The Ultimate Wedding Stationery Timeline & Checklist (2026)

When you're planning a wedding, "When should I...?" is a question you'll ask a lot. For your wedding stationery, timing isn't just important—it's everything. Sending your invitations too late can cause stress for you and your guests, while sending them too early might mean they get misplaced or forgotten.

To help you stay organised and stress-free, we’ve created the only wedding stationery timeline and checklist you'll need, which complements our comprehensive wedding stationery guide for Australia. Based on our 25+ years of experience, this guide will walk you through every step, from the first announcement to the final thank you.

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10-14 Months Before the Wedding: The First Steps

[ ] Finalise Your Guest List: You can't do anything else until you have a solid idea of your guest count. Create a spreadsheet—it will be your best friend.
[ ] Order Save the Dates: This is especially crucial if you're planning a destination wedding, a wedding on a long weekend, or if you have many overseas guests. This gives them ample time to book travel and accommodation.
[ ] Send Save the Dates: Once they arrive, send them out!

Building Your Wedding Stationery Timeline - 6-8 Months Before the Wedding: The Main Event

[ ] Begin Your Invitation Search: Now is the time to research designers and studios. Explore styles in our portfolio, printing methods (like letterpress or foil), and paper options.
[ ] Book a Consultation: Talk to a stationery expert. This is where you can see and feel the quality in person and get a detailed quote.
[ ] Place Your Invitation Order: This is a crucial step in your wedding stationery timeline. To ensure you have plenty of time for design, proofing, printing, and assembly, you should finalise your order around the 6-month mark. This includes your full suite: invitations, details cards, and any embellishments.

Building Your Wedding Stationery Timeline - 4-5 Months Before the Wedding: Preparation & Postage

[ ] Address Your Envelopes: Whether you are hand-addressing, printing envelopes, or hiring a calligrapher, give yourself plenty of time. This task always takes longer than you think!
[ ] Assemble Your Invitation Suites: This can be a fun part of the process! Set up an assembly line to stack your cards, wrap belly bands, and stuff envelopes. Make an evening of it with a glass of wine and some music!Feeling overwhelmed or short on time? For a seamless, stress-free experience, ask about our "white glove service", where we handle the entire assembly and preparation process for you.
[ ] Weigh a Complete Invitation: Take one fully assembled invitation to the post office to have it weighed. This ensures you put the correct postage on every single one. Don't guess!
[ ] Mail Your Invitations: The big day! Pop them in the post box. For domestic Australian weddings, mailing them 4 months out is perfect.

Pro Tip: For destination or overseas weddings, mail your invitations 5-6 months in advance.

1-3 Months Before the Wedding: On-the-Day Stationery

[ ] Set Your 'RSVP By' Date: Your caterer will need final numbers 2-4 weeks before the wedding, so set your RSVP date about 6-8 weeks before your wedding day. This gives you a buffer to chase up any late responders.
[ ] Order Your 'On-the-Day' Items: Once you have a near-final guest list, it's time to order the items that will carry your design theme through to the wedding itself. Essential includes:[ ] Welcome Sign[ ] Seating Chart[ ] Place Cards[ ] Menus[ ] Order of Service / Booklets[ ] Table Numbers[ ] Wishing Well / Gifts Sign

Building Your Wedding Stationery Timeline - 1-3 Months After the Wedding: The Final Touch

[ ] Write & Send Thank You Cards: Don't let this final, important task fall by the wayside. It is proper etiquette to thank your guests for their presence and their thoughtful gifts. Aim to send these out within three months of your wedding day.

By following this wedding stationery timeline, you can ensure a seamless and enjoyable process, creating anticipation for your guests and leaving a lasting impression of a beautifully organised celebration.

Feeling inspired? See how these timelines came to life in our Real Weddings gallery, or book a complimentary wedding stationery consultation with our expert team to get started on your own.