When to send your wedding invitations

Written By Carrie Brown

My UK Guide for 2026 Couples

Elegant oval Save the Date card with tassel and white wax seal — La Plume wedding stationery by Honey Bee Mine.

Save the Date from the La Plume Collection
Image by Capture It Photography

This is your complete timeline for Save the Dates, invitations, RSVPs, and on the day stationery.

Planning a wedding comes with a thousand moving pieces – and your stationery timeline is one of the most important. Beautifully designed invitations take time, especially when you’re choosing luxury finishes, bespoke artwork, or a cohesive wedding brand.

To make things easy, here’s a clear, UK-specific guide to when to book, when to design, and when to send each part of your stationery… tailored exactly to how I work at Honey Bee Mine.

Whether you’re planning a local celebration or a destination wedding, this timeline will help everything run smoothly (and stress-free).

Forest green wedding invitation envelopes with botanical monogram — luxury stationery by Honey Bee Mine.

White-Ink-Printed Envelopes from the Ever Entwined Collection

1. When to Get in Touch with Your Stationer

The earlier you reach out, the more availability and creative freedom you’ll have.

Bespoke Design

You can reserve your place 15–18 months before your wedding.
Bespoke design includes a fully custom concept, design mock-ups, pattern work, and luxury details. We won’t necessarily begin designing this early, but booking early secures your space in my diary and allows time to explore ideas thoughtfully. Plus, luxury takes longer than you think.

Semi-Custom Stationery

Book 9–12 months ahead to secure your timeline.
(Or sooner if you’re sending Save the Dates.)

My semi-custom collections include Sweet Like Honey, Ever Entwined, and La Plume – each one customisable with colours, wording, print finishes, and monograms.

On-the-Day Stationery

Ideally, book at the same time as your invitations.
This ensures availability for menus, order of service booklets, signage, table plans, place cards, vow books, and more. These are the items that really create impact on your wedding day, and allow your style and personality to fully shine through.

Green and white save the date card with tassel, styled in woodland foliage — Ever Entwined collection by Honey Bee Mine.

Save the Date from the Ever Entwined Collection
Image by Gabby Culverwell Photography

2. Design & Production Timings

Every piece is handcrafted, printed on luxury stocks, and finished with details like foiling, embossing, tassels, linen papers and silk ribbons. Here’s how long the process typically takes:

Bespoke Timings

  • Around 12 weeks for the design process

  • + 4 weeks for production and finishing

    Total: 16 weeks

Semi-Custom Timings

  • Around 3 weeks for proofs

  • + 4 weeks for production

    Total: 7 weeks

On-the-Day Items

  • 2–3 weeks for proofs (longer for bespoke options)

  • + 3–4 weeks for production

    Total: 5–7 weeks

(These timings ensure a luxury pace, with intention and attention to detail – never rushed.)

Oval table name card with silk bow on an elegant wedding tablescape — La Plume collection by Honey Bee Mine.

Table Names from the La Plume Collection
Image by Capture It Photography

3. When to Send & Finalise Your Stationery

Here’s the part most couples Google – so let’s break it down clearly.

Save the Dates

Send ideally 12 months before your wedding.
Particularly important for summer weddings, school holidays, and celebrations requiring travel.

Wedding Invitations

Send around 6 months before your date.
This gives guests plenty of time to RSVP, arrange accommodation, and make travel plans.

On-the-Day Items

Aim to have everything finished and in your hands around 2 weeks before your wedding.

➡️ This means you’ll need to confirm your final details at least 7–8 weeks before your date.
(Guest names, table arrangements, order of service content, menu choices, timings…)

Thank You Cards

Send 1–2 months after the wedding – or sooner if you prefer.

Embossed feather-detail table plan card on mini easel — luxury wedding stationery by Honey Bee Mine.

Table Plan Card from the La Plume Collection
Image by Capture It Photography

4. RSVP Deadlines (UK & Destination Weddings)

Your RSVP date should be earlier than you might expect, to give time for final numbers, seating, and the production of menus, table plans, and signage.

UK Weddings

Set your RSVP deadline 8–10 weeks before your date.

Destination Weddings

Set your RSVP deadline 10–12 weeks before your date.

This gives you the breathing room to finalise everything without last-minute stress, and enough time for your wedding stationer to complete your on the day pieces.

Flat lay of luxury wedding stationery featuring vow books, oval invitations and silk ribbons — La Plume collection by Honey Bee Mine.

Invitations and Vows from the La Plume Collection
Image by Capture It Photography

Your Complete Wedding Stationery Timeline (At a Glance)

Ideal Timings:

12 months+ – Send Save the Dates
9–12 months before – Book your semi-custom stationery (sooner if you want Save the Dates!)
15–18 months before – Reserve bespoke design
6 months before – Send invitations
7–8 weeks before – Final details confirmed
2 weeks before – Receive on-the-day stationery
1–2 months after – Send thank you cards

Luxury green wedding invitation suite with vellum wrap, wax seal and silk ribbon — Ever Entwined collection by Honey Bee Mine.

Luxury Wedding Invitation from the Ever Entwined Collection

Planning Ahead Makes All the Difference

Luxury stationery isn’t just paper – it’s the beginning of your wedding story.
The first impression.
The tone-setter.
The moment your guests feel the magic.

Booking early ensures I can design something truly meaningful and beautifully personal to you.

If you’d like to check availability or begin your design journey, please say hello here:

Get In Touch
Carrie Brown
Next

Designing A Wedding Brand: Sweet Like Honey