Wedding guides / Invitations & Stationery

Invitations & Stationery

Covers save-the-dates, invitations, RSVP cards, and on-the-day stationery like seating charts, menus, and programmes.

R3 000 – R12 000 Digital-only invitations sit near the bottom; custom letterpress or foil-stamped printed suites sit at the top, scaling with guest count.

Why it matters

This is the first tangible thing most guests receive — it sets expectations for formality and style, and has real lead-time requirements tied to postal/delivery timelines.

When it should happen

Save-the-dates: 8–10 months out. Formal invitations: 4–6 months out, mailed 8–12 weeks before the date to allow for RSVPs.

Questions to ask

What's the per-guest cost, and does it change significantly with custom printing methods (foil, letterpress)?
What RSVP deadline is needed to finalise catering numbers in time?
Do they handle addressing/postage, or is that the couple's responsibility?
Is a digital RSVP option available to simplify tracking?

Mistakes to avoid

Setting an RSVP deadline too close to the catering headcount deadline, leaving no buffer to chase non-responders.
Underestimating postage costs for heavier custom invitation suites.
Finalising the guest list after invitations are already being printed.

Worth knowing

Set the RSVP deadline at least 2–3 weeks before the caterer's final headcount deadline — there are always a few guests who need a follow-up nudge.