Your 2026 Wedding Stationery Timeline: Save The Dates To On-The-Day Details
Planning your stationery early keeps your wedding calm and cohesive. This UK‑focused timeline walks you from save the dates to thank you cards, with sample date plans for each season. You will find realistic lead times for bespoke illustration and hand‑finishing, plus guidance on coordinating colourways and finishes across your suite. Whether you are dreaming of fully bespoke artwork or prefer a streamlined semi‑bespoke route, this roadmap helps you stay on track.
The Golden Rules: When to Order, When to Send
- Save the dates: post 8 to 12 months before the wedding. If you are marrying in peak summer or planning a destination celebration, lean toward 12 months.
- Invitations: post 6 to 8 weeks before the day for UK weddings. For bank holiday weekends or guests travelling far, 10 to 12 weeks offers extra breathing room.
- RSVP deadlines: set replies due 4 weeks before the wedding, then finalise numbers with your venue and caterer.
- On‑the‑day stationery: confirm quantities 3 to 4 weeks out, after RSVPs. Order earlier if you are adding bespoke artwork or hand‑finished details.
- Thank you cards: send within 6 to 8 weeks of the wedding. After a long honeymoon, 8 to 12 weeks is perfectly acceptable.
Production notes to factor in:
- Semi‑bespoke printed items typically require 2 to 4 weeks for design, proofing and production, plus shipping.
- Bespoke illustrations, venue paintings and custom maps benefit from a 4 to 8 week window for briefing, sketching, proofs and printing.
- Hand‑finishing across physical pieces adds time, so book early if you plan envelope liners, tags, tied bundles or glued inserts.
If you are short on time, semi‑bespoke collections are efficient while still personalised. Editable digital templates can also help with tight schedules.
Seasonal Sample Timelines for 2026 Weddings
Below are simple examples to visualise your dates. Adjust based on venue deadlines, travel needs and your guest list.
Spring Wedding, Saturday 18 April 2026
- Order save the dates: June to August 2025
- Post save the dates: August 2025
- Commission bespoke artwork, maps or a venue painting: September to October 2025
- Order invitations: January 2026
- Post invitations: late February 2026
- RSVP deadline: 21 March 2026
- Finalise on‑the‑day items: late March to early April 2026
- Send thank you cards: May to June 2026
Summer Wedding, Saturday 11 July 2026
- Order save the dates: September to November 2025
- Post save the dates: November 2025
- Commission artwork or maps: January to February 2026
- Order invitations: April 2026
- Post invitations: mid May 2026
- RSVP deadline: 13 June 2026
- Finalise on‑the‑day items: mid to late June 2026
- Send thank you cards: August to September 2026
Autumn Wedding, Saturday 3 October 2026
- Order save the dates: December 2025 to February 2026
- Post save the dates: February 2026
- Commission artwork or maps: April to May 2026
- Order invitations: July 2026
- Post invitations: mid August 2026
- RSVP deadline: 5 September 2026
- Finalise on‑the‑day items: mid September 2026
- Send thank you cards: November to December 2026
Winter Wedding, Saturday 12 December 2026
- Order save the dates: February to April 2026
- Post save the dates: April 2026
- Commission artwork or maps: June to July 2026
- Order invitations: September 2026
- Post invitations: mid October 2026
- RSVP deadline: 14 November 2026
- Finalise on‑the‑day items: late November 2026
- Send thank you cards: January to February 2027
What to Include: From Invitations to On‑the‑Day Details
A complete suite typically covers:
- Save the date cards and envelopes
- Main invitation, plus an RSVP route and key details
- Information card with timings, transport, accommodation and dress guidance
- Bespoke map for directions or parking
- Evening invitation for extra guests if applicable
- On‑the‑day stationery, such as wedding programmes, seating plan, table names, place cards, menus and signage
- Thank you cards
If you prefer a lighter set, combine the information card content into a concertina or add a QR code linking to a wedding website. Choose one RSVP method to keep tracking simple, either a small reply card or a digital link.
Save the Dates: How Far in Advance?
For UK weddings, send save the dates 8 to 12 months ahead. This gives guests time to book travel and avoid diary clashes. If your date is a school holiday, a summer Saturday or a destination event, choose the 12‑month mark. If you are newly engaged and eager to share sooner, ready‑to‑write options offer a quick start while you plan the main suite.
