When to Send Wedding Invitations, Save the Dates, and More

Photo by Julia Kinnunen Photography

They asked. You said, “yes!” And once you’ve called loved ones and spread the news on social media, the planning process can officially begin! Deciding when to send wedding invitations or begin communicating with guests can be intimidating, especially when you consider all of the different stationery components. 

From engagement party invitations to save the dates, we’ve compiled a recommended timeline of when to send wedding invitations and all of your other requests for wedding-related events. Plus, you can pin the infographic below to your wedding planning board on Pinterest for quick reference later on.

Factors That Affect the Timing of Wedding-Related Invites and Communication

While there are general guidelines for when to send wedding invitations and other related stationery, the exact timing will depend on a few factors. 

The main factor that influences timing is the date of your event. You want to give guests enough time to make plans to attend, but not so much time that they forget about it. You’ll also want to consider if your wedding conflicts with any major holidays or events so you can send your invites out even sooner.

Another important factor is where you’re hosting the event. You want to send your invites out far enough in advance so that guests can make travel arrangements if necessary. The timing will depend on whether the wedding is:

• Local: A local event is one where the majority of guests won’t have to travel to attend the wedding. For this type of wedding, the time window to send invites is typically shorter since guests don’t have to book flights, rent hotels, or make other travel accommodations.
• Local Destination: A local destination wedding is one where the majority of guests will need to travel less than three hours to get to the wedding. They’ll need some advance notice but not as much as guests who need to fly across the country.
• Destination: A destination wedding is when travel will be required for all of the guests to attend. These guests need plenty of advance notice to make travel plans.

When Should I Send Wedding Invitations?

Design: LNZart

As a general rule of thumb, you should send out wedding invitations six to eight weeks in advance to align with proper wedding invitation etiquette.

Here’s a general guideline for when to send your wedding invitations:

• Local: Six to eight weeks before the wedding
• Local Destination: Eight weeks before the wedding
• Destination: Eight to 12 weeks before the wedding

Keep in mind that out-of-town guests should get extra notice even if you’re planning a local wedding since they need ample time to book flights and hotels and to request leave from work. Set the RSVP deadline to four weeks prior to the wedding. That gives you enough time to give vendors like caterers a final headcount without feeling rushed at the last minute. 

By receiving RSVP cards a month before the big day, you’ll also enjoy having plenty of time to make the seating chart. Plus, an appropriate RSVP date also lets you see if you can include anyone from your B list of guests when A-list guests can’t make it.

It’s also a good idea to consider the size of your wedding guest list. If you have to send out 150 invitations, you’ll want to start a bit earlier, especially if you plan on using printed invites. You’ll need to address and mail each one via the post office, which can take a lot of time. If you choose digital invitations, the process is easier and faster so you don’t need to worry about getting this done ahead of time, even with a larger guest count.

For example, this Seaside Invitation can be easily customized and sent via email. Plus, you’ll save time with real-time RSVP tracking and auto-reminders to invitees.

When Should I Collect Guest Addresses?

Before you can send invites for any wedding-related events, you need to collect addresses for all of your guests. If you have international guests, this might take longer than if you’re planning a small wedding with your closest friends and family members. 

Think about the type of stationery you want to send. If you’re choosing paper invitations, be sure to ask guests for their current mailing address — the one you have may be outdated so be sure to double check! If you’re choosing digital invites, collect email addresses for all the guests. A spreadsheet can help you keep track of all the info in one convenient place.

For local, local destination, and destination weddings, you should collect guest addresses one to two months before sending out save the dates. This gives you enough time to correct any mistakes.

When Should I Send Out Invitations for My Engagement Party?

Design: Ashley DeMeyere Design

Oftentimes, parents or friends choose to host an engagement party to honor the happy couple. That means you’ll need to send engagement party invitations including the date, time, and location of the event. You may also want to include a dress code and registry information if guests are expected to bring gifts.

For local, local destination, and destination weddings, send your engagement party invites one to two months after the proposal. This allows plenty of time for planning, but not too much that the event begins to fade.

Digital invitations, like this Sweeping Vines Invitation, can be a quick and convenient way to send out the engagement party details.

When Should I Send Save the Dates?

Design: See That There

The first wedding stationery you’ll send isn’t the actual wedding invite. Instead, it’s the save the date cards. These cards give guests a heads up that you’re getting hitched and tell them to keep an eye out for the invitation that is soon to follow.

Save the dates include your names, the wedding day, and location (at least the state and zip code if you haven’t settled on the exact wedding venue yet). Plus, it typically includes your wedding website, gift registry, and a note to expect a formal wedding invitation.

Save the dates are an integral part of your wedding invite suite. They’re the first notice many guests will get about your wedding. For a stress-free wedding planning process, you’ll want to send these cards anywhere from six months to a year before the wedding. That allows guests plenty of time to make travel plans. Like the wedding invitation timeline, you’ll need extra time if you’re planning a destination wedding.

Here’s the general timeline for sending save the date postcards:

• Local: Six months before the wedding
• Local destination: Six to nine months before the wedding
• Destination: 12 months before the wedding

A variety of save the date options are available — like this elegant design with foil and pearl inlay details. Plus, they have matching wedding invitations and thank you cards for a complementary wedding suite. 

When Should I Send Invitations to Our Rehearsal Dinner?

Design: Claudia Owen

Many couples host a rehearsal dinner before the big day. This gives you time to practice how the ceremony will go and share a special meal with the wedding party and close family and friends. Send out your rehearsal dinner invitations four weeks before the wedding date for local, local destination, and destination weddings.

Customize your favorite digital design that fits your wedding style, like this Geometric Elegance Invitation with metallic accents and vintage vibe.

When Should I Send Thank You Cards?

Design: Signature Greenvelope

It’s proper wedding etiquette to send thank you cards to guests who attended your special day or sent gifts. Send your wedding thank you notes within one year of the wedding date for all types of wedding ceremonies. 

While you don’t need to send them just weeks after the wedding, it does feel nice to get them done early — typically a couple of months after the big day. That gives you time to soak in your newly wedded bliss, and you won’t wait so long that these notes seem like an afterthought.

As the finishing touch, choose a thank you card that complements the rest of your wedding stationery suite, like this Magnificent Medallion design. 

Let the Countdown Begin!

Digital wedding stationery can make life a little easier (and you don’t have to sacrifice style in the process). Browse our full collection of wedding invitation suites to find the perfect designs, no matter what type of wedding you’re planning. Choose from formal invitation designs, colorful prints, and rustic invite templates. 

Each one is curated by invitation designers across the globe, and you can add your own special touch. Customize the designs by changing the color scheme, updating the typography to match your wedding style, or adding elegant elements like a wax seal.

For more ideas on planning the perfect love story, continue browsing our Stationer’s blog. It’s full of ideas from wedding invitation wording tips to wedding themes and practical advice to create your dream wedding.