When to send out your wedding invitations

Welcome to the whirlwind that is wedding planning! From the engagement party, shower, bach parties, rehearsal dinner and wedding reception, there's no shortage of celebrations to send invitations for. BUT, the most important invitation of all is undoubtedly the wedding invitation. Whether you're planning to send a beautiful, professionally designed wedding invitation, design your own wedding invite, or create a wedding invite suite to keep the tone of your big day present throughout the entire process, knowing when to send your wedding invitations is crucial. To help you navigate wedding invitation etiquette and timeline, here's a guide on when to send wedding invitations to all of your lucky guests.

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When should you send wedding invitations?

In general, it's recommended to send your wedding invitations approximately six to eight weeks before your wedding day. This timing allows your guests enough time to RSVP and make necessary arrangements, while still keeping the event fresh in their minds. By sending your invitations several weeks in advance, you give your guests ample time to respond and plan accordingly. There are some notable exceptions though. This timeline is usually sufficient for couples who previously sent wedding save-the-dates out to their anticipated guest list. But if you opted to skip the save-the-date step…

When should you send wedding invitations if save-the-dates weren't sent?

If you haven't sent save-the-date cards, it's vital that you send out your wedding invitations earlier to provide your guests with enough notice. Aim to send your wedding invitations to guests three to four months before the wedding date to ensure they have adequate time to adjust their schedules and make arrangements to attend your big day.

When should you send wedding invitations for a destination wedding?

If you have out-of-town guests or are planning a destination wedding, send out your wedding invitations earlier than the standard timeline—two to three months in advance of your wedding day should allow your guests plenty of time to make travel arrangements, book accommodations and plan their visit. In addition to the usual wedding invitation details, consider providing additional information, such as recommended hotels or transportation options to help out-of-town guests attending your wedding.

Who should receive a wedding invitation?

Easy—anyone you want to attend your wedding! This typically includes close family members, friends and possibly colleagues, as well as any plus-ones indicated on the invitation or RSVP cards. If you send save-the-dates beforehand, everyone from that list will require a formal wedding invitation. Ensure that your guest list is finalized before sending out your wedding save-the-dates and wedding invitations to avoid any last-minute additions or omissions.

When should you request RSVPs for a wedding?

To allow sufficient time for guests to respond, it's recommended to request RSVPs no later than three to four weeks before the wedding. This gives you time to finalize the guest count, make seating arrangements and communicate with vendors without stressing out over changes to your wedding celebration's headcount.

How early is too early to send out wedding invitations?

If you send invitations too far in advance, guests may forget or misplace them, resulting in delayed responses or misunderstandings closer to the wedding day. Therefore, it's best to stick to the suggested timeline of six to eight weeks before the wedding if you've already sent out save-the-dates for local ceremonies. 

When should you send wedding save-the-dates?

It's recommended to send save-the-dates about six to eight months before the wedding or event. This timing allows guests to mark their calendars and make any necessary travel arrangements, particularly if they need to plan around work or school schedules. Four to six months before the wedding ceremony is also acceptable, but for destination weddings or events that require more extensive travel plans or take place during peak travel times like the holidays, consider sending save-the-dates up to a year in advance to ensure your family and friends can attend. Our "When to send out your save-the-dates" guide has all the details you need about these marvelous cards. Save-the-dates give your loved ones the opportunity to mark their calendars, while invitations provide the detailed information they need to RSVP and make concrete plans, so we highly recommended using this dynamic wedding stationery duo when planning your special day!

Other wedding invitation etiquette to remember

There's no one correct way to write or format a wedding invitation, but there are key components to include:

• The host line
• The request
• The names of the couple
• The date and time
• The location

You can also include reception info, the dress code, an "RSVP by" line, and your wedding website on your invitation. Basically, your wedding invitation should fully inform your guests of what to expect and how to prepare for your day of love. Our complete wedding invitation wording and formatting guide can help you find just the right words for your unique celebration!

Wedding invitation design ideas

Your wedding day may be an occasion you’ve dreamed of your entire life, so make sure your wedding invitation matches the aesthetic of your dreams. The wedding invite design you choose goes a long way toward informing your guests what kind of a wedding to expect, and it’s also an opportunity to show you and your spouse-to-be’s personalities!

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Classic or traditional wedding invitations

Flowers are a perennial favorite for classic wedding invitations.

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Minimalist wedding invitations

Be bold and let the main details shine through.

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Modern wedding invitations

Marriage is serious. Your wedding invitations don’t have to be.

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Destination wedding invitations

Set the scene for your “I Do’s” in style.

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Photo wedding invitations

The hard part is deciding which sweet photo to use!

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Religious wedding invitations

If your faith plays an important role in your life, make it part of your wedding invitation.

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