When Should You Order Printed Wedding Invitations?

January 8, 2026 Claudia Owen

When Should You Order Printed Wedding Invitations?

You should order your printed wedding invitations about 3–4 months before your wedding date (roughly 12–16 weeks). This timeline works well for most traditional weddings and allows enough time for wording decisions, proofing, professional printing, shipping, and guest response time—without feeling rushed. Weddings that involve travel, specialty printing, or additional logistics may require ordering earlier, which we’ll cover later in this guide.

This timeframe gives you breathing room for:

Finalizing wording and details
Reviewing and approving proofs
Professional printing production
Shipping and delivery buffers (including seasonal slowdowns)

Remember, your timeline doesn’t end when invitations arrive at your door. You’ll still need time to address envelopes, mail invitations, allow guests time to receive them, consider their attendance, and return RSVP cards by mail or online. Starting early ensures your guests aren’t rushed—and neither are you.

Ordering within this window keeps the process calm and controlled—no rushing, no last-minute compromises.

If your wedding involves custom designs, specialty printing, or seasonal mailing delays, leaning closer to 4 months is a smart move.

Why This Timeline Works

Ordering printed wedding invitations isn’t just about printing paper—it’s a process with several steps. Planning ahead ensures each stage gets proper attention without last-minute pressure.

If you’ve already sent Save the Dates, this 3–4 month invitation window will feel far more comfortable for both you and your guests.

Here’s how the full timeline typically breaks down.

The Full Printed Invitation Timeline (Step by Step)

1. Finalizing Wording and Event Details (2–4 weeks)

Before anything goes to print, your details must be settled. This includes:

Ceremony and reception details
Names, spelling, and titles
Dress code wording
RSVP deadline and return method
Insert cards (details, RSVP, accommodations)

If details are still shifting, it’s better to pause than rush into print. Small wording changes later can lead to delays—or costly reprints.

Many couples underestimate how long this takes. Small decisions—like formal vs. casual wording—can take time to settle, and that’s completely normal.

This stage often takes longer than couples expect—not because of design, but because final decisions involve multiple people, venues, and moving parts.

Tip: Ordering before details are finalized often leads to reprints or stress later.

2. Proofing and Revisions (2 Days)

Once your design is ready, proofing begins. This includes:

This stage allows time to:

Catch spelling or formatting errors
Confirm spacing, layout, and hierarchy
Make small wording adjustments

Most couples go through at least one round of revisions, sometimes two. Giving yourself time here means you can review proofs carefully—without rushing or second-guessing.

3. Printing Production Time (2–5 Days)

Professional printing isn’t instant.

Production time can vary based on:

Print method (digital, letterpress, foil, etc.)
Paper type
Quantity ordered
Seasonal demand

Standard printed wedding invitations often take 2–5 days, while specialty printing may take longer around 7 business days.

Ordering earlier gives flexibility if production takes a bit more time than expected.

4. Shipping and Delivery Buffers (2–5 Days)

Once printed, invitations still need to reach you.

Extra buffer time protects you from:

Carrier delays
Weather disruptions
Holiday or peak-season slowdowns

Remember, your timeline doesn’t end when invitations arrive at your door. You’ll still need time to address envelopes, mail invitations, allow guests time to receive them, consider their attendance, and return RSVP cards by mail or online. Starting early ensures your guests aren’t rushed—and neither are you.

Weddings with international guests may also benefit from ordering closer to the 4-month mark to allow for longer postal transit times.

Building in a shipping buffer ensures your invitations arrive safely and on time, without the stress of tracking packages daily.

What About Destination Weddings?

Destination weddings follow a different invitation timeline. Because guests need extra notice to arrange travel, accommodation, and time off work, invitations are typically sent much earlier than standard weddings—often 6–8 months in advance.

If you’re planning a destination wedding, the 3–4 month timeline outlined above may not provide enough notice for your guests. We recommend reviewing our full guide on when to send destination wedding invitations to ensure everyone has ample time to plan.

How Many Invitations Should You Order?

Why Ordering Extras Matters

It’s always wise to order 10–15% more invitations than your final guest count.

Extras help cover:

Last-minute guest additions
Addressing errors
Keepsakes for you and family

Ordering extras upfront is far easier (and often more cost-effective) than placing a reprint order later.

Guest List Changes & Timing

Guest lists evolve, especially in the months leading up to a wedding.

Ordering with a buffer allows flexibility without pressure. If your list is still in flux, that’s another reason the 4–6 month window works so well.

Reprints and Last-Minute Additions

While reprints are possible, they:

Take additional production time
May not perfectly match the original run
Add unnecessary stress close to your wedding

Planning your quantity early helps you avoid this altogether.

Common Invitation Timing Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Ordering Too Early

Printing invitations before your details are finalized can lead to:

Incorrect times or venues
Design regret
Wasted inventory

Clarity matters more than speed.

❌ Ordering Too Late

Waiting too long often means:

Rushed proofing decisions
Limited print options (as specialty printing might not be possible as there’s no time)
Anxiety over delivery timing

A calm timeline leads to better results.

❌ Forgetting Postal and Seasonal Delays

Peak wedding seasons and holidays slow everything down.

Ordering with built-in buffers ensures your invitations arrive when expected, without panic.

A Calm Planning Reminder

There’s no single “perfect” timeline that fits every wedding—and that’s okay. Ordering your printed wedding invitations 3–4 months in advance gives you clarity, flexibility, and peace of mind, without pressure.

Planning ahead doesn’t mean rushing—it means giving yourself space to enjoy the process.

Navy blue and gold Christian wedding invitation suite featuring a cross with matching stationery by Claudia Owen.

A navy and gold Christian wedding invitation suite featuring a cross—designed for couples who want a meaningful, faith-centered celebration with a cohesive stationery timeline.

View the complete wedding invitation suite

Ready to Get Started?

Explore our collection of designed Printed Wedding Invitations, created to make planning feel clear, not complicated.

For a cohesive look, you may also want to consider matching RSVP cards and invitation suites, designed to work seamlessly together.

Planning should feel reassuring—not overwhelming. A clear timeline is the first step.