When to Send Wedding Invitations: A Complete UK Guide

For most UK weddings, send your main invitations 6 to 8 weeks before the ceremony. This gives guests enough time to check diaries, arrange travel and reply, without leaving it so late that they have already made other plans. It also gives you a clear window to chase any missing RSVPs and finalise your numbers with your venue and caterers.

If your wedding is in peak season, such as a summer Saturday, send them closer to 8 weeks. For a quieter time, 6 weeks is fine. The key is to work backwards from your RSVP date, which should be about 2 to 3 weeks before the wedding, so you have time to confirm final numbers.

No, it is not rude to send invitations early, as long as you are practical. Sending them 3 months ahead is acceptable, especially if many guests are travelling from another part of the UK. The only risk is that guests may forget or lose the invitation, so if you send very early, follow up with a reminder closer to the date.

For most couples, 6 to 8 weeks is the sweet spot. It feels timely without being rushed. If you are worried about early invitations being forgotten, use a save the date first, then send the formal invitation at the usual time.

For a destination wedding, meaning one where most guests will need to travel and stay overnight, send save the dates 6 to 12 months ahead. This is especially important if the wedding falls on a bank holiday or during school holidays, when accommodation and transport book up quickly.

Send the formal invitations for a destination wedding 3 to 4 months before the date. This gives guests time to book time off work and arrange travel, while still being close enough that they can confirm their plans. For a wedding abroad, you may need to send invitations even earlier, so check the legal requirements in that country and give guests at least 6 months' notice.

Evening guests, who join after the ceremony and meal, should receive their invitations 4 to 6 weeks before the wedding. This is later than day guests because evening guests usually only need to arrange childcare or transport for the evening, not a full day off. Still send a save the date if you know they will be invited, especially for a popular date.

For a midweek wedding, send invitations a little earlier, around 8 weeks, because guests may need to book annual leave. For a bank holiday wedding, send them 8 to 10 weeks ahead, as many people plan bank holiday weekends months in advance. You should also mention on the invitation if the wedding is on a bank holiday, so guests can plan around it.

The latest you should send invitations is 4 weeks before the wedding. Any later and guests will struggle to arrange time off, travel and gifts, and you risk a lower attendance. If you are sending invitations only 4 weeks ahead, make sure your RSVP date is no more than 2 weeks before the wedding, and be prepared to chase responses by phone or text.

If you are very late, for example 2 weeks before, it is better to contact guests personally by phone or email rather than relying on the post. You can still send a formal invitation, but the personal contact is what will get you a quick answer. For a small wedding with local guests, 4 weeks can work, but for anything larger, aim for 6 to 8 weeks.

Yes, you can send wedding invitations by email, and many couples do, especially for evening guests or for a second wave of invitations. Email invitations are practical for guests who live abroad or for those who prefer digital communication. If you use email, make sure the design still feels personal and includes all the same details, such as the venue, dress code and RSVP instructions.

You do not need special stamps for wedding invitations. Standard first or second class stamps are fine. If your invitation is heavy, has multiple inserts or is an unusual shape, check the weight at the post office, as you may need extra postage. For square or handmade envelopes, they may be classed as large letters, so check before you post. Always post invitations at least a week before your intended send date to allow for delivery delays.

Most UK couples send invitations 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding, with save the dates 6 to 9 months ahead for weddings that need early planning. This is the standard pattern, and it works well for most guest lists. For a wedding with many local guests and no accommodation needs, 6 weeks is perfectly normal.

Your RSVP date should be about 2 to 3 weeks before the wedding, and you should include a clear reply date on the invitation. Give guests at least 3 weeks to reply after receiving the invitation. If you have not heard from someone by the RSVP date, contact them directly. Remember that you need to give your final numbers to your venue and caterer a week or two before the wedding, so build that into your timeline.