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Selecting the Invitations
By Megan Mercer
Last Update: February 14, 2008

Where can I find wedding invitations & when should I start looking?
Wedding invitations can be purchased at most print shops, some gift/stationary shops, and even on the Internet. It's never too early to begin your hunt for the perfect wedding invitation. You should plan on spending an hour or two just thumbing through invitation catalogs.

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When should I order the invitations?
Plan on ordering the invitations at least three months before the wedding. Most mass-produced invitation orders are printed within three to four weeks, but ordering far in advance is always a good idea to allow for any unexpected mishaps. The invitations should be mailed at least two months before the wedding, so be sure to give your self enough time to address, stamp, and stuff the envelopes.

Obviously since the time, date, and locations will all appear on the invitations you should have all of this information set in stone before you even think about ordering the invitations.

How many invitations should I order?
Before you order your invitations you will want to compose a preliminary guest list to get a feel for how many invitations you need to buy. Plan on ordering one invitation for each couple or family with children, two for single people who are bringing guests you know (the guests should receive their own invitations), one for each single guest over 18, and at least 25 extra invitations to keep as mementos and allow for correcting mistakes.

Knowing how many exactly how many invites you need when selecting your invitations will help you stay within your budget. Then you can steer clear of the invitations that are out of your price range and focus on getting the most bang for your buck. Don't forget about the added cost of postage!

Selecting the right invitation.
The style and design of your wedding invitation is very important. The invitation is the first thing that your guest will see from your wedding. Think about the style, size, and level of formality of your wedding as you select your invitations. These characteristics should be reflected in the style, design, wording of your invitation. For more info on wording the invitation, click here.

Ordering from catalogs is the most popular means of selecting invitations these days. Keep in mind that these catalogs contain samples of pre-designed invitations—meaning that the paper color, paper stock, borders, and ornamentation have already been set. You may then pick out the color of the ink, the style of the script, and the words to use. Some invitations come complete with phrasing; all you do is supply the information for your wedding and the manufacturer does the rest.

What about other stationery—Reception Cards, Thank You Note's, Announcements, etc?
You should know what you are going to need beyond the actual invitation before you begin your order. You will probably want matching thank you notes, announcements, and so on. Thus all of these pieces should be ordered at the time to keep all of your stationery consistent.

When should you mail the invitations?
The invitations should be mailed two months before the wedding. This allows your guests plenty of time to RSVP, make travel arrangements, purchase a gift, etc. Plan on making a trip to the post office to have your invitations weighed to determine the exact postage needed. Don't forget you also need to include postage on any RSVP cards that are to be mailed back to you!