In short, no, save the date cards are not mandatory. However, they are a thoughtful courtesy for your guests. These cards not only announce your engagement but also provide basic information, allowing your guests ample time to make travel arrangements and ensure they can join in your celebration.

Are save the date cards necessary?

If you’d prefer the timeline delivered straight to your inbox, you can also join my newsletter to receive a clear, easy-to-reference stationery timeline you can revisit as you plan.

For a deeper look at wedding stationery timelines, from save the dates through day-of pieces, check out my blog post, The Wedding Stationery Checklist Every Couple Should Follow.

I recommend ordering your wedding invitations 8-10 months before your wedding date. This timeline ensures ample time for design, printing, addressing, and mailing, allowing your guests plenty of time to RSVP.

When should we order our invitations?

There is no set answer.

Not the response you were expecting? There are many factors that contribute to your stationery investment... quantity, print method, and the number of different pieces, to name a few. However, a good rule of thumb is to set aside 8%- 10% of your total wedding budget for stationery.

If you're envisioning a more elaborate suite with features like letterpress, wax seals, envelope liners, silk ribbons, and vintage postage, consider setting aside around 12-15% of your total budget to accommodate these special touches.

How much should we budget?

If you’re unsure which pieces are truly necessary (and which are optional), I break it all down in my blog post, "What to Include in Your Wedding Invitation Suite", so you can make informed decisions without overcomplicating the process.

The short answer, it depends. Okay, here me out. Before you can answer that question, ask yourself this: "What information do I need to share with my guests, and how do I want to share it?"

You already know you need the invitation, a response card, and envelopes. Beyond that, it depends on the answer to the above question. Do you have a website you plan to direct your guests to? You'll need a card providing them with that information. Are you planning a full weekend with multiple events? You'll want to include a brief itinerary and a way for them to RSVP to each.

What stationery pieces do we truly need?

For a more detailed breakdown, including examples and common ordering mistakes to avoid, you can read How Many Wedding Invitations Should You Order? for step-by-step guidance.

How many invitation should we order?

If you’d prefer the timeline delivered straight to your inbox, you can also join my newsletter to receive a clear, easy-to-reference stationery timeline you can revisit as you plan.

For a deeper look at wedding stationery timelines, from save the dates through day-of pieces, check out my blog post, The Wedding Stationery Checklist Every Couple Should Follow.

I recommend mailing your wedding invitations 8-10 weeks before the wedding date. This timeline ensures your guests have enough time to RSVP and make necessary arrangements.

For destination weddings or events during peak travel seasons, consider sending them 14-16 weeks in advance.

When should we mail our invitations?

If you’d like a clearer understanding of postage costs and what affects them, I walk through it in detail in my blog post, "How Much Does it Cost to Mail Wedding Invitations," so you know exactly what to expect before heading to the post office.

The most accurate way to determine the correct postage for your wedding suite is to bring a fully assembled invitation to the USPS for weighing.

Feeling stressed about this? With my white glove service, I handle the entire process for you, from assembling your invitations to determining and applying the correct postage, so you can relax and focus on other aspects of your wedding.

How do we determine the correct postage for our invitations?