How far in advance should invitations be sent?

Short answer

Send invitations 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding. This gives guests time to book time off, arrange travel and reply before your final numbers are due.

For most UK weddings, sending invitations 6 to 8 weeks ahead works well. It is early enough for guests to arrange accommodation and travel, especially if many are coming from elsewhere, but not so early that people forget or lose the details.

If you have guests travelling from abroad, or your wedding falls near a school holiday or bank holiday, send them a little earlier, around 10 to 12 weeks. For a very local wedding with mostly nearby guests, 4 to 6 weeks can be fine, but only if you are confident about your final numbers.

Remember that your venue and caterers will usually need a final guest count about two to four weeks before the day. Your invitation reply date should sit before that deadline, so you have time to chase any late replies. If you are using a wedding website with online RSVPs, you can set the reply deadline there and send gentle reminders to anyone who has not responded.

If you sent save the dates earlier, the invitation is your chance to confirm the practical details: timings, dress code, directions, menu choices and any children or plus-one arrangements. Keep the wording clear and warm, and include a way for guests to ask questions if they are unsure about anything.