Your Complete

Wedding Stationery Timeline

A C O M P A N I O N F O R B R I D E S

F R O M B E T T Y L U P A P E R I E

va l e r i e f r e e m a n
– “amen”?
Founder of Betty Lu Paperie
Wedding etiquette consultant for
BRIDES Magazine
Featured in BRIDES,
Martha Stewart Weddings,
Wedding Chicks, TheKnot
and more
and here to help make your wedding
stationery journey a little less
complicated!
Hello, dear!
So, you’re ready to make your
wedding official and get started
on stationery...
You want gorgeous invitations that
you can show your grandbabies
one day...
And you want to do it all without
being overwhelmed…
But, you have no idea where
to get started. Can I get an
As a stationery designer since 2013,
I’ve been through everything from
rushing a last-minute order
to the press to helping clients
with tricky wedding invitation
wording.
I can help you plan your stationery
without the overwhelm–because I
know exactly what it’s like to be in
your Jimmy Choo bridal pumps
(or those sparkly Keds–all about
comfort!).
It started like this: It was
midnight, the night before my
wedding when I realized I did
everything wrong.
Since I created all of my own
stationery, I stayed up almost all
night the night before our wedding
making place cards and putting the
finishing touches on our wedding
programs.
I was completely overwhelmed,
exhausted and stressed with last-
B E T T Y LU PA P E R I E |
minute details. Ugh–if only I had
planned better.
I could have spent the night before
out with my fiancé and all of our
friends. I could have gone to the
spa. Or, I could have just gotten
some much needed beauty rest.
But, there I was–adding ribbon
and trimmings to all of our day-of
paper goods through the night.
During my midnight aha! moment,
I knew that if I opened a wedding
stationery business, my focus would
be on making everything stress
free for my clients.
Honestly, someone should help you
navigate through all of those little
paper details of what you really
need (or don’t need) and help you
develop a timeline to get it done.
You hire a wedding planner for
the big day, why not hire a
stationery planner? (Or at least
get some free, professional advice
from one.)
You’re here because you’re ready to
make your wedding official through
stationery without getting stressed
out.
And I’m here to show you how.
Let’s make stationery a piece of
cake!
xo,Valerie
Page 2.
 s tay on track

Your Stationery Checklist

PRE-WEDDING WEDDING SIGNAGE
Engagement Announcements (optional) Guestbook Sign In
Engagement Party Invitations (optional) Cards and Gifts
Bridesmaid Proposal Cards (optional) Remembrance Table Sign (optional)
Save the Date Cards Hashtag Sign (optional)
Wedding Shower Invitations (optional) Photobooth Sign (optional)
Rehearsal Dinner Invitations Open Bar Sign (optional)
Bachelorette Party Invitations (optional) Signature Cocktails Sign (optional)
Bar Menu Sign (optional)
Coffee Bar Sign (optional)
I NV I TAT I O N S U I T E
Wedding Food Bar Signs (optional)
Wedding Invitations
Buffet: Food Labels or Table Tent Signs (optional)
RSVP Cards
Sparkler Exit Sign (optional)
Accommodation Cards (optional)
Or, general Wedding Exit Sign
Reception Cards (optional)
Wedding Favors Sign
Website Details Cards (optional)
Or, In Lieu of Favors Sign
Misc. Wedding Details Cards (optional)
Thank You to Guests sign (optional)
Wedding Program Sign (optional)
I N V I T A T I O N A S S E M B LY S U P P L I E S Wedding Menu Sign (optional)
Envelope Moistener
Postage
MISCELLANEOUS
Return Address Stamp (optional)
Wedding Favor Tags or Labels (optional)
Advice to the Bride and Groom Cards (optional)
WEDDING WELCOME GIFTS (OPTIONAL) Recipe Cards (optional)
Welcome Note
Welcome Bag Tags or Welcome Box Labels
Wedding Weekend Itinerary Cards

WEDDING CEREMONY
Programs (optional)
Wedding Welcome Sign (optional)
Unplugged Wedding Sign (optional)
Reserved Seating Sign or Chair Tags
Guestbook

S E AT I NG P L A N
Seating Chart or Escort Cards
Place Cards (optional)
Reserved Table Sign or Chair Tags
Or, a No Seating Plan Sign (optional)
POST-WEDDING
W E DDI NG TA B L E DEC O R Wedding Thank You Cards
Table Numbers (optional) Wedding Announcements (optional)
Menus (optional) Return Address Stamp with your new name and address
Table Thank You Note for each place setting (optional) Social Stationery with your new name or monogram

B E T T Y LU PA P E R I E | Page 3.
 “Valerie made this aspect of my
wedding planning so much less
stressful. I was SO appreciative
that she was so prompt and organized.
And going back to the wedding
stationery: OMG! Flawless. They are
BEAUTIFUL, even down to the pretty
packaging she sends them in.”
B R O O K E G O T T F R I E D

