When to Order
Order your invitations as soon as your date, time and place have been confirmed. I recommend about five to seven months before the ceremony. The more time you give yourself, the less rushed you’ll feel and the more carefully you’ll make decisions. Remember if your going to have your envelopes addressed by a calligrapher, then make sure you allow at least two to four weeks for the calligrapher to complete your invitations before you can send them out.

The Value of a Proof
Requesting a proof of your invitation before it is printed is a very wise decision. This eliminates any issues regarding the uncertainty of the invitation layout. I always recommend that my customers get at least a proof of the invitation if nothing else. There is usually a charge for each proof you order and it takes a few days to a week to receive. If you don’t like what you see, you’ll need to make changes and order another proof.

How Many to Order
To calculate the number of invitations to order, count one invitation for each of the following: a) couple (married or living together), b) family with children under 18, c) each child 18 years old or older and still living at home, d) single guest, e) fiancée/fiancé of a guest, and f) invited boy-or-girl friend of a guest. For example, in a house with one set of parents and five children (one child 17, one 14 and three children 18 and older), four invitations would be sent. One would be sent to the parents with the name of the 17 year old and the 14 year old on the line below the parents’ names (on the only envelope if using a single envelope or on the inner envelope if using a double envelope set), and one each to the three siblings 18 and older.

After calculating the number of invitations as noted above add approximately 25 invitations to your order: 10-12 more for keepsakes, plus extras for the last-minute guests (and there will be last-minute guests.) Reorders later can be costly. Also, depending on how large your order is, add 25 to 50 additional envelopes in case of mistakes in addressing. Don't leave off those special people: Your clergy, both parents, and attendants. Remember to save an invitation for yourself!

When to Mail
I recommend that you should plan to mail your invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding. If you have a lot of guests coming from out of town, then definitely eight weeks, to allow them to make travel plans and hotel reservations. “Save The Date” cards are ideal for those couples whose wedding day may still be a long way off, or during the summer or a holiday. These cards get mailed to friends and family once you have chosen a date for your wedding. This is similar to an appointment card. It allows your guests advance notice of your wedding date, and enough time to keep your special date free. Make sure you have one completely assembled invitation weighed at the post office to determine the correct postage. When you return with your invitations stamped and ready for mailing, ask to have them hand canceled. After all the care you put into selecting and addressing your envelopes, you’ll want them to arrive in pristine condition for your guests’ full enjoyment.

A Few Pointers
Here are a few additional pointers. It's customary to send an invitation to your minister, priest, or rabbi and their spouse. All children over the age of eighteen should receive their own separate invitation. Plan to order an additional 25 invitations to allow for the unexpected.

If your wedding is very small or private, you may want to send announcements to those friends and relatives you were unable to invite to the ceremony. Typically, announcements are sent immediately following the wedding and include the time and location of the ceremony. An "At Home Card" may accompany the announcement to inform friends and family of your new address and phone number.

Finally, you'll probably need a final guest count by two weeks prior to the ceremony, so you can notify your caterer or reception hall. Some people put a number on the back of each response card, to correspond with the guest name on their master list. That way if the guest forgets to put their name on the response card, you can match up the name with the number on the list.