3 common questions about wedding invitations we get from every new bride

We’ll let you in on a little insider wedding planning tip: Wedding invitations can be gorgeous, unique, high quality AND still affordable. If you’re honestly thinking it’s too good to be true, do we have some juicy info for you. Remember that exhilarating rush you got from saying “Yes!” to your perfect wedding dress, or knowing exactly the spot where you’d get married at the wedding venue you were touring, or picking out just the right color of blush roses (not too pink but not too cream!) for your wedding bouquet? Well, designing and printing wedding invitations can be just as exciting! It’s when your entire wedding vision comes together on paper. Not feeling zen about your wedding invitations yet? We've got you! We’ve made a mini list of our top 3 questions we’re most asked by brides just like you. Think of it as a quick crash course on getting started with your invitations. 

#1 When should I get started on my wedding invites? 

The short answer is: that depends, since each wedding is different, but let's break it down a little bit and work backward from your wedding date. For most weddings, where the majority of guests are local, we typically recommend getting your invitations into guests' hands around 3-4 weeks before your wedding date. This is usually enough time for guests to arrange work schedules and pick-up a gift. We've actually found that anything longer than 5-6 weeks and guests are more likely to lose the invitation or forget the date (though there are some notable exceptions we'll mention later).

Continuing working backwards from that point you'd need to include the time it takes for production, which can vary. We print primarily with an off-set print process because it offers the best quality and price at larger quantities. That process takes around 1-2 weeks from approval to delivery. And lastly you need to factor in the design time, which depending on the method you choose can range anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks. Working with a professional designer is usually much faster than designing your own, since most clients will have a near-print ready design within an hour of meeting (online order requests are usually completed in 24-48 hours). Once you have a digital proof, take the needed time to proofread thoroughly, and approve for print. This can be done at your own pace but it's worth getting a few people (usually fiance and parents) to help review the names, dates, and addresses before giving your final approval to print.

As we mentioned above, there are a few additional time add-ons to be aware of: if you are doing an RSVP card for a dinner or luncheon, you will need to adjust your timeline to your RSVP date rather than your wedding. So for example: if your caterer needs a final head count 2 weeks before your wedding date, you would push that timeline up by those 2 weeks so that guests have the invites in hand 3-4 weeks before the RSVP date you give them.

The other adjustment to consider, applies to destination weddings or wedding dates on or near major holidays, since those will require more advanced notice. This will obviously vary from wedding to wedding and possibly even from guest to guest. The general rule of thumb is to put yourself in the guests' shoes; if you were a guest at your wedding, when would you need to receive the invitation in order to make the necessary arrangements to attend? For both of these situations, we highly recommend sending Save the date cards at least 4 months in advance (6 months if you can!) to give guests a head start on booking travel and accommodations.

#2 What paper should I print on for my wedding invites?

No-one has time to get a PHD in paper making and printing, so we’ll save you from reading an entire book on card stock weights, finishes, printing techniques, etc. You can request a sample pack (FREE!) on our website where you can check out the many different paper stocks you can print on that work within any budget and style. But until one arrives in your mailbox, let us give the deets on a few of our more popular options:

Satin - our most popular card stock choice (and for good reason!) This  paper has a smooth, velvety finish, ideal for printing photos or clear, crisp details. It’s also our thickest card stock in our standard paper line, making this an affordable, yet luxurious choice. 

Uncoated Matte - Ideal for rustic, homespun types of weddings, this paper is thinner than the satin, has a bit of texture, and is uncoated. Because it’s an uncoated paper, it’s not necessarily a great option for photos as the inks tend to soak into the paper, making them appear darker and duller. 

Glossy - Ultra shiny and oh-so durable, this paper choice is technically a coating finish. Colors tend to be saturated and bright, making this an awesome choice for photos and postcard style cards.

If you are seeking a more luxurious vibe, you might fall in love with our premium Vellum paper, Linen, Pearl, Foil, or Letterpress options. Each has a unique look and feel to them, so be sure to request a sample on our website!

#3 How many wedding invitations do I need to order?

Let’s do this wedding planning exercise: imagine a dart board with all your family, friends, and acquaintances’ names on it. Let’s organize this dart board in order of who gets an invite and which kind of additional insert card. 

The innermost circle is reserved for your closest family and friends. These are guests that will be attending your ceremony/sealing, luncheon, dinner and reception. They will most likely be with you most of the day and they are the VIP guests. That circle is most likely to be the smallest, and that’s okay. They will receive a wedding invite as well as any details cards, like ceremony invites, RSVPs, etc. 

The second ring is family and friends that you’d like to come to the reception to party but not necessarily the ceremony and more intimate parts of the wedding day. Depending on your budget, style, and personality, this ring might be on the larger side. You will want to send the main invitation, with wording about the reception and information about time and location.

The last ring may be optional depending on how formal your wedding is. This is filled with friends of family, coworkers, etc and are people that you have room for at your reception but may not attend or may stop by and greet the newlyweds. If you are having a formal wedding, a sit down dinner, a destination wedding, or simply don’t want to socialize with that many people on your wedding day (we feel you!), you may not want to send them an official wedding invite at all, Instead, opt for a wedding announcement with a date, a photo, and perhaps wedding registry or website info. That way, you can keep guest counts lower while still announcing your engagement.

Tally all households together and that’s your rough number! You always want to err on the side of caution and order 10% extra just in case you missed someone or an invite goes rouge in the post office. 

Wedding invitation design can be a fun-filled and exciting time. We’ve heard from many of our couples that getting their wedding invitations was like the last missing piece to the wedding planning puzzle and everything after getting them felt more real. If you’re still feeling overwhelmed or stuck, don’t hesitate to ask us anything! Until then, happy wedding planning!