Complete Wedding Stationery Suite Checklist
A wedding paper suite is more than pretty invites: it's how you communicate with guests through the entire event. Missing a piece (or under-ordering) means scrambling for reprints or awkward gaps in guest info right when you're busiest.
Timing matters more than design
Save-the-Dates go out 6-8 months ahead so guests can book travel and lodging, especially for destination or holiday-weekend weddings. Invitations follow 6-8 weeks before the day, bundled with an RSVP card, details card, and any directions or hotel block info. Set calendar reminders for both mailing dates now, since custom printing often takes 2-3 weeks plus shipping, and late RSVPs can throw off your caterer's final headcount.
Day-of pieces are easy to forget
Beyond invitations, budget for programs, menu cards, escort or place cards, and table numbers, all of which need a finalized guest list and seating chart before you can order them. Add signage: welcome sign, bar menu, gift table card, hashtag sign. These are typically the last items designed, so build a two-week buffer between finalizing seating and your rehearsal for printing and setup.
Order more than you think
Add 10-15% extra on every printed item, not just invitations. Escort cards get dropped, programs get left on chairs, and you'll want thank-you cards for vendors and last-minute gifts too. Keep a few blank place cards and a pen on hand day-of for guest list changes, and order at least 10 extra thank-you cards beyond your final guest count.
Key Takeaways
- Mail save-the-dates 6-8 months out, invitations 6-8 weeks out
- Finalize your seating chart before ordering escort cards and table numbers
- Order 10-15% extra of every printed piece, not just invitations
- Budget a 2-3 week print turnaround plus shipping for custom orders
- Keep blank place cards and a pen for day-of seating changes
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Source: www.theknot.com