When to Send Save the Dates: A Complete Guide

Send save the dates between 6 and 12 months before your wedding. For most UK weddings, 8 to 10 months ahead gives guests plenty of notice without being too far away. This timing works well for ceremonies at register offices, approved venues, churches, or any other legal setting.

If you are giving notice of marriage in England or Wales, remember that notice must be given at least 28 full days before the ceremony, and the wedding must happen within 12 months of giving notice. In Scotland, submit your marriage notice at least 29 days ahead, but registrars advise 10 to 12 weeks. In Northern Ireland, give notice at least 28 days before. Save the dates are not a legal step, but they help you coordinate with these timelines.

Aim for 8 to 10 months before the wedding as a sweet spot. This gives guests time to book holiday from work, arrange childcare, and sort transport. It also gives you time to send formal invitations later, usually around 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding.

If your wedding is in peak season, such as June, July, or September, send them closer to 10 or 12 months ahead. For quieter months, 6 to 8 months is usually fine. The key is to send them before guests make other plans for that date.

The latest acceptable time is about 4 months before the wedding. After that, save the dates lose their purpose because you should be sending formal invitations soon. If you are past 4 months, skip save the dates and send invitations with a clear RSVP date.

Remember that guests need at least a few weeks to respond, and you need to give your venue and caterers final numbers. In England and Wales, you also need two witnesses on the day, so make sure they know the date well in advance. Sending save the dates late is better than not sending them at all, but do not rely on them for very close weddings.

Send save the dates for a holiday weekend wedding 10 to 12 months ahead. Bank holiday weekends in the UK, such as Easter, the early May bank holiday, or the late August bank holiday, fill up quickly with other events, travel, and family gatherings. Guests need extra time to book accommodation and transport, which often costs more and sells out.

If many guests will travel across the country, consider sending them even earlier, up to 12 months. For a wedding on a bank holiday in Scotland or Northern Ireland, check the local holiday dates, as they differ from England and Wales. Give guests a clear note on the save the date that it is a holiday weekend, so they can plan around it.

Send save the dates to out of town guests at the same time as everyone else, but include extra details. If guests need to book flights, trains, or hotels, they will appreciate knowing the location and nearby accommodation options early. For guests travelling from abroad, send save the dates 12 months ahead if possible.

For UK guests travelling more than two hours, 10 months is a good rule. They may need to book time off work or arrange pet care. On the save the date, include the town or city and a note that accommodation details will follow. This helps them start planning without needing the full invitation.

Save the dates do not include RSVP cards. They are just a heads-up about the date and location. RSVP cards come with the formal invitation, which you send later, usually 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding. Your invitation should include an RSVP date about 3 to 4 weeks before the wedding, so you have time to chase any late replies.

If you are using online RSVPs, you can include the website link on the save the date, but do not ask for a response yet. Guests cannot confirm until they know their own plans, which may depend on holiday approval or childcare. Keep save the dates simple and save the formal requests for the invitation.

You do not legally need to send save the dates. They are optional, but they help guests plan, especially for holiday weekends, destination weddings, or when many guests travel. If your guest list is small and local, you might skip them and just send invitations. If you have guests coming from far away, save the dates are worth the effort.

Send save the dates to everyone you plan to invite, including evening guests. Evening guests need to know the date and time of the evening reception, so they can arrange transport and outfits. For a destination wedding, include a short line like "wedding in Cornwall, details to follow" or "wedding in Edinburgh". You do not need to list every event, just the main wedding date and location. If you have a wedding website, you can mention it on the save the date, but keep the card itself clear and simple.