Now that you know how a wedding stationer helps bring your vision to life, it’s time to talk about one of the most common questions we get: How long does the invitation process take?
Your wedding invitations are an essential part of your big day, and we understand that you want everything to be perfect. The timeline for designing, printing, and assembling your invitations depends on several factors, including customization, printing techniques, and embellishments. To help you plan ahead, here’s a breakdown of the wedding invitation timeline from start to finish.
1. Design & Proofing (2-6 Weeks)
The first step in creating your dream wedding invitations is the design process. This is where we work closely with you to develop a design that reflects your wedding theme, colors, and personal style.
We start by discussing your vision, preferred aesthetics, and any must-have details.
You’ll receive initial design concepts to review and refine.
After feedback, we make adjustments and provide proofs for final approval.
Depending on the complexity of your design—whether it’s a simple elegant layout or something more intricate with custom illustrations or calligraphy—this stage typically takes anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks.
2. Printing & Production (2-6 Weeks)
Once you approve your final invitation design, we move on to the production stage. The time required for printing depends on the printing technique you choose.
Digital printing is the fastest method and can be completed within 1-2 weeks.
Letterpress or foil stamping takes longer due to the intricate process, often requiring 3-6 weeks.
Handmade or specialty papers may also extend the timeline if materials need to be custom-ordered.
It’s important to plan ahead, especially if you’re opting for specialty finishes, as these processes take additional time to ensure every detail is perfect.
3. Assembly & Final Touches (1-2 Weeks)
After printing, it’s time for assembly! If your invitations include embellishments such as envelope liners, ribbon ties, wax seals, or vellum wraps, we carefully assemble each piece to ensure a polished, professional finish.
With our full assembly services, this process can take 1-2 weeks, depending on the level of detail.
Total Timeline: 5-14 Weeks
From the initial design phase to having your invitations ready to mail, you should plan for a total of 5-14 weeks. To ensure everything goes smoothly, we recommend starting early and factoring in extra time for unexpected delays.
When Should You Mail Your Invitations?
A good rule of thumb is to send out your wedding invitations 8-12 weeks before your wedding date (or even earlier for destination weddings). This means you should begin the invitation process at least 4-6 months before your wedding to stay on schedule.
Now that you understand the wedding invitation timeline, the next step is choosing the right printing upgrades for your invitations! Stay tuned for our next blog post, where we’ll explore the different printing options and help you decide which one is perfect for your wedding style.
