Hi there, lovely! I'm Adrienne, your friendly neighborhood wedding stationer based in sunny San Luis Obispo, California—and I’m here to save you from a stationery stress spiral.

Wedding invitations are one of the most exciting parts of planning your big day. They're the very first glimpse your guests will get into your wedding vibe—like the trailer before the blockbuster. But just like any great movie, there are a few bloopers you’ll want to avoid.

After working with many couples (and lovingly guiding them through the maze that is wedding paper), I’ve seen a few common missteps pop up again and again. So today, I’m spilling the tea on the 5 most common invitation mistakes—and, more importantly, how to totally avoid them.

Grab a coffee (or a glass of bubbly—no judgment here), and let’s dive in!

Mistake #1: Sending Invitations Too Late (or Too Early!)

Let’s talk timing. This is one of the sneakiest little troublemakers I see trip couples up.

The Mistake: Sending invitations too close to your wedding date… or jumping the gun way too early.

Why It’s a Problem:
If you send your invitations too late, your guests may not have enough time to RSVP, book travel, or request time off. (And we need them there to witness your magical aisle moment, okay?)
On the flip side, sending them too early can lead to people forgetting, misplacing the invite, or RSVP-ing and then forgetting they RSVP’d… chaos ensues.

My Pro Tip:
Here’s the golden timeline I recommend to my couples:

Save the Dates: 8-10 months before the wedding (or 8–12 months for destination weddings)
Invitations: 10-12 weeks before the wedding day
RSVP Deadline: 4-6 weeks before the wedding

If you’re working with a stationer (hi! 👋), we’ll build out a timeline together so everything flows beautifully and stress-free.

Mistake #2: Not Ordering Enough Invitations

Let me say it louder for the people in the back: You do NOT need one invitation per guest.

The Mistake: Ordering invitations based on your total guest count.

Why It’s a Problem:
Most guests don’t need individual invites—couples, families, and households only need one invitation. But at the same time, not ordering enough can be just as problematic.

I’ve had panicked calls from couples who ran out of invites because they forgot to count some households correctly or needed extras for last-minute additions. Reordering a small batch later? Pricey. Stressful. Avoidable.

My Pro Tip:
Here’s how to calculate your magic number:

[Total # of Households + 10–15 extras] = Order Quantity

The extras are important for:

Keepsakes
Your photographer (flat lays are everything!)
Your planner or day-of coordinator
Any last-minute additions
Oopsies (it happens)

I always build a cushion into your order—and trust me, future you will be so grateful.

Mistake #3: Forgetting Key Details

I totally get it—you’re in the wedding whirlwind, and it’s easy to overlook a detail here or there. But missing info on your invites? That’s a fast track to a lot of “Wait… what time does the ceremony start?” texts.

The Mistake: Leaving out important details like the ceremony time, venue address, dress code, or RSVP info.

Why It’s a Problem:
Guests need to feel confident and informed, and unclear invitations can lead to confusion (and sometimes, guests showing up late or in the wrong attire… yikes).

My Pro Tip:
Here’s a quick checklist of what to include on your main invitation and your insert cards:

Main Invitation:

Your names (obviously 💁‍♀️)
Wedding date
Ceremony start time
Ceremony location (name + full address)

Details/Info Card (optional but super helpful):

Reception details (if at a different location)
Dress code
Wedding website
Travel info or hotel blocks
RSVP instructions (especially if RSVP-ing online)

RSVP Card (if you're not doing it online):

Deadline to RSVP
Guest name(s)
Meal choice (if applicable)
Return address & postage (don’t forget that stamp!)

As your stationer, I help walk you through all this step by step—no guesswork needed.

Mistake #4: Trying to DIY Without a Plan

Let me preface this by saying I am all for creativity! I love when couples want to personalize their wedding, and if you’re the crafty type, more power to you. But...

The Mistake: Jumping into a DIY wedding invitation project without the time, tools, or a clear plan.

Why It’s a Problem:
What starts as a “fun weekend project” often turns into a glue-stick-and-tears situation. I’ve seen it all—misprints, paper cuts, last-minute rush jobs, and shipping delays that turn into full-blown crises.

And spoiler alert: DIY doesn’t always save money once you add up printer ink, paper, envelopes, calligraphy pens, postage, and your time.

My Pro Tip:
If you’re set on a hands-on touch, consider a semi-DIY option! Here are a few ideas:

Work with a stationer to design your invitations, then assemble them yourself.
Add personal elements like wax seals, belly bands, or hand-tied ribbon after the pros handle the printing.
Focus your DIY energy on envelope liners or handwritten notes.

And always ask your stationer for guidance—we love helping you strike the perfect balance between beautiful and budget-friendly.

Mistake #5: Ignoring Postage + Mailing Logistics

I know it’s not the funniest part of stationery, but trust me—postage matters. A lot.

The Mistake: Underestimating postage costs, forgetting about non-machinable envelopes, or skipping the all-important weigh-in.

Why It’s a Problem:
Wedding invitations are often a little extra—heavier, oddly shaped, or full of lovely layers. And that means they don’t always qualify for a standard stamp.

If you pop them in the mail without checking, you risk them being returned, delayed, or (worst case) never making it at all.

My Pro Tip:
Before mailing a single invite, take one fully assembled invitation to the post office and ask them to weigh it and check postage. You may need:

Extra postage for heavier/thicker invites
Hand-canceling for delicate or non-machinable envelopes (square shapes, wax seals, ribbons)
Special stamps for international guests

And don’t forget the RSVP card! If you’re including a physical RSVP, you’ll also need to add postage to that envelope too.

Bonus tip: Buy your stamps early! The USPS occasionally releases gorgeous vintage-style stamps that pair beautifully with wedding suites, but they sell out quickly.

Final Thoughts: You’ve Got This (and I’ve Got You)

Wedding invitations can feel like a lot—but they don’t have to be. With the right guidance and a stationer who’s got your back (👋 hi again!), you can avoid all of these common pitfalls and actually enjoy the process.

Remember: your invitations are the first peek your guests get into your love story. They set the tone, the vibe, the mood. Whether you’re planning a black-tie vineyard soirée or a barefoot beach bash, your stationery should feel like you.

So if you’re feeling a little overwhelmed or don’t know where to start, reach out! I’d love to help you bring your vision to life, skip the common mistakes, and create something that’s both stunning and stress-free.

Until then, happy planning—and don’t forget to triple count those guest households 😉.

xoxo
Adrienne
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5 common wedding invitation mistakes (and how to avoid them!)