Wedding Stationery 101: Everything You Need to Know for a Seamless Celebration

Planning a wedding comes with a long to-do list, and somewhere near the top is wedding stationery. From save-the-dates to invitations, RSVP cards, and the all-important day-of details, your wedding stationery sets the tone for your big day. Whether you're embracing traditional invitations, modern digital options, or all-in-one designs, knowing what to order and when can make the process stress-free.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about wedding stationery, including a recommended timeline, must-have pieces, and the average costs for printing. Let’s dive in!

Wedding Stationery 101

Wedding Stationery Timeline: When to Send What

Timing is everything when it comes to wedding invitations. You want to give your guests plenty of time to plan while also ensuring all your details are finalized before printing. Here’s a general timeline to follow:

9-12 Months Before the Wedding

✅ Order Save-the-Dates – These are especially important for destination weddings or if many of your guests will be traveling.

✅ Book Your Wedding Stationery Vendor – If you’re going custom, this is the time to secure your designer or printer.

6-8 Months Before the Wedding

✅ Send Out Save-the-Dates – Mail them at least 6 months in advance (or 9-12 months for destination weddings).

✅ Begin Working on Your Invitation Suite – Choose a design, finalize wording, and decide on printing.

4-5 Months Before the Wedding

✅ Order Invitations – Whether you're printing them yourself or having them professionally printed, give yourself time for revisions.

✅ Order RSVP Cards – If using printed RSVP cards (instead of a QR code or website), include pre-stamped envelopes.

2-3 Months Before the Wedding

✅ Mail Wedding Invitations – Send invites at least 8-10 weeks before your wedding.

✅ Set RSVP Deadline – Ask guests to RSVP 4-6 weeks before the wedding.

6-8 Weeks Before the Wedding

✅ Order Day-Of Stationery – Think menus, programs, seating charts, and place cards.

✅ Order Thank-You Cards – Get these ready in advance to send after the wedding.

1-2 Weeks Before the Wedding

✅ Confirm Guest List for Seating Chart & Place Cards – Finalize all last-minute stationery details.

What Wedding Stationery Do You Need?

Wedding stationery isn’t just about the invitations! From the first announcement to the last thank-you note, here’s a breakdown of the different stationery pieces you might need:

1. Save-the-Dates

A save-the-date gives guests a heads-up about your wedding date and location, so they can mark their calendars early. These can be mailed as traditional postcards or sent digitally.

🔹 What to Include:

💡 Pro Tip: If you're using digital RSVPs, consider including a QR code or website link!

2. Wedding Invitation Suite

Your wedding invitation suite is the main event when it comes to wedding stationery.

It typically includes:

✅ The Invitation – The star of the show! Includes your names, date, time, and venue.

✅ RSVP Card (or Digital RSVP) – Allows guests to respond to your invitation. QR codes are a modern way to collect RSVPs online.

✅ Details Card – Covers hotel accommodations, transportation, dress code, or website links.

✅ Envelope & Addressing – Many couples opt for printed guest addressing for a polished look.

💡 Cost Tip: Printing a full wedding suite (invitations, RSVP cards, envelopes, and details cards) typically costs between $300-$1,500 depending on quantity, paper quality, and printing method.

3. Day-of Wedding Stationery

Once the invitations are out, it's time to plan for the day-of details!

These pieces help guide your guests and enhance the overall aesthetic.

✅ Wedding Programs – Shares ceremony details, the wedding party, and any cultural traditions.

✅ Menus – Displays the meal options at the reception.

✅ Place Cards or Escort Cards – Helps guests find their seats.

✅ Table Numbers – Organizes seating arrangements.

✅ Seating Chart – A large sign or digital display listing guest seating.

💡 Pro Tip: Ordering matching day-of stationery that complements your invitations creates a cohesive look throughout your wedding.

4. After the Wedding: Thank-You Cards

Once the big day is over, don’t forget to send thank-you cards to guests and vendors.

💡 Send within 1-3 months after the wedding for a thoughtful touch.

