Planning for your big day is a lot of work, and it can be stressful. There is so much to think about! The cake, the dress, your colour scheme, flowers...fortunately, choosing and ordering your wedding invites can be simple and fun. Here are some tips to help make ordering your invites stress-free!

6-12 months in advance...

If you choose to send out save-the-dates, do so about 6 months in advance. If it is a destination wedding, however, you should send out your save-the-dates up to 12 months in advance.

Tip: More and more couples are sending out save-the-dates these days. Order these as soon as you know your wedding date. These can be photo cards or can be printed on more casual stationery. They often include illustrations or graphics, but ideally they should play off the theme or color palette of your wedding.

4-6 months in advance...

Choose and order your wedding invitations 4-6 months in advance.

Tip: Before ordering your invites, consider the following:

•your wedding theme or colour palette.

•the number of invitations you need. Generally, couples and families receive only one invitation. However, if an adult child (think age 18 and older) still lives at home, you may decide to send them a separate invite. Decide how many invites you are going to be sending out, and then give yourself some breathing room by ordering about 10 extra. This can serve as a safety net in case of any errors. Plus, if you don't end up sending them out, they can be great keepsakes for you and your family as well as the wedding party, or serve as a reference for your florist or wedding planner.

•the date, time, and location of the ceremony and reception.

•where the RSVP's should be sent to. Have guests RSVP about 3 weeks before the event. This gives you plenty of time to make the final headcount for your seating arrangements and caterer.

6-8 weeks in advance...

Send out your wedding invitations 6-8 weeks in advance. If it is a destination wedding or you have guests coming from abroad, consider sending out your invites 10-12 weeks in advance.

Tip: Once you have a finished invitation, head over to the post office to have it weighed. Don't assume that it will qualify for standard postage. Photos, inserts, and heavy paper all add to the weight of your invitation.

and for now...

Relax! Thoughtful planning eases stress and will help you save time. Don't rush through any steps when ordering your stationary. Most of all, remember to have fun choosing your theme, colours and invites.