At this stage in your planning—just four to six months out—things are starting to get real. You've likely locked in your venue, nailed down your guest list, and maybe even booked your honeymoon. Now it's time to send out the details that bring it all together: your wedding invitations.

This timeframe is all about finalizing your design, confirming your print style, and allowing enough time for proofing, production, and mailing. Let’s walk through what to order, what to consider, and how to stay on track—even if you're feeling a little behind.

When to Order Your Wedding Invitations (and Why You're Right on Time)

Whether you’ve had your eye on a specific suite for months or you’re beginning to finalize your wedding details, the 4–6 month mark is the right time to place your invitation order.

That said, if you’ve already taken our Styling Quiz or ordered a sample set, you’re ahead of the curve—and that early exploration can make this part of the process even more seamless.

If you're a planner who's still further out, you may want to start even earlier with inspiration, samples, and initial ideas. You can find more guidance in our post on what stationery to order 9–12 months before your wedding.

If you haven’t finalized a design yet, don’t worry. There’s still time to make confident, thoughtful decisions without rushing. Focus on narrowing your options, and trust your instincts—decisiveness here will help you stay on track with your overall wedding timeline. Start by browsing styles that resonate with your vision, and then order a sample or two to experience the quality and details firsthand. Once you find a suite you love, be ready to move forward quickly.

Designer Tip: Making final decisions is easier once you’ve held a sample in your hands. The design, embellishments, and printing style all come to life in person.

What’s Typically Included in a Wedding Invitation Suite

Your invitation suite is more than a single card—it’s a carefully considered collection of pieces that together communicate all the essential details of your celebration. From the main invitation to response cards and enclosures, each element plays a role in creating a seamless experience for your guests.

Common suite components include:

• Main Invitation – Featuring the couple’s names, ceremony date, time, and location
• Response Card – Choose between traditional mail-in RSVPs that come with a matching envelope or digitally printed online response cards (with optional QR codes)
• Enclosure Card(s) – For reception details, accommodations, travel info, or additional events
• Envelope Options – Choose from single or double envelopes, depending on your style and formality preference
• Guest Addressing – Printed guest names and addresses for a polished, ready-to-send presentation
• Return Addressing – Coordinates with your suite and ensures RSVP cards—or any misdirected invites—return to you safely

Designer Note: You don’t have to include everything listed here. Our invites are completely customizable, so you can build the suite that’s perfect for your wedding and budget. If you're unsure where to begin, our guide on what to include in a wedding invitation suite can help you confidently choose the pieces that make the most sense for your day.

Customizing Your Wedding Invitations

Once your suite pieces are selected, it's time to bring it to life visually. From printing method to envelope colors and embellishments, every detail is designed to reflect your wedding theme and elevate your guest’s experience.

Available customization options for your wedding invitations include:

• Printing Styles – Choose from classic flat printing or luxurious letterpress
• Paper Stocks – Smooth shimmer or matte cardstock for classic printing, 100% cotton paper for letterpress
• Ink Colors – Select from our curated palette or match a custom shade
• Envelope Liners – Add a refined touch with solid colors, florals, or bold patterns. Custom options are available!
• Belly Bands – Simple or personalized paper bands to bundle your suite together
• Vellum Jackets & Wax Seals – A translucent vellum jacket adds layering and refinement, while a wax seal secures the jacket and introduces a sense of formality to the suite before it’s even opened
• Silk Ribbon – Available in 22 hues for a romantic detail

If you’re still refining your vision, our Styling Quiz is a great way to discover designs and embellishment options that align with your aesthetic.

Why It’s Smart to Order Thank You Cards Early

While it’s common to wait until after the wedding, we recommend ordering thank you cards with your invitations. Guests who can’t attend often begin sending gifts as soon as they receive your invitation, and having cards on hand allows you to stay ahead of your gratitude.

Choosing thank you cards that coordinate with your invitations also creates a seamless, cohesive paper story from start to finish.

Wedding Invitation Printing Timelines

Once the proofing process is complete, and your final proofs are approved, your order moves into production. Timelines vary based on the printing method you choose, with each offering its own distinct finish and level of craftsmanship.

Flat Printed Invitations

Our classic printing offers a smooth, sophisticated finish with crisp text and rich, saturated color. Printed on premium shimmer or matte cardstock, this style is ideal for couples who want a timeless, high-end look with a shorter turnaround.

