When to Send Wedding Invitations (and Save-the-Dates)

Timing your stationery is quietly one of the most important parts of planning. Get it right and your guests book travel, reply on time, and your final headcount lands exactly when you need it.

Save-the-dates: 6–8 months before

Send save-the-dates about 6 to 8 months ahead — and 8 to 12 months for a destination wedding or a holiday-weekend date. Only send them to people who will definitely be invited, because a save-the-date is a promise.

Invitations: 6–8 weeks before

Mail the formal invitations 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding (give destination guests closer to 3 months). That's enough time to reply without being so early it slips their mind.

Set the RSVP deadline 3–4 weeks out

• Set the RSVP deadline about 3 to 4 weeks before the wedding.
• That leaves time to chase stragglers, give your caterer a final count, and finish the seating chart.
• Build the whole sequence into your planning timeline so nothing is late.

A calm headcount is just good timing, done early.

Track every reply as it arrives in the free Everplanner guest list — no sign-up, saved on your device.