Wedding Stationery Costs: What to Budget For

Your wedding stationery budget depends on printing style, customization, and the number of guests. Here’s an estimated breakdown:

Item	DIY Printables	Basic Printed	Luxury Printed
Save-the-Dates (100)	$10-$50	$100-$250	$300-$600
Invitations (100)	$20-$100	$200-$500	$600-$1,500
RSVP Cards (100)	$10-$50	$50-$200	$250-$500
Day-of Stationery	$10-$75	$100-$300	$300-$800
Thank-You Cards (100)	$10-$50	$50-$150	$200-$500

The Rise of Printables: A Budget-Friendly & Customizable Wedding Stationery Solution

In recent years, printable wedding invitations have skyrocketed in popularity—and for good reason! Couples are looking for affordable, flexible, and stylish options that still make an impact. Printables offer the best of both worlds by allowing you to customize and print your wedding stationery exactly the way you want, all while staying within budget.

What Are Printable Wedding Invitations?

Printable invitations are digital files that you can edit, download, and print yourself. Instead of waiting for a designer to create and ship physical invites, you have instant access to high-quality designs that you can personalize to match your wedding style.

At Lovely Little Printables, we offer a variety of editable invitation suites that make it easy to create stunning wedding stationery at home or through a professional printer.

How Printables Save You Money

Traditional wedding invitations can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars—especially when adding foil accents, letterpress, or hand-addressed calligraphy. However, with printables, you only pay for the design and have the flexibility to print them in a way that best suits your budget.

Ways to Save with Printables:

💰 No Design Fees – You pay once for the template and can use it as needed.

💰 Choose Your Printing Method – Print at home, at a local print shop, or through an online service.

💰 Skip Unnecessary Extras – Print only what you need and avoid costly add-ons.

💰 Use Digital RSVP Options – Replace traditional RSVP cards with a QR code linking to your wedding website.

💡 Pro Tip: For additional savings, opt for postcards instead of folded invitations or RSVP envelopes—postage costs add up fast!

How to Use Printables for Your Wedding

Once you purchase a Lovely Little Printables wedding suite, the process is simple:

1. Edit Your Template

Each invitation suite is fully editable in Canva, so you can update the wording, adjust fonts, and even tweak colors if needed. If you prefer professional assistance, our custom editing service takes care of everything for you!

2. Choose Your Printing Method

3. Assemble and Send!

Once printed, cut, and assembled, your invites are ready to be sent out! If you’re including details cards, RSVP postcards, or QR codes, bundle them together for a polished look.

Why Choose Lovely Little Printables?

At Lovely Little Printables, we specialize in whimsical and modern wedding stationery that’s both elegant and practical. Whether you need a full wedding suite, RSVP postcards, or stylish all-in-one invitations, we’ve got you covered.

✨ Editable Canva Templates – Easy to customize with no software required.

✨ Instant Download – No waiting for proofs or shipping.

✨ Custom Editing Service – Don’t want to DIY? We’ll handle it for you!

✨ Matching Wedding Suites – Includes save-the-dates, invitations, day-of signage, and more.

Modern Wedding Stationery Trends

Wedding stationery has evolved! Many couples are opting for digital-friendly and eco-conscious choices.

Here are some top trends:

✨ Postcards for RSVPs – No envelopes needed!

✨ QR Codes on Details Cards – Direct guests to a wedding website for RSVP tracking.

✨ All-in-One Invitations – Folding invites with perforated RSVP cards are convenient and stylish.

✨ Digital Invitations – A great alternative for casual or destination weddings.

💡 Pro Tip: Mix and match traditional paper invites with digital elements for a modern, cost-effective approach.

Final Thoughts: Make Wedding Stationery Simple

Your wedding stationery should reflect your style while being practical and functional. Whether you choose traditional printed invitations, DIY templates, or modern digital invites, staying organized with a timeline will keep the process smooth.

At Lovely Little Printables, we offer a variety of wedding suites, RSVP postcards, day-of signage, and digital-friendly options to make your big day beautifully stress-free. Explore our collection today and create a wedding suite that fits your vision! 💍✨