Invitation Timeline

For Ready Made Wedding Invitations

One of the biggest aspects of planning any wedding is the invitations. It's your guests first chance to preview what you have in store for the big day. It gives them all the critical information about your day, as well as introducing them to your specific wedding style. Your invitation should convey who you are as a couple, as well as what you're envisioning for your wedding.

Below you will find a helpful timeline that outlines everything you need to know about designing, ordering and mailing your invitations for a local wedding!

Timeline For Signature Collection Invitations

9 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE WEDDING DAY:

• Start researching invitation styles and designs you like

• Order paper swatches so that you can get a better feel for the colors and paper available and gather any samples, magazine tear sheets, or images to help convey the theme for your wedding invitations

7-8 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE WEDDING DAY:

• Set up a consultation with Paper Cut Industries to discuss your wedding invitations and any other coordinating pieces you will need (Save The Dates, menu's, etc)
• Place your order for Save The Dates

• Create a first draft of your guest list - use this number to help you assess how many pieces of each item in the invitation suite you'll need
  
  

6 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE WEDDING DAY:

• Address, assemble and mail your Save The Dates

• Finalize quantity and word for your invitations (double check spelling, locations & times - it's helpful to have a friend help you read over it with a fresh pair of eyes)

5 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE WEDDING DAY:

• Place your order for your invitations (don't forget to order 1 extra for yourself to save)

• Book a calligrapher if you would like to use one

4 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE WEDDING DAY:

• Review the proofs of your wedding invitation suites - if it is all correct, give your signed approval for them to send the invitations to print
  
  
• Complete your final draft of the guest list and provide to Paper Cut Industries if we are printing your envelopes, or send to your chosen calligrapher

3 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE WEDDING DAY:

• Have your calligrapher begin working on your envelopes (take into account they may have a different timeline depending on your order)
  
  
• Take a completely assembled invitation to your post office to have it weighed and purchase postage

9 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE WEDDING DAY:

• Assemble any remaining invitations

6-8 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE WEDDING DAY:

• Mail invitations by requesting hand-cancelling at your local post office - hand cancelling means your wedding invitations will not be put through a machine, instead a human will hand stamp each one to prevent any bulkier invites from being damaged - and there is no cost for this service

• If you're choosing to have a reception menu done by the same designer as your invitations, mail them a menu copy so they can begin working (take into account if their timeline says differently)

2-4 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE WEDDING DAY:

• Receive menus

• Mail rehearsal dinner and/or wedding brunch invitations

• If your RSVP deadline has passed, follow up with any missing guests

THE WEDDING DAY:

• Say "I Do"!