Your invitations are the first glimpse of your wedding your guests will experience. They set the tone, not just through design, but through care, intention, and of course timing.

If you’ve chosen to invest in custom wedding stationery, one of the most important (and most overlooked) details is when to begin. Bespoke design takes time. The kind of time that allows each brushstroke, proof, and printed layer to come together with ease and beauty. Think of it like couture fashion, fine craftsmanship simply takes longer, but the result is worth every extra week. Here’s what a realistic (and stress-free) stationery timeline looks like for couples who want something truly unforgettable.

The Ideal Start-to-Finish Timeline

Here’s a guide to when to start each piece of your stationery, and why those timeframes matter.

1. Inquiry & Discovery (10–12 months before)

Your wedding stationer is often one of the first vendors you’ll book. Once you know the month you want to get married you can reserve your spot on my calendar. When you reach out we’ll talk about your wedding style, venue, and vision. If you are including save the dates absolutely book closer to the 12 month mark, if not we can work 8 - 10 months in advance just fine.

I will create 3 package offerings, a personalized mood board, and a custom timeline.
Booking early ensures you’re on my calendar. I take on a limited number of couples per wedding month to keep your experience highly custom and personalized.

2. Design & Proofing (6 – 8 months before)

During the design phase I translate your love story and wedding vision into sketches and color studies. This is the fun part! We get to explore design concepts and illustrations that perfectly reflect you as a couple. Once designs are finalized you’ll receive detailed digital proofs and can request final tweaks before anything goes to print. This stage is collaborative, it’s where your stationery becomes uniquely yours.

3. Printing & Production (5–6 months before)

Each of your choices and illustrations come to life here. I work hand in hand with my printing and supply partners to order each piece of your suite from invite cards to the perfect postage. It’s the stage where the magic becomes tangible.

4. White glove Assembly (4 months before)

Envelopes are addressed, ribbons tied, and envelope liners are attached with attention to detail. Every suite is double-checked and packed for mailing or delivery.

5. Mailing ( 3 months before)

I personally take your invitation suites to the post office to be hand canceled so avoid invites getting squished. Once the invitations are mailed within a few days they reach your guests! Any extras are shipped to you along with your special keepsake suite.

The Takeaway: Beautiful Things Take Time

Luxury invitations are about more than paper, they’re about creating a tangible heirloom that represents your love story and your wedding day. When you give the process time to breathe, it allows for artistry, intention, and ease.

If you’re beginning to plan your wedding and want stationery that feels as meaningful and unique as your love, I’d love to create something special together.

Real Timeline Expectations for Luxury Wedding Invitations