9 Month Timeline for ordering Bar/Bat Mitzvah and Wedding Invitations
Technology certainly makes everything easier these days and that includes the invitation selection and ordering process. One of the advantages is that you often can save some time and begin your process a little later than used to be necessary.
Follow this frazzle-free timeline as a guide – remember, you always should do what works for you with the ultimate goal of getting invitations out no later than 6 weeks prior to your event…8 weeks is even better, especially if you have a lot of out of town guests who need to make travel arrangements.
7 to 12 months
Send a Save-the-Date card…if you have less than 5 months, don’t worry about it; the invite will be in the mail soon.
6 months to 9 months
Start to look for your invitations, determine which style suits you for the type of event you’re planning. Do you want classic or contemporary, engraved or thermography or maybe letterpress?
5 to 6 months
Write invitation wording
Order invitations – this leaves you plenty of time to see a proof before final printing, make any necessary changes and get them back without having to rush the process.
4 months
Print maps/directions, hotel information & any other weekend itinerary info
Address, stuff, seal, stamp…make sure you check postage before you buy the stamps!
8 weeks
Mail invitations, rehearsal dinner invites hotel information and any post event brunch invitation
4 weeks
Order place cards, napkins, kippas
Begin work on seating chart
2-3 weeks out
You should have all RSVPs by now; start printing the place cards.
1 week out
Complete seating chart and place cards
Day of
Enjoy your event!
As a side note, I know that there are numerous details over the 9 to 12 month planning period. Invites Ink! has worked with wonderful vendors over the past dozen years. Feel free to call me for additional resources. I can provide referrals in the following categories: selecting a venue, choosing a photographer, planning the honeymoon, finding a caterer or hiring the entertainment. Email me! or call 248-258-1657.
