You said yes! — and now that the excitement is setting in, it’s time to start thinking about your wedding stationery. Between save the dates, invitations, and day-of paper details, there’s a lot to plan — and knowing when to order wedding invitations can help your entire wedding feel beautifully organized from the start.

 

Below, I’ve outlined a simple wedding invitation timeline and stationery checklist to help you stay on track and stress-free.

 
1. Save the Dates

Order: 8–12 months before your wedding
Mail: 6–10 months before your wedding

 

 
2. Wedding Invitations

Order: 4–6 months before your wedding
Mail: 8–10 weeks before your wedding

 

 
3. Day-Of Stationery

Order: 2–3 months before your wedding

 

• Ceremony programs
• Menus
• Place cards or escort cards
• Table numbers
• Signage (welcome signs, seating charts, bar menus)
• Thank You Cards (this will allow you to write your thank you cards promptly after returning from your honeymoon!)

Your wedding stationery timeline should flow seamlessly — by starting early, you’ll have time to coordinate fonts, colors, and paper so every piece feels cohesive and intentional.

 

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Here's your Complete Wedding Stationery List - Be sure to screenshot and save for later!

• Save the Dates
• Wedding Invitations & Enclosures
• RSVP Cards
• Envelopes (and addressing)
• Programs
• Menus
• Escort Cards / Place Cards
• Table Numbers
• Welcome Sign
• Seating Chart
• Thank-You Cards

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A well-planned stationery timeline means you’ll never feel rushed — and every piece will feel perfectly designed to match your celebration.

 
✨Ready to start your custom stationery journey? Let’s design something beautiful together.

 
When should I send my wedding invitations?

Traditionally, invitations are mailed 8-10 weeks before the wedding. In my professional experience, it's best to also factor in a little extra time to accommodate for the unpredictability of USPS. My recommendation for mailing is 12 weeks before the wedding. If you’re planning a destination celebration, you’ll want to send them closer to 14 weeks in advance so guests have ample travel time.

 

While not required, save the dates are highly recommended! Especially for Indianapolis weddings during busy seasons, such as the month of May, or during Colts football season. 

 

Envelope addressing can feel intimidating, but it’s an important detail! Formal invitations should use full names (no nicknames), with titles like “Mr.” and “Mrs.” always in use. As a local designer, I also offer guest addressing services so your envelopes arrive polished and consistent. I will also help guide you in different formats for unmarried couples, guests who do not receive a "plus one," and households where a large group of people are invited. It's best to leave it to us professionals on envelope addressing!

 

At minimum: the invitation, an RSVP card, and envelopes. Many Central Indiana brides also choose to include details cards with accommodations, a schedule of events, or transportation info. Custom monograms, maps, and fine art illustrations are also popular for Midwest couples who want an elevated and elegant touch.

 

Etiquette says no — registry details should not appear on the invitation itself. Instead, let guests know that "additional wedding details" are available on your wedding website (then post the registry links directly on your website). 

 

Request RSVPs 4-5 weeks before the wedding date. This will allow you enough time to track down unresponsive guests, and to provide final headcounts and seating charts to your wedding vendors. If you’re offering meal choices, include a clear way for guests to indicate their preference!

 

If both events are at the same location, one card is plenty. If they’re at different venues, it’s best to list these locations on separate cards, so guests don’t miss any details.

 

Wording can vary based on tradition, family dynamics, and personal preference. Whether you’re hosting a classic black-tie wedding in downtown Indianapolis or a countryside celebration in Carmel or Zionsville, I’ll help you craft wording that feels both appropriate and personal.

 

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Your invitations set the tone for your entire wedding day — they’re the very first impression your guests receive. By working with a local Indianapolis invitation designer, you not only get custom designs tailored to your vision, but also expert guidance on etiquette, timelines, and all the little details that make your stationery flawless.

 

If you’re planning your wedding in Central Indiana—or anywhere across the Midwest—I’d love to help you create invitations that are both beautiful and perfectly proper! Contact me today for a custom proposal and complimentary Zoom call.

Lauryn and Zachary’s love story has always been rooted in thoughtfulness and elegance — and their June 2024 wedding at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel, Indiana reflected that beautifully. Surrounded by family and friends, they celebrated not just a marriage, but the joining of two lives filled with intention, style, and joy.

 

 

 

Nestled in the heart of Carmel City Center, Hotel Carmichael set the stage for this unforgettable celebration. With the guidance of Bridget Davis Events, every detail came together seamlessly — from the five-tier cake to the all-white floral arrangements — creating a day guests will always remember.

 

Their wedding stationery suite was a true reflection of their refined style. We created a custom invitation suite that featured:

• A bespoke monogram crest carried throughout the wedding day
• A fine art illustration of Hotel Carmichael
• Dusty blue and soft beige hues, paired with elegant calligraphy
• Stacked cards bundled with chiffon ribbon and a hand-poured gold wax seal

For the ceremony, guests were greeted with program fans on vintage-style wooden handles — a thoughtful nod to (and a way to keep cool on) the warm June day. As guests entered the ceremony space, a custom "Unplugged Ceremony" sign reminded guests to turn off all electronics, so they can be fully present as the couple exchanged vows.

 

 

 

Their wedding reception leaned into the established aesthetic inside the Hotel Carmichael ballroom - soft whites, grays and delicate ornate elements. With Lauryn and Zachary’s wedding palette of whites and ivories — accented with gold details — the ballroom glowed with monochromatic linens and servingware, lush all-white floral centerpieces by Satin and Stems, and the warm flicker of gold mercury glass votive candles. Their five-tier cake was also a showstopper — standing tall and elegant, echoing the sophistication of the evening.

 
The couple's paperie details included a menu & place card combo (we tied the place cards onto the menu with silk ribbon), and simple (but elegant!) table numbers that were displayed in vintage-inspired gold stands. Their table numbers also featured their beloved monogram crest, tying their signature style into their wedding reception tablescapes.

 

 

The day was filled with unforgettable moments. The ceremony was beautifully accompanied by The Indy Harpist, setting a serene and romantic tone. At the reception, guests danced the night away to lively performances from the Bluewater Kings Band and DJ Mae, with extra fun captured at The Simple DJ’s photo booth. Every memory was preserved through the stunning lens of Danielle Harris Photography and the cinematic storytelling of Dustin’s Vision.

 

From the custom stationery to the music and florals, Lauryn and Zachary’s wedding was a celebration of love, style, and intentional design. Hotel Carmichael offered the perfect blend of luxury and charm for their unforgettable day.

 

 

 

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Planner: Bridget Davis Events
Photographer: Danielle Harris Photography
Videography: Dustin's Vision
Venue: Hotel Carmichael
Florist: Satin and Stems
Beauty: Kathryn's Bridal Bar
Ceremony Entertainment: The Indy Harpist
Reception Entertainment I: Bluewater Kings Band
Reception Entertainment II: DJ Mae
Invitation Suite & Reception Paper: Interprintations
Photo Booth: The Simple DJ