How Many Wedding Invitations to Order & When to Send Them

Ordering wedding invitations is one of the most exciting parts of your wedding planning, but it can quickly become overwhelming if you’re not sure where to start. The good news is, with a few practical tips and some thoughtful preparation, you can avoid costly mistakes and get your stationery sorted with ease.

A common misconception is that you need to order one invitation per guest. In reality, you only need to send one invitation per couple or household, not per individual. For example, a family of four living at the same address only needs one invitation.

To make sure you have enough, we recommend ordering 10% more than your calculated number. These extras can cover:

• Any mistakes when addressing or writing

• Last-minute guest list additions

• Keepsakes or spares for photographs

Reordering a small number of invitations later may be possible, but could incur minimum order quantities and extra postage fees, so it’s best to get your quantities right the first time.

Ordering your invitations at the right time helps everything else fall into place. As a general rule, you should order your wedding invitations 6 months before your wedding day. This gives you enough time to:

• Approve designs and proofs

• Receive and check your order

• Handwrite or personalise each invitation

• Collect guest addresses

• Post everything on time

You’ll want to send your invitations out at least 3 months before the wedding, giving your guests time to RSVP and plan.

In some cases, you may need to send invitations even earlier:

If you're getting married during a popular holiday period, guests may need more notice to plan time off or arrange travel. Send invites 4 to 6 months in advance if possible.

For weddings abroad, give your guests 6 to 12 months' notice. This allows them to book flights, arrange accommodation, and prepare travel documents. Include additional information like hotel suggestions, travel options, and dress codes using a guest information card. These are usually designed to match your invitation and fit into the same envelope for ease and elegance.

To ensure everything goes smoothly when it’s time to place your order, keep the following in mind:

Have your invitation wording ready before ordering. This includes:

• Names

• Wedding date and time

• Ceremony and reception addresses

• RSVP details

• Gift information (if applicable)

Not having this prepared can delay your order significantly.

If you’re including RSVP cards, guest information cards, or poem/request cards, make sure you order them at the same time. This keeps your design cohesive and saves time and money on separate orders.

Stationery designers and printers often need 2–4 weeks to complete your order, especially during busy seasons. Always check the estimated lead time before placing your order, and add postage and delivery time on top of that. If you're in a rush, see if express delivery options are available.

When collecting your guests' addresses, store them somewhere safe and easy to access. These will also come in handy when it’s time to send thank you cards after the big day.

Once your invitations arrive, don’t leave them in the box. Check them straight away for:

• Spelling or time errors

• Print quality

• Damage during shipping

This gives you enough time to fix any problems before it’s too late.

Getting your wedding invitations right is all about planning ahead and being organised. By understanding how many to order, when to send them, and what extras to consider, you’ll be well on your way to a stress-free stationery experience.

Need help with designing or wording your invitations? The team at Dotty About Paper are always happy to assist with personalisation, matching accessories, and expert guidance to make your wedding stationery perfect.