When to Send Save the Dates and Invitations
A UK Wedding Stationery Timeline
One of the most common questions I’m asked is deceptively simple: when should we send our wedding invitations? Couples often underestimate how much time stationery takes – from designing and printing through to addressing and mailing. Add in the logistics of modern weddings (multiple events, international guests, busy diaries) and the timeline becomes a vital piece of the planning puzzle.
As we head into autumn, it’s the perfect moment to talk timelines. Many 2026 couples are starting their stationery journey right now, and planners are guiding their clients through these first exciting steps. Here’s my guide to a UK wedding stationery timeline – from save the dates to thank you cards – so you can feel confident about when to put pen to paper.
Save the Dates: 12–18 Months Before
Save the dates are your guests’ first glimpse of the celebration, so they’re both practical and symbolic. For destination weddings, I recommend sending them at least 12–18 months in advance, giving guests ample time to arrange travel and accommodation. For UK-based weddings, a 9–12 month window is usually sufficient.
This is also when couples often start working with me on their stationery design. Whether through a bespoke wedding invitation suite or a pre-designed House Collection suite, creating a save the date allows us to establish your visual identity early – from colour palette to typography.
Invitations: 6–8 Months Before
For UK weddings, invitations are typically sent 6–8 months before the day. Destination weddings often require 8–10 months to allow for travel planning, while city weddings with mostly local guests can sometimes work with a shorter 4–6 month timeline.
Why so long? Printing processes like letterpress and hot foil take time – these aren’t digital prints that can be turned around overnight. Designing, approving proofs, sourcing materials, and hand-printing each piece is a meticulous process. My couples usually allow 8–12 weeks for bespoke design, and 6–8 weeks for House Collection suites. Build this into your planning, and you’ll avoid last-minute stress.
The Rule of Thumb
When it comes to stationery, the main difference between bespoke and House Collection suites isn’t when your invitations go out,– it’s how early you need to begin the process. Bespoke design requires more time for creative development, proofs and printing plates, while the House Collection is faster to bring to life since the design foundations are already in place. Either way, your invitations should be sent to guests on the same timeline – around four to six months before your wedding (or five to six months for peak summer dates).
As a guide:
Bespoke suites – order around 9–12 months before your wedding, send invitations 4–6 months before.
House Collection suites – order around 7–9 months before, send invitations 4–6 months before.
For couples who love a clear plan, I’ve mapped out a full month-by-month matrix below:
RSVP Deadlines: 6–8 Weeks Before
Your RSVP deadline should be around six to eight weeks before your wedding. This gives you and your planner time to finalise seating plans, confirm numbers with caterers, and brief other suppliers. It also leaves space for creating on-the-day stationery – menus, place cards, signage – that ties everything together. (I offer these exclusively to couples booking invitations, so your design story runs seamlessly from save the dates through to the wedding day itself.)
Thank You Cards: Within 3 Months After
Thank you cards are often overlooked in the flurry after the wedding, but they matter more than you think. Sent within three months of the day, they provide a gracious closing chapter to your stationery suite. Many of my couples love to continue their design – whether through bespoke thank you cards or coordinating House Collection pieces – to ensure every touchpoint feels beautifully considered.
Working With Planners
If you’re working with a planner, they’ll often guide you through this timeline and liaise directly with me. This ensures stationery fits seamlessly with the broader design of your celebration, and deadlines are integrated into the overall planning process. For couples without a planner, I provide a clear roadmap to keep you on track – so nothing gets left too late.
Ultimately, the stationery timeline is less about rules and more about giving yourself space – space to create, to enjoy the design process, and to avoid last-minute panic. Invitations are your guests’ first tangible experience of your wedding, and they deserve the same care and attention as the day itself.
If you’re planning a 2026 wedding, autumn is the perfect time to begin. Whether you’re dreaming of a bespoke invitation suite or prefer the refined simplicity of my House Collection, starting now ensures your stationery is as seamless, elegant, and thoughtful as the rest of your celebration.
Ready to begin? Get in touch via my contact page to start your stationery journey.