G I B S O N B U R G , O H
 wedding s tat i o n e r y
Engagement: One Year or Longer
9-12 MONTHS BEFORE
9 Set your wedding date
9 Finalize guest list and collect guest addresses
9 Order invitation samples from desired vendors
9 Order and mail Engagement Announcements (optional)
9 Order and mail Bridesmaid Proposal Cards (optional)
9 Destination Weddings: Order and Mail Save the Date Cards
nine months (or more) in advance of your event date.
4-6 MONTHS BEFORE
9 Order Rehearsal Dinner Invitations and postage
9 Have invitation envelopes addressed by your calligrapher
(optional)
9 Mail Wedding Invitations at least 10-12 weeks in
advance of your event date
9 Order Wedding Guestbook (optional)
9 1-2 MONTHS BEFORE
9 9
9 Confirm all guest rsvps (by phone or mail) asap
9 Order a Seating Chart or Escort Cards or a No Seating
Plan sign
9 Order Place Cards (optional)
9 Order Reserved Table Signs or Chair Tags (optional)
9 Order Table Numbers (optional)
9 Order Wedding Table Thank You Notes (optional)
9 Order all small Wedding Signage, i.e. guestbook sign,
cards and gifts sign, wedding favors sign, etc. (optional)
B E T T Y LU PA P E R I E |
timeline
6-9 MONTHS BEFORE
9 Book your stationery designer and/or calligrapher
9 Order and mail Save the Date Cards
9 Order Wedding Invitations and postage
9 Order Thank You Cards
9 Order and mail Pre-Wedding Stationery: bachelorette
party invitations, wedding shower invitations,
engagement party invitations, etc. (if applicable)
9 Destination Weddings: Mail Wedding Invitations six months
(or more) in advance of your event date.
2-4 MONTHS BEFORE
9 Mail Rehearsal Invitations
9 Order Wedding Programs (optional): Don’t forget to
confirm the order of ceremony with your officiant for
program wording
9 Order Menus (optional)
9 Order any large wedding signs: Signature Cocktails
Sign, Wedding Welcome Sign, Ungplugged Ceremony
Sign, etc. (optional)
9 Order Wedding Welcome Bag/Box Tags or Labels,
Wedding Weekend Itinerary Cards, and/or Wedding
Welcome Notes (optional)
9 1-2 MONTHS AFTER
9 Mail Thank You Cards to all guests who came to your
wedding and anyone else who sent you a gift
9 Mail Wedding Announcements (optional)
9 Order Social Stationery, like notecards or folded cards,
with your new married name or an heirloom couple’s
monogram
9 Order a Return Address Stamp with your new mailing
address (optional)
Page 5.
 wedding s tat i o n e r y timeline

Engagement: 6 Months or Longer

6 MONTHS BEFORE 5 MONTHS BEFORE

9 Set your wedding date 9 Order Thank You Cards

9 Finalize guest list and collect guest addresses 9 Have invitation envelopes addressed by your calligrapher
(optional)
9 Book your stationery designer and/or calligrapher
9 Order and mail Pre-Wedding Stationery: bachelorette
9 Order Wedding Invitations and postage
party invitations, wedding shower invitations,
9 Order and mail Engagement Announcements (optional) engagement party invitations, etc. (if applicable)
9 Order and mail Save the Date Cards
9 Order and mail Bridesmaid Proposal Cards (optional)
9 Destination Weddings: Mail Wedding Invitations six months
(or more) in advance of your event date.

4 MONTHS BEFORE 3 MONTHS BEFORE

9 Order Rehearsal Dinner Invitations and postage 9 Mail Rehearsal Invitations

9 Mail Wedding Invitations at least 10-12 weeks in 9 Order Wedding Programs (optional): Don’t forget to
advance of your event date confirm the order of ceremony with your officiant for
program wording
9 Order Wedding Guestbook (optional)
9 Order Menus (optional)
9 Order any large wedding signs: Signature Cocktails
Sign, Wedding Welcome Sign, Ungplugged Ceremony
Sign, etc. (optional)
9 Order Wedding Welcome Bag/Box Tags or Labels,
Wedding Weekend Itinerary Cards, and/or Wedding
Welcome Notes (optional)

9 1-2 MONTHS BEFORE 9 1-2 MONTHS AFTER

9 9
9 Confirm all guest rsvps (by phone or mail) asap 9 Mail Thank You Cards to all guests who came to your
wedding and anyone else who sent you a gift
9 Order a Seating Chart or Escort Cards or a No Seating
Plan sign 9 Mail Wedding Announcements (optional)
9 Order Place Cards (optional) 9 Order Social Stationery, like notecards or folded cards,
with your new married name or an heirloom couple’s
9 Order Reserved Table Signs or Chair Tags (optional)
monogram
9 Order Table Numbers (optional)
9 Order a Return Address Stamp with your new mailing
9 Order Wedding Table Thank You Notes (optional) address (optional)
9 Order all small Wedding Signage, i.e. guestbook sign,
cards and gifts sign, wedding favors sign, etc. (optional)

