How to plan a wedding + when to order your wedding stationery during a pandemic

First of all, congratulations! You’re getting married!

It may feel difficult and scary to plan a wedding during the current climate (whilst the world feels like it’s ending and couples who were due to get married this year are having to postpone their big days.) But do not fear, we will get through this, and despite all the devastating loss we will feel, we will come back together stronger. The most important thing to remember is that there is hope, and there is love, and all the celebrations post pandemic will be so much more beautiful and meaningful than ever.

FOCUS ON WHAT’S IMPORTANT TO YOU

The thing that a lot of us (but definitely not all - thank you from the bottom of our hearts, keyworkers!) have been gifted with is time together with our loved ones, and what better time to make wedding plans than when you’re in lockdown with your partner and have nothing else to do! Make use of the extra time you’re spending with one another and work out what’s important to you.

Perhaps you want to scale back what were once grand plans, or maybe you both want to come back after all this is over and throw the biggest party. Anything goes - it’s your wedding after all! But the main point here is that the wedding industry has currently ground to a halt with no weddings taking place for the foreseeable future. All the amazing suppliers I know are bending over backwards and doing whatever they can to rearrange for alternate dates, to give their couples the incredible service they deserve - just a little later than planned, but it will mean that next year is already booking up quick!

If you have a favourite photographer, stationer, venue, florist (the list goes on!) I would recommend getting in touch with them sooner rather than later, even if the wedding date you’re planning for is in the far, far, distant future! Many, if not all, suppliers will take bookings far in advance, not only to help them keep food on the table right now, but to give them hope for the future and to know there is light at the end of the tunnel.

In terms of stationery, all stationers, myself included, would always prefer as much advance notice as possible, but equally we will have options to suit a shorter timescale and will do whatever we can to be able to help you even if it’s short notice!

YOUR WEDDING YOUR WAY

If nothing else, when a global crisis hits at least it gives everyone a whole heap of perspective. So my greatest advice would be to not worry about typical pressures you might feel whilst planning a wedding, and just do it your way. If you need a bit of guidance with when would be best to order your wedding stationery, I’ve put together a rough timescale below that might help, but really it’s whenever suits you!

save the dates - 12 - 18 months in advance

The more notice you can give your guests, the more they will thank you and can get excited for your big day! Particularly if you have guests that will be coming from abroad (assuming we’re allowed to go on planes again in the future) or will have to book time off work. I have designed save the dates for weddings that are 2 or 20 months away, or many couples opt to skip the save the dates and go straight for the invitations, it’s totally up to you.

invitations - 6 - 12 months in advance

Once you have all your important details confirmed, let your people know and start to get those RSVP’s in! If you’re waiting on some of the finer details to be ironed out, you could always include a wedding website link on your invitations, so you can update it as and when and still send your invitations out.

Your invitations can have as much or as little detail as you like, but try to imagine yourself as a guest receiving your invite to try and avoid everyone getting in touch with the same questions!

on the day stationery - 2 - 4 months in advance

Everything from place settings to table plans often have to be left later than this to order if you’re waiting on RSVP’s. Try and give your guests plenty (but not too much!) time to RSVP, to save stationery stress. You’ll thank yourself if you’ve got any paper goods you might want on the day ticked off your list!

post wedding day stationery - whenever you like!

You can order thank you cards or custom bouquet prints whenever you like, there are no rules whatsoever.

Happy planning and stay safe!