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When to send your wedding invitations? The complete timeline
Too early, and guests forget. Too late, and they're already busy. Here is the right moment for each step, from the save the date to the big day, and when to start earlier.
The timeline at a glance
| Step | When | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Save the date | 6 to 12 months before | Guests block the date and book their time off and travel. |
| Invitation | 3 to 4 months before | Early enough to plan, close enough not to forget. |
| Reply deadline | 5 to 6 weeks before | Time for the caterer, the seating plan and final bookings. |
| Follow-up with non-responders | Right after the deadline | One short, polite message is usually enough. |
| Final details | 1 to 2 weeks before | Final times, parking, shuttle, weather. |
Save the date: 6 to 12 months before
A save the date only announces the date and the city. It isn't mandatory, but it becomes essential if your wedding falls on a holiday weekend or in high summer, or if some guests need to fly.
A digital save the date is shared in an instant, and guests keep it on their phone.
The invitation: 3 to 4 months before
That's the right balance. With paper invitations, add two to three weeks for printing and mailing. A digital invitation arrives the same day: you can send it a little later if needed, but no less than two months before.
Send to everyone on the same day: nobody feels like a “second-round” guest.
The RSVP deadline: 5 to 6 weeks before
Your caterer will ask for the final headcount two to three weeks before the wedding. So you need the replies one to two weeks earlier, to allow time for the seating plan.
Write the date out in full on the invitation: “by Saturday, May 1, 2027”.
When to start earlier
- Destination wedding: save the date 10 to 12 months before, invitation 4 to 5 months before.
- Wedding in July or August: save the date before Christmas, so guests can book their vacation.
- Multi-day wedding (henna night, civil ceremony, wedding, brunch): state in the save the date which days to keep free.
- Many older guests: plan a paper version for a few; the text message link also opens on a computer or tablet.
And what about guests who haven't replied?
There are always a few. A short message right after the deadline solves most cases. Our message templates are in the guide How to get replies from every guest. And your private platform shows you in real time who hasn't replied yet.
Design it online and see the result with every choice. And if you like, we send it to each of your guests.
Create my invitationUpdated October 30, 2026 · Wedding invitations: see our designs