Ordering your wedding invitations can be a little tricky - there are a lot of components to get together, and it’s easy to miss something. If you take the time to get everything together before heading out to your invitation appointment, (or going online to place your order), it will make the process much smoother.

So what do you need?

By the time you’re ready to order your Save the Dates:

Your finalized guest list

Yes, we are starting with a doozy!

This will serve two purposes - you will know how many save the dates to order (it’s the number of households, not the actual number of guests), and you will have your address list compiled!

Getting addresses together can be challenging, and it’s good to get that out of the way as soon as possible. We recommend organizing your guest list alphabetically, and writing out the addresses as you would like them to be written on your envelopes. It’s much easier to sort through and check that everyone is accounted for when it’s in an order beyond ‘when I decided to invite them’.

We also recommend numbering your guest list. That way, you can number your RSVP cards, and if someone sends one back without writing down their name (which happens more often then you would think), you’ll know who’s showing up.

The city you are getting married in

Ideally, you will have your venue picked out before you send out your save the dates - even if you have your heart set on a specific date, it’s good to have it for sure locked down before investing in your save the dates.

The date of your wedding

Photo by Jake + Heather

The general style of your wedding

You’ll hear it over and over, your invitations set the tone for the event. So even if you don’t have all the details finalized by the time you send out your save the dates, you should at least have an idea of what you’re shooting for. Pinterest boards come in handy here, especially if you’re getting custom invitations. Being able to visually compare your choices to a collection of images that are compelling to you is so helpful.

Your wedding website

Any special wording you would like to include

If you’re cool with the standard save the date wording, which is:

Save the Date!

1.2.34

Jane and John

New York, New York

then you’re good to go. If you have something else in mind, now is the time to have it prepared, so you can tell your stationer right from the get go.

Photo by Mikkel Paige Photography

When it’s time to order your invitations,

you will also need:

Your invitation wording.

We know that is a whole situation, so we’re always happy to answer any questions you may have, or offer guidance. You can also read our blog post about, and download our wording guide here.

When you need your guests to reply by

Check with your caterer to see when you need your final guest count, and then set your RSVP date a week or two before that. Despite everyone’s best intentions, there will be late responses, and lots of people will put their RSVP card in the mail the day it’s due - plan ahead so you’re not stressed out.

Any other questions you need to put on your RSVP card

You might need dietary restrictions, or for a plated meal, to have your guests choose their entree. You might want to ask for a favorite song, or a sweet love quote, or whatever - it’s good to get this this information finalized now!

The address you’d like your RSVP envelope to return

Any accommodations info

If you’re blocking rooms, it’s ideal to have that information up on your website as soon as possible. Often room blocks close up to a month before the wedding, so it’s good to get it out there fast. However, if you’re sending out an accommodations card, and sending your invitations out on the earlier side, it’s best to include it then. Lots of people won’t book their rooms until the actual invitation arrives, so it’s good to include it again. Information you will need is: the name and address of the hotel, the phone number and website, your room block code, and the date your guests must book by. I’m not recommending that you lie to your guests, but I’m also not NOT saying it’s a good idea to maybe bump that date up a few days, so stragglers can still get in no problem…

Directions, if you’re including a directions card

Write out your turn by turn directions, being sure to include any landmarks and pitfalls that may occur along the way.

Photo by Mikkel Paige Photography

If you’re getting a custom map, you will need:

A screenshot of a google map of all the places you’d like included on the map, highlighting roads you definitely want included. You can build a map here. google.com/mymaps

Images of each location you’d like illustrated. Preferably high quality, and from several different angles, if possible.

The name/address of each location as you’d like it to appear on the map, with any additional information you’d like included. (for example: this is where we met! it has the best biscuits in town, so be sure to grab one, and tell them you’re here for our wedding!)

What you’d like the title of your map to be. Usually this includes the couple’s name, and the name of the city, but it can be whatever you want. (example: True Love Started Here: a map of where we met, fell in love, and will be married.) ( I realize that is cheesy, but I am a stationer, not an author so…)

If you’re getting a reception card:

Your reception card wording, and the name and address of the location of your reception.

If you’re having your envelopes addressed:

This is where that guest list comes in handy - since you’ve had it ready since your save the dates, now you can just send a copy over, easy peasy!

And that about covers it! You can click here to download our handy checklist for making sure you have your information all ready to go, and be sure to comment or email if you have any questions! We are here to help.

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What you need to be 100% prepared to order your wedding stationery: