How early in advance should you send wedding invitations?

Short answer

Send your wedding invitations about 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding. This gives guests enough time to reply, arrange travel and accommodation, and sort out any other plans. For a wedding during a busy holiday period, send them a little earlier.

Aim to post your invitations 6 to 8 weeks before the big day. That is the sweet spot: early enough for guests to plan, but not so early that they forget or lose the details. If your wedding falls near Christmas, Easter or a school holiday, send them 10 to 12 weeks ahead instead. That helps guests book travel and time off before prices rise and diaries fill.

Before the invitations go out, send a save the date card, usually 6 to 12 months ahead. This is especially helpful for guests who need to travel or arrange childcare. Your formal invitation then acts as the confirmation with all the practical details.

Remember to set a clear RSVP date on the invitation. A good rule is to ask for replies about 4 weeks before the wedding. That gives you time to confirm final numbers with your venue and caterer. If you have not heard back by the RSVP date, it is fine to chase people by phone or text. Be kind, people are busy and sometimes forget.

If you are using an online RSVP system, make sure the link is easy to find and works on phones. And always include a paper reply option for older guests who prefer it.