Paper trail: A timeline for when to order and send your invitations, thank-yous and more

Six months to a year before the wedding

* Save-the-dates. Order your save-the-dates about four weeks before you want to send them -- you'll need time for design, printing, and stuffing and addressing envelopes, says Beth Mungle, marketing director at MTI Printing in Cape Girardeau.

If you're having a destination wedding, send your save-the-dates nine months to a year in advance of the date. Guests will need time to save money, request time off work, and book air and hotel reservations. If it's a hometown wedding, six to nine months is fine.

Three months before the wedding

* Invitations. Ordering invitations three months ahead should leave plenty of time for you to address and stuff the envelopes and go over the guest list, says Cheryl Sullivan, sales/customer service manager with Concord Printing in Cape Girardeau. But, depending on your circumstances, you may need up to four months for this project.

"When you order your invitations really depends on where you are ordering from, the invitation itself and how long you will need to address them," says Mungle. "If you have to address 300 invitations, you will want to order them earlier than you would if you only had 50 invitations."

Aim to send invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding, she adds. Your RSVP deadline should be seven to 10 days before the wedding, depending on your caterer, says Sullivan. She also suggests ordering 25 extra invitations for keepsakes and last-minute guests.

* Napkins. It's best to order these at the same time you order invitations, but they can be ordered up to two weeks before the wedding, says Sullivan.

* Thank-you cards. Sullivan recommends a simple monogram card, which you can use for both the shower and wedding gifts. According to theknot.com, you should send thank-yous for gifts received before the wedding within two weeks. For gifts received on or after the wedding day, send a note within a month after your honeymoon or, at the latest, by your two-month anniversary.

Two to four weeks before the wedding

* Programs. Order programs two or three weeks before the wedding and be sure to check all spellings and last-minute changes in the bridal party, music selections and so on, says Sullivan. Final corrections will be made five days before the wedding, and the finished product should be ready to pick up two days before the wedding.

* Extras. Order rehearsal dinner invitations, menus and any other reception items at this time, says Mungle.