Top Mistakes to Avoid When Ordering Wedding Invitations

Kate Jun
Oct 13
2 min read

Ordering your wedding invitations seems simple, until you’re suddenly facing dozens of paper types, printing methods, and deadlines!

After years of designing and printing invitations for couples across Australia, we’ve seen a few common pitfalls that can easily be avoided with a little preparation.

Here are the top mistakes to avoid when ordering your wedding stationery.

1. Waiting Too Long to Order

Many couples underestimate how long the process can take, especially for custom designs or specialty printing such as foil, letterpress, embossing, or die-cutting.

Ideal timeline: Start your design process 4–6 months before your wedding date, and aim to have your invitations sent out at least 8–10 weeks before the big day.

At Azure Paper, our average production time varies depending on the printing method:

Digital printing: 5–7 business days after final proof approval
Custom letterpress, embossing, foil, or die-cutting: 14–17 business days after final proof approval(plus shipping time)

2. Forgetting to Proofread Carefully

Tiny typos like a wrong date, postcode, or RSVP email can cause major headaches.Always have two or three people read over your proof before giving final approval, fresh eyes catch what you might miss.

We always send a digital proof for review before printing to make sure every detail is perfect.

3. Not Ordering Enough Invitations

It’s easy to forget last-minute guest additions, keepsakes, or damaged envelopes.

We recommend ordering an extra 10–20 invitations to avoid reprinting costs later.

At Azure Paper, our minimum order is 20 sets for digital printing and 50 sets for custom printing methods such as foil, letterpress, or embossing.

If you need to reorder a small number after production, it can be difficult to match the same paper stock and print setup, so it’s always best to order slightly more from the start.

4. Ignoring Envelope Printing & Guest Addressing

Many couples focus only on the invitation design but forget about the envelopes, yet it’s the first thing your guests see!

Including guest address printing and a matching return address not only saves time but also creates a polished, cohesive look.

5. Overcomplicating the Design

It’s tempting to include every font, colour, and flourish, but simplicity often looks more refined. Stick to two fonts and one or two complementary colours for a balanced, elegant finish.

If you love texture, you can always enhance your suite with a vellum jacket, wax seal, or ribbon instead of cluttering the layout.

6. Forgetting About Postage

Thicker or non-standard shapes (like arch or die-cut invitations) may require extra postage.

Always check with Australia Post or your local post office before mailing or ask your stationer for guidance.

7. Not Considering the Whole Suite

Your invitation is part of a bigger picture, think about how your details card, RSVP, and menu will complement the main design.

Planning them together ensures a cohesive look across your entire wedding stationery.

Final Thoughts

A little planning goes a long way when it comes to wedding invitations.Avoiding these common mistakes means less stress, fewer reprints, and more time to enjoy the excitement of your engagement!

If you’re not sure where to start, we’re here to help 📩 Reach out to Kate at Azure Paper for a free consultation and personalised quote.