B E T T Y LU PA P E R I E | Page 6.
 wedding s tat i o n e r y timeline

Engagement: 3 Months or Longer

3 MONTHS BEFORE 10 WEEKS BEFORE

9 Set your wedding date 9 Mail Wedding Invitations at least 8-10 weeks in advance
of your event date
9 Finalize guest list and collect guest addresses
9 Order Thank You Cards
9 Book your stationery designer and/or calligrapher
9 Order and mail Rehearsal Dinner Invitations
9 Have envelopes addressed by your calligrapher (optional)
9 Order Wedding Guestbook (optional)
9 Order Wedding Invitations and postage
9 Order Wedding Programs (optional): Don’t forget to
9 Order and mail Bridesmaid Proposal Cards (optional)
confirm the order of ceremony with your officiant for
9 Order and mail Pre-Wedding Stationery: bachelorette program wording
party invitations, wedding shower invitations,
engagement party invitations, etc. (if applicable)

8 WEEKS BEFORE 6 WEEKS BEFORE

9 Order Menus (optional) 9 Order Wedding Table Thank You Notes (optional)
9 Order any large wedding signs: Signature Cocktails 9 Order all small Wedding Signage, i.e. guestbook sign,
Sign, Wedding Welcome Sign, Ungplugged Ceremony cards and gifts sign, wedding favors sign, etc. (optional)
Sign, etc. (optional)
9 Order Reserved Table Signs or Chair Tags (optional)
9 Order Wedding Welcome Bag/Box Tags or Labels,
Wedding Weekend Itinerary Cards, and/or Wedding
Welcome Notes (optional)

9 1 MONTH BEFORE 9 1-2 MONTHS AFTER

9 9
9 Confirm all guest rsvps (by phone or mail) asap 9 Mail Thank You Cards to all guests who came to your
wedding and anyone else who sent you a gift
9 Order a Seating Chart or Escort Cards or a No Seating
Plan sign 9 Mail Wedding Announcements (optional)
9 Order Place Cards (optional) 9 Order Social Stationery, like notecards or folded cards,
with your new married name or an heirloom couple’s
9 Order Table Numbers (optional)
monogram
9 Order a Return Address Stamp with your new mailing
address (optional)

B E T T Y LU PA P E R I E | Page 7.
“Our wedding invitations are gorgeous;
absolutely stunning. The colors, font
and presentation are unique and better
than anything we could have wished for.
Valerie is just amazing to work with!
She was so helpful with answering
questions and crafting our beautiful
wedding suite. Thank you, Valerie!”
K I M L U T Z

W E A T O G U E , C T
 wedding s tat i o n e r y budget

Your Guide to Invitation Costs

How much should you spend on stationery? It is recommended to set aside 3-7% of your entire wedding budget for wedding
invitations and day-of wedding stationery. For example, if your wedding budget is $20,000, expect to spend between
$600 and $1,400 on wedding invitations and day-of wedding stationery.

Here’s what you can expect when it comes to ordering wedding invitations from Betty Lu Paperie:
100 Digitally Printed Wedding Invitations with Response Cards on Single Ply Paper with blank envelopes: $517
100 Letterpress Wedding Invitations with Response Cards on Single Ply Paper with blank envelopes: $1,299
100 Foil Printed Wedding Invitations with Response Cards on Double Thick Paper with guest and return address printing: $2,163

$550 OR LESS $1,000-$2,500 $2,500+

100 Invitations and RSVP Cards 100 Invitations and RSVP Cards 100 Invitations and RSVP Cards
with envelopes with envelopes with envelopes

Digital Printing Digital, Letterpress, or Digital, Letterpress, or

Foil Printing Foil Printing

Single Ply Paper Single Ply or Double Thick Paper Single Ply or Double Thick Paper

Envelope Address Printing Envelope Address Printing

(Possibly) One details card, depending on 1-2 details cards

invitation print method chosen

(Possibly) Embellishments like Embellishments like

Wax Seals, Belly Bands, Lined Wax Seals, Belly Bands, Lined
Envelopes, or Vellum Wraps Envelopes, or Vellum Wraps

Full invitation suite assembly and

mailing services

B E T T Y LU PA P E R I E | Page 9.
 experience luxury

Invitation Samples
There are so many options when it comes to wedding invitations! From ink to envelope
colors, single ply to double thick card stock, along with letterpress, foil and digital
printing options–Oh. My. Goodness! I get it, it’s a lot to soak in.

Let me show you around. A sample kit from Betty Lu Paperie will walk you through a
variety of print processes, embellishment options (hello, wax seals!), and a healthy
dose of paper samples so you can see (and feel) the difference.

Click the link below to get all fixed up with a sample kit
from Betty Lu Paperie.

g e t a s a m p l e k i t >>