Weddings
The UK Wedding Stationery Timeline: When to Order Everything
Wedding stationery is one of the first things guests see and one of the last they take home. Order too late and you are paying rush fees; order too early and details keep changing. Here is the timeline we use at Paper Meadows for UK weddings.
12 months out: save the dates
Send save the dates 8 to 12 months before the wedding, or 12 months if it falls on a bank holiday, in peak summer, or requires travel.
A save the date does not need every detail — venue town, date and your names are enough.
4 to 6 months out: main invitations
Post invitations 4 to 6 months before the wedding for UK guests, and 6 to 8 months for destination weddings.
Set an RSVP deadline 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding so you have time to finalise numbers with your caterer.
6 to 8 weeks out: on-the-day stationery
Order order-of-service booklets, menus, place cards, table plans and signage together — colours, fonts and paper stock stay consistent that way.
We ask couples to confirm final guest numbers and dietary requirements 5 weeks out so we can proof and print in time.
After the day: thank-you cards
Aim to post thank-you cards within 3 months of the wedding. A photo card with a handwritten note remains the most appreciated format.
Frequently asked questions
- How many invitations should I order?
- Order one per household, not per guest, then add 10 to 15 percent for keepsakes, spares and last-minute additions.
- Can we mix printed and digital?
- Yes. Many couples send digital save the dates and post printed invitations. QR codes on the invitation can link to your wedding website for travel and gift details.
- Do you post samples?
- Yes — Paper Meadows sends a sample pack of paper stocks, foil colours and print methods before you commit to a full order.