Invitations: When to Send and How Much in Advance?
Post invitations 6 to 8 weeks before your wedding date. Many couples choose 8 weeks for comfort, especially with larger guest lists. For bank holidays or remote venues, consider 10 to 12 weeks. Aim for a reply deadline 4 weeks before the day, so you can confirm seating and catering calmly.
If you are inviting additional guests for the evening, send evening invitations as soon as your daytime RSVPs indicate available capacity, or post both sets together with tailored wording.
Wedding Programmes: What Should Be Included?
Wedding programmes, also called order of service or order of the day, help guests follow the ceremony and celebrations. Include:
- Couple’s names, date and venue
- Brief outline of the ceremony, including entry music, readings, vows and signing
- Music titles and hymn lyrics if applicable
- Names of the wedding party and readers
- A simple timeline for post‑ceremony moments, such as confetti, photographs, drinks and the first dance
Keep the layout clean and legible. A coordinated programme ties your story together and becomes a tender keepsake.
On‑the‑Day Stationery: Practicalities and Polish
As RSVPs arrive, you can finalise quantities for:
- Seating plan boards
- Table names
- Place cards
- Menus, individual or one per table
- Wedding signs, such as a welcome sign, cards and gifts, guest book and bar list
Order these 3 to 4 weeks before your date, earlier if you are adding a new illustration or hand‑finished elements. If guest changes occur, keep a small reserve of blank place cards for last‑minute seating adjustments.
Bespoke Illustration, Venue Paintings and Custom Maps
Original hand‑drawn artwork elevates your suite and unifies each piece. Typical planning windows:
- Bespoke maps, 4 to 6 weeks from brief to print‑ready proofs
- Venue paintings, 6 to 8 weeks, allowing for sketches, colour studies and final print files
- Hand‑finishing across printed items, add 1 week within the production schedule
Begin these commissions before you place your main invitation order, so proofs are ready to integrate across save the dates, invitations, programmes and signage.
Coordinating Colourways and Finishes
Carry your palette from the first envelope to the last thank you note. A few tips:
- Choose one anchor motif, such as wildflowers, eucalyptus or a venue illustration, and repeat it thoughtfully across the suite
- Keep typography consistent, pairing a characterful display font with a clear, readable body font
- Align envelope colours and liners with your primary hues, and order all envelopes together for consistency
- Confirm paper weight, finish and composition early, so everything matches when reordering on‑the‑day items
- Request printed proofs for colour accuracy when timing allows
Semi‑bespoke collections are ideal when you want harmony without long lead times; bespoke commissions suit couples seeking artwork created uniquely for their day.
Shortlist, Book, Then Breathe
Booking a consultation early secures design time, proofs and delivery windows. It also ensures you have room for venue changes or guest list adjustments without stress. If you are mapping out a 2026 date and want handcrafted stationery that tells your story, consider a semi‑bespoke starting point with scope for a venue painting or custom map once your details are set.
Quick Answers to Common Questions
How far in advance should you send a save the date card? 8 to 12 months before the wedding in the UK, 12 months for peak dates or destination plans.
- How far in advance should wedding invitations be sent, and how much in advance should I send wedding invitations? 6 to 8 weeks is standard, with 10 to 12 weeks for bank holidays or long‑distance travel. Set RSVPs for 4 weeks before the date.
- What stationery do you need at a wedding? Invitations and information, an RSVP route, wedding programmes, seating plan, table names, place cards, menus and clear signage, plus thank you cards after the day.
- What should be on a wedding program? Ceremony order, music and readings, names of the wedding party, and a simple schedule for the rest of the day.
Ready to Plan Your Suite?
If you would like calm guidance, hand‑drawn artwork and small‑batch craftsmanship, Paper Willow offers semi‑bespoke and fully bespoke design services. You can explore personalised options and book a consultation to shape your 2026 suite. For a smooth start, browse wedding stationery invitations for inspiration, consider bespoke wedding stationery if you would like original illustrations, and choose save the dates early to set the tone for your celebration.
Internal links:
wedding stationery invitations: https://paperwillow.com/collections/wedding-invitations
bespoke wedding stationery: https://paperwillow.com/
save the dates: https://paperwillow.com/collections/save-the-date
Send your invitations with confidence, enjoy a well paced design process and let your stationery tell your story from first post to final thank you.
