wedding.

Why Do People Get Stuck? Common Wedding Invite Delays

Even the most organised couples can fall into these traps:

• Indecision on designs: Waiting too long to approve your final proof

• Last-minute guest list changes: Adding or subtracting names after printing

• Underestimating production time: Some styles (like handmade or foil-stamped invites) take longer

• Rushing postage: National postal services can be unpredictable—add buffer time!

Did You Know? Most professional wedding printers recommend ordering invitations no later than 3 months before your wedding, to allow for revisions, reprints, and mailing delays.

A Quick Guide: From “We’re Engaged!” to “Invites Sent” (Without the Stress)

Let’s walk through a realistic example of how to stay ahead with your wedding invitation printing.

The Situation:

You’re newly engaged, the venue is booked, and the date is set. You know invitations are important, but with so many tasks, they keep sliding down the list.

Sound Familiar? Here Are the Common Challenges:

• Are you unsure when to send Save the Dates vs. formal invitations?

• Have you looked at designs and thought, “Too many choices, I’ll decide later”?

• Are you worried about holiday delivery delays or international guests?

How to Solve It:

1. Start Backwards Planning: Look at your wedding date and count back 6–8 months. That’s your design start point.

2. Book Your Printer Early: Even if you haven’t finalised the design, secure your spot—especially for boutique or custom print services.

3. Lock In Final Proofs by Month 4: Make it a goal to approve your design at least 4 months before the big day. This gives the printer time and you peace of mind.

4. Add a 10% Buffer to Your Quantity: Always print more than you think. Late guest additions happen. So do misprints.

Why It Works:

By approaching your invitations with a clear timeline and buffer zones, you stay in control. Instead of scrambling weeks before, you’ll have beautiful, error-free invitations ready to go—and time to enjoy the process.

Need help choosing or timing your prints? Reach out—we’ve got you.

Don’t Forget the Extras: Stationery Timeline Add-Ons

Wedding invitations are just one part of the bigger paper puzzle. Here’s when to sort out the rest:

Pro Tip: Group your stationery order if possible—it saves time and often money.

FAQs: Wedding Invitation Printing Timeline & Tips

Q1: What’s the earliest I can order my invitations?

If your wedding date, venue, and guest list are final, you can begin design work up to a year in advance. This is especially useful for custom or premium print methods.

Q2: What’s the latest I can order before it’s too late?

You’re cutting it close if you're under 10 weeks before the big day. Digital-only or express services might work, but traditional print methods may not be an option at this point.

Q3: Should I send invitations earlier if I have international guests?

Yes! Send invites 10–12 weeks out if you have guests overseas. Factor in longer postal times and travel planning needs.

Q4: How many invitations should I print?

Print about 10–15% more than your guest count. Couples and families usually get one invite, not one per person, so always double-check your address list format.

Q5: Can I order now and print later?

In most cases, yes. Many printers allow you to pay and secure your order slot now, then finalise design and print details later.

Conclusion: Plan Early, Stress Less, and Celebrate More

Ordering your wedding invitation printing isn’t just about ticking a box—it sets the tone for your entire event. From helping guests prepare in time to making a lasting impression, getting this right matters.

By starting early, planning backward from your date, and working with a professional printer, you’ll avoid the panic of last-minute rushes and printing delays. Plus, you’ll have more time to focus on what really matters: enjoying the lead-up to your special day.

Your wedding deserves to start beautifully—on paper and in real life.