One Year to Go: The Fun Begins
The 12-month mark is when everything starts to take shape. From booking your venue to dreaming up the details, this is where your vision begins to turn into reality. You don’t have to have every answer yet, just a clear idea of the look, feel, and flow you want for your big day.
Set Your Vision and Priorities
Before you make any deposits, talk through what matters most to you as a couple. Is it an unforgettable party? A beautiful ceremony? A certain venue or season? Knowing your priorities now will help guide every decision ahead, including your invitations, which set the tone for everything that follows.
Book Your Venue and Date
Venues can book quickly, especially for popular months like June, September, and October. Once your date is locked in, we can build your stationery timeline backward from mailing Save the Dates to your final invitation send date. This step brings your planning into focus.
Start Gathering Guest Information
Begin collecting mailing addresses now. Even if your guest list isn’t final, this will save you time (and stress) later when it’s time to print envelopes or send your Save the Dates. A simple spreadsheet or shared document works great.
Define Your Wedding Style
Start visualizing your wedding’s personality. Is it timeless and elegant, romantic and floral, or modern and minimal? Gather inspiration from Pinterest, your venue, or color palettes you love. When we meet for your planning session, these references help me create a design that reflects your exact vision.
Stationery Focus: Planning Ahead
- Plan your stationery timeline invitations typically mail 8 to 10 weeks before the wedding.
- Decide if you’ll send Save the Dates (a must for destination weddings).
- Schedule your planning session early so we can talk about paper, print methods, and design ideas.
- Consider coordinating pieces like menus, signage, and thank-you cards for a cohesive look.
Pro Tip
Collecting addresses early is one of the smartest things you can do. You’ll thank yourself later when you’re deep into design proofs and final guest lists.
Next in the Series
Once your venue and style are set, it’s time to focus on Save the Dates and photography. Read the next post in this series: Wedding Timeline Tips: 9 Months Out.
Need help building your stationery timeline? Let’s start planning.
