Wedding Stationery Planning Guide

Planning your wedding stationery can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. This guide walks you through what to order, when to order it, how many pieces you'll need for your guest count, and exactly how ordering your handmade wedding invitations with us works, from your first sample to the day your invitations arrive.

Your wedding stationery timeline

9–12 months before: save the dates

Let guests know the date is coming, especially for destination weddings, long weekends or peak-season dates.

Quantity: 1 per household (not per guest), plus 10–15% extra for last-minute additions.

4–6 months before: order your invitation suite

Your invitation sets the tone for the whole day. Order a sample, choose your design, paper colour and ink colour, and send us your wording. Ordering at this stage leaves plenty of time for proofs, printing, shipping and addressing your envelopes.

Quantity: 1 invitation per household, plus 10–15% extra.
Usually includes: invitation, details card, RSVP card and envelopes.
Tip: order every piece of your suite together so the paper and print match.

8–12 weeks before: post your invitations

Aim to post invitations 8–12 weeks before the wedding (around 3 months for destination weddings or international guests), with your RSVP date 4–6 weeks before the day.

Our handmade envelopes aren't pre-gummed, so allow time to seal each one with glue, double-sided tape or a wax seal. Because they're paper, place each sealed invitation inside a waterproof mailer bag before posting so it arrives clean and dry.

4–6 weeks before: menus and place cards

Day-of stationery is usually finalised once your RSVPs are in and your guest numbers and seating plan are confirmed.

Menus: 1 per guest, or 1 per couple if shared.
Place cards: 1 per guest, plus 5–10 extras for last-minute seating changes.

Within 3 months after: thank you cards

Order them before the wedding so you're ready to write as soon as you're home from your honeymoon.

Quantity: roughly 1 per household that gave a gift (typically 60–80% of your guest count).

How ordering your wedding invitations works

1. Order a sample (optional, but recommended)

Every invitation design can be ordered as a sample: the invitation and envelope plus one other item of your choice, such as a details card, RSVP or save the date. It's the best way to feel the cotton rag paper, see the deckle edge and check the paper and ink colours in person before you order your full set. You can also order our paper sample pack to compare every paper colour.

2. Choose your design, colours and quantity

Browse our wedding invitation designs and filter by style: calligraphy, modern minimal or botanical and illustrated. Every design can be printed in any ink colour, and you choose your paper colour from our handmade cotton rag range. Invitations are ordered in sets of 10, from 10 up to 250. Need more, or a mix of designs? Get in touch for a quote.

3. Build out your suite

The invitation price covers the invitation card only, so add the pieces you need:

Details card for accommodation, dress code, transport, timings or your wedding website.
RSVP card, or simply add your RSVP website or QR code to your invitation or details card.
Deckle edge envelopes in a matching or contrasting colour.
Menus and place cards for the day itself.
Pure silk ribbon and wax seals to finish each invitation.

4. Send us your wording

Once your order is in, send us the wording for each piece. Having this ready speeds things up:

Your names, as you'd like them to appear, and who is hosting (you, your families or your parents).
Date, time and the full venue name and address for your ceremony and reception.
Your RSVP date and how guests should reply: RSVP card, email, phone or wedding website.
Anything for the details card: accommodation, dress code, transport, gifts, children, timings.

5. Approve your proof

We'll turn your wording into a digital proof within 3–4 business days. You get up to three rounds of free revisions to get every detail exactly right, and nothing goes to print until you're completely happy.

6. Printing, quality checks and shipping

From approval, allow 5–10 working days for printing and quality checks, then your invitations are on their way to you. We ship worldwide from New Zealand, and US orders ship with duty and tariffs paid. See our shipping page for delivery times to your country.

How long does it take?

Step	Allow
Sample (optional)	Order and receive before you choose your design
Digital proof	3–4 business days after we receive your wording
Revisions	Up to three rounds, usually a few days each
Printing and quality checks	5–10 working days after you approve your proof
Shipping	Depends on your country, see our shipping page

As a guide, place your order at least 6–8 weeks before you want to post your invitations. That leaves time for proofs, printing, delivery and addressing your envelopes without any rush.

Wedding invitation wording examples

Use these as a starting point. We can lay out any wording you like.

Traditional, hosted by parents

Mr and Mrs David Thompson
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their daughter
Olivia Rose
to
James Patrick Walker
Saturday, the fourteenth of March
two thousand and twenty-seven
at three o'clock in the afternoon
The Botanical Gardens, Wellington
Reception to follow

Together with their families

Together with their families
Olivia Thompson and James Walker
invite you to celebrate their marriage
Saturday 14 March 2027 at 3pm
The Botanical Gardens, Wellington
Dinner and dancing to follow

Relaxed and modern

Olivia and James are getting married!
Join us for vows, dinner and dancing
Saturday 14 March 2027, 3pm
The Botanical Gardens, Wellington
Kindly reply by 31 January

Quantity guide by guest count

Invitations and RSVPs are counted per household; menus and place cards per guest.

Guest count	Invitations	RSVPs	Menus	Place cards	Thank you cards
50 guests	30–35	30–35	50–55	50–55	30–40
75 guests	45–50	45–50	75–85	75–85	45–60
100 guests	60–65	60–65	100–110	100–110	60–80
150 guests	85–95	85–95	150–165	150–165	90–120
200 guests	110–120	110–120	200–220	200–220	120–160

Invitations are sold in sets of 10, so round up to the next 10.

Tips for handmade paper stationery

Order everything together. Handmade cotton rag paper varies slightly between batches, so ordering your full suite at once keeps the colour and texture consistent.
Order a few extras. We recommend 10–15% above your household count for keepsakes, photos and late additions.
See the paper first. Order a sample to feel the texture and weight and check the colours in natural light.
Address envelopes by hand or with labels. Deckle edge envelopes are too thick for most home printers, so hand lettering, a calligrapher or printed labels work best.
Seal your envelopes yourself. Our envelopes aren't pre-gummed. A glue stick, double-sided tape or a wax seal all work well.
Post them in a waterproof mailer bag. Handmade paper envelopes aren't waterproof, so pop each invitation into a waterproof mailer bag before posting to protect it from rain and handling.

Ready to start?

Have a question about your order or timeline? Get in touch and we'll help you plan.