Production timeline: 6 business days, with orders shipping on the 7th business day after proof approval.

Letterpress Wedding Invitations

Our letterpress invitations are crafted using traditional printing presses and 100% cotton paper. Each piece is pressed with care to create a deep, tactile impression—resulting in an invitation suite that feels substantial, elegant, and truly custom.

Production timeline: 12 business days, with orders shipping on the 12th business day after proof approval.

Important Information about Printing Timelines

These timelines don’t include your proofing process, shipping, or time spent making revisions—so always build in extra time, especially if you're opting for letterpress wedding invitations, or considering any of our assembly services.

Tight Timeline? Here’s How to Stay on Track

While we recommend finalizing your order 5–6 months out, many couples find themselves closer to the three-month mark before beginning. The good news: we offer several options to accommodate tighter timelines.

Even if you're working on a condensed schedule, we’re here to help you create a beautiful, well-timed suite that doesn’t sacrifice style or quality. For added peace of mind, you can estimate your delivery date based on your order details and timeline.

Rush Printing Services

Available for both flat print and letterpress, rush printing significantly shortens your production timeline. This option is ideal for couples needing their order to ship soon after their proofs are approved.

Expedited Shipping Options

We offer expedited shipping options, including 2-day and overnight, for full invitation orders. Sample sets can also be expedited, though shipping options differ slightly.

Online RSVP Cards

If you're aiming for a quicker RSVP turnaround, including an online response card can be especially helpful. Guests tend to reply faster when an online option is available, and online responses help you avoid postal delays and track responses with ease.

Keep in mind: online RSVP cards direct guests to your wedding website—typically via a printed URL or QR code—so you'll need to have a site that supports digital response collection.

Expert Guidance from Our Team

We’re here to help you prioritize the most important components and create a timeline that fits your schedule. You can always reach out to us with your event date and questions, and we’ll guide you through the next steps.

How to Build Your Wedding Invitation Timeline

There’s no one-size-fits-all schedule when it comes to mailing your invitations. Your wedding date, printing style, RSVP method, and even your guest list size can all affect your ideal timeline.

Here are a few tips to help you map out what makes sense for your event:

Work backward from your wedding date

We recommend mailing your invitations 10–12 weeks before your wedding, and up to 14 weeks for destination events or international guests.

Allow 3–4 weeks for the full production process

This includes proof creation, your review and approval time, printing, and shipping.

Designer tip: The exact timeline depends on your chosen print style and how quickly you approve your proof. For a more detailed estimate based on your event date, try our delivery date calculator.

Leave time for assembly

If you're assembling your suite yourself, we suggest allowing at least a week for unboxing, addressing, and any embellishments like wax seals or silk ribbon.

Be realistic about RSVPs

Traditional mail-in replies require at least 4 weeks between mailing and your response deadline. Online RSVPs may allow for a shorter window, but you'll still want to give guests adequate notice.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wedding Invitations

When should I send my wedding invitations?

The traditional timeline is 8–12 weeks before your wedding. For destination weddings, 12–16 weeks is better. This means ordering your invitations 4–6 months before your date is ideal.

Can I order invitations and thank you cards at the same time?

Yes! We recommend it. Ordering everything together ensures a cohesive look, and you'll be prepared as gifts begin arriving before your big day.

How long does it take to print wedding invitations?

This depends on the printing style:

• Classic Printing: about 7 business days after final proof approval
• Letterpress Printing: about 12 business days after proof approval

Shipping and proofing times are additional, so we recommend starting the order process at least 5–6 months before your wedding.

What if I’m short on time?

We offer rush printing and expedited shipping, and our team can help you simplify your suite and streamline decisions to meet your timeline. You're not too late—we’ll help make it work.

I haven’t picked a design yet. What should I do?

Start with our Styling Quiz. It takes just a minute and helps guide you to suites that match your style. Then order a sample set to see the quality and options up close.

Final Thoughts

Ordering your wedding invitations 4–6 months before your big day allows you the space to be thoughtful about the details—while staying on track with your timeline. Whether you’re finalizing your suite or catching up after a delayed start, the most important thing is choosing a design you love and moving forward with confidence.

Our team is here to make the process seamless, from design to delivery. Whether you're navigating RSVP logistics, printing timelines, or suite customization, you don’t have to figure it out alone.

Have questions? Reach out anytime—we're happy to help you take the next step.