December 5, 2024

Our Comprehensive Printing & Shipping Wedding Checklist

A wedding invitation with floral illustrations in a pink envelope

Planning your dream wedding is an exciting journey filled with creativity, love, and – let’s face it – a touch of stress. At PostNet, we know all the details that go into making your celebration a truly unforgettable event. Everything from venue coordination, dress and suit fittings, and guest list management can be challenging enough to shake even the most composed people and their organized wedding checklists.

That’s why our team strives to make the printing and shipping part of wedding planning one of the easiest aspects of the process. Consider this blog and our local teams as your go-to wedding checklist resource for printing and shipping, ready to arm you with all the tools you need to inform, invite, and impress your guests in a style unique to you. Grab a cup of coffee (because caffeine is the unsung hero of wedding planning) and let’s dive into the must-have wedding print materials!

 

Pre-Wedding Save-the-Dates, Invitations & Bridal Party Gifts

PostNet can handle your materials like printing wedding invitations and save-the-dates from design to sending them out. We’ll collaborate with you to ensure the design reflects your unique style, and we work with all shipping carriers so you can rest assured you’re being presented with the best options.

Save-the-Dates

Wedding planning often starts with the announcement of your big day with announcements and Save-the-Dates. These cards give your guests a quick glimpse of the celebration to come. PostNet offers a wide range of sizes, shapes, and finishes, from classic postcards to elegant magnets, allowing you to get creative and choose a design that resonates with your wedding theme and personality.

When designing your Save-the-Dates, less is often more. Include the basics like the date, location, and a website (if you have one) to pique your guests’ interest. If you are including a photo, ensure it is high-resolution (at least 300 pixel per inch (PPI)). Pro tip: order a few extras for any last-minute additions to the guest list.

Deadline: Your Save-the-Dates have a flexible send date. We recommend sending them at least six months before your date, if not a full year ahead of time.

Invitations

The highlight of your wedding paper trail is undoubtedly your official invitation. This is your opportunity to unleash your inner stationery connoisseur. At PostNet, you can lean on our local designers to simplify the process and help you personalize your invitations with photos, fonts, and colors that match your wedding aesthetic.

With invitations, it’s important to opt for high-quality paper and printing to make a lasting impression. Your invitation should not only convey essential information like date, time, and location but also serve as a reflection of your love story. If you want to save a little money, you can combine your announcement, invite, and RSVP in one by including all your celebration details and RSVP information now.

Deadline: Make sure your invitations are ready to ship by six to eight weeks prior to your wedding date. Have a destination wedding? Those should be sent three months in advance so your guests can plan for international travel.

Bridal Party Proposal Gifts

When you ask your friend to join your bridal party, it’s now common to gift them a small token of your appreciation to kick off the engagement season together. If you have party members who live far away, surprising them with a box on their doorstep asking them to be a part of your big day will show your gratitude for their time, effort, and support for your wedding. You can even personalize the packaging of your gift to add specific touches that reflect your wedding style. Whatever gift you choose, don’t forget to add a personal note!

Deadline: If you are giving bridal party proposal gifts, they should be sent out as soon as you finalize your bridal party (usually eight months to one year prior to your wedding). It’s also common for the partners-to-be to give a gift to their wedding party at the rehearsal dinner or the day of the wedding. Think jewelry or fun socks that your bridal party can wear on the big day!

 

Wedding Day Essentials: Programs, Menus, Place Cards & More 

As the big day approaches, your wedding checklist focus should shift to printed materials that you, venue staff, and guests will use to get through the celebration. These elements not only add a touch of sophistication but also contribute to the seamless flow of events.

Programs

Programs play a crucial role in guiding your guests through the day. Folded programs are a space-saving option, while flat programs allow for more elaborate designs. In these printed materials, it’s helpful to include the order of events, wedding party introductions, or even a special thank-you message. Our variety of options ensures that your programs complement the overall aesthetic of your wedding.

Menus

Food is an integral part of any celebration and your wedding is no exception. Let your guests know what kind of dishes to expect with beautifully printed menus. At PostNet, we provide a range of sizes and styles to complement your table settings and even allow you to include options for dietary restrictions and a brief description of each dish. Your menu not only informs but adds to the overall sensory experience of your wedding.

Place Cards

Give yourself a creative outlet and help your guests find their seats with personalized place cards. Use calligraphy, photos, or even write a personalized thank-you note to each guest to add a personal touch. PostNet’s die-cut shapes and unique card stocks can elevate your place cards from simple to show-stopping.

Signage

Thoughtfully crafted signage or posters can integrate your theme throughout your venue and serve a practical purpose. With directional signage, you can guide your guests throughout the day and enhance the crowd flow. A few great examples of helpful options include welcoming signs, wayfinding signage, seating charts, and exit signs.

 

Post-Wedding Thank You Cards & Timeless Keepsakes

As the celebrations wind down, take a moment to thank your guests for their support and acknowledge the effort they made to be with you on your special day. Add anything from sending a simple “thank you” to sharing a selection of photos from your ceremony or reception to your wedding checklist.

Thank You Cards

Thank you cards are a wedding standard and a great way to appreciate your guests’ presence during your festivities (or even just their gifts if they couldn’t make it). At PostNet, we have a variety of design templates to use, or you can leverage our team of graphic designers to create an original design or refine your design. A great tip to make your guests want to keep your card is to personalize your message with a specific detail about their presence at your wedding. Bonus points for handwritten signatures!

Wedding Photos

Preserve the memories of your wedding day with a stunning photo book or canvas wraps displaying photos in a way ordinary framed photos can’t. Alternatively, if you want to share snapshots of your day with family and friends, consider printing them as postcard keepsakes! Either way, PostNet’s professional printing services ensure that your photos are printed in vibrant detail. Choose from a variety of layouts and finishing options to create a timeless keepsake that you and your guests can revisit for years to come.

 

Our Pro Packing & Shipping Tips for Weddings

As you start printing and shipping your wedding checklist items, keep these expert tips in mind for a hassle-free experience. By keeping these pro tips in mind, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate the often-complex world of wedding print and shipping with ease and confidence.

1. Plan Ahead

Consider how quickly you need your materials and choose the appropriate shipping option. PostNet offers a variety of services to fit your timeline and budget. Planning ahead allows for any unforeseen delays and ensures your wedding materials arrive safely. Also, be mindful of seasonal fluctuations in shipping demand, like peak holiday seasons, and plan accordingly to avoid delays.

2. Order in Bulk

Save time and money by ordering all your printed Save-the-Dates, invitations, and more all at once. Even ordering just one hundred invites can see production and/or delivery delays, so it’s incredibly helpful to plan ahead of time and avoid last-minute stress. Also, many shipping carriers offer bulk discounts, making it even more budget-friendly. This not only streamlines the process but also ensures consistency in design across all your materials.

3. Proofread Everything

Typos in printed wedding invitations can range from annoying to downright catastrophic; a misspelled word either be just embarrassing and distracting or send guests to the wrong location or time entirely. To avoid this, double-check everything before placing your order, and ask a friend or family member to proofread as well. Plus, a fresh set of eyes can catch things you might have missed.

4. Pack (& Design) with Care

If you take anything from these tips, let it be that you need to protect your printed materials from damage during shipping. Whether you print wedding thank you cards, invites, or bridal party gifts, use sturdy boxes and packing materials to prevent bending or tearing. Your materials are a reflection of the meticulous planning that went into your wedding, so ensuring they arrive in perfect condition is worth prioritizing. For instance, a bulky wedding invitation with intricate design elements may need extra packaging or postage, whereas sleek, minimalist cards and invites will be more cost-effective.

 

Make Wedding Printing Easy with PostNet

Whether you’re looking to print wedding invitations, Save-the-Dates, or thank-you cards, PostNet is your one-stop shop for all your wedding printing needs. With our expert design services and commitment to quality, we’ll help you complete your wedding checklist with ease. Let us handle the details so you can focus on celebrating your love story with those who matter most. Find your nearest PostNet center today and let’s make wedding planning a breeze!

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