With over 2 million weddings happening in the U.S. every year, couples have more planning decisions than ever before. One of the most meaningful and exciting parts of the process? Your wedding stationery.

From your save the dates to your thank you cards, stationery isn't just about paper. It sets the tone, shares essential details, and weaves your vision into every part of the celebration.

If you’re between 9 and 12 months out from your wedding day, now is the perfect time to begin your stationery journey. This guide covers exactly what to focus on during this stage so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.

Why Order Wedding Stationery 9–12 Months Before the Big Day

Your wedding might feel far away right now, but time flies once planning picks up.

Starting your stationery early has real benefits:

• Enjoy more time for thoughtful decisions and design refinements—without the pressure of a tight timeline.
• Avoid last-minute stress as your calendar fills up closer to the wedding day.
• You’ll save money by planning ahead and skipping potential rush fees or expedited shipping costs later in the process.

Designer Tip: Starting early gives you the opportunity to order a sample set before placing your full order. Seeing the design, paper, and print quality in person is the best way to ensure everything feels just right—and it will help you feel more confident in the process from the very beginning.

Start with Save the Dates: Your First Stationery Step

Your save the dates are more than a calendar reminder—they’re the first official announcement of your wedding day. They give guests a glimpse of your style, while making it easy for them to start travel planning early.

We recommend sending your save the dates 6–8 months before the wedding, which means beginning the design process about 9–12 months out. If your wedding is destination-based or falls on a holiday weekend, the earlier, the better.

What to Include on Your Save the Dates:

Keep your save the date simple and clear—just the essential details your guests need to mark their calendars and start planning. Keeping things high-level (think: city and state, not the exact venue) also gives you flexibility in case anything shifts before your invitations go out.

• Your names
• Wedding date
• City and state (or country!)
• Optional: Your wedding website

At Shine, every design is fully customizable, and our team is here to help with etiquette-approved wording, even if you’re just getting started.

Add a Personal Touch with Photo Save the Dates

Want to make your save the dates feel extra meaningful? Consider choosing a photo save the date.

Adding an engagement photo instantly adds warmth and personality to your design. It's also a lovely way to include friends and family who may not have seen you in a while—especially long-distance guests.

Whether you’re drawn to modern minimalism or romantic script accents, every photo save the date in our collection is thoughtfully designed to coordinate with the full invitation suite—so your entire wedding stationery experience feels cohesive from start to finish. In our real-time suite builder, you can upload a few of your favorite photos to see which one works best with your chosen design and experiment with photo placement.

Designer Tip: Once you’ve uploaded your favorite photo and selected a layout, our designers will perfect the cropping, placement, and alignment—so your photo save the date looks beautifully polished and professionally finished.

Keep Every Celebration Styled to Match

Planning an engagement party, bridal shower, or bachelorette party? We can help you keep every piece of your stationery beautifully cohesive.

Our team can create custom designs for your pre-wedding events using any of our invitation styles. That means your engagement party invitations, bachelorette party invites, and more will match seamlessly with the rest of your suite.

Whether you're hosting a chic rooftop engagement party or a cozy bridal brunch, we’ll tailor the design and wording to suit the celebration.

Interested? Reach out to our team and we’ll walk you through ordering!

Not Sure Where to Start? Take the Styling Quiz

Choosing your wedding stationery can feel overwhelming at first, especially if you’re not quite sure what your style is yet. That’s where our styling quiz comes in.

In just a few quick questions, we’ll help you uncover your design preferences and guide you toward suites that match your wedding vision—whether that’s modern and minimal or soft and romantic.

Think of it as your own personal starting point (with no pressure and zero guesswork).

Designer Tip: Your quiz results don’t just suggest styles—they also include expert recommendations on which pieces to include in your suite and how many suites to order based on your wedding details. It’s expert help, exactly when you need it.

Try a Sample Set First

One of the best ways to feel confident in your stationery is by seeing it in your hands.

Our sample sets include your chosen design and styling, along with paper and color swatches and optional embellishments like vellum jackets, silk ribbon, and wax seals. You’ll be able to feel the quality, see how everything fits together, and decide what’s right for you before placing your full order.

It’s the easiest way to turn a digital design into something real, tactile, and truly exciting.

Wedding Stationery Ties It All Together

From the save the date to the welcome sign at your ceremony, wedding stationery brings everything together. It’s the thread that connects your story—and your guests—to your day.

By beginning the process early, you’ll have time to explore design options, gather feedback, and enjoy a much more relaxed planning experience.

We're here to help every step of the way.

Save the Date FAQ: What You Need to Know

When should I send save the dates?

Plan to send your save the dates 6 to 8 months before the wedding. For destination weddings or holiday weekends, send them 8 to 10 months in advance.

Do I need to include RSVP info on my save the date?

No, RSVP details are included with your formal wedding invitation. Your save the date should only include your names, the date, location, and optionally your wedding website.

Can I use a photo for my save the date?

Absolutely. Photo save the dates are a beautiful and personal way to introduce your wedding. They’re especially popular with guests who live far away or haven’t met your partner yet.

Do I need to send save the dates to everyone?

Yes—any guest who will receive an invitation should also receive a save the date. That includes your wedding party, immediate family, and out-of-town guests.

What size are Shine’s save the dates?

Shine’s save the dates are 5” x 7”, flat printed on your choice of shimmer or luxe matte cardstock for a crisp, clean finish.

Ready to Begin Your Wedding Stationery Journey?

If you're feeling unsure about which design fits your vision, start with the styling quiz—it's quick, easy, and fun. Or, order a sample set to see (and feel) our quality in person.

Either way, we're here to make your experience seamless, elegant, and stress-free—from day one to “I do.”