How early is too early to send an invite?

The formal invitation should not be sent more than about four months before the wedding. If you send it too early, guests may put it aside and forget, or they may lose it among other post. Plans change, and an invitation sent a year ahead can easily be outdated. For most UK weddings, sending invitations more than sixteen weeks ahead is unnecessary.

If you want to give guests early notice, send a save the date card or a digital save the date. That is the right way to let people know the date and location well in advance, without asking for a reply. Then send the formal invitation six to eight weeks before the wedding, with all the details and the reply date.

There is one exception. For a wedding abroad, or one where guests must book flights and accommodation far ahead, sending invitations three to four months ahead is reasonable. Even then, you can send a save the date first and follow with the invitation later. The key is to balance giving guests enough notice with not asking them to commit too early. If you are unsure, send the invitation at eight weeks and rely on your save the date for early notice.