How far in advance should you send wedding invitations for a civil partnership or same sex wedding?

For a civil partnership or same sex wedding, the timing for sending invitations is no different from any other wedding. Aim for 8 to 12 weeks before the date. This gives guests a comfortable window to respond, book time off, and arrange any travel. If your ceremony is at a register office or approved venue, you may have a shorter ceremony and a longer reception, so be clear on the invitation about the order of events. Some couples choose to send save-the-date cards earlier, especially if the wedding falls on a bank holiday or during a busy season. For guests who need to book accommodation, sending invitations at the 12 week mark is kind and practical. If you are having a small civil ceremony with a larger party later, you might send invitations for the party separately, but the same 8 to 12 week rule applies. Remember that legal requirements for giving notice are separate from invitation timing; check with your register office for the notice period, which is at least 28 days in England and Wales, 29 days in Scotland, and 28 days in Northern Ireland. Always include your gift list details if you have one, but keep it on